[Comp-neuro] Jobs: 2 PhD Positions for "Volition and Cognitive Control" project in Dresden

2 PhD students positions available for:

1. "Dopaminergic Modulation of Meta-Control Parameters and the Stability-Flexibility Balance"
2. "Serotonergic Modulation of Meta-Control Parameters"

Section Systems Neuroscience (Prof. Michael Smolka), TU-Dresden, Germany

Project "Volition and Cognitive Control: Mechanisms, Modulators, and Dysfunctions"

Deadline: 31 July

Within the University of Excellence Technische Universität
Dresden, the Section of Systems Neuroscience (Prof. Michael
Smolka) is closely associated with the Department of
Psychology and the Neuroimaging Center, which offers
excellent research collaborations and infrastructure, e.g. a
3 Tesla MRI scanner for full-time research, MRI-compatible
EEG and eye tracking, and access to the PET center at
Dresden-Rossendorf.

Our international and multidisciplinary group conducts basic
research in neuroscience at the cutting edge to clinical
applications. We investigate the function of neural systems
that are involved in elementary cognitive processes such as
learning, emotion, motivation, executive function, or
decision making. In order to better understand neural
mechanisms underlying mental disorders, we investigate how
these processes contribute to the complex behavioral
dysfunctions observed, for example, in addictive behavior.
Recently, the German Funding Agency DFG has approved a new
collaborative research centre (CRC) titled "Volition and
Cognitive Control: Mechanisms, Modulators, and Dysfunctions".

Within this CRC, we invite applications for the projects
"Dopaminergic Modulation of Meta- Control Parameters and the
Stability-Flexibility Balance" and "Serotonergic Modulation
of Meta-Control Parameters".

Effective immediately the following position is vacant:

2 PhD Students

The salary is according to the TV-L dispositions (2
positions, 65% each). Contract is limited to 2 years first,
but will be expanded after a positive evaluation.

The common aim of both projects is to investigate effects of
neuropharmacological interventions on elementary cognitive
processes such as learning and discounting as a function of
time or probability. Both projects are complementary because
they target similar psychological concepts using different
neuromodulatory pathways. The successful candidate will be
involved in running participants, implementing experimental
protocols, and processing of the recorded data. Furthermore,
the successful candidate is expected to undertake project
management duties including supervision of student research
assistants, data management, and publication of the results.

Requirements

Excellent graduate degree (Diplom; MSc or equivalent) in
any scientific field of study with a strong curriculum in
neuroscience (i.e., psychology, medicine, neuroinformatics)

Experience in scientific work (e.g., as student research
assistant)  Sufficient language skills to interact with
local participants in German and the global
 scientific community in English (excellent language skills
are a plus)

The ideal candidate would additionally be characterised by*

Previous hands-on experience in neuroscience in general and
in neuroimaging (i.e., fMRI or PET) in particular
Programming skills in any common software environment (e.g.,
MATLAB, Python, E- Prime/Presentation/PsychToolbox)

Intrinsic motivation to investigate the brain and strong
interest in experimental approaches to study complex human
behaviour

We offer you the possibility of

Working in an interdisciplinary team contributing to our
understanding of the brain with the particular skills that
you already have and will further develop

Being part of the structured PhD graduate program of our
CRC 

Arranging for flexible working hours to find a balance
between work and family life Providing for the future in
the form of a company pension plan

Women are explicitly invited to apply. Handicapped
applicants will be preferred in case of equal qualification.

We kindly ask you to apply preferably via our online form to
make the selection process faster and more effective. Of
course, we consider your written application without any
disadvantages.

We look forward to receiving application, until July 31,
2012 online with reference number PSY0912166. Please submit
a full CV, transcript of records, statement of research
interest (max. 2 pages), and names and contact information
for two or three referees.

Please use the following link to submit your application:

https://www.uniklinikum-dresden.de/Bewerbung/?id=b94067cc7459cd257f3d1c403aeeed68


For further information please contact: Mr. Nils Kroemer,
nils.kroemer@tu-dresden.de Tel.: +49-351-463-42206.