[Comp-neuro] Research Position in Computational Neuroscience (Basal Ganglia Models)

Research Position in Computational Neuroscience (Basal Ganglia Models)


The position is available at Chemnitz University of Technology in the Department of Computer Science. We preferably seek for a PostDoc, but PhD students will also be considered. The position is for three years, starting as soon as possible. 

The research position is funded from a German-Japanese Grant (DFG) in Computational Neuroscience and focuses on the function and role of Basal Ganglia pathways. We collaborate with Atsushi Nambu (National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Okazaki, Japan) who will do recordings in monkey Basal Ganglia and with Andrea Kühn (Charité Berlin, Germany) who will collect patient data relevant to Basal Ganglia dysfunction.

The goal in our project is to elucidate the role and function of Basal Ganglia pathways by developing a detailed model of basal ganglia with respect to neural spiking dynamics, anatomical connectivity within and in between basal ganglia nuclei, as well as neural plasticity. Please see references to previous work of more abstract, functional models of Basal Ganglia pathways below. The work will include a strong interaction with our partners Atsushi Nambu, who will record from basal ganglia nuclei in monkey and with Andrea Kühn with respect to clinical applications. The ideal candidate should have prior experience in computational neuroscience and sufficient programming experience.

The salary is according to German standards (E 13 TV-L), PhD (E 13 TV-L, 50%). The university is an equal opportunity employer. Women are encouraged to apply. Disabled applicants will receive priority in case they have equal qualifications. Chemnitz is the third-largest city of the state of Saxony and close to scenic mountains. Major cities nearby are Leipzig and Dresden with a rich tradition of music and culture.

Applications should be sent by email (preferably in PDF format) to (fred.hamker@informatik.tu-chemnitz.de) as soon as possible. Applications will be considered until the position is filled.

Previous work on Basal Ganglia:

Schroll, H, Vitay, J, Hamker, F.H. (submitted) Dysfunctional and Compensatory Synaptic Plasticity in Parkinson's Disease.
Schroll, H, Vitay, J, Hamker, F.H. (2012) Working memory and response selection: A computational account of interactions among cortico-basal ganglio-thalamic loops. Neural Networks, 26:59-74.
Vitay, J., Hamker, F. H. (2010) A computational model of the influence of basal ganglia on memory retrieval in rewarded visual memory tasks. Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience, Volume 4, Article 13.

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Prof. Dr. Fred H Hamker
Artificial Intelligence & Neuro Cognitive Systems
Department of Computer Science
Chemnitz University of Technology
Strasse der Nationen 62 
D - 09107 Chemnitz
Germany

Tel: +49 (0)371 531-37875
Fax: +49 (0)371 531-25739
email: fred.hamker@informatik.tu-chemnitz.de
www: http://www.tu-chemnitz.de/informatik/KI/