[Comp-neuro] research positions in Computional Neuroscience for postdocs and graduate students

POSITION: Xaq Pitkow's Computational Neuroscience group jointly at the Baylor College of Medicine and Rice University (neuro.bcm.edu/pitkowlab) is just starting and I am seeking highly motivated researchers to help build a fun, dynamic, collaborative lab environment. We have broad research interests with a primary focus on developing theories of the computational functions of neural networks, especially how they compute properties of the world using ambiguous sensory evidence. A few related topics include: distributed neural representations, algorithms for statistical inference, models of the natural environment, and computation by nonlinear recurrent networks. Successful applicants are welcome to pursue research in collaboration with experimentalists and/or in pure theory.

QUALIFICATIONS: The main selection criteria will be outstanding research accomplishments, quantitative skills, creativity and promise of future achievement. A strong quantitative background is required for both graduate students and postdocs, and postdoctoral applicants must have a Ph.D in a relevant discipline. Previous experience with neurobiology is helpful but not necessary: Computational Neuroscience benefits from researchers with backgrounds in physics, mathematics, neuroscience, psychology, biology and biophysics, statistics, machine learning, computer science, electrical engineering, and other related areas.

ENVIRONMENT: Baylor is one of the nation's top neuroscience research institutes and has strong experimental interests in systems neuroscience (neuro.bcm.edu). Rice is a leading research and teaching institution with strengths in electrical and computer engineering (ece.rice.edu) and continuing growth in neuroengineering. Houston hosts an outstanding greater research community, including multiple labs pursuing computational neuroscience. Our lab will be active in developing cross-institutional connections between Baylor, Rice, University of Texas at Houston, and the University of Houston.

APPLYING: Postdoctoral fellowships are for an initial appointment of one year, with possible extensions to three years depending on progress. The positions provide a highly competitive annual salary and benefits. Applicants should email a letter of research interests and CV to Xaq Pitkow (xaq(a)cns.bcm.edu), and should also arrange to have three letters of reference sent. The start date is flexible, and I look forward to reviewing completed applications as they arrive.