Postdoctoral work at Caltech

[Jim Bower]

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      Postdoctoral Position in Computational Neurobiology
            Computation and Neural Systems Program 
                           Caltech

A Post-doctoral position in the laboratory of Dr. Gilles Laurent is  
available for up to 3 years Applicants should have experience in modelling 
techniques and be interested in general problems of sensory-motor 
integration and/or single neuron computation.  One possible project would 
focus on somatosensory processing in insects emaphasizing the architecture 
of local circuits comprised of a few hundred identified neurons.  These 
circuits are composed of 4 layers of neurons (sensory, interneuronal 1, 
interneuronal 2, motor), with a large degree of convergence and no 
known internal feedback connections.  The task which these circuits 
perform is the mediation of leg reflexes, and the adaptation of these 
reflexes to external inputs or to internal constraints (e.g. centrally 
generated rhythm).  The second possible project would focus on the 
integrative properties of the 2 classes of local interneurons in those 
circuits.  Both classes lack an axon (they are local neurons), but the 
first ones use action potentials whereas the second use graded 
potentials as modes of intra- and inter-cellular communication.  The 
hypothesis which we are trying to test experimentally is that graded 
processing allows compartmentalization of function, thereby 
increasing the computational capabilities of single neurons. 

For further information contact:  

Gilles Laurent 
Biology Division 
CNS Program, MS 139-74
Caltech
Pasadena, CA 91125 
(818) 397-2798 
laurent at delphi.caltech.edu.