3 PhD/3 Postdoc Positions

[Tim Pearce]

Qualified applicants are being sought for 6 positions (3 postdoctoral
and 3 postgraduate PhD. Researchers) at 3 institutions across Europe
in the areas of computational neuroscience, neuromorphic engineering,
and experimental neuroscience. All six positions are funded for 4
years duration under the EU Framework V IST, Future and Emerging
Technologies initiative, starting from January 2002.

The project concerns the development of an unmanned aerial vehicle
(UAV) artefact to perform stereotypical moth-like chemotaxis behaviour
in uncertain environments. We propose to develop biologically-inspired
sensor, information processing and control systems for a c
(hemosensing) UAV. The cUAV will identify and track volatile compounds
of different chemical composition in outdooor environments. Its
olfactory and sensory-motor systems are to be inspired by the moth.
This development continues our research in artificial and biological
olfaction, sensory processing and analysis, neuronal models of
learning, real-time behavioural control, and robotics. Fleets of cUAVs
will ultimately be deployed to sense, identify, and map the airborne
chemical composition of large scale environments. Further details on
the project and the research teams can be found at
http://www.le.ac.uk/eg/tcp1/amoth/

The project includes significant funding and opportunities for travel
within Europe to visit the laboratories of the participating consortia
and outside Europe to attend international scientific meetings.

University of Leicester, UK. A computational neuroscience postdoctoral
researcher is required to develop a biologically constrained model of
the insect antennal lobe operating in real-time and driven by
broadly-tuned integrated chemosensors. Expertise in modelling of
spiking neuronal populations, information theoretical analysis, and/or
modelling of synaptic plasticity is desirable. A postgraduate
researcher (who will be expected to register for a PhD) in the area of
neuromorphic engineering is required to support this modelling
activity as well as deal with the implementation of the model using
FPGA/DSP technology and its integration with real-world chemical
sensors. Strong mathematical, analytical and programming skills are
required for both positions. Informal enquiries regarding these
positions and the project in general should be addressed to the
project co-ordinator, Dr. T.C. Pearce, Department of Engineering,
University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, United Kingdom, +44 116
223 1290, t.c.pearce at le.ac.uk

ETH/Univ Zurich, Switzerland. A computational neuroscience
postdoctoral researcher is required to implement a model of
sequence-based learning based upon the protocerebellum of the moth. A
PhD researcher is also required for neuromorphic hardware
implmentation. Both researchers will be involved in the construction
of the UAV. Hence, interest and demonstrated skills in both
computational neuroscience and the construction and control of robots
is required. Informal enquiries regarding these positions and the
project in general should be addressed to the project co-ordinator,
Dr. P.F.M.J. Verschure, Institute of Neuroinformatics
Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland. ++41 1 6353070,
pfmjv at ini.phys.ethz.ch

Sveriges Lantbruksuniversitet, Sweden. At the researcher level we will
hire a postdoctoral scientist specializing in neurophysiology and
neuromorphology of the insect central olfactory system. The main task
will be to elucidate neural interactions within the antennal lobe
allowing the amplification in sensitivity observed in earlier
investigations A postgraduate researcher (who will be expected to
register for a PhD) will work on similar issues but will also perform
behavioural experiments investigating moth orientation to host odours
and run linked gas chromatographic - electrophysiological experiments
to pinpoint active semiochemicals. Both positions require skills in
neurobiological techniques. Both positions will be formal positions,
including full Swedish social benefits. Informal enquiries regarding
these positions and the project in general should be addressed to the
local co-ordinator, Professor Bill S. Hansson, Division of Chemical
Ecology, Department of Crop Science, Swedish University of
Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 44, SE-23053 Alnarp, Sweden, +46
40415300, bill.hansson at vv.slu.se

Applicants should send a CV, cover letter stating for which position
they are applying, the names of at least three referees, to the named
academic associated with each position. Deadline for receipt of
applications is 20th December, 2001.

  Regards,

  Tim.

--
T.C. Pearce, PhD          URL: http://www.leicester.ac.uk/eg/tcp1/
Lecturer in Bioengineering         E-mail: t.c.pearce at leicester.ac.uk
Department of Engineering        Tel: +44 (0)116 223 1290
University of Leicester          Fax: +44 (0)116 252 2619
Leicester LE1 7RH                Bioengineering, Transducers and
United Kingdom                       Signal Processing Group