COMPUTATIONAL NEUROSCIENCE POSTDOCTORAL POSITION

[S. Becker]

COMPUTATIONAL NEUROSCIENCE POSTDOCTORAL POSITION

A postdoctoral candidate is sought to develop computational
models of the role of ascending neuromodulatory systems in both
learning and motivated behaviour. Topics of interest include the
role of dopamine in gating signal transmission in pathways
involved in generating motivated action, development of fears and
paranoias in hyperdopaminergic conditions, learning aversive and
emotional conditioned responses, and the biological bases of
emotional memory formation in structures including the
hippocampus and amygdala. It is anticipated that this project
will lead to fundamental contributions to the literature on
models of self-organization, by combining unsupervised and
semi-supervised (reinforcement) learning methods.  The work will also
have important implications for the team's research in
schizophrenia, wherein the actions of new classes of
antipsychotic drugs are being investigated both in clinical
trials and using brain imaging and behavioural pharmacology.

The candidate must have a PhD in cognitive science, computer
science, or a related discipline, and experience in neural
network modelling.  The model development will proceed in close
collaboration with researchers at the CAMH and University of
Toronto investigating learning and memory using behavioural
pharmacology.  Depending upon the interests of the candidate,
opportunities also exist to acquire training in human functional
neuroimaging, and conduct studies with clinical populations. The
position is available for a minimum of two years.

This research is part of a collaborative effort involving
Dr. S. Becker, Department of Psychology, McMaster University
(computational neuroscience), Dr. S. Kapur, Centre for Addiction
and Mental Health (CAMH) and Department of Psychiatry, University
of Toronto (behavioural pharmacology, human neuroimaging with PET
and fMRI) and Dr. P. Fletcher, Department of Psychology,
University of Toronto, and CAMH (animal models and behavioural
pharmacological studies).

For further information on the research interests of the team see
 www.science.mcmaster.ca/Psychology/sb.html
 http://www.camh.net/research/research_ar2001/schizophrenia.html
 http://www.rotman-baycrest.on.ca/content/people/profiles/kapur.html
 http://www.camh.net/research/research_ar2001/biopsychology.html

Interested candidates should send a letter of intention, a
CV and two letters of recommendation to Dr. S. Becker at the
address below.

Dr. Sue Becker
Department of Psychology
McMaster University
1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ont. L8S 4K1
becker at mcmaster.ca
Fax: (905)529-6225