Australia (Melbourne) - Postdoctoral position in Theoretical Neurobiology

[Dr David Liley]

Post-doctoral Research Fellow, Center for Intelligent Systems and
Complex Processes, School of Biophysical Sciences and Electrical
Engineering, Swinburne University of Technology, A$ 36,460 - 49,337

Available immediately for 2 1/2 years with the possibility of extension

A postdoctoral researcher is required for a 3-year Australian Research
Council funded project available from April 2002.  The project concerns
the experimental validation of a physiologically specific mathematical
theory of alpha electroencephalographic (8-13 Hz) activity.  This
theory has been developed by researchers within the Center for
Intelligent Systems and Complex Processes and suggests a novel basis
for electroencephalographic rhythmogenesis that depends upon local
inhibitory-inhibitory neuronal population interactions.  This
non-linear theory provides good descriptions of scalp recordable alpha
activity in the context of plausible physiological and anatomical
parameterization and gives rise to relatively specific predictions
regarding the form of evoked electroencephalographic activity.  Further
information on this theory can be found at http://marr.bsee.swin.edu.au

It is anticipated that many of the anatomical and physiologically
specific parameters can be estimated by curve fitting an analytical
white noise fluctuation (linear) spectrum, obtained from the theory, to
spontaneous alpha EEG activity.  Novel methods based on evolutionary
and swarm (collective intelligence) directed search strategies will be
developed to robustly and efficiently estimate these parameters.  The
full non-linear theory will then be used to constrain all of the
remaining model parameters by solving a set of boundary value
non-linear ordinary differential equations.  The validity of these
parameter sets will then be assessed by using them to predict the
latency and amplitude of the middle and late components of the
corresponding evoked cortical EEG activity.

This project will be based within the School of Biophysical Sciences
and Electrical Engineering which has significant facilities for high
performance computing (a 64 node Compaq Alpha cluster), data
visualization (including stereoscopic viewing facilities) and high
density EEG data collection (64 channel Neuroscan and EGI systems).

A strong mathematical and computer modeling background is required in
order to parametrically constrain systems of partial differential
equations that describe the most pertinent dynamical features of scalp
recordable EEG.  Practical knowledge of digital signal processing and
time series analysis is necessary.  Applicants must have a relevant PhD
in Physics, Applied Mathematics, Computational Physics or Theoretical
Neuroscience.

Informal enquiries regarding these positions and the project in general
should be addressed to the project co-ordinator, Dr David  T J Liley,
School of Biophysical Sciences and Electrical Engineering, Swinburne
University of Technology, Hawthorn VIC 3122, Australia + 61 3 9214
8812, email: dliley at swin.edu.au, WWW: http://marr.bsee.swin.edu.au.

Further details regarding this position (position number 22591) and
application instructions are available at
http://www.swin.edu.au/corporate/hr/posvac/external.htm

Closing Date: 22th March 2002


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Dr David Liley MBChB, PhD
Senior Lecturer in Biophysics
School of Biophysical Sciences and Electrical Engineering	
Swinburne University of Technology				
P.O. Box 218							
Hawthorn VIC 3122						
Australia

ph: +61 3 9214 8812
fax: +61 3 9819 0856
email: dliley at swin.edu.au
WWW: http://marr.bsee.swin.edu.au/~dtl
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