Connectionists: Postdoctoral position available at INRIA/Lorraine, France

[Nicolas Rougier]

A postdoctoral position is available at INRIA/Lorraine, France.
Deadline for submitting candidature is 22 of April 2005.

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Context:
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Cortex project with INRIA Lorraine is developping computational models
of neural networks inspired by biology (computational neurosciences)
which aimed at mixing knowledge from neuroscience together with robust
and distributed computation at both structural and functional level. Our
goals are to evaluate those models against experimental data from
neurosciences but also to design some tecnological software that can be
used, for example, in autonomous robotic. Recently, we designed a
distributed and dynamic model of visual attention based on the Continuum
Neural Field Theory that allows to sequentially focus salient locations
in an image. A working memory system ensures that the corresponding
objects are only focused once, even if they are moving around, such that
the visual search is efficient. The model has been implemented on a
robotic platform in order to search for objects such as fruits in a
natural scene.

Objectives:
-----------
We now aim at evaluating and refining this model by introducing
behavioral data because we think such data from psychology would help in
a better control and memorization of fixation points while exploring a
visual scene. More precisely, such data could help validate the model
robustness and pinpoint the nature of information flows between
posterior and frontal cortex. Ultimately, this study would help in the
design of a model more closely related to our knowledge of the human
attention circuitry.

Methods:
--------
In a first time, candidate will help in evaluating the model in terms of
biological plausibility with focus on the implied structures and their
respective role. This study would possibly lead to the re-organization
of information flows within the model in order to fit neuro-anatomical
data. In a second time, candidate would help evaluating the model
against common human psychological experiments concerning selective
visual attention by proposing and implementing some evaluation protocol.
Finally, candidate will help in extending the model by considering the
sequence of fixation points on a visual scene. An expertise in
perception, spatial relationships and information integration is, thus
required.

Duration of the fellowship (months):
------------------------------------
12.0

Sought profile of the candidate:
--------------------------------
We aim at recruiting a post-doctoral fellow in neurosciences having a
strong background in both visual attention domain and significant
experience in computational modeling.


Contact:
--------
Nicolas Rougier, Nicolas.Rougier at loria.fr


URL:
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http://www.loria.fr/jobs/postdoc_inria/postdoc_inria?id=46


Conditions for applicants
-------------------------

* Doctoral candidates must have defended their thesis before September
1, 2005. In case the thesis has not been defended at the time of
application, the thesis defense date must be explicitly indicated in the
application file.

* The positions are devoted to the priority research themes of the
Institute, as well as to the Incentive Concerted Initiatives on Data
Masses and Computer Security. However, high level applications on non
priority topics will also be considered.
High priority will be given to French and foreign applicants who
prepared their doctorate abroad, but again every high level application
will be carefully considered.

* No nationality requirement.

* Please complete one application file per topic proposed by the
research units.

* If you have obtained your doctorate from within an INRIA research
unit, you cannot apply to this unit. You may however apply to other
research units.


Nicolas Rougier