Connectionists: Open PhD position Reinforcement Learning at CWI Amsterdam

[Sander Bohte]

The Netherlands Centrum Wiskunde & Informatica (CWI) invites
applications for the position of a

       PhD position (OIO):  biologically plausible distributed reinforcement
learning.

The opening is a research position within the field of computational
neuroscience/neuroinformatics.

Research Background
In this project, we aim to refine our understanding of reinforcement
learning in the brain, in particular where top-down attention is
involved. Attention, in the form of backpropagating activity
modulation of neurons involved, is believed to play a critical role in
solving the spatial and temporal credit-assignment problem inherently
found in large neuronal systems upon receiving an external reward.
Work in this area includes for example the AGREL framework [Roelfsema
& Van Ooyen, 2005]. At the same time, it is widely believed that
populations of neurons in the cortex can represent probability
distributions, and, in this context, attention-driven top-down
modulation adapt the visual system to the statistics of the
environment [e.g. Mozer & Fan, 2008].  And, finally, all these processes are
actually carried out by spiking neurons [Paugam-Moisy & Bohte, 2009].
Research will focus on expanding this line of attention-gated learning
and processing,
and develop underlying learning models of the populations of spiking neurons
involved.

Job Description
The prospective PhD student will work on developing models of learning
and information processing in biologically plausible neuronal systems,
with an emphasis on techniques from statistical machine learning and
in particular
reinforcement learning. The project will collaborate intensively with
existing experimental and computational neuroscience efforts in the
Netherlands.

Requirements
Required education/skills: University Graduate (MSc).
Candidates are expected to have an affinity with mathematical modeling
and a keen interest in biological neural systems. A university
degree (MSc) is required, preferably in mathematics, physics, or
computer science, or a similar discipline. In addition, good
communication skills, in written as well as spoken English are needed,
and knowledge of statistical machine learning is a strong plus.

Location
The research will take place in the Life Sciences group of the Center for
Mathematics and Computer Science (CWI) in Amsterdam. Within the
context of learning and information processing in biologically
plausible systems, the group develops quantitative and predictive
models and computer simulations in collaboration with experimental
neuroscience groups.

Conditions of employment
The salary and terms of employment are in accordance with the Dutch
"CAO-onderzoeksinstellingen". The initial salary for a Ph.D. student
is EUR 2005,- gross per month (as per CAO WVOI 1/1/2009), increasing
to EUR 2569,- in the fourth year. Moreover CWI offers attractive
working conditions, including flexibility and help with housing for
foreigners.

Additional Information
Direct requests for information and applications before September 15,
2009 to: Dr Sander Bohte, sbohte at cwi.nl / +31-6-24854184, also see:
http://www.cwi.nl.

Application
Applications must include a motivation letter, a curriculum vitae, and
the names and addresses of at least two persons that can be approached
to obtain further information.
You can apply for this job until 15 September 2009 by sending your
application to:

Afdeling Personeel & Organisatie
CWI
Science Park 123
1098 XG Amsterdam
The Netherlands