Connectionists: postdoc in computational neuroscience

[Máté Lengyel]

Postdoctoral Fellow in Computational Neuroscience
University of Cambridge

We are seeking a highly creative and motivated postdoctoral fellow  
(research associate) to work in the group of Mate Lengyel at the  
Computational and Biological Learning Lab, Department of Engineering,  
University of Cambridge (http://learning.eng.cam.ac.uk/Public/Lengyel/).

The group studies learning and memory from computational, algorithmic/ 
representational and neurobiological viewpoints. Computationally and  
algorithmically, we use ideas from Bayesian approaches to statistical  
inference and reinforcement learning to characterize the goals and  
mechanisms of learning in terms of normative principles and behavioral  
results. We also perform dynamical systems analyses of reduced  
biophysical models to understand the mapping of these mechanisms into  
cellular and network models.

The post is funded by a Wellcome Trust project grant on "Spike timing- 
based memory in the hippocampus" involving collaboration with Peter  
Dayan (Gatsby Computational Neuroscience Unit, UCL), and the groups of  
Ole Paulsen (Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, Oxford  
University) and Francesco Battaglia (SILS Center for Neuroscience,  
University of Amsterdam) providing direct access to relevant in vitro  
and in vivo electrophysiological data.

The successful candidate will have a strong analytical background and  
demonstrable interest in theoretical neuroscience. They should have or  
be close to completion of a PhD or equivalent in computational  
neuroscience, physics, mathematics, computer science, machine learning  
or a related field. Previous experience in computational neuroscience  
is not required, but preference will be given to candidates with  
sufficient programming skills to run numerical simulations (eg. in C  
or MatLab), or expertise with neural network models, analysis of  
dynamical systems, and Bayesian techniques.

The appointment will be for 1 year initially (extendable subject to  
funding) starting 1 April 2010 or as soon as possible thereafter.  
Salary is in the range £27,183-£35,469 p.a.

The cover sheet for applications, PD18 is available from www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/personnel/forms/pd18/ 
.  Parts I, II and III should be sent, preferably by e-mail, with a  
letter of application, a statement of research interests, and a CV (in  
pdf or plain text formats if possible) with the names and full contact  
details (including e-mail addresses) of three referees to Ms Diane  
Unwin (dsu21 at cam.ac.uk), Department of Engineering, Trumpington  
Street, Cambridge, CB2 1PZ, (tel: +44 (0)1223 3 32600, fax: +44  
(0)1223 3 32662), so as to reach her not later than 7 December 2009.  
Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed as soon as possible after  
the closing date.

-- 
Mate Lengyel, PhD
Computational and Biological Learning Lab
Cambridge University Engineering Department
Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1PZ, UK
tel: +44 (0)1223 748 532, fax:  +44 (0)1223 332 662
email: m.lengyel at eng.cam.ac.uk
web: www.eng.cam.ac.uk/~m.lengyel