Connectionists: Postdoctoral position in Computational Neuroscience in Norway

[Gaute Einevoll]

POSTDOCTORAL RESARCHER IN COMPUTATIONAL NEUROSCIENCE IN NORWAY

Would you like to pursue exciting research in computational neuroscience as a participant in a lively international collaborative research project? Then you should consider applying for a full-time limited-term position as postdoctoral researcher (code 1352) in the Computational Neuroscience Group at the Department of Mathematical Sciences and Technology of the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (UMB). The position is a part of, and financed by, the EU BrainScaleS project (brainscales.kip.uni-heidelberg.de/) as well as the eNEURO project in the eScience program of the Research Council of Norway. The position is limited to two years.

In the research project, which will be pursued in close collaboration with the group of Prof. Markus Diesmann (a BrainScaleS partner) at the Research Center Jülich (www.csn.fz-juelich.de/cnpsn/), you will develop and use modeling schemes for the simultaneous calculation of spikes and local field potentials (LFPs) in network models mimicking signal processing in sensory cortices. The project combines simulations of large networks of spiking neurons, mainly implemented using the NEST simulator (www.nest-initiative.org), with simulations of LFPs and detailed neuron models with anatomically reconstructed dendritic morphologies using the NEURON simulator (www.neuron.yale.edu) within our LFPy Python package (compneuro.umb.no/LFPy). For an example of such modeling, see Linden et al., Neuron 72, 859-872 (2011). While the position will be at UMB, frequent visits to Jülich, as well as other BrainScaleS partners, will be encouraged.

The computational neuroscience group at UMB presently consists of four permanent faculty members (Einevoll, Indahl, Plesser, Wyller), four post-docs, five doctoral students and a scientific software developer. We are co-localized and closely interacting with other computational biologists on campus focusing on modeling of heart function and the genotype-phenotype link, and we are also host of the Research School in Systems Biology.  As a member of the NEST Initiative, we are strongly involved in developing leading-edge simulation software. We enjoy prioritized access to the Norwegian national scientific high-performance computing resources (www.notur.no). For information on our group, see compneuro.umb.no. UMB is located at Aas, about 30 km south of Oslo, the capital of Norway.

To qualify for the position, you must have a PhD in computational science, preferably computational neuroscience. Documented success in independent implementation of reliable scientific software, preferably in C++ or Python, is essential for the position. Experience in neuroscience is considered a significant asset.  Women are currently underrepresented in our group and are especially encouraged to apply.
The position is financed through the BrainScaleS grant of EU FP7 and the eNeuro grant of the Research Council of Norway and limited to two years. Start date is as early as possible. The contract period will be extended in case of parental leave. Starting salary is at state salary level 57 (currently NOK 456.100/EUR 58.700/USD 76.600). A higher starting salary is negotiable for applicants with significant relevant job experience, up to state salary level 60 (currently NOK 480.900/EUR 62.200/USD 80.800).

Please submit your application via the web page http://www.jobbnorge.no/job.aspx?jobid=81826 (use link "Apply for this job" on top of web page) no later than April 9th, 2012 including up to five key publications. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to multiple-author publications, please explain your role briefly. Printed material which cannot be sent electronically should be sent by surface mail to the Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Dept. of Mathematical Sciences and Technology, IMT, P.O. Box 5003, 1432 Ås, within April 9th 2012. Please quote reference number 2012/179. Applicants invited for an interview will be asked to present originals of diplomas and certificates.

Please contact Professor Gaute T. Einevoll (gaute.einevoll at umb.no) and/or Head of Section, Dr. Hans E. Plesser (hans.ekkehard.plesser at umb.no) for further information.

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Professor Gaute T. Einevoll
Department of Mathematical Sciences and Technology
Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 1432 Aas, Norway
ph. +47-64965433, mobile: +47-95124536
email: Gaute.Einevoll at umb.no
web: compneuro.umb.no, arken.umb.no/~gautei