Connectionists: Two postdoc positions available to investigate magnetic fields in neurons

[Alain Destexhe]

Hi everyone,

We have two postdoc positions available in our laboratory at the
UNIC, related to theoretical and experimental study of magnetic
fields generated by neurons.  This is supported by a European
project called MAGNETRODES and which consists of conceiving,
testing and modeling new microdevices ("magnetrodes") to record
magnetic fields directly from neural tissue, and in some cases in
close proximity to neurons.  The device will be fabricated by a
laboratory in CEA Saclay (Myriam Pannetier) and in Lisbon (Susana
Cardoso), and will be tested at the UNIC in vitro (cortical slices;
Thierry Bal) using patch-clamp experiments.  At the UNIC, we will
also model the results of the experiments (Alain Destexhe) to
obtain a precise characterization of the "magnetic generator" by
neurons.  We will also study possible extensions to modeling the
magneto-encephalogram (MEG) signals.  Other partners of the project
are Pascal Fries (Frankfurt; in vivo testing) and Lauri Parkkonen
(Aalto, MEG).

We are looking for two postdocs (2 year contracts with possible
extension), one will be primarily involved in patch-clamp
experiments with the magnetrodes, and the other one will be
involved in the modeling of neuronal electromagnetic fields.  These
two postdocs will interact closely, and we will encourage
candidates willing to participate to both experiments and modeling.
One candidate should ideally be physicist with strong background in
electromagnetism theory, and the other candidate should ideally be
trained in electrophysiogy.   Candidates should have a PhD degree -
there is no restriction on nationality.

The project will be conducted at the UNIC, which is a CNRS research
unit (UPR 3293, Dir. Y. Frégnac) comprising 6 different
laboratories, mixing experimental and theoretical neuroscience.
The UNIC is part of the Alfred Fessard Neurobiology Institute
(INAF; Dir. P. Vernier), located in the CNRS campus of Gif sur
Yvette.  The CNRS Campus comprises about 2000 researchers focusing
on neuroscience, molecular biology, genetics and plant biology, and
is affiliated with several universities and engineering schools in
the Paris Region (Ecole Polytechnique, Sup-Elec, Pierre & Marie
Curie University Paris 6, University of Orsay Paris 11, Ecole
Normale Superieure Paris).

Please contact

   Alain Destexhe  (destexhe at unic.cnrs-gif.fr)
   or
   Thierry Bal     (bal at unic.cnrs-gif.fr)

   Unité de Neuroscience, Information et Complexité (UNIC),
   UPR 3293, CNRS,
   1 Avenue de la Terrasse (BAT 33),
   91198 Gif-sur-Yvette, France

   Tel: 33-1-69-82-34-35
   Fax: 33-1-69-82-34-27
   URL: http://cns.iaf.cnrs-gif.fr