Connectionists: Postdoc in Computational Neuroscience

[Bruce Graham]

Dear all,

The following 3 year post is available in Scotland. Note that
I will be at the CNS meeting in Paris and can answer queries there.

Thanks,
Bruce Graham

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Post-doctoral research assistant in computational neuroscience (3 year FTA):
Location: School of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Scotland, U.K.
Job number: SCH00213
Full time, Fixed Term Contract (expected dates 01/10/2013 - 31/09/2016)
Grade 6 £24,049 - £29,541
Closing date: 26th July 2013

The Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council-funded project
“Balancing resource and energy usage for optimal performance in a neural
system”, will use a tightly integrated programme of experiments and
computational modelling to study activity-dependent regulation in the
medial nucleus of the trapezoid body (MNTB) in the mammalian auditory
brainstem, which plays a key role in sound source localisation (SSL). We
will examine how different intrinsic plasticity mechanisms, evoked by
incoming neural activity, obtain satisfactory functional performance in
this nucleus from a limited set of noisy resources (neurons, ion channels,
synapses etc) while minimising energy usage. This project is a
collaboration between computational modellers at Stirling (Dr Bruce
Graham) and Edinburgh (Dr Matthias Hennig), and the experimental lab of
Prof. Ian Forsythe at the University of Leicester. The PDRA at Stirling
will carry out the computational modelling. A PDRA at Leicester will be
conducting the experiments. Continuous interaction between the two PDRAs
will be necessary.

Essential:
PhD in relevant area (or close to completion of PhD).
The candidate should have good computational modelling skills (preferably
in compartment modelling of neurons); be familiar with numerical
mathematics and dynamic and stochastic systems; have proven computer
programming ability in a high-level language such as Java or C++;
demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a team and
an aptitude for working across the life sciences interface; a proven track
record in this field (e.g. through peer-reviewed publications of
international quality), and an ability to present their work to a
specialist audience.
They must be willing to travel to other project sites for collaboration
(short visits).

Desirable:
Strong candidates would demonstrate one or more of the following: A sound
knowledge of the nervous system and neurons; experience with the NEURON
simulator and MATLAB software; a  knowledge of parameter identification
and optimisation techniques for modelling.; proven ability to work in an
inter-disciplinary team, across the life sciences interface.; proven
communication skills with non-specialists.

Additional Information
For informal enquires, or to discuss how you might fit into our project,
please contact the project principal investigator, Dr Bruce Graham (01786
467432, b.graham at cs.stir.ac.uk).
To apply, go to http://www.stir.ac.uk/about/jobs/list/ (Postdoctoral
Research Assistant)



-- 
Dr Bruce Graham, Reader (b.graham at cs.stir.ac.uk)
Computing Science and Mathematics,
School of Natural Sciences,
University of Stirling,
Stirling FK9 4LA
phone: +44 1786 467 432   fax: +44 1786 464 551
Coauthor of "Principles of Computational Modelling in Neuroscience", CUP
July 2011

-- 
The University of Stirling is ranked in the top 50 in the world in The Times Higher Education 100 Under 50 table, which ranks the world's best 100 universities under 50 years old.
The University of Stirling is a charity registered in Scotland, 
 number SC 011159.