Connectionists: Two PostDoc positions Modelling Human Brain Development (Simulation and Neuroimaging)

[Marcus Kaiser]

Dear all,

The human brain is a complex system and while we know a bit about its
organisation and function, relatively little is known about its development
and how early changes can lead to brain diseases later on. Recent advances
in neuroimaging, using diffusion tensor imaging, allow us to observe how
brain connectivity changes from the embryonic to the adult stage. This
project will analyse how the human brain network arises during development
by combining data analysis with simulations of brain development (
http://www.greenbrainproject.org/ ).

The following two positions are now available for up to 3 years to PostDocs
or final year PhD students in an EPSRC-funded research project at Newcastle
University.

*Research Associate (Neuroimaging and Network Analysis)
*Objectives of this position are to analyse neuroimaging data for different
developmental stages and for healthy and pathological brains suffering from
developmental diseases such as epilepsy or schizophrenia. Data analysis
will include brain connectivity and standard anatomical features and might
involve the establishing of novel methods for connectome analysis.

We are seeking talented and enthusiastic research assistants with a PhD
awarded in physics, mathematics, computer science, or related subjects;
prior postdoctoral experience in the neurosciences is desirable.

Good communication skills, very strong data analysis skills, and a track
record of previous peer-reviewed journal publications. You will have
experience with analysing neuroimaging data using Matlab/SPM or FSL and
ideally have experience with diffusion imaging and brain connectivity
analysis. The position will include brief visits to our partners in the UK,
India, and Germany.

*Research Associate (Computer Simulations and Modelling)
*Objectives of this position are to develop a simulation of human brain
development bridging different levels from the formation of pioneer fibres
to the folding and connectivity changes over age. Simulations will be
compared with real data on healthy and pathological human brain development
to discover the underlying mechanisms. Finally, the performance of the
artificially grown networks will be tested using the Manchester University
SpiNNaker system.

We are seeking talented and enthusiastic research assistants with a PhD
awarded in physics, mathematics, computer science, or related subjects;
prior experience in the neurosciences is desirable.

Good communication skills, very strong software development skills, and a
track record of previous peer-reviewed journal publications. You will have
experience with large-scale software projects ideally using C/C++, GPU
Computing, or Matlab. The position will include brief visits to our
partners at Manchester University and abroad.

*Research Environment
*Neuroinformatics is one of the strategic areas of neuroscience research
within Newcastle University (http://research.ncl.ac.uk/neuroinformatics/).
Other areas include neuroimaging, psychophysics, systems neuroscience
(visual, auditory, and motor system), ageing, brain-machine interfaces, and
neurochips (http://www.ncl.ac.uk/ion). Newcastle University hosts around
100 principal investigators in the neurosciences.

*Living in Newcastle
*Newcastle University, with 20,000 students, lies in the city of
Newcastle-upon-Tyne - an area in the North-East of England with around one
million inhabitants. The university is at the centre of Newcastle which
itself is on the main train-line between London and Edinburgh, both 20
minutes away from the airport and the beach by public transport.

*How to apply
*Information on the application procedure is available at
http://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/AGN222/research-associate-computer-simulations/
http://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/AGN223/research-associate-neuroimaging-analysis/
The deadline for applications is 10 June.

For more information contact Dr Marcus Kaiser
(m.kaiser at ncl.ac.uk<https://mail.google.com/mail/mu/mp/381/?mui=ca>)

or visit http://www.biological-networks.org/

Best,
  Marcus


-- 


Best,
 Marcus


--

Marcus Kaiser, Ph.D.
Associate Professor (Reader) in Neuroinformatics
School of Computing Science
Newcastle University
Claremont Tower
Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK

Lab website:
http://www.biological-networks.org/

Neuroinformatics at Newcastle:
http://research.ncl.ac.uk/neuroinformatics/
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