Connectionists: Faculty, postdoc, doctoral positions in cognitive neuroscience, theoretical neuroscience Higher School of Economics, Moscow

[boris gutkin]

1. Postdoctoral Position (3 years)

Postdoctoral Positions in Cognitive Neuroscience,  €30 000 - €40 000 euro (1 350 000 RUB - 1 800 000 RUB):

1. Transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS).  The aim of the project is to investigate complex spatio-temporal dynamics of electro- and magnetoencephalographic (EEG/MEG) oscillations and evoked responses during different experimental paradigms. The emphasis would be placed on studying interplay between ongoing/pre-stimulus oscillations and the following behavioral/electrophysiological responses in different perceptual, motor and cognitive tasks. In addition to EEG/MEG, Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is planned to be used for probing a cortical excitability. The project will adapt concepts from statistical physics such as long-range temporal correlations, synchronization, and entropy in order to comprehensively describe cortical brain mechanisms. A candidate should hold PhD degree, e.g., in neuroscience, psychology, computer science, biomedical engineering, physics, applied mathematics. Experience with multi-channel EEG/MEG/LFP recordings and data analysis (e.g. with Matlab/Python) as well as an experience with TMS is an advantage.  Group leader - Vadim Nikulin

2. Neuroeconomics. Our international group studies the brain mechanisms of decision making, social influence and persuasive communication.  People are exposed to hundreds of persuasive messages per day in one form or another: from TV commercials to scientific publications. Persuasion has been a focus of extensive psychological research but has been nearly ignored by cognitive neuroscience. Understanding the neuronal mechanisms of effective persuasion might provide important insights for a realistic psychological model of persuasive communication. Group leader - Vasily Klucharev
Selected Publications:
- KlucharevV, Munneke MA, Smidts A, Fernandez G (2011) Downregulation of the posterior medial frontal cortex prevents social conformity. J Neurosci 31:11934-11940.
- Klucharev V, Hytönen K, Rijpkema M, Smidts A, Fernández G  (2009) Reinforcement learning signal predicts social conformity. Neuron. 15;61(1):140-51.
- Klucharev V, Smidts A, Fernández G. (2008) Brain mechanisms of persuasion: how 'expert power' modulates memory and attitudes. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci. 3(4):353-66.

3. Neuroscience of speech and language. The postholder will conduct research in the area of cognitive neuroscience (specifically speech language function) as well as take part in a wide range of interdisciplinary collaborations with researchers at HSE and external collaborators in Moscow, RF and abroad. The postholder’s research will be centered on neural mechanisms underlying speech and language processing in the human brain. Ideal candidates will therefore have experience in neuroimaging and in language research. Previous experience in using one or more of such techniques as EEG, MEG, TMS, fMRI, eye-tracking,  psychophysiological/behavioural testing is essential. Eligible candidates should hold a PhD or similar degree in a relevant discipline, including (but not limited to) psychology, neuroinformatics or neuroscience.  Group leader - Yury Shtyrov

4. Theoretical Neuroscience  - computational and mathematical approaches to understanding neural function and cognition. Research interest of the group are wide ranging, carried out in a collaboration with the experimental labs at the research center and the faculty of applied mathematics. Research themes  include models of social decision making, computational neuroeconomics, information processing in neurons and circuits as well as computational approaches to drug addiction and role of oscillations in cognition.  The group is linked with the Group for Neural Theory at the Ecole Normale Superior in Paris, where research internships and visitorships can be made available. We are seeking highly qualified and motivated candidate with backgrounds in quantitative disciplines: applied mathematics,physics, computer science  or engineering.  Programming skills and ability to carry put interdisciplinary projects are required. Ability to work with data is recommended. Candidates will be trained in model building, analysis and will be offered advanced training in neuroscience and cognitive psychology. Candidates will be expected to develop independent research projects and collaborations under the direction of the group leading scientists. Publications in international peers reviewed venues are expected as tangible out outcomes of the research.  Group leader -Boris Gutkin

General Requirements:
- Ph.D. in psychology, neuroscience, social psychology,  neuroinformatics, psycholinguistcs or a related area
- Fluent English (knowledge of Russian is not required)
- Ability and high motivation to conduct high-quality research publishable in reputable peer-reviewed journals and international university presses
- Experience in human neuroimaging

 
Please provide a CV, at least 2 letters of reference forwarded directly, a statement of research interest and a recent research paper. All materials should be addressed to Anna Shestakova anna.shestakova at helsinki.fi  no later than Fabruary 15, 2014 till the position is filled.

2. PhD students positions
PhD students positions in Cognitive Neuroscience,  €18 000 - €22 000 euro ( 800 000 RUB - 1 000 000 RUB):

1. Transcranial magnetic stimulation lab (TMS). TMS is applied in various multidisciplinary projects – neuroscience of decision making (neuroeconomics), spatio-temporal dynamics of ongoing neuronal oscillations as predictors and descriptors of perceptual, motor and cognitive brain activity and language studies.   Group leader - Vadim Nikulin

2. Neuroeconomics. Our international group studies the brain mechanisms of decision making, social influence and persuasive communication.  People are exposed to hundreds of persuasive messages per day in one form or another: from TV commercials to scientific publications.  Persuasion has been a focus of extensive psychological research but has been nearly ignored by cognitive neuroscience. Understanding the neuronal mechanisms of effective persuasion might provide important insights for a realistic psychological model of persuasive communication. Group leader - Vasily Klucharev
Selected Publications:- KlucharevV, Munneke MA, Smidts A, Fernandez G (2011) Downregulation of the posterior medial frontal cortex prevents social conformity. J Neurosci 31:11934-11940.
- Klucharev V, Hytönen K, Rijpkema M, Smidts A, Fernández G  (2009) Reinforcement learning signal predicts social conformity. Neuron. 15;61(1):140-51.
- Klucharev V, Smidts A, Fernández G. (2008) Brain mechanisms of persuasion: how 'expert power' modulates memory and attitudes. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci. 3(4):353-66.

3. Neuroscience of speech and language. The postholder will conduct research in the area of cognitive neuroscience (specifically speech language function) as well as take part in a wide range of interdisciplinary collaborations with researchers at HSE and external collaborators in Moscow, RF and abroad. The postholder’s research will be centered on neural mechanisms underlying speech and language processing in the human brain. Ideal candidates will therefore have experience in neuroimaging and in language research. Previous experience in using one or more of such techniques as EEG, MEG, TMS, fMRI, eye-tracking,  psychophysiological/behavioural testing is essential. Eligible candidates should hold a PhD or similar degree in a relevant discipline, including (but not limited to) psychology, neuroinformatics or neuroscience.  Group leader - Yury Shtyrov

4.  Theoretical Neuroscience   - computational and mathematical approaches to understanding neural function and cognition. Research interest of the group are wide ranging, carried out in a collaboration with the experimental labs at the research center and the faculty of applied mathematics. Research themes  include models of social decision making, computational neuroeconomics, information processing in neurons and circuits as well as computational approaches to drug addiction and role of oscillations in cognition.  The group is linked with the Group for Neural Theory at the Ecole Normale Superior in Paris, where research internships and visitorships can be made available. We are seeking highly qualified and motivated candidate with backgrounds in quantitative disciplines: applied mathematics,physics, computer science  or engineering.  Programming skills and ability to carry put interdisciplinary projects are required. Ability to work with data is recommended. Candidates will be trained in model building, analysis and will be offered advanced training in neuroscience and cognitive psychology. Candidates will be expected to develop independent research projects and collaborations under the direction of the group leading scientists. Publications in international peers reviewed venues are expected as tangible out outcomes of the research.   Group leader - Boris Gutkin 

General Requirements:
- MS in psychology, neuroscience, social psychology,  neuroinformatics, psycholinguistcs or a related area
- Fluent English (knowledge of Russian is not required)
- Experience in neuroimaging
- High motivation to conduct high-quality research publishable in reputable peer-reviewed journals and international university presses
 

Please provide a CV, at least 2 letters of reference forwarded directly, a statement of research interest. All materials should be addressed to Anna Shestakova anna.shestakova at helsinki.fi  no later than Fabruary 15, 2014 till the position is filled.

Working Conditions:

The HSE is a young, dynamic, fast-growing Russian research university providing unique research opportunities (http://hse.ru/en, http://psy.hse.ru/en/)

Work Conditions:
-    Access to the brain-navigated TMS, multichanel EGG, MEG, gaze-tracking, etc. http://psy.hse.ru/en/res-center
-    Internationally competitive сompensation, 13% flat income tax rate and other benefits
-    Generous travel support and research grants provided by the university’s Centre for Advanced Studies (www.cas.hse.ru)
-    Heavy emphasis on high quality research


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