Connectionists: PhD position - Coding of retinal ganglion cells - Multi-electrode array - Oldenburg, Germany

[Jutta Kretzberg]

The Visual Neuroscience group at the University of Oldenburg, Germany is 
offering a

PhD position (TV-L E13 50%) in
population coding of retinal ganglion cells

starting in May 2015. The position is initially funded until March 31 2018.

The goal of our research is to understand how visual signals are 
transmitted from the retina to the brain. We study how populations of 
neurons encode information using large-scale multi-electrode arrays, 
which are able to record the responses of around a thousand neurons of 
various cell-types simultaneously for several hours.

The visual stimulus is transduced into electrical signals by the 
photoreceptors of the retina, processed by many types of interneurons, 
and conveyed to the brain by the ganglion cells along their axons that 
form the optic nerve. All visual information is encoded in temporal 
patterns of electrical impulses of the ganglion cells. We know from 
morphological studies that over 20 types of ganglion cells exist. Each 
type carries a specialized and distinct representation of the visual 
environment to different targets in the brain. We do not know the 
response properties of many types, especially in natural viewing 
conditions, nor do we fully understand how the diverse information sent 
by the different cell types collectively determines visual perception 
and behavior. For more information please visit www.uni-oldenburg.de/retina.

We seek a highly motivated PhD student with an academic university 
degree (Master or Diploma) in Biology, Physics, Informatics or related 
fields. Applicants should have strong computing skills, experience or 
training in neuroscience and interest in vision research. 
Electrophysiological experience is an advantage.

The Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg is dedicated to 
increasing the percentage of women in science. Therefore, equally 
qualified female candidates will be given preference. Applicants with 
disabilities will be preferentially considered in case of equal 
qualification.

Please submit your application (in English or German) including a 
motivation letter with a description of your scientific interest, a CV, 
degree certificates, and contact information of two references to Prof. 
Dr. Martin Greschner (martin.greschner at uni-oldenburg.de) preferably by 
email, as a single pdf-file or by mail to the Universität Oldenburg, 
Fakultät VI, Visual Neuroscience, 26111 Oldenburg. Applications will be 
considered until April 20th.