Connectionists: PhD position in Zurich

[Jean-Pascal Pfister]

Applications are invited for one PhD student position at the University of Zurich. The position is funded by a SystemsX grant from the Swiss National Science Foundation. The project is entitled "Baysian learning of quantal parameters at single synapse resolution", and involves both experimentation and theory. 

Most models of synaptic transmission assume that all synapses between two neurons are identical. However, there is experimental evidence for significant heterogeneity in synaptic transmission between synapses. The major goal of this project is the development of an approach that allows for quantification of functional synaptic parameters incorporating single synapse heterogeneity. Half of the project will be devoted to experiments (electrophysiological and optophysiological investigation of synaptic transmission at Drosophila synapses), while the second part will involve modeling (Bayesian learning). 

The PhD student will be co-supervised by Prof. Martin Müller (Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich) and by Prof. Jean-Pascal Pfister (Institute of Neuroinformatics, ETH and University of Zurich). Both institutes offer ideal environments for performing theory-driven experiments due to the presence of many theoretical and experimental labs. 

The candidate should hold a Master degree/Diplom in Physics, Biology, Neuroscience, Computational Neuroscience or a related field. She/he should have prior experience in an experimental lab, a very strong mathematical background, and good programming skills.

The applicant should submit a CV, a statement of research interests, marks obtained for the Master/Diploma, and the abstract of the Master/Diploma thesis in electronic format to Jean-Pascal Pfister (jpfister at ini.uzh.ch) or Martin Müller (Martin.Mueller at imls.uzh.ch). In addition, two referees should directly send a letter of recommendation by email.

The position is offered for a period of three years, starting on the 1st of January 2016. Salary scale is provided by the Swiss National Science Foundation (www.snf.ch).

Deadline for application is the 30th of October 2015 or until the position is filled.


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Martin Müller
SNSF Assistant Professor
Institute of Molecular Life Sciences
University of Zurich
Y55-K78
Winterthurerstrasse 190
8057 Zurich
Switzerland 

www.imls.uzh.ch/mueller.html
www.neuroscience.ethz.ch/research/molecular_cellular/mueller

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Jean-Pascal Pfister
SNSF Assistant Professor
Theoretical Neuroscience Group
Institute of Neuroinformatics 
University of Zurich and ETH Zurich
Winterthurerstrasse 190
8057 Zurich, Switzerland

www.ini.uzh.ch/~jpfister
www.neuroscience.ethz.ch/research/computation_modeling/pfister