Connectionists: Open postdoctoral position in computational neuroscience+machine learning+statistics

[Turaga, Srinivas C]

The Turaga Lab is looking for an exceptional postdoctoral researcher, for research at the intersection of machine learning and neuroscience.

https://www.janelia.org/lab/turaga-lab



—— About the lab ——

With recent technological advances in 3d electron microscopy, optogenetics and large-scale chronic in vivo neural imaging, it is now possible to measure and perturb the activity of large populations of neurons, and to map their connectivity. These new data can be used understand how the structure of a neural circuit gives rise to its function. Our lab develops machine learning algorithms to map neural connectivity, and statistical models to characterize neural activity and to relate activity to connectivity.

We have pioneered the use of deep-learning based machine learning algorithms to map neural connectivity from 3d electron microscopic images of brain tissue, and we are now working to improve these methods. This involves solving interesting new problems in structured prediction, active learning and unsupervised learning at an unprecedented scale (imagine working with labeled training datasets with 10^9 examples in a 10^6 dimensional feature space and wanting to achieve accuracies of 99.999%!).

We are developing novel statistical methods for the analysis of large-scale calcium imaging datasets, and medium-scale connectome datasets, in order to help understand the latent structure of neural activity and neural connectivity. Our ultimate goal is build models combining large-scale activity measurements with structural connectomes in order to relate neural activity to neural connectivity with statistical and mechanistic models.



—— About the institute ——

HHMI's Janelia Research Campus is a unique, world-class research community near Washington, D.C. dedicated to understanding the function of neural circuits and developing synergistic imaging technology. Our highly collaborative structure is designed to support interdisciplinary work in small lab groups. We seek candidates who are comfortable with risk and are able to think independently to develop novel approaches.



—— Applying ——

Applicants should have a strong quantitative background with degrees or expertise in machine learning, computational neuroscience, applied mathematics, physics or related discipline. Excellent collaborative programming skills in Python, C/C++, Java or similar languages are essential.

To apply, please send me a CV and names and addresses of 2-3 references by email. I will also be attending Cosyne 2016 in Salt Lake City from Feb 25-28 and will be happy to meet you there.

Srini Turaga, Group Leader
turagas at janelia.hhmi.org
https://www.janelia.org/lab/turaga-lab

Howard Hughes Medical Institute / Janelia Research Campus
19700 Helix Drive, Ashburn VA 20147
Office: +1 (571) 209 4131
Fax: +1 (571) 209 4939