Connectionists: One PhD Position in Neuroscience at the University of Bremen, Germany

[David Rotermund]

The Institute for Theoretical Physics at the University of Bremen,
headed by Prof. Dr. Klaus Pawelzik, offers a PhD position in the field
of Complex Adaptive Systems.

Successful candidates will join an international research group that is
located in the field of Complex Adaptive Systems with a specialization
in Econophysics, Psychophysics and Computational Neuroscience. In the
latter we work on Attention, Neuronal Dynamics, Learning and
Neurotechnology.

The project funded by the DFG is entitled:
“Dynamic instabilities from information annihilation in neuronal networks”

Many Complex Adaptive Systems, including human balancing behavior,
financial markets, and neuronal networks, exhibit complex
spatio-temporal activity. Interestingly, all these systems feature a
dynamic balance of opposing influences. In this project we will
investigate the consequences of simple but biologically realistic
mechanisms that yield a balance of excitatory and inhibitory inputs into
neurons. In particular, we will determine the conditions where this
balance does not result in simple equilibria but causes complex temporal
dynamics and power-law distributed avalanches of activity in recurrent
networks. This topic is part of a long term research program where we
investigate whether a single general principle, by which criticality
emerges from an efficient absorption of information, can account for
these observations in a wide range of systems.

The position is funded with a salary comparable to a 65 % TVL13 position
and comes with support for 3 years and direct supervision by the
principal investigator.

Ideal candidates have a MSc degree in Physics or Mathematics. In any
case they must have a strong background in physics and/or computational
neuroscience and solid programming skills. Above all, they must have a
strong motivation, a sense for responsibility, interest for detailed
analysis, and a distinct desire to learn. Fluency in English is required
(both written and spoken).
If you are interested, please send your complete application by 30th
June 2016 by e-mail (see detailed instructions below) to
ajanssen at neuro.uni-bremen.de. Severely disabled applicants and women
with essentially identical and personal suitability will be
preferentially selected.

Detailed instructions for applicants
=====================

Your application must comprise:

Motivation letter
--------------------
Your 1-2 page essay should reply the following questions:
What is your background? In which fields have you worked before and how
do you think this can be useful for the present job?
What attracts you to the field of neuroscience?
Which problem(s) in neuroscience are you most interested in?
Which kind of person are you (e.g. creative, analytic, communicative,
pragmatic, etc.) and how do you approach a research problem?
What are your plans for your future career?

Curriculum Vitae
---------------------
Send a classical tabular CV with your contact details, your
date-of-birth, a current photograph, and all stages of education and
employment.
List of skills, awards, publications
List your skills, especially proficiency in languages (including the
level of proficiency), that you think might be useful for the job. Also
list awards you might have got and peer-reviewed papers, in case there
are some.

Contact details of two academic references
--------------------------------------------------------
One of the references should be your MSc advisor. Please contact the
references prior to listing their names so that they are not surprised
if they get contacted.
Your application can be in English or German, whatever language you are
more familiar with.

Please send your application to ajanssen at neuro.uni-bremen.de by 30th
June 2016!

All documents must be in PDF format and must not be compressed. Combine
all documents to a single PDF file or at least name the separate files
appropriately.

If we find your application interesting, we will let you know within two
weeks and potentially ask for more documents.