Connectionists: PhD Position on “Local Balance in Neuronal Networks" in Freiburg, Germany

[Birgit Ahrens]

*The Biomicrotechnology Lab of Prof. Ulrich Egert 
<http://www.imtek.de/professuren/biomikrotechnik/biomikrotechnik_startseite> 
is looking for a PhD student *

Research Topic:
“Local Balance in Neuronal Networks"
Neuronal networks with inhomogeneous connectivity have been suggested to 
be more robust against saturation and excessive synchronization in high 
input regimes. This strongly depends on the specific type of balance of 
excitation and inhibition as well as the role and effectiveness or long 
range connectivity. Locally unbalanced networks could contribute to an 
optimal representation of information in wide range of input regimes, or 
conversely to pathological network dynamics. In this context, we are 
interested in the role of inhibition/excitation balance beyond the 
statistical mean. We expect that local variability, the extent of 
connectivity and the specific properties of inhibitory/excitatory 
balance influence the activity structure and robustness of neuronal 
networks. We test this in synthetic networks of cultured cortical 
neurons using electrophysiological, optogenetic and computational 
techniques. This project explores the control of neuronal network states 
via optogenetic modulation of the excitation/inhibition interaction.

Funding:
We invite applications to join the lab for a 3-4 year PhD project in 
neurophysiology within the PhD program “BrainDisC” 
<http://www.bcf.uni-freiburg.de/teaching-and-training/braindisc> at the 
Bernstein Center Freiburg. The project is financed by a fellowship of 
the DAAD that can only be awarded to non-German applicants that have not 
been staying in Germany for more than 15 months at the time of their 
application.

Requirements:
The successful applicant has some prior training in experimental 
neurophysiology, excellent command of the English language, high 
motivation for independent work, knowledge of some programming language, 
ideally Matlab or Python, and willingness to contribute to an 
international team. Experience with cell cultures, network modeling or 
intracellular recording would be a plus.

The Bernstein Center Freiburg:
The Bernstein Center Freiburg <http://www.bcf.uni-freiburg.de/> 
concentrates research in Computational Neuroscience and Neurotechnology 
at the University of Freiburg, Germany. The projects are highly 
interdisciplinary and span across mathematical-theoretical approaches on 
the function and dynamics of neuronal networks, neuroanatomy, 
experimentally driven neurophysiology and the development of 
technologies for medical application.

How to apply:
Please apply using our online form at https://yoda.bcf.uni-freiburg.de/ 
and indicate "Egert" as preferred project. The deadline for applications 
is January 31, 2017.

Further details on: www.bcf.uni-freiburg.de/jobs


-- 
Dr. Birgit Ahrens
Teaching & Training Coordinator
Bernstein Center Freiburg
University of Freiburg
Hansastr. 9a
D - 79104 Freiburg
Germany
Phone: +49 (0) 761 203-9575
Fax: +49 (0) 761 203-9559
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