Connectionists: PhD position in computational neuroscience and modeling of salamander spinal locomotor circuits, EPFL, Lausanne Switzerland

[Auke Ijspeert]

The Biorobotics laboratory (Biorob, https://www.epfl.ch/labs/biorob/ 
<https://www.epfl.ch/labs/biorob>) at EPFL (Lausanne, Switzerland) has 
one open *PhD student position* in *computational neuroscience and 
modeling of salamander spinal locomotor circuits*. The position is part 
of the ERC Synergy Salamandra project that will start in September 2021, 
together with Prof. Andras Simon (KI Sweden) and Prof. Dimitri Ryczko 
(U. Sherbrooke, Canada). See some info here: 
https://actu.epfl.ch/news/salamanders-provide-a-model-for-spinal-cord-rege-3/

The goals of the position are (i) to develop numerical models and 
simulations of the locomotor circuits in the spinal cord of the 
salamander, (ii) to analyze their dynamics when coupled to a simulated 
mechanical model of the body (interactions between central and 
peripheral mechanisms), and (iii) to  investigate their regenerative 
properties after spinal cord lesions. The models will be based on 
integrate-and-fire neuron models. The positions are fully funded for 4 
years.

EPFL is one of the leading Institutes of Technology in Europe and offers 
extremely competitive salaries and research infrastructure.

*Requirements:*

Candidates need to have a Master degree in a field related to 
computational neuroscience, e.g. in computer science, neuroscience, or 
physics. The ideal candidate for this position should have a strong 
numerical modeling background, good programming skills, good math 
background (e.g. in dynamical systems), and interest in locomotion and 
robotics.

*How to apply for the position:*

Step 1: The position is only open to applicants who have been accepted 
by the EPFL doctoral school (see http://phd.epfl.ch/ 
<http://phd.epfl.ch/>). The first step is therefore to fill the 
applications for one of the relevant EPFL doctoral programs  in 
neuroscience, or related fields (e.g. computer science or robotics).

Step 2: In parallel to step 1, or once accepted by one of the doctoral 
programs (please specify which doctoral program and the date of 
acceptance), the application to the position should be sent by email to 
Prof. Auke Ijspeert and consist of a motivation letter (explaining why 
you are interested in the project, and why you feel qualified for it) 
and a copy of the doctoral program application.

Informal inquiries about the relevance of an application can be sent to 
auke.ijspeert at epfl.ch <mailto:auke.ijspeert at epfl.ch> (e.g. before or 
while submitting an application to the doctoral school), but responses 
can be slow because of a heavy schedule and a filled mail box.

*Deadline and starting date:*

*The ideal starting date is September 2021* (with some flexibility). 
Applications will be considered starting *from May 31 2021*, and then 
continuously until the positions are filled.


*Instructions to apply* can be found here: 
https://www.epfl.ch/labs/biorob/openings/



Best regards,

Auke Ijspeert

-- 

-----------------------------------------------------------------
Prof Auke Jan Ijspeert
Biorobotics Laboratory
EPFL-STI-IBI-BIOROB, ME D1 1226, Station 9
EPFL, Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne
CH 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland

Office: ME D1 1226   Tel: +41 21 693 2658    Fax: +41 21 693 3705
www:http://biorob.epfl.ch            Email:Auke.Ijspeert at epfl.ch
-----------------------------------------------------------------

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://mailman.srv.cs.cmu.edu/pipermail/connectionists/attachments/20210516/0cf9e118/attachment.html>