Connectionists: 2 Postdoctoral positions in Computational Neuroscience - Cheng lab, Ruhr University Bochum

[Vinita Samarasinghe]

Prof. Sen Cheng, Faculty of Computer Science, Ruhr University Bochum, 
invites applications for two full-time positions (39.83 hours/week) of

    *Postdoctoral Scholar (TV-L E13) in Computational Neuroscience. *

The positionsstart on 1st July 2022and arefunded for 3 years.**

_*Positions*_

1. The successful applicant will work on a collaborative project (within 
the Collaborative Research Center “Extinction Learning” SFB 1280 
<https://sfb1280.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/en/home/>), together with 
experimentalists to:

  *

    analyze learning dynamics in behavioral, neural, and
    psychophysiological data, which will be collected by other projects
    within the SFB 1280.

  *

    compare the learning dynamics between individuals, species, learning
    phases and learning paradigms.

  *

    develop algorithms to analyze the learning dynamics.

  *

    develop and study computational models of learning dynamics.

  *

    coordinate research with other participating projects.

The research centeris highly dynamic and uses diverse 
computationalmodeling approachesincludingbiological neural networks, 
cognitive modeling, and machine learning to investigatelearning and 
memory in humans and animals.

2. The successful candidate will model the function of episodic memory 
in spatial learning and other tasks using reinforcement learning within 
the Research Unit “Constructing Scenarios of the Past: A New Framework 
in Episodic Memory” FOR 2812 <https://for2812.rub.de/>. This project 
strives to find answers to the questions:

  *

    Why and how can specific experiences stored in episodic memory be
    helpful for learning?

  *

    How is behavior driven by episodic memory different from that driven
    by general knowledge, or semantic information?

  *

    How do different learning systems interact with one another?

The research unit studies the cognitive and neuronal mechanisms 
underlying scenario construction, which is believed to lie at the heart 
of episodic memory retrieval. It employs and combines approaches from 
Philosophy, Psychology as well as Experimental and Computational 
Neuroscience.


_*Qualifications*_

  *

    Adoctorate degreein neuroscience, physics, mathematics,
    electrical/biomedical engineering or a closely related field. In
    exceptional cases, graduate students with a Masters degree in these
    fields, but nodoctorate degree, may be considered.

  *

    Relevant experience in mathematical modeling

  *

    Relevant research experience in neuroscience or a related field
    (only position 1)

  *

    Excellent programming skills (e.g., Python, C/C++, Matlab),

  *

    Excellent communication skills in English

  *

    The ability to work well in a team.

The Ruhr University Bochum is home to a vibrant research community in 
neuroscienceand cognitive science. The Institute for Neural Computation 
in the Faculty of Computer Science combines different areas of expertise 
ranging from experimental and theoretical neuroscienceto machine 
learning androbotics.

Please send your application, including CV, transcripts (bachelor & 
master) and research statement electronically, as a single PDF file, to 
samarasinghe at ini.rub.de <mailto:samarasinghe at ini.rub.de>. In addition, 
at least two academic references mustbe sent independently to the above 
email address.

The Ruhr University Bochum is committed to equal opportunity. We 
strongly encourage applications from qualified women and persons with 
disabilities.

We are committed to providing a supportive work environment for female 
researchers, in particular those with young children. Our university 
provides mentoring and coaching opportunities specifically aimed at 
women in research. We have a strong research network with female role 
models and will provide opportunities to networkwith them. Wherever 
possible, events will be scheduled during regular childcare hours. 
Special childcare will be arranged if events have to be scheduled 
outside of regular hours, in case of sickness and during school or 
daycare closures. Where childcare is not an option parents will be 
offered a home office solution.

Contact person: Vinita Samarasinghe, samarasinghe at ini.rub.de 
<mailto:samarasinghe at ini.rub.de>


-- 
Vinita Samarasinghe M.Sc., M.A.

Science Manager
Arbeitsgruppe Computational Neuroscience
Institut für Neuroinformatik
Ruhr-Universität Bochum, NB 3/73
Postfachnummer 110
Universitätstr. 150
44801 Bochum

Tel: +49 (0) 234 32 27996
Email:samarasinghe at ini.rub.de
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