Connectionists: Postdoc on Brain network mechanisms underlying spatial cognition

[Peter Dayan]

Postdoc position (m/w/d):
Brain network mechanisms underlying spatial cognition

A postdoc position is available at the Department of Computational
Neuroscience at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics to
work with Dr. Oxana Eschenko on brain network mechanisms underlying
spatial cognition.

This project is a follow up study (Yang;
https://www.jneurosci.org/content/jneuro/39/3/434.full.pdf; Mei;
http://learnmem.cshlp.org/content/25/3/129) aiming at understanding the
role of two thalamic nuclei – the nucleus reuniens and mediodorsal
nucleus - within a large-scale brain network underlying spatial
cognition. The involvement of both thalamic nuclei in spatial cognition
can be inferred from anatomical connectivity and neuropharmacology,
while neurophysiological mechanisms of the spatial network dynamics
remain poorly understood.

We hypothesize that a functional coupling exists between the associative
thalamic nuclei, the hippocampus, and the prefrontal cortex and that
this coupling enables successful spatial navigation and retrieval of
spatial memory. To test this hypothesis, we recorded multi-site neural
activity while rats learned a complex maze task, and plan to relate
model-agnostic and model-dependent behavioral variables reflecting
learning and decision-making to aspects of the extracellular neural
signals, including spectral decomposition, coherence, cross-frequency
and phase-amplitude analysis.

Candidates should have strong computational and data science skills and
proven experience in the analysis of behavior and neural
signals. Proficiency in English is essential. The position is available
from March 1, 2023 and will be for one year in the first instance,
subject to a probationary period. An extension may be possible depending
on performance.

Remuneration is based on qualifications and professional experience in
accordance with the collective agreement for the public service (TVöD
Bund) plus various social benefits and additional pension provision.

The Max Planck Society is an equal opportunity employer: Handicapped
individuals are strongly encouraged to apply, and so are women in areas
in which they are underrepresented. The Max Planck Society strives for
gender and diversity equality. We welcome applications from all
backgrounds.

Please contact Dr. Eschenko (e-mail: oxana.eschenko at tue.mpg.de) with any
enquiries.  Application deadline is January 31, 2023.

Please upload your application documents electronically to our job
portal by Jan 31, 2023 using the following link:
https://jobs.tue.mpg.de/jobs/191

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