The Computational Neuroscience lab at the University of Bremen headed by Dr. Udo Ernst offers a PhD position in the field of Neural Network Modelling and Data Analysis. Successful candidates will join an international research group dealing with Neural Dynamics, Criticality in Neural Systems, Information Processing and Feature Integration in the Visual System (www.bernstein.uni-bremen.de).

The project in the SPP 1665 "Resolving and manipulating neuronal networks in the mammalian brain - from correlative to causal analysis" funded by the DFG is entitled:

"Interareal phase coherence as a mechanism for attention-dependent neuronal signal routing"

The visual system selectively processes information in dependence on the current behavioral task. However, the neural mechanisms underlying flexible computation in the brain are presently not known. In our troica project, engineers, neurobiologists and theoreticians collaborate to investigate this important topic for understanding brain function. Your task will be to build and to simulate selective information processing in neural models of the visual system, and to compare your results to data from electrophysiological recordings and intracortical microstimulation performed in rats and macaque monkeys. You will work in a highly interdisciplinary, exciting research environment which is embedded into the "Schwerpunktsprogramm 1665" funding twelve similar projects throughout Germany (http://www.spp1665.de).

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 in Neuroscience, Physics, or Computer Sciences. They must have a strong background in physics and/or computational neuroscience and solid programming experience, ideally in Matlab or Python. 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 at your earliest convenience by e-mail (see detailed instructions below) to ajanssen@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@neuro.uni-bremen.de!

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 three to four weeks and potentially ask for more documents.