Two positions are available in the Hasselmo laboratory in the Center for Systems Neuroscience at Boston University focused on: 1.) Analysis of neurophysiological data, and 2.) Computational modeling of cortical cognitive function. Each position could be hired as either a pre-doctoral staff position or a post-doctoral research position.
1. ANALYSIS OF NEUROPHYSIOLOGICAL DATA. This position involves working with multiple ongoing neurophysiological research projects, including unit and field potential recording in awake behaving rodents, and whole cell patch recording in brain slice preparations. The ideal candidate will be able to balance research projects efficiently and work closely with others in the lab. Interest in neuroscience and background in engineering or mathematics is preferred. Experience with scientific data analysis and signal processing is essential. Programming proficiency is required. Languages of use include: MATLAB, Python, Unix, C++, MySQL, though experience is not required in each. Experience with machine learning, computational modeling, and biomedical recording hardware/software is desirable.
Responsibilities:
• Develop and maintain standardized analysis procedures and toolboxes for multiple experimental paradigms.
• Develop software for interfacing with experimental equipment, as required.
• Assist on experimental design and statistical analyses of data
• Develop processing procedures for non-standard data
• Compare and fit experimental results to biologically structured models.
• Prepare written presentations of results
• Maintain a uniform data flow and backup procedure across researchers.
• Maintain and utilize MySQL databases.
2. COMPUTATIONAL MODELING OF CORTICAL COGNITIVE FUNCTION. This position involves development of cortical circuit models of cognitive function with a particular emphasis on the prefrontal cortex, building on previous research including work in the Hasselmo laboratory at Boston University. The ideal candidate will have previous experience with development of neural circuit models of the role of neocortical structures in symbolic processing and cognitive function, with programming proficiency in languages such as MATLAB and/or Python.
Responsibilities:
• Develop and maintain cognitive model of cortical function using neurons at different levels of detail.
• Simulate behavioral function in a range of cognitive tasks.
• Assist on design of experiments using fMRI and unit recording in non-human primates.
• Compare and fit experimental results to biologically structured models.
• Prepare written presentations of models and experimental data.
If interested, please send resume, cover letter, and names of references (letters not yet required) to Prof. Michael Hasselmo at hasselmo@bu.edu.
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