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 positions start on 1st July 2022 and are funded for 3 years.

Positions

• 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 center is highly dynamic and uses diverse computational modeling approaches including biological neural networks, cognitive modeling, and machine learning to investigate learning 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. 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

• A doctorate degree in neuroscience, physics, mathematics, electrical/biomedical engineering or a closely related field. In exceptional cases, graduate students with a Masters degree in these fields, but no doctorate 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 neuroscience and cognitive science. The Institute for Neural Computation in the Faculty of Computer Science combines different areas of expertise ranging from experimental and theoretical neuroscience to machine learning and robotics.

Please send your application, including CV, transcripts (bachelor & master) and research statement electronically, as a single PDF file, to samarasinghe@ini.rub.de. In addition, at least two academic references must be 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 network with 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@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@ini.rub.de