Fully funded PhD Position at IIT - Computational approaches to study the neural code

 

I am are seeking candidates for a fully funded PhD position at the Italian Institute of Technology’s in the lab directed by Stefano Panzeri ( https://www.iit.it/people/stefano-panzeri ). IIT collaborates with University of Bologna and finances the positions at the PhD course in Data Science and Computation.

 

Although formally enrolled at the University of Bologna, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to conduct research either at the IIT center in Rovereto (Italy), or at the IIT headquarters in Genova, (Italy).

 

 

The PhD project can focus on any of the research topics about neural information processing that are of interest to both the candidate and my lab, including: developing mathematical analysis methods and neural network models for studying large scale neural population coding during cognitive tasks, for studying the neural bases of sensory perception and decision making, for linking functional to anatomical connectivity with cellular resolution at the neural population level, and for determining the best theoretical framework to combine recording of neural activity (calcium imaging, electrophysiology, EEG) and intervention on it (optogenetics, TMS).

 

My computational neuroscience lab has developed long-term collaboration with many experimental laboratories including Christopher Harvey and Wei Lee (Harvard Medical School), Nikos Logothetis (Tuebingen), Tommaso Fellin (IIT), Mathew Diamond and Davide Zoccolan (SISSA), Alex Thiele (Newcastle), Cristina Becchio (IIT) and others. The PhD project will likely involve collaborations with one or more experimental lab.

 

For recent representative publications please see:

 

van Vugt B, et al, (2018) Science: in press. DOI: 10.1126/science.aar7186

 

Zaldivar, D., et al, (2018) Current Biology 28: 224-235

 

Runyan C. A., et al (2017) Nature: 548: 92-96

 

Panzeri, S, et al (2017) Neuron 93: 491-507

 

Safaai, H. et al (2015) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 112(41): 12834–12839

 

Fasoli, D. et al (2016) PLoS Computational Biology, 12(8): e1004992.

 

Panzeri, S., et al  (2015) Trends in Cognitive Sciences 19: 162-172

 

Einevoll, G., et al (2013) Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 14, 770-785

 

 

The ideal candidate should have a strong background in numerate sciences, and have a strong propensity for interdisciplinary research. No extensive previous experience in neuroscience is needed. However, a keen interest in understanding the brain is essential.

 

The deadline for the formal application is set to May 15th^st 2019, but interested candidates are invited me to contact me informally by email (stefano.panzeri@iit.it) as soon as possible, and no later than May 8th 2019, by attaching their CV and briefly explaining their interest in this position, to initiate discussion about potential PhD projects of interest.

 

 

In order to formally apply to the PhD Position, candidates will then need to refer to the call published by Università degli Studi di Bologna (https://www.unibo.it/en/teaching/phd/2019-2020/data-science-and-computation). The PhD position available for projects under my supervision is one of those financed by IIT. Candidates that are wishing to apply will be able to rely on my advice and feedback to understand how to complete the application.   

 

Yours truly,

 

Stefano Panzeri