The 'Biophysics of Neural Computation' group in Nijmegen (PI: dr. Fleur Zeldenrust) is looking for a postdoctoral researcher (26 months) to study the effects of neuromodulators in biologically realistic networks and learning tasks in the Vidi project 'Top-down neuromodulation and bottom-up network computation, a computational study'. You will use cellular and behavioural data gathered by our department over the previous five years on dopamine, acetylcholine and serotonin in mouse barrel cortex, to bridge the gap between single cell, network and behavioural effects.

The aim of this project is to explain the effects of neuromodulation on task performance in biologically realistic spiking recurrent neural networks (SRNNs). You will use biologically realistic learning frameworks, such as force learning, to study how network structure influences task performance. You will use existing open source data to train a SRNN on a pole detection task (for rodents using their whiskers) and incorporate realistic network properties of the (barrel) cortex based on our lab's measurements. Next, you will incorporate the cellular effects of dopamine, acetylcholine and serotonin that we have measured (see this paper and this preprint) into the network, and investigate their effects on task performance. In particular, you will research the effects of biologically realistic network properties (balance between excitation and inhibition and the resulting chaotic activity, non-linear neuronal input-output relations, patterns in connectivity, Dale's law) and incorporate known neuron and network effects. You will build on the single cell data, network models and analysis methods available in our group, and your results will be incorporated into our group's further research to develop and validate efficient coding models of (somatosensory) perception. We are therefore looking for a team player who can collaborate well with the other group members, and is willing to both learn from them and share their knowledge.

Your profile:

Profile

You hold a PhD in computational neuroscience, mathematics, physics, computer science, AI or a similar computational field.
You have experience in working with machine learning models in (computational) neuroscience and are able to perform network simulations, analytical derivations and advanced data analysis.
You are a highly motivated, independent, critical and creative researcher who wants to bridge the gap between real data and abstract theoretical models.
You are a team player, ready to collaborate in a diverse multidisciplinary research group.
You have an excellent command of spoken and written English.
You have experience in coding (Python and/or Matlab).

We are

Our profile:

You will be appointed at the Biophysics of Neural Computation group, Donders Centre for Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour. This vibrant and multidisciplinary institute studies the organisation and function of neural circuits across scales and techniques, from genes and proteins to behaviour and from in vitro and in vivo experiments to computational modelling. It is an open and international environment, where young scientists from different backgrounds share a fascination for the interaction between brain structure and function. Postdoctoral researchers enjoy a lively community and specialised support.

We offer:

We offer

It concerns an employment for 0.8 - 1.0 FTE.
The gross monthly salary amounts to a minimum of €3,226 and a maximum of €5,090 based on a 38-hour working week, depending on previous education and number of years of relevant work experience (salary scale 10).
You will receive 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
You will be employed on the basis of a temporary contract for 26 months.
You will be able to use our Dual Career and Family Care Services. Our Dual Career and Family Care Officer can assist you with family-related support, help your partner or spouse prepare for the local labour market, provide customized support in their search for employment and help your family settle in Nijmegen.
Working for us means getting extra days off. In case of full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the legally allotted 20.

Please, apply via the website before February 11th:

https://www.ru.nl/en/working-at/job-opportunities/postdoctoral-researcher-in-computational-neuroscience-effects-of-neuromodulation-on-learning-in-srnns

Profil

Fleur Zeldenrust
Associate Professor
Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour

Donders Centre for Neuroscience
Faculty of Science, Radboud University
Heyendaalseweg 135, room HG 00.111
6525 AJ Nijmegen, the Netherlands
tel +31 24 36 53195

fleurzeldenrust.nl

Due to my own family/work balance, you may receive emails from me outside of normal working hours. I do not expect a response from you outside of your own working pattern, nor do I expect an immediate response when you are working.