Dear all, 

a 3-year PostDoc position for developing computational models of optogenetic stimulation in epilepsy patients is available within my lab as part of the CANDO project at Newcastle University.

*** About CANDO ***
CANDO (Controlling Abnormal Network Dynamics using Optogenetics, http://www.cando.ac.uk/) is a world-class, multi-site, cross-disciplinary project to develop a cortical implant for optogenetic neural control. The goal is to create a first-in-human trial in patients with focal epilepsy.  This seven year, £10M Innovative Engineering for Health Award, funded by the Wellcome Trust and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) involves a team of over 30 neuroscientists, engineers and clinicians based at Newcastle University, Imperial College London, University College London and The Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

*** Available RA position ***
As part of this project, the lab of Prof. Marcus Kaiser (http://www.dynamic-connectome.org/ ) is seeking a talented and enthusiastic research fellow with a PhD awarded, or a PhD thesis about to be submitted, in computational biology or related subjects.

Objectives of this position are, first, to develop a detailed simulation of human brain activity at the local and global level of epilepsy patients. Second, the effect of stimulation on ongoing activity will be studied. Third, dynamical systems theory and extensive simulations will be used to find optimal stimulation approaches that can reach desired oscillation patterns with minimal stimulation. Simulations will be informed by invasive recordings and non-invasive brain connectivity measurements in human epilepsy patients. 

Good communication skills, very strong dynamics modelling skills, and a track record of previous peer-reviewed journal publications. You will have experience with modelling brain rhythms and dynamical systems. The position will include brief visits to our partners in the UK and abroad.

*** Research Environment ***
Neuroinformatics at Newcastle University in the UK covers a range of topics from electrophysiology to neuroimaging. We are among the pioneers in connectome analysis and the establishment of large-scale neuroscience data management and analysis platforms, e.g. through the £4m EPSRC-funded CARMEN project. Our strength is a close collaboration between computational, experimental, and clinical researchers.   

We currently have a team of 12 faculty members in the areas of Neuroinformatics and Neurotechnology which is growing to 15 members by the end of this year: http://neuroinformatics.ncl.ac.uk/ 

*** How to Apply ***
To apply, follow the information at
http://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/AUD320/research-assistant-associate-computational-models-of-epileptic-brain-tissue-d34374r/
The deadline is Thursday 7 April. 

For further information, contact Prof. Marcus Kaiser, Marcus.Kaiser@ncl.ac.uk

Best,
  Marcus

--

Marcus Kaiser, Ph.D.   @ConnectomeLab
Professor of Neuroinformatics
Interdisciplinary Computing and Complex Biosystems (ICOS) Research Group
School of Computing Science
Newcastle University
Claremont Tower
Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK

Lab website:
http://www.dynamic-connectome.org/ 

Neuroinformatics@Newcastle:
http://neuroinformatics.ncl.ac.uk/