Postdoctoral Associate | Laboratory of Neurotechnology and Biophysics

Organization Overview

Neurobiological discoveries have been fueled in recent years by rapid development of optical imaging tools. Over the last decade the Laboratory of Neurotechnology and Biophysics has developed a wide portfolio of advanced optical neurotechnologies that have enabled large-scale optical interrogation of neuronal population activity at high spatiotemporal resolution across model systems. These capabilities have opened up new opportunities for understanding the fundamental principles of how brain-wide neurocomputation and animal behavior emerges from dynamic interaction of vast and highly distributed neuronal populations in the mammalian brain. Developing and applying new neurotechnologies towards these other neuroscience questions represents a major focus of the lab in the coming years. These efforts have the potential to transform our understanding of how cognitive functions emerge from the connectivity and of neuroactivity as well as provide new avenues for the development of new class of biologically inspired AI algorithms and architectures. 

Overview

We are looking for an experienced and fearless, creative and ambitious experimental or theoretical systems neuroscientist interested in pursuing projects at the interface of experimental and computational system neuroscience that effectively take advantage of the currently existing and planned neurotechnology portfolio of the lab. In this context while the lab has established several lines of work and specific research project, we also welcome candidates who can make a compelling case for their own high impact ideas and how these would uniquely benefit from the lab’s neurotechnologies.The successful candidate must be both conceptually and technically strong and have demonstrated experience with recording and/or analyzing neuronal imaging data while being proficient in at least either Python or MatLab. Additional experience in context of multi-photon in vivo microscopy including experience working with rodents and performing rodent behavioral training would be desirable. This role presents an ideal opportunity for mature and semi-independent experimental or theoretical systems neuroscientist with a clear vision and interested in having access to unpresented datasets while working at the forefront of the field within a dynamic and collaborative research environment.

Responsibilities

Responsibilities include:

• Contribute to conceptualization and design of new experiments
• Independently or in collaboration with lab members record large-scale cellar or sub-cellular resolution neuronal population activity data.
• Using existing and/or developing new appropriate data analysis pipelines
• Depending on background experience and interest rodent behavioral work including design and co-development of behavioral setups, animal training and/or stereotactic surgeries
• Large scale neuronal and behavioral data analysis using statistical and various machine learning tools and methods and computational modeling
• Preparing reports and presentations, maintaining a detailed database and documentation and writing manuscript drafts.
• Supporting collaborative projects within the lab

Qualifications

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ph.D. in (systems) neuroscience, physics, computer science or related field
• Self-driven, creative, highly result oriented, excellent communication, time management and organizational skills
• Basic programming skills (e.g., Matlab, Python)
• The ability to effectively work in an interdisciplinary team environment and willingness and interest to work outside of own core expertise

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Prior experimental work in one and more of these areas is highly desirable
  • Statistical analysis of data
  • Computational modeling and/or familiarity with machine leaning tools
  • Experience with using multi-photon microscopes
  • Rodent behavioral experiments or stereotactic surgeries