[visionlist] Post-docs and technician posts for neonatal activity of visual development

[matthew colonnese]

Three positions are available in the Laboratory of Systems Neural
Development <http://colonneselab.org> (colonneselab.org) at the George
Washington University in Washington, D.C.

1.       Postdoc  (computational)

2.       Postdoc  (electrophysiology or optical imaging *in vivo*)

3.       Senior Research Assistant (engineering/signal processing)



***To apply:  send CV and email brief statement of interest to *
*colonnese at gwu.edu* <colonnese at gwu.edu>* ***



*Laboratory Overview:*

The Laboratory of Systems Neural Development is dedicated to understanding
the function of activity in the fetal and infant brain, using the
developing visual system of rodents as a model.  Contrary to long held
beliefs, we now know that the fetal brain is not simply an immature version
of the adult brain.  Rather, it is uniquely specialized for the job of
wiring up sparsely connected circuits in a sensory-poor environment.  This
means that diagnostic and treatment approaches for neurodevelopmental
disorders must follow separate rules when dealing with the developing
brain.  Revealing these differences between the fetal and mature brain is
one of our main goals and is clinically relevant to diagnosing
developmental disorders and monitoring treatment success with EEG and MRI.



We combine advanced electrophysiological methods with genetic techniques in
animal models of human development *in utero* to manipulate activity during
early circuit formation.  We ask two fundamental questions: (1) How are the
earliest neural circuits specialized to generate and transmit activity,
which is critical for circuit formation? (2) What changes in circuit
function must occur to switch the brain from a fetal mode of function to
the adult mode, which is critical for normal sensory processing and
cognition? One of the ultimate goals of the lab is to create an atlas
linking underlying circuit dysfunction to changes in the EEG of preterm and
perinatal infants. Our current focus is on the role of corticothalamic
feedback reticular thalamic nucleus inhibition in the amplification and
synchronization of retinal input and in the developmental origins of
cortical state regulation.



The PI has a strong focus on training, mentoring and professional
development of candidates.



*All positions are funded for up to four years.*



*Job Descriptions:*



*Computational Postdoc  *

The ideal candidate is a computational neuroscientist with experience
modeling thalamocortical circuits who is interested in developing an
experimentally grounded model of early network dynamics and plasticity as
part of the lab’s established collaboration with Boris Gutkin (Ecole
Normale Superior, Paris) and Jonathan Touboul (Brandeis University, Waltham
MA).  Depending on interest, there is the possibility to participate, or be
trained in, live animal experiments such as in vivo electrophysiology and
calcium imaging in rodents.  Desired:  PhD in Neuroscience or equivalent,
experience modeling neural networks, ability to draft manuscript and grants
independently.



*Electrophysiology/Imaging Postdoc*

The ideal candidate is a recent graduate with experience with some form of
electrophysiology or optical imaging interested in working *in vivo* in
neonatal rodents. The lab uses multi-electrode arrays, patch clamp and
calcium imaging, all *in vivo*. Experience with programming in Matlab,
signal processing, viral expression of genetic modulators of activity,
fiber photometry, or computational modeling of circuits are all pluses.
The successful candidate will work on the interplay of relay thalamus,
corticothalamic feedback and the reticular nucleus of the thalamus during
early development, using the visual system as the primary model.  Desired:  A
PhD in Neuroscience or equivalent, experience with electrophysiological
techniques and analysis, ability to draft manuscript and grants
independently.



*Senior Research Assistant:*

The ideal candidate is a recent Masters in Electrical engineering,
Biomedical engineering, Computer science etc., with some course work in
digital signal processing and experience programing in Matlab and Python.
Duties include:  Improve and maintain imaging and electrophysiological
set-ups, design data analysis pipeline, and implement signal processing and
analysis routines, including, but not limited to, spike-sorting of
high-density neural probes and spectral and state analysis of depth EEG.
Depending on candidate’s interest, direct participation in animal
recordings *in vivo* are possible.  Contributions to research projects will
result in authorship on publications.  Exceptional BS students will be
considered. This is an ideal position for a student interested in obtaining
research experience in neuroscience for applications to academia or
industry.



***To apply:  send CV and email brief statement of interest to *
*colonnese at gwu.edu* <colonnese at gwu.edu>* ***
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