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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt">Postdoc and PhD student for project on deep learning in artificial, human, and rodent brains<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt">For a project combining the domains of human functional neuroimaging, computational modelling, and rodent physiology, we are looking for two new collaborators. Hirings
can be at the level of postdoc as well as PhD student. <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt">First, we look for a scientist to implement and further develop deep neural network modelling. The aim is to compare the representations in these artificial networks
over the course of training with neural responses in human and rodent cortex. Here we build upon earlier work such as Kubilius et al. (2016, PLOS Comput. Biology). Candidates should have a background in computational neuroscience, computer vision, artificial
intelligence, or related fields.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt">Second, we look for a scientist to study the cortical basis of visual learning in awake rodents through extracellular recordings using electrode arrays. Relevant earlier
studies from our lab in this domain are Vinken et al. (2014, J. Neurosci.) and Vinken et al. (2016, Cerebral Cortex). Candidates should have a background in Neurobiology, Neuroscience, Psychology, Biomedical sciences, Bioengineering or a related field.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt">Independent of career stage (so also for incoming PhD students), only candidates will be considered that have a quantitative and computational background including
expertise with Matlab, good social skills and team spirit, and good communication skills in English (oral and written). For PhD students, we expect a competitive study record putting the student among the top students in an internationally competitive program.
For postdocs, we expect a relevant and competitive publication record (e.g., in computational and systems neuroscience) including first-author peer-reviewed publications.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt">The research will be implemented in the research group of Hans Op de Beeck in the Laboratory of Biological Psychology at the University of Leuven (KU Leuven, Belgium).
The research group focuses upon multidisciplinary work, including human neuroscience research with functional magnetic resonance imaging, rodent behaviour & electrophysiology, and computational modelling. Many members of the group come from countries outside
Belgium (e.g., Canada, Brasil, South-Korea, Italy, Belarus), and the professional language is English.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size:11.0pt">The city of Leuven is an old, medieval city which is very lively thanks to a large population of students and researchers. Leuven is at 25 km from Brussels, with frequent
direct train connections, also to the international airport of Brussels (20 minutes by train). The university is one of the oldest in the Low Countries (founded in 1425) and is ranked in the top 50 of universities worldwide (THE ranking). It is home to a large
community of systems/cognitive/visual/computational neuroscientists.<span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt">Applications should be submitted before March 8th 2017. Funding is available for up to 3 (postdoc) or 4 (PhD student) years. The starting date is flexible between May
and October 2017.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt">Informal queries for further information can be sent to
<a href="mailto:hans.opdebeeck@kuleuven.be">hans.opdebeeck@kuleuven.be</a> . For the formal application, applicants should go to
</span><a href="https://icts.kuleuven.be/apps/jobsite/vacatures/54073261"><span lang="EN-US">https://icts.kuleuven.be/apps/jobsite/vacatures/54073261</span></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt">. The site will ask for a motivation letter (please include
contact information for 2 references) and a CV (please include a list of publications if applicable).<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-autospace:none"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size:11.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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