<div dir="ltr"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b>Project description</b><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">We are inviting applications for a PhD student position for up
to 3.5 years at the “Neural Dynamics of Visual Cognition Group” at the Freie
Universität Berlin (<a href="https://www.ewi-psy.fu-berlin.de/en/einrichtungen/arbeitsbereiche/neural_dyn_of_vis_cog/index.html" style="color:blue">link</a>)
by Radek Cichy (<a href="http://userpage.fu-berlin.de/rmcichy/" style="color:blue">link</a>).</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The position is part of a team project with the group of Prof.
Emrah Düzel (<a href="http://www.iknd.ovgu.de/Team/Leitung.html" style="color:blue">link</a>) in the Collaborative Research Center „Neural
Resources of Cognition“ (<a href="http://www.iknd.ovgu.de/SFB+1436.html" style="color:blue">link</a>)
at Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The overall goal of the project is to understand the neural
mechanisms of memory-based visual discrimination. In close collaboration with Prof.
Emrah Düzel’s group you will be working on an innovative project involving mobile app-based
behavioral training, structural and functional MRI at 7T (layer and/or subfield-specific)
and MEG in combination with multivariate (classification, representational
similarity analysis) and computational (deep learning) methods.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">This team project has three steps. In a first step we will
train young healthy adults on visual discrimination using a mobile app. We will
then assess the anatomical and functional consequences of training in the
visual and the memory system of the brain.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In a second step we will conduct equivalent training in older
adults with quantified tau-pathology. This will determine how tau
influences the effect of training using functional and anatomical MRI
measurements. Comparison to young adults will also inform us more generally
about the effects of aging/tau pathology on the visual system.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">In a third step we will assess behavioral
effects of discrimination training in SuperAgers.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">The focus of this PhD position is on assessing
the visual system using functional 7T MRI (potentially layer-specific) and MEG with
multivariate and computational analysis methods. The assessment of the memory
system and anatomical measures will be done by Prof. Emrah Düzel’s group. Collaboration
and cooperation at all stages of the project between the groups is key and will
be both expected and actively supported by both groups.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Project start is flexible. A start as early as 1st of July
2021 is possible, the end is December 2024.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b>Requirements</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">- Master degree in Cognitive (Neuro-)Science, Computer
Science, Bioinformatics, Data Science, Psychology or related disciplines with
excellent results</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b>Desirable</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">- Interest in the visual and/or visual system of the brain (in
particular for objects and scenes)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">- Experience in acquisition and analysis of fMRI and/or M/EEG</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">- Programming skills, preferably in Python and/or Matlab</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">- Experience with multivariate pattern analysis methods</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">- Experience with standard analysis programs for the analysis
of M/EEG (e.g., fieldtrip. MNE python) and/or fMRI data (e.g., freesurfer, SPM)</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">- Fluency in English</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">For informal inquiries do not hesitate to contact me at <a href="mailto:rmcichy@gmail.com" style="color:blue">rmcichy@gmail.com</a>.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Applications, together with relevant documentation (CV, a
brief statement of research interests, and the names and contact details of two
academic references) quoting the reference code “12-28-2021” should be received
no later than May 3rd, 2021 at: <a href="mailto:daniela.satici.thies@fu-berlin.de">daniela.satici.thies@fu-berlin.de</a>.</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Thanks!</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Radek</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"> </p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Neural Dynamics of Visual Cognition group</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Freie Universität Berlin</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Mail: <a href="mailto:rmcichy@gmail.com" style="color:blue">rmcichy@gmail.com</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Lab website: <a href="https://www.ewi-psy.fu-berlin.de/en/einrichtungen/arbeitsbereiche/neural_dyn_of_vis_cog/index.html" style="color:blue">https://www.ewi-psy.fu-berlin.de/en/einrichtungen/arbeitsbereiche/neural_dyn_of_vis_cog/index.html</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif">Personal website: <a href="http://userpage.fu-berlin.de/rmcichy/" style="color:blue">http://userpage.fu-berlin.de/rmcichy/</a></p></div>