[Comp-neuro] [PostDoc] Computational Neuroscience: "Functional, Large-scale Models of Visual Motion Perception"

[Laurent Perrinet]

	Post-doctoral Position in Computational Neuroscience:

	"Functional, Large-scale Models of Visual Motion Perception"

	DyVA team, INCM (CNRS) in Marseille, France

(more material and links at
	http://incm.cnrs-mrs.fr/perrinet/dynn/PostdoctoralPosition
  )

We are currently inviting applications for a postdoctoral position in  
computational neuroscience to study functional, large-scale models of  
visual motion perception. The post is for up to 3 years in the DyVA  
team at the INCM (CNRS) in Marseille, France and will be funded  
within the european FACETS consortium.

The project will involve developing, designing and implementing large- 
scale neural networks of the primary visual areas. The goal is to  
bridge theoretical principles of computations, physiological data  
(e.g. optical imaging) and behavioral data (e.g. eye movements) to  
bring new understanding on the neural computations underlying the  
perception of motion. We are particularly interested in the dynamics  
of motion integration, focusing on responses to complex motion  
stimuli in areas V1 and V5/MT. Our theoretical approaches span from  
statistical inference to adaptive distributed representations to  
provide insights into these parallel, dynamical processes. We use  
state-of-the-art simulation software to validate these results thanks  
to our computer facilities, with the goal of transferring this  
technology to aVLSI chips developped within the consortium.

The DyVA team is a young CNRS pluridisciplinary research team (Head:  
Dr. Guillaume Masson) integrating research on eye movements and  
visual perception at both behavioral (psychophysics, motor control)  
and physiological (optical imaging, electrophysiology) levels. The  
computational project will be conducted by Dr. Laurent Perrinet in  
close collaboration with other FACETS teams (Pr. O. Faugeras,  
INRIA,Sophia-Antipolis, Pr. Ad Aertsen, Freiburg, Pr. W. Maass, Graz,  
Pr. Y. Fregnac, CNRS, Paris). The work conducted in Marseille will  
involve a PhD Student and a Computer Engineer together with the post- 
doctoral fellow. Close interactions within the team with the  
biological tasks conducted (optical imaging in awake monkey) are  
promoted.

The postdoc will work as part of a European wide research team based  
on a new EU-funded Integrated Project entitled "FACETS: Fast Analog  
Computing with Transient States". The FACETS project is a major 11  
million Euros, four-year research project funded by the European  
Union. The stated objective of FACETS is to explore and exploit the  
computational principles that constitute the basis of information  
processing in the brain. The project involves all facets of  
neuroscience from experimental neuroscience ("in vivo"), the  
construction of models and analytical descriptions for neural cells  
and networks ("in computo"), to the construction of very large scale  
neural circuits in VLSI technology ("in silico"). The FACETS  
consortium includes fifteen of the major laboratories in Europe in  
these areas. One of the goals of the FACETS consortium is to develop  
a large-scale model of the primary visual cortex and explore its  
computational capabilities for solving low-level motion tasks  
involving short- and long-range lateral interactions.

Expertise in computational modeling as well as mathematical and  
programming skills are required. A keen interest in neuroscience is  
necessary to ensure the tight coupling of the computational approach  
with experiments done in the lab. The position is available  
immediately, the appointment will be for a fixed term of up to three  
years, ending 31st August 2009.

Marseille is a major french town by the mediterranean sea with a  
lively atmosphere and cultural life. The DyVA team is located in a  
CNRS campus with excellent research facilities. Net salary is about  
1800€/month, full social coverage included.

Interested candidates should send their application materials - cover  
letter, CV, statement of research interests and research experience  
(no .doc file, please) or informal enquiries to Dr. Laurent Perrinet  
( mailto:Laurent.Perrinet at incm.cnrs-mrs.fr ).

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Laurent Perrinet - INCM(UMR6193)/CNRS -
http://incm.cnrs-mrs.fr/perrinet/




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Laurent Perrinet - INCM(UMR6193)/CNRS -
http://incm.cnrs-mrs.fr/perrinet/