The Cognitive and Systems Neuroscience Group is seeking a highly qualified and motivated candidate for a doctoral position in computational neuroscience, under the recently acquired NWA-ORC Consortium grant. The aim of this Consortium is to understand the fundamental principles used by our brains to integrate information in noisy environments and uncertain conditions, and then implement those principles in next-generation algorithms for safe autonomous mobility. Within the Consortium, the main objective of the present PhD project is to develop a biologically realistic computational model of multi-area brain circuits involved in multisensory perception under uncertainty. The model will be constrained by state-of-the-art neuroanatomical data (such as realistic brain connectivity and multiple cell types), and we will identify and study biological aspects of the model which contribute to an optimal integration of sensory information (following Bayesian and other principles). Model predictions will then be compared to experimental data from collaborators. The project will be supervised by Dr. Jorge Mejias, head of the Computational Neuroscience Lab, and Prof. Dr. Cyriel Pennartz, head of the Cognitive & Systems Neuroscience group. The candidate will also closely collaborate with other computational neuroscientists, experimental neuroscientists, theoreticians and machine learning experts.

You are expected:
-to perform research of multisensory integration and perception using computational neuroscience methods;
-to review relevant literature and acquire knowledge on neurobiology, perception and computational neuroscience;
-to build biologically realistic multi-area computer models of cortical circuits for multisensory perception, and compare their predictions with experimental findings;
-to collaborate with other groups in the Consortium;
-to take part in the teaching effort of the group, including supervision of bachelor and master students;
-to write scientific manuscripts and a PhD thesis.

Our offer:
A temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of four years (the initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended to a total duration of four years). This should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. We also expect you to assist in teaching undergraduates and master students.

Based on a full-time appointment (38 hours per week) the gross monthly salary will range from €2,434 in the first year to €3,111 (scale P) in the last year. This is exclusive 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable.

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