UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology
Department of Neuromuscular Diseases & UCL Department of Neuroscience, Physiology & Pharmacology
We are seeking a highly motivated individual to work at the interface of computational and experimental neuroscience, in the Cortical Processing Laboratory at University College London, led by Profs. Kenneth Harris and Matteo Carandini. The successful applicant will develop and deploy novel quantitative techniques to study massively parallel recordings of cortical activity.
Modern experimental methods allow for simultaneous recording of tens of thousands of neurons. These methods provide an unprecedented opportunity to study how neuronal populations process information. However, turning this data into concrete conclusions about brain function raises a threefold challenge. First, mathematical frameworks capable of describing these large-scale neural codes must be formulated. Second, statistical methods methods to characterize, visualize, and test hypotheses arising from these frameworks must be developed. Finally, the data sets involved are so large that they require advanced computational techniques for their efficient processing. The post holder will study population coding and circuit function in cortex, by working with data from large-scale electrophysiological and optical recordings. This position would suit an individual with strong quantitative skills together with good knowledge of neurobiology.
Applicants should have a PhD or equivalent in computational neuroscience, machine learning, mathematics, physics, computer science, physics, engineering, or a similar field, and an ability to work in a diverse group including computational and experimental neurobiologists. Strong knowledge of mathematics, experience with modern machine learning techniques and outstanding programming ability in MATLAB, Python or C++ are essential. Experience with GPU programming and with experimental neuroscience is desirable.
The post is funded by a grant from the Wellcome Trust for one year in the first instance. The post is graded as Grade 7, the salary for which ranges from £35,328 - £42,701 per annum (including London Allowance). Appointment at Grade 7 is dependent upon having been awarded a PhD; if this is not the case, initial appointment will be at research assistant Grade 6B (salary £ 30,922 - £ 32,607 per annum) with payment at Grade 7 being backdated to the date of final submission of the PhD thesis. If the PhD has not yet been granted, the final accepted version of the thesis must have been submitted to the degree-granting university by the start date.
You should apply for this post through UCL's online recruitment site – www.ucl.ac.uk/hr/jobs where you can download a job description and person specification using ref: 1807527.
When applying online, please include a code sample (for example via a link to a github page).
If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact Oksana Shapoval, HR Officer, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, 23 Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG (email: ion.hradmin@ucl.ac.uk).
Further details about the laboratory may be found at http://www.cortexlab.net. For informal enquiries please contact Professor Kenneth Harris (kenneth@cortexlab.net)
Closing date: 12 July 2019
UCL Taking Action for Equality
We will consider applications to work on a part-time, flexible and job share basis wherever possible
For more information and to apply, click here
Oksana Shapoval, HR Officer: ion.hradmin@ucl.ac.uk
Professor Kenneth Harris: kenneth@cortexlab.net
