PhD position - Linking rate manifolds to higher-order spike patterns across cortical layers and brain regions within the HDS-LEE graduate school

Your Job:

This PhD project aims at relating precisely timed spike constellations across subsets of neurons to low-dimensional manifolds of high-dimensional space of population neuronal firing rates. Thus neuronal experimental data are to be analyzed for both aspects by PCA analysis and statistical multivariate methods to extract spatio-temporal spike patterns. Finally both results will be linked and related in space and time and to behavioral events.

Core Tasks:

• Getting familiar with the experimental data and the concepts of neuronal coding, and Elephant
  
• Analysis of the parallel rate data for submanifolds and their temporal dynamics during behavior
  
• Leverage dimensionality reduction and regression models to isolate task-related submanifolds and their respective role for sensory processing and task performance
  
• Analysis of the data to identify higher-order spike correlations and their temporal dynamics
  
• Are there particular manifold transition points and is their timing related to the occurrence of specific spike correlation patterns and animal behaviors?
  
• Further extend the results on the contributions of specific cortical layers and neural activity in various brain regions. Are task-specific submanifolds or spike correlation patterns limited to local neural circuits or span across brain regions?
  
• Set up a network model to reproduce the main results and provide potential neuronal mechanisms. Existing recordings with optogenetic inactivation could be leveraged to causally verify or reject important model predictions
  
• Writing of the thesis and publication about the relation of experimental data and model results

Your Profile:

• A Masters degree with a strong academic background in physics, mathematics, computer science, or a related field
  
• Proficiency in at least one programming language (Python, C++, …)
  
• Experience in neuroscience is an advantage
  
• Good analytical skills with a sound understanding of data evaluation.
  
• Good organisational skills and ability to work systematically, independently and collaboratively
  
• Effective communication skills and an interest in contributing to a highly international and interdisciplinary team
  
• Motivation for academic development, supported by bachelor’s and master’s transcripts and two reference letters
  
• Working proficiency in English for daily communication and professional contexts (TOEFL or equivalent or excemption required)
  
• Knowledge of German is beneficial

Our Offer:

We work on the very latest issues that impact our society and are offering you the chance to actively help in shaping the change! This HDS-LEE PhD position will be located at Forschungszentrum Jülich and RWTH Aachen University. We offer ideal conditions for you to complete your doctoral degree:

• World class science environment at the interface between neuroscience and digital technologies, enabling scientific progress on the most complex known systems
  
• Outstanding scientific and technical infrastructure
  
• A highly motivated group as well as an international and interdisciplinary working environment at one of Europe’s largest research establishments
  
• Continuous scientific mentoring by your scientific advisors
  
• Chance of participating in (international) conferences
  
• Unique HDS-LEE graduate school program (including data science courses, soft skill courses and annual retreats) https://www.hds-lee.de/about/
  
• 30 days of annual leave (depending on agreed working time arrangements) and provision for days off between public holidays and weekends (e.g. between Christmas and New Year)
  
• A large research campus with green spaces, offering the best possible means for networking with colleagues and pursuing sports alongside work
  
• Further development of your personal strengths, e.g. through an extensive range of training courses; a structured program of continuing education and networking opportunities specifically for doctoral researchers via JuDocS, the Jülich Center for Doctoral Researchers and Supervisors: https://www.fz-juelich.de/en/judocs
  
• Targeted services for international employees, e.g. through our International Advisory Service
  

The position is for a fixed term of 3+1 years. Pay in line with 75% of pay group 13 of the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD-Bund) and additionally 60 % of a monthly salary as special payment („Christmas bonus“). Pay higher than the basic pay may be possible. The monthly salaries in euro can be found on the BMI website: https://go.fzj.de/bmi.tvoed.entgelt Further information on doctoral degrees at Forschungszentrum Jülich (including its various branch offices) is available at https://www.fz-juelich.de/en/careers/phd

We welcome applications from people with diverse backgrounds, e.g. in terms of age, gender, disability, sexual orientation / identity, and social, ethnic and religious origin. A diverse and inclusive working environment with equal opportunities in which everyone can realize their potential is important to us.

Further information on diversity and equal opportunities: https://go.fzj.de/equality