[Neuroinfo] Fully funded PhD position, University of Genoa, Italy – "Computational Neuroengineering"
Silvio P. Sabatini
silvio.sabatini at unige.it
Fri Apr 22 18:13:48 CEST 2016
Applications are invited for one full-time PhD studentship for a period
of 3 years, at the Department of Informatics, Bioengineering, Robotics,
and System Engineering (DIBRIS), University of Genoa, Italy.
The position will start on Nov 1st, 2016 on the following research project:
*Sensory processing in large-scale hierarchical networks of interacting
neuronal assemblies*
Feed-forward networks provide a minimal framework to study coding and
decoding strategies as well as to interpret certain aspects of cortical
information processing. Following this architectural paradigm, deep
networks have been proposed to specialize for different perceptual
tasks, for taking decisions, or planning motor acts. However, such
networks rely on an over-simplification in which single nodes model
homogeneous population of cells and connections represent average
interactions among populations (i.e., meta-network approach).
The proposed project aims to increase the complexity and the realism of
this model by designing and analyzing the behavior of large-scale
hierarchical network of interacting neuronal assemblies. Each node
should be modeled as an assembly composed of excitatory and inhibitory
neurons with their own dynamics.
The neurons of each assembly will respond to properties of the visual
signal through their afferent receptive fields. Yet, their overall
behavior will emerge from recurrent interactions, and will be ruled by
network-parameters, like balance between excitation and inhibition, kind
of connectivity, number of neurons of each of these assemblies.
The goal is to develop a new model and to investigate the role of
specific vs. unspecific inhibition on the tuning properties of the
single cells, and on the efficiency of the code provided by the emerging
functionally homogeneous populations, and on their attendant adaptation
capabilities. The dynamic properties of the network will be analyzed in
relation with the interconnections topology, and eventually related to
its sensory processing capabilities.
The research will be conducted at the NBT and PSPC labs of DIBRIS, under
the joint guidance of Paolo Massobrio and Silvio P. Sabatini.
Successful applicants would have a background (M.Sc. degree) in
bioengineering, computer science, physics or related disciplines; strong
interest in computational neuroscience; attitude for problem solving.
Interests in understanding/learning basic biology. Essential skills
comprise Matlab and/or C++/C# programming. Experience in computational
neuroscience is a plus.
* HOW TO APPLY
Candidates must have:
- a University degree at Master level (or expect to obtain it by October
31st, 2016) in Bioengineering, Computer Science, Physics or related
disciplines;
- strong interest in computational neuroscience; attitude for problem
solving. Interests in understanding/learning basic biology.
- Essential skills comprise Matlab and/or C++/C# programming. Experience
in computational neuroscience is a plus.
Online application is possible till June 10th, 2016 (at noon) Italian time
Full details on the call and the application procedure are available at:
http://www.studenti.unige.it/postlaurea/dottorati/XXXII/ENG/
http://phd.dibris.unige.it/biorob/index.php/how-to-apply
Prospective students, please contact either Paolo Massobrio
(paolo.massobrio at unige.it) or Silvio P. Sabatini
(silvio.sabatini at unige.it) providing your CV and qualifications, the
name and contact details of two references, and a description of your
research interests.
* WHERE
NBT-Lab has a recognized experience in the field of in vitro
electrophysiology (gained through several national and international
projects), computational neuroscience and neuroengineering. Currently,
the main goal of the lab is the understanding of the interplay between
dynamics and connectivity in large-scale neuronal networks.
PSPC-Lab has a long-standing expertise in visual coding and
multidimensional signal representation, robot perception and computer
vision. In the last years, the lab’s research activity focused on the
analysis of the structural mechanisms of visuo-spatial cognition,
responsible for orienting and interacting in the 3D space.
Our labs are located in Genova, a small beautiful town in northern
Italy, both from historical (its historical center is the largest of
Europe) and naturalistic point of view (sea and mountains coexist
creating a unique landscape). Genova is only 1.30h away from Milan by
train and connected by plane to Rome (1.00h), London (2h) and Paris (1.30h).
Regards,
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Silvio P. SABATINI, PhD [PSPC Research Group]
Professor of Bioengineering
DIBRIS - University of Genova | e_mail:silvio.sabatini at unige.it
Via Opera Pia, 11A | phone: +39 010 3532092/3532794
I-16145 Genova (ITALY) | fax: +39 010 3532289/3536533
URL:http://pspc.unige.it
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