Postdoctoral Researcher in Computational Neuroscience: Effects of Neuromodulation on Coding in Efficient Coding Networks

1. Introduction

For the Vidi project ‘Top-down neuromodulation and bottom-up network computation,’ we seek a postdoc to study neuromodulators in efficient spike-coding networks. Using our lab’s data on dopamine, acetylcholine, and serotonin from the mouse barrel cortex, you’ll derive models connecting single cells, networks, and behavior.

2. Job description

The aim of this project is to explain the effects of neuromodulation on task performance in biologically realistic spiking recurrent neural networks (SRNNs). You will use the efficient spike coding framework, in which a network is not trained by a learning paradigm but deduced using mathematically rigorous rules that enforce efficient coding (i.e. maximally informative spikes). You will study how the network’s structural properties such as neural heterogeneity influence decoding performance and efficiency. You will incorporate realistic network properties of the (barrel) cortex based on our lab’s measurements and incorporate the cellular effects of dopamine, acetylcholine and serotonin we have measured over the past years into the network, to investigate their effects on representations, network activity measures such as dimensionality, and decoding performance. You will build on the single cell data, network models and analysis methods available in our group, and your results will be incorporated into our group’s further research to develop and validate efficient coding models of (somatosensory) perception. Therefore, we are looking for a team player who is willing to learn from the other group members and to share their knowledge with them.

3. Profile

• You hold a PhD in computational neuroscience, mathematics, physics, computer science, AI or a similar computational field.
• You have experience working with coding models in computational neuroscience and can perform network simulations, analytical derivations and advanced data analysis.
• You are a highly motivated, independent, critical and creative researcher who wants to bridge the gap between real data and abstract theoretical models.
• You are a team player, ready to collaborate in a diverse, multidisciplinary research group.
• You have an excellent command of spoken and written English.
• You have coding experience (in Python and/or Matlab). 

4. We are

You will be appointed at the Biophysics of Neural Computation group, Donders Center for Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour. This vibrant and multidisciplinary institute studies the organisation and function of neural circuits across scales and techniques, from genes and proteins to behaviour and from in vitro and in vivo experiments to computational modelling. It is an open and international environment, where young scientists from different backgrounds share a fascination for the interaction between brain structure and function. There is a lively community of postdoctoral researchers who are provided with specialised support. 

5. We offer

• We will give you a temporary employment contract of 26 months.
• Your salary within salary scale 10 depends on your previous education and number of years of (relevant) work experience. The amounts in the scale are based on a 38-hour working week.
• You will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8,3% end-of-year bonus. 
• You will receive extra days off. With full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the statutory 20. 

6. Practical information and applying

You can apply only via the button below. Address your letter of application to Fleur Zeldenrust. In the application form, you will find which documents you need to include with your application.

The first interviews will take place on Tuesday 15 April. Any second interview will take place on Tuesday 22 April. You will preferably start your employment on 1 June 2025.

We can imagine you're curious about our application procedure. It describes what you can expect during the application procedure and how we handle your personal data and internal and external candidates. If you wish to apply for a non-scientific position with a non-EU nationality, please take notice of the following information.