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<p>We are recruiting one PhD fellow at the Institute for Systems
Neuroscience at Aix-Marseille University. The student will work
within Dr. Demian Battaglia’s group (theoretical neuroscientist),
in strict interaction with other researchers at Aix-Marseille
University (Andrea Brovelli, systems and cognitive neuroscientist;
Alain Barrat, complex networks physicist), as well as Strasbourg
University.<br>
<br>
The project will delve with the analysis of
multi-frequency dynamic brain networks in large-scale
electrophysiological recordings.<br>
<br>
Brain regions interact between them in a highly dynamic manner
even to perform very simple tasks, preventing too simplistic
attempts of description. Flexibly changing patterns of information
exchange and integration can be tracked using novel information
theoretical and time-series analyses tools and generating directed
multi-layer temporal networks representations of the data. In the
framework of this project, a variety of different large-scale
electrophysiological datasets (from rodents to non-human primates
and humans) will be characterized based on complex network
analyses tools that, initially forged in statistical physics, have
not yet been adapted to be compliant with neural datasets,
although they provide a natural language to describe the complex
“life” of cell assemblies and transiently integrated coalitions of
brain regions. The PhD fellow will characterize how
spatio-spectro-temporal network patterns correlate or predict
behavior and cognitive performance (e.g. in working memory or
spatial navigation tasks) and, potentially, how these patterns are
altered in specific animal pathology models (AD, ALS…).<br>
<br>
Network analyses of empirical data may be complemented by the
design of connectome-based computational models of multi-scale
oscillations, to reverse engineer physiological mechanisms (e.g.
alterations of excitability) that may underpin generalized
functional connectivity changes, in control or pathological
conditions.<br>
<br>
This project is one of the “ESR” (Early Stage Researcher)
positions opening within the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative
Training Network (ITN) project “i-Conn” funded by the European
Commission, under their H2020 program. Such prestige program
offers ideal conditions to the successful candidate such as: a
salary well superior to the national average of ~1.9k euros
monthly (plus family allowance when applies), net after taxes,
with full social security coverage; and generous grant money for
training and traveling to conferences. Through the ITN project
activities, the PhD fellow will have the opportunity to come in
contact with leading research groups in the UK, Germany, Czech
Republic, Austria and Cyprus adopting network science techniques
in a wide variety of disciplines, including neuroscience, but also
socio-economics, geography, astronomy, etc.<br>
<br>
At Aix-Marseille University, the PhD fellow will integrate the
second-largest neuroscience community in France in a dynamic
university with an emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches. The
PhD fellow will profit of the high-level training opportunities
provided by the local “NeuroSchool”
(<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="https://neuro-marseille.org/en">https://neuro-marseille.org/en</a>), an excellence PhD program in
clinical and integrative neuroscience, as well as by convergence
institutes as the Turing Center for Living Systems
(<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://centuri-livingsystems.org">http://centuri-livingsystems.org</a>). In addition, Marseille is a
vibrant multi-cultural city located in the beautiful natural and
cultural context of Southern France, at a few hours only by direct
high-speed train from European cities as Paris, Barcelona,
Brussels or Frankfurt.<br>
<br>
We seek for candidates with computational neuroscience, physics or
computer science/machine learning background (ideally but not
necessarily). The most important prerequisite is the willingness
and skill to explore large-scale datasets with advanced
information theory and network science tools. Previous experience
in programming, computational modeling or network analyses is a
plus. The working and training language is English.<br>
<br>
<br>
IMPORTANT! some strict requirements apply to be eligible as an
Early Stage Researcher funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie
program:<br>
<br>
1) The applicant should have — at the date of recruitment — less
than 4 years of a research career, and not have a doctoral degree.
The 4 years are measured from the date when they obtained the
degree which would formally entitle them to embark on a PhD,
either in the country where the degree was obtained or in the
country where the PhD is provided.<br>
<br>
2) <b>Trans-national mobility</b>: The applicant — at the date
of recruitment— should not have resided in France, where the
research training takes place, for more than 12 months in the 3
years immediately prior to recruitment, and not have carried out
their main activity (work ,studies, etc.) in France. <br>
<br>
To register your interest in applying for this position please,
and to ask for any further information, please contact
<a class="moz-txt-link-abbreviated" href="mailto:demian.battaglia@univ-amu.fr">demian.battaglia@univ-amu.fr</a>. To apply for this position, we
require a copy of your CV, degree transcripts, motivation letter
and the names and/or recommendation letters of 2 referees. Please
include your master thesis as well and any publication you
authored (included manuscripts at preprint or sufficiently
advanced draft stages).</p>
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