Postdoc on Behavioural modelling and neural analysis of flexible perceptual decision-making

A postdoctoral research position in is available in our lab in collaboration with Alexandre Hyafil at the Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF, Barcelona).The postdoctoral fellow will be a vital member of our team in the investigation of perception and cognition using combined theoretical and experimental approaches. More specifically, the fellow’s work will be part of an ERC-funded project aiming to unravel the behavioural principles and the neural mechanisms underlying how recent experience shapes perception and guides decisions. The fellow will (1) characterize the behavioural influence of recent history onto perceptual choices in rats and humans performing acoustic discrimination tasks, (2) analyze population recordings from cortical neurons obtained from rats to uncover the traces of recent history decision biases and (3) build dynamical models of behaviour based on the population recordings using a variety of machine learning tools.

Both our group and the teal of Dr Hyafil are part of the vibrant computational neuroscience community of Barcelona, which promotes the interaction among groups by organizing multiple interaural activities.

Applicants should have a strong background in computational neuroscience or applied mathematics and have a keen interest in interdisciplinary approaches that integrate modeling and experimental research. Programming proficiency (Matlab and/or Python) is required. Experience in machine learning methods, advanced statistics as well as nonlinear dynamical systems will be valued. Ability to collaborate in a pluridisciplinary team is essential. Initial appointment for this position is for two years.

Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. Applicants, please send a resume, names and contact of 3 references and a cover letter explaining your interest and research experience to jrochav [at.] clinic.cat and alexandre.hyafil [at.] gmail.com.