FW: position in auditory modelling

[Neil Todd <todd@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

----------
From: "S. Becker" <becker@mcmaster.ca>
To: Neil Todd <todd@fs4.psy.man.ac.uk>
Subject: position in auditory modelling
Date: Wed, Nov 13, 2002, 5:59 am


Dear Neil,
I have an opening in my lab for a postdoctoral fellow or research
associate and we would very much like to
find someone who can develop realistic models of
plasticity and dynamical properties of cortical circuits in the auditory
system.  If you know of any suitable candidates for such a position,
I would be very grateful if you could pass this on to them.

Our ad is below. The salary is in the range CDN$45-50K plus
benefits, depending on the candidate's qualifications.
Hugh Wilson at York University in Toronto is now
also collaborating with us in this work.

With many thanks,
Sue

Sue Becker, Associate Professor  Department of Psychology, McMaster
University
becker@mcmaster.ca               Building 34, Room 312
Fax: (905)529-6225               1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ont. L8S
4K1
Tel: 525-9140 ext. 23020         www.science.mcmaster.ca/Psychology/sb.html




POSTDOCTORAL/RESEARCH ASSOCIATE POSITION IN COMPUTATIONAL
NEUROSCIENCE AT MCMASTER UNIVERSITY

A position is available for a minimum of 3 years at the Postdoctoral
or Research Associate level, to develop computational models of
cortical learning, memory and reorganization after noise-induced
hearing loss.  Data from Jos Eggermont's lab indicates that hearing
loss in the auditory periphery (sensori-neural hearing loss) results
in altered cortical firing rates, tonotopic map reorganization, and
abnormal synchronous activation, and may give rise to tinnitus and
other perceptual anomalies. Tinnitus, the false perception of sound in
the absence of an external sound source, affects about 30% of the
population and 70-85% of the hearing-impaired. Remarkably, human brain
imaging studies by Roberts, Pantev and colleagues indicate a high
degree of plasticity of sensory representations in primary auditory
cortex, suggesting good prospects for rehabilitation. Thus, a major
goal in this work will be to develop and test novel rehabilitation
strategies that tap into this cortical plasticity, for the treatment
of tinnitus and other auditory deficits associated with sensori-neural
hearing loss.  The position offers exciting opportunities to
collaborate with team members who are employing a wide range of
behavioural neuroscience techniques including computational modelling,
psychoacoustics, brain imaging (EEG, MEG), and
electrophysiology. Experience with neural network modelling is
required, and knowledge of the auditory system, psychoacoustics and
signal processing are highly desirable.  The position requires a PhD
in Cognitive Science, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or a
related discipline.  This research is part of a multi-disciplinary
project to study mechanisms and treatment of tinnitus, funded by a
$1.1M CIHR grant (NET Programme) to L. Roberts and S. Becker
(Psychology, McMaster University), I. Bruce (Electrical and Computer
Engnineering, McMaster University), J. Eggermont (Faculty of Medicine,
University of Calgary), C. Pantev (Rotman Research Institute, Toronto)
and L. Ward (Psychology, University of British Columbia). Interested
candidates should send a letter of intention and CV via email with
subject line "tinnitus postdoc position" to both Dr. S. Becker
(becker@mcmaster.ca) and Dr. I. Bruce (ibruce@ieee.org).

McMaster University, in Hamilton Ontario, is one of the leading
post-secondary institutions in Canada.  It was founded in 1887, and
has over 13,000 students and 1000 faculty.  Known for its strengths in
research and innovation, McMaster has numerous award-winning faculty
including Bertram Brockhouse, Nobel Laureate in Physics.  The
pedestrian-only campus is located adjacent to the scenic Royal
Botanical Gardens and Coot's Paradise wilderness area at the western
end of Lake Ontario.

For further information on the research interests of the team see:
 www.science.mcmaster.ca/Psychology/sb.html
 www.ece.mcmaster.ca/~ibruce/
 www.psychology.mcmaster.ca/hnplab
 www.ucalgary.ca/UofC/faculties/medicine/PHBI/faculty/eggermont.html
 www.rotman-baycrest.on.ca/content/people/profiles/pantev.html
 http://neuron2.psych.ubc.ca/~lward/people/index.html