6-year Postdoctoral Position Available (Optical Imaging in rodents)

[Marc Schönwiesner <marc.schoenwiesner@xxxxxxxxx>]

A full-time postdoc position (6 years, TVL 13) is available at the
Biology Institute of the University of Leipzig, Germany.

PROJECT: The research project aims at understanding the principles
that govern how auditory sensory experience shapes sound perception
and the function and organization of the auditory cortex. The newly
established auditory cognitive neuroscience lab is building two
optical imaging setups as a new core facility. The applicant will map
auditory cortex using optical indicators of neural function in
anesthetized and awake rodents and train rodents in various
behavioural tasks. Topics of interest include spatial hearing,
interaction of motor and auditory cortex, predictive coding, hearing
disorders, and pitch processing. The candidate will work closely with
postdocs and students carrying out parallel experiments in humans at
our sister laboratory at the University of Montreal, Canada.

POSITION: The applicant will have considerable freedom to develop
research questions, and, if desired, gain supervision and teaching
experience. The 6-year position is intended to provide the
qualifications necessary to obtain a faculty position and can
optionally be concluded with a German 'Habilitation'.

SKILLS: Successful candidates will:
- have a strong background in optical imaging methods in mammals
(genetically encoded Ca2+ or voltage indicators, or intrinsic
signals).
- have a track-record of published research using these methods in
peer-reviewed journals.
- have a Ph.D. in neuroscience, biology, engineering, or a related field.
- have good programming (Matlab/Python) and statistical data analysis skills.

LAB: The auditory cognitive neuroscience lab, lead by Dr. Marc
Schönwiesner, aims to integrate research on animal models (optical
imaging, animal training, in-vivo single and multi-unit
electrophysiology) with human work (high-resolution fMRI, EEG, and
behavioral testing) to advance understanding of auditory encoding and
computation in the cortex. We are part of an international network of
major auditory labs through the Erasmus Mundus program in Auditory
Cognitive Neuroscience.

ENVIRONMENT:
The University of Leipzig is a large research university with about
30,000 students (10% international). We collaborate closely with the
three local Max-Planck-Institutes (Human Cognitive and Brain
Sciencees, Evolutionary Anthropology, Mathematics in the Sciences).
Leipzig is has a thriving creative scene and excellent quality of living.
http://www.theguardian.com/travel/2014/sep/11/is-leipzig-the-new-berlin
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/07/travel/new-berlin-or-not-leipzig-has-new-life.html

HOW TO APPLY: Please send your CV, cover letter describing relevant
experience and research interests, as well as the names and contact
information of 2 references to Dr. Marc Schönwiesner at
marcs@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx. The position remains open until filled.
Applications will be reviewed immediately.