Subject: [AUDITORY] PhD in Computational Neuroscience at the University of Exeter (fully funded) From: James Rankin <james.rankin@xxxxxxxx> Date: Wed, 15 Mar 2017 17:25:07 +0000 List-Archive:<http://lists.mcgill.ca/scripts/wa.exe?LIST=AUDITORY>--001a113d5d4ad226b7054ac8398e Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable PhD in Computational Neuroscience at the University of Exeter (fully funded= ) 3.5 year college funded PhD Studentship in Computational Neuroscience: *Neural dynamics of perceptual competition * Ref: 2589 Open to UK, EU and International students with maintenance (=C2=A314,296 pe= r year) and tuition fees fully funded http://www.exeter.ac.uk/studying/funding/award/?id=3D2589 This interdisciplinary project will use mathematical modelling, in conjunction with psychophysics (human perception experiments), to better understand the neural competition underpinning the dynamics of perception. Ambiguity in fixed sensory stimuli can lead to spontaneous switches in perception, both in vision, e.g. binocular rivalry, Necker cube, and audition, e.g. auditory streaming (switches between grouped or segregated interpretations of tone sequences). A set of common characteristics (inevitability of perceptual changes, exclusivity between the competing percepts, and randomness in the percept durations), generalise across sensory modalities. The neural competition driving these perceptual switches has been successfully modelled in small networks of Wilson-Cowan (firing rate) units, each associated with the different perceptual interpretations. For certain stimuli, where competition takes place across a continuous feature space (say, visual orientation, motion direction, or auditory pitch), a continuum model, such as the neural field equation can be applied. This PhD project will involve the derivation of perceptual competition models in a dynamical systems framework, based on plausible neural mechanisms commonly found in sensory cortex. Modelling hypotheses and predictions will be tested against experimental data collected in our lab or from collaborators. On the modelling side, tools from bifurcation analysis including numerical continuation will be applied to investigate dynamics. The project will be flexible in terms of the balance between modelling and experiments. Candidates with quantitative backgrounds (mathematics, physics, and engineering) and from neuroscience or psychology programmes are encouraged to apply. Programming experience and/or knowledge of dynamical systems theory is a plus. Contact: j.a.rankin@xxxxxxxx Informal enquiries welcome. Application deadline: 10th April 2017 Please forward to interested parties as appropriate Thanks, James --001a113d5d4ad226b7054ac8398e Content-Type: text/html; charset=UTF-8 Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable <div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_quote">PhD in Computational Neuroscien= ce at the University of Exeter (fully funded)<br><br><div dir=3D"ltr"><div = class=3D"gmail_quote"><div dir=3D"ltr"><div class=3D"gmail_quote"><div dir= =3D"ltr"><div><div>3.5 year college funded PhD Studentship in Computational= Neuroscience: <br><b>Neural dynamics of perceptual competition </b><br>Ref= : 2589<br><br>Open to UK, EU and International students with maintenance (= =C2=A314,296 per year) and tuition fees fully funded<br><br><a href=3D"http= ://www.exeter.ac.uk/studying/funding/award/?id=3D2589" target=3D"_blank">ht= tp://www.exeter.ac.uk/studyi<wbr>ng/funding/award/?id=3D2589</a><br></div><= br></div><div><div>This interdisciplinary project will use mathematical mod= elling, in=20 conjunction with psychophysics (human perception experiments), to better understand the neural competition underpinning the dynamics of=20 perception. Ambiguity in fixed sensory stimuli can lead to spontaneous=20 switches in perception, both in vision, e.g. binocular rivalry, Necker=20 cube, and audition, e.g. auditory streaming (switches between grouped or segregated interpretations of tone sequences). A set of common=20 characteristics (inevitability of perceptual changes, exclusivity=20 between the competing percepts, and randomness in the percept=20 durations), generalise across sensory modalities. The neural competition driving these perceptual switches has been successfully modelled in=20 small networks of Wilson-Cowan (firing rate) units, each associated with the different perceptual interpretations. For certain stimuli, where=20 competition takes place across a continuous feature space (say, visual=20 orientation, motion direction, or auditory pitch), a continuum model,=20 such as the neural field equation can be applied.=C2=A0 This PhD project wi= ll involve the derivation of perceptual competition models in a dynamical=20 systems framework, based on plausible neural mechanisms commonly found=20 in sensory cortex. Modelling hypotheses and predictions will be tested=20 against experimental data collected in our lab or from collaborators. On the modelling side, tools from bifurcation analysis including numerical continuation will be applied to investigate dynamics.=C2=A0 The project wi= ll be flexible in terms of the balance between modelling and experiments.=C2= =A0 Candidates with quantitative backgrounds (mathematics, physics, and=20 engineering) and from neuroscience or psychology programmes are=20 encouraged to apply.=C2=A0 Programming experience and/or knowledge of=20 dynamical systems theory is a plus.<br><br>Contact: <a href=3D"mailto:j.a.r= ankin@xxxxxxxx" target=3D"_blank">j.a.rankin@xxxxxxxx </a><br></div= ><div>Informal enquiries welcome.<br></div><div><br>Application deadline: 1= 0th April 2017</div><div><br><div>Please forward to interested parties as a= ppropriate<br></div><br></div><div>Thanks,<br></div><div>James<br></div></d= iv></div> </div><br></div> </div><br></div> </div><br></div> --001a113d5d4ad226b7054ac8398e--