Cambridge Centre for Research Assistant/Associate in Computational Neuroscience (Fixed Term)
Department of Engineering, Central Cambridge
One or more positions exist for a Research Assistant/Associate, in the Department of Engineering, to work on a collaborative project between the labs of Máté Lengyel at the Computational and Biological Learning Lab, Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge (https://cbl.eng.cam.ac.uk) and Nathalie Rochefort at the Centre for Discovery Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh (https://rochefortlab.co.uk/).
The post holder will be located in Central Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, UK.
The project studies the neural representation of perceptual uncertainty in mouse primary visual cortex and and ties together several threads of research recently developed in our labs, based on the following key publications (note that several are collaborative between our groups):
- Koblinger Á, Fiser J and Lengyel M. Representations of uncertainty: where art thou? Current Opinion in Behavioral Sciences, 38:150¿162, 2021.
- Orbán G, Berkes P, Fiser J and Lengyel M. Neural variability and sampling-based probabilistic representations in the visual cortex. Neuron 92:530-543, 2016.
- Padamsey Z, Katsanevaki D, Dupuy N, Rochefort NL. Neocortex saves energy by reducing coding precision during food scarcity. Neuron 110:280-296.e10, 2022.
The key responsibilities and duties are:
- undertaking basic research, formulating research questions and pursuing them using mathematical modelling and numerical simulations
- making use of standard research techniques and methods, as well as developing new ones
- conducting literature and database searches
- analysing and interpreting the results of own research and generate original ideas based on outcomes
- continuing to update knowledge and develop skills
- assisting with teaching-related activities
- liaising with colleagues and students on routine matters
- making internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding and forming relationships for future collaboration
- planning own day-to-day research activity
- contributing to the planning of research projects