Researcher in Neuroscience (Radboud University)

For the Vidi project ‘Top-down neuromodulation and bottom-up network computation, a computational study’, we are looking for a postdoctoral researcher to study the effects of neuromodulators in efficient spike coding networks. You will use cellular and behavioural data gathered in our department over the past years on dopamine, acetylcholine and serotonin in the mouse barrel cortex, to bridge the gap between single cells, networks and behavioural effects. The aim of this project is to explain the effects of neuromodulation on task performance in biologically realistic spiking recurrent neural networks (SRNNs). You will use the efficient spike coding framework, in which a network is not trained by a learning paradigm but deduced using mathematically rigorous rules that enforce efficient coding (i.e. maximally informative spikes). You will study how the network’s structural properties such as neural heterogeneity influence decoding performance and efficiency. You will incorporate realistic network properties of the (barrel) cortex based on our lab’s measurements and incorporate the cellular effects of dopamine, acetylcholine and serotonin we have measured over the past years into the network, to investigate their effects on representations, network activity measures such as dimensionality, and decoding performance. You will build on the single cell data, network models and analysis methods available in our group, and your results will be incorporated into our group’s further research to develop and validate efficient coding models of (somatosensory) perception. Therefore, we are looking for a team player who is willing to learn from the other group members and to share their knowledge with them. Profile You hold a PhD in computational neuroscience, mathematics, physics, computer science, AI or a similar computational field. You have experience working with coding models in computational neuroscience and can perform network simulations, analytical derivations and advanced data analysis. You are a highly motivated, independent, critical and creative researcher who wants to bridge the gap between real data and abstract theoretical models. You are a team player, ready to collaborate in a diverse, multidisciplinary research group. You have an excellent command of spoken and written English. You have coding experience (in Python and/or Matlab). We are You will be appointed at the Biophysics of Neural Computation group, Donders Center for Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour. This vibrant and multidisciplinary institute studies the organisation and function of neural circuits across scales and techniques, from genes and proteins to behaviour and from in vitro and in vivo experiments to computational modelling. It is an open and international environment, where young scientists from different backgrounds share a fascination for the interaction between brain structure and function. There is a lively community of postdoctoral researchers who are provided with specialised support. Radboud University At Radboud University, we aim to make an impact through our work. We achieve this by conducting groundbreaking research, providing high-quality education, offering excellent support, and fostering collaborations within and outside the university. In doing so, we contribute indispensably to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. To accomplish this, we need even more colleagues who, based on their expertise, are willing to search for answers. We advocate for an inclusive community and welcome employees with diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. Will you also contribute to making the world a little better? You have a part to play. If you want to learn more about working at Radboud University, follow our Instagram account and read stories from our colleagues. Faculty of Science The Faculty of Science (FNWI), part of Radboud University, engages in groundbreaking research and excellent education. In doing so, we push the boundaries of scientific knowledge and pass that knowledge on to the next generation. We seek solutions to major societal challenges, such as cybercrime and climate change and work on major scientific challenges, such as those in the quantum world. At the same time, we prepare our students for careers both within and outside the scientific field. Currently, more than 1,300 colleagues contribute to research and education, some as researchers and lecturers, others as technical and administrative support officers. The faculty has a strong international character with staff from more than 70 countries. Together, we work in an informal, accessible and welcoming environment, with attention and space for personal and professional development for all. We offer We will give you a temporary employment contract of 26 months. Your salary within salary scale 10 depends on your previous education and number of years of (relevant) work experience. The amounts in the scale are based on a 38-hour working week. You will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8,3% end-of-year bonus. You will receive extra days off. With full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the statutory 20. Additional employment conditions Work and science require good employment practices. Radboud University's primary and secondary employment conditions reflect this. You can make arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home. You are also able to compose part of your employment conditions yourself. For example, exchange income for extra leave days and receive a reimbursement for your sports membership. In addition, you receive a 34% discount on the sports and cultural activities at Radboud University as an employee. And, of course, we offer a good pension plan. We also give you plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes. Practical information and applying You can apply only via the button below. Address your letter of application to Fleur Zeldenrust. In the application form, you will find which documents you need to include with your application. The first interviews will take place on Tuesday 15 April. Any second interview will take place on Tuesday 22 April. You will preferably start your employment on 1 June 2025. We can imagine you're curious about our application procedure. It describes what you can expect during the application procedure and how we handle your personal data and internal and external candidates. If you wish to apply for a non-scientific position with a non-EU nationality, please take notice of the following information. Application deadline 01 April 2025 We would like to recruit our new colleague ourselves. Acquisition in response to this vacancy will not be appreciated. Would you like more information? Dr F. Zeldenrust (Fleur) fleur.zeldenrust [at] donders.ru.nl If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Psychoneuroxy

For the Vidi project ‘Top-down neuromodulation and bottom-up network computation, a computational study’, we are looking for a postdoctoral researcher to study the effects of neuromodulators in efficient spike coding networks. You will use cellular and behavioural data gathered in our department over the past years on dopamine, acetylcholine and serotonin in the mouse barrel cortex, to bridge the gap between single cells, networks and behavioural effects.

The aim of this project is to explain the effects of neuromodulation on task performance in biologically realistic spiking recurrent neural networks (SRNNs). You will use the efficient spike coding framework, in which a network is not trained by a learning paradigm but deduced using mathematically rigorous rules that enforce efficient coding (i.e. maximally informative spikes). You will study how the network’s structural properties such as neural heterogeneity influence decoding performance and efficiency. You will incorporate realistic network properties of the (barrel) cortex based on our lab’s measurements and incorporate the cellular effects of dopamine, acetylcholine and serotonin we have measured over the past years into the network, to investigate their effects on representations, network activity measures such as dimensionality, and decoding performance. You will build on the single cell data, network models and analysis methods available in our group, and your results will be incorporated into our group’s further research to develop and validate efficient coding models of (somatosensory) perception. Therefore, we are looking for a team player who is willing to learn from the other group members and to share their knowledge with them.

Profile

You hold a PhD in computational neuroscience, mathematics, physics, computer science, AI or a similar computational field.

You have experience working with coding models in computational neuroscience and can perform network simulations, analytical derivations and advanced data analysis.

You are a highly motivated, independent, critical and creative researcher who wants to bridge the gap between real data and abstract theoretical models.

You are a team player, ready to collaborate in a diverse, multidisciplinary research group.

You have an excellent command of spoken and written English.

You have coding experience (in Python and/or Matlab).

We are

You will be appointed at the Biophysics of Neural Computation group, Donders Center for Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour. This vibrant and multidisciplinary institute studies the organisation and function of neural circuits across scales and techniques, from genes and proteins to behaviour and from in vitro and in vivo experiments to computational modelling. It is an open and international environment, where young scientists from different backgrounds share a fascination for the interaction between brain structure and function. There is a lively community of postdoctoral researchers who are provided with specialised support.

Radboud University

At Radboud University, we aim to make an impact through our work. We achieve this by conducting groundbreaking research, providing high-quality education, offering excellent support, and fostering collaborations within and outside the university. In doing so, we contribute indispensably to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. To accomplish this, we need even more colleagues who, based on their expertise, are willing to search for answers. We advocate for an inclusive community and welcome employees with diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. Will you also contribute to making the world a little better? You have a part to play.

If you want to learn more about working at Radboud University, follow our Instagram account and read stories from our colleagues.

Faculty of Science
The Faculty of Science (FNWI), part of Radboud University, engages in groundbreaking research and excellent education. In doing so, we push the boundaries of scientific knowledge and pass that knowledge on to the next generation.

We seek solutions to major societal challenges, such as cybercrime and climate change and work on major scientific challenges, such as those in the quantum world. At the same time, we prepare our students for careers both within and outside the scientific field.

Currently, more than 1,300 colleagues contribute to research and education, some as researchers and lecturers, others as technical and administrative support officers. The faculty has a strong international character with staff from more than 70 countries. Together, we work in an informal, accessible and welcoming environment, with attention and space for personal and professional development for all.

We offer

We will give you a temporary employment contract of 26 months.

Your salary within salary scale 10 depends on your previous education and number of years of (relevant) work experience. The amounts in the scale are based on a 38-hour working week.

You will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8,3% end-of-year bonus.

You will receive extra days off. With full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the statutory 20.

Additional employment conditions

Work and science require good employment practices. Radboud University's primary and secondary employment conditions reflect this. You can make arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home. You are also able to compose part of your employment conditions yourself. For example, exchange income for extra leave days and receive a reimbursement for your sports membership. In addition, you receive a 34% discount on the sports and cultural activities at Radboud University as an employee. And, of course, we offer a good pension plan. We also give you plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes.

Practical information and applying

You can apply only via the button below. Address your letter of application to Fleur Zeldenrust. In the application form, you will find which documents you need to include with your application.

The first interviews will take place on Tuesday 15 April. Any second interview will take place on Tuesday 22 April. You will preferably start your employment on 1 June 2025.

We can imagine you're curious about our application procedure. It describes what you can expect during the application procedure and how we handle your personal data and internal and external candidates. If you wish to apply for a non-scientific position with a non-EU nationality, please take notice of the following information.

We would like to recruit our new colleague ourselves. Acquisition in response to this vacancy will not be appreciated.