EPSRC studentship in Cognitive/Brain modelling or Neuroimaging
Available within the Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield
Topics avaliable are:
*Computational modelling of action selection and attention*
There is an opportunity for a science graduate with an interest in
computational models of brain function to address some of the
significant problems related to behavioural action selection and/or
attentional processing. The project will involve developing
biologically realistic models of neural circuits in the basal ganglia
and frontal cortex, to be evaluated in simulation and possibly within
the control architecture of an autonomous robot. As well as modeling,
there may be an opportunity to perform experimental work on human
attention. Tbe project will be jointly supervised by Dr Kevin Gurney and
Dr Tony Prescott of the Department's Adaptive Behaviour Research Group
(http://www.shef.ac.uk/~abrg) which integrates concepts and techniques
from neuroscience, neuroethology, computational neuroscience and
biomimetic robotics. Candidates should have a good degree in a relevant
disciplinary and some experience of computer programming/modelling.
*Computational models of the interacting mind*
Interacting Cognitive Susbsystems, or ICS (Barnard, 1985, May & Barnard
in press) is a process-based model of cognitive activity that is being
applied by researchers in computer science and human computer
interaction. The current form of the theory is essentially verbal,
supporting reasoning about cognition, but it has also been represented
within a series of expert systems (Barnard & May, 1999), an abstract
quasi-formal mathematical language (Duke, Barnard, May & Duce, 1998),
and in process algebra (Barnard & Bowman, in press). ICS models thought
as the flow of information between nine different levels of mental
representation. Processes at each level store, revive, combine and
transform representations according to a number of principles. These are
based on phenomena analogous to those seen in neural networks and
procedural rule systems, such as the emergence of associations between
input and output structures, and 'winner takes all' contention between
different associations or rules. To date no computational simulation of
ICS has been attempted which includes a network based implementation.
The studentship would allow the development of such a simulation,
providing the basis for a computational model of high level cognitive
activity based on network architectures. It would suit a candidate with
an interest in neural networks and cognitive psychology, with a first
degree in either Computer Science, Cognitive Science or Psychology.
*Neuroimaging Analysis Methodologies*.
An opportunity has arisen for a mathematically competent postgraduate
with computing skills to work as part of a multidisciplinary team to
develop analysis methodologies for diffuse optical tomographic (DOT)
imaging, a form of non-invasive brain imaging. This work will be done in
collaboration with a research group in the USA. The successful
applicant will join a unique research unit which use optical imaging
spectroscopy, laser Doppler flowmetry, fMRI and electrophysiological
recordings to investigate the relationship between neural activation and
local blood-related changes that underly modern 'non invasive'
neuroimaging techniques (eg PET fMRI and DOT). A central part of the
PhD project is to assist the development of analysis methods that can be
used to process DOT data supplied by our US collaborators. Candidates
should therefore have a good degree in one of the following disciplines:
physics, mathematics, or engineering. The project will involve computer
programming in MATLAB. Project supervision will be by Professor Mayhew
and Dr Zheng.
For an application pack, please contact:
Mrs Liz Carl, Postgraduate Secretary
Department of Psychology
University of Sheffield
Western Bank
Sheffield
S10 2TP
Email: liz.carl@sheffield.ac.uk
Tel: 0114 2226543
Fax: 0114 2766515
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: 30TH MAY 2003
----------
Posted by:
Dr Kevin Gurney, Department of Psychology, University of Sheffield, S10
2TP, UK
Tel: 0114 222 6566; Fax 0114 276 6515
http://www.shef.ac.uk/uni/projects/abrg/
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