I have full funding for a postdoctoral fellow to work in my lab on a
project involving biophysically realistic modeling of the cerebral
cortex. The goal is to develop dynamically realistic models of the
various types of cortical cells and synapses, and to then develop
model networks that incorporate these elements, along with our
knowledge of cortical connectivity, to provide testable accounts of
various properties of primary sensory cortex. The long-term goal is
to develop a testable picture of the structure and function of the
cerebral cortical circuit. The applicant will be one of at least two
and possibly more members of the lab, besides myself, engaged in
various aspects of this overall project. There is a good deal of
freedom possible within the overall confines just defined. The lab is
developing experimental methods that will interact closely with the
modeling effort.
Experience with biophysically realistic neuronal modeling is strongly
preferred, but the most important attribute is the demonstrated
ability to accomplish first-rate scientific work. Three years of
funding is available; funding would be initially for one year, and
renewable by mutual agreement.
I am located in the W.M. Keck Center for Integrative Neuroscience at
UCSF, and am part of the Sloan Center for Theoretical Neurobiology at
UCSF. Together, these provide a superb scientific atmosphere for
systems and theoretical neuroscience. The Keck Center is a highly
interactive physical space for systems neuroscience. The faculty in
the center, besides myself, are:
*Alan Basbaum (anatomy of the pain system);
*Allison Doupe (song learning in songbirds);
*Howard Fields (neurophysiology of the pain system);
*Steve Lisberger (oculomotor system, function and plasticity);
*Michael Merzenich (plasticity in adult cerebral cortex);
*Roger Nicoll (hippocampal synaptic function);
*Henry Ralston (thalamic structure and function);
*Christof Schreiner (neurophysiology of auditory cortex);
*Michael Stryker (development and plasticity in the visual system).
The chance to interact closely and frequently with this variety of
terrific experimental neuroscientists is one of the real treats of
being in the Keck Center. The Sloan Center will bring a variety of
theoretically trained postdocs and visiting faculty to work in the
Keck Center. Visiting faculty will include Larry Abbott, Bill Bialek,
Sebastian Seung, and David Sparks. (For a bit more information, check
the following WWW home pages:
Sloan Center: http://keck.ucsf.edu/sloan.html
Keck Center: http://keck.ucsf.edu/)
To apply, please send a cv, a statement of previous research and
research goals, and up to three relevant publications, and arrange to
have at least two letters of recommendation sent to me. Send
applications to me at the following address:
Kenneth D. Miller
Dept. of Physiology
UCSF
513 Parnassus
San Francisco, CA 94143-0444
Thanks!
Ken Miller
ken@phy.ucsf.edu