Postdoc position studying category learning using electrophysiology in NHP

[Caspar M. Schwiedrzik]

The German Primate Center (DPZ) - Leibniz Institute for Primate Research in Göttingen conducts basic research in primate biology, infection research and neuroscience. It maintains four field stations and is a competence and reference center for research on and with primates. The DPZ is one of the 96 research and infrastructure facilities of the Leibniz Association.

The Perception and Plasticity Group is looking for an excellent

Postdoctoral research associate

The Perception and Plasticity Group of Caspar Schwiedrzik at the DPZ is looking for an outstanding postdoc interested in studying the neural basis of high-dimensional category learning in vision. The project investigates neural mechanisms of category learning at the level of circuits and single cells, utilizing electrophysiology, functional magnetic resonance imaging, behavioral testing in humans and non- human primates, and computational modeling. It is funded by an ERC Consolidator Grant (Acronym DimLearn; “Flexible Dimensionality of Representational Spaces in Category Learning”). The postdoc’s project will focus on investigating the neural basis of visual category learning in macaque monkeys combining chronic multi-electrode electrophysiological recordings and electrical microstimulation. In addition, the postdoc will have the opportunity to cooperate with other lab members on parallel computational investigations using artificial neural networks as well as comparative research exploring the same questions in humans. 

We seek to understand the cortical basis and computational principles of perception and experience-dependent plasticity in the macaque and human brain. To this end, we use a multimodal approach including fMRI-guided electrophysiological recordings in non-human primates and fMRI and ECoG in humans. See https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2023.01.011 and https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-51543-y for recent examples of our work. The postdoc will play a key role in our research efforts in this area. The lab is located at Ruhr-University Bochum (https://www.rub.de) and the German Primate Center (http://www.dpz.eu) in Göttingen. At both locations, the lab is embedded into interdisciplinary research centers with international faculty and students pursuing cutting-edge research in cognitive and computational neuroscience. The main site for this part of the project will be Göttingen. The postdoc will have access to state-of-the-art electrophysiology, an imaging center with a dedicated 3T research scanner, and behavioral setups. The project will be conducted in close collaboration with the labs of Fabian Sinz (https://sinzlab.org/people/fabian_sinz.html), Alexander Gail (https://www.dpz.eu/en/unit/sensorimotor-group/about-us.html), and Igor Kagan (http://igorkagan.org). 

The position is available immediately with an initial appointment for 2 years. Extensions beyond 2 years and part- time employment is possible.

Candidates should have a PhD degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field (e.g., neuroscience, psychology, biology), and prior experience, evidenced by a publication or preprint, in electrophysiology in non-human primates, strong quantitative, programming, and experimental skills, and share a passion for understanding the neural basis of visual perception and its plasticity. Prior experience with microstimulation and/or chronic multiarray recordings is a plus. A good command of English is a requirement, but fluency in German is not essential.

Interested candidates should send in their curriculum vitae, a description of their scientific interests, a representative publication, a copy of their PhD degree, and the names and contact information of up to three references who are able to comment on the applicant’s academic background and who have agreed to be contacted.

We welcome diversity and therefore welcome applications from qualified people, regardless of their ethnic, cultural and social background, gender, religion, ideology, disability, age or sexual identity. Registered disabled applicants with equal aptitude and qualifications will be given preferential consideration. We kindly ask you to indicate a disability in your application.

Employment at the DPZ is based on the civil service rules and regulations. The salary scale is in accordance with TV-L, with VBL pension scheme.

Please send in your written application including all certificates until the 2nd of March, 2025 under key word “Postdoc Perception and Plasticity” to Deutsches Primatenzentrum GmbH – Leibniz Institut für Primatenforschung – Personnel Office – Kellnerweg 4 – 37077 Göttingen or via mail to bewerbung(at)dpz.eu.

For further information please contact Prof. Dr. Schwiedrzik, cschwiedrzik(at)dpz.eu, phone: +49 (0)234-32-15220 or see http://www.dpz.eu.