Das, Aniruddha
POST-DOCTORAL POSITION IN VISUAL NEUROSCIENCE
Lab of Aniruddha Das
The lab of Aniruddha Das at Columbia University is looking for a postdoc to study visual processing early in the cortical pathway. There are currently two interconnected projects in the lab, both using simultaneous intrinsic-signal optical imaging and electrophysiology
in alert macaques.
- Task-related hemodynamic responses in visual cortex: Based on the task-related hemodynamic response we found in primary visual cortex (V1) of alert macaques performing visual tasks (Sirotin & Das, Nature 2009). This response is independent of visual stimulation or local neuronal spiking or LFP. However, it has strong behavioral correlates, being modulated by reward and task performance. The project focuses on understanding these behavioral correlates.
- Cortical mechanisms of visual form processing. Studying neuronal and brain hemodynamic responses to simple forms: textures, object boundaries. Here, again, we are interested in the interaction between stimulus-driven and task-related responses to these visual stimuli.
These task-related responses in monkey V1 are likely the same as a task-related BOLD fMRI response reported by David Heeger’s lab, in human subjects (Donner et al., 2008). The work here is thus part of a unique and exciting collaborative study between my group
and that of David Heeger at NYU. We hope to understand this task-related response and its significance with parallel experiments in macaque (in my lab) and humans (NYU). The postdoc will be part of this larger intellectual collaboration.
The members of the lab are all expected to perform physiological experiments, as well as develop quantitative tools for
the acquisition, analysis and modeling of data. The candidate should have a strong background in systems neuroscience combined with a demonstrated aptitude for quantitative techniques (math / physics / engineering / computer science). Fluency in MATLAB a must.
Experience in cortical neurophysiology, particularly with alert animals, is highly desirable.
We are located in the Center for Integrative Neuroscience at Columbia University. We share a floor with 5 other groups also working on issues of systems neuroscience with interests ranging over attention, oculomotor control, emotional circuitry and computational
neurobiology. We are also moving to a new collaborative Neuroscience center, the Jerome L. Greene Science Center at Columbia University’s Manhattanville Campus.
Please email a CV and brief letter of interest with names and email addresses of 3-5 people who can write letters of recommendation. Please indicate why you are interested in particular in our laboratory and in our line of research. All applications that follow
these guidelines will be given serious consideration.
Columbia University is an equal opportunity employer.
Aniruddha Das (Anirud...@columbia.edu).
Associate Professor, Department of Neuroscience,Columbia University, College of Physicians and Surgeons
1051 Riverside Drive, Unit 87,
NYSPI Kolb Annex Rm 563
New York, NY 10032-2695
ph: 646-774-7390