PhD Neuromodulatory mechanisms during learning and decision-making-Zurich

Open positions at the Laboratory for Social and Neural Systems
Research, University of Zurich

(Directors: E. Fehr, T. Singer, K.E. Stephan)

The Laboratory for Social and Neural Systems Research is a newly
founded research centre at the University of Zurich that investigates
the principles underlying social and neuronal systems
(http://www.socialbe havior.uzh. ch/index. html). Funded through a
generous donation by the Branco Weiss Foundation, this laboratory is
being established as a highly interdisciplinary institution with a
novel research concept. Bringing together scientists from the social
and natural sciences (incl. neuroscience, economics, psychology, and
physics), it studies the mechanistic links between neuronal circuits
and human social behaviour, using a combination of brain imaging
methods, neuropharmacologica l techniques, behavioural experiments and
computational approaches. A single custom-built unit hosts multiple
state-of-the- art facilities that are fully dedicated to research.
These facilities include a Philips Achieva 3T MRI scanner, as well as
laboratories for EEG, transcranial magnetic stimulation,
psychophysics, behavioural group studies, peripheral & autonomic
neurophysiology and pharmacology. Additionally, we have access to a
7T high-field human MRI facility.

PhD studentship: fMRI and modelling of neuromodulatory mechanisms
during learning and decision-making

The Computational Neuroeconomics group led by Prof. Klaas Enno Stephan
invites applications from prospective PhD students. The research in
our group focuses on (i) experimental and computational investigations
of brain connectivity, synaptic plasticity and neuromodulatory
mechanisms during learning and decision-making and (ii) translating
the results into clinical applications. To this end, we perform fMRI
and EEG/MEG experiments and collaborate closely with theorists,
physiologists and clinicians. Our group is highly interdisciplinary
and international in composition, with English being the working language.

We offer a PhD studentship that is funded for 3 years with an annual
salary according to the Swiss PhD salary scheme (increasing from CHF
38,000 in year 1 to CHF 44,000 in year 3). This project, which is
conducted in collaboration with researchers at the Wellcome Trust
Centre for Neuroimaging at London, concerns neuromodulatory mechanisms
during learning and decision-making and contains both experimental and
modeling aspects. The experimental work includes establishing novel
learning and decision-making paradigms and obtaining fMRI measurements
of healthy volunteers under pharmacological manipulation. The
behavioral and fMRI data will be analysed using a combination of
dynamic causal modelling (DCM) and computational models. The balance
of experimental and theoretical components of this project can be
adjusted depending on the skills and interests of the successful
applicant,

We seek talented and highly motivated candidates who have a strong
interest in combining experimental and modelling approaches and who
are looking for a vibrant, highly interdisciplinary and well equipped
research environment with strong international collaborations. Good
programming skills are essential. Previous experience with fMRI data
acquisition and analysis, MATLAB and SPM are not required, but
advantageous. Experience with Bayesian statistics, machine learning
techniques or dynamic systems theory would be an extra bonus.

This position is available from January 2009, and applications will be
accepted until the position is filled. Please send an electronic
application with your CV (incl. publication list), a cover letter
stating your motivation and research interests, and contact details of
two referees to Prof. Klaas Enno Stephan (k.stephan@iew. uzh.ch). For
further information, you can also consult the following web sites:

http://www.socialbehavior.uzh.ch/static/home/stephan/

http://www.fil.ion.ucl.ac.uk/~kstephan/