The broadaim of the post doc’s research is along aim 1) above: computational modeling of neocortical microcircuit dynamics informed by mesoscale (at 100 micron level) post-mortem 9.4T MRI data and microscale (at 1 micron level) lightsheet microscope data of the same human cortical tissue samples. This research will be embedded in a larger team supported by an ERC Starting grant which aims to understand predictive coding computations in cortical microcircuits underlying motion perception in the human visual system. The specific objectives of the projects performed and co-supervised by the successful candidate are: * Analyse multi-modal MRI and lighsheet data of human cortex to construct cortical connectivity models both within the local microcircuit and between neighbouring and remote microscircuits, * Simulate and analyse the dynamics of constructed microcircuit models, and * human 7T and 9.4T sub-millimeter resolution functional MRI experiments to validate and test cortical microcircuit models.

We are looking for applicants with:

• A PhD in (Bio)physics, Numerical mathematics, Computational Neuroscience, Biomedical Engineering or related with a focus on computational neuromodeling

• Extensive experience and proven skills, as shown by past publications, with at least one of

  • Neural mass modeling or neural field modeling of brain dynamics, as well as mean field reductions of dynamic models of neural activity

  • Compiling, simulating, and/or analyzing cortical microcircuit models

  • Dynamic causal modeling (DCM) of fMRI, EEG or MEG data

  • Ultra-high field fMRI experiments and/or cortical depth-led fMRI analysis

• Excellent command of spoken and written English, good presentation and academic writing skills

• The ability to co-supervise bachelor, master and graduate (PhD-) students

• A keen interest in human cortical circuits and neural computations

Fixed-term contract: 2,5 year.

The terms of employment of Maastricht University are set out in the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO). Furthermore, local UM provisions also apply. For more information look at the website www.maastrichtuniversity.nl > Support > UM employees

Depending on experience and qualification, the gross monthly salary is scale 10 (max. € 4.084,00), based on a full-time appointment.

Maastricht University

Established in 1976, Maastricht University (UM) is the most international university in the Netherlands. Despite being a young university, it has received very high international rankings. UM is considered the 6th best young university in the world. It ranks world number 59 in the domain of Health and Clinical Medicine. Its faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences has joined a cooperative alliance with Maastricht's academic hospital under the name Maastricht University Medical Centre+ (MUMC+). The post holder will be embedded in CAPHRI, the largest of the six schools within MUMC+ that specifically focusses on health and healthcare research and within its research line Optimising Patient Care (http://www.caphri.nl).

Department of Cognitive Neuroscience

The Cognitive Neuroscience (CN) department in Maastricht combines research in human perception and cognition with the development of advanced methods in neuroscience. Various brain imaging methods are employed to describe and predict behaviour, such as single cell recording, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), electro- and magneto-encephalography (EEG and MEG). Furthermore, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and neurofeedback are being used to manipulate behaviour.

The research is embedded in the Maastricht Brain Imaging Center (M-BIC) and involves international and inter-disciplinary collaborations among psychologists, neuroscientists, bioengineers, IT experts, radiologists and neurologists.