Thursday, August 29, 2019

Two Postdoctoral Researchers for the Language in Interaction Research Consortium

Two Postdoctoral Researchers for the Language in Interaction Research Consortium

Application deadline: September 22, 2019, 23:59 Amsterdam Time Zone

Please find descriptions of the available positions below.
 
Interested?
Information on the application procedure or Apply directly

Big Question 5

Scientific summary
The efficiency and flexibility with which we infer (or generate) meaning during language comprehension (or production) is remarkable. How does our brain do it? To move beyond the many extant attempts to address this big quest, we will treat linguistic inference as an advanced solution to the multi-step, sequential choice problems that we have long faced in other cognitive domains (e.g. chess, foraging and spatial navigation). Specifically, we will make unique progress in unraveling the mechanisms of fast, flexible linguistic inference by leveraging recent advances in our understanding of the representations and computations necessary for sequential action planning. This approach will also lead us to revise current dual-system dogma’s in non-linguistic domains, that have commonly over-focused on the contrast between a cognitive (flexible, but slow) and a habitual (fast, but inflexible) system. The current quest will encourage the integration of so-called ‘cognitive habits’ and their associated cognitive map-related neural mechanisms into theoretical models of both linguistic and nonlinguistic inference.

Postdoc Position 1

“Electrophysiology of perceptual inference for language and planning”

Description
This sub-project functions within BQ5 via the combination of behavioural experimental psychology, magnetoencephalography (MEG), and advanced data analysis techniques in order to study the neural transformations that underlie structure generation in language and in action planning. In addition to designing, and executing your own experiments, you will also have the opportunity to collaborate with other members of the highly interdisciplinary Big Question 5 team and quite closely with the computational modelling sub-project 3 of BQ5.
Requirements
You are a creative and academically well-trained individual as evidenced by high-quality publications in top-ranked scientific journals. You should have obtained or are close to obtaining a PhD degree (or equivalent) in the language sciences, cognitive neuroscience, computational cognitive neuroscience, computer science, or psychology. A strong background in M/EEG is necessary. Good programming skills (Matlab, R, or Python), and prior experience with advanced analyses of neural data are required. You should have active interest in complex human cognitive functions, such as language and conceptual reasoning, and in bridging experimental and theoretical approaches. Previous experience with multidisciplinary research is desirable and a collaborative, open attitude with well-developed communication skills, and a team-science interdisciplinary spirit are necessary.
Applications from excellent candidates with a less than ideal profile will be equally considered.
Embedding and Terms of employmentThis position will be held at the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. The position will be embedded in, and enriched by contact with, the research groups of Andrea Martin and Saskia Haegens.
Contact information
Dr. Andrea Martin, Dr. Saskia Haegens, and Dr. Ashley Lewis

Postdoc Position 2

“Theory and computational modelling of perceptual inference in language and action planning”

Description
This sub-project functions within BQ5 to develop a formal theory and implement in a computational model with the goal of understanding the neural transformations that underlie structure generation in language and in action planning. A strong emphasis will be placed on operationalizing and formalizing the research questions of BQ5 into an overarching theoretical framework. In addition to your designing and implementing computational models to run your own simulations, you will also have the opportunity to collaborate with other members of the highly interdisciplinary Big Question 5 team and quite closely with the electrophysiology sub-project 2 of BQ5.
Requirements
You are a creative and academically well-trained individual as evidenced by high-quality publications in top-ranked scientific journals. You should have obtained or are close to obtaining a PhD degree (or equivalent) in cognitive science, computer science, formal linguistics, mathematics, mathematical psychology, or computational cognitive neuroscience. A strong background in logic and rhetoric, and in theoretical work, is necessary. Experience with contemporary and traditional neural network modelling is highly desirable. Good programming skills (e.g., C, Python), and prior experience with computational modelling or formal models is required. You should have active interest in complex human cognitive functions, such as language, conceptual reasoning, artificial intelligence, computational cognitive neuroscience, and in bridging experimental and theoretical approaches via formalization. Previous experience with multidisciplinary research is desirable and a collaborative, open attitude with well-developed communication skills and a team-science interdisciplinary spirit are necessary.
Applications from excellent candidates with a less than ideal profile will be equally considered.
Embedding and Terms of employment
This position will be held at the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. The position will be embedded in, and enriched by contact with, the research groups of Andrea Martin and Iris van Rooij.
Contact Information
Dr. Andrea Martin and Dr. Iris van Rooij

Interested?

Information on the application procedure or Apply directly



The main consortium website is


The application portal:



Thursday, August 22, 2019

Professorship to run MEG Center in Frankfurt


The Medical Faculty of the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Brain Imaging Center, invites applications for the following position as public employee, starting at the next possible date:

Professorship (W2) for Magnetoencephalography

The successful candidate is expected to represent this subject in research and teaching. The holder of the position will be the scientific head of the Magnetoencephalography Unit (275-channel CTF MEG system) at the Brain Imaging Center (BIC). The BIC pursues research on the structure and function of the human brain. It is based on a cooperation between the Goethe University, the Max Planck Institute of Empirical Aesthetics, and the Ernst Strüngmann Institute.

The professorship will strengthen the MEG-related scientific focus of the BIC. Prerequisite for the application is a university degree, doctorate and habilitation or proof of equivalent scientific achievements. The candidate is expected to have an excellent scientific record with international publications and successful acquisition of grants in the field of magnetoencephalography. The applicant is required to cooperate with and support the research of the other member institutions of the BIC, and further neuroscientific research groups located at the university or other research centers. Participation in general duties, as well as in university academic self-administration, is expected.

The salary for the position is based on “W2” on the German university scale, including performance bonuses that are object of negotiation. Goethe University is committed to increasing the proportion of female faculty and therefore especially encourages women to apply. Applications of scientists from abroad are explicitly requested. Severely disabled applicants with equal qualification and aptitude will be given preferential consideration. For further information regarding the general conditions for professorship appointments, please see: www.vakante-professuren.uni-frankfurt.de

Researchers with an excellent record in research and teaching are invited to submit their application in English or German according to the guidelines of the Faculty of Medicine at Goethe University (preferably as a single PDF document, including a CV, publication list, information on third party funding, a list of teaching activities and a framework for future research at Goethe University Frankfurt) until 23 September 2019 to the Dean of the Medical Faculty, Goethe University Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60590 Frankfurt am Main or via e-mail to: Bewerbungen-Professur3@kgu.de. Application documents will not be returned after the procedure has been completed.

For application guidelines, please see:
http://www.uni-frankfurt.de/60005087/berufungen

Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Postdoc at MaxPlanck & NYU in the MPS-NYU Center for Language, Music, and Emotion (CLaME.nyu.edu)


The Max-Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics in Frankfurt, Germany, investigates aesthetic experience from various perspectives. In the new Max Planck-NYU Center for Language, Music and Emotion (clame.nyu.edu) an international team of researchers investigates these foundational human experiences from novel perspectives, linking language, music, emotion, memory, and decision-making. The Center is comprised of interconnected and interdisciplinary research groups (in Frankfurt and New York) that capitalize on the expertise and resources of the participating scientists across the sites.

The Frankfurt site of CLaME seeks a
Postdoctoral Researcher (m/f/d)

to focus on research that capitalizes on the ArtLab (https://www.aesthetics.mpg.de/en/artlab.html) and to develop an independent research program that investigates groups. This unique research facility offers the infrastructure to set up physiological experiments with more than 40 participants.

Applicants should hold a PhD degree, have an excellent record in their respective disciplines, be excited to work on group studies, be interested in cooperation across disciplines as well as with researchers at the NYU CLaME site, and be prepared to work in a multilingual, international environment. The postdoc will collaborate with researchers at the NYU site of CLaME to work on projects on music, language, emotion, and neuroscience.

Further Qualifications:
·       Evidence of completion of projects
·       Exceptional curiosity to develop studies on large groups (and the necessary hardware and software) – experience required
·       Very strong coding and quantitative skills
·       PhD. in neuroscience, social psychology, cognitive science, psychology, and/or music with a strong background in engineering
·       Robust sense of humour and patience

Salaries of Postdocs are determined following the salary scale E 13 (German TVÖD/Bund*). Substantial social benefits come on top of the salary.

The Max Planck Society is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals. Furthermore, the Max Planck Society seeks to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply.

Questions about the position can be addressed to David Poeppel: david.poeppel@ae.mpg.de . Please submit your application including a CV, three publications, a 2-page research proposal, and three references via e-mail – preferably in pdf format - no later than September 15, 2019, to: job@ae.mpg.de
*Collective Wage Agreement for the Federal Civil Service

Max-Planck-Institut für empirische Ästhetik
Grüneburgweg 14
60322 Frankfurt am Main
www.ae.mpg.de

Postdoc at Duke -- ECoG with Cogan

The Cogan Lab (PI: Gregory Cogan) at Duke University is seeking a postdoctoral research scientist to join the lab.

Research in the lab focuses on understanding the neural computations that underlie speech, language, and cognition. We use a combination of invasive recordings in adult and pediatric epilepsy patients: stereo-electroencephalography - SEEG, and electrocorticography – ECoG, and non-invasive recordings in healthy participants: electroencephalography – EEG. We also collaborate closely with the Viventi Lab (viventi.pratt.duke.edu - Department of Biomedical Engineering) to develop high density/channel count micro-electroencephalography (µECoG - < 2 mm spacing, up to 1024 channels) to record from functional neurosurgery patients (e.g. epilepsy, movement disorders, tumor patients) to better understand the micro-scale of human cognition. See the lab website for more information:

The role entails investigating speech and related phenomena using both invasive and non-invasive electrophysiological recordings. The lab takes a cognitive systems-level approach to understanding the neural computations that underlie speech and auditory cognition. See examples of previous work here: 


The ideal candidate has an interest in speech/language, and has obtained (or about to obtain) a PhD in Neuroscience, Psychology, Engineering, or a related field. Proficiency in Matlab and/or Python and experience with electrophysiological signal analysis is required, and a strong computational background (e.g. machine learning, encoding/decoding analyses) is preferred. 
Duke University is an excellent and highly interdisciplinary place for research. Collaborators span multiple departments/institutes including Biomedical Engineering, the Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, the Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, Psychology and Neuroscience, and the Department of Neurology. 
The position is open until filled. Interested applicants can send a CV, a brief statement of interest, as well as contact information for two references to: gregory.cogan@duke.edu