Post date: Apr 12, 2011 8:33:27 AM
A NIH-supported postdoctoral position in visual neuroscience is available in the laboratory of Matt Smith in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Pittsburgh (http://www.smithlab.net). Research in the laboratory is focused on: (1) Coding of visual information by neuronal populations; (2) Understanding the modulation of functional connectivity by inter-areal connections and by cognitive demands (such as attention); (3) Examining the relationship between neuronal population responses and behavior. The lab uses a range of techniques including multielectrode recordings in primates (with chronically implanted "Utah arrays" and other technologies), microstimulation, psychophysics, and computational modeling. Applicants should have a PhD in neuroscience or a related field. A strong computational background, programming experience (MATLAB), and experience with neurophysiology or psychophysics are desirable.
The Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences Research Center (OVSRC) hosts a number of outstanding researchers in the vision sciences and is supported by an NIH core grant. More broadly, the University of Pittsburgh has a large and diverse community of neuroscientists. The Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition (CNBC), a joint project of the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University, fosters an interactive and interdisciplinary environment among an excellent group of scientists from diverse backgrounds (www.cnbc.cmu.edu). Pittsburgh is an affordable city with excellent cultural institutions and is often voted as among the most livable cities in the US.
Please send inquiries or a CV and contact information for 3 references to Matt Smith via email (smithma 'at' pitt 'dot' edu) or to the following address:
Matthew A. Smith, PhD
Department of Ophthalmology
University of Pittsburgh
Eye and Ear Institute, Room 914
203 Lothrop St
Pittsburgh, PA 15213