Project title:
Deciphering the 4D coding languages of the brain using insect models.
Description:
The project addresses the fundamental question of how external stimuli are encoded and processed in the brain. Insects will be used as models, since their limited brain size allows full access to the information processing pathways with advanced optical imaging techniques that allow not just to image the brain structure, but also in vivo recording of neuronal activity patterns in space and time. The goal of this project is to record the full response patterns of these neuronal networks, to allow for a comparative study of the different coding parameters. This requires developing new data-acquisition techniques, balancing spatial and temporal resolution and allowing for recording from different regions of the brain. Moreover, new analysis techniques need to be developed to reduce the dimensionality of the neuronal codes in order to identify key parameters and their correlation with the different stimulus properties. By considering spontaneous as well as stimulus-evoked activity, we will explicitly measure information flow and information transfer in the networks, and evaluate the overlap and decoupling between the two. Furthermore, signal processing and pattern recognition methodologies will be considered both for feature reduction/selection and for supporting data mining for an appropriate interpretation of the dynamic coding of the information through the network. The results will be interpreted in the context of complex networks theory. Furthermore, the dynamical interplay between brain regions will be assessed from the perspective of synchronization. The network topology will be investigated using well-established measures such as small-world-ness and modularity, as well as emerging measures based on matrix theory. The foreseen project duration is 2 years, while the duration of the tendered fellowship is 12 months. The competent body of the academic structure in which the collaboration is carried out may decide upon its renewal, taking into account the results achieved by the grant holder and the compatibility with the financial availability.
Contract duration:
12 month, prolongable to 24 months;
Application:
Expression of interest to albrecht.haase [at] unitn.it
Online application via https://www.unitn.it/en/ateneo/bando/52958/department-of-physics-call-fo....
Deadline: August 23rd 2018,12.00 noon
Required skills and experience
- a PhD title in neuroscience, biology, physics, engineering, computer science, or related disciplines
- excellent experience (documented by at least three publications in peer-reviewed journals) in relevant fields;
- a professional, scientific CV relevant to the research program described
- excellent English language skills;
About the employer
- Neurophysics research group, a joined initiative between the Physics Department and the Center for Mind/Brain Sciences (CIMeC) at the University of Trento (Italy);
- Principle investigator: Dr. Albrecht Haase, Group website: http://r.unitn.it/en/cimec/nphys;
- The University of Trento ranks first among all Italian state universities (ANVUR report 2016);
- The project is part of the UNITN strategic project: Brain Network Dynamics (BRANDY)
- The PostDoc will actively collaborate with the following project partners:
- Leonardo Ricci Department of Physics (DF)
- Lorenzo Bruzzone, Nicu Sebe Department of Information Engineering and Computer Sciences (DISI)
- Stefano Panzeri Italian Institute of Technology (IIT)
- Luca Faes University of Palermo (UNIPA)
- Ludovico Minati Polish Academy of Science (IFJ-PAN)