Post-Doctoral Researcher Visual Brain Prosthesis

Amsterdam ·  Full time

Groep: ROELFSEMA GROEP
Type: Research
Locatie: Amsterdam
FTE: Fulltime
Periode: 3 years

Omschrijving

Location: Amsterdam
Max hours per week: 38
Max salary: 4670,- euro
Duration of agreement: 3 years
Apply until: 23 December 2022

The Vision & Cognition group (Roelfsema lab) has an exciting opportunity for a Post-doctoral researcher (1fte/38 hrs) at the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience in Amsterdam. The aim is to understand visual perception and plasticity elicited by electrical stimulation of the visual cortex in mice, with the ultimate aim to create a visual cortical prosthesis to restore a rudimentary form of vision for the blind.

Project Description and Methods

Electrical stimulation of the visual cortex elicits a “phosphene”, an artificial percept of light. By stimulating multiple electrodes at the same time, it is possible to evoke pattern vision. The aims of this project are to (1) develop new methods for electrical stimulation; (2) to study the patterns of activated neurons using two-photon imaging and (3) to test visual perception of electrical percepts and its plasticity in mice.

Qualifications:

We will consider highly motivated, self-driven candidates with a degree in neuroscience, (neuro)psychology, biomedical sciences, natural sciences, material science, mathematics, physics, etc. A high level of written and spoken English and good programming skills are required. The ideal candidate will have experience in the visual system with neurophysiological techniques (electrophysiology and/or two-photon imaging), the analysis of neuronal activity in alert animals, and a background in neuroscience. Interest in the translation of fundamental research into clinical applications and collaboration with high-tech companies is a plus.

Appointment

The position is for a period of three years. . The first appointment is for one year with the option for an extension for the remaining period pending on an evaluation.

Pending on evaluation this may be extended.

Salary

Depending on education and relevant work experience, the gross monthly salary based on fulltime employment (1 fte, 38 hours a week) varies between €2.846, – and € 4.490,- gross per month (salary scale 10), in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU/KNAW), excluding 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus. We offer travel expenses, paid parental leave, flexible working hours, 30 days paid leave per year and help by finding a house.

Starting date: Jan-March 2023

Location:  Amsterdam Zuid-Oost, the Netherlands

Information: For additional information, please contact Prof. dr. P. Roelfsema. P.roelfsema@nin.knaw.nl

Application and deadline

To apply, please send an application letter and a CV including two letters of recommendation through this system.

Evaluation of candidates will begin immediately, and continue until the position is filled.

More information about the laboratory can be found on www.herseninstituut.nl

About the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience

The Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience is the country’s leading fundamental neuroscience research institute, in the international and progressive city of Amsterdam. It provides a critical mass of scientists (spanning more than 27 nationalities) and neuroscience facilities, in a highly interactive, dynamic, multi-cultural environment, with English as the working language.

Terms of Employment

Depending on education and experience the minimum salary is 2960,- euro and the maximum salary is 4670,- euro gross per month for a full-time appointment (scale 10 cao Nederlandse Universiteiten/KNAW). This is exclusive of 8% vacation allowance, 8.3% year-end bonus, travel allowance, internet allowance, home working allowance and pension accrual with ABP.

The KNAW offers its staff an excellent package of secondary benefits. A package that meets the different needs of employees depending on their stage of life, lifestyle or career ambitions. For example, by working an extra two hours a week, it is possible to increase the number of days off from 29 to 41 days a year (with full-time employment).

For a complete overview of the terms of employment, please refer to the web page: werken bij de KNAW.

Diversity & Inclusion

The KNAW considers a working environment in which everyone feels welcome and appreciated of great importance. A working environment in which attention is paid to individual quality and where development opportunities are paramount. Together we strive for an inclusive culture in which we embrace differences. We would therefore like to invite candidates who want to contribute to this through their background and experience. In the event of equal suitability, preference will be given to the candidate who thus enhances diversity within the Academy.

We will not respond to any supplier enquiries based on this job advertisement.