Weakly nonlinear interactions in an  electrosensory cocktail party problem

Within the DFG priority program  “Evolutionary Optimisation of Neuronal  Processing”, we are looking for a PhD  candidate to work on the detection of weak  signals in the presence of much stronger  distractors, a joint project with the  experimental lab of Jan Benda (University  Tubingen, Germany). The ‘cocktail party  problem’ is here regarded as a general theoretical problem and will be explored  by the successful candidate by means of  analytical calculations and numerical  simulations of stochastic models of  spiking neurons. Beyond pursuing purely  theoretical approaches, the main goal of  this project is to understand weakly  nonlinear interactions specifically in the  electrosensory system of weakly electric fish, an experimental model system of the  Benda lab.

In order to get an idea about similar  approaches pursued in the past, have a look at some of the joint publications of  the Benda lab and the Lindner group:

Fisch et al. J. Neurosci. 32, 17332 (2012)
Sharafi et al. J. Comp. Neurosci. 34 , 285 (2013)
Grewe et al. PNAS 114 E1977 (2017)

The successful candidate should have a  degree in physics, mathematics or  computational neuroscience (a background  in neurobiology is desirable but not obligatory), programming skills (C++,  Python, LaTeX, Linux), an excellent command of the English language, good communication skills, team spirit, and, last but not least, great enthusiasm for  interdisciplinary projects.

Funding is provided for three years,  starting within the next three months. For details on the doctoral examination process at the Physics Department of Humboldt University Berlin, see  https://fakultaeten.hu-berlin.de/en/mnf/wisskar/promotionen/zula.

Applications, including a letter of  motivation, a CV, and a list of three  potential referees should be sent by email to me benjamin.lindner at physik.hu-berlin.de  (cc to nikola.schrenk at bccn-berlin.de)

The deadline for applications is April 26,  2020, however, later applications might  also be considered.

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Benjamin Lindner
Professor for Theory of Complex Systems and Neurophysics

Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin
Philippstr. 13, Haus 2, 10115 Berlin
Room: 1.17, phone: 0049(0)302093 6336

Department of Physics Humboldt University Berlin
Newtonstr. 15 12489 Berlin
Room: 3.408, phone: 0049(0)302093 7934

http://people.physik.hu-berlin.de/~lindner/index.html