PhD position in human vision/aging using 7T MRI/MEG at FU Berlin

Project description

We are inviting applications for a PhD student position for up to 3.5 years at the “Neural Dynamics of Visual Cognition Group” at the Freie Universität Berlin (link) by Radek Cichy (link).

The position is part of a team project with the group of Prof. Emrah Düzel (link) in the Collaborative Research Center „Neural Resources of Cognition“ (link) at Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg.

The overall goal of the project is to understand the neural mechanisms of memory-based visual discrimination. In close collaboration with Prof. Emrah Düzel’s group you will be working on an innovative project involving mobile app-based behavioral training, structural and functional MRI at 7T (layer and/or subfield-specific) and MEG in combination with multivariate (classification, representational similarity analysis) and computational (deep learning) methods.

This team project has three steps. In a first step we will train young healthy adults on visual discrimination using a mobile app. We will then assess the anatomical and functional consequences of training in the visual and the memory system of the brain.

In a second step we will conduct equivalent training in older adults with quantified tau-pathology. This will determine how tau influences the effect of training using functional and anatomical MRI measurements. Comparison to young adults will also inform us more generally about the effects of aging/tau pathology on the visual system.

In a third step we will assess behavioral effects of discrimination training in SuperAgers.

The focus of this PhD position is on assessing the visual system using functional 7T MRI (potentially layer-specific) and MEG with multivariate and computational analysis methods. The assessment of the memory system and anatomical measures will be done by Prof. Emrah Düzel’s group.

Collaboration and cooperation at all stages of the project between the groups is key and will be both expected and actively supported by both groups.

Project start is flexible. A start as early as 1st of July 2021 is possible, the end is December 2024.

Requirements

• Master degree in Cognitive (Neuro-)Science, Computer Science, Bioinformatics, Data Science, Psychology or related disciplines with excellent results

Desirable

• Interest in the visual and/or visual system of the brain (in particular for objects and scenes)
• Experience in acquisition and analysis of fMRI and/or M/EEG
• Programming skills, preferably in Python and/or Matlab
• Experience with multivariate pattern analysis methods
• Experience with standard analysis programs for the analysis of M/EEG (e.g., fieldtrip. MNE python) and/or fMRI data (e.g., freesurfer, SPM)
• Fluency in English

For informal inquiries do not hesitate to contact me at rmcichy at gmail.com.

Applications, together with relevant documentation (CV, a brief statement of research interests, and the names and contact details of two academic references) quoting the reference code “12-28-2021” should be received no later than May 3rd, 2021 at: daniela.satici.thies at fu-berlin.de.

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Neural Dynamics of Visual Cognition group
Freie Universität Berlin
Mail: rmcichy at gmail.com
Lab website: https://www.ewi-psy.fu-berlin.de/en/einrichtungen/arbeitsbereiche/neural_dyn_of_vis_cog/index.html
Personal website: http://userpage.fu-berlin.de/rmcichy/

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