PhD Scholarship in Computational Modelling (including fees, stipend and travel for 4 years)

How does the human mind develop? The FOUNDCOG project aims to address this question by using neuroimaging of infants, in their critical first year after birth, to capture the development of the brain and its functions. We will interpret the results by comparing them to computational models of learning from artificial intelligence. In addition to characterising the development of the human mind, we aim to understand how it is disrupted by brain injury and to produce new diagnostic tools for neonatologists.

In this post, you will acquire data from infants and develop computational models of learning from artificial intelligence.

Standard Duties and Responsibilities

• implementing computational models
• programming online data acquisition from infants
• setting up naturalistic data collection devices
• contributing to the growth of the methodological and intellectual expertise of the team
• outreach to patient advocacy groups, clinicians, and other interested parties

Person Specification

• Qualifications
  • a strong undergraduate degree or Masters in computer science, mathematics, statistics or a relevant field (e.g., first or upper second for Irish or UK applicants; GPA 3.3+ for US applicants)
• Knowledge & Experience
  • coding in Python (essential)
  • computational modelling or artificial intelligence (highly desirable)
  • quantitative or mathematical mindset (highly desirable)
  • familiarity with artificial neural networks and deep learning (desirable)
  • familiarity with Bayesian models (desirable)
  • coding in JavaScript, HTML5 and a framework such as jQuery (desirable)
  • experience with AWS or another cloud platform (desirable)
• Skills & Competencies
  • strong critical thinking and good judgement
  • excellent organisation and time management
  • the ability to work thoroughly through tasks until they are completed, even if they turn out to be more difficult than you first expected
  • the ability to write clearly and concisely
  • enthusiasm and aptitude to acquire expertise in the diverse areas of the project
  • enthusiasm and aptitude to share expertise with other team members
  • enthusiasm for communication with a broader audience
  • a desire to develop your transversal and cross-sectoral skills

Supervision

The studentship will be jointly supervised by Professor Rhodri Cusack (TCIN) and Professor Bernardo Nipoti (Computer Science and Statistics).

Funding

This project is funded by the FOUNDCOG ERC Advanced Grant.

TCIN and Trinity College

Our group is located within the prestigious interdisciplinary Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience (TCIN). TCIN is located at Trinity College in the heart of Dublin. Trinity was founded in 1592 and is ranked as Ireland’s No.1 University in the QS World University Ranking, THE World University Ranking and the Academic Ranking of World Universities. It is a member of the League of European Research Universities.​

Application Procedure

Candidates should submit as a single PDF to jobs [at] cusacklab.org with the subject line “PHD19B”:

• a cover letter addressing why this project interests you and what you will bring to it
• a full curriculum vitae
• the names and email addresses of two referees
• your undergraduate grades/transcripts (unofficial fine at this stage)
• links to any other supporting media, such as code repositories, preprints, articles in the media, or blogs

Excellent candidates from outside of the EU will also be considered.
Selection will begin on Mar 15, 2019 and the position will remain open until filled.
If you have any query please contact: Professor Rhodri Cusack cusackrh [at] tcd.ie