Positions
Positions are currently available in the groups of Drs. Sober, Berman, Pruszynski and Nemenman
Multiple postdoctoral positions are available in the Sober lab, including opportunities to work collaboratively with the other seven groups in the Consortium. Our lab seeks to understand how the nervous system controls skilled behavior by answering two questions:
How are spiking population codes transformed across levels of the motor system,, e.g. from cortical activity to the spikes in muscle fibers?
How are motor codes reshaped during sensorimotor learning on timescales ranging from skill acquisition across development to agile behavioral adjustments in adults?
We use two model systems – vocal motor control in songbirds and skilled forelimb control in rodents – to address these questions. By combining neurophysiology, advanced computational analyses, and the development of novel electrode systems, our published work in songbirds has shown how the brain uses precisely-timed spike patterns to control complex behaviors by exploiting the biomechanics of the body (Sober et al., TINS 2018, Srivastava et al, PNAS 2017, Tang et al., PLoS Biology 2014). This project has recently expanded to include investigations into the neuromuscular control of forelimb behavior in rats and mice, both to reveal common computational strategies for motor codes across species and effector organs and to combine our studies of muscle-based spike activity with advanced techniques for manipulating central and peripheral circuits in rodents.
We anticipate making multiple hires. Depending on the scientific background and interests of each applicant, available projects range from basic science (e.g. experimental and computational studies of spike patterns in neurons and muscle fibers) to more engineering-focused projects focusing on electrode hardware development (using advanced nanofabrication techniques to develop >1,000 channel arrays for recording large populations of spiking motor units from muscles). We therefore seek candidates with one or more of the following areas of expertise:
- Rodent electrophysiology (especially EMG, but also neural recordings)
- Quantitative analysis of animal behavior
- Computational analysis of spiking codes in individual neurons and/or spiking populations
- Developing, fabricating, and testing novel electrode systems and related software tools
Interested candidates should contact soberlab@internationalmotorcontrol.org to discuss further. Applicants should submit their CV and contact information for three references to the same address. Positions will remain open until filled. Emory University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer.
The Berman group in the department of Biology at Emory University is currently looking for postdoctoral researchers to work on various theoretical and computational problems related to the modeling and quantification of animal behavior. Currently, there are several funded projects, including the modeling of joint neuro-behavioral data, analyzing social dynamics, developing theoretical models to understand the emergence of long timescale structure in behavioral patterns, and the application of machine learning methods to behavioral data. All candidates should have a strong background in mathematical modeling, data analysis, theoretical biophysics, machine learning and/or computational science. Our group is a part of the computational neuroscience group and the Emory Initiative in the Theory and Modeling of Living Systems and performs collaborative research with many experimental groups within Emory and elsewhere. Anyone interested should contact Gordon Berman at gordon.berman@emory.edu with a CV, a brief description of research interests, and a list of three references. Emory is located within a leafy neighborhood in the heart of Atlanta, a major cultural center and transportation hub, which offers high quality of life. Emory University is an AA/EEO employer.
The Pruszynski Lab is looking to recruit one postdoctoral fellow in the area of upper-limb motor control. The goal is to examine the neural control of reaching and grasping with a special focus on its interaction with muscle physiology. The work involves a variety of empirical techniques and two different NHP species (marmoset, macaques). An important part of the project is contributing to the development, testing, and validation of new electrodes for recording from populations of motor units. Previous experience in the domain of motor control and NHP electrophysiology is desired.
The Pruszynski Lab is part of the Sensorimotor Superlab, located at the Brain and Mind Institute and the Robarts Research Institute, both at Western University in, London, Ontario, Canada. Systems and cognitive neuroscience is a key area of research strength at Western University, with more than 30 Principal Investigators and 200 trainees. Further details about working at Western University and about living in London, Canada can be found here. This position is funded by the Simons-Emory International Consortium on Motor Control.
Specifics
Start date is negotiable (and dependent on the COVID-19 pandemic) but no earlier than January 2021. Salary is commensurate with experience but no less than $50K / year. Funding is available for at least 3 years. Financial support for relocation and immigration is available.
Process
Interested applicants should email directly: andrew.pruszynski@uwo.ca. Please include (1) a personal statement of your interests, experience, and goals (<1 page). (2) a curriculum vitae and, (3) names of two references. Applications will be considered until a suitable candidate is identified.
Postdoctoral Fellows in the Theory and Modeling of Living Systems (includes Berman and Nemenman groups)
Applications are invited for the Postdoctoral Fellows in the Theory and Modeling of Living Systems (TMLS) at Emory University. TMLS is a highly interdisciplinary initiative connecting theorists across departments who are working on theoretical understanding of broad biological phenomena. Our research includes, but is not limited to, information processing in neural and cellular systems, quantifying and modeling animal behavior, understanding the dynamics of infection and immune response, forecasting evolution, predicting the dynamical and mechanical properties of dense tissue, and statistical inference from biological data. Fellows would have wide latitude to choose which problems to work on while collaborating broadly with TMLS faculty.
A successful applicant will have a PhD and a strong publication record in theoretical physics, quantitative biology, computational neuroscience, applied mathematics, or a related field. We are particularly interested in candidates with a track record of scientific creativity and independent thinking. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the positions are filled. To apply, please send your CV, a brief description of your research experience and interests, and a list of three references to tmls-jobs@listserv.emory.edu.
Emory University is one of the world’s leading research universities, with top-ranked programs in Population Biology, Ecology and Evolution, Computational Neuroscience, Motor Control, Biomedical Engineering, and Biophysics. The outstanding Emory School of Medicine, Rollins School of Public Health, and the excellent programs at the nearby Georgia Institute of Technology provide ample opportunities for collaborations. The hired Postdoctoral Fellows will also benefit from the unique resources available at Emory, such as the Center for Disease Control (adjacent to Emory’s campus) and the Yerkes Primate Research Center. Emory is located in a green neighborhood in the heart of Atlanta -- a major cultural center and transportation hub -- offering a high quality of life.
Members of historically underrepresented groups are particularly encouraged to apply. Emory is an AA/EEO employer.
