Postdoctoral research associate

The Deutsches Primatenzentrum GmbH – Leibniz-Institut für Primatenforschung in Göttingen is a primate research and competence center that does basic research. It concentrates on three main are-as named Organismic Primate Biology, Infections Research and Neurosciences. The DPZ maintains four field stations to do research on and with primates. Furthermore it is one of 95 research and infra-structure establishments of the Leibniz Association

Part-time employment is possible.

The Perception and Plasticity Group is looking for an excellent

Postdoctoral research associate

The Perception and Plasticity Group of Caspar Schwiedrzik at the German Primate Center (DPZ) in Göttingen, Germany, is looking for an outstanding postdoc interested in studying the neural basis of perceptual learning in vision. The project investigates neural mechanisms of learning and perception at the level of circuits and single cells, utilizing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in com-bination with electrophysiology and behavioral testing in humans and non-human primates. It is fund-ed by an ERC Starting Grant (Acronym VarPL; “Specificity or generalization? Neural mechanisms for perceptual learning with variability”). The postdoc’s project will focus on investigating the neural basis of perceptual learning in macaque monkeys combining fMRI, multi-electrode electrophysiological recordings and electrical microstimulation. In addition, the postdoc will have the opportunity to cooperate with other lab members on parallel, comparative research exploring the same questions in humans.

We seek to understand the cortical basis and computational principles of perception and experience-dependent plasticity in the macaque and human brain. To this end, we use a multimodal approach including fMRI-guided electrophysiological recordings in non-human primates and fMRI and ECoG in humans. The postdoc will play a key role in our research efforts in this area. The lab is located at the DPZ (http://www.dpz.eu) and the ENI-G (http://www.eni-g.de), which are interdisciplinary research centers with international faculty and students pursuing cutting-edge research in neuroscience. The postdoc will have access to a new imaging center with a dedicated 3T research scanner, state-of-the-art electrophysiology, and behavioral setups. For an overview of our work and representative publica-tions, please see our website http://www.eni-g.de/groups/neural-circuits-and-cognition.

The position will be available starting in February 2019 with an initial appointment for 2 years. Exten-sions beyond 2 years are possible. Candidates should have a PhD degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field (e.g., neuroscience, psychology, biology), and prior experience, evidenced by a publication or preprint, in electrophysiology in non-human primates, strong quantitative, programming, and experi-mental skills, and share a passion for understanding the neural basis of visual perception and its plasticity. Prior experience with microstimulation is a plus. A good command of English is a requirement, but fluency in German is not essential. We especially encourage women to apply.

Interested candidates should send in their curriculum vitae, a description of their scientific interest, a representative publication, a copy of their PhD degree, and the names and contact information of up to three references who are able to comment on your academic background and who have agreed to be contacted.

The appointment at the DPZ follows the applied regulations of civil service. The classification follows the TV-L. Disabled applicants with equal qualification will be given preferential consideration. We kind-ly ask you to indicate in your application if you are disabled.

Please send in your written application including all certificates until the 20th of February, 2019 under key word “Postdoc Perception and Plasticity” to Deutsches Primatenzentrum GmbH – Leibniz Institut für Primatenforschung – Personnel Office – Kellnerweg 4 – 37077 Göttingen or via mail to bewerbung(at)dpz.eu.

For further information please contact Dr. Schwiedrzik, cschwiedrzik(at)dpz.eu, phone: +49 (0)551-39-61371 or see http://www.dpz.eu.

More information is availabel on the pages of the Leibniz Association: www.leibniz-gemeinschaft.de