Fwd: Two postdoc jobs: neural decoding of language, and similarity-based neural representations

Two postdoctoral positions are available in the Department of Brain & Cognitive Sciences at the University of Rochester in the lab of Rajeev Raizada (http://raizadalab.org). Both positions will involve applying multivoxel pattern-based fMRI analysis to seeking to understand the structure of neural representations. One position will concentrate especially on the neural decoding of language, in particular the semantic representation of words embedded in sentences. The other position will focus on exploring similarity-based representations, relating neural similarity structure to the visual and semantic similarity of objects. Applicants must have a PhD in neuroscience, psychology, linguistics, computer science or a related field. Experience in some or all of the following areas would be ideal: fMRI data analysis, machine learning (especially kernel-based or Bayesian approaches), computational linguistics (for the language decoding postdoc), computer vision or visual psychophysics (for the object-similarity postdoc). Experience with Matlab or some other scientific programming language (e.g. SciPy, R) is required. Salary will be on the standard NIH postdoc payscale. Both positions are available immediately and have funding for a two year period, although they could potentially be extended beyond that time if mutually agreed and if additional funding is obtained. To apply, please send a description of your research interests, a CV, the names of three referees, and weblinks to representative publications to rajeev.raizada(a)gmail.com , specifying in the subject-line which of the two positions you are applying to. Large files such as PDFs of papers should be sent as weblinks (e.g. to your publications webpage, or using Dropbox) rather than as e.mail attachments. If you will be attending the upcoming Society for Neuroscience conference then it might be possible to meet there, otherwise interviews can be conducted via Skype. The Department of Brain & Cognitive Sciences at the University of Rochester (http://www.bcs.rochester.edu) has a strong focus on computational and statistical studies of neural representations, and has researchers working in language, vision, computation, development and neuroimaging. The Rochester Center for Brain Imaging (http://rcbi.rochester.edu) has a research-dedicated 3T Siemens Trio scanner.