Fwd: PhD position at the Donders Institute

The Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour has a vacancy for a PhD student on the project ** *Characterizing phase-coupled oscillatory networks in the alpha and the theta band: their relation to perception and attention, and to individual differences in cognitive performance* _Research Group Neurophysiology of Active Perception_ The objective of our research group is to formulate and validate mechanistic explanations of cognitive phenomena, that is explanations in terms of their underlying neurophysiological mechanisms. As an integral part of this objective, our group has an important methodological component, the characterization of interactions in spatially distributed neural activity, which is the central topic of this PhD project. _Project Description_ Phase-consistent rhythmic activity is ubiquitous in electrophysiological recordings, and it may reflect networks of phase-coupled neuronal populations oscillating at different frequencies. Because neuronal oscillations may reflect rhythmic modulations of neuronal excitability, phase-coupled oscillatory networks (PCONs) could be functional building blocks for routing information through the brain. This project focuses on PCONs involving brain rhythms that (1) are modulated by selective attention and working memory, and (2) are correlated with individual differences in cognitive performance. Using newly developed methods, we extract PCONs from magneto-encephalography (MEG) data on the basis of the patterns of phase-consistency induced by these PCONs. These methods succeed because PCONs can be separated on the basis their frequency content, the brain areas over which they can be observed, and their pattern of between-site phase relations. We will test three hypotheses with respect to the functional role of alpha and theta band PCONs, one pertaining to their behavioral relevance, one to the mechanism underlying sustained attention, and one to their relation with individual differences in cognitive performance. All hypotheses can be tested using existing data. _Job Requirements_ This project calls for either a cognitive neuroscientist with a strong interest and skills in data analysis or a person with a computational background (machine learning, applied statistics, signal processing) with a strong interest in cognitive neuroscience. We are looking for candidates with a MSc degree who are highly motivated to conduct research. It is highly desirable to have extensive experience with a high-level programming language such as Matlab or Python. The candidate must be available at 1-10-2014. _Application deadline_: 14-7-2014 _The Institute_ The Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour consists of three research centres, the Centre for Cognition, the Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging and the Centre for Neuroscience. The Donders Institute focuses on state of the art cognitive neuroscience, in a multidisciplinary approach, and offers excellent lab and neuroimaging facilities. The project is embedded within the Donders research theme /Brain Networks and Neuronal Communication/ (http://www.ru.nl/donders/research/theme-4-brain/) and will be supervised by dr. Eric Maris at the Donders Centre for Cognition (DCC). The DCC is part of the Faculty of Social Sciences, one of the largest faculties at Radboud University Nijmegen. The faculty hosts high-quality research and study programs that rank among the best in the Netherlands. _Contact Information_ Dr. Eric Maris e.maris(a)donders.ru.nl <mailto:e.maris@donders.ru.nl>