FYI

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The *Translational Neuromodeling Unit (TNU) *headed by Prof. Klaas Enno Stephan is a newly founded division of the Institute of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Zurich and the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH Zurich). Its mission is to translate advances in computational neuroscience into clinically useful diagnostic tools. To this end, the TNU brings together modelers, experimentalists and clinicians who jointly develop mathematical models of brain (dys)function and evaluate their diagnostic use for psychiatry and neurology in patient studies. We have access to a wide range of experimental facilities -- including fMRI (3T & 7T), EEG, TMS, eye tracking -- and are presently setting up a research clinic for patient studies. For more information, see http://www.biomed.ee.ethz.ch/research/tnu.

The TNU invites applications for a *doctoral student (PhD) position* (duration 3 years). The topic concerns the development of mathematical models of behavior in voluntary control of eye movement and/or corollary discharge for eye movements. In particular, the project focuses on dynamic systems theory and Bayesian methods for enabling inference on "hidden" processes from behavioral and eye movement data in healthy subjects and psychiatric patients. The successful applicant will primarily develop these models and conduct the eye movement experiments required to estimate the model parameters. However, there is the opportunity to study the neurophysiology of the mechanisms described by the mathematical models using fMRI.

Essential qualifications and interests include

· a mathematical background (e.g., a degree in engineering, physics, computer science, statistics, mathematical psychology, mathematical biology),

· strong programming skills (MATLAB in particular),

· a "team player" attitude,

· interest in biomedical questions and real-world applications of computational models.

Additionally, the ideal applicant

· has a background in dynamic system analysis, Bayesian methods, and/or machine learning,

· has experience with conducting behavioral and/or eye movement experiments.

· has experience with the analysis of behavioral and/or eye movement data.

· enjoys inter-disciplinary interactions with experimentalists and clinicians.

The position is available immediately. Interested students should submit their applications (incl. CV, names of at least two referees, and a brief letter of motivation outlining their interests and explaining why they meet the above requirements) to Jakob Heinzle (tnu-jobs@biomed.ee.ethz.ch). Applications will be considered until the position has been filled.