PhD Position in the Human Brain Project

ANNOUNCEMENT OF A PhD POSITION IN THE HUMAN BRAIN PROJECT

The Computational Intelligence Group at the Technical University of Madrid (http://cig.fi.upm.es) is looking for:
A Master degree in Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics or equivalent
TOPIC: Neuronal structural design and predictions
The student will develop algorithms that use the statistical structure of neuronal and synaptic geometries to computationally synthesize model neurons and synapses. To unravel the structural design of neurons, new models, especially Bayesian networks will be automatically learnt from data obtained from 3D reconstructed neurons (particularly pyramidal neurons). In the modeling phase, the stochasticity of the elements shaping the geometry of basal/apical dendritic arbors, spines and soma, will be captured for different cortical layers/areas. The models will include for the first time discrete, linear and angular continuous variables. They will discover relationships among the (pyramidal) cell morphological variables. Also, they will be used for clustering spines and for developing new statistical point processes accounting for their spatial distribution. In the recognizing phase, single- and multi-dimensional Bayesian classifiers with any kind of predictors will be developed. In both phases, specific learning, inference and simulation methods will be created and implemented. KEYWORDS: Bayesian networks, clustering, supervised classification, spatial distributions, neuronal morphology
REQUIRED: The selected student should be enrolled1 in the PhD program of the Artificial Intelligence Department at UPM (http://www.dia.fi.upm.es/doctoradoia/)
PREFERRED: Experience with statistical/machine learning software like R and Weka
WHAT WE OFFER:

• An internationally visible and rising project bridging the gap between machine learning/statistics and neuroscience
• A young, dynamic, inter-disciplinary, and international working environment with excellence in top scientific production
• Duration of contract: 3 years, renewable per year

POSITION START DATE: November 1, 2013
Applicants should submit a cover letter and a detailed CV in PDF format electronically to secretary.projects@cesvima.upm.es 1 To be enrolled for the PhD UPM Program a pre-enrolment process should be completed. This process can be completed on-line and is free of fees. The deadline of the pre-enrolment process for the Academic Course 2013-2014 is scheduled for September 22nd, 2013. Further information:
http://www.upm.es/institucional/FuturosEstudiantes/Estudios_Titulaciones/EstudiosOficialesDoctorado