Job Offer: Postdoctoral Researcher in Multiscale Model Building to Simulate DIGITAL TWIN Brain Models in EBRAINS
Institute: Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes, Aix-Marseille University, France Website: http://ins-amu.fr/
Summary:
The Theoretical Neuroscience Group (TNG), led by Viktor Jirsa, is currently accepting applications for a postdoctoral position aligned with the initiatives of the EBRAINS 2.0 project. The successful candidate will contribute to Work Package 3 (WP3), focusing on the development of the modeling and simulation framework essential for realizing the Digital Twin vision. More specifically, the selected candidate will be involved in tasks related to providing multiscale model building and simulation tools for Digital Twins, with the focus on neuromodulation.
As a postdoctoral researcher, the candidate will be responsible for developing and implementing in TVB models for simulation of chemical neuromodulation in different contexts. Specifically, the project will aim to implement dopaminergic regulatory processes on whole brain level. This will be done through glutamatergic and GABAergic synapses, utilizing existing neuronal masses candidates from the literature and from the work at INS. The candidate is thus expected to be familiar with concepts from Nonlinear Dynamics, in particular solving and analyzing coupled ordinary differential equations (ODEs). In the later stage the project will also require application with model inversion techniques such as simulation based inference that should facilitate establishing links between the model parameters space and the neuroimaging data features of interest. The latter will be a key component of this projects and will also require addressing issues related to model degeneracy and resilience. The successful candidate will join a dedicated team developing models and methodologies for better explanation of neuroimaging data in different paradigms (e.g., stimulation and resting state), and conditions (healthy state, ageing, Parkinson’s Disease, epilepsy).
This work will establish an interpretable link across scales from synapses to neuronal populations (the network nodes in TVB), and significantly amplify the effectiveness of TVB in comprehending multiscale effects within brain networks. This, in turn, will facilitate the enhanced usability of digital twins in clinical context, particularly in psychiatric disorders, aging, Parkinson’s Disease and in diagnosing brain health status.
The core of this innovative project revolves around the Virtual Brain Twin platform, which leverages big data, multiscale modeling, and high-performance computing. It will be seamlessly integrated into the EBRAINS ecosystem, which is a major player in the European digital neuroscience research infrastructure (https://www.ebrains.eu/).
Required Qualifications:
PhD (or equivalent) in computational neuroscience, physics, engineering, or related discipline.
Experience in one or more of the project research topics, including Brain Network Models, Dynamical systems, and Simulation-based inference.
Proficiency in programming with Python, with expertise in scientific computing packages.
Proficiency in spoken and written English.
Desired Qualifications:
Experience in a research or academic environment, or a background in neuroscience.
Familiarity with TVB.
Experience running parallelized large-scale simulations on supercomputers.
Expertise in time-series analysis, data science and data visualization.
Qualifications:
Successful candidates should have a robust background in nonlinear dynamics and computational neuroscience, specifically related to networks and dynamical system theory. Familiarity with scientific programming is preferred, and candidates should possess strong programming experience with Python, and languages such as Julia, or C++.
About The Theoretical Neuroscience Group:
We are a multinational and interdisciplinary team dedicated to unraveling the spatiotemporal organization of large-scale brain networks. Our work encompasses mathematical and computational modeling of large-scale network dynamics, the analysis of human brain imaging data, and the development of neuroinformatics tools for studying large-scale brain networks, particularly in the context of brain disorders such as epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, and multiple sclerosis, and healthy aging.
Terms of Salary and Employment:
(Include relevant information on salary, benefits, and other employment terms.)
The initial appointment is for one year, with the potential for extension up to three years.
Application Deadline:
The position will remain open until filled.
Starting Date:
January 2023
How to Apply:
Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their applications, including a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and contact information for references, to giovanna.RAMOS-QUEDA@univ-amu.fr and lisa.otten@univ-amu.fr. Please specify "Postdoc Application - Multiscale for Brain Network Models" in the subject line.
We look forward to welcoming a highly motivated and qualified postdoctoral researcher to our team to advance our understanding of large-scale brain network models in the context of neuroscience and psychiatric disorder research.
UMR 1106 – Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes INS Faculté de Médecine de la Timone
27 Bd Jean Moulin - 13385 Marseille cedex 05. France
Tel : + 33 (0) 4 91 32 42 21 ou 23 | Fax : + 33 (0) 4 91 78 99 14