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Candidate profile
The successful candidate has a strong background in physics and/or
mathematics, is competent in applying numerical methods, and shows
some grasp of, and great interest in, computational neuroscience. The
main tasks of this research project involve theoretical calculations,
computer simulations and experimental data analyses, using MATLAB.
Specific methods and relevant background knowledge will be taught to
the candidate “on the job”, providing an excellent opportunity for an
enthusiastic researcher to specialize in an exciting new field.
Research topic
Neuronal oscillations in the gamma frequency range (30-100 Hz) play a
crucial role in information processing. Since gamma activity is
effective in activating other neurons, the question arises which
mechanism prohibits gamma activity to activate an ever-increasing
number of neurons. Many focal epileptic seizures start with an
increase of gamma activity with abnormal spreading. We will
investigate the special role of inhibitory interneurons in the
generation of a robust gamma rhythm.
The hypothesis that some inhibitory regulation is disturbed in
epileptic patients will be tested using mathematical analyses and
extensive computer simulations of interactions between single neurons
and populations of neurons. The results of these approaches will be
compared to data in large databases at the Academic Hospital of the
University Utrecht, obtained by subdural recordings in patients with
normal task-related gamma activity and with epileptic seizures. The
results of this project may allow pro-active recognition of starting
epileptic activity.
Research environment
The Department of Biophysics of the Radboud University Nijmegen is
part of the Centre for Neuroscience (http://www.ru.nl/dcn) within the
Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour (http://
www.ru.nl/donders/). The Donders Institute hosts many excellent
researchers and owns advanced infrastructure and equipment, such as a
PC-cluster for fast computer simulations.
The offered PhD position is part of a large project in Computational
Life Science, funded by the Dutch Science Foundation (NWO). The grant
also includes 2 post-docs and another PhD student, and is a
collaboration of several senior researchers at Radboud University and
at the Mathematics Department of the University of Twente.
Living in The Netherlands / Nijmegen
The Netherlands are well-known as a liberal and modern European
country with a unique and distinguished culture. It is one of most
densely populated urban regions of the world, but the vibrant border
city of Nijmegen (http://www.nijmegen.nl/) also offers access to the
beautiful Dutch/German “Lower Rhine” countryside.
Salary
Estimated gross salary: from about €2050/month in the first year to
€2600/month in the last year (Dutch University Salaryscale 10), plus
an 8% annual supplement and end-of-year bonus.
For more information, please contact Prof. Dr. C. Gielen
(S.Gielen [ à ] donders.ru.nl).
