LABORATORY OF COMPUTATIONAL NEUROSCIENCE,
THE BABRAHAM INSTITUTE,
CAMBRIDGE, CB2 4AT.
PhD Studentship in Neuronal Statistics
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS OF CORRELATED SPIKE TRAINS IN PULSATILE NEURONAL SYSTEMS
The project involves the development and application of methods for statistical
analysis of simultaneously recorded neuronal data, using, for example, hidden
Markov chain models, and methods from non-linear dynamics and information
theory, as well as classical statistical methods. Oxytocin neurons normally
fire at a low rate, but also display bursting behaviour important in lactation
& parturition; the purpose of the analysis then is to identify activity
patterns related to the continuous-pulsatile transition. The methods will be
used on multi-neuron data from other systems (e.g. the olfactory bulb, the
visual system) for comparison. This research bears on the intriguing question
of how neurons code information - using interspike interval or firing rate, or
network activity - currently the subject of intense debate in neurobiology.
The studentship will be supervised by David Brown and Jianfeng Feng in the
Computational Neuroscience Laboratory, Babraham Institute, Cambridge. The
laboratory has very good computational facilities and support, and is an
excellent environment for research in computational neuroscience and statistics
of neuronal systems.
Applicants should have, or be likely to get, a good degree in
statistics, mathematics, physics or a quantitative subject with a substantial
statistical content, and preferably with an interest in biology. Usual
research council maintenance grant (for UK residents). The studentship will
start in October 1999, and run for 3 years.
Applications in the form of a CV (detailing academic performance so far) with
a covering letter which specifies this project, and the names and addresses of
2 referees to Jenny Pell, The Babraham Institute, Cambridge CB2 4AT as soon as
possible and at the latest by 5th January. Please include your correspondence
address for 5th-20th January. An Open Day will be held at the Institute on
Wednesday 20th January to which selected students will be invited to discuss
their research interests and view the Institute's facilities.
Further information: David Brown, email [log in to unmask], tel 01223 496224.
See lab web pages (http://www.bi.bbsrc.ac.uk/WORLD/Labs/compneur/compneur.html)
for further information about the laboratory and http://www.bi.bbsrc.ac.uk for
general information about the Institute.
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