Qualified applicants are being sought for 6 positions (3 postdoctoral and 3 postgraduate PhD. Researchers) at 3 institutions across Europe in the areas of computational neuroscience, neuromorphic engineering, and experimental neuroscience. All six positions are funded for 4 years duration under the EU Framework V IST, Future and Emerging Technologies initiative, starting from January 2002.
The project concerns the development of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) artefact to perform stereotypical moth-like chemotaxis behaviour in uncertain environments. We propose to develop biologically-inspired sensor, information processing and control systems for a c (hemosensing) UAV. The cUAV will identify and track volatile compounds of different chemical composition in outdooor environments. Its olfactory and sensory-motor systems are to be inspired by the moth. This development continues our research in artificial and biological olfaction, sensory processing and analysis, neuronal models of learning, real-time behavioural control, and robotics. Fleets of cUAVs will ultimately be deployed to sense, identify, and map the airborne chemical composition of large scale environments. Further details on the project and the research teams can be found at http://www.le.ac.uk/eg/tcp1/amoth/ The project includes significant funding and opportunities for travel within Europe to visit the laboratories of the participating consortia and outside Europe to attend international scientific meetings. University of Leicester, UK. A computational neuroscience postdoctoral researcher is required to develop a biologically constrained model of the insect antennal lobe operating in real-time and driven by broadly-tuned integrated chemosensors. Expertise in modelling of spiking neuronal populations, information theoretical analysis, and/or modelling of synaptic plasticity is desirable. A postgraduate researcher (who will be expected to register for a PhD) in the area of neuromorphic engineering is required to support this modelling activity as well as deal with the implementation of the model using FPGA/DSP technology and its integration with real-world chemical sensors. Strong mathematical, analytical and programming skills are required for both positions. Informal enquiries regarding these positions and the project in general should be addressed to the project co-ordinator, Dr. T.C. Pearce, Department of Engineering, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, United Kingdom, +44 116 223 1290, [EMAIL PROTECTED] ETH/Univ Zurich, Switzerland. A computational neuroscience postdoctoral researcher is required to implement a model of sequence-based learning based upon the protocerebellum of the moth. A PhD researcher is also required for neuromorphic hardware implmentation. Both researchers will be involved in the construction of the UAV. Hence, interest and demonstrated skills in both computational neuroscience and the construction and control of robots is required. Informal enquiries regarding these positions and the project in general should be addressed to the project co-ordinator, Dr. P.F.M.J. Verschure, Institute of Neuroinformatics Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057, Zurich, Switzerland. ++41 1 6353070, [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sveriges Lantbruksuniversitet, Sweden. At the researcher level we will hire a postdoctoral scientist specializing in neurophysiology and neuromorphology of the insect central olfactory system. The main task will be to elucidate neural interactions within the antennal lobe allowing the amplification in sensitivity observed in earlier investigations A postgraduate researcher (who will be expected to register for a PhD) will work on similar issues but will also perform behavioural experiments investigating moth orientation to host odours and run linked gas chromatographic - electrophysiological experiments to pinpoint active semiochemicals. Both positions require skills in neurobiological techniques. Both positions will be formal positions, including full Swedish social benefits. Informal enquiries regarding these positions and the project in general should be addressed to the local co-ordinator, Professor Bill S. Hansson, Division of Chemical Ecology, Department of Crop Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, P.O. Box 44, SE-23053 Alnarp, Sweden, +46 40415300, [EMAIL PROTECTED] Applicants should send a CV, cover letter stating for which position they are applying, the names of at least three referees, to the named academic associated with each position. Deadline for receipt of applications is 20th December, 2001. Regards, Tim. -- T.C. Pearce, PhD URL: http://www.leicester.ac.uk/eg/tcp1/ Lecturer in Bioengineering E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Department of Engineering Tel: +44 (0)116 223 1290 University of Leicester Fax: +44 (0)116 252 2619 Leicester LE1 7RH Bioengineering, Transducers and United Kingdom Signal Processing Group
