Vacancies and Studentships

Applications are invited to join a multidisciplinary research team at the MRC Brain Network Dynamics Unit at the University of Oxford (MRC BNDU). We are seeking a Postdoctoral Neuroscientist to develop, execute, analyse and report on state-of-the-art electrophysiological, electrochemical, behavioural and anatomical experiments in rodents, as part of a research programme that is designed to elucidate the function/dysfunction of the basal ganglia and their partner neuronal circuits. This post offers exciting opportunities for inventive neuroscientists who enjoy collaborative work.

In addition to having a Ph.D., M.D. or equivalent qualification in a relevant discipline, candidates should have a promising track record of original research in their particular field of neuroscience. Candidates are also expected to have technical expertise with in vivoelectrophysiology and/or voltammetry, and to provide evidence of creative and critical thinking as applied to the delivery of a focused programme of research. Experience of working with mice and of implementing rodent behavioural experiments is also desirable.

The post holder will be part of the Magill Group based at the MRC BNDU. The Group has a strong track record in studying the functional organisation of the basal ganglia and partner neuronal networks in rodents, including in rodent models of Parkinson’s disease. The Group uses an interdisciplinary approach to elucidate the substrates underlying activity dynamics in these brain circuits, employing innovative techniques to monitor and manipulate neurons and to determine their influence on behaviour. The proposed research will take full advantage of the intellectual environment, capital equipment, technical expertise and excellent infrastructure in place at the MRC BNDU. There will be ample opportunity to work in partnership with other MRC BNDU Groups.

This is a full-time fixed-term post of 18 months in the first instance, with an initial probationary period, to start as soon as possible. This post is a University Grade 7 (07S) position with a starting salary of between £31,604 and £34,520 per annum (commensurate with experience). Owing to the nature of this position, any offer of employment with the University will be subject to a satisfactory security screening.

Informal enquiries can be addressed to Professor Magill.

Applications must be made via the University of Oxford’s online recruitment system, using Vacancy ID 136742

The closing date for applications for this post is 12 midday UK time on Wednesday 26thSeptember 2018.

THIS IS A RE-ADVERTISEMENT. PREVIOUS APPLICANTS SHOULD NOT RE-APPLY.

"Committed to equality and valuing diversity"

Applications are invited to join a multidisciplinary research team at the MRC Brain Network Dynamics Unit (MRC BNDU) and Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences (NDCN) at the University of Oxford.  We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Scientist to develop, execute, analyse and report on state-of-the-art experiments carried out as part of a research project aiming to develop and test novel ways of treating disturbed neuronal synchrony using Deep Brain Stimulation in people with movement disorders, such as Essential Tremor and Parkinson’s disease. This post offers exciting opportunities for innovative neuroscientists who enjoy collaborative, multidisciplinary work.

The research project will involve the acquisition and analysis of behavioural, electrophysiological and neuroimaging data (EMG, EEG, LFPs and MEG), and measures of behavioural performance, from people with movement disorders. The post holder will work as part of the Dynamic Neuromodulation Group led by Dr Hayriye Cagnan at the MRC BNDU and NDCN. The environment is multidisciplinary and includes engineers, psychologists, neurologists, neurosurgeons and computational neuroscientists, as well as people undergoing Deep Brain Stimulation for therapy.

The successful applicant will possess a relevant Ph.D./D.Phil. or equivalent in neuroscience or a neuroscience-related or quantitative discipline (e.g. computer science, engineering, physics). Medically-qualified applicants who are considering a Ph.D. are also welcome.

This is a full-time fixed-term post for 36 months in the first instance, externally funded by the Medical Research Council, to start as soon as possible.  This post is a University Grade 7 (07S) position with a starting salary of between £32,236 and £39,609 per annum (commensurate with experience).

Informal enquiries can be addressed to Dr Cagnan.

Applications must be made via the University of Oxford’s online recruitment system, using Vacancy ID 137066

The closing date for applications for this post is 12 midday UK time on Wednesday 24th October 2018.  It is anticipated Interviews will be held soon after the closing date.

“Committed to equality and valuing diversity”

An exciting opportunity has become available at the MRC Brain Network Dynamics Unit at the University of Oxford (BNDU) for a Postdoctoral Researcher in Computational Neuroscience.

The successful applicant will investigate how the brain controls the trade-off between speed and accuracy of decisions. The goal of the proposed project is to analyse a rich dataset recorded from patients with Parkinson’s disease and control participants while they made decisions based on noisy and gradually presented information. During this experiment, local field potentials were recorded from the subthalamic nucleus of the patients via deep brain stimulation electrodes, and the cortical activity was recorded using MEG. The project will be co-supervised by Rafal Bogacz from Oxford, who has an expertise in computational models of decision making, and Vladimir Litvak from UCL, who is an expert in analysis of local field potentials and MEG data. We are happy for the postholder to be based either in Oxford or in London.

Candidates should have a promising track record in original research in their particular field. Candidates are expected to have advanced technical expertise in neurophysiological or behavioural data analysis and general expertise in computational neuroscience. They also need to be highly proficient in Matlab programming. They should provide evidence of designing and completing high quality research as part of a cohesive programme.

The successful applicant will possess PhD or equivalent qualification in a relevant area (e.g. computer science, neuroscience, engineering, mathematics, physics, psychology), have expertise in mathematical modelling and data analysis and proficiency in programming.

The post is full-time for a fixed-term of 1 year in the first instance starting April 2019.

Informal enquiries can be addressed to Rafal Bogacz

Applications must be made via the University of Oxford’s online recruitment system, using Vacancy ID 136073

Only applications received before 12.00 midday on Friday 26th October 2018 will be considered. It is anticipated Interviews will be held soon after the closing date.

"Committed to equality and valuing diversity"