Subject: FW: position in auditory modelling From: Neil Todd <todd(at)FS4.PSY.MAN.AC.UK> Date: Wed, 13 Nov 2002 11:59:10 +0000---------- From: "S. Becker" <becker(at)mcmaster.ca> To: Neil Todd <todd(at)fs4.psy.man.ac.uk> Subject: position in auditory modelling Date: Wed, Nov 13, 2002, 5:59 am Dear Neil, I have an opening in my lab for a postdoctoral fellow or research associate and we would very much like to find someone who can develop realistic models of plasticity and dynamical properties of cortical circuits in the auditory system. If you know of any suitable candidates for such a position, I would be very grateful if you could pass this on to them. Our ad is below. The salary is in the range CDN$45-50K plus benefits, depending on the candidate's qualifications. Hugh Wilson at York University in Toronto is now also collaborating with us in this work. With many thanks, Sue Sue Becker, Associate Professor Department of Psychology, McMaster University becker(at)mcmaster.ca Building 34, Room 312 Fax: (905)529-6225 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ont. L8S 4K1 Tel: 525-9140 ext. 23020 www.science.mcmaster.ca/Psychology/sb.html POSTDOCTORAL/RESEARCH ASSOCIATE POSITION IN COMPUTATIONAL NEUROSCIENCE AT MCMASTER UNIVERSITY A position is available for a minimum of 3 years at the Postdoctoral or Research Associate level, to develop computational models of cortical learning, memory and reorganization after noise-induced hearing loss. Data from Jos Eggermont's lab indicates that hearing loss in the auditory periphery (sensori-neural hearing loss) results in altered cortical firing rates, tonotopic map reorganization, and abnormal synchronous activation, and may give rise to tinnitus and other perceptual anomalies. Tinnitus, the false perception of sound in the absence of an external sound source, affects about 30% of the population and 70-85% of the hearing-impaired. Remarkably, human brain imaging studies by Roberts, Pantev and colleagues indicate a high degree of plasticity of sensory representations in primary auditory cortex, suggesting good prospects for rehabilitation. Thus, a major goal in this work will be to develop and test novel rehabilitation strategies that tap into this cortical plasticity, for the treatment of tinnitus and other auditory deficits associated with sensori-neural hearing loss. The position offers exciting opportunities to collaborate with team members who are employing a wide range of behavioural neuroscience techniques including computational modelling, psychoacoustics, brain imaging (EEG, MEG), and electrophysiology. Experience with neural network modelling is required, and knowledge of the auditory system, psychoacoustics and signal processing are highly desirable. The position requires a PhD in Cognitive Science, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or a related discipline. This research is part of a multi-disciplinary project to study mechanisms and treatment of tinnitus, funded by a $1.1M CIHR grant (NET Programme) to L. Roberts and S. Becker (Psychology, McMaster University), I. Bruce (Electrical and Computer Engnineering, McMaster University), J. Eggermont (Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary), C. Pantev (Rotman Research Institute, Toronto) and L. Ward (Psychology, University of British Columbia). Interested candidates should send a letter of intention and CV via email with subject line "tinnitus postdoc position" to both Dr. S. Becker (becker(at)mcmaster.ca) and Dr. I. Bruce (ibruce(at)ieee.org). McMaster University, in Hamilton Ontario, is one of the leading post-secondary institutions in Canada. It was founded in 1887, and has over 13,000 students and 1000 faculty. Known for its strengths in research and innovation, McMaster has numerous award-winning faculty including Bertram Brockhouse, Nobel Laureate in Physics. The pedestrian-only campus is located adjacent to the scenic Royal Botanical Gardens and Coot's Paradise wilderness area at the western end of Lake Ontario. For further information on the research interests of the team see: www.science.mcmaster.ca/Psychology/sb.html www.ece.mcmaster.ca/~ibruce/ www.psychology.mcmaster.ca/hnplab www.ucalgary.ca/UofC/faculties/medicine/PHBI/faculty/eggermont.html www.rotman-baycrest.on.ca/content/people/profiles/pantev.html http://neuron2.psych.ubc.ca/~lward/people/index.html