The Center of Brain and Health at New York University Abu Dhabi seeks to recruit two postdoctoral associates for two projects: 1) a project on the mechanisms underlying rapid perception and cognition, and 2) a project on the neural mechanisms underlying interactions of visual and conceptual systems.
 
Project 1: Mechanisms underlying rapid perception and cognition
(PI: Prof. David Melcher, Perception and Active Cognition Laboratory)

Attention, perception, working memory and other aspects of cognition are limited by time constraints that are linked to the temporal scales of neural activity. On the one hand, we can find general principles linking ongoing brain rhythms to the temporal unfolding of thought, from the sampling rate of sensory perception to the maintenance of active representations in memory. However, there are also large individual differences in processing speed within the healthy adult population, across the developmental lifespan, and when considering clinical and neurological patient groups. The successful applicant will drive a fascinating project on the neural correlates of these individual and clinical differences in speed of information processing.
 
Project 2: Neural mechanisms underlying interactions of visual and conceptual systems
(PI: Prof. Olivia Cheung, Objects And Knowledge Laboratory)
 
High-level vision, which involves transforming visual inputs into meaningful concepts such as faces, words, animals, human-made objects, and scenes, is essential for humans to understand and interact with their environment. This process relies on a cortical network that supports perception, learning, memory, and prediction. The study of high-level vision provides a window into how learning and experience impact the human brain. The successful applicant will lead a project investigating the complex nature of semantic associations and image statistics on category selectivity, using machine learning and multivariate pattern analysis techniques. To distinguish the cortical networks and behavioral markers that are common across categories or unique to specific categories, the project involves characterizing the similarities and differences in the processing of multiple categories in healthy and clinical populations.
 
The positions are funded for two years with the possibility of renewal. Required expertise includes strong knowledge of cognitive neuroscience and expertise in at least one of the neuroimaging methodologies involved in the project (fMRI, EEG or MEG). For a competitive application at the postdoctoral level, candidates should demonstrate experience in leading neuroimaging studies, as shown by publications in international scientific journals. The successful candidates will work in a multidisciplinary Center environment with world-class research infrastructure, consisting of PhD-level scientists, graduate students and undergraduate students.
 
The terms of employment are extremely competitive and include housing and educational subsidies for children. Applications will be accepted immediately and candidates will be considered until the positions are filled.
 
For more information and to apply via Interfolio:
https://apply.interfolio.com/120844 (Project 1)