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)
https://apply.interfolio.com/122830 (Project 2)