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Phd Candidate in Human Cognitive Neuroscience

Employer
NORWEGIAN UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY - NTNU
Location
Trondheim, Norway
Closing date
14 Dec 2020

About the position

We have a vacancy for a PhD candidate at the Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience/Centre for Neural Computation.

This project will address outstanding questions on the structural and functional basis of episodic memory, planning and decision making. In close collaboration with an interdisciplinary team of researchers at the Kavli institute that focus on anatomical, electrophysiological and molecular techniques in (non-human) animals, we will employ computational modelling, virtual-reality-based experiments, and high-field, high-resolution (f)MRI at 7Tesla.

The aim of the project is to shed light on how canonical computations may emerge and operate withing the structural and functional constraints of the central nervous system and ultimately give rise to higher cognitive functions.

We offer an international and multidisciplinary environment in which creativity and scientific discourse is valued and stimulated. See http://www.ntnu.edu/kavli for detailed information.

Duties of the position

  • Programming novel virtual reality tasks.
  • Designing and conduction innovative behavioural and neuroimaging studies on human memory, planning and decision making.
  • Analysing virtual reality and neuroimaging data.
  • Disseminating scientific findings via conference presentations and scientific publications.

Required selection criteria

PhD candidate:

The PhD-position's main objective is to qualify for work in research positions. The qualification requirement is that you have completed a master’s degree or second degree (equivalent to 120 credits) with a strong academic background in [subject area] or equivalent education with a grade of B or better in terms of NTNU’s grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation. If you are unable to meet these criteria you may be considered only if you can document that you are particularly suitable for education leading to a PhD degree.

Experience in:

  • spatial cognition and spatial navigation research.
  • experimental design, participant recruitment, data acquisition, data analysis and visualisation, and science communication including writing of manuscript.  
  • virtual reality development in Unity and/ or World Viz Vizard.analysis of eye-tracking data and virtual reality navigation data.
  • programming skills in Python and Matlab.
  • MSc in cognitive neuroscience from a Norwegian university (or equivalent).
  • It is imperative that the candidate can demonstrate mastery of the English language. The candidate needs to be able to communicate effectively both in written and oral form.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants and national guidelines for appointment as PhD, post doctor and research assistant.

Preferred selection criteria

  • Emphasis will also be placed on a background in biology or biochemistry, and a demonstrable track record of science communication, including co-authoring peer-reviewed publications.

Personal characteristics

For this position we further emphasize collaborative skills, the ability to accomplish tasks, and the ability to work in an interdisciplinary research team. We will place great emphasis on initiative, self-motivation and the candidate’s motivation for the position in our assessment of the candidates.

We offer

Salary and conditions

PhD candidate:

PhD candidates are remunerated in code 1017, and are normally remunerated at gross from NOK 479 600 per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund.

The period of employment is 3-4 years.

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment to NTNU. After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.

The position is subject to external funding.

It is a prerequisite you can be present at and accessible to the institution daily.

About the application

The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for the assessment must be in English

Publications and other scientific work must follow the application. Please note that applications are only evaluated based on the information available on the application deadline. You should ensure that your application shows clearly how your skills and experience meet the criteria which are set out above. 

The application must include:

  • CV, certificates and diplomas
  • Research plan or project proposal
  • Academic works - published or unpublished - that you would like to be considered in the assessment (up to 5 works)
  • Name and address of two referees

Joint works will be considered. If it is difficult to identify your contribution to joint works, you must attach a brief description of your participation.

In the evaluation of which candidate is best qualified, emphasis will be placed on education, experience and personal suitability.

NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA.

General information

Working at NTNU

A good work environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage qualified candidates to apply, regardless of their gender, functional capacity or cultural background. 

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the innovation capital of Norway with a population of 200,000. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air quality.

As an employee at NTNU, you must at all times adhere to the changes that the development in the subject entails and the organizational changes that are adopted.

Information Act (Offentleglova), your name, age, position and municipality may be made public even if you have requested not to have your name entered on the list of applicants.

For further information about the application process, contact:

HR Senior Consultant. Ole Kristian Indergård – ole.k.indergard@ntnu.no

For further information about the position, contact:

Tobias Navarro Schroeder: t.navarroschroeder@ntnu.no

Please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your CV, diplomas and certificates. Applications submitted elsewhere will not be considered. Diploma Supplement is required to attach for European Master Diplomas outside Norway. Chinese applicants are required to provide confirmation of Master Diploma from China Credentials Verification (CHSI).

If you are invited for interview you must include certified copies of transcripts and reference letters. 

Application deadline: 14.12.2020

NTNU - knowledge for a better world

The Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) creates knowledge for a better world and solutions that can change everyday life.

The Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience is part of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at NTNU. It was established as a Centre of Excellence in 2002, and designated as a Kavli Foundation Institute in 2007 (www.kavlifoundation.org). The scientific goal of the Institute is to increase the understanding of neural circuits and systems along with their role in generating psychological functions.

Today, the Institute consists of the Centre for Neuronal Computation (CNC) as well as the Egil and Pauline Braathen and Fred Kavli Centre for Cortical Microcircuits. In 2014, the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to two of the Institute’s professors, Edvard Moser and May-Britt Moser. The Institute is responsible for an international master's programme and is affiliated with a doctoral programme in medicine. Through our widespread network of international collaboration, we offer unique career opportunities. For further information, see: www.ntnu.edu/kavli.

Deadline 14th December 2020
Employer NTNU - Norwegian University of Science and Technology
Municipality Trondheim
Scope Fulltime
Duration Temporary
Place of service Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience

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