[Bmi] neuroinformatics postdoc openings near washington dc

[Giorgio Ascoli]

The Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study of George Mason University in Fairfax, VA (USA) invites applications for several Postdoctoral Research Fellow positions available immediately in the Center for Neural Informatics, Neural Structures, and Neural Plasticity (krasnow.gmu.edu/cn3) headed by Prof. Giorgio Ascoli. 

The successful applicants will join a collaborative multidisciplinary team at the cutting edge of the development and dissemination of digital tools and resources for neuroscience. The Ascoli Lab is funded by the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the Office of Naval Research, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity, and Keck. These jobs are particularly suited for computationally minded researchers seeking exposure to the burgeoning field of neuroinformatics. 

(1) One or more candidates will join the NeuroMorpho.Org project-a free, public, centralized repository of neuronal digital reconstructions. Originally designed to facilitate the lab's own research, NeuroMorpho.Org has firmly established itself as a powerful resource for the neuroscience community, with millions of downloads and data usage in over 200 publications by other labs since its 2006 public release. The position(s) are particularly suited for computer-savvy neuroscientists with knowledge and interest in axonal and dendritic morphology. These positions will also entail modeling and simulation of neuronal structure, quasiautomated neuronal reconstruction systems, handling of large experimental data sets, and collaborative use of time-lapse confocal microscopy with subcellular genetic reporters. 

(2) One or more applicants will join the Hippocampome.Org project-a knowledge base of the hippocampal circuitry at the mesoscopic-level of neuronal types. The goal of Hippocampome.Org is to enable real-scale, biologically realistic neural network simulations of hippocampal connectivity, dynamics and function. Expected contributions of the successful candidate(s) include design and implementation of optimal protocols for identifying and extracting experimental information from published literature and continuous development of the associated Web portal. The postdoc(s) will also develop or adapt analytical approaches to quantify the spatial distributions of somatic, axonal, and dendritic densities; as well as software to support team efforts in data management, integration and accessibility. Experience or interest in GPU computing and outstanding motivation to publish will be put to good use. 

Requirements:  We seek candidates with a strong quantitative background and an advanced degree (Ph.D. or master's) in neuroscience, bioinformatics, computer science, electrical or software engineering, bioengineering, computational biology, mathematics, physics, or other related fields. Candidates should exhibit enthusiasm and independence; as well as the ability to work in a fast-moving interdisciplinary team including faculty, other postdoctoral and predoctoral trainees, technicians, and undergraduate research assistants. Candidates are expected to demonstrate excellent attention to details, organizational skills, and exemplary verbal and written communication skills. Knowledge in one or more areas of neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, axonal and dendritic morphology, or hippocampal structure and activity are desired. 

Review of applications will begin on October 4, 2013, and continue until the positions are filled. For full consideration, applicants must apply for position number F9755z at http://jobs.gmu.edu/; and complete and submit the online application. You will be required to upload the following documents: (1) a full CV including a list of publications as a single upload; (2) copies of two representative scientific publications as a single upload; (3) a one-page research interest description highlighting any previous experience with programming languages (C/C++, Java, HTML, Ruby, R, Python, Perl, NEURON, Matlab, php, etc.), different operating systems, development and maintenance of relational databases, and Web applications; and (4) a list of the names, e-mail addresses, and phone numbers of three references.

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Giorgio Ascoli, PhD
University Professor 
Founding Editor-in-Chief, Neuroinformatics 
Director, Center for Neural Informatics, Structure, and Plasticity 
Molecular Neuroscience Dept., Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study
MS2A1 - George Mason University, Fairfax, VA 22030-4444
Web: http://krasnow1.gmu.edu/cn3
Ph. +1(703)993-4383