PhD in Computational Neuroscience

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NTNU is a broad-based university with a technical-scientific profile and a focus in professional education. The university is located in three cities with headquarters in Trondheim.

At NTNU, 9,000 employees and 43,000 students work to create knowledge for a better world.

You will find more information about working at NTNU and the application process here.

About the position

The Neural Dynamics and Computation group (www.gonzalocognolab.com), led by Associate Professor Soledad Gonzalo Cogno, is a computational neuroscience group at the Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience (www.ntnu.edu/kavli). 

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, 2012, and again in 2023. Our Centre of Excellence, the Center for Algorithms in the Cortex (https://www.ntnu.edu/kavli/centre-for-algorithms-in-the-cortex) will be funded for 10 years by the Norwegian Research Council. The scientific goal of the Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience is to identify neural-population mechanisms underlying high-level cognitive functions. 

Exact startup times are flexible, although the position is expected to start as soon as possible.

Your immediate leader is Associate Professor Soledad Gonzalo Cogno.

About the project

The successful candidate will contribute to one of the two main research topics in the lab: 
(1) the analysis of Neuropixels recordings (experimental data is obtained as part of a collaboration) to determine the extent to which ultraslow oscillations and ultraslow sequences are present in the entorhinal-hippocampal circuit during free foraging conditions and sleep.
2) the development of computational models to enquire about the mechanisms that enable heterogeneous representations in neural networks. These models will be informed by experimental data. 

Duties of the position

The candidate is expected to present their results at international conferences and to attend courses and schools on relevant topics. The candidate is expected to contribute to the scientific environment at the lab, and at the Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience.The candidate will be required to complete the coursework mandated by the PhD program in neuroscience at NTNU.

Required selection criteria

• Masters degree in Neuroscience, Physics, Mathematics, Engineering, or related subjects. Your education must correspond to a five-year Norwegian degree program, where 120 credits are obtained at master's level. Master students can apply, but the master's degree must be obtained and documented before starting the position.
• Undergraduate degree in Physics, Mathematics, Engineering, or related subjects. 
• Strong mathematical background. 
• Coding experience.
• Excellent communication skills in English, both orally and written.
• You must have a strong academic background from your previous studies and have an average grade from your Master's degree  study,or equivalent education, which is equal to B or better compared to NTNU's grading scale. If you do not have letter grades from  previous studies, you must have an equally good academic foundation.

PLEASE NOTE: For detailed information about what the application must contain, see paragraph “About the application”.

The appointment is to be made in accordance with NTNUs guidelines for recruitment positions and Regulations for the degrees philosophiae doctor (ph.d.) and philosophiae doctor (ph.d.) in artistic development work at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)for general criteria for the position.

Preferred selection criteria

• Experience with computational modelling 
• Experience with analyses of large neuronal populations
• Familiarity with neuroscience
• Prior work in the field of computational neuroscience
• Prior productivity (e.g. publications, abstracts, conference proceedings or codes).

Personal characteristics

To complete a doctoral degree (PhD), it is important that you have: 

• Strong personal initiative, self-motivation and work ethic
• A solution-oriented attitude, ability to solve problems independently
• The ability to work collaboratively to accomplish common research goals
• The ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team
• Willingness to accommodate to the team’s research strategy
• Ambition and drive to become an independent researcher

Emphasis will be placed on personal qualities.

We offer

• Excellent opportunities for scientific and personal development in collaboration with skilled co-workers
• Exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic environment
• Career guidance and follow-up during the PhD period
• Open and inclusive working environment with committed colleagues
• Mentor programme as a new employee at NTNU
• Favorable terms as a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund (SPK)
• Free Norwegian language training at a basic level (A2)

As a PhD Candidate at NTNU, you will have access to employee benefits.

Diversity

Diversity is a strength, and at NTNU we aim to be an employer that reflects the diversity in society and that makes use of the potential of the population's collective skills. Our vision is Knowledge for a better world and our values ​​are creative, critical, constructive and respectful. We believe that an organization that is equal, diverse and gender-balanced is essential for us to achieve our goals. 

We strive to attract employees with different skills, life experiences and perspectives to contribute to even better problem solving of our societal mission in research and education. 

If you think this position is relevant and interesting, we encourage you to apply, regardless of gender, functional ability and cultural background, or whether you have been out of work for a period of time.

At NTNU we want to increase the proportion of women in scientific positions. We have a number of measures to promote equality. 

Salary and conditions

In the position of PhD Candidate, code 1017, your gross salary will normally be NOK 550 800,-per annum depending on qualifications and seniority. A 2% statutory contribution to the State Pension Fund is deducted from the salary. 

The employment period is 3 years for the doctoral work in addition to x months/year of career promotion work. (A minimum of three work years of the total term period must be dedicated to doctoral work.)

For employment as a PhD Candidate, it is a prerequisite that you gain admission to the PhD programme in [subject area] (link to possible website)within three months of your employment contract start date, and that you participate in an organized doctoral programme through out the period of employment.

The position is conditional on external funding (remove if the position is not to be funded by external funds)

As an employee at NTNU, it is important that you keep yourself up to date with academic and organizational changes and adapt to them.

For the necessary professional and social interaction, it is a prerequisite that you are physically present and available to the institution on a daily basis.

The appointment is carried out in accordance with the principles of the State Employees Act, and Export control (legislation that regulates the export of knowledge, technology and services). Candidates who, after assessment of the application and attachments, are considered to bein conflict with the criteria in the latter act, will not be able to be employed.

About the application

The attachments (including a description of your scientific work) must accompany the application as these documents form the basis of the application assessment. The documents must be in Norwegian/a Scandinavian language or English. 

Please note: the application will only be assessed on the basis of the information we have received by the application deadline. Therefore, make sure that your application clearly shows how your skills and experience meet the criteria described above. The application and all attachments must be sent electronically via Jobbnorge.no.

• Transcripts and diplomas for Bachelor's and Master's degrees
• CV 
• Copy of Master's thesis. If you have recently submitted your Master's thesis, you can attach a draft of the thesis. Documentation of a completed Master's degree must be presented before taking up the position.
• Project outline containing proposals for an overall description of research questions, theoretical perspectives, methodological design for the project and progress plan (400 words/1 page)
• Short letter of motivation (400 words/1 page)
• Possibly publications etc. other relevant research work
• Possibly certificates
• Names and contact information of two relevant referees

If all, or parts, of your education has been taken abroad, we also ask you to attach documentation of the scope and quality of your entire education, both Bachelor's and Master's education, in addition to other higher education. If your institution uses “diploma supplement” (normal for most European institutions), you must attach this. A description of the documentation required can also be found here. If you already have a statement from Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir), please attach this as well.

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

When assessing the best qualified, we emphasize necessary qualifications such as education, experience and personal suitability. Motivation for the position, ambitions, and potential for research will also count when assessing the candidates.

NTNU recognizes a wide range of academic contributions and has committed itself to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment and CoARA (responsible assessment of research and recognition of a greater breadth of academic contributions in accordance with NTNU's social mission).

General information

A public list of applicants with name, age, job title and municipality of residence is prepared after the application deadline. If you wish to be exempt from entry on the public applicant list, this must be justified. Assessment will be made in accordance with current legislation. You will be notified if the exemption is not granted.

If you think this position looks interesting and in line with your qualifications, you are welcome to apply.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Associate Professor Soledad Gonzalo Cogno, email soledad.g.cogno@ntnu.no. 

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact HR Advisor Camilla Perrin Wenaas e-mail: camilla.p.wenaas@ntnu.no.

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For practical information about working at NTNU, please visit this webpage. 

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural scene. Trondheim is the tech 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.