We are looking for someone with an exceptional track record of research at a post-graduate or post-doctoral level to work at ATR Cognitive Mechanisms Laboratories, Kyoto. Our research combines computational and experimental studies, especially fMRI, to ask fundamental questions about pain processing in the brain. Our particular interests include computational models of pain-related decision-making (e.g. Reinforcement Learning), perceptual models of pain and its modulation, neuroeconomic and social neuroscience studies of pain, pain decoding, and brain-machine interfaces. Research is based in the lab of Dr Ben Seymour (www.seymourlab.com). The position is based at ATR. Please contact Dr Ben Seymour for informal enquiries at seymour(at)cinet.jp.

We look forward to your application.

Ben Seymour
Dept. of Cognitive Neuroscience
ATR Cognitive Mechanisms Laboratories

Job description

The job will focus on the development of neural decoding and brain-machine interfaces applied to human pain. There is scope to focus on several particular areas, depending on the interests of the researcher. These include decoding fMRI and MEG neural signals related to pain, developing new biomarkers for clinical pain, using decoded neural feedback to modulate pain, and developing brain-based control systems responsive to pain.

Requirements

Experience in experimental / imaging neuroscience and computational methods is desired, but those from broader backgrounds will be considered. The successful candidate would benefit from a strong background in machine learning and statistics. Excellent programming skills and experiences of data analysis are also advantageous.

Applicants must have a degree in a related field (neuroscience, psychology, engineering, computer science etc) and a Ph.D. (or be near completion) and have strong motivations and ambitions to take part in the research above.

Number of openings

One

Employment conditions

· Position:Full-time or Part-time Researcher

· One year contract: Agreement is renewable according to the researcher’s skill, work performance and qualifications.

· Salary will be determined according to the company regulation based on the experience, qualifications and skills.

· Standard working hour: 9:00 – 17:30, flextime available
· Saturday, Sunday and public holiday off

Work Location:

Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International (ATR)2-2-2 Hikaridai, Seika-cho, Soraku-gun, Kyoto 619-0288, Japan

Application materials

Please submit the following five materials to the contact address below, either in printed or electronic form:

1. CV
2. List of publications
3. Reprints of 1–3 major publications
4. Document (one or two pages in A4 or letter size) describing:
– Summary of your previous research
– Interests and proposal for research
– Additional research skills not directly foreseeable from publications
5. Recommendation letters from two researchers
* Original documents you submit will not be returned.

Judging system

After documentary examination, we ask for presentation and interview if needed

Starting date

April 2014 (negotiable)

Deadline for application

5pm 10th January

Contact

2-2-2 Hikaridai, Seika-cho, Soraku-gun, Kyoto 619-0288, Japan
ATR Cognitive Mechanisms Laboratories
Application for DCN Researcher Position
Email: dcn-secr(at)atr.jp

Use of personal data

All personal data received will be properly managed and only be used for the purpose of recruitment.

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3)Full-time Post-doc Researcher or Research Assistant Positions Available

Department of Cognitive Neuroscience (DCN), Brain Information and Communication Research Laboratory Group, Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute International (ATR), address the computational neuroscience to understand cognitive and learning mechanisms in human brain by using computational models, psychological experiments, brain imaging technologies, and decoding of neural information. The aim of this project is to understand cognitive mechanisms in social environments, and we are looking for Post-doc or RA who are interested in neuroscience, cognitive psychology, and brain imaging.

ATR provides researchers excellent environments and the most advanced laboratory equipments such as fMRI, MEG, NIRS, mobile EEG etc.

Content of work

Our research combines computational and experimental studies, especially fMRI, to ask fundamental questions about social decision-making in the brain. The research includes implementation of experimental tasks, simulation of computational models, human experiments with two fMRI scanners, and analysis of experimental data. The experimental tasks are generally cognitive decision-making tasks in which two subjects interact (cooperate) to solve a task together.

We are looking for someone who will focus on the simulation of computational models (based on optimum control theory and Bayesian model) and/or the analysis of the behavioral and brain imaging data with MATLAB and SPM.

Number of openings

One

Job types

Researcher —–Ph.D. or post Ph.D.
Research Assistant ——Educational Assistance

Tenure
1 year (first year), extendible

Treatment
Salary will be determined according to the company regulation based on the experience, qualifications and skills.
Standard working hour: 9:00-17:30, flextime available.
Saturday, Sunday and public holiday off.

Applications

1. CV
2. List of publications
3. Reprints of 1-3 major publications
4. Document (one or two pages in A4 or letter size) describing:
Summary of your previous research – Interests and proposal for research
Additional research skills not directly foreseeable from publications
5. Recommendation letters from two researchers

* Original documents you submit will not be returned.
* All personal data received will be properly managed and only be used for the purpose of recruitment.

Deadline for application

Feb. 28, 2014

Starting date

As soon as possible (negotiable)

Selection process

After documentary examination, we ask for presentation and interview if needed.

Please send your application and required documents to the address below:

Contact:  e-mail: opportunity-dcn(at)atr.jp