PhD Position Engineering Brain Activity Patterns Using Bmi

ETH Zurich is one of the world's leading universities specialising in science and technology. It is renowned for its excellent education, its cutting-edge fundamental research and its efforts to put new knowledge and innovations directly into practice. The Neurotechnology group (Prof. Mehmet Fatih Yanik) at the Institute of Neuroinformatics is hiring outstanding engineering, physics, neuroscience, and computer science PhD students for the recently awarded ERC Consolidator project “Engineering brain activity patterns”. new position.Treatment-resistant psychiatric and neurological disorders are a major public health problem impacting many millions of people worldwide. Despite significant progress in our understanding and manipulation of the neuronal circuits involved in these disorders our ability to assess and treat them remains very limited. The goal of the project is to understand and correct brain activity patterns in animal models using minimally invasive brain machine/computer interfaces and precise drug delivery technologies.

Different subprojects will cover a wide range of methods and questions. PhD students will work at the intersections of multiple subprojects: (1) development and testing of recording and stimulation electrodes that can be chronically implanted (2) designing and testing of chips with neuromorphic architecture for recording brain activity (3) connectivity and network analysis on the level of brain areas, cortical layers and cell types (4) behavioral and neurophysiological characterization of a neuropsychiatric disorder animal model (5) optimize non-invasive drug delivery to the brain using focused ultrasound (6) fMRI-guided drug delivery and dosing.

Applicants should have a background in the fields mentioned above or related studies. Essential requirements are strong quantitative and analytical skills, solid knowledge of at least one programming language (such as Python, Matlab, C/C#), excellent grades and the ability to learn and employ new methods and technologies from different disciplines. A strong interest in fundamental neuroscience is expected as well as the willingness to perform animal experiments. Previous research experience in the field of neuroscience is a plus.

The starting date is fall 2019. Applications are accepted until the positions are filled. Positions are for 4-6 years. The candidate will be enrolled as PhD student at the Department of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering, and the Neuroscience Center Zurich PhD program.