PhD Position in Computational Neuroscience/Machine Learning

Across eleven projects, scientists in the second cohort of the RTG 2906 will investigate the neuropsychological, biological, and computational underpinnings of curiosity. The network comprises a highly interdisciplinary consortium of psychologists, biologists as well as systems and computational neuroscientists who will work together to answer three broad research questions: (A) When are we curious? (B) Why are we curious? and (C) How are we curious? The future PhD candidate will investigate drivers of curiosity in computer-game based experiments using information theory and reinforcement learning based approaches. The goal is to bridge the gap between first principle based models of curiosity and data driven models of human behavior. To that end, the candidate will develop new experimental paradigms for curiosity based on the models that will be tested with human participants at various ages and developmental states. In addition, the candidate is expected to contribute to a computational benchmark that tests the explanatory power of different models of curiosity., With submission of your application, you accept the processing of your applicant data in terms of data-protection law. Further information on the legal basis and data usage is provided in the Information General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

• Excellent M.Sc. degree (or equivalent) in Computational Neuroscience or Machine Learning, or a related field e.g., Computer science, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, Cognitive Science
• Experience conducting experimental studies with human participants is not necessary but would be beneficial
• Programming experience, particularly in Python and deep learning libraries
• Advanced statistical and analytical abilities, particularly probability and linear algebra
• Excellent command of the English language (Level C1); German language skills are not necessary
• Excellent critical thinking and communication skills

At the University of Göttingen -Public Law Foundation-, Graduiertenkolleg 2906 Neugier, there is a position as PhD position in Computational Neuroscience/Machine Learning [C5] Entgeltgruppe 13 TV-L/100%

RTG 2906 is based in Göttingen, a university town with 28,000 students across all disciplines. The Göttingen Campus has its overarching research foci in living networks, sustainability, and dynamics of change, and includes four Max-Planck Institutes, the German Primate Center, the Campus Institute for Data Science, and the Campus Institute for Dynamics of Biological Networks. The eleven doctoral projects are spread across these Göttingen Campus institutes.