March, 2011 | Scholarship for Nigerians and Africans - Part 124

PhD Positions in Primate Neurophysiology and fMRI, Germany

Our research focuses on neural mechanisms of active perception and decision making in human and non-human primates. We employ a combination of experimental techniques including multichannel electrophysiological recordings, functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), reversible inactivation and stimulation of specific brain areas. Candidates can select between three projects:
1) The first project will investigate neuronal interactions between the two brain hemispheres during free and reward based decisions.
2) The second project will elucidate the contribution of the thalamic pulvinar to visuomotor coordination.
3) The third project will study the role of pulvinar in cortico-cortical communication during goal-directed behavior.
All projects employ a macaque monkey model of brain functions, but comparative experiments in human subjects will also be possible.

We are looking for very motivated candidates with a strong interest in brain and behavioral sciences and a university degree in neurobiology/neuroscience, engineering, physics or computer sciences. Good programming and analytical skills are necessary, experimental skills will be required but can be acquired in the course of the study. Prior experience with fMRI, neurophysiological or behavioral methods will be highly valued.

Scholarship Application Deadline:Contact Employer

Further Scholarship Information and Application

Postdoctoral Position on Social Network Security, Privacy and Trust, University of Uninsubria, Italy

The position is financially supported by Lombardy Region and a Google Research Award.

The research topic is the design, implementation and evaluation of
next generation privacy-preserving technologies for Social Networks, with a particular focus on trust modelling and management.

The ideal candidate:
– holds Ph.D. in a relevant area of computer science or a closely related area. You may even apply if you have
not yet completed your PhD degree, but expect to do so before the position starts.
– has a solid background in data management, and knowledge of data security; knowledge about privacy-preserving
techniques and semantic web technologies is a plus;
– has good teamwork skills and experience;
– has creative thinking & proactive working style;
– is fluent in spoken and written English, knowledge of Italian is not mandatory.

Scholarship Application Deadline: Contact Employer

Further Scholarship Information and Application

European Research Council Grant Schemes in Life Sciences, Social Sciences and Humanities 2011

ERC grants aim to support “frontier research”, in other words the pursuit of questions at or beyond the frontiers of knowledge, without regard for established disciplinary boundaries.
In essence, ERC-supported research should aim to broaden scientific and technological knowledge. As such, projects should not be linked to commercial objectives.
Applications can be made in any field of research – including the social sciences and humanities – with particular emphasis on the frontiers of science, scholarship and engineering. In particular, proposals of an interdisciplinary nature which cross the boundaries between different fields of research, pioneering proposals addressing new and emerging fields of research or proposals introducing unconventional, innovative approaches and scientific inventions are encouraged, as long as the expected impact could be significant.

Scholarship Application Deadline:Life Sciences-10 March 2011, Social Sciences and Humanities -6 April 2011

Further Scholarship Information and Application