Description

Summary of the positions

We are recruiting two postdoctoral associates to join a research program focused on cortical and cognitive plasticity within the adult human visual system. The positions are part of the a new multi-disciplinary neuroplasticity project at Stanford and offer the opportunity to work closely with clinical partners in Ophthalmology and Psychiatry to assess the use of TMS and/or plasticity-promoting therapeutics to enhance cortical plasticity in the human visual system.

Position 1: Measuring and modeling complex visually guided behaviors in low vision.  

The focus of this position will be on using computational and experimental approaches to understand and modify the neural mechanisms underlying visually guided behavior during visual search in natural images. A central theme of the position will be to extend computational modeling approaches developed in the Gardner lab that use deep learning and Bayesian models to extract measures of salience and goal drive, visibility, and search strategy to low vision subjects.  Relevant experience: domain knowledge in vision, attention, and visual search. Methodological background in computational modeling, eye-movement measurement and analysis, psychophysics, and deep learning.

Position 2:  Measuring and modeling the integrity of cortical representations of elementary visual features in low vision. The central goal of this position is to answer the question as to whether visual losses imposed by retinal and optic nerve disease are simply passed on from V1 to higher visual areas or whether the loss increases at higher levels or, on the other hand,  is partially compensated. Relevant experience: Domain knowledge: Visual physiology, psychophysics desirable, Methodological background: expertise in EEG/MEG forward and inverse modeling  are essential as the approach will be through time-resolved  high-density EEG and Optically Pumped Magnetometry (FieldLine 144 sensor OPM) measurements.  Experience with fMRI is desirable.

Education and Career Development

The positions are intended to support the development of independent research trajectories in human visual neuroscience including a translational component related to low vision. Postdoctoral associates will receive mentorship in project development, experimental design, manuscript preparation, fellowship and grant writing, scientific presentation, and long-term career planning. Postdoctoral associates are expected to lead projects resulting in first-author publications and competitive applications for fellowships and grant funding.

Training and Mentoring

Postdocs will have the freedom to develop independent ideas while working in a collaborative, deeply engaged research environment. Primary mentorship will be provided by Justin Gardner and Tony Norcia in the Psychology Department with close collaboration with other collaborating groups including  those led by Jeff Goldberg (Ophthalmology)  and Corey Keller (Psychiatry). The position will be based in the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, providing access to a vibrant interdisciplinary community of experimental and computational neuroscientists across Stanford University.

Interested candidates should supply a Curriculum Vitae, brief statement of research interests and goals and names of three people familiar with your work who can serve as references. Reply to Justin Gardner jlg@stanford.edu and Tony Norcia amnorcia@stanford.edu. Indicate which position you are applying for.

Requirements

Ph.D. in human neuroscience or cognitive neuroscience. See position 1 and position 2 descriptions for relevant requirements.