Research Associate in Neural Engineering
Departments of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Biomedical Engineering and Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
An exciting opportunity exists to join a research team working to understand and advance brain stimulation techniques to restore lost somatosensory feedback to people with severe sensorimotor disability. The project explores the utility of subcortical structures, specifically thalamic nuclei, to provide artificial tactile and proprioceptive feedback to the target population. The project is fully funded by NIH and will investigate multiple stimulation modalities (e.g. electrical and optogenetic) combined with advanced computational modeling at the single neuron, circuit and network levels in pre-clinical animal models.
We seek a highly motivated individual who is interested in developing novel approaches to study basic mechanisms of tactile and proprioceptive sensation and translate this knowledge to clinical applications of Brain Machine Interfaces. The combined experimental and computational elements of the study will enhance the training of interested individuals with the inclusion of quantitative as well as biological skill set thereby providing an exceptional opportunity for interdisciplinary research and career development in a unique lab environment. The position will be mentored by the sole PI on this project, Karim G. Oweiss, PhD who is a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Neuroscience at the McKnight Brain Institute, and Neurology (by Courtesy) at the University of Florida. A PhD in biomedical engineering, electrical engineering, neuroscience, or biophysics is required. Experience with experimental neurophysiology in pre-clinical animal models is highly desired but not required, while experience with computational modeling is a plus.
For consideration submit a CV and the names and contact information of three professional references as a single PDF file attachment to: 
University of Florida is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer.
Postdoctoral Fellowships in Rodent Neurophysiology of Learning and Executive Function
Departments of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Biomedical Engineering and Department of Neuroscience, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL
A number of exciting postodoctoral opportunities (3) currently exist to join a research team seeking to understand and advance peripheral nerve stimulation techniques to accelerate learning novel sensorimotor associations. The project aims to discover neurobiological mechanisms of learning in executive control areas of the brain, and to optimize the stimulation of peripheral nerves to induce neuroplasticity in these areas. The project is fully funded by DARPA and will be performed at the University of Florida in Gainesville. The project will use state of the art tools for monitoring the activity of large populations of fluorescently tagged neurons in the brains of awake behaving subjects (microelectrode arrays/microendoscopes/2-photon calcium imaging) as well as optogenetic techniques to perturb this activity in order to investigate the causal involvement of these areas in learning. It will then attempt to optimize the delivery of peripheral nerve stimulation to induce targeted neuroplasticity in these areas to accelerate learning and minimize side effects through advanced computational modeling at the single neuron, circuit and network levels.
We seek highly motivated individuals who are interested in participating in this project. The combined experimental, computational and engineering elements of the project will enhance the training of interested individuals through the integration of both quantitative and biological skill sets thereby providing an exceptional opportunity for interdisciplinary research and career development in a unique lab environment. The position will be mentored by the PI of this project, Karim G. Oweiss, PhD who is a Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Neuroscience at the McKnight Brain Institute, and Neurology (by Courtesy) at the University of Florida. A PhD in Neuroscience, Biomedical Engineering, Biophysics or related fields is required. Previous experience in neurophysiology experiments with rodents is highly desired but not required, while experience with computational modeling is a plus.
For consideration submit a CV and the names and contact information of three professional references as a single PDF file attachment to:
University of Florida is an equal opportunity / affirmative action employer.