The Center for Theoretical Neuroscience (CTN) at Columbia University is looking to fill multiple Postdoc/Associate Research Scientist positions. Positions are open under specific projects as well as general research involving computational and theoretical approaches to study topics in neuroscience at the synaptic, cellular, circuit, and behavioral levels. Candidates should visit our publications page and faculty’s individual pages to determine which faculty member(s) they would like to work with. Current faculty at the Center include:
Larry Abbott, Co-Director
Ken Miller, Co-Director
Genevera Allen
John Cunningham
Stefano Fusi
Ashok Litwin-Kumar
Liam Paninski
Kim Stachenfeld
Applicants are expected to have a PhD in Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, Statistics, Neuroscience, Biology, or a related discipline and, preferably, experience in theoretical neuroscience or the statistical analysis of neuroscience data.
Postdoc appointments are initially for one year and renewable given satisfactory performance. The length of a postdoc appointment is 5 years. The salary is competitive and the start date is negotiable. Successful candidates will also be integrated into the large, vibrant neuroscience community at Columbia University.
Interested applicants should send the following documents to the faculty member(s) they are interested in working with and the lab manager ([email protected]):
1. CV, including a list of publications
2. Statement of research interests
3. Letters of reference (reference writers should send their letters directly to the lab manager: [email protected])
Our Center does not itself constitute a PhD-granting program. Rather, you can do your PhD research in our Center while enrolled in, and otherwise meeting the requirements of, any Columbia PhD-granting program.
We are most closely associated with the Neurobiology and Behavior program, and are very involved in admissions decisions for that program and to a lesser extent for the MD-PhD program and the Integrated PhD program at the medical school. Liam Paninski and John Cunningham are also in the Statistics program, and can play a role in the admissions process for that department. There are many other relevant programs from which Theory Center students may come, but again we do not play any direct role in these programs or their admissions. These include the other Medical School PhD programs and the Applied Physics and Mathematics, Bioengineering, (see also Paul Sajda's home page), Biology, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering (see also Aurel Lazar's home page), Physics, or Psychology programs.
We are most strongly committed to taking in students that we were involved in selecting for admission. To date, strong students in other programs who wish to work in the Theory Center have generally not had problems finding a theory center advisor; while we are not anticipating changes, it is always possible that this may change and we can make no promises.
Note that the priority application deadline for many programs is in early or mid-December.
Columbia University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer. Columbia values diversity among its students, staff, and faculty and strongly welcomes applications from women, persons with disabilities, protected veterans, and underrepresented minorities.