Applications are invited for a 3-year postdoctoral research position
in the Neuroinformatics Group of the Center for Neurogenomics and
Cognitive Research (CNCR), Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam. The position
is funded by a grant from the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific
Research (NWO), Exact Sciences (EW).
The project, which is a collaboration between CNCR and the Vision and
Cognition Group of the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience (NIN),
will investigate a novel, biologically inspired learning algorithm
called attention-gated reinforcement learning (AGREL; Roelfsema and
Van Ooyen, Neural Computation 17 (2005): 2176-2214). The
computational power of the new learning scheme derives from two
factors known to influence synaptic plasticity: a global reward-
related signal and an attentional signal that is fed back from the
network’s output layer to earlier processing levels. For simple
deterministic categorization tasks, we have previously shown that
AGREL is both biologically plausible and as powerful as the widely
used but biologically implausible error-backpropagation algorithm for
training artificial neural networks. The present project will explore
whether AGREL can serve as a general learning algorithm in complex
input-output mappings, regression tasks, and delayed and sequential
decision tasks.
Applicants should have a PhD degree, a strong background in machine
learning, neural networks or computational neuroscience, excellent
computer skills, and a good command of written and spoken English. A
good general knowledge of neuroscience would be an advantage. For
further information about this position, please contact Dr. Arjen van
Ooyen (CNCR), arjen.van.ooyen [ à ] falw.vu.nl, or Prof. Dr. Roelfsema
(NIN), p.roelfsema [ à ] nin.knaw.nl. Application letters including a CV,
research experience, a short statement of research interests, and
contact details of two referees should be sent by email to Dr. Arjen
van Ooyen.
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Dr. Arjen van Ooyen
Department of Experimental Neurophysiology
Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
De Boelelaan 1085
1081 HV Amsterdam
The Netherlands
E-mail: arjen.van.ooyen [ à ] falw.vu.nl
Phone: +31.20.5987090
Fax: +31.20.5987112
Room: C454
Web:
http://www.bio.vu.nl/enf/vanooyen
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