[visionlist] Two Postdoctoral Positions in Human Neuroimaging of Reward, Risk and Economic Decision-Making, University of Cambridge

[Wolfram Schultz]

Two Postdoctoral Positions in Human Neuroimaging of Reward, Risk and  
Economic Decision-Making, University of Cambridge.

We seek postdoctoral applicants interested in event-related fMRI in  
healthy humans. The work is funded by major recent grants from the  
Wellcome Trust and the European Research Council.

Our work investigates the neural processing of fundamental variables  
underlying learning and decision making in individuals and in social  
interactions, based on animal learning theory and economic decision  
theory. We appreciate simple, well designed experimental tasks and  
thorough behavioural testing. Our rationales, task designs and data  
interpretations are informed by parallel work using single neuron  
behavioural electrophysiology. Our projects benefit from  
collaborations with experimental psychologists and behavioural  
economists in Cambridge and abroad, including Peter Bossaerts from  
Caltech, Pasadena. We combine the candidate's own ideas with the  
demands of the grants. Planned projects involve probability, risk,  
economic utility and other decision variables, and social cooperation  
and inequity. We have access to four Siemens Trio 3T scanners. For  
details on our group, see http://www.pdn.cam.ac.uk/staff/schultz/.

We seek candidates with published experience in human neuroimaging.  
Additional knowledge in behavioural economics, primate behavioural  
neurophysiology or computational neuroscience would be an asset, as is  
experience with quantitative testing in controlled behavioural tasks,  
advanced statistics including multivariate classifiers, reinforcement  
model-based regressions or Bayesian updating. However, training will  
be provided in all areas necessary for successful completion of the  
project. We appreciate excellent social and writing skills.

The initial deadline for applications is November 15, 2012, although  
the search will continue until the appropriate candidate has been  
identified. Start date is flexible. Initial appointments will be for 2  
years, with consideration for prolongation. The salary will be on the  
standard University scale in the range of £27,578 to £35,938 depending  
on previous research experience. Applications should include CV, list  
of publications, half page description of research experience related  
to the projects stated above including experience in neuroimaging,  
quantitative behavioural testing and computer programming, a half page  
description of research interests, and contact details of two  
referees. Please apply to Prof Wolfram Schultz, Department of  
Physiology, Development & Neuroscience, University of Cambridge, UK, ws234 at cam.ac.uk 
.