Postdoctoral Fellow in Predictive Pursuit | NTNU & ENS Paris

Biopractify; Trondheim; Sur place; NOK 518 000 - 692 000; Plein temps

Résumé du poste

The Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience at NTNU in Trondheim is seeking a Computational Postdoctoral Fellow to investigate predictive pursuit in freely moving rodents and dynamic agents, combining behavioral neuroscience, machine learning, and dynamical systems.

The position involves ML and neural population analysis with Neuropixels, high-resolution motion capture, and collaboration with ENS Paris, with research visits to Paris. Starting Spring 2027 for 4 years at NOK 604,900 per annum.

Qualifications

• PhD in Physics, Computational Neuroscience, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related quantitative field.
• Strong expertise in machine learning, dynamical systems, computational modeling, or quantitative analysis.
• Experience analyzing large high-dimensional datasets, preferably behavioral, video, or neurophysiological data.
• Experience with scientific programming, e.g., Python, MATLAB, or related languages.
• Strong written and oral English communication.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in interdisciplinary environment.

Responsabilités

• Develop machine-learning and dynamical-systems approaches for analyzing high-dimensional behavioral data.
• Model pursuit, movement, and performance dynamics to identify behavioral states and pursuit strategies.
• Analyze large-scale behavioral and neural datasets.
• Collaborate with researchers at NTNU and ENS Paris; supervise PhD/Master’s students.
• Publish research findings in high-impact journals and present at international conferences.

Connaissances

Machine learning

Dynamical systems

Computational modeling

Quantitative analysis

Scientific programming

Formation

PhD in Physics, Computational Neuroscience, Computer Science, Engineering, or related quantitative field

Outils

Python

MATLAB

Description du poste

Institution: Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) & Group for Neural Theory, ENS-PSL

Location: Trondheim, Norway with research visits to Paris, France

Position: Computational Postdoctoral Fellow

Research Area: Predictive Pursuit | Computational Neuroscience | Machine Learning | Dynamical Systems | Behavioral Neuroscience | Neural Population Activity | Decision-Making | Systems Neuroscience

The Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience at NTNU, in collaboration with the Group for Neural Theory at École Normale Supérieure (ENS-PSL), is seeking a motivated Computational Postdoctoral Fellow to investigate the computational principles underlying predictive pursuit in freely moving rodents and dynamic agents.

The project is a joint position with Prof. Jonathan Whitlock at NTNU and Alex Cayco-Gajic at ENS Paris, combining behavioral neuroscience, computational modeling, machine learning, and dynamical systems.

What You’ll Work On

Investigate how the brain anticipates and reacts to dynamically moving agents, and how internal models support pursuit behavior under changing sensory evidence and expectations.

Machine Learning & Dynamical Systems

Develop computational models combining machine learning and dynamical systems to understand pursuit strategies, behavioral states, and changes in strategy.

Analyze the behavior of freely moving rodents during closed-loop pursuit tasks, using high-resolution behavioral recordings.

Study neural population activity using high-density Neuropixels recordings to connect behavioral strategies with neural dynamics.

Analyze large-scale behavioral and neural datasets to identify computational principles underlying predictive pursuit.

The postdoctoral research may involve:

• Predictive pursuit
• Computational neuroscience
• Machine learning
• Dynamical systems
• Computational modeling
• Decision-making
• Behavioral states
• Internal models
• Motor control
• High-dimensional behavioral datasets
• Quantitative analysis

Ideal Candidate

Applicants should have:

• A PhD in Physics, Computational Neuroscience, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related quantitative field.
• Strong expertise in machine learning, dynamical systems, computational modeling, or quantitative analysis.
• Experience analyzing large, high-dimensional datasets, preferably behavioral, video, or neurophysiological data.
• Experience with scientific programming, for example Python, MATLAB, or related programming languages.
• A strong academic record and documented research productivity.
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary research environment.

What You’ll Gain

• Postdoctoral research experience at the Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience, NTNU.
• Collaboration with the Group for Neural Theory at ENS-PSL, Paris.
• Hands-on experience with high-resolution motion capture and behavioral datasets.
• Experience working with next-generation Neuropixels neural recordings.
• Exposure to machine learning, dynamical systems, and computational neuroscience.
• Opportunities for research visits to Paris, France.
• Experience connecting quantitative models of behavior with neural population activity.
• An international academic research environment with interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Access to NTNU career guidance and mentorship programs.

The project aims to understand how the brain anticipates and responds to dynamically moving agents and how internal models support behavior when sensory evidence or expectations change.

The research will combine:

• Machine learning
• Dynamical systems
• Computational modeling
• Neural population analysis
• High-resolution motion capture

The successful candidate will analyze large-scale behavioral and neural datasets to investigate how pursuit strategies change across different behavioral conditions.

The successful postdoctoral researcher will be expected to:

• Develop machine-learning and dynamical-systems approaches for analyzing high-dimensional behavioral data.
• Model pursuit, movement, and performance dynamics to identify behavioral states and pursuit strategies.
• Analyze large-scale behavioral and neural datasets.
• Work closely with experimental researchers on quantitative data analysis.
• Conduct high-quality, independent research within the project framework.
• Publish research findings in high-impact academic journals.
• Present research at international conferences.
• Collaborate with researchers at NTNU and ENS Paris.
• Contribute to supervision of PhD and Master’s students.

Institution: Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)

Institute: Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience

Research Group: Group for Neural Theory

PI: Prof. Jonathan Whitlock

Position: Computational Postdoctoral Fellow

Research Visits: Paris, France

Starting Date: Spring 2027

Duration: 4 Years

Salary: NOK 604,900 per annum before tax, normally paid as Postdoctoral Fellow, code 1352

Research Areas: Predictive Pursuit | Computational Neuroscience | Machine Learning | Dynamical Systems | Behavioral Neuroscience | Neural Population Activity

Minimum Degree: PhD in Physics, Computational Neuroscience, Computer Science, Engineering, or related quantitative field

Preferred Expertise: Machine Learning | Dynamical Systems | Computational Modeling | Scientific Programming | Quantitative Analysis | Neural/Behavioral Data