2 PhD positions in Computational Neuroscience (4 years, Full-Time)

The two positions are available from June 1, 2025, at the University of Bern, in Switzerland, at the Department of Physiology, under the supervision of Prof. Dr.phil.nat. Walter Senn .

The first position focuses on developing a computational model of cortical self-attention . Building on our current work and an ongoing collaboration with The Virtual Brain , we are seeking to implement neuronal self-attention mechanisms in thalamo-cortical circuits. The model is inspired by transformer-type architectures but remains consistent with experimentally observed cortical connectivity patterns. It will be trained on cognitive tasks while being constrained by human cortical recordings.

The second position will build on the Neuronal Least-Action principle and its extension to long-term temporal processing and spike-based activity. The framework provides a rigorous description of neuronal dynamics in cortical networks, along with gradient-based synaptic learning rules. It will be applied to integrate-and-fire neurons with multiple intrinsic time constants. The project also connects to implementations in spike-based neuromorphic hardware.

Qualifications

A strong background in computational neuroscience, machine learning and mathematics.

What we offer

• Interdisciplinary & international research environment
• Interaction with experimental neuroscience and close collaboration with other labs in artificial intelligence and neuromorphic engineering.

Applications

If you are interested, please send one .pdf document including your CV, a statement of research interests, a list of publications and the name and contact details of two referees to walter.senn@unibe.ch and virginie.sabado@unibe.ch latest by April 28, 2025.