Research Overview:

Consisting of a large number of intricately connected neurons, the brain is one of the most sophisticated dynamical systems in nature. Understanding how the brain computes is at the forefront of current scientific research. Research in our group focuses on theoretical analysis of the biophysical properties of neural networks; this includes their application to computational models of neurobiological functions such as song generation and recognition in songbirds, motor control in basal ganglia, olfaction in insects and mammals, and feature selectivity and map formation in visual cortex. The theoretical modeling is done in close collaboration with experimental groups.

Open Positions:

A postdoc position is available

A NSF funded postdoctoral position is available at the joint group of Dezhe Jin and Alexay Kozhevnikov at the Department of Physics, The Pennsylvania State University. We have a collaborative research effort on understanding the neural mechanism for controlling variable song sequences in songbirds.

We seek a postdoc to work on either computational models of the song control system with Dezhe Jin or in vivo recordings of neural activity during singing with Alexay Kozhevnikov. For a computational candidate we prefer prior experience in computational neuroscience, but exceptional candidates from other quantitative fields such as physics or math are welcome to apply. For an experimental candidate we strongly prefer prior experience in in vivo recordings.

Interested candidates should send a CV and three recommendation letters to Dezhe Jin at djin@phys.psu.edu.

More information about our research efforts can be found at
(1) Project Abstract
(2) Prof. Alex Kozhevnikov