Neuro-Electronics Flanders (NERF, http://www.nerf.be) invites applicants to join a dynamic and collaborative research institute in Leuven, Belgium. NERF is seeking to expand with one Junior or Senior Group Leader (Assistant Professor or Associate Professor equivalent).
Job Description
We welcome applicants with expertise in Computational or Theoretical Neuroscience. Appropriate research areas include statistical/theoretical approaches for understanding high dimensional datasets, artificial neural networks, computer vision, reinforcement learning, and control theory. The candidate should propose a scientific program including both fundamental and applied elements and have a strong desire to collaborate with existing teams at NERF (http://www.nerf.be).
The Position
We provide generous support for salary, start-up, and annual running costs. Researchers will be based at NERF, an interactive scientific environment where experimental neuroscience and engineering groups develop and apply systems approaches and advanced neurotechnologies to understand the circuit and algorithmic basis of innate and learned behaviours. NERF labs generate large-scale multimodal datasets that are ready for new analysis tools and conceptual/theoretical frameworks. The position is for an initial period of 5 years with renewal depending on evaluation.
About Us
NERF is an academic research institute founded by imec, VIB, and KU Leuven. Leuven is a vibrant university town situated 25 km east of Brussels. It has excellent rail connections both locally within Belgium (Brussels 30 minutes; Airport 15 minutes; Antwerp 45 min) and within Europe (Paris 2h, London 3h; Cologne 2h; Amsterdam 2h). In addition, there are excellent local and international schools, convenient housing options, and affordable high-quality childcare. NERF is dedicated to creating an inclusive working environment and is a signatory of the ALBA Declaration on Equity and Inclusion | Alba Network and is committed to diversity.
NERF’s goal is to reveal principles of brain and neuronal circuit function and the neural basis of behavior and health and disease via advanced neurotechnologies. The institute is a pioneer and world leader in large-scale recording and imaging techniques (e.g. Neuropixels recordings, optical and functional ultrasound imaging). Its work provides insights into the mechanistic foundation of nervous system function and behavior and paves the way to better diagnostics and treatments of central nervous system disorders.
NERF is a member of Leuven’s vibrant neuroscience community centered around the Leuven Brain Institute (LBI), whose members include the VIB Center of Brain (VIB-CBD), the Dept of Neuroscience and Biology at the KU Leuven (Dept. of Neurosciences | Dept. of Biology), the UZL and imec. These relations provide excellent opportunities for collaborations in models including c. elegans, zebrafish, rodents, and non-human primates; as well as active seminar series and access to a network molecular, imaging, computing, and engineering facilities and expertise.
Application Instructions
The application package should include:
- A detailed scientific curriculum vitae, which may include any mentoring, outreach, or policy experience.
- A summary of past accomplishments (two pages).
- A description of future research plans (three pages).
- Two publications best representing your research (preprints welcome), accompanied by brief (max 200 words) descriptions of their significance.
- Contact details of three individuals who can provide recommendation letters upon request.
Applications should be addressed to nerf.admin@nerf.be with the subject “NERF PI Call 2021 – YOUR LAST NAME”.
For informal inquiries, please contact Karl Farrow (karl.farrow@nerf.be)
Review of applications begins December 15, 2021, and will continue until the position is filled. Short-listed candidates will be invited in the first and second quarters of 2022 for an interview.
Non-discrimination and equal access policy
NERF and its founding institutes (imec, VIB, and KU Leuven) actively promote non-discrimination and equal access so that no candidate may be privileged, favored, prejudiced, or deprived of any right or excluded from any duty based on age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race/ethnicity, disability, chronic illness, language, nationality, territory of origin, family status (marital, pregnancy and maternity, having or not having dependents), socioeconomic situation, education, religion, political or ideological beliefs, trade union membership, or on any other grounds which are not deemed relevant for the performance of the duties associated with the advertised position.