The Laboratory for Social and Neural Systems Research is a research center at the University of Zurich that investigates the principles underlying social and neuronal systems (https://www.zne.uzh.ch/en/facilities.html). The lab brings together scientists from the social and natural sciences (incl. neuroscience, economics, psychology, computer science, and physics) to study mechanistic links between neuronal circuits, human behavior and social interactions, using a combination of brain imaging methods, neuro-modulation techniques, behavioral experiments and computational approaches. A single custom-built unit hosts multiple state-of-the-art facilities that are fully dedicated to research. These facilities include a Siemens Healthineers Magnetom Cima.X scanner as well as laboratories for transcranial magnetic and electric stimulation, psychophysics, behavioral group studies, peripheral and autonomic neurophysiology and pharmacology. Additionally, we have access to a 7T high-field human MRI facility.
Your responsibilities
The successful candidate will work with Prof. Todd Hare and other SNS Lab researchers on projects testing the dynamic interplay between decision-making and attention, arousal, memory, emotion regulation and executive functions. These studies will make use of eye-tracking, pupil dilation, cardiac and respiratory data in combination with behavioral paradigms, validated questionnaires, and computational modeling. The use of neuroimaging data (EEG, fMRI), pharmacological manipulations, or brain stimulation is also possible.
Your profile
Candidates should hold (or expect) a good PhD degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., psychology, physiology, neuroscience, economics, cognitive science, biology) and have published work using psychophysics and/or computational modeling of behavior. Expertise in using Python, R, or similar statistical computing languages is required. Enthusiasm for scientific work and good scientific practice is essential. Candidates should speak and write English proficiently. Applications are welcome from overseas candidates as well as Swiss and EU nationals.