Postdoctoral Researcher Positions

The Department of Biomedical Engineering and Computational Science (BECS) at the Aalto University School of Science, Finland, is seeking to hire at least 4 postdoctoral researchers who would be good matches for the research fields at the department. BECS focuses on the following partially interleaved and synergistic research areas:

Biomedical Engineering and Biophysics In Biomedical Engineering and Biophysics, our foci are 1) bioelectromagnetism and medical imaging (MCG, ECG, TMS, MEG/EEG, NIRS and hybrid MEG-MRI); 2) biophysics at molecular and cellular levels, biomaterials (nucleic acids, lipids and proteins), their (bio)physical properties and self-organization, and use as building blocks in molecular engineering; 3) mathematical modeling of physiological systems; signal and image processing; 4) medical device development. The work is done in close collaboration with neuroscientists and medical professionals.

In medical devices, the emphasis is on brain imaging, especially MEG/EEG, NIRS, and ultra-low-field MRI. BECS has coordinated the EU-funded project MEGMRI, within which the first hybrid MEG-MRI SQUID array in a helmet-shaped dewar has been developed. BECS participated also in the EU-funded project IMPPACT, where the goal has been to develop ablation treatment for liver cancer; our role was in image processing and analysis.

In a Finnish Academy funded project on TMS, progress has been made especially in i) the understanding of the basic mechanisms of cellular activation by transcranial magnetic stimulation; ii) dealing with muscular artefacts in the combined use of TMS and EEG; iii) the study of the electromagnetic inverse problem and signal separation techniques (SSP and ICA); and iv) neuroscientific studies using TMS. In the near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) project, methods for functional imaging and monitoring of the brain using near-infrared light are developed. The group focuses on instrumentation and algorithm development for functional imaging of infants, as well as on multimodal imaging of adults. Clinical applications include monitoring of brain hemodynamics during natural sleep and in neonatal intensive care.
In terms of Molecular Engineering, we have participated in two EU funded consortia and developed nanoparticles for targeted drug and gene delivery. A very recent new project combining both Molecular Engineering and medical device development aims at prevention and therapy of age-related macular degeneration, major cause of blindness in the elderly population.
Brain and Mind In Brain and Mind research, we are developing Naturalistic Neuroscience as a novel approach to study neuronal underpinnings of human behavior enabled by rapid advances in non-invasive neuroimaging technology and computational signal and image analysis algorithms. By recording fMRI while subjects are watching film clips or listening to natural music, we study cognitive, social and emotional functions in conditions resembling real life. In Auditory Cognitive Neuroscience research we focus on studying the neural bases of spatial hearing, speech perception and how top-down inputs (e.g., selective attention, visual stimuli, and speech motor inputs) influence the human auditory system processing streams using EEG, MEG, and fMRI. In Brain Signal Processing one of our major goals is to annotate in detail the complex stimuli that we use when studying the brain in naturalistic conditions. For this purpose we have developed computer vision tools that can be used to track any visual objects in movies. After annotating the stimuli, we use statistical analysis to reveal how the modeled stimulus features are associated with brain signals. One of our key challenges in signal processing and computational analysis and modeling is to combine data measured with different techniques (fMRI, MEG, EEG, DTI, GSR, eye-movements, behavioral measures).
Computational Complex Systems Computational Complex Systems is a novel and interdisciplinary area of research, which focuses on studying physical, techno-social, ecological, epidemiological, socio-economic, and neurocognitive systems by means of computational analysis, modeling, and simulation. The general unifying theme that puts this research at the cutting edge of innovative science is the creation of new methods and the use of powerful computational tools for the study of complex systems with a very large number of degrees of freedom. At BECS the Complex Systems research is structured in to two main methodological approaches, namely in Dynamical Complex Networks and Bayesian Modeling, which also link closely with the Brain & Mind and Biomedical Engineering & Biophysics research. In Bayesian modeling research we develop methods, for example, for latent Gaussian models, inference in models on high and infinite dimensional spaces via Monte Carlo and deterministic approximations, large datasets, model assessment and selection, and inverse problems.

The contract period is 2 years (starting date negotiable). In addition to personal research work, the postdocs are expected to participate in teaching and student supervision in collaboration with the research groups presently active at the department.

Further questions and applications pertaining to the positions should be directed to the head of the department Prof. Jouko Lampinen. The applications are to be submitted to the Registry of Aalto University by email, no later than on 5th of March, 2012. The following documents should be attached to the e-mail as a single pdf-file:

A research statement outlining planned postdoctoral research work
Curriculum vitae
List of publications
Short description of teaching experience

The salary is competitive, and the contract includes occupational health and social security benefits.

About Aalto University

Aalto University is a new university with over a century of experience. Created from a high-profile merger between three leading universities in Finland - the Helsinki School of Economics, the Helsinki University of Technology and the University of Art and Design Helsinki - Aalto University opens up new possibilities for strong multi-disciplinary education and research. The university's ambitious goal is to rank among the top universities in the world in its areas of specialization. At Aalto there are 20,000 students with around 75,000 alumni. We have a staff of 4,500 including 300 professors. More information

About Finland

As a living and work environment, Finland is consistently ranked highly in quality-of-life and competitiveness studies. It is the best country in the world to live according to a Newsweek 2010 study. It is the 2nd happiest place in the world according to a 2007 OECD study. Helsinki is the best city in the world to live in according to a 2011 report by Monocle Magazine and is 7th in the Economist Intelligence Unit livability ranking 2011.Finland has also been ranked the 4th in the Global Competitiveness Index 2011-2012 of the World Economic Forum and the 2nd best in the Corruption Perceptions Index 2011 of Transparency International 2011. Aalto University offers support for moving in Finland. More information

February 8, 2012