Exploring Brain Avalanches in Neurostimulation

**Exploring Brain Avalanches in Neurostimulation (Master's Student Internship)**:
Self-organized criticality (SOC) - a sensitive state wherein minor perturbations can trigger significant outcomes - is hypothesized to play an important role in shaping both the brain’s intrinsic dynamics and its response to stimulation. We are seeking a motivated and curious Master’s student to investigate the related concept of “avalanches”, a phenomenon that describes cascades of action potentials in groups of neurons, and its implications for functional synchronization between brain regions in the presence and absence of neurostimulation.

**Your challenges**:

- Conduct a comprehensive literature review on neuronal avalanche patterns and their role in brain stimulation and criticality
- Analyze how neural avalanche patterns are influenced by non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS)

**Your strengths**:

- Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in neuroscience, biomedical engineering, physics, mathematics, computer science, or a related field
- Experience with scientific programming (Python, MATLAB)
- Familiarity with concepts in computational neuroscience and/or neural modeling
- Strong analytical skills and ability to work with complex, multi-modal datasets
- Strong sense of responsibility and commitment to the highest quality standard of work
- Self-motivation, good organizational and communication skills, impeccable attention to detail, friendly personality, and team-spirit
- Ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, to work independently in a fast-paced setting, and to meet tight deadlines
- Commitment to effectively respond to the needs of partners and customers
- Proficiency in English (both written and spoken), ability to communicate in German is a plus

**Our offer**:

- Vibrant, multicultural, and innovative work environment that drives research in key technologies and fosters diversity and inclusion
- State-of-the-art laboratories, high-performance computing clusters, and production facilities
- Creative mix of global talents that span the fields of physics, electronics, mathematics, biology and more, striving for excellence and high ethical standards
- Flexible working hours at a workplace in the heart of Zurich

Informal inquiries are welcome and should be directed to Dr. Taylor Newton.