Description
We invite applications for a Master’s thesis project aimed at advancing network-based modeling and control approaches for brain stimulation, with the long-term vision of contributing to digital twin frameworks in neuroscience and engineering.
The project builds on a recently proposed network-based modeling framework for large-scale brain dynamics that integrates empirical neural data with linear dynamical system models. Overall, the goal is to rigorously evaluate and refine network-based brain models as computational tools for studying and predicting the impact of targeted brain stimulation in realistic settings.
From a scientific perspective, the project is explicitly positioned at the interface between computational neuroscience and control theory. On the one hand, it engages with neural data, brain network representations, and questions of biological interpretability. On the other hand, it draws on concepts from systems theory and control to formalize and analyze intervention strategies in complex, high-dimensional systems. The thesis will be co-supervised by Prof. Dr. Xenia Kobeleva, Computational Neurology Group, Ruhr University Bochum and Prof. Dr. Andrea Iannelli, Institute for Systems Theory and Automatic Control, University of Stuttgart. It is expected that the project will have a student partner from the University of Stuttgart, with whom communication and colloboration will take place.
Desired Background and Skills
Applicants are expected to have strong analytical and programming skills. Background in areas such as computational neuroscience, control theory, signal processing, applied mathematics, machine learning, or bioinformatics is highly desirable.The ideal candidate is comfortable working across disciplinary boundaries and is motivated to engage with both mathematical theory and neural data.
If you plan to apply, please submit a short statement of motivation (addressing both the research group and the topic) ), your CV, and a transcript of study records to "mail at computationalneurology.com"