International Max Planck Research School on Neuroscience of Communication (IMPRS NeuroCom)

Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences - Wikipedia


The International Max Planck Research School on Neuroscience of Communication: Function, Structure, and Plasticity (IMPRS NeuroCom)is based at the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, and the University of Leipzig, and also involves the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, and the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience at University College London, UK. The school strengthens the already existing, close working relationship between all participating institutions as well as enables its students to benefit from the value of their joint knowledge and resources.

The IMPRS NeuroCom focuses on the functional, structural, and neural plasticity foundations of the neuroscience of communication, through an integrative and interdisciplinary approach. The overriding goal of this programme is to train PhD students in the multidisciplinary aspects ofcognition, psychology, and neuroscience involved in different levels of communicative action, and to introduce specific research themes within this broad area of academic endeavour. For this purpose, the IMPRS NeuroCom ensures a collaborative effort by Faculty members with diverse backgrounds, allowing students to benefit from the experience and knowledge available in the school and enabling interdisciplinary communication – a necessity in the field of neuroscience.

Besides introducing behavioural methodology, the programme draws on powerful modern neuroimaging techniques such as functional and structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electroencephalography (EEG), magnetoencephalography (MEG), near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), with the aim of understanding the brain in its complexity and functionality. There is permanent constructive exchange between neuroscientific methodologies and cognitive science, which is supported by the infrastructure and the facilities of the school.

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Module I
Language and Communication

This module focuses on the neural basis of language and communication processing in the human brain. Researchers from the field of psychology, linguistics and neurology provide students with a unique opportunity to investigate auditory cognition as well as speech and language processing from both an experimental and a theoretical perspective. We provide strong methodological support, utilising behavioural and electrophysiological methods (M/EEG) as well as functional and structural neuroimaging techniques (fMRI, fNIRS, DTI). These methods are complemented by state-of-the-art non-invasive brain stimulation approaches. Cutting-edge multivariate tools are used to provide insight into neural dynamics, activity and functional as well as structural interactions. Leading researchers of the respective fields are regularly invited to Leipzig to present and discuss their work. The teaching part of this module covers courses on hearing, psycholinguistics, the neural basis of language comprehension and production, emotional speech comprehension, linguistic topology, and understanding typological distribution.

Module II
Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience

This module teaches the scientific basis of psychology, social and affective neuroscience. The areas of scientific enquiry covered in this module include psychology, social cognition, empathy, self-other discrimination, plasticity of “Theory of Mind”, and the brain’s default network. Another important aspect of this module is the analysis of the causes underlying psychopathologies of social cognition, early child development and culture, and the investigation of memory processes that allow us to function in the future.

Module III

Basic and Clinical Neuroscience

In this module, students are taught how innovative questions can be asked and how state-of-the-art techniques can be used in the attempt to understand the brain both in its normal and diseased state. The “classical” anatomical way to study the brain’s microstructure by cutting and staining postmortem brains is becoming increasingly complemented by non-invasive neuroimaging techniques used in vivo. Current research draws on powerful techniques such as functional and structural MRI, EEG, MEG, and NIRS. The teaching part of this module covers the foundations of Neuroscience, sensory and motor systems, brain and behavior, and psychiatric and neurological disorders of the brain.

Module IV
Neuroimaging Physics and Signal Processing

Projects in this module typically focus on the physical principles of modern neuroimaging techniques including RF technology, image processing strategies, and EEG/MEG source analysis, on biophysical tissue properties and their relation to microstructure and function, as well as on computational neuroscience and modelling of cortical networks. Experimentally, these efforts are supported through access to cutting-edge imaging technology, including a state-of-the-art 7T whole-body MRI scanner, a 3T scanner with 300mT/m high-performance gradients or a 306-channel MEG system.

Candidates should have a very good master's degree, preferably in physics or, alternatively, in physical chemistry, computer sciences, biomedical or electrical engineering or a similar degree of equivalent academic level. A genuine interest in developing novel biomedical imaging or neuromodeling should motivate your application.  Good programming skills, preferably with experience in MATLAB, C++ or Python, are essential.


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