SMS scnews item created by Mary Myerscough at Fri 29 Jul 2016 0903
Distribution: World
Expiry: 1 Sep 2016
Calendar1: 1 Sep 2016
Auth: marym@pmarym3.pc (assumed)

# Postdoctoral Opportunity in Mathematical Biology at Oxford

Applications are invited for a 24-month fixed-term post of Research Assistant in St
Johnâ€™s College Research Centre at St Johnâ€™s College, University of Oxford.  The post
involves working on a research project entitled â€˜Mapping cortex evolution through
mathematical modellingâ€™ funded by the St Johnâ€™s College Research Centre and led by
Professor ZoltÃ¡n MolnÃ¡r, Professor Philip Maini, and Dr Thomas Woolley.  The appointee
will take up the post on November 1st or as soon as possible thereafter.  The post is
full-time and is for 24 months.  The appointment will be on the Universityâ€™s Grade 7

Our project proposes to develop and understand a mathematical model for the
differentiation of neurons from earlier pluripotent progenitor cell populations.  This
framework will allow us to map all possible evolutionary pathways of the cortex enabling
us to quantitatively and qualitatively highlight multiple possible divergent
evolutionary trajectories.  Further, by comparing these theories with data we will
construct a novel categorisation of different species, and understand the high diversity
of cortex development, thus generating an impact in the field of neurobiology.  Finally,
through applying our framework to pathological cases, we will predict mechanistic links
between neuron production failure and resulting phenotypes such as microcephaly,
polymicrogyria syndromes and lissencephaly syndromes.

The advert and further particulars can be found on https://www.maths.ox.ac.uk/node/16449

Closing Date: Thursday, September 1, 2016