Melbourne School of Engineering

Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering

Salary: $92,654 - $110,022 p.a. plus 9.5% superannuation   The primary aim of this project is to devise and validate mathematical models of neural circuits and to developed closed-loop control algorithms for those circuits. In particular, the project will use experimental observations to derive and test transfer functions of afferent and efferent nerve activity for closed- loop control of inflammatory bowel disease.  The mathematical modelling objective will run alongside physiological experiments to derive the transfer functions that constitute the most important aspects of the system. The first step will be to model the physiological closed-loop system that exists in the healthy animal.  Then, a controller will be developed that monitors the behaviour of the system and augments it for animal models of inflammatory bowel disease.  Finally, the validated controller will be tested in humans. We seek a highly motivated person with expertise in neuroengineering, neural modelling, and control theory. The person will contribute to all aspects of the project, including the development of the transfer functions and the development of closed-loop control algorithms. This will involve working with physiologists to obtain the necessary neural and network parameters, constructing neuron models that match biological data, developing the control models and analysing their behaviour and parameter dependence, and implementing the algorithms to assess their effect. The person may also co-supervise PhD, MPhil and Master of Engineering students. Close date:  13 Oct 2015