A current challenge in multisensory perception research is how the brain identifies signals as belonging to specific modalities or functions. Prominent hypotheses state that this occurs through predictive computations, allowing distinguishment of low-dimensional statistical features (e.g. spatial/temporal properties of signals) unique to each sensory modality. This process requires cross-modal comparisons, highlighting the significance of cross-modal interactions in the brain for both integration and segregation of sensory inputs. On top of that, research indicates that neural activity in sensory cortices is less functionally specialized than previously assumed. For example, the primary visual cortex encodes multisensory, task-related and locomotion information. However, much of this activity seems not to be causal for perception. Therefore, the aim of this project is to unravel the cortico-cortical interplay responsible for formation of segregated, modality-specific representations.

We will be training mice on an audiovisual change detection task where mice detect changes in continuously presented auditory and visual stimuli leading to stable modality-specific representations. Previously, we have identified the cortical structures necessary for formation of these representations driving perceptual decision-making through an optogenetic scanning method. The next step of this project will aim to identify what neural computations neurons in these regions are performing. We will perform Neuropixels probe recordings in mice performing the audiovisual task and dive deeper into the way the brain encodes these representations.

Your role in this experiment will mostly consist of 1) training of mice, 2) assisting in optogenetic scanning or electrophysiology recordings, 3) histology of opsin-expression, 4) data analysis with Python (for example, neural recording data, pupil video data).

Starting date: January 2026

If you are interested in this project, please apply with your CV and brief statement of motivation to a.j.c.vanmierlo@uva.nl. For more information, feel free to contact the same email address.