August 2014 - Comp-neuro - lists.cnsorg.org

Postdoc Position in Sleep and Cognition Lab

by Sara C. Mednick

The Sleep and Cognition (SaC) Lab of the Department of Psychology at the University of California, Riverside has an open position for a postdoc researcher. This researcher will be investigating mechanisms of memory encoding, consolidation, and retrieval by using event-related potential (ERP/EEG) during waking and sleep. Successful candidates should have experience in memory research and EEG methodologies, as well as programming skills. Experience in sleep research is not essential. Position is available immediately. Researchers must possess a doctoral degree. The University of California offers excellent benefits. Salary is based on research experience. The initial appointment is for 1 year with a possibility of extension. Please send your CV, statement of research interests and the names of three references or make inquires to Sara C. Mednick smednick(a)ucr.edu. -- Assistant Professor University of California, Riverside Department of Psychology Sleep and Cognition (SaC) Lab www.saramednick.com www.sleepandcognitionlab.org TEDx Talk <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MklZJprP5F0> Amandla awethu!

Aug. 20, 2014

[meetings] Australasian Conference on Artificial Life and Computational Intelligence (ACALCI 2015)

by Stephan Chalup

CfP: Australasian Conference on Artificial Life and Computational Intelligence (ACALCI 2015), 5-7 February 2015, The University of Newcastle, Australia http://www.newcastle.edu.au/ACALCI2015<http://newcastle.edu.au/ACALCI2015> PAPER DEADLINE: 12 September 2014 (extended) NOTIFICATION OF ACCEPTANCE: 15 October 2014 PAPER FORMAT: 6-14 pages in Springer LNAI style PUBLICATION: Springer-Verlag LNAI are indexed by Scopus, Zentralblatt MATH, IO-Port, MathSciNet, ACM Digital Library, dblp, EI Engineering Index (Compendex and Inspec databases), and the ISI Conference Proceedings Citation Index - Science (CPCI-S), included in ISI Web of Science. A special issue in the journal Connection Science will invite authors of some of the best papers to submit extended versions of their articles. CONFERENCE TOPICS: ACALCI 2015 will be organised in broad technical sessions that bring together experts from many different fields related to Artificial Life and Computational Intelligence. The forum also encourages associated applied research in domains as diverse as health, the creative arts and finance (to name a few). In this context ACALCI encourages presentations, demonstrations, performances and discussions on innovative research and interdisciplinary projects. WORKSHOPS, TUTORIALS and PERFORMANCES: If you would like to organise a workshop, tutorial or performance in connection with ACALCI2015 please contact the organisers as soon as possible. CONFERENCE WEBPAGE: http://www.newcastle.edu.au/ACALCI2015<http://newcastle.edu.au/ACALCI2015> ----------------------- Stephan Chalup, PhD http://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/stephan-chalup

Aug. 19, 2014

Databrary.org seeks web developer for open source data sharing project

by Rick Gilmore

** Web Developer for Databrary.org ** About Databrary Databrary is a first-of-its-kind web-based data library where scientists who collect and analyze video can store and share their data openly with other researchers. The project is based at New York University (NYU) and Penn State. It has grant support from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The overall goal is to accelerate the pace of discovery, improve scientific transparency and accountability, and transform research practices in psychology and developmental science. We are growing a team to design and build new open source solutions for science using the latest technologies. Web Developer position description The Databrary project seeks a motivated and flexible developer to help build a unique web-based data library. You will work with users and a small group of developers to design and build the front end UI and back end tools to enable behavioral researchers to collaborate, store, explore, and access research datasets in ways not possible with any existing tool. The ideal candidate will relish the challenge of building a uniquely powerful set of research tools while working on a small team in a diverse and intellectually stimulating academic environment. Responsibilities - Implement dynamic, modular, and responsive web interfaces to organize, present, and manipulate research materials. - Design, implement, test, and validate JavaScript across browsers and platforms. - Integrate feedback from UI experts and researchers (users) to identify and prioritize new features. - Learn, understand, and reorganize research data as needed for better integration with the site. Qualifications - Background in CS or other relevant field and 3+ years programming experience. - Knowledge of AngularJS or other modern web application frameworks. - Extensive experience with jQuery, JSON, HTML5, and CSS3. - Familiarity with standard UNIX development tools such as git. - Understanding of security and ethical concerns around sensitive data. Preferred - History of contributions to open source projects. - Comfortable with discussing and addressing UX/UI design issues. - Experience using RESTful interfaces for structured data. - Sensitive to performance considerations building big data interfaces. - Basic understanding of scientific practices and research tools, such as Matlab, SPSS, or R. To apply - Send the following to jobs(a)databrary.org: - One page cover letter (PDF). - Resume (PDF). - Links to your open source contributions or other samples of your work.

Aug. 19, 2014

IU Cognitive Science Faculty Search

by Olaf Sporns

Assistant Professor - Embodied Cognitive Science Cognitive Science Program Indiana University The Cognitive Science Program at Indiana University seeks a tenure track junior level appointment in the area of embodied cognitive science. Successful applicants will take a leadership role in the ongoing development of embodied cognition as a research and teaching focus of the program. Indiana University has a strong history in this area, ranging from theoretical foundations to computational and robotics modeling, to experimental approaches in developmental psychology and neuroscience. Although the emphasis of the position is on computational and/or robotic modeling approaches to problems in embodied cognition, candidates are expected to engage with the breadth of experimental programs and philosophical discussion that make up this interdisciplinary research area. Applicants should have a Ph.D. in Cognitive Science, Computer Science or a closely related field and will join the faculty of a department or school on the Bloomington campus appropriate to their specific background. Applicants are expected to have a record that demonstrates an excellent potential in the areas of research and teaching. Interested candidates should review the application requirements and submit their applications athttps://indiana.peopleadmin.com/postings/1006. Questions regarding the position or application process can be directed to Randall Beer, Cognitive Science Search Committee, 819 Eigenmann, 1900 E. 10th St., Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47406-7512 orcogsrch(a)indiana.edu. Review of applications will begin on November 1, 2014 and will continue until the position is filled. Indiana University is an equal employment and affirmative action employer and a provider of ADA services. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ethnicity, color, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status. Applications from women and minority group members are especially encouraged. Information about the program and the university is available athttp://www.cogs.indiana.edu/. -- Olaf Sporns -- @spornslab Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences Programs in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science Indiana University Bloomington, IN 47405

Aug. 19, 2014

Tenure-track faculty position in computational neuroscience

by Adam Kohn

The Albert Einstein College of Medicine, one of the leading medical schools in New York City, is seeking to fill multiple tenure track faculty positions in the newly formed Department of Systems and Computational Biology. Established in April 2008, the main goal of the new department is to advance our understanding of living systems by developing theoretical, computational and experimental approaches to study complex biological systems. The Albert Einstein College of Medicine, has 750 medical students, 325 graduate students and 360 post-doctoral fellows in training and boasts a strong research faculty covering broad areas of experimental biology, offering outstanding opportunities for collaborative interactions. The 200,000 square foot Price Center for Genetic and Translational Medicine at Einstein, which opened in late 2007, locates computational, systems, and experimental scientists in physical proximity to foster interdisciplinary communication and collaboration. Highly competitive start-up packages are available. We seek outstanding scientists with broad experience and demonstrated collaborative interactions with experimental or clinical investigators. Candidates should have strength in a physical, mathematical or computational field at the Ph.D. or equivalent level. Experience applying these skills to a biological or biomedical area (demonstrated through publications or support) is also required. Areas of interest that would be advantageous, but not required, are: Systems and Computational Neuroscience — visual processing, cortical computation, or population coding; Systems Evolutionary Biology; and Mathematical and Computational Modeling of Complex Traits. Applicants should send a letter of interest, C.V., statement of research and teaching interests, and names of three referees, in electronic format to: Systems and Computational Biology Search Committee Albert Einstein College of Medicine Jack and Pearl Resnick Campus 1300 Morris Park Ave. Price Center, Rm. 153 Bronx, New York 10461 E-mail Address: sysbio(a)einstein.yu.edu Subject line should be: SCB Faculty Search Yeshiva University is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring minorities, women, individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.

Aug. 19, 2014

2nd Call for Abstracts for the 7th Int'l Workshop on Guided Self-Organisation (Freiburg, Dec 16-18, 2014)

by Joschka Boedecker

<apologies for possible cross-posting> Dear colleagues, This is the 2nd Call for Abstracts for the Seventh International Workshop on Guided Self-Organisation (GSO-2014) to be held from December 16-18, 2014 in Freiburg, Germany. http://ml.informatik.uni-freiburg.de/events/gso14/index The workshop will bring together researchers from a richly diverse background who share interest in understanding and designing self-organising systems. Of particular interest are well-founded, but general methods for characterizing such systems in a principled way with the view of ultimately allowing them to be guided toward prespecified goals. Information theory, nonlinear dynamics and graph theory are core to many of these methods, and quantifying complexity and its sources is a common theme. This year, the workshop is organised in collaboration with the BrainLinks-BrainTools cluster of excellence at University of Freiburg ( https://www.brainlinks-braintools.uni-freiburg.de/ ), and one focus theme will be guided self-organisation in neural systems. Submissions to the workshop are extended abstracts (one-two pages). If interested in participating, send an extended abstract (by September 7th, 2014) by email to: jboedeck at informatik dot uni-freiburg dot de The notifications are expected by September 21st, 2014. Authors of accepted submissions will present the content to the workshop (scheduled 30 minutes presentation). It is expected that post-workshop publication of selected papers will follow in a special journal issue (as has been the case for previous GSO workshops). Please consult the website above and also http://guided-self.org/ for more information. Best wishes, Joschka Boedecker Mikhail Prokopenko Martin Riedmiller

Aug. 19, 2014

PhD Positions Combining Robotics and Neuroscience at the Queensland University of Technology

by Michael Milford

Several PhD positions are available to work on a challenging interdisciplinary research project spanning neuroscience, robotics and computer vision. Project summary: Current robotic and personal navigation systems leave much to be desired; GPS only works in open outdoor areas, lasers are expensive and cameras are highly sensitive to changing environmental conditions. In contrast, nature has evolved superb navigation systems. This project will solve the challenging problem of place recognition, a key component of navigation, by modelling the visual recognition skills of humans and the rodent spatial memory system. This approach combines the best understood and most capable components of place recognition in nature to create a whole more capable than its parts. The project will produce advances in robotic and personal navigation technology and lead to breakthroughs in our understanding of the brain. This project is a strongly interdisciplinary one spanning neuroscience, robotics and computer vision and candidates will require experience or a skill set that facilitates this interdisciplinary approach - such as a strong background in computer science with an interest in neuroscience, or a neuroscientist / biologist with strong math and coding skills. PhD candidates will have the very challenging but rewarding task of achieving research breakthroughs that impact multiple disciplines simultaneously, as well as producing innovative technologies based on these breakthroughs. Project Collaborators and Support The project will involve collaboration with leading neuroscientists, roboticists, biologists and computer vision researchers at top international universities including Harvard University and Boston University, as well as local collaborators including The University of Queensland. PhD candidates will pursue an independent interdisciplinary research agenda but will have access to researchers from several major robotics and computer vision initiatives based at QUT, including the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Robotic Vision. How to Apply To apply please go to: https://wiki.qut.edu.au/display/cyphy/Applications+Milford. Scholarships and top-ups are available for high quality applicants. Or contact: Dr Michael Milford: https://wiki.qut.edu.au/display/cyphy/Michael+Milford School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Queensland University of Technology Phone: +61 7 3138 9969 | E-mail: michael DOT milford(a)qut.edu.au Michael Milford |ARC Future Fellow | Microsoft Faculty Fellow | Senior Lecturer | Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Science and Engineering Faculty | Queensland University of Technology S Block, Room S1110, Gardens Point Campus ph 3138 9969 | email michael.milford(a)qut.edu.au<mailto:c.degroot@qut.edu.au> CRICOS No 00213J * Recent Publications * * Visual Place Recognition Under Extreme Perceptual Change - "SeqSLAM: Visual route-based navigation for sunny summer days and stormy winter nights", International Conference on Robotics and Automation, link http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpls/abs_all.jsp?arnumber=6224623 * Navigating without GPS, using only a web camera - "Mapping a Suburb with a Single Camera using a Biologically Inspired SLAM System", IEEE Transactions on Robotics, link http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpls/abs_all.jsp?arnumber=4627450 * Continual mapping and navigation over a 2 week office delivery robot experiment - "Persistent Navigation and Mapping using a Biologically Inspired SLAM System", International Journal of Robotics Research, http://ijr.sagepub.com/content/29/9/1131.abstract * Combining robotics, neuroscience and animal navigation to manage uncertainty when navigating - "Solving Navigational Uncertainty Using Grid Cells on Robots", PLoS Computational Biology, http://www.ploscompbiol.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1000995 More information available at: https://wiki.qut.edu.au/display/cyphy/Michael+Milford Google Scholar Profile: http://scholar.google.com/citations?user=TDSmCKgAAAAJ&hl=en

Aug. 19, 2014

Neurocomputing special issue CFP

by Zhijun Yang

Dear Colleagues, Sorry for any possible cross communications. May we draw your attention to a Neurocomputing special issue CFP: Advances on Biological Rhythmic Pattern Generation: Experiments, Algorithms and Application. The full announcement can be found as an internet link below. http://www.journals.elsevier.com/neurocomputing/call-for-papers/special-iss… Instructions for submission: • The submission website for Neurocomputing is located at: http://ees.elsevier.com/neucom/default.asp • To ensure that all relevant manuscripts are correctly identified for inclusion into this special issue, it is important that authors select SI: Creating Biology Rhythm when reaching the “Article Type” step in the submission process. We look forward to receiving your contributions to what promises to be an exciting special issue. Best regards, Zhijun Yang -- Zhijun Yang, BEng, MSc, PhD, Lecturer in Design Engineering Department of Design Engineering and Mathematics School of Science and Technology Middlesex University, London NW4 4BT, UK Voice: +44 (0)7882681333

Aug. 16, 2014

Bernstein Conference 2014 - online registration ends August 24

by Kerstin Mosch

Aug. 14, 2014

Graduate studies in the neuroscience of decision-making

by Paul Cisek

Graduate studies in the neuroscience of decision-making Department of neuroscience, laboratory of Paul Cisek Applications are invited for a master's or doctoral studentship in cognitive neuroscience. The successful applicant will join a research group studying the neural mechanisms of decision-making in humans and non-human primates using a combination of computational and experimental techniques. Research in our laboratory involves computational models of the nervous system as well as behavioral experiments, transcranial magnetic stimulation, functional magnetic resonance imaging, and multi-electrode recording from the cerebral cortex and subcortical regions. Depending on the applicant's qualifications and interests, they will help to design and conduct behavioral and neurophysiological experiments, analyze data, develop theoretical models of neural systems, prepare manuscripts for publication, and participate in international conferences. See www.cisek.org/pavel for information on current projects and a list of sample publications. While students with a strong background in mathematics, computer science, or biological sciences are particularly encouraged to apply, all motivated students with an interest in understanding the brain will be considered. The successful applicant will receive a competitive salary in accordance with university guidelines. For further information, please contact Dr. Paul Cisek (paul.cisek(a)umontreal.ca) Applicants are asked to submit a cover letter, curriculum vita, copies of academic transcripts, and the names and contact information of 2 references, to: Dr. Paul Cisek Department of neuroscience University of Montréal C.P. 6128 Succursale Centre-ville Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, CANADA Phone: 514-343-6111 x4355 Web: www.cisek.org/pavel email: paul.cisek(a)umontreal.ca Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, but preference will be given to applications received before August 31, 2014. Interviews may be possible at the Bernstein conference (Göttingen, Sept 2-5, 2014, http://www.bernstein-conference.de/) the INT neuroscience conference (Marseille, Oct 2-3, 2014, http://www.int.univ-amu.fr/2nd-colloque-de-l-INT) or the Society for Neuroscience meeting (Washington DC, November 15-19, 2014, http://www.sfn.org/annual-meeting/neuroscience-2014) Montréal is consistently rated as one of the world's most livable cities and has been called "Canada's Cultural Capital". It has the highest number of university students per capita in the continent, with more than 17,000 foreign students from 150 countries and among the lowest tuition fees in North America. Montréal's vibrant neuroscience community spans four major universities (University of Montréal, McGill University, Concordia University, and the University of Québec at Montréal) and the Montréal Neurological Institute. The University of Montréal is the largest university in Québec and the second largest in Canada, with over 55,000 students and 10,000 employees. Deeply rooted in Montréal and dedicated to its international mission, the Université de Montréal is one of the top universities in the French-speaking world. The University of Montréal is a French-speaking institution, and most coursework is in French. However, the master's or PhD thesis can be written in French or English. ----------------------------------------------- Paul Cisek, Ph.D. Groupe de recherche sur le système nerveux central Département de neuroscience, local 4117 Université de Montréal C.P. 6128 Succursale Centre-ville Montréal QC H3C 3J7 Canada Tél: 514-343-6111 x4355 Fax: 514-343-2111 e-mail: paul.cisek(a)umontreal.ca -----------------------------------------------

Aug. 13, 2014