September 2015 - Comp-neuro - lists.cnsorg.org

15 PhD positions for PACE, an EU funded Innovative Training Network for understanding Perception and Action in Complex Environments
by Laurent Perrinet 19 May '16

19 May '16

Dear colleagues, PACE (Perception and Action in Complex Environments) is an Innovative Training Network funded by the Marie Sklodowska-Curie program of the European Union starting on April 1st, 2015. The network involves 10 academic and private full partners, from 6 European and associated countries (France, Spain, Italy, Netherlands, UK, Israel), plus 5 associated partners (private companies and public organizations). The network gathers a broad range of expertise from experimental psychology, cognitive neurosciences, brain imaging, technology and clinical sciences as well as transferable skills. The PACE network promotes interdisciplinary research and training in the field of human movement sciences with a strong emphasis on perception-action coupling in complex environments. We focus on changes of this coupling across lifespan and in pathological diseases affecting the nervous system. The goal is to train PhD students through collaborative research projects, international courses and workshops. -> 15 PhD positions, starting next fall, are offered across the different network sites. You can find a short description of the proposed PhD projects at the following link: http://www.int.univ-amu.fr/IMG/pdf/PACE_Table_positions.pdf Applications are welcome immediately and until the end of May (but some specific timing constraints may be enforced in some of the partners' sites: please get more information from local contacts). You will find further general information (sections 1 to 3), eligibility and application conditions (section 4) here: http://www.int.univ-amu.fr/-ITN-Marie-Curie-network-PACE Thanks for distributing this announcement to potential candidates, Laurent -- Laurent Perrinet - INT (UMR 7289)/CNRS http://invibe.net/LaurentPerrinet

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NEURAL COMPUTATION - April, 2014
by Terry Sejnowski 24 Apr '16

24 Apr '16

Neural Computation - Contents -- Volume 26, Number 4 - April 1, 2014 Available online for download now: http://www.mitpressjournals.org/toc/neco/26/4 ----- Article Parametric Inference in the Large Data Limit Using Maximally Informative Models Justin Block Kinney, Gurinder Singh Atwal Letters Input Statistics and Hebbian Crosstalk Effects Anca R. Radulescu Learning Nonlinear Regularities in Natural Images by Modeling the Outer Product of Image Intensities Peng Qi, Xiaolin Hu Dissociable Forms of Repetition Priming: A Computational Model Kirill Makukhin, Scott Bolland Refined Rademacher Chaos Complexity Bounds With Applications to the Multi-Kernel Learning Problem Yunwen Lei, Lixin Ding Large Margin Low Rank Tensor Analysis Guoqiang Zhong, Mohamed Cheriet Large-scale Linear RankSVM Ching-Pei Lee, Chih-Jen Lin ------------ ON-LINE -- http://www.mitpressjournals.org/neuralcomp SUBSCRIPTIONS - 2014 - VOLUME 26 - 12 ISSUES USA Others Electronic Only Student/Retired $70 $193 $65 Individual $124 $187 $115 Institution $1,035 $1,098 $926 Canada: Add 5% GST MIT Press Journals, 238 Main Street, Suite 500, Cambridge, MA 02142-9902 Tel: (617) 253-2889 FAX: (617) 577-1545 journals-orders(a)mit.edu ------------

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v5.7 of NeuroMorpho.Org released on 30 May, 2014
by NeuroMorpho Administrator 10 Mar '16

10 Mar '16

Version 5.7 of NeuroMorpho.Org was released on 30 May, 2014. The release included 29 new data sets (1341 reconstructions), including from three new animal species (dragonfly, moth, and sheep). The database now contains 11,335 reconstructions from 144 contributing labs. More than 3.2 million reconstructions were downloaded in over 130,000 unique visits from 146 countries. Please visit the What's new<http://neuromorpho.org/neuroMorpho/WIN.jsp> page for details on data included in this release, including new species strains, brain regions, cell types, and experimental conditions. The Acknowledgements <http://neuromorpho.org/neuroMorpho/acknowl.jsp> include details on contributing labs, and the About<http://neuromorpho.org/neuroMorpho/about.jsp> page provides an updated overview of the repository content. A new user-friendly functionality, OntoSearch<http://neuromorpho.org/neuroMorpho/OntoSearch.jsp>, was introduced in this release, enabling more powerful searches of species and strains with automated synonym translation, taxonomical relations, and keyword auto-completion. The literature coverage database was also updated to include publications through March 2014. We are continuously grateful to all the data owners who freely share their data with the community. We always appreciate any and all feedback and comments. Sincerely, The NeuroMorpho.Org team -- Ruchi Parekh, Ph.D. NeuroMorpho.Org Project Lead Postdoctoral Research Fellow Center for Neural Informatics, Structures, and Plasticity Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study MS2A1, George Mason University Fairfax, VA 22030 (USA) Ph - +1-703-993-4382<tel:%2B1-703-993-4382> www.neuromorpho.org<http://www.neuromorpho.org/> nmadmin(a)gmu.edu<mailto:nmadmin@gmu.edu>?

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FACULTY POSITION IN QUANTITATIVE LIFE SCIENCES AT ICTP, TRIESTE ITALY
by Matteo Marsili 14 Jan '16

14 Jan '16

FACULTY POSITION IN QUANTITATIVE LIFE SCIENCES AT THE ABDUS SALAM INTERNATIONAL CENTRE FOR THEORETICAL PHYSICS (ICTP). ICTP is seeking applicants for a new faculty position in its recently established Quantitative Life Sciences (QLS) research section. QLS responds to the theoretical challenges arising from recent advances in large-scale experiments in biology and neurosciences. The successful applicant will play a leading role in establishing the new section, promoting cutting-edge research in quantitative biology and supervising graduate students. Areas of interest include systems biology, biological networks, systems and computational neuroscience. Applicants should have an outstanding international reputation with at least 4 years of scientific research experience. The position, which will start in October 2015, will be at the P3 UNESCO level, with a starting salary of $78100. Other benefits include family allowance, home travel, education grant for dependent children, pension plan and medical insurance. Full details of the position, along with a link to the UNESCO online application, are available on ICTP's employment webpage and at http://www.ictp.it/about-ictp/personnel-office/employment.aspx <http://www.ictp.it/about-ictp/personnel-office/employment.aspx> The deadline is 3 June 2015. For further information please contact ICTP's Personnel Office at personnel_office(a)ictp.it <mailto:personnel_office@ictp.it>. ICTP, based in Trieste, Italy, provides a top class multi-disciplinary research environment in theoretical sciences, with cutting edge research, education and training, and it has been a driving force behind global efforts for the advancement of science in the developing world.

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Announcing the first NESTML community workshop
by Jochen Martin Eppler 10 Nov '15

10 Nov '15

Announcing the first community workshop on NESTML, the novel modelling language to create neuron models for the NEST simulator for spiking neuronal networks (nest-simulator.org). Abstract ^^^^^^^^ Currently, neuron and synapse models in NEST are written as C++ classes. These classes implement the simulator API for updating the neuronal dynamics, sending and receiving events, and auxiliary tasks such as initialization, recording of internal variables, calibration and handling of parameters. As the model code is hand-written and often created by copy and paste, this method is prone to errors and hinders the programmatic re-use of components such as neuronal dynamics, post-synaptic responses and synaptic plasticity mechanisms. Moreover, as many neuroscientists are not experts in C++, the process of creating models is often seen as complicated and in many cases the resulting model implementations are not optimal with respect to performance, consistency and testability. To ease writing models for NEST and improve the general quality of the code, we have created the NEST Modelling Language. NESTML comprises a language specification to describe neuron models in terms of neuroscience concepts and a set of tools to generate efficient C++ code for NEST from this description. During the workshop, we will give a general introduction to model creation for NEST and an in-depth introduction to the concepts and application of NESTML. In hands-on sessions the participants have the opportunity to write their own models in NESTML with the assistance of experienced tutors. The feedback collected in a dedicated session will be used to shape the future design and development of NESTML. Target Audience ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ The workshop aims at students and researchers in computational neuroscience who want to create their own neuron models in NEST. Some understanding of programming and experience with one of the simulators NEST, NEURON, or Brian will be helpful, but are not strictly required. Location and date ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ The workshop will take place at the Chair of Software Engineering (se-rwth.de) of RWTH Aachen University from Monday, December 7 to Wednesday, December 9, 2015. Details and registration Workshop attendance is possible free of charge. However, in order to be able to plan rooms, lunches and coffee breaks, we require registration. For details and enrolment, visit www.fz-juelich.de/ias/jsc/nestml-ws. With best regards, Jochen! -- Dr. Jochen Martin Eppler Phone: +49 2461 61-9471 ---------------------------------- Simulation Laboratory Neuroscience Jülich Supercomputing Centre Institute for Advanced Simulation ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH 52425 Juelich Sitz der Gesellschaft: Juelich Eingetragen im Handelsregister des Amtsgerichts Dueren Nr. HR B 3498 Vorsitzender des Aufsichtsrats: MinDir Dr. Karl Eugen Huthmacher Geschaeftsfuehrung: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Wolfgang Marquardt (Vorsitzender), Karsten Beneke (stellv. Vorsitzender), Prof. Dr.-Ing. Harald Bolt, Prof. Dr. Sebastian M. Schmidt ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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PhD positions in computational neuroscience
by Dan Goodman 02 Nov '15

02 Nov '15

One or more PhD positions in computational neuroscience are available in the Neural Reckoning Group of Dan Goodman at the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Imperial College London. I am interested in supervising students with a strong mathematical, computational or neuroscience background. Projects could be carried out in several possible areas, including neuroinformatics (i.e simulation and analysis of neural data) or sensory neuroscience (e.g. spiking neural models in the auditory system). For more information about the group, including some suggestions for research topics, see http://neural-reckoning.org/openings.html. In addition to working within the group, studying at Imperial College provides excellent opportunities for interacting with other theoretical and experimental researchers, both at Imperial (recently ranked 2nd in the world in the QS world university rankings) and in the many neuroscience groups in London. Applicants should initially send me a brief CV and cover letter with a description of research interests or a proposed project, and will eventually have to formally apply through the standard Imperial College mechanism (for more information, see http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/electricalengineering/courses/phd). Funding is available for at least one student, and there are several competitive funding schemes at Imperial which would provide funding for additional students. Also, please forward this message on to any of your students or colleagues with students that you think may be interested. Dan Goodman

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Neuroscience Graduate Group at the University of Pennsylvania
by Joshua Gold 08 Oct '15

08 Oct '15

The Neuroscience Graduate Group (NGG) at the University of Pennsylvania is a collaborative and interdisciplinary PhD program that is currently accepting applications for matriculation in the fall of 2015. We are particularly interested in attracting exceptional applicants with backgrounds in Neuroscience, Computer Science, Cognitive Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Physics, and/or Psychology and are interested in the broadly defined field of Computational Neuroscience. We have a robust and growing community of scholars in this field, including: Vijay Balasubramanian, Department of Physics Danielle S Bassett, Department of Bioengineering David H Brainard, Department of Psychology Maja Bucan, Department of Genetics Johannes Burge, Department of Psychology Alice S Chen-Plotkin, Department of Neurology Brian Chow, Department of Bioengineering Yale E Cohen, Department of Otorhinolaryngology Diego Contreras, Department of Neuroscience Christopher M Fang-Yen, Department of Bioengineering Maria Neimark Geffen, Department of Otorhinolaryngology Joshua I Gold, Department of Neuroscience John B Hogenesch, Department of Pharmacology Joseph W Kable, Department of Psychology Michael J Kahana, Department of Psychology Max Kelz, Department of Anesthesiology Brian Litt, Departments of Neurology and Bioengineering Joel D Mainland, Department of Neuroscience Javier F Medina, Department of Psychology Nicole C Rust, Department of Psychology Robert G Smith, Department of Neuroscience Alan A Stocker, Department of Psychology Penn also has strong programs in Statistics, Computer Science, Engineering, and Psychology with faculty actively involved in machine learning, decision making, perception, and computational learning theory. NGG students are encouraged to pursue collaborations and interactions with these groups. The application deadline for the NGG is December 1, 2014. For more details please see our website: http://www.med.upenn.edu/ngg/app_info.shtml ----- Joshua Gold University of Pennsylvania Department of Neuroscience 116 Johnson Pavilion 3610 Hamilton Walk Philadelphia, PA 19104-6074 office phone: 215-746-0028 lab phone: 215-746-0168 e-mail: jigold(a)mail.med.upenn.edu http://www.med.upenn.edu/goldlab

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Up to five (5) tenure-track faculty positions in Brain and Cognitive Sciences @ MIT
by Kate White 30 Sep '15

30 Sep '15

The Department of Brain & Cognitive Sciences (BCS) (http://bcs.mit.edu) at MIT is looking to hire up to five (5) tenure-track faculty at the assistant professor level. Affiliations with the Picower Institute for Learning & Memory and the McGovern Institute for Brain Research are possible. We are most excited about candidates who work in one or more of the following four (4) areas: i. Computational and theoretical approaches to neuroscience and cognition. Possible areas of focus include but are not limited to: statistics and data science, neural circuits, neural population representations and transformations, and cognitive processes. Candidates with the ability to build bridges across empirical domains are especially attractive. An affiliation with Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EECS), the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), Institute for Data, Systems, and Society (IDSS), or other allied departments is possible. ii. Systems neuroscience in non-human animals. The ideal candidate would be driven by computational questions and ideas from human cognition, with the goal of reverse-engineering the underlying neural representations and processes using tools that allow access to multiple brain regions. iii. Cognitive neuroscience in humans, especially if the candidate's work bridges levels of analysis using a variety of methods including MRI, MEG, fMRI, theoretical modeling, genetics and reverse engineering approaches. iv. Human cognition using behavioral methods, especially in the areas of language and/or cognitive development. Successful applicants are expected to develop and lead independent, internationally competitive research programs and to share in our commitment to excellence in undergraduate and graduate education by teaching courses and mentoring graduate and undergraduate students. PhD must be completed by start day of employment and some postdoctoral training is preferred. Please submit application materials - cover letter, CV, statement of research and teaching interests and representative reprints - online at http://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/5972. Please state research area in cover letter. To help direct the application, applicants should indicate which of the four areas listed above is their main research area by answering the mandatory questions included in the application. In addition, please arrange to have three letters of recommendation submitted online. All application materials are due by midnight (EST) on October 31, 2015. MIT is an affirmative action employer, and we encourage applications from women and underrepresented minorities. Best regards, Kate White Human Resources Administrator MIT - Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences (BCS) 77 Massachusetts Ave., Bldg 46-2005A Cambridge, MA 02139 Phone: 617-253-5749 E-mail: kowhite(a)mit.edu<mailto:kowhite@mit.edu>

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Research Fellow Position in Mathematical Modelling and Feedback Control of Neural Systems
by David Grayden 29 Sep '15

29 Sep '15

Research Fellow Position in Mathematical Modelling and Feedback Control of Neural Systems Research Fellow Grade 2 (Level B) NeuroEngineering Laboratory, Department of Electrical & Electronic Engineering The University of Melbourne Australia We seek a highly motivated person with expertise in neuroengineering, neural modelling, and control theory. 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 research fellow 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. The position is available for two years, renewable for a further two years depending on funding availability. More information and applications here: http://jobs.unimelb.edu.au/caw/en/job/886547/research-fellow Close date: 13 Oct 2015 Regards, David Professor David B. Grayden Director, Biomedical Engineering Dept of Electrical & Electronic Engineering Melbourne School of Engineering The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010 Australia [cid:image001.jpg@01D0FB55.848428B0] This email and any attachments may contain personal information or information that is otherwise confidential or the subject of copyright. Any use, disclosure or copying of any part of it is prohibited. The University does not warrant that this email or any attachments are free from viruses or defects. Please check any attachments for viruses and defects before opening them. If this email is received in error please delete it and notify us by return email.

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2nd CFP Advanced Research on Biologically Inspired Cognitive Architecture
by Prof. Dr. Jordi Vallverdú 29 Sep '15

29 Sep '15

*2nd Call for papers:* *"Advanced Research on Biologically Inspired Cognitive Architecture"(http://www.igi-global.com/publish/call-for-papers/call-details/1900 <http://www.igi-global.com/publish/call-for-papers/call-details/1900>). To be relased in July 2016, by IGI Global. * *Deadline: January 2016.* *Anthropic Oriented Computing (AOC) lies at the intersection among sociology, neuroscience, philosophy, anthropology, psychology, and computer science. We want to establish a new domain of the Anthropic-centric oriented computing merging and attract attention of wide audience for the inter/cross/trans- disciplinary areas and approaches such as field of a: philosophy, sociology, psychology, anthropology, neurophysiology and computer science. This way we aim at initiating the discussion on the Anthropo-centric -oriented computing with several specialists from different domains of the cognitive and social sciences. To gain broader view on the problems and tackled from different angles of perspective on Artificial Consciousness, and AGI and group/crowd dynamics.* *Recommended topics include, but are not limited to:* · *Affective cognitive architectures* · *Emotional computer interface* · *Situated and embodied cognition* · *Crowdcasting, Crowdsourcing, Crowdsensing* · *Swarm cognition (swarm intelligence + distributed cognition = swarm cognition)* · *Neuro-biologically inspired systems for AI* · *Philosophical aspects of Artificial consciousness* · *Computational Psychological aspects of Affective computation* · *Computational Neuroscientific aspects of Affective computation* · *Decision making and Artificial Consciousness* · *Volunteer computing* · *Social computing* · *Collective intelligence* · *Crowd agents* · *Agent crowdmap* · *Theory-based inference* · *Logic and graphical models* · *Causal reasoning and counterfactuals* · *Foundational and technical questions in bridging logical and probabilistic models* *Inquiries: Jordi Vallverdú, jordi.vallverdu(a)uab.cat <jordi.vallverdu(a)uab.cat> * Prof. Dr. Jordi Vallverdú, B. Phil, B. Mus, M.Sci, Ph.D. Room B7/104, Philosophy Dept. UAB 08193 Bellaterra (BCN) CATALONIA ------------------- FULL CV/Publications: https://uab.academia.edu/JordiVallverdu <https://uab.academia.edu/JordiVallverd%C3%BA> ORCID: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9975-7780 ResearcherID: http://www.researcherid.com/rid/K-5536-2014 Researchgate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jordi_Vallverdu

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