November 2017 - Comp-neuro - lists.cnsorg.org

NEST Conference 2017 --- Register NOW!

by Dennis Terhorst

Dear all! Coming up mid of December the community of NEST users and developers will meet to discuss neuroscientific work with NEST and the status and future of simulation technology on the NEST Conference 2017 to be held on 19/20 December 2017 (Tuesday/Wednesday, lunch to lunch) at Haus Overbach in Barmen near Jülich, Germany. After our very successful and stimulating meeting in Karlsruhe last November, we are greatly looking forward to 24 hours filled with presentations and discussions of NEST applications to computational neuroscience and neurorobotics projects and NEST technology development. You are cordially invited to contribute to the program with your contribution! We are grateful to the Human Brain Project Outreach Programme and Education Programme for financial support. Important deadlines: - 19 November 2017: Extended deadline for submission of contribution - 26 November 2017: Extended deadline for registrations For details, contribution submission and registration, please see https://indico-jsc.fz-juelich.de/event/52/overview We are looking forward to seeing you all in December! best, Dennis Terhorst -- Dipl.-Phys. Dennis Terhorst Coordinator Software Development Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-6) Computational and Systems Neuroscience & Theoretical Neuroscience, Institute for Advanced Simulation (IAS-6) Jülich Research Centre, Member of the Helmholz Association and JARA 52425 Jülich, Germany Building 15.22 Room 4004 Phone +49 2461 61-85062 Fax +49 2461 61- 9460 d.terhorst(a)fz-juelich.de

Nov. 17, 2017

Postdoc position in systems/computational neuroscience (retina)

by Philipp Berens

Dear all, Thomas Euler and I have a postdoc position available. Applications are sought for a Postdoc position for a collaborative project in the groups of Thomas Euler and Philipp Berens at the Institute for Ophthalmic Research , the CIN, and the Bernstein Centre for Computational Neuroscience (BCCN) of the University of Tübingen. The project is part of the DFG Priority Programme „Computational Connectomics” (SPP 2041). The goal of the project is to combine functional imaging of excitatory and inhibitory signals with computational modeling based on connectomics data from electron microscopy to study the role of amacrine cell circuits in the retina. The candidate for the position ... must have a PhD in a relevant discipline (e.g. neuroscience) must have experimental skills ideally in functional 2P imaging, alternatively in electrophysiology has a strong background in neuroscience at the circuit or systems level, ideally in the visual system is proficient in modern programming languages (i.e. Python) is experienced in data analysis. The ideal candidate is self-motivated, independent, and able to learn quickly, is proficient in English verbal and written communication and has strong problem-solving skills. What we offer The positions is available immediately, with funding for 3 years and possible extension depending on further funding. The postdoc will work embedded in an highly collaborative, interdisciplinary environment, providing ample possibilities for career development. Applications should include a CV, a statement of research motivation and experience, and the names of at least two referees. Please compile your application in one single PDF-file and email it to positions(a)eulerlab.org. Further details: http://eulerlab.de/positions/ -- PD Dr. Philipp Berens (Group Leader) University of Tübingen Institute for Ophthalmic Research http://www.berenslab.org phone: +49-7071-2988833

Nov. 17, 2017

ICMNS 2018: Call for Contribution

by Etienne Tanre

We are delighted to announce the 4th International Conference on Mathematical Neuroscience (ICMNS 2018), to be held at the Congress Center in Juan-les-Pins, on the French Riviera. Tutorials will be held on June 10, and the main conference is June 11 - June 13. More details are given on the conference website: https://icmns2018.inria.fr <https://icmns2018.inria.fr/> The International Conference on Mathematical Neuroscience will provide a forum for researchers to discuss current mathematical innovations emerging in neuroscience. A major aim of the conference is to attract and train young researchers on current methods in mathematical neuroscience. To fulfill this goal, we will hold a tutorial the day before the main meeting. The main conference will feature a broader set of topics in mathematical neuroscience, with a focus on (a) the use of experimental data in modeling studies; (b) theory and models that explore hypotheses and design better experiments; (c) rigorous mathematical models of neural systems; (d) improved methods for analyzing complex data sets. Abstract Submission: We encourage abstract submission by researchers from all areas of mathematical neuroscience. One page abstracts will be reviewed by the Program Committee and divided into parallel talk sessions and poster sessions. Details will be given on the web site <https://icmns2018.inria.fr/>. The abstract submission <http://icmns2018.inria.fr/submission/> deadline is January 23, 2018. Student Awards: We offer student awards. To apply, students must submit an abstract and include a current CV as part of their submitted document in Easychair <https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=icmns2018>. Program Committee Daniele Avitabile (Univ. of Nottingham, UK) Nicolas Brunel (Duke Univ., USA) Carina Curto (Pennsylvania State Univ., USA) Rodica Curtu (Univ. of Iowa, USA) Mathieu Desroches (Inria Sophia-Antipolis, France) Lubomir Kostal (Inst. of Physiology, Czech Republic) Carlo Laing (Massey Univ., New Zealand) Benjamin Lindner (Bernstein C. for Comp. Neuroscience Berlin, Germany) Eva Löcherbach (Univ. Cergy-Pontoise, France) André Longtin (Univ. Ottawa, Canada) Jeff Moehlis (Univ. California Santa Barbara, USA) Hiroya Nakao (Tokyo Instit. of Technology, Japan) Patricia Reynaud Bouret (Univ Nice, France) Alex Roxin (CRM Barcelona, Spain) Delphine Salort (Univ Pierre et Marie Curie, France) Wilhelm Stannat (TU Berlin, Germany) Denis Talay (Inria Sophia-Antipolis, France) Michèle Thieullen (Univ Pierre et Marie Curie, France) Martin Wechselberger (Univ Sydney, Australia) Advisory Board Paul Bressloff (Univ. of Utah, USA) Evelyn Buckwar (JKU Linz, Austria) Stephen Coombes (Univ. of Nottingham, UK) Olivier Faugeras (Inria Sophia Antipolis, France) Julijana Gjiorgjieva (Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, Germany) Zachary Kilpatrick (Univ. of Colorado Boulder, USA) Robert Rosenbaum (Univ. of Notre Dame, USA) Romain Veltz (Inria Sophia Antipolis, France) We hope to see you in Juan les Pins this June! All the best, Susanne Ditlevsen Bard Ermentrout Etienne Tanré

Nov. 16, 2017

Postdoctoral Fellow Position in Human Neuroimaging

by Sylvia Morelli

The Empathy and Social Connection Lab <http://www.morellilab.com/> at the University of Illinois at Chicago (PI: Sylvia Morelli) has an opening for a postdoctoral fellow to begin any time between January to July 2018. The postdoctoral fellow will have the opportunity to work on neuroimaging research related to empathy, prosociality, social networks, well-being, loneliness, and depression (including collaborative projects with the Stanford Social Neuroscience Lab <http://ssnl.stanford.edu/>). Successful applicants should have a PhD in neuroscience, psychology, computer science, statistics/biostatistics, mathematics, or a related field. They should also have a strong background in programming, statistics, and the design and analysis of fMRI experiments, as well as excellent communication and organizational skills. Experience with computational neuroscience techniques — such as multivariate pattern analysis, prospective prediction, machine learning, effective connectivity, or connectomics/graph theory — is a bonus, but not a requirement. The position will be fully funded for at least 2 years with the potential for a longer-term position. We will review applications beginning December 10, until the position is filled. Applicants should send a CV, a statement describing research interests and experience (maximum: 1 page), and contact information for two references to Sylvia Morelli (smorelli(a)uic.edu <mailto:smorelli@uic.edu>).

Nov. 16, 2017

PhD position in neural coding

by Matthew Chalk

PhD position in theoretical neuroscience, at the Vision Institute in Paris, France: Description: Applications are invited for a fully funded 3-year PhD studentship with Matthew Chalk, at the Vision Institute (www.institut-vision.org/en/ <http://www.institut-vision.org/en/>), within the University of Pierre and Marie Curie (UPMC), in Paris, France,. The project will involve investigating neural coding in the retina. Specifically, it will ask how neurons achieve diverse goals, such as optimising efficiency or making predictions about the future. The PhD will include both a theoretical and an experimental component. The theoretical part will extend work by Chalk et al. to develop a general theory of neural coding (Chalk et al. NIPS 2016, Chalk et al. bioArxiv 2016). The experimental part, where we will test this theory in the retina, will be in close collaboration with the lab of Olivier Marre, who have developed techniques for recording from hundreds of retinal ganglion cells simultaneously (e.g. Marre et al. PLoS Comp. 2015). The Vision Institute is a stimulating environment for brain research. It brings together in a single building researchers, clinicians and industrial partners in order to discover, test and develop treatments and technological innovations for the benefit of visually impaired patients. The ideal candidate should have a strong quantitative background, with a masters degree in fields such as physics, computer science or computational neuroscience. Applications should include a CV, a short letter of motivation (max 1 page), and letter of recommendation. The earliest starting date is January 2018. Electronic submissions should be sent to Matthew Chalk (matthewjchalk(a)gmail.com <mailto:matthewjchalk@gmail.com>). Feel free to ask any informal questions if you are interested.

Nov. 16, 2017

Deadline Approaching: Theoretical/Statistical Neuroscience Faculty Openings at Columbia

by Allison Ong

Dear Colleague, This is a friendly reminder that *Dec 1, 2017 *is the deadline for Columbia's search for *two faculty positions in Theoretical and Statistical Neuroscience.* We would appreciate it if you could forward the information below or the flier attached to any interested candidates. The link to apply is: academicjobs.columbia.edu/ applicants/Central?quickFind=65051 Thanks and Best Wishes, Larry Abbott and Liam Paninski *Two Junior Faculty Position in Theoretical / Statistical Neuroscience* The Department of Neuroscience, the Department of Statistics, and the Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute at Columbia University invite applications for two tenure-track positions at the Assistant or Associate Professor level, to begin in 2018. One position will focus on theoretical neuroscience with an appointment in the Department of Neuroscience. The other position will focus on the application of statistics to neuroscience with an appointment in the Department of Statistics. Both positions will include appointments as well as office and laboratory space in the Center for Theoretical Neuroscience and the Grossman Center of the Statistics of Mind within the Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute housed in the Jerome L. Greene Science Center at Columbia. The Zuckerman Institute brings together scientists from diverse backgrounds whose research focuses on brain function, wiring, and development. We are seeking dynamic scientists interested in exploiting this multidisciplinary environment by interacting with Zuckerman Institute faculty as well as with others in the Columbia neuroscience, biological sciences, physical sciences, statistics, and machine learning communities, including the Data Science Institute. Zuckerman Institute faculty will function as full members of their home departments: tenure will be granted by the home department and faculty will contribute to teaching in their home departments and the Zuckerman Institute. Candidates will be expected to show expertise and an ability to lead a research program in theoretical and/or statistical neuroscience. Applicants are expected to have a strong record of scientific achievement and to demonstrate the ability to engage in innovative research and teaching. Applicants should hold a PhD in neuroscience, statistics, or a related area. Applications should be submitted through this link: academicjobs.columbia.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=65051 The following documents should be uploaded with your application: cover letter, CV, research plan, teaching statement, three letters of reference or a listing of at least three references that can be contacted, and the inclusion of one or two publications. Women and minorities are strongly encouraged to apply. We will start to evaluate applications on December 1, 2017. Columbia University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer --Race/Gender/Disability/Veteran.

Nov. 15, 2017

Call for SMARTSTART Applications

by Smart Start Coordination Office

Ready for a SMARTSTART into Computational Neuroscience? We invite first and second-year Master students with a background in related fields to apply to our joint training program SMARTSTART. The program aims at complementing previous studies with concepts, theories and techniques of Computational Neuroscience. SMARTSTART consists of two programs. Both of them last one year each and take place at numerous locations of the Bernstein Network and further locations throughout Germany. SMARTSTART 1 provides financial support to then second-year Master students, allowing them to attend supplementary courses and training visits at participating institutions. Students will receive an experienced faculty mentor who will advise and guide them at this educational stage. SMARTSTART 2 provides fully funded positions for pre-PhD students. At the start of the program, these students will have already obtained their Master´s degree and are in the process of selecting a PhD project. SMARTSTART 2 allows them to elaborate their own PhD proposal as a collaborative project between two labs. This comprises exchange visits as well as voluntary attendance of lectures and courses offered by participating institutions. Both SMARTSTART programs will commence the next round in the winter term 2018/19. The Deadline for application is Wednesday, February 28, 2018. More information can be found on our website: www.smartstart-compneuro.de<http://www.smartstart-compneuro.de/> Best regards, Kathrin Hebert -- Coordination Office Smart Start - Joint Training Program in Computational Neuroscience Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience | Bernstein Coordination Site (BCOS) Branch Office of the Forschungszentrum Jülich at the University of Freiburg Hansastr. 9A | 79104 Freiburg, Germany phone: (+49) 0761 203 9593 mail: smartstart(a)fz-juelich.de<mailto:smartstart@fz-juelich.de> web: www.nncn.de<http://www.nncn.de> Twitter: NNCN_Germany<https://twitter.com/NNCN_Germany> YouTube: Bernstein TV<https://www.youtube.com/user/BernsteinNetwork> Facebook: Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience, Germany<https://www.facebook.com/BernsteinNetwork/> LinkedIn: Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience, Germany<https://www.linkedin.com/company/bernstein-network-computational-neuroscien…> <https://www.linkedin.com/company/bernstein-network-computational-neuroscien…> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nov. 15, 2017

Princeton Intensive Summer School in Neuroscience

by Carlos Brody

** Princeton Intensive Summer School in Neuroscience ** We want to bring to your attention an intensive 4-week summer course, Cellular, Computational and Cognitive Neuroscience (C3N), designed to introduce physicists, mathematicians, engineers and computer scientists to the major questions and techniques of modern neuroscience, with a special emphasis in both lecture and laboratory components on modern recording and analysis methods, ranging from large scale electrode and optical recording (and optogenetic stimulation) to mathematical analysis of neural dynamics within the datasets produced by these methods. The course and application are described in detail at http://C3N.princeton.edu. Senior graduate students or postdoctoral fellows are particularly appropriate candidates for the C3N course. Grants from the NIMH and the Burroughs Wellcome Foundation allow us to meet the full financial needs of all admitted students. The application deadline is Feb. 1 2018. http://C3N.princeton.edu David Tank, Michael Berry and Alan Gelperin, Princeton Neuroscience Institute

Nov. 14, 2017

Call for Applications - 2018 Nengo Summer School

by Peter Blouw

[All details about this school can be found online at https://www.nengo.ai/summerschool] The Centre for Theoretical Neuroscience at the University of Waterloo is excited to announce a special version of our annual Nengo summer school that will host the* first public access* to *Braindrop*, a new mixed analog-digital neuromorphic chip developed in collaboration with Stanford and Yale. In addition to introducing Braindrop, this two-week school will teach participants to use the Nengo simulation package to build state-of-the-art cognitive and neural models to run both in simulation and on neuromorphic hardware. Nengo provides users with a versatile and powerful environment for designing cognitive and neural systems, and has been used to build what is currently the world's largest functional brain model, Spaun [1]. Nengo is also being used to program a variety of state-of-the-art neuromorphic chips, including Braindrop! For a look at last year's summer school, check out this short video: https://goo.gl/4tVUkQ We welcome applications from all interested graduate students, research associates, postdocs, professors, and industry professionals with a relevant background. [1] Eliasmith, C., Stewart T. C., Choo X., Bekolay T., DeWolf T., Tang Y., Rasmussen, D. (2012). A large-scale model of the functioning brain. Science. Vol. 338 no. 6111 pp. 1202-1205. DOI: 10.1126/science.1225266. [ http://compneuro.uwaterloo.ca/files/publications/eliasmith.2012.pdf] Application Deadline: February 15, 2018 *Format*: A combination of tutorials and project-based work. Participants are encouraged to bring their own ideas for projects, which may focus on testing hypotheses, modeling neural or cognitive data, implementing specific behavioural functions with neurons, expanding past models, or providing a proof-of-concept of various neural mechanisms. Hands-on tutorials, work on individual or group projects, and talks from invited faculty members will make up the bulk of day-to-day activities. A project demonstration event will be held on the last day of the school, with prizes for strong projects! Participants will have the opportunity to learn how to: - interface Nengo with various kinds of neuromorphic hardware - build perceptual, motor, and cognitive models using spiking neurons - model anatomical, electrophysiological, cognitive, and behavioural data - use a variety of single cell models within a large-scale model - integrate machine learning methods into biologically oriented models - interface Nengo with cameras and robotic systems - implement modern nonlinear control methods in neural models - and much more... *Date and Location:* June 3th to June 15th, 2018 at the University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. *Applications*: Please visit http://www.nengo.ai/summerschool, where you can find more information regarding costs, travel, lodging, along with an application form listing required materials. If you have any questions about the school or the application process, please contact Peter Blouw (peter.blouw(a)appliedbrainresearch.com) We look forward to hearing from you!

Nov. 14, 2017

PhD position: Calcium signalling in the C. elegans brain

by Melanie Stefan

PhD position: Using C. elegans and computational modelling to understand the mechanisms governing calcium signalling in the brain A BBSRC-funded PhD position is available at the University of Edinburgh, in a joint project between the Busch lab and the Stefan lab. The project involves studying Calcium signalling in the C. elegans brain, using both experimental methods (genetics, behavioural assays, functional neuronal imaging) and computational modelling. Full funding is available for UK or EU citizens who have been resident in the UK for 3 years prior to commencement. Further details and instructions on how to apply are available here: https://www.findaphd.com/search/ProjectDetails.aspx?PJID=89850 The application deadline is 4 December 2017. If you wish to discuss the project, contact Emanuel Busch (Emanuel.Busch(a)ed.ac.uk) or Melanie Stefan (melanie.stefan(a)ed.ac.uk) -- Melanie I Stefan, PhD Edinburgh-Zhejiang Lecturer University of Edinburgh Edinburgh, UK, EH8 9XD http://melaniestefan.net

Nov. 14, 2017