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

Exciting opportunity in data analysis at the Allen Institute for Brain Science

by Anton Arkhipov

Dear Colleague, A new Scientist position is open at the Allen Institute for Brain Science: https://alleninstitute.hrmdirect.com/employment/job-opening.php?req=498777&… (or, see the posting "Scientist I - Data Analysis in Experiments and Models" at http://www.alleninstitute.org/what-we-do/brain-science/careers/job-search/) This is an exciting opportunity to join a large team of experimentalists and modelers working together to improve our understanding of the cortex. This scientist will be uniquely positioned to bridge our extensive, standardized experimental datasets (in vivo recordings as well as in vitro characterization of cortical cell types and connections) with datasets obtained from large-scale, data driven simulations of cortical activity and computations. We are collecting vast amounts of data, and this position will be essential for converting such data to knowledge. Please see the job description below. Potential applicants should feel free to email Nathan Gouwens (nathang(a)alleninstitute.org<mailto:nathang@alleninstitute.org>) with any questions. Applications should be submitted at the link above. We are looking for excellent candidates! Job description. We are seeking a Scientist to be an essential team member in our ongoing efforts to investigate how the brain extracts and processes information. The core responsibility for this position will be the analysis of neural activity recorded in high-throughput electrophysiological and optophysiological experiments, as well as in large-scale, realistic simulations of the cortex. The major focus will be on characterizing detailed circuits in the visual cortex of the mouse, with a particular emphasis on bridging experimental and modeling work in a team setting. Job Responsibilities: * In a close collaboration between experimentalists and modelers, work as a team member to analyze massive amounts of multimodal data representing visual responses in the cortex. * Develop and maintain analysis techniques and associated software tools, and contribute scientific ideas based on the analysis results. * Work closely with other team members to gain insights on the structure-function relationships in the specific cortical circuits investigated in depth via experiments and modeling. * Publish/present findings in peer-reviewed journals/scientific conferences. * Present a periodic summary of progress to the research community in the organization. Basic Qualifications: * PhD degree in Neurobiology, Bioengineering, Biophysics or related discipline. * Strong computational/data analysis skills; in particular, substantial experience programming in Python and/or MATLAB. * Strong publication record. * Ability to meet aggressive timelines and deliverables in a collaborative environment. * Excellent written and verbal communication skills. * Extensive experience in systems neuroscience (especially, being involved in experimental work) is preferred. * Experience with modeling is a plus. Thank you! Anton. Anton Arkhipov Assistant Investigator T: 206.548.8414 [cid:image001.png@01D2B38E.6F4AD9B0] www.alleninstitute.org<http://www.alleninstitute.org/>

April 12, 2017

G-Node Short Course on Neural Data Analysis 2017

by Thomas Wachtler

G-Node Short Course on Neural Data Analysis 2017 July 31 - Aug 4, 2017 in Munich, Germany The German Neuroinformatics Node organizes its eighth international one-week course on neural data analysis (formerly known as the G-Node Winter Course) at the LMU in Munich. The course offers hands-on experience in state-of-the-art methods for analyzing complex neural data to PhD students and postdocs from both theoretical and experimental backgrounds. Applicants should have an elementary understanding of linear algebra and statistics, as well as basic programming knowledge in either Matlab or Python. Faculty: Jan Grewe · Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen Jannis Hildebrandt · Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg Hendrikje Nienborg · Centre for Integrative Neuroscience Tübingen Fabian Sinz · Baylor College of Medicine Houston Topics: · Spectral analysis · Mutual information · Machine learning · Neural tuning and decoding · Signal Detection Theory · Multi-Channel Recording Analysis · Population Dynamics · Synchronization · Noise · Deadline for application: May 15, 2017 For more information visit http://www.g-node.org/dataanalysis-course-2017

April 12, 2017

Call for Participation: UCL Medical Image Computing Summer School (MedICSS) - 03-07 July 2017

by Andre Altmann

Dear Colleagues, We are pleased to announce the 3rd edition of University College London (UCL) Medical Image Computing Summer School (MedICSS) which will be between the 3rd and 7th of July this year. UCL MedICSS aims to offer young researchers from the international community an exciting opportunity to engage with world-renowned experts in a diverse range of medical image computing topics and learn about the state-of-the-art in the field. Overall, there is a strong neuroimaging theme. The programme will blend lectures by scientific and clinical leaders, with activity-based learning, such as interactive breakout sessions, to foster interaction among the participants and promote critical thinking and scientific discovery. A limited number of scholarships, to cover the registration fee, will be offered based on the submission of a CV and personal statement. The deadline for scholarship applicants is the 1st May 2017, and the final application deadline is 2nd June 2017. However, spaces are limited, so registration will close when the spaces are filled. UCL MedICSS is sponsored by the UCL Centre for Medical Image Computing and UCL's EPSRC funded Centre for Doctoral Training in Medical Imaging. Website: http://medicss.cs.ucl.ac.uk/ Kind Regards Andre Altmann and Matt Clarkson at UCL.

April 12, 2017

PhD studentship in EEG dynamics and dementia - Newcastle (UK)

by Luis Peraza

A PhD position is available at the Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University (Newcastle upon Tyne, UK). The project will investigate the utility of quantitative EEG as a confirmatory biomarker of dementia with Lewy bodies versus Alzheimer's disease, and will also include multimodal neuroimaging with DTI and MRI. This is a 3-year PhD funded by the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Newcastle University. The potential candidate will be based within the Lewy body Lab at the Campus for Ageing and Vitality (www.lewybodylab.org) with a strong collaboration with the Dynamic Connectome Lab ( http://www.dynamic-connectome.org/) The PhD candidate will be supervised by Dr Luis R. Peraza, Dr John-Paul Taylor and Prof Marcus Kaiser. Information for interested researchers can be found here: https://www.findaphd.com/search/PhDDetails.aspx?CAID=3457 http://www.ncl.ac.uk/postgraduate/funding/sources/allstudents/brc01.html Best regards, Luis R. Peraza

April 11, 2017

MSc Neuroscience - University of Freiburg, Germany

by Carsten Mehring

MSc program in Neuroscience - University of Freiburg, Germany We are inviting applications for the interdisciplinary MSc program in Neuroscience at the University of Freiburg, Germany. The program provides theoretical and practical training in neuroscience, covering both the foundations and latest research in the field. It is taught by lecturers from an international scientific community from three faculties and two neuroscience research centres. The modular course structure caters to the specific backgrounds and research interests of each individual student and we offer specialisations in computational neuroscience, neuro-/optophysiology, neurotechnology and developmental neuroscience. All courses are taught in English. We welcome applications with a background in natural sciences, mathematics, behavioural sciences, computer science or engineering sciences. The deadline for applications for the October 2017 entry is the 31st of May 2017. Further details can be found on our homepage http://www.mscneuro.uni-freiburg.de <http://www.mscneuro.uni-freiburg.de/> Please contact mscneuro@uni-freiburg,de for further questions. With kind regards Carsten Mehring — Bernstein Center Freiburg & Faculty of Biology University of Freiburg

April 11, 2017

Conference: Coupling & Causality in Complex Systems

by Michael von Papen

============================================================== CALL FOR PAPERS (Deadline: June 01, 2017) http://c3s.uni-koeln.de ============================================================== INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE: *Coupling and Causality in Complex Systems* September 25-27, 2017, Cologne, Germany -------------------------------------------------------------- The interdisciplinary conference Coupling and Causality in Complex Systems (C3S) is hosted by the Competence Area 3: Quantitative Modeling of Complex Systems of the University of Cologne (UoC), Germany. It is organized by the Institute of Geophysics & Meteorology, UoC, the Institute of Clinical Neuroscience and Psychology, Heinrich-Heine University Düsseldorf and the Department of Cognitive Neuroscience at the Research Center Juelich. -------------------------------------------------------------- *Abstract* Complex systems such as the human brain, Earth’s climate and economy are characterized by a multitude of coupled processes on different spatial and temporal scales. In order to better understand the dynamics of the system at hand each scientific area has developed specific tools to identify, model and quantify these processes. The conference Coupling and Causality in Complex Systems (C3S) will present a collection of these approaches with the aim to provide scientists with new analysis strategies for their field. The conference focuses on how to characterize a complex system and on the methods for estimating and modeling of statistical coupling (e.g. network coherence, creation and modulation of small networks and local or long-range synchronization by cross frequency phase-phase and phase-amplitude coupling) and causality (e.g. Granger causality, transfer entropy). Therefore, data analysts from different study fields including neuroscience, mathematics, physics, biology, and economy will present their approaches with a particular focus on the methods they use. The aim of this conference is to foster discussions and the transdisciplinary exchange of advanced techniques, methods, and algorithms, thereby stimulating potential future collaborations. -------------------------------------------------- *Invited Speakers* Elissa Aminoff - Department of Psychology, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, USA Jörg Breitung - Macroeconomic Policy Institute, University of Cologne, Germany David Gross - Institute of Theoretical Physics, University of Cologne, Germany Philip Holmes - Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering / Princeton Neuroscience Institute, Princeton, USA Ankit Khambhati - Department of Bioengineering, University of Pennsylvania, USA Laura Marzetti - Department of Neuroscience, Università degli Studi "G. d'Annunzio" Chieti - Pescara Arkady Pikovsky - Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University Potsdam, Germany Michael Rosenblum - Institute of Physics and Astronomy, University Potsdam, Germany Jakob Runge - The Grantham Institute for Climate Change, Imperial College London -------------------------------------------------- *Preliminary Session Program* We will have different sessions with differing topics and each session will be opened by one of the invited speakers. Here is a preliminary version of our program: Session 1 Synchronization I Arkady Pikovsky Session 2 Synchronization II Silvia Daun Session 3 Coupled oscillators I Phil Holmes Session 4 Coupled oscillators II Michael Rosenblum Session 5 Phase coupling Laura Marzetti Session 6 Network structures I Elissa Aminoff Session 7 Network structures II Ankit Khambati Session 8 Bayesian networks David Gross Session 9 Granger causality I Jörg Breitung Session 10 Granger causality II Esther Florin Session 11 Causal network measures Jakob Runge Further topics of interest for the conference include, amongst others, research and methods development on: functional connectivity, (partial directed) coherence, network topology, graph-theoretic measures, directed graphs, nonlinear dynamics of complex systems, complex spatio-temporal systems, mutual information and transfer entropy. -------------------------------------------------------------- *Scientific Organizing Committee* Silvia Daun - Institute of Zoology, University of Cologne, Germany; Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Research Center Jülich, Germany Esther Florin - Institute of Clinical Neuroscience and Psychology, Düsseldorf, Germany Joachim Gross - Center for Cognitive Neuroimaging, Glasgow, UK Michael von Papen - Institute of Geophysics & Meteorology, Cologne, Germany; Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Research Center Jülich, Germany -------------------------------------------------------------- PAPER SUBMISSION AND REGISTRATION Authors are invited to submit conference abstracts with up to 400 words. Authors of exceptional abstracts will be given the opportunity to present their research in a talk. However, poster sessions will be provided with ample time for discussions. For your submission, please use the conference website c3s.uni-koeln.de. To register, please send an email with the subject "registration" to c3s-conference(a)uni-koeln.de. Please be sure to include your full name, your affiliation and whether you qualify as student (also PhD candidates) or not. The registration fee will cover snacks and refreshments during coffee breaks, lunch and a dinner with all participants. Early-bird registration is available until July 10 with a reduced fee of 120 EUR (60 EUR for students), after July 10 the registration fee will be 240 EUR (120 EUR for students). -------------------------------------------------------------- IMPORTANT DATES Paper Submission deadline: June 01, 2017 Author Notification: mid June, 2017 Early-bird registration: July 10, 2017 Conference: September 25-27, 2017 ============================================================== Please find the call for papers and more information at the conference website: http://c3s.uni-koeln.de. For questions regarding the conference feel free to contact us via c3s-conference(a)uni-koeln.de. -- ------------------------------------------ UNIVERSITY OF COLOGNE Institute of Geophysics & Meteorology Coordinator of Competence Area III: Quantitative Modeling of Complex Systems Dr. Michael von Papen Email: m.papen(a)uni-koeln.de http://www.uni-koeln.de/~vpapenm http://complexsystems.uni-koeln.de ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 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 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

April 11, 2017

Senior Postdoc for the Dutch Research Consortium 'Language in Interaction' (1.0 FTE)

by Verhoef, J.P. (Julia)

Senior Postdoc for the Dutch Research Consortium 'Language in Interaction' (1.0 FTE) Dutch Research Consortium 'Language in Interaction' Maximum salary: € 4,691 gross/month Vacancy number: 30.01.17 Application deadline: 17 April 2017 [Logo NWO] [Logo] Responsibilities The Language in Interaction research consortium invites applications for a senior postdoctoral position. You will contribute to the integration of empirical research in our consortium. You will act in close collaboration with Peter Hagoort, programme director of the consortium. This position provides the opportunity for conducting world-class research as a member of an interdisciplinary team. Moreover, it will provide the opportunity to contribute to developing a theoretical framework for our understanding of the human language faculty. Work environment The Netherlands has an outstanding track record in the language sciences. The Language in Interaction research consortium, which is sponsored by a large grant from the Netherlands Organization for Scientific research (NWO), brings together many of the excellent research groups in the Netherlands in a research programme on the foundations of language. In addition to excellence in the domain of language and related relevant fields of cognition, our consortium provides state-of-the-art research facilities and a research team with ample experience in the complex research methods that will be invoked to address the scientific questions at the highest level of methodological sophistication. These include methods from genetics, neuroimaging, computational modelling, and patient-related research. This consortium realises both quality and critical mass for studying human language at a scale not easily found anywhere else. We have identified five Big Questions (BQ) that are central to our understanding of the human language faculty. These questions are interrelated at multiple levels. Teams of researchers will collaborate to collectively address these key questions of our field. Our five Big Questions are: BQ1: The nature of the mental lexicon: How to bridge neurobiology and psycholinguistic theory by computational modelling? BQ2: What are the characteristics and consequences of internal brain organization for language? BQ3: Creating a shared cognitive space: How is language grounded in and shaped by communicative settings of interacting people? BQ4: Variability in language processing and in language learning: Why does the ability to learn language change with age? How can we characterise and map individual language skills in relation to the population distribution? BQ5: How are other cognitive systems shaped by the presence of a language system in humans? You will be appointed at the Donders Institute, Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging (Radboud University, Nijmegen). The research is conducted in an international setting at all participating institutions. English is the lingua franca. What we expect from you We are looking for a highly motivated, creative and talented candidate to enrich a unique consortium of researchers that aims to unravel the neurocognitive mechanisms of language at multiple levels. The goal is to understand both the universality and the variability of the human language faculty from genes to behaviour. The selection criteria include: · a PhD in an area related to the neurobiology of language and/or language sciences; · expertise/interest in theoretical neuroscience and language; · an integrative mindset; · a theory-driven approach; · good communication skills; · excellent proficiency in written and spoken English. What we have to offer · employment: 1.0 FTE; · a maximum gross monthly salary of € 4,691 based on a 38-hour working week (salary scale 11); · in addition to the salary: an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus; · you will be appointed for an initial period of 18 months, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, the contract will be extended by 30 months; · the Collective Labour Agreement (CAO) of Dutch Universities is applicable; · you will be classified as Researcher, level 3 in the Dutch university job-ranking system (UFO); · the Dutch universities and institutes involved have a number of regulations that enable employees to create a good work-life balance. Are you interested in our excellent employment conditions<http://www.ru.nl/english/arbeidsvoorwaarden?kn>? Other Information The institute involved is an equal opportunity employer, committed to building a culturally diverse intellectual community, and as such encourages applications from women and minorities. Would you like to know more? Further information on: Language in Interaction<http://www.languageininteraction.nl/> Further information on: Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour<http://www.ru.nl/donders/> For more information about this vacancy, please contact: Prof. dr. Peter Hagoort, programme director Language in Interaction and director of DCCN Telephone: +31 24 3610648, +31 24 3521301 E-mail: p.hagoort(a)donders.ru.nl<mailto:p.hagoort@donders.ru.nl> Are you interested? You should upload your application (attn. of Prof. dr. P. Hagoort) exclusively using the button 'Apply' below. Your application should include (and be limited to) the following attachment(s): · a cover letter · your curriculum vitae, including a list of publications and the names of at least two people who can provide references Please apply before 17 April 2017, 23:59 CET. [Apply]<http://www.ru.nl/applyonline?recid=597054&tk=uk> No commercial propositions please.

April 11, 2017

PI 'Neural basis of Language' in Dutch Consortium Language in Interaction (1, 0 fte)

by Verhoef, J.P. (Julia)

PI 'Neural basis of Language' in Dutch Consortium Language in Interaction (1,0 fte) Language in Interaction Consortium Maximum salary: € 5.523,65 gross/month Application deadline: April 17, 2017, 23:59 CET Responsibilities The NWO Gravitation consortium 'Language in Interaction' invites applications for a PI position. We are looking for a highly motivated, creative and talented researcher who is able to establish a PI group on 'the neural basis of language'. You and your group will enrich a unique consortium of researchers that aims to unravel the neurocognitive mechanisms of language at multiple levels. The goal is to understand both the universality and the variability of the human language faculty from genes to behaviour. You will be given the opportunity to establish your own independent research group, and you will have free access to the scanning facilities at Donders Institute. You will be expected to conduct research in one or more research areas relevant to the position applied for. Supervision of BSc, MSc and PhD projects will be part of your responsibilities. Administrative duties will include local and/or national and international committee memberships. You will be provided with budgetary resources for a PhD candidate or technician, materials and travelling. You will be eligible to apply for further funding both internally and externally. Work environment The Netherlands has an outstanding track record in the language sciences. The research consortium 'Language in Interaction', sponsored by a large grant from the Netherlands Organization for Scientific research (NWO) brings together many of the excellent research groups in the Netherlands with a research programme on the foundations of language. Excellence in the domain of language and related relevant fields of cognition is combined with state-of-the-art research facilities and a research team with ample experience in complex research methods and utilization. This consortium achieves both quality and critical mass for studying human language at a scale not easily found anywhere else in the world. The position will be embedded in the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics and Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour at Radboud University. Both institutes conduct research in an international setting. English is the lingua franca. Your primary working environment is the Donders Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging. What we expect from you You should have in-depth expertise in the application of advanced MEG and/or MR techniques (network analysis, diffusion weighted imaging, cortical thickness imaging, resting state measurement, voxel based morphometry, etc.) to the study of the 'language networks' in the brain. You should also have a solid neuroanatomical knowledge. The selection criteria include: - a PhD degree in any relevant field; - an interest in and focus on the language system; - relevant structural imaging expertise; - relevant neurophysiological expertise; - solid neuroanatomical knowledge; - leadership potential and experience with successfully applying for external funding; - an excellent scientific track record; - excellent organizational and communicative skills; - excellent skills in written and spoken English. What we offer We offer you: - employment: 1,0 fte (39-hour working week); - starting salary will be based on Tarifvertrag im Öffentlichen Dienst (TVöD Bund), Entgeltgruppe 13; - the starting salary depends on qualifications and experience; - in addition to the salary: an 8% holiday allowance; - budget for a PhD position as a start-up for your research group; - you will be appointed for a period of 48 months with a trial period of 12 months; - after four years, there will be good prospects for continuation if your performance is evaluated positively - the Max Planck Institute involved has a number of regulations that make it possible for employees to create a good work-life balance. Other Information The two institutes involved are equal opportunity employers, committed to building a culturally diverse intellectual community, and as such encourage applications from women and minorities. Would you like to know more? Further information on: Language in Interaction Consortium Further information on: Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour Further information on: Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics Prof. dr. Peter Hagoort, programme director Language in Interaction and director of MPI Telephone: +31 24 3610648, +31 24 3521301 E-mail: peter.hagoort(a)mpi.nl Prof. dr. David Norris, director of the Donders Institute, Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging Telephone: +31 24 3610649 E-mail: d.norris(a)donders.ru.nl<mailto:d.norris@donders.ru.nl> Applications Are you interested? You should send your application (attn. of Prof. dr. Peter Hagoort) to Julia Verhoef (j.verhoef(a)donders.ru.nl) Your application should include (and be limited to) the following attachments: • a cover letter; • your curriculum vitae, including a list of publications and the names of at least two people who can provide references; Kind regards, Julia Verhoef Secretary - Language in Interaction Consortium Radboud University | Donders Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging (DCCN) | room 0.013 Kapittelweg 29, 6525 EN Nijmegen, The Netherlands | P.O. Box 9101, 6500 HB, Nijmegen, The Netherlands | T: +31 (0)24 3666272 | E: J.Verhoef(a)donders.ru.nll|<mailto:C.Lorenz@donders.ru.nl%7C> Office hours: 9-14 hr on Mon - Fri

April 11, 2017

2017 NEURON Summer Course

by Ted Carnevale

This year's NEURON Summer Course is starting to fill up, so you should act soon if you are interested in taking it. The course runs from Monday, June 5, through Saturday, June 10, and will be held at Wright State University in Fairborn, Ohio. It will present a thorough introduction to computational modeling of neurons and networks with NEURON, and is suitable for individuals at all levels of expertise. In order to provide expanded coverage of parallel simulation, and to give participants more time for active learning exercises, we have increased the course duration to 6 days (5 in previous years). Space is limited, and applications will be considered in the order received. No applications will be accepted after the Monday, May 15, 2017 registration deadline, and there will be no on-site registration. For more information and the on-line registration form, see http://www.neuron.yale.edu/neuron/static/courses/summer2017/summer2017.html --Ted

April 10, 2017

PhD position in multimodal neuroimaging in Munich

by Igor Yakushev

A PhD position is available at the Department of Nuclear Medicine (Head of Neuroimaging: Dr. Igor Yakushev), Technical University of Munich (TUM), Germany. The project will investigate neuronal substrates of training-induced cognitive improvement in middle-aged healthy subjects at the level of large-scale brain connectivity. The study involves analyses of PET, fMRI and DTI data. This three-year PhD position is funded by a grant of the German Research Foundation (DFG). Extra salary is possible, depending on the qualification of the student. The position is available immediatelym; the starting date is negotiable. The Dept. of Nuclear Medicine offers exciting opportunities for neuroimaging research in an interdisciplinary environment consisting of computational scientists, medical physicists, and clinicians, and access to state-of-the-art technology including a hybrid PET/MR scanner. The research group is integrated into the TUM Neuroimaging Center, which possesses a broad methodological and thematic expertise: http://www.tumnic.mri.tum.de/tumnic/index.html The PhD student will be enrolled at a TUM graduate school that offers a structured curriculum of courses and seminars and supports participation in conferences and international exchange: http://www.gs.tum.de/en/home/ There is no tuition fee at the TUM. Prior experience with image analysis, programming (especially python, matlab) and good statistical skills are required. Interested researchers should submit their applications including CV, two recommendation letters (or names and contact details of personal references), and a brief letter of motivation to Dr. Yakushev at igor.yakushev(a)tum.de Applications will be considered until the position has been filled.

April 10, 2017