February 2019 - Comp-neuro - lists.cnsorg.org

Ottawa Summer School: Application Deadline Approaching

by Richard Naud

Dear comp-neuro, This is a second announcement for the Summer School of the Centre for Neural Dynamics<http://www.neurodynamic.uottawa.ca/summer.html> At the University of Ottawa May 26 - June 7, 2019 The application deadline on Feb. 15 is quickly approaching. The course is intended for graduate students and undergraduate students in their third and fourth year of study in the physical sciences (e.g. physics, applied mathematics, engineering, computer science) and the life sciences (e.g. neuroscience, biology, physiology, human kinetics) who wish to develop their skills in neural data analysis and in mathematical modeling of neural activity. The topics will range from cellular to systems neuroscience, with applications in medicine. Individuals outside of academia may also participate. The first week will consist of 3 hours of lectures in the mornings followed by an afternoon of relatedcomputer-based laboratories. The second week will consist of 3 hours of lectures in the mornings, followed by an afternoon of interactive discussions and brainstorming activities. Each day will focus on a different subject in systems neuroscience and/or medicine. Participants will work in small groups with mentors, and will be prepared for these activities by directed readings. Later in the afternoon, groups will convene into a plenary session with our experts to identify proper computational questions and associated timely research projects on the focus theme. All classes will be held on the main downtown campus of the University of Ottawa. The course can also be taken for credit, since it is a University of Ottawa three-credit graduate course (NSC8104). The mark will be based on work done in the computer laboratories and a project. All students receive a letter stating that they satisfactorily participated in the school, regardless of whether they take the course for credit. Those taking it for credit will receive their mark from the University of Ottawa Registrar's Office later in the summer. Important Dates January 6, 2019: Registration opens. February 15, 2019: Application deadline (including letter of recommendation). Faculty * Prof. André Longtin (uOttawa) * Prof. Richard Naud (uOttawa) * Prof. John Lewis (uOttawa) * Prof. Maia Fraser (uOttawa) * Prof. Len Maler (uOttawa) * Prof. Jean-Philippe Thivierge (uOttawa) * Prof. Jean-Claude Béïque (uOttawa) * Prof. Maurice Chacron (McGill) * Prof. Jonathan Rubin (U Pitt) * Prof. Simon Chen (uOttawa) * Prof. Blake Richards (McGill,MILA) * Prof. Steve Prescott (U Toronto) * Dr. Saskia De Vries (Allen Institute) Sponsored by OCNS and uOBMRI. Organizers André Longtin Richard Naud John Lewis

Feb. 6, 2019

Independent group leader positions in ML & Neuroscience, Tübingen, Germany

by Philipp Berens

The Cluster of Excellence "Machine Learning - New Perspectives for Science" (http://www.ml-in-science.uni-tuebingen.de/) at the University of Tübingen is looking for independent group leaders in machine learning and its scientific applications, including neuroscience: https://www.nature.com/naturecareers/job?id=674387 Appointments can be made at various levels, dependent on experience. Tübingen has a rich computational neuroscience scene to connect with, including faculty members Matthias Bethge, Peter Dayan and others: https://www.bccn-tuebingen.de/faculty.html We are looking forward to your application! -- Prof. Dr. Philipp Berens University of Tübingen Institute for Ophthalmic Research http://www.berenslab.org phone: +49-7071-2988833

Feb. 6, 2019

Open Position: Head of the Laboratory Neurophysics at U Goettingen, Campus Institute for Dynamics of Biological Networks

by von Behren, Christina

To whom it may concern, The Campus Institute for Dynamics of Biological Networks at the Georg-August-Universität Göttingen invites applications for the position as Head of the Laboratory Neurophysics This position is available immediately. This is a full time position with an unlimited contract. Salary and working hours will be according to the German pay scale 14 TV-L. The mission of the Laboratory Neurophysics will be to study the dynamics of neurons and neuronal populations, utilizing biophysical approaches, cellular electrophysiology, and neural interface technologies. The Head of the unit will guide the operation of the laboratory, design and conduct studies, supervise scientists, develop instrumentation, and acquire independent research funding. The Laboratory Neurophysics will serve as an interface for collaborative projects at the Göttingen Campus on the dynamics of neuronal cells and populations and their control through neural interfaces. The Head of the Laboratory Neurophysics will contribute to such collaborative research projects as well as to interdisciplinary teaching and training at the faculties of biology, physics, and in the biomedical sciences. Teaching subjects will in particular include quantitative concepts and methods of experimental and theoretical neuroscience, neural interface technologies and their applications in fundamental research, neural prosthetics, and the restoration of sensory and motor function. The successful candidate holds a Master in Science, University Diploma or equivalent, and a PhD or equivalent in biophysics, neuroscience or a related field, has a strong track record in biophysics and experimental and computational neuroscience, and an excellent publication record. We are looking for a person with in-depth experience in advanced quantitative methodologies and mathematical modelling in neuroscience/biophysics and the corresponding mathematical and programming capabilities. Experience with neural interfaces, quantitative imaging, cellular electrophysiology, molecular biology, and in vitro model systems will be essential. In order to optimally interact with partners on the Göttingen Campus, a broad range of research capabilities are expected: These include state of the art knowledge in synaptic and cellular physiology, in the biophysical basis of neural interface technologies, and in the development of instrumentation for stimulating animal and human brains. Experience with the study of cognitive and sensory-motor functions as well as with human studies will be advantageous. Neuroscience is a rapidly evolving field. We are looking for a person with the propensity to develop methods, rapidly adopt novel technologies and initiate cooperations with academic and industry partners. Experience in teaching and student supervision is required and should be documented in the application. Teaching languages are German and English. The Göttingen Campus is a leading center of neuroscience in Europe, hosting numerous internationally renowned research institutions, including the University and its Medical Center, the five Max Planck Institutes, the European Neuroscience Institute, the German Primate Center, and the Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience (BCCN) Göttingen. The Campus Institute for Dynamics of Biological Networks (CIDBN) is a newly founded transdisciplinary institute. Its mission is to foster frontier research at the border of the exact and biological sciences and to develop advanced mathematical and computational concepts for the analysis of biological networks. On the Göttingen Campus, the CIDBN closely interacts with the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization, the Max Planck Institute for Experimental Medicine, the German Primate Center, the faculties of Physics and Biology and the University Medical Center. It participates in three key research foci: Primate Cognition, Physics to Medicine and Life at the Nanoscale. The University of Göttingen is an equal opportunities employer and places particular emphasis on fostering career opportunities for women. Qualified women are therefore strongly encouraged to apply in fields in which they are underrepresented. The university has committed itself to being a family-friendly institution and supports their employees in balancing work and family life. The mission of the University is to employ a greater number of severely disabled persons. Applications from severely disabled persons with equivalent qualifications will be given preference. Please send your e-mail application, preferably in one single PDF-document, including a letter of interest, your curriculum vitae, a list of publications, copies of certificates and contact information of at least two references by Feb. 22nd, 2019 to simone.kleinhans(a)biologie.uni-goettingen.de<mailto:simone.kleinhans@biologie.uni-goettingen.de> (Subject: Neurophysics, CIDBN). Georg-August-Universität Göttingen, Johann-Friedrich-Blumenbach-Institut für Zoologie und Anthropologie, Department Systems Neuroscience, Mrs Simone Kleinhans, Von-Siebold-Str. 6, 37075 Göttingen. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Yvonne Reimann via e-mail: yvonne.reimann(a)uni-goettingen.de<mailto:yvonne.reimann@uni-goettingen.de>. Please note: With submission of your application, you accept the processing of your applicant data in terms of data-protection law. Further information on the legal basis and data usage is provided in the Hinweisblatt zur Datenschutzgrundverordnung (DSGVO) https://www.uni-goettingen.de/hinweisdsgvo Kind regards, Christina von Behren -- Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization Bernstein Centre for Computational Neuroscience Postal address: Max-Planck-Institute for Experimental Medicine Hermann-Rein-Str. 3 37075 Goettingen Germany Email: christina.vonbehren(a)ds.mpg.de<mailto:christina.vonbehren@ds.mpg.de> Tel.: +49-(0)551-39-26674

Feb. 5, 2019

11 PhD / 12 Postdoc positions, Science of Intelligence research

by Sprekeler, Henning

APPLY BY 15 FEBRUARY 2019 *Science of Intelligence Berlin - Cluster of Excellence* *11 PhD and 12 Postdoc positions* with Principal Investigators at six participating institutions Cross-disciplinary research in artificial intelligence, machine learning, control, robotics, computer vision, behavioral biology, cognitive science, psychology, educational science, neuroscience, and philosophy Starting dates: Summer / Fall 2019 Duration of positions: 3 years Salary level: TV-L 13, 100% for all positions What are the principles of intelligence, shared by all forms of intelligence, no matter whether artificial or biological, whether robot, computer program, human, or animal? And how can we apply these principles to create intelligent technology? Answering these questions - in an ethically responsible way - is the central scientific objective of the new Cluster of Excellence Science of Intelligence: www.scioi.de<http://www.scioi.de> Researchers from a large number of analytic and synthetic disciplines - artificial intelligence, machine learning, control, robotics, computer vision, behavioral biology, cognitive science, psychology, educational science, neuroscience, and philosophy - join forces to create a multi-disciplinary research program across universities and research institutes in Berlin. Our approach is driven by the insight that any method, concept, and theory must demonstrate its merits by contributing to the intelligent behavior of a synthetic artifact, such as a robot or a computer program. These artifacts represent the shared "language" across disciplines, enabling the validation, combination, transfer, and extension of research results. Thus we expect to attain cohesion among disciplines, which currently produce their own theories and empirical findings about aspects of intelligence. Interdisciplinary research projects have been defined which combine analytic and synthetic research and which address key aspects of individual, social, and collective intelligence. In addition the Science of Intelligence graduate program promotes the cross-disciplinary education of young scientists on a Master, PhD, and postdoctoral level. All PhD students associated with the cluster are expected to join the Science of Intelligence doctoral program: www.scioi.de/education/doctoral-program<http://www.scioi.de/education/doctoral-program> The cluster welcomes applications from all disciplines that contribute to intelligence research. Information on the required documents and the application process (including deadline and timeline for reviews and interviews) may be obtained from: www.scioi.de/call-for-applications/application-process<http://www.scioi.de/call-for-applications/application-process> Further information on the individual PhD and postdoctoral research projects is available at: www.scioi.de/call-for-applications/open-positions<http://www.scioi.de/call-for-applications/open-positions> Applicants wishing to apply for several projects need to provide separate applications for each project. SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION HERE: https://www.scienceofintelligence.de/call-for-applications/open-positions/ --- Prof. Dr. Henning Sprekeler Technische Universität Berlin & Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin Email: h.sprekeler(a)tu-berlin.de<mailto:h.sprekeler@tu-berlin.de>

Feb. 4, 2019

6 open PhD and Postdoc Positions - Prof. Pipa - Neuroinformatics, University of Osnabrueck - Germany

by Prof. Dr. Gordon Pipa

We have 6 open Positions in the Lab of Prof. Pipa, Neuroinformatics, Institute of Cognitive Science, Germany : 1) Postdoc Position in the Field of Deep Learning and Big Data in the domain of weather forecasts. https://www.uni-osnabrueck.de/universitaet/stellenangebote/stellenangebote_d etail/11_ikw_phd_candidate.html 2) PhD Position in the Field of circuit design (i.e. low power low budget mixed analogue and digital components), prototyping and programming of embedded system for the development of a low budget EEG wireless system. https://www.uni-osnabrueck.de/universitaet/stellenangebote/stellenangebote_d etail/25_ikw_research_assistant.html 3) PhD Position in the Field on Computational Cognition, Deep Learning and Theoretical Neuroscience. https://www.uni-osnabrueck.de/universitaet/stellenangebote/stellenangebote_d etail/11_ikw_phd_candidate.html 4) 3 PhD positions in the field of theoretical Neuroscience, Neuroinformatics. https://www.uni-osnabrueck.de/universitaet/stellenangebote/stellenangebote_d etail/26_ikw_research_assistant.html Osnabrück University has been certified as a family-friendly university committed to helping working/studying parents and careers balance their family and work life. The university aspires to ensure equal opportunities for men and women and strives to work towards a gender balance in schools or departments where new appointments are made. If equally qualified candidates apply, preference will be given to those with special needs. Applications with the usual documentation should be submitted by e-mail in a single PDF-file to the Director of the Institute of Cognitive Science (office(a)ikw.uni-osnabrueck.de <mailto:office@ikw.uni-osnabrueck.de> ) no later than February 21, 2019. Further information can be obtained from Prof. Dr. Gordon Pipa (gpipa(a)uni-osnabrueck.de <mailto:gpipa@uni-osnabrueck.de> ). Professor and Chair of the Neuroinformatics Department Dr. rer. nat. Gordon Pipa Institute of Cognitive Science, Room 50/218 University of Osnabrueck Wachsbleiche 27, 49090 Osnabrück, Germany tel. +49 (0) 541-969-2277 fax (private). +49 (0) 5405- 500 80 98 home office. +49 (0) 5405- 500 90 95 e-mail: gpipa(a)uos.de webpage: <http://www.ni.uos.de/> http://www.ni.uos.de research gate: <https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Gordon_Pipa/?ev=prf_act> https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Gordon_Pipa/?ev=prf_act linkedin: <https://de.linkedin.com/in/gordon-pipa-47771539> https://de.linkedin.com/in/gordon-pipa-47771539 Personal Assistent and Secretary of the Neuroinformatic lab: Anna Jungeilges Tel. +49 (0)541 969-2390 Fax +49 (0)541 969-2246 Email: <mailto:anna.jungeilges@uni-osnabrueck.de> anna.jungeilges(a)uni-osnabrueck.de visit us on <http://www.facebook.com/CognitiveScienceOsnabruck> http://www.facebook.com/CognitiveScienceOsnabruck <https://twitter.com/#!/CogSciUOS> https://twitter.com/#!/CogSciUOS

Feb. 4, 2019

Associate Professor in Mathematical Imaging / Neuroimaging / Computational Neuroscience

by Stephen Coombes

Dear all, As part of the growth of activity in Precision Imaging at Nottingham there is an opening at Associate Professor level in the area of Mathematical Imaging. The post-holder will undertake original research of international excellence in Mathematical Imaging or closely related areas including Neuroimaging and Computational Neuroscience, complementing and enhancing the current activity of the Mathematical Medicine and Biology group (https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/cmmb/index.aspx) and the University Beacon in Precision Imaging (https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/research/beacons-of-excellence/precision-imagi…) For information about how to apply please visit https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/jobs/currentvacancies/ref/MED1511X1 Closing Date: Wednesday, 20th March 2019 Informal enquiries may be addressed to stephen.coombes(a)nottingham.ac.uk<mailto:stephen.coombes@nottingham.ac.uk> Best regards, Steve ------------------------------------------------------- Stephen Coombes Professor of Applied Mathematics School of Mathematical Sciences Nottingham, UK Tel: 0115 846 7836 http://www.maths.nott.ac.uk/~sc/ ------------------------------------------------------- This message and any attachment are intended solely for the addressee and may contain confidential information. If you have received this message in error, please contact the sender and delete the email and attachment. Any views or opinions expressed by the author of this email do not necessarily reflect the views of the University of Nottingham. Email communications with the University of Nottingham may be monitored where permitted by law.

Feb. 1, 2019

[meetings] CfP Workshop on Naturalistic Non-Verbal and Affective Human-Robot Interactions, IEEE ICDL-EpiRob 2019

by Nicolás Navarro-Guerrero

*** Apologies for cross-posting *** Dear Colleagues, We would like to cordially invite you to submit a paper to the IEEE ICDL-EpiRob 2019 Workshop on Naturalistic Non-Verbal and Affective Human-Robot Interactions. ================================================================== Call for Contributions and Participation IEEE ICDL-EpiRob 2019 Workshop on Naturalistic Non-Verbal and Affective Human-Robot Interactions 19th August 2019, Oslo, Norway Website: https://nicolas-navarro-guerrero.gitlab.io/workshop-non-verbal-human-robot-… Humans continually manifest non-verbal and affective cues and expressions used to foster cooperation, mutual understanding and signal trustworthiness. If these cues are not appropriately reciprocated, however, the interaction can be negatively impacted. Moreover, inappropriate reciprocation, or lack thereof, may be the result of misperception and or non-timely reactions. Failure to adequately account for biologically plausible perceptual and temporal facets of interactions may detract from the quality of human-robot interaction and hinder progress in the field of social robotics more generally. Incorporation of naturalistic and adaptive forms of sensorimotor and affective human-robot non-verbal communication is challenging because such interaction is highly dependent on the context and the relationship between the observer and the expresser. Biological species based interaction often requires explicit forms of social signalling such as nodding, nonverbal gestures, emotional expressions, etc., the interpretation of all of which may be highly context-sensitive. Furthermore, naturalistic social signalling may involve a certain degree of mimicry of autonomic responses such as pupil dilation, blinking, blushing, etc. which, in human-robot interaction requires the implementation of time-sensitive perceptual mechanisms currently underused in both commercial and research robotics platforms. In this workshop, we will investigate and discuss to what extent the aforementioned naturalistic social signalling capabilities needs to be accounted for in human-robot interaction and what modalities are more relevant, and in what contexts. The workshop will focus strongly on research motivated by naturalistic empirical data. We hope to provide a discussion friendly environment to connect with research covering complementary interests in the areas of robotics, computer science, psychology, neuroscience, affective computing and animal learning research. The primary list of topics covers the following (but not limited to): - Emotion recognition - Gesture recognition - Social gaze recognition - The development of expression and recognition capabilities - Joint visual attention and activity - Alignment in social interactions - Non-verbal cues in human-robot interaction Invited Speakers Stefanie Höhl, University of Vienna, Austria Christian Balkenius, Lund University, Sweden Kerstin Dautenhahn, University of Waterloo, Canada Important Dates: Paper submission deadline: 12th May 2019 Notification of acceptance: 7th June 2019 Camera-ready version: 1st August 2019 Workshop: 19th August 2019 Participants are invited to submit short papers (max. 4 pages) following the standard IEEE conference template, link at the workshop webpage. Send your PDF manuscript indicating [ICDL-EPIROB 2019] in the subject to: nng(a)ieee.org . Selected contributions will be presented during the workshop. Organizers: Nicolás Navarro-Guerrero, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark Robert Lowe, University of Gothenburg, Sweden Best regards, Nicolás -- Nicolás Navarro-Guerrero Assistant Professor Department of Engineering, and School of Culture and Society Aarhus University, Denmark E-mail: nng(a)eng.au.dk https://nicolas-navarro-guerrero.github.io/ https://socialrobotics.au.dk/ Aarhus University Finlandsgade 22, building 5125 8200 Aarhus N Denmark Tel.: +45 8715 0000 eng(a)au.dk www.eng.au.dk/en/

Feb. 1, 2019