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

Creating a list of important computational predictions
by Yiota Poirazi 04 Jan '21

04 Jan '21

Dear all, I believe you would agree that, the greatest recognition of our computational work comes with the experimental verification of our computational predictions. To highlight the most important outcomes of our theoretical work and facilitate a closer interaction with experimental labs so as to increase the chances of our predictions being experimentally tested, I would like to encourage you to nominate your favorite prediction at the following google form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeJZ2RrXJ0nZonIuyNzN0Cl gXDKDb7xTzoJOiqZTGxm9Kh7ow/viewform?c=0&w=1&usp=mail_form_link This effort started during the CNS 2017 meeting in Antwerp with the support of the OCNS Board. The resulting list will be posted on the CNS 2017 web site and disseminated in social media, as a reference for experimentalists. Thank you very much for supporting this important effort! Best wishes, Yiota Poirazi -- Panayiota Poirazi, Ph.D. Research Director Computational Biology Laboratory Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB) Foundation of Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH) Vassilika Vouton, P.O.Box 1385, GR 70013, Heraklion, Crete GREECE Tel: +30 2810 391139 Fax: +30 2810 391101 Εmail: poirazi(a)imbb.forth.gr Lab site: www.dendrites.gr FENS-Kavli Network of Excellence <http://www.fens.org/Outreach/FENS-Kavli-Network-of-Excellence/> -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by *E.F.A. Project* <http://www.efa-project.org>, and is believed to be clean. Click here to report this message as spam. <http://mailgate1.imbb.forth.gr/cgi-bin/learn-msg.cgi?id=4BCD7A00A1.A57D7&to…> -- Panayiota Poirazi, Ph.D. Research Director Computational Biology Laboratory Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB) Foundation of Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH) Vassilika Vouton, P.O.Box 1385, GR 70013, Heraklion, Crete GREECE Tel: +30 2810 391139 Fax: +30 2810 391101 Εmail: poirazi(a)imbb.forth.gr Lab site: www.dendrites.gr FENS-Kavli Network of Excellence <http://www.fens.org/Outreach/FENS-Kavli-Network-of-Excellence/>

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PhD Positions in Computational Neuroscience at the University of Hertfordshire
by Volker Steuber 30 Apr '20

30 Apr '20

PhD Positions in Computational Neuroscience Biocomputation Research Group Centre for Computer Science and Informatics Research University of Hertfordshire UK Applications are invited for PhD positions in the Biocomputation Research Group at the University of Hertfordshire. Projects involve the development and simulation of models of neurons and neuronal networks to study information processing in the brain and /or the application of machine learning techniques for the analysis of neural data. A description of our research interests and a list of publications can be found on our webpage (http://biocomputation.herts.ac.uk/). Applicants should have excellent computational and numerical skills and a very good first degree in computer science, biology, maths, physics, neuroscience, or a related discipline. Successful candidates are eligible for a research studentship award from the University (GBP 15,009 per annum bursary plus payment of the student fees). Applicants from outside the UK or EU are eligible. Research in Computer Science at the University of Hertfordshire has been recognised as excellent in the latest Research Excellence Framework Assessment, with 50% of the research submitted rated as internationally excellent or world leading. The Centre for Computer Science and Informatics Research provides a very stimulating environment, offering a large number of specialised and interdisciplinary seminars as well as general training and researcher development opportunities. The University is situated in Hatfield, in the green belt just north of London. Please contact Dr Volker Steuber for informal enquiries. Application forms are available under http://www.herts.ac.uk/apply/schools-of-study/computer-science/our-research… and should be returned to [https://www.herts.ac.uk/__data/assets/image/0016/203434/uhsociallogo.png]<http://www.herts.ac.uk/apply/schools-of-study/computer-science/our-research…> The PhD Programme in Computer Science<http://www.herts.ac.uk/apply/schools-of-study/computer-science/our-research…> See a list of exciting research topics www.herts.ac.uk Lynette Spelman and Emma Thorogood Research Student Administrators University of Hertfordshire College Lane Hatfield, Herts AL10 9AB tel: +44 (0)1707 286083 doctoralcollegeadmissions(a)herts.ac.uk The short-listing process will begin on 1 July 2019.

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[publication and call for dialog] IEEE CIS Newsletter on Cognitive and Developmental Systems
by Pierre-Yves Oudeyer 23 Jan '20

23 Jan '20

Dear colleagues, we are happy to announce the release of the latest issue of the IEEE CIS Newsletter on Cognitive and Developmental Systems (open access). This is a biannual newsletter addressing the sciences of developmental and cognitive processes in natural and artificial organisms, from humans to robots, at the crossroads of cognitive science, developmental psychology, artificial intelligence, machine learning and neuroscience. It is available at: https://goo.gl/NAwBfD Featuring dialog: === "Curiosity as Driver of Extreme Specialization in Humans" == Dialog initiated by Celeste Kidd with responses from: Elizabeth Bonawitz, Maya Zhe Wang, Brian Sweis, Benjamin Hayden, Susan Engel, Abigail Hsiung, Shabnam Hakimi, Alison Adcock, Moritz Daum, Arjun Shankar, Tobias Hauser, Goren Gordon and Perry Zurn == Topic: Curiosity-driven learning is probably one of the most fundamental mechanisms in human learning, and yet it is also probably one of the least understood. Broadly construed as spontaneous exploration and engagement with activities or material without any extrinsic goal (as opposed to searching for information useful for an extrinsic goal), many mysteries remain to be uncovered. What are the causal links between curiosity and learning? How does prior knowledge about a topic or an activity relates to curiosity about this topic? What is the role of curiosity in life-span development? Can human curiosity explain the apparently unique tendency of humans for extreme specialization? Reversely, how do different forms of curiosity (diversive or specific) evolve as children grow up and become adults? While early computational models of curiosity propose theoretical approaches to understand their cognitive mechanisms, how can we understand the affective/ emotional dimensions of curiosity? And how has the linguistic concept of “curiosity” evolved in occidental culture? Call for new dialog: === « Leveraging Adaptive Games to Learn How to Help Children Learn Effectively" == Dialog initiated by George Kachergis == Topic: How can one achieve efficiently “translational educational sciences” and get these principles used in real-world large-scale educational technologies? In this dialog, Georges Kachergis highlights challenges related to collaborations between cognitive scientists and game developers, how to deploy real world experiments, and how to enable scientific understanding when many variables cannot easily be controlled? Those of you interested in reacting to this dialog initiation are welcome to submit a response by December 15th, 2018. The length of each response must be between 600 and 800 words including references (contact pierre-yves.oudeyer(a)inria.fr). Let us remind you that all issues of the newsletter are all open-access and available at: https://goo.gl/ZjjZNz I wish you a stimulating reading! Best regards, Pierre-Yves Oudeyer, Editor of the IEEE CIS Newsletter on Cognitive and Developmental Systems Research director, Inria Head of Flowers project-team Inria and Ensta ParisTech, France http://www.pyoudeyer.com Twitter: https://twitter.com/pyoudeyer and Fabien Benureau, Editorial Assistant Cognitive NeuroRobotics Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology 1919-1 Tancha, Onna, Okinawa Japan Email: fabien.benureau [at] oist [dot] jp

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Postdoc positions on Consciousness Research at Monash Uni, Australia
by Naotsugu Tsuchiya 14 Jan '20

14 Jan '20

Position A: DP180100396 (in collaboration with Masafumi Oizumi, Hiroto Kawasaki, Giulio Tononi) No report paradigm in EEG/MEG/intracranial recordings and the analysis of integrated information across sensory and prefrontal cortex Position B: DP180104128 (in collaboration with Marta Garrido, Ueli Rutishauser, Ralph Adolphs) The analysis of MEG/intracranial recordings, using Granger causality and integrated information We are looking for highly talented postdocs (application from PhD students with a prospect of getting PhD in 1 year are welcomed) for the above two ARC-funded positions. Ideal candidates in both positions would have strong publications, strong programming skills in Matlab/Python, strong background in data analysis, preferably neuroimaging data or neural spikes. The projects include 1) design of various psychophysical paradigms (*pdf <https://academic.oup.com/nc/article/doi/10.1093/nc/niw023/2970153/Are-we-un…>)*, including no-report paradigms (*pdf <https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9N0ysU85rs7bEF5d1VVX3J4T3c/view>*), which can be used for subsequent EEG/MEG/intracranial recording experiments and 2) analysis of EEG/MEG/intracranial data using the approximations of integrated information (link1 <http://www.eneuro.org/content/4/5/ENEURO.0085-17.2017>, *link <https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B9N0ysU85rs7NFVSQlIza215eVU> *, *link <http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2016/12/02/1603583113.abstract>*, *link <http://journals.plos.org/ploscompbiol/article?id=10.1371/journal.pcbi.10046…>)* ). Please send the inquiry with your CV to naotsugu.tsuchiya(a)monash.edu. Applicants with most fit background and skills will be contacted for subsequent interview over the internet. The positions will be available until they are filled. Regards Nao Tsuchiya -- -- *Nao (Naotsugu) Tsuchiya* Associate Professor *Monash Institute of Cognitive and Clinical Neurosciences* Attention and Memory Program School of Psychological Sciences Monash University 770 Blackburn Monash Brain Imaging facility, Clayton, VIC 3800 Australia T: +61 3 9905 4564 E: naotsugu.tsuchiya(a)monash.edu W: homepage: http://users.monash.edu.au/~naotsugt/Tsuchiya_Labs_Homepage http://med.monash.edu.au/psych/email-sig/miccn-email-sig.jpg <http://www.monash.edu/neuro-institute/> 2. Visiting Researcher at Department of Dynamic Brain Imaging, Advanced Telecommunications Research (ATR), Japan 3. Visiting Researcher at CiNet, Osaka University, Japan orcid.org/0000-0003-4216-8701

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Data Scientist Position at Boston University
by Chen, Jerry 05 Nov '19

05 Nov '19

The Lab of Jerry Chen at Boston University is hiring a Data Scientist to be involved in several multi-year BRAIN Initiative related NIH and NSF funded projects. These projects focus on understanding cortical computation during behavior by combining large-scale population recordings, anatomical reconstructions, and transcriptional profiling as well as developing tools for large-scale and high-speed imaging of neuronal populations. This person will be involved in help to analyze experimental data, developing software tools to aid in the data analysis, and helping with data infrastructure and management. Specific Projects include: 1. Analysis of dense electron microscope reconstructions of neuronal connectivity (ie. Connectomics) 2. Establishing pipeline for image analysis for in situ sequencing of gene expression 3. Establishing pipeline for automated behavioral training and analysis. 4. Visualization and analysis of population imaging data across multiple brain areas during behavior. This person will be jointly involved and mentored by personnel from the Hariri Institute's Software & Application Innovation Lab (SAIL), a center with expertise in cutting-edge computational and data-driven research with tangible and direct impacts on academic research, public service, and industry partners in healthcare, finance, and technology. Qualifications: BA/BS degree (MA or PhD preferred) in Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Neuroscience or related technical field. One to three years of academic or professional experience. Programming experience in MATLAB is required. Additional experience in Python, C++, or LABView is preferred. Extensive background in either computational neuroscience, image analysis, computer vision, or machine learning is preferred. If interested in applying, please submit a CV along with 3 references to jerry(a)chen-lab.org<mailto:jerry@chen-lab.org>.

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Recent research article
by Osva Velarde 31 Jul '19

31 Jul '19

Dear Colleagues, We are happy to share with you our work about the mechanisms of phase-amplitude cross frequency coupling (PAC) in models of biologically plausible neural networks. We think this work opens a new and valuable connection between theory of dynamical systems and the field of signal processing in neural networks and other biophysical systems. In particular, one of the proposed tools, the Time Locked Index (TLI), is suitable to efficiently quantify the harmonic content of experimental recordings. Hope you find this useful. Feedback is most welcome. "Bifurcation structure determines different phase-amplitude coupling patterns in the activity of biologically plausible neural networks" O M Velarde, E Urdapilleta, G Mato, and D Dellavale. NeuroImage https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2019.116031 The paper is freely available at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/334582958_Bifurcation_structure_de… Source code for TLI computation:https://github.com/damian-dellavale/Time-Locked-Index With kind regards, Osvaldo Matías Velarde Departamento de Física Médica Instituto Balseiro - Centro Atómico Bariloche R8402AGP Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentinaosva_velarde@yahoo.com.arosva.m.velarde@gmail.com https://fisica.cab.cnea.gov.ar/fisicamedica/

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Opening for Group Leader of Bio Data Science group
by Romuald Janik 31 Jul '19

31 Jul '19

Dear Colleagues, Starting from Fall 2019, the Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland will host a 4-year interdisciplinary project Bio-Inspired Artificial Neural Networks The broad aim of the project is to put together Neuroscience and Machine Learning research and gather insight from the brain analyzed over a wide range of scales in order to develop novel machine learning architectures and algorithms. The project comprises Machine Learning, Cognitive and Physics groups and in addition three new groups will be formed: a low level neuroscience group, a Bio Data Science group and a more technical computer science group. We are looking in particular for candidates for a Group Leader of the Bio Data Science group. The main aims of the Bio Data Science group located at the Faculty of Physics is to perform extensive analyses of massive fMRI data (both in-house and publicly available), possibly also of other modalities like diffusive MRI or MEG/EEG. These analyses will be targeted at i) developing machine learning based diagnostic algorithms, ii) extracting insights from data on connectivity/dynamical properties of neuronal networks, iii) comparisons with artificial neural networks. In addition, the group is expected to closely cooperate with the Physics group of the project on testing physics motivated hypothesis and implementing machine learning architectures. Of course, the group is very much welcome to pursue also other goals related to the project "Bio-Inspired Artificial Neural Networks". The Leader of the Bio Data Science group should therefore have expertise in machine learning as well as experience/knowledge on dealing with the specific peculiarities of the fMRI datasets like preprocessing requirements/artifacts as well as general knowledge about other modalities. The position is for 3 years. Deadline for application is 23rd August. The call with details is on the website http://bionn.matinf.uj.edu.pl/. If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me (romuald.janik(a)gmail.com). Best regards, Romuald Janik

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Fully funded PhD position in neuroscience about cone photoreceptor signal transduction at Ecole Normale Superieure in Paris
by Juergen Reingruber 31 Jul '19

31 Jul '19

Please forward this offer among potentially interested students. Thanks. Jürgen Reingruber Topic: Development of a Mathematical Model of Signal Transduction and Adaptation in Mammalian Cone Photoreceptors Field: Computational Neuroscience, Sensory Transduction Location: Institute of Biology École Normale Supérieure, Paris Supervision: Jürgen Reingruber, IBENS Collaboration: G. Fain and A. P. Sampath from UCLA Funding: 42 months by ANR, starting earliest in October 2019 Project description: We are looking for a PhD student for an interdisciplinary project between physics, mathematics computer science and neuroscience. Cone photoreceptors are the fundamental retinal neurons underlying our daylight vision. In spite of their importance for our visual perception, a comprehensive biophysical model showing how cones convert light into an electrical signal has not yet been developed. In close partnership with our experimental collaborators from UCLA, the student will analyze new (and worldwide unique) electrophysiological recordings to develop the first molecular model for the light response in cones. He will use asymptotic analysis and simulations to obtain a precise understanding of how cones respond and adapt during daylight. He will perform simulations with molecularly modified models to study how sensory transduction is altered in a diseased photoreceptor, which is important for understanding and treatment of photoreceptor dysfunctions. More details about the project can be found here: http://www.biologie.ens.fr/~reingrub/content/PhDDescription.pdf Lab and Environment: The lab where the research will be conducted is located in the Institute of Biology at École Normale Supérieure in the Latin Quarter in Paris. The ENS is a leading multidisciplinary research center and part of the PSL university. It is located in the heart of Paris right next Collège de France, Institute Curie, EPSCI (school of engineering), Sorbonne and other universities. The lab provides high speed internet, a powerful workstation (iMac) and access to Bioclust, the IBENS computing cluster. The lab comprises PhD students and postdocs with background in physics, applied mathematics and computer science. Candidate: The candidate should have a solid background in physics, applied mathematics, computer science or equivalent. Her/he should be highly motivated and interested in neuroscience and biology. Ideally the candidate should have skills and experience in modeling, analysis of dynamical systems, stochastic processes as well as programming and running simulations using either Matlab, C/C++, Comsol or Python. To apply, please send a CV and a motivation letter to Jürgen Reingruber (reingrub(a)ens.fr). -- Jürgen Reingruber, PhD Institute of Biology (IBENS) École Normale Supérieure 46 rue d'Ulm, 75005 Paris, France Tel: +33 (0)1 4432 3662 Fax: +33 (0)1 4432 8887

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[jobs] Postdoc on “Understanding of Visually Mediated Social Signs in Humans and Robots” at Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT)
by Giulio Sandini 31 Jul '19

31 Jul '19

Robotics, Brain and Cognitive Sciences Research Line at Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia in Erzelli, Genoa, is seeking to appoint one postdoctoral position focusing on the use of the iCub humanoid robot to investigate the role of body-mediated (embodied) social signals in human-robot collaborative interaction and to identify the minimum subset of signals enabling mutual understanding in human-robot communication in realistic, application oriented, scenarios. The research activities will be carry out under the supervision of Dr. Francesco Rea and Prof. Giulio Sandini (https://www.iit.it/careers/openings/opening/969-postdoctoral-position-in-th… ) The activity will be carried out within a Joint Lab recently established between IIT and a major produrre in the automotive sector, dedicated scientific and technical activities, including training, in the field of signs-based social communication mediated by robots. The research for this Postdoctoral position will involve: a) the development of methods and relative software to generate robot behaviors for natural mutual understanding, b) the design and implementation of novel models of immediate perception of the human partner state, and c) the design of experiments, testing and analysis/validation in human-robot interaction experiments. The first goal of the research is modelling how the robot could adapt its perception and behaviour to the individual needs of the partner during an interaction, with potential implications for communicative technology. The second goal of the research is to exploit how these models can be transferred to novel robotic designs. -- Prof. Giulio Sandini Founding Director - Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Center for Human Technologies Robotics, Brain and Cognitive Sciences Unit Via Enrico Melen 83 - Building B - 16152 GENOVA Phone: +39 010 2897 227 https://www.iit.it/giulio-sandini https://www.iit.it/rbcs

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Abstract submission extension to the next 15th Granada Seminar on Stochastic and Collective Effects in Neural Systems
by Prof. Dr. Joaquín J. Torres 30 Jul '19

30 Jul '19

Dear Computational Neuroscience community This is a kind reminder that the deadline for abstract submission to the next "15th Granada Seminar on Computational and Statistical Physics" that will be held in Granada Spain, next September 17-20, 2019 in the Science Faculty of the University of Granada, Spain, has been extended to the next August 31th, 2019. The Granada Seminar is a topical conference whose pedagogical power is especially channelled towards young researchers. In fact, one interesting aspect of this meeting is the opportunity given to young researchers to present their results and to discuss their problems with leading specialists. The Granada Seminar is Organized by the "Institute Carlos I for Theoretical and Computational Physics, University of Granada, and it is Sponsored by: - Institute Carlos I, for theoretical and computational physics, University of Granada: http://ic1.ugr.es/home/ - European Physical Society This year edition the main topic of the conference is "Stochastic and Collective Effects in Neural Systems" including Biological aspects, Modeling, Dynamics, Networks, Function and Applications. The aim of this meeting is to bring together scientists interested in Neural Systems and their statistical and collective effects from real experiments, theoretical and computational models to applications. Confirmed Main Speakers: Roberto Barrio, Universidad de Zaragoza (Spain): Insect movement gaits: neuron model, CPG and patterns Ginestra Bianconi, Queen Mary University of London (UK) Jesús Cortés, Ikerbasque (Spain) Lucilla de Arcangelis, University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli" (Italy) Jose Maria Delgado, Universidad Pablo de Olavide (Spain): Learning as a functional state of the brain Andrea Gabrielli, Istituto dei Sistemi Complessi (Italy): Brain Network Topology Maps Schizophrenia Dysfunctional Substrates Andre Longtin, University of Ottawa (Canada): Detecting and Learning in Noisy Neurons: From Dendrites to Spontaneous Movements Joaquin Marro, Universidad de Granada (Spain):Is the Mind just an assembly of Phase Transitions? Jorge F. Mejías, University of Amsterdam (The Netherlands) Geza Odor MTA EK-MFA (Hungary) Cyriel Pennartz, University of Amsterdam (The Netherlands): Predictive representations and population coding in visual and multisensory systems Dietmar Plenz, NIH National Institute of Mental Health (USA) Ander Ramos, Tecnalia (Spain) Alex Roxin, CRM Barcelona (Spain):A network model of place-cell turnover in CA1 Mavi Sánchez-Vives, Institut d'investigacions Biomèdiques (Spain) Samir Suweis, Universita di Padova (Italy): Simple (but not too simple) models to investigate complex brain dynamics Yuhai Tu, IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center (USA): Optimal coding strategies in the periferal olfactory systems: Compressed sensing for an array of nonlinear olfactory receptor neurons with and without spontaneous activity Pablo Varona, Universidad Autonoma de Madrid (Spain) Pau Vilimelis Aceituno Max Planck Institute for Mathematics in the Sciencies (Germany) Marius Yamakou Max Planck Institute for Mathematics in the Sciences (Germany) People interested to attend the conference and present their contributions please follow the link below for further information: http://ergodic.ugr.es/cp/index.php Contributions to the conference will be invited to submit an original manuscript for a forthcomming "Special Issue on Emergent Effects in Stochastic Neural Networks with Application to Learning and Information Processing", in the Elsevier Journal "Neurocomputing" (Impact Factor: 4.072, being Q1 in the ISI JCR) -- Prof. Dr. Joaquín J. Torres Department of Electromagnetism and Physics of the Matter. Institute "Carlos I" for Theoretical and Computational Physics. University of Granada.

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