November 2020 - Comp-neuro - lists.cnsorg.org

Fully-funded PhD Position in Computational and Cognitive Neuroscience

by Alireza Soltani

Fully-funded PhD Position in Computational and Cognitive Neuroscience The Computational and Cognitive Neuroscience Lab (CCNL) at Dartmouth has a fully-funded PhD position for a motivated student to work on an exciting project on the role of attention in reward-based learning. The project involves a combination of human experiments and computational modeling. Experimentally, it aims to extend our previous studies that examined learning with multiple cues (Soltani et al, 2016) and multi-dimensional cues (Farashahi et al, 2017; Farashahi et al, 2020). In terms of computational modeling, the aim is to extend current mechanistic models (c.f., Soltani et al, 2016 and Farashahi et al, 2017) as well as recurrent neural networks to better understand the role of attention in learning from high-dimensional stimuli and how complex learning strategies emerge over time. A suitable candidate would have a strong background in cognitive and/or computational neuroscience, good computer programming skills, and a strong desire to understand neural mechanisms underlying cognition. Interested candidates should contact Alireza Soltani (Alireza.Soltani(a)dartmouth.edu) To apply, please visit the Dartmouth PBS’s Graduate Admissions page <https://pbs.dartmouth.edu/menufeature/graduate/graduate-admissions> For more recent publications from the lab please visit http://ccnl.dartmouth.edu <http://ccnl.dartmouth.edu/> Relevant references: 1. Soltani A, Khorsand P, Guo CZ, Farashahi S, Liu J (2016). Neural Substrates of Cognitive Biases during Probabilistic Inference. Nature Communications, 7:11393 2. Farashahi S, Rowe K, Aslami Z, Lee D, Soltani A (2017). Feature-based Learning Improves Adaptability without Compromising Precision. Nature Communications, 8:1768. 3. Farashahi S, Xu J, Wu S-W, Soltani A (2020). Learning Arbitrary Stimulus-Reward Associations for Naturalistic Stimuli Involves Transition from Learning about Features to Learning about Objects. Cognition, 205.

Nov. 15, 2020

Assistant Professor / Postdoc position in computational neuroscience and/or developmental robotics at the University of Tokyo

by Yukie Nagai

Dear colleagues, The International Research Center for Neurointelligence (IRCN) at the University of Tokyo is looking for highly motivated full-time Assistant Professor / Postdoc researchers in the field of computational neuroscience and/or developmental robotics. The selected candidates will join Cognitive Developmental Robotics Laboratory head by Prof. Yukie Nagai and have the opportunity to pursue interdisciplinary research integrating computer science, robotics, neuroscience, cognitive science, and psychology. If you are interested in being considered, please send the required documents to yukie(a)ircn.jp. Assistant Professor / Postdoc Researcher at IRCN, the University of Tokyo https://ircn.jp/en/careers/postdoctoral-fellow-project-researcher-nagai-lab… Cognitive Developmental Robotics Laboratory (Nagai Lab) http://developmental-robotics.jp --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1. Job title: Project Assistant Professor / Project Researcher (Postdoctoral Fellow) 2. Starting Date: Negotiable 3. Term: The first contract will be ended on March 31, 2021. The contract is renewable on a fiscal year basis (from April 1 to March 31; every year) according to research budget, research activity, and research achievements. Contract duration is until March 31, 2023. 4. Place of Work International Research Center for Neurointelligence, The University of Tokyo 7-3-1 Hongo Bunkyo-ku Tokyo, 113-0033 JAPAN 5. Qualifications (Required) - Ph.D. in Engineering, Ph.D. in Computer Science or equivalent in a related field - Good communication skill in English (Preferred) - Experiences in computational neuroscience, neural network, machine learning, and/or developmental robotics will be preferred. 6. Compensation & Benefits - Salary: To be determined in accordance with the University of Tokyo Regulations - Commuter allowance: JPY55,000 per month at maximum - Social Insurance: Eligible for MEXT Mutual Aid Association membership, employees’ pension, employment insurance, and workers’ accident compensation insurance. - Vacation: Annual paid vacation, Sick leave (paid), Special vacation (paid) 7. Working Hours Discretionary labor system, based on 7 hours, 45 minutes per day, or 38 hours 45 minutes per week 8. Holidays Saturdays and Sundays; Statutory public holidays of Japan; Year-end and New Year holidays (December 29 through January 3); Summer holidays 9. Applications and Selection Process - Applications deadline: When the position is filled - Application documents: (a) Cover letter in English (b) Curriculum vita in English (c) Publication list (d) Name and contact address for two references, one of which should be a previous employer - Submission: Interested applicants should send application materials to: yukie(a)ircn.jp - Selection Process: All applications will be screened, and only those qualified will be scheduled for an interview (on-site or via video). --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- — Yukie Nagai, Ph.D. Project Professor, The University of Tokyo nagai.yukie(a)mail.u-tokyo.ac.jp | http://developmental-robotics.jp CREST Cognitive Mirroring: http://cognitive-mirroring.org

Nov. 13, 2020

Scientific Liaison Officer position open at Jülich Supercomputing Center, Germany

by Abigail Morrison

Dear colleagues, we have a position open for a Scientific Liaison Officer for EBRAINS at the Jülich Supercomputing Center, Jülich Research Center, Germany. We are looking for candidates with excellent communication skills, a strong scientific background and computing skills to both promote EBRAINS in the neuroscientific community, and trigger development activities within the Human Brain Project to ensure the requirements of the community are being met. For a full description and details of how to apply, the announcement on our website: https://www.fz-juelich.de/SharedDocs/Stellenangebote/_common/dna/2020-359-E… Closing date: 1.12.2020 All the best, Abigail Morrison -- Prof. Dr. Abigail Morrison IAS-6 / INM-6 / SimLab Neuroscience Jülich Research Center & Computer Science 3 - Software Engineering RWTH Aachen http://www.fz-juelich.de/inm/inm-6 http://www.fz-juelich.de/ias/jsc/slns http://www.se-rwth.de Office: +49 2461 61-9805 Fax # : +49 2461 61-9460 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH 52425 Juelich Sitz der Gesellschaft: Juelich Eingetragen im Handelsregister des Amtsgerichts Dueren Nr. HR B 3498 Vorsitzender des Aufsichtsrats: MinDir Volker Rieke Geschaeftsfuehrung: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Wolfgang Marquardt (Vorsitzender), Karsten Beneke (stellv. Vorsitzender), Prof. Dr.-Ing. Harald Bolt ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nov. 12, 2020

Brain Connectivity Workshop 2021

by Tanya Brown

After careful deliberation, and based on the latest public health authority information on COVID-19, along with swirling uncertainties regarding travel and gatherings, we have decided to host the next Brain Connectivity <https://bcw-2021.com/>Workshop <https://bcw-2021.com/> online. We are pleased to announce that it has been rescheduled for *MAY 25-28, 2021. *We a im to make this event accessible and inclusive and the timing of the schedule will aim to satisfy a global audience. Registration for the Brain Connectivity Workshop 2021 is Now Open <https://bcw-2021.com/register>. **Spots are limited in order to facilitate discussion throughout the workshop** This year we will revisit that primordial theme from a different perspective: *"What does the mind think of the brain?"* focusing the discussions around what we have learned about our mind over the last 20 years of brain connectomics. The topics will focus on *consciousness and cognition*, looking at the tripartite relationship between anatomical connectivity, brain dynamics and cognitive function. *SPEAKERS* | Dani Bassett | Gustavo Deco | Athena Demertzi | Andreea Diaconescu | Lisa Feldman Barrett | Emily Finn | Karl Friston | | Mike Halassa | Biyu Jade He | Sean Hill | Viktor Jirsa | Michael Mack | Randy McIntosh | Bratislav Misic | | Rosalyn Moran | Petra Ritter | Mac Shine | Enzo Tagliazucchi | Giulio Tononi | Brandon Turner | Please check the BCW website <https://bcw-2021.com/> for more details about the *program* and *speakers* <https://bcw-2021.com/details>. *REGISTER TODAY* <https://bcw-2021.com/register> We hope you can join us, along with leaders in the field of brain connectomics. The BCW 2021 Organizers www.bcw-2021.com

Nov. 11, 2020

Data scientist position in the Cardona lab at the LMB

by Andrey Stoychev

The lab of Dr Albert Cardona (https://www2.mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk/group-leaders/a-to-g/albert-cardona/) is seeking to recruit a junior data scientist -- for lack of a more appropriate name -- to work on connectomics in the Drosophila fly and in many other organisms at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, UK. This is a 3-year, full-time position that's all about imagery: from electron microscopy volumes to laser-scanning microscopy. Duties include data handling, image registration, segmentation with machine learning, synapse detection, and more. More information can be found in the following ad, which is now closed, but will reopen soon: https://mrc.tal.net/vx/mobile-0/appcentre-int/brand-3/candidate/so/pm/1/pl/…. Please note that this ad claims that a PhD is necessary, but that's not at all a requirement. It also claims this position is for a postdoc, which is also not correct. Enquiries should be sent to Dr Albert Cardona at acardona(a)mrc-lmb.cam.ac.uk. Applications should be either sent directly to Dr Albert Cardona, or submitted through the ad linked above (when it reopens).

Nov. 11, 2020

Postdoc positions in Computational/Systems Neuroscience at Washington University in St Louis

by Geoffrey Goodhill

POSTDOC POSITIONS IN THE NEW GOODHILL LAB AT WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY In 2021 I am starting a new Computational, Systems and Developmental Neuroscience lab at Washington University in St Louis (USA) and several postdoc positions will be available. The lab will primarily focus on the formation of neural circuits underlying behavior. This will include developing novel experimental, computational and theoretical methods, and applying them to domains including hunting behavior, social behavior and sleep. The lab will be fully integrated between experimental and theoretical work, performing behavioral and calcium imaging experiments with zebrafish models, and will also have collaborations with other labs working on a range of model systems. Besides questions in basic neuroscience, a particular area of focus will be the circuit perturbations that underlie Autism Spectrum Disorders. For a list of previous publications see www.goodhill.org/pubs.html<http://www.goodhill.org/pubs.html> For these positions particularly suitable backgrounds include computational neuroscience, systems neuroscience, zebrafish neuroscience, optical physics, or more generally physics, applied mathematics, engineering and computer science. Washington University in St Louis is ranked in the top 10 globally for Neuroscience and Behavior, and offers an outstanding intellectual environment for neuroscience research. The lab will be based at the Medical School between the departments of Neuroscience and Developmental Biology, but also expects to develop strong links with the Faculty of Engineering and departments of Mathematics and Physics. If you would like to discuss these positions further please contact me at my current address below, including a detailed CV and cover letter explaining your interest. Professor Geoffrey J Goodhill Queensland Brain Institute and School of Mathematics & Physics University of Queensland St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia Email: g.goodhill(a)uq.edu.au<mailto:g.goodhill@uq.edu.au> http://www.qbi.uq.edu.au/professor-geoffrey-goodhill

Nov. 11, 2020

postdoc position to study spike dynamics in the thalamus during sleep and memory

by Carmen Varela

We are looking for a talented and highly motivated postdoc interested in studying the *dynamics of thalamic cell ensemble activity during learning and memory in rodents. *One of the goals in the Varela lab is to investigate the spike dynamics and brain states that allow animals to learn and make sense of their environment. https://www.varelalab.org/ The postdoctoral researcher will gain expertise in systems and behavioral neuroscience using extracellular electrophysiology and behavior to study the spike dynamics associated with sleep-dependent memory consolidation. Possibility of contributing to additional collaborative projects. We are a small young lab and highly interactive; we love what we do and work closely to support and help each other succeed. The lab is located in the beautiful Jupiter campus of Florida Atlantic University, a rapidly growing neuroscience hub that also holds our partners, the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience and Scripps Research Institute. *Requirements:* PhD with experience in electrophysiology and rodent models; outstanding interpersonal skills and motivation to work in a collaborative environment. Experience with MATLAB (or other programming languages) preferred. Candidates selected for an interview will be asked to provide contact information for three references. Start date flexible, January-May of 2021. *Interested applicants, please submit your curriculum to Carmen Varela: varelac(a)fau.edu <varelac(a)fau.edu>* FAU is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veterans’ status or any other characteristic protected by law. -- *Carmen Varela, Ph.D.* Assistant Professor Psychology Department Florida Atlantic University MC-19, room 106 Jupiter, FL 33458

Nov. 10, 2020

Phd project in Brighton, UK, within SoCoBio's 4-year doctoral training program

by Sylvia Schröder

Within SoCoBio‘s 4-year doctoral training program <https://southcoastbiosciencesdtp.ac.uk/>, the labs of Sylvia Schröder <https://www.sussex.ac.uk/research/labs/schroeder-lab/index> and Leon Lagnado <https://lagnadolab.com/> are offering the following Phd project in collaboration with their industrial partner, Scientifica <https://www.scientifica.uk.com/>: * **“Integration of visual and behavioural signals in the early visual system”* In this project, you will discover how retinal, cortical and neuromodulatory inputs shape the responses of visual neurons in the superior colliculus. The goal of your Phd project is to understand the mechanisms of signal integration, i.e. which inputs to the superior colliculus shape its neural activity, and the advantages of this integration for visual processing. You will use two-photon imaging in awake mice to simultaneously record activity of neurons in the superior colliculus as well as of axons originating in the retina, visual cortex, or brainstem nuclei such as the dorsal raphe (serotonin). You will compare the responses of the axonal inputs to those in the neurons, and you will observe how these signals change depending on the visual input and the behaviour of the animal. In the beginning of your project, you will develop an advanced imaging technique in collaboration with our industrial partner, Scientifica. You will adapt the existing two-photon microscope to image two separate fields of view simultaneously. This technique, termed multi-region imaging, will enable you to record inputs and outputs of superior colliculus at sufficient detail, speed, and quantity. Application to the program: https://southcoastbiosciencesdtp.ac.uk/ <https://southcoastbiosciencesdtp.ac.uk/> Project description: https://southcoastbiosciencesdtp.ac.uk/project/integration-of-visual-and-mo… <https://southcoastbiosciencesdtp.ac.uk/project/integration-of-visual-and-mo…> For further information, contact sylvia.schroeder(a)ucl.ac.uk

Nov. 10, 2020

13 fully-funded PhD positions for "SmartNets"

by Fleur Zeldenrust

Dear all, The "SmartNets <http://www.smartnets-etn.eu>" consortium is looking for a total 13 PhD students studying network computation. The objective of SmartNets is to provide high-level training into the functioning of biological networks to a new generation of early stage researchers, to provide them with the skills necessary for thriving careers in a burgeoning area that underpins innovative technological development across a range of diverse disciplines. This goal will be achieved by a unique combination of “hands-on” research training, non-academic placements (industrial and non-profit organisations) and courses and workshops on both scientific and complementary -so-called “soft”- skills facilitated by the academic-non-academic composition of the consortium. SmartNets brings together neuroscientists, behavioural and cognitive scientists, physicists, computer scientists, and non-profit stakeholders in order to train the next generation of data scientists that will: 1) develop a fundamental understanding of the relationship between structure and function in biological networks and 2) translate this knowledge into novel technological solutions. The PhD students will develop a unique interdisciplinary set of skills that will make them capable of analyzing networks at many levels and for many systems. There are positions across 5 countries and institutes (Fleur Zeldenrust, Radboud University, the Netherlands; Tansu Celikel, Radboud University the Netherlands; Julijana Gjorgjieva, Max Planck Gesellschaft, Germany; Iain Couzin, Max Planck Gesellschaft, Germany; Yiota Poirazi, Foundation for Research and Technology, Greece; Georges Debrégeas, Sorbonne Université, France; Joni Dambre, Ghent University, Belgium). For more information, please refer to https://www.smartnets-etn.eu/vacancies/ Best regards, Fleur Zeldenrust -- Fleur Zeldenrust Assistant Professor Department of Neurophysiology Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour Faculty of Science, Radboud University Heyendaalseweg 135, postvak 33, kamer 02.204 6525 AJ Nijmegen, the Netherlands tel +31 24 36 53195 fleurzeldenrust.nl

Nov. 9, 2020

Master + PhD offer: A computational model of the retino-thalamo-cortical pathway

by Bruno Cessac

The new French Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR) project "ShootingStar" aims at studying the unexplored neuroscience and psychophysics of the visual perception of fast (over 100 deg/s) motion, and incorporating these results into models of the early visual system. This project involves the Integrative Neuroscience and Cognition Center (Paris), the Institut des Neurosciences de la Timone (Marseille), the vision Institute (Paris), NeuroPsi (Paris) and the INRIA Biovision team (Sophia-Antipolis). In this context B. Cessac (Biovision) and A. Destexhe (NeuroPsi) aim at developing a retino-thalamico-cortical mean-field model of the primary visual system. We have a funding for a PhD, that can be preceded by a 6 month Master 2 internship. We are seeking talented, curious and open-minded young scientists with strong backgrounds in physics or computer science, strong interests in neuroscience, and solid skills in programming (C++ and Python). The application deadline is 30th December 2020. For more detail please visit: [ https://team.inria.fr/biovision/files/2020/10/2020-internship-M2-shootingst… | https://team.inria.fr/biovision/files/2020/10/2020-internship-M2-shootingst… ] Bruno Cessac Directeur de Recherche Inria-Senior scientist Head of BIOVISION team 2004 Route des Lucioles 06902 Sophia Antipolis Cedex 2 Email: bruno.cessac(a)inria.fr Phone: +33-4-9238-5035 Fax: +33-4-9238-7845 Webpage: https://team.inria.fr/biovision/bruno-cessac/

Nov. 9, 2020