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

Feb 15 Application Deadline - 2020 Nengo Summer School

by Peter Blouw

[All details about this school can be found online at https://www.nengo.ai/summer-school] The Centre for Theoretical Neuroscience at the University of Waterloo is excited to announce our 7th annual Nengo summer school on large-scale brain modelling and neuromorphic computing. This two-week school will teach participants to use the Nengo simulation package to build state-of-the-art cognitive and neural models to run both in simulation and on neuromorphic hardware. Summer school participants will be given on-site access to Loihi, Intel’s neuromorphic research chip [1], and will learn to run high-level applications on Loihi using Nengo! More generally, Nengo provides users with a versatile and powerful environment for designing cognitive and neural systems, and has been used to build what is currently the world's largest functional brain model, Spaun [2], which includes spiking deep learning, reinforcement learning, adaptive motor control, and cognitive control networks. For a look at last year's summer school, check out this short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5w0BzvNOypc We welcome applications from all interested graduate students, postdocs, professors, and industry professionals with a relevant background. [1] Davies, et al. (2018). Loihi: A neuromorphic manycore processor with on-chip learning. IEEE Micro. Vol. 38 no. 1 pp. 82-99. [ https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/8259423] [2] Eliasmith, C., Stewart T. C., Choo X., Bekolay T., DeWolf T., Tang Y., Rasmussen, D. (2012). A large-scale model of the functioning brain. Science. Vol. 338 no. 6111 pp. 1202-1205. DOI: 10.1126/science.1225266. [ http://compneuro.uwaterloo.ca/files/publications/eliasmith.2012.pdf] ***Application Deadline: February 15, 2020*** Format: A combination of tutorials and project-based work. Participants are encouraged to bring their own ideas for projects, which may focus on building neuromorphic applications, modeling neural or cognitive data, implementing specific behavioural functions with neurons, expanding past models, or providing a proof-of-concept of various neural mechanisms. Hands-on tutorials, work on individual or group projects, and talks from invited faculty members will make up the bulk of day-to-day activities. A project demonstration event will be held on the last day of the school, with prizes for strong projects! Participants will have the opportunity to learn how to: - interface Nengo with various kinds of neuromorphic hardware (e.g. Loihi, SpiNNaker, BrainDrop) - interface Nengo with (spiking and normal) cameras and robotic systems - integrate machine learning methods into biologically oriented models - implement modern nonlinear control methods in neural models - build perceptual, motor, and sophisticated cognitive models using spiking neurons - model anatomical, electrophysiological, cognitive, and behavioural data - use a variety of single cell models within a large-scale model - and much more… Date and Location: June 7th to June 19th, 2020 at the University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Applications: Please visit https://www.nengo.ai/summer-school/, where you can find more information regarding costs, travel, lodging, along with an application form. We ask that you provide a short description of a possible project, and to briefly indicate how this project might make use of the tools and methods that the summer school will be covering, as listed above. If you have any questions about the school or the application process, please contact Peter Blouw (peter.blouw(a)appliedbrainresearch.com) The school is partially supported by Applied Brain Research, Inc. We look forward to hearing from you!

Feb. 9, 2020

Human Neocortical Neurosolver

by Stephanie Jones

Greetings — We are happy to announce a methods on our new software Human Neocortical Neurosolver (HNN) for cell and circuit level interpretation of human electro- and magneto-encephalography (EEG/MEG) is now in press in eLife and will be highlighted in the next issue of eLife digest. https://elifesciences.org/articles/51214 Human Neocortical Neurolover (HNN), a new software tool for interpreting the cellular and network origin of human MEG/EEG data. Magneto- and electro-encephalography (MEG/EEG) non-invasively record human brain activity with millisecond resolution providing reliable markers of healthy and disease states. Relating these macroscopic signals to underlying cellular- and circuit-level generators is a limitation that constrains using MEG/EEG to reveal novel principles of information processing or to translate findings into new therapies for neuropathology. To address this problem, we built Human Neocortical Neurosolver (HNN, https://hnn.brown.edu) software. HNN has a graphical user interface designed to help researchers and clinicians interpret the neural origins of MEG/EEG. HNN's core is a neocortical circuit model that accounts for biophysical origins of electrical currents generating MEG/EEG. Data can be directly compared to simulated signals and parameters easily manipulated to develop/test hypotheses on a signal's origin. Tutorials teach users to simulate commonly measured signals, including event related potentials and brain rhythms. HNN's ability to associate signals across scales makes it a unique tool for translational neuroscience research. HNN is an NIH funded collaborative project and you can learn more at https://hnn.brown.edu. Best, Stephanie (on behalf of the HNN development team) ******************************************* Stephanie R. Jones, PhD Associate Professor Brown University Department of Neuroscience Stephanie_Jones(a)Brown.edu https://blogs.brown.edu/joneslab/ <https://blogs.brown.edu/joneslab/> Human Neocortical Neurosolver https://hnn.brown.edu <https://hnn.brown.edu/>

Feb. 8, 2020

[meetings] Call for papers SAB2020, 16th International Conference on the Simulation of Adaptive Behavior, Cergy-Paris University

by alexandre pitti

Call for papers for the 16th International Conference on the Simulation of Adaptive Behavior (SAB2020) SAB 2020 : FROM ANIMALS TO ANIMATS 16 that will be held at Cergy-Paris University (near Paris), France 22-24 september 2020 + workshops day 21st https://sab2020.sciencesconf.org/ *Scope of the Conference* ========================= The objective of this interdisciplinary conference is to bring together researchers in computer science, artificial intelligence, artificial life, control, robotics, neurosciences, ethology, evolutionary biology and related fields in order to further our understanding of the behaviors and underlying mechanisms that allow natural and artificial animals to adapt and survive in uncertain environments. The conference will focus on experiments with well-defined models including robot models, computer simulation models and mathematical models designed to help characterize and compare various organizational principles or architectures underlying adaptive behavior in real animals and in synthetic agents, the animats. *Location* ========== Cergy-Paris University, close to Paris, France *Relevant Research Areas* ========================= SAB2020 solicits contributions dealing with any aspect of adaptive behavior in natural and artificial systems. Typical, but not exclusive, topics of interest are: The animat approach Motor control Body and brain co-evolution Self-assembling and self-replication Sensory-motor coordination Action selection and behavioral sequencing Navigation and mapping Internal models and representation Evolution, development and learning Collective and social behavior Applied adaptive behavior Motivation and emotion Communication and language Emergent structures and behaviors Neural correlates of behavior Evolutionary and co-evolutionary approaches Bio-inspired and hybrid robotics Autonomous robotics Humanoid robotics Cognitive and developmental robotics Software agents and virtual creatures Philosophical and psychological issues Animats in education *Conference Format* =================== Following the tradition of SAB conferences, the conference will be single track with additional poster sessions. There will also be a day of tutorials. *Important Dates* ================= The conference will be held between 22-24 Sep 2020 and the 21st of September will be dedicated to workshops and tutorials Submission deadline : 1st of April, 2020 Notification of Acceptance : 1st of May, 2020 Camera ready: 1st of June, 2020 workshops/tutorials: 21st of September, 2020 Venue: 22nd-24th of September, 2020 Workshop/Tutorial Proposal Deadline: 21st May, 2020 Workshop/Tutorial Notification of Acceptance: 31th May, 2020 *Paper Submission Instruction and Publication Details* ====================================================== Submitted papers must not exceed 12 pages. Detailed submission instructions are available from the conference website (https://sab2020.sciencesconf.org/ or soon http://www.sab2020.org/ ). Special Issue to Springer Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence All accepted papers with oral or poster presentation will be published in Springer Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence series conference proceedings. Selected authors may additionally be invited to submit extended versions for a conference Special Issue of the Journal of Adaptive Behavior. *Workshops & tutorials* ======================= The SAB2020 organizing committee invites proposals for workshops and tutorials, which will be held on the 21st of September, 2020. Instructions for preparing the tutorial proposal and further details on the tutorials will be found at http://www.sab2020.sciencesconf.org / http://www.sab2020.org/ *Best Paper Award* ================== Two best paper prizes will be awarded at the end of the conference to honour the authors of papers of exceptional merit. For more information please refer to the official SAB2020 website. *Further Information* ===================== Up-to-date information will be published on the website https://sab2020.sciencesconf.org/ and http://www.sab2020.org/ . For information about local arrangements, registration forms, etc., please refer to the website or contact the local organizers at the address below. * Organizers * ============== ISAB Philippe Gaussier General Chair, UCP Sofiane Boucenna Program Chair, UCP Nicolas Cuperlier Program Chair, UCP Alexandre Pitti Local Chair and Publicity Chair, UCP *Conference Address* ==================== Cergy-Pontoise, CY Cergy-Paris University. Site Les Chênes *Contact * ========== sab2020(a)sciencesconf.org Alex Pitti Maître de Conférence Laboratoire ETIS, CY Cergy Paris Université, ENSEA, CNRS, UMR8051 http://perso-etis.ensea.fr/alexpitt/

Feb. 7, 2020

Simula Summer School in Computational Physiology - Apply now!

by Kimberly McCabe

Simula Summer School in Computational Physiology: *Models, Tools, and Techniques for Excitable Tissues* *Simula Research Laboratory, Oslo, Norway, June 15-26 University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA, August 10-18* Travel grants are available through Simula. In conjunction with the University of California San Diego, Simula Research Laboratory is pleased to announce the 7th edition of our annual Summer School in Computational Physiology. This school focuses on multiscale modelling of electrophysiology and mechanics of the heart, and related material in computational neurophysiology and pharmacology. We are currently seeking master's and early doctoral students to participate, and will accept applications until *February 21st 2020*. The initial series of lectures will be hosted by Simula Research Laboratory in Oslo, Norway (June 15th-26th), followed by project work, a workshop in scientific writing from *Nature Masterclasses*, and final student presentations hosted by the University of California San Diego from August 10th-18th. The travel and accommodation expenses for successful applicants will be supported by grants from Simula designed to cover these costs. Details regarding scheduling, logistics, core scientific material, and the application process can be found through our online call for participation: www.simula.no/sscp Contacts: · Scientific content: Kimberly McCabe (kimberly(a)simula.no) · General inquiries: sscp(a)simula.no

Feb. 6, 2020

GdR BioComp - Banyuls, France - May 3-7

by MASQUELIER Timothee

The next BioComp conference will take place in Banyuls, in the south of France, from Sunday 3th May evening until Thursday 7th May noon. The goal of the BioComp conference is to facilitate interdisciplinary exchanges around bio-inspired hardware systems. The conference associates contributions from all concerned disciplines: biology, computational neuroscience, mathematics, computer architecture and computer systems, microelectronics, nanotechnology and physics. http://gdr-biocomp.fr/biocomp-conference-2020/ Call for abstracts If you'd like to speak or present a poster at BioComp2020, please send a title and abstract (15 lines max) to: gdr.biocomp(a)gmail.com<mailto:gdr.biocomp@gmail.com> BEFORE March 15th, specifying oral presentation or poster. We will inform you of the final decision before April 1st. Invited speakers * Fabrice Arcizet, Institut de la Vision, Retinas and other therapeutic strategies for visual restoration * Sylvain Barbay, C2N Palaiseau France, Microlasers for neuromorphic computing * Demian Battaglia, Institut de neuroscience des systèmes, Marseille, France, Dynamics and computation in the brain * Guillaume Bellec, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland, Biologically inspired alternatives to backpropagation through time for learning in recurrent neural nets * Michela Chiappalone, Istituto Italiano di Technologia, Genova, Closed-loop neuroprostheses to restore neuronal communication * Iulia Comsa, Google Research Zurich, Switzerland, Temporal coding in spiking neural networks * Maxence Ernoult, C2N et CNRS/Thales, Palaiseau France, Training Recurrent Neural Networks through Equilibrium Propagation * Yan Fang, Georgia Tech, USA, Materials that compute * Douglas McLelland, Brainchip, USA, Akida System on Chip for neural networks * Michel Paindavoine, Yumain, Dijon, Neuromorphic camera * Laurent Perrinet, Institut de Neurosciences de la Timone, Large scale neural network models of low-level vision, perception and action * Javier Porte, Femto-ST, Besançon France, Optical neural networks * Jean Rouat, Université de Sherbrooke, Canada, Spike Timing Dependent Plasticity * Sylvain Saïghi, IMS Bordeaux France, Presentation of Neurotech EU network * Aida Todri-Sanial, LIRMM Montpellier France, Oscillatory Neural Networks with 2D materials * Adrien Vincent, IMS Bordeaux France, Hardware Spiking Neural Networks * Mohammed Fouda, UCI Registration Registration is mandatory for all participants. The registration fee of 168€ covers : - For PhD students and post-docs: access to the conference room and poster sessions, coffee breaks, meals (except for the free evening) and accommodation. - For permanent researchers and industrialists: access to the conference room and poster sessions, coffee breaks, meals (except for the free evening). Registration procedure 1. Go to the registration page https://www.azur-colloque.fr/DR15/inscription/inscription/266 Attention: It is IMPERATIVE to go through the whole procedure to be correctly registered, and in particular to PAYMENT. It is not possible to return to the registration page afterwards to complete it! 2. The possible means of payment are : - credit cards, - order forms for French public institutions Make sure you have all the necessary information and the payment method you have chosen before starting the procedure. Thank you and see you soon under the sun of Banyuls! The BioComp team

Feb. 5, 2020

Expression of interest for a tenure track position at the Assistant and Associate Professor level (RTD-A, RTD-B, PA) - University of Genova

by Paolo Massobrio

The Department of Computer Science, Bioengineering, Robotics and Systems Engineering (DIBRIS) of the University of Genova, Italy, invites expression of interest for tenure track positions in Bioengineering (ING-INF/06, ING-IND/34) at the Assistant and Associate Professor level (RTD-A, RTD-B, PA). Rank will be determined based on qualifications and experience. Specifically, we seek interested, highly motivated, and competent researchers with an excellent background in bioengineering, who are able to teach at both the bachelor level and master level in English. Research topics of interest should spot in particular: - Neuroengineering: tools and technologies for studying-interacting with the brain Neuro-electronic interfaces; Neural signal analysis; Computational neuroscience; Electrophysiology. Contact person: Sergio Martinoia ( <mailto:sergio.martinoia@unige.it> sergio.martinoia(a)unige.it) - Sensorimotor intelligence: devices, systems, and applications Bioengineering of active sensory acquisition and processing; Cognitive and social neuroscience; Translational vision science; Joint action; Action-perception transfer; Multisensory and cross-sensory issues. Contact person: Silvio P. Sabatini ( <mailto:silvio.sabatini@unige.it> silvio.sabatini(a)unige.it ) DIBRIS ( <http://www.dibris.unige.it/en/> www.dibris.unige.it/en/) a multidisciplinary department of the University of Genova, is looking for autonomous researchers interested to collaborate with other research groups and motivated to engage in all aspects of department activities. Interested researchers should apply by sending an e-mail to one of the appointed representatives listed above, for each research theme. Same, for questions or further information about this recruit process. Application must include: 1) Complete curriculum vitae 2) Statement of research, not exceeding 4 pages and focusing on the impact of the candidate's proposed research, the underlying questions, the approach(es) to be taken, and how it will synergize with other research activities within the Bioengineering group (see website or contact person for additional info) 3) Statement of teaching not exceeding 1 page 4) Names and complete contact information of at least three professional references. Complete applications should be received by February 29, 2020. _________________________________ Paolo Massobrio, PhD Associate Professor of Bioengineering Neuroengineering and Bio-Nano Technology Lab - NBT - Department of Informatics, Bioengineering, Robotics and System Engineering (DIBRIS) University of Genova Via Opera Pia 13, 16145, Genova, ITALY Phone: +39 010 3532761 URL: <http://www.dibris.unige.it/> www.dibris.unige.it E-mail: <mailto:paolo.massobrio@unige.it> paolo.massobrio(a)unige.it

Feb. 5, 2020

Final reminder for participating in the Special Issue for the 15th Granada Seminar in Neurocomputing Journal (IF 4.072)

by Prof. Dr. Joaquín J. Torres

Dear Colleague This is the final reminder for paper submission to the 15th Granada Seminar Special Issue we are editing in Neurocomputing journal (Q1, IF 4.072). If still you are interested to submit your contribution to this special issue, I would like to remember you that the final deadline for submissions has been extended to February 29th. Please follow the link below to submit your original contribution to this special issue: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/neurocomputing/call-for-papers/emergent-e… Once your are in the system in the "article type" choose "VSI: emergent effects in SNN" and continue the regular submission process Submission Final Deadline: February 29th 2020 Sincerely yours Joaquin J. Torres Guest Editor of the Special Issue -- Prof. Dr. Joaquín J. Torres Department of Electromagnetism and Physics of the Matter. Institute "Carlos I" for Theoretical and Computational Physics. University of Granada.

Feb. 5, 2020

Two PhD Positions at The University of Melbourne and Monash University, Australia

by David Grayden

Creating subject-specific mathematical models to understand the brain The brain is a complex machine and brain function remains yet to be fully understood. This project works at the intersection of dynamical modelling, statistical signal processing, statistical inference and machine learning to develop subject specific mathematical models of the brain that can be used to infer brain states and monitor and image the brain. This work is centred around a neurophysiological variable estimation framework we have been developing that can be applied to all kinds of brain activity recordings. There are two projects to be completed under this program and we are looking for a different student for each of these projects. Project 1: specifically extend our neurophysiological variable estimation framework to different classes of neural population models validated from microscopic data. Project 2: specifically extend our neurophysiological estimation framework to coupled networks of neural population models applied to in vivo human recordings. These projects are critical for applications of our estimation framework to all kinds of neuroscientific studies (e.g. of rest, sensation, cognition, movement or abnormal behaviour) where different models and networks are more appropriate and parsimonious for different kinds of situations and will open new ways to understanding brain function. Please contact me directly if you are interested in applying. Regards, David Professor David B. Grayden Clifford Chair of Neural Engineering Dept of Biomedical Engineering Melbourne School of Engineering The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010 Australia http://www.bme.unimelb.edu.au<http://www.bme.unimelb.edu.au/> | https://www.linkedin.com/in/dgrayden This email and any attachments may contain personal information or information that is otherwise confidential or the subject of copyright. Any use, disclosure or copying of any part of it is prohibited. The University does not warrant that this email or any attachments are free from viruses or defects. Please check any attachments for viruses and defects before opening them. If this email is received in error please delete it and notify us by return email.

Feb. 5, 2020

Two Research Fellow Positions at The University of Melbourne, Australia

by David Grayden

Two postdoctoral research fellow positions are available at The University of Melbourne, Australia. Research Fellow in Neural Modelling - 2 year position (may be extended) at Junior (Level A) or Senior (Level B) Postdoc Salary Applications close: 27 Feb 2020 11:55 PM Australian Eastern Daylight Time (UTC+11) http://jobs.unimelb.edu.au/caw/en/job/902154/research-fellow-in-neural-mode… We are seeking a highly motivated Research Fellow to undertake a project aiming to develop mathematical frameworks bridging different scales of brain activities to provide a new tool for understanding the brain. This project will provide a framework to enable the creation of subject-specific neural circuit diagrams. The activities of microscopic neurons will be linked to macroscopic brain behaviour, providing a novel technique for neuroimaging. This technique will enable insights into brain function and provide potential benefits for understanding and treating neurological disorders as well as for the development of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. The outcomes will have a significant impact on the treatment of neurological conditions in the future through greater understanding of diseases, improved diagnostics, and subsequent treatments. Rejane Langlois Postdoctoral Fellowship - 3 year position at Junior (Level A) or Senior (Level B) Postdoc Salary Applications close: 20 Feb 2020 11:55 PM Australian Eastern Daylight Time (UTC+11) http://jobs.unimelb.edu.au/caw/en/job/902038/rejane-langlois-postdoctoral-f… The Rejane Langlois Postdoctoral Fellowship seeks to further enhance Melbourne School of Engineering research at the interface of science, engineering and medicine. The Fellow will have the opportunity to undertake independent research as well as engage in broader collaborations within the Department of Biomedical Engineering. We are looking for outstanding candidates within one of our key research areas: biomaterials and tissue engineering; biomechanics and mechanobiology; bionics, biomedical imaging and neuroengineering or systems and synthetic biology. Regards, David Professor David B. Grayden Clifford Chair of Neural Engineering Dept of Biomedical Engineering Melbourne School of Engineering The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010 Australia http://www.bme.unimelb.edu.au<http://www.bme.unimelb.edu.au/> | https://www.linkedin.com/in/dgrayden This email and any attachments may contain personal information or information that is otherwise confidential or the subject of copyright. Any use, disclosure or copying of any part of it is prohibited. The University does not warrant that this email or any attachments are free from viruses or defects. Please check any attachments for viruses and defects before opening them. If this email is received in error please delete it and notify us by return email.

Feb. 5, 2020

MBL Methods in Computational Neuroscience Course

by Stephen A. Baccus

Applications are open for the Methods in Computational Neuroscience course at the Marine Biology Laboratory in Woods Hole, MA. The course will run from August 2 to August 28, 2020, and the online application form can be found at: https://ws2.mbl.edu/studentapp/studentapp.asp?courseid=MCN The course application deadline is *March 16*. The course covers a range of topics in computational neuroscience including neuronal biophysics, neural coding & information processing, circuit dynamics, learning & memory, motor control, and cognitive processing & disease. In addition, numerous tutorials and problem sets will cover a broad range of computational and mathematical modeling methods. The course strongly emphasizes the collaboration between theory and experiment in solving neuroscience problems, and lectures will be given by a mixture of theorists and experimentalists. The final weeks of the course are primarily reserved for work on projects that students design in collaboration with the resident faculty. Further information can be found on the MCN website: http://www.mbl.edu/mcn/ 2020 Course Directors: Stephen Baccus, Stanford University Xiao Jing Wang, New York University 2020 Faculty: Larry Abbott, Columbia University Emery Brown, MIT Randy Buckner, Harvard University Dmitri Chklovskii, Simons Institute Claudia Clopath, Imperial College London Shaul Druckmann, Stanford University Uri Eden, Boston University Bard Ermentrout, U. of Pittsburgh Adrienne Fairhall, U. of Washington Ila Fiete, University of Texas Austin James Fitzgerald, Janelia Res., HHMI Loren Frank, UCSF Michale Fee, MIT Stefano Fusi, Columbia University Surya Ganguli, Stanford University Juliana Gjorgjieva, Max Planck Institute Mark Goldman, UC Davis Nancy Kopell, Boston University Eve Marder, Brandeis University Bartlett Mel, Univ. of Southern California David Redish, U. Minnesota Robb Rutledge, Yale University Terry Sejnowski, Salk Institute Mike Shadlen, Columbia U. Reza Shadmehr, Johns Hopkins Univ. Sara Solla, Northwestern University Haim Sompolinsky, Hebrew University Nelson Spruston, Janelia Research Campus Josh Tenenbaum, MIT Nao Uchida, Harvard University David Van Essen, Washington University Greg Wayne, DeepMind

Feb. 4, 2020