January 2021 - Comp-neuro - lists.cnsorg.org

MRC funded PhD position

by Abhishek Banerjee

Dear colleagues/students, A Ph.D. position is available in the Adaptive Decisions lab/Banerjee lab working closely with Professor Andrew Jackson's lab as a part of Neuroscience and Neurological Disorders research theme, Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, UK. The research carried out as part of the MRC funded Ph.D. fellowship will investigate the role of behaviourally relevant neural circuits in decision-making and its dysfunctions in animals models of autism spectrum disorders using experimental (in vivo imaging/physiology) and theoretical approaches (PNAS 2016; Brain 2019; Nature 2020). Exciting local and international collaborations will ensure a high standard of training and mentorship. The position is funded (UK rate, international applicants pls read the instruction in the link below) for up to 3.5 years and the application deadline is *27**th January 2021*. Details of the project can be found here: https://bit.ly/2KcKoKF and further information on the programme and how to apply can be found on the website: https://bit.ly/3lQXR8A <https://www.findaphd.com/common/clickCount.aspx?theid=127399&type=184&DID=3…> . For informal inquiry and discussing your interest, please send an email with your CV to abhi.banerjee(a)newcastle.ac.uk. Best wishes, Abhi -- Abhishek Banerjee Senior Lecturer in Systems Neuroscience Head, Adaptive Decisions Lab Faculty of Medical Sciences Newcastle University United Kingdom I neuronic.mit.edu Skype: amiappu I @abhii_mit https://loop.frontiersin.org/people/11499/overview

Jan. 14, 2021

Post-doctoral position in Washington DC

by Rebekah Evans

Post-doctoral position in cellular and systems neuroscience The Evans Lab at Georgetown University is looking for an enthusiastic post-doctoral fellow for cellular and systems neuroscience research in an NIH BRAIN Initiative-funded position. This post-doc will use two-photon calcium imaging with simultaneous optogenetics to probe dendritic integration and circuitry of the extended basal ganglia including brainstem and dopaminergic neurons of the substantia nigra pars compacta. In addition, in vivo optogenetics and fiber photometry will be used to probe these circuits during behavior. Experience in electrophysiology and/or microscopy is a plus, but we can train a highly-motivated person on these techniques. Start date is flexible, but summer/fall 2021 would be ideal. Please see the Evans lab website: https://sites.google.com/view/evans-lab/home and contact Dr. Evans at re285(a)georgetown.edu with a letter of interest and CV. Rebekah Evans M.Ed., Ph.D. Assistant Professor Department of Neuroscience Georgetown University 3970 Reservoir Rd. NW, NRB EG31 Washington DC RebekahColemanEvans(a)gmail.com

Jan. 13, 2021

PhD position “Whole brain dynamics underlying flexible decision making in rodent” at Donders Centre for Neuroscience at Radboud University, the Netherlands

by Paul Tiesinga

PhD position "Whole brain dynamics underlying flexible decision making in rodent" at Donders Centre for Neuroscience at Radboud University, the Netherlands We are looking for A PhD candidate for a collaborative project in the groups of Liya Ma and Paul Tiesinga at the Donders Institute utilizing approaches from both experimental and computational neuroscience. You will study Reinforcement Learning (RL) processes in animal models using experimental and computational approaches. The experiments will establish a mathematical model for RL behaviour in mice, identify neural correlates for value-related parameters in the model using in vivo high-density electrophysiology, manipulate the neural correlates, and measure corresponding changes in RL-guided behaviour. The overall aim of the project is to investigate the neural mechanism by which value signals guide decision making. This will inform state-of-the-art deep learning approaches and shed light on novel interventions for psychiatric diseases. Guided and supported by our supervisory team, you will design and perform experiments in mice, analyse data, conduct computational modelling, and prepare manuscripts. You will also have the opportunity to write grants, peer-review journal articles, and contribute to teaching and event organization. We ask * A dedicated, reliable, detail-oriented, and well-organised team player. * Experience in animal behaviour preferred. * Experience in electrophysiology preferred. * Experience with MATLAB or Python preferred. * Good communication and writing skills in English. We are The Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour is a world-class interfaculty research centre that houses more than 700 researchers devoted to understanding the mechanistic underpinnings of the human mind. Research at the Donders Institute is focused around four themes: 1. Language and communication, 2. Perception, action and control, 3. Plasticity and memory, 4. Neural computation and neurotechnology. State-of-the-art research facilities are available for the broad range of neuroscience research that is being conducted at the Donders Institute. The Donders Institute has been assessed by an international evaluation committee as excellent and recognised as a 'very stimulating environment for top researchers, as well as for young talent'. The Donders Institute fosters a collaborative, multidisciplinary, supportive research environment with a diverse international staff. English is the lingua franca at the Institute. Paul Tiesinga's group aims to understand how information is processed in the brain by building computational models of the brain and developing methods to analyse signals recorded from the brain. Liya Ma's group studies how cognitive control processes are supported by cortical microcircuits and network-level long-range communications. You will be supported by the two teams' extensive expertise in high-density electrophysiology in behaving rodents, advanced data analyses and computational modelling. To help PhD candidates achieve their ambitions within and beyond academia, Radboud University provides various career training courses and coaching opportunities. Our groups are deeply committed to the professional development of doctoral candidates. PhD candidates at Radboud University receive a competitive salary with holiday pay, year-end bonus and other benefits. Their partners have access to Radboud University's Dual Career and Family Care Services. Please apply via the link in https://www.academictransfer.com/nl/296962/phd-candidate-in-neuroinformatic… before February 12th to receive full consideration. Best regards, Paul Tiesinga Professor of Neuroinformatics Donders Institute/Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands

Jan. 13, 2021

Postdoc position in brain modelling at QIMR Berghofer, Brisbane, Australia

by Luca Cocchi

The Clinical Brain Networks Team, led by A/Prof. Luca Cocchi at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, is seeking a postdoctoral research fellow. The role is a key part of an NHMRC-funded project to model large-scale brain dynamics underpinning symptoms of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The successful candidate will develop novel models of large-scale brain dynamics, and use these to uncover brain activity causing OCD. This will entail: (i) mathematical and computational modelling of brain dynamics at the whole-brain level; (ii) constraining models against empirical neuroimaging data, both structural and functional; and (iii) developing novel analysis tools and implementing them for wide adoption. The role will also include collaboration with Dr Paula Sanz-Leon, A/Prof. James Roberts, A/Prof. Andrew Zalesky and Prof. Leonardo Fontenelle. The successful candidate will have: - A PhD in physics, mathematics, computational neuroscience, computer science, or a related field; - Experience in mathematical modelling; - Proficiency in programming (MATLAB and/or Python). - A strong track record of high-quality peer-reviewed publications. And ideally will also have experience in: - Pre-processing and analysis of neuroimaging data, including diffusion imaging and fMRI; - Modelling large-scale brain network dynamics; - Time series analysis and signal processing; and - Handling of large datasets. The position is in Brisbane, Australia, full-time for 3 years. Salary range is $82,506 to $88,522 p.a. plus super and salary packaging. When submitting an application, please include the following: letter of intent, curriculum vitae, list of publications. More details at: https://qimrberghofer.turborecruit.com.au/job/job_details.cfm?id=476191&fro… Closing date: 14 March 2021 Luca Cocchi Clinical Brain Networks Team QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute

Jan. 13, 2021

PhD & post-doc positions: Neuronal basis of human epilepsy (UNIGE, Switzerland)

by Pierre Bastien Megevand

Neuronal basis of human epilepsy: PhD student and post-doc positions PhD student and post-doctoral fellow positions are opening in May 2021 at the University of Geneva, Switzerland, to study the neuronal basis of epilepsy and cognition using microelectrode recordings in human patients. Lab and project: The Human Neuron Lab (@LabNeuron), led by Prof. Pierre Mégevand, is dedicated to advancing the detection and prediction of epileptic seizures. The lab also investigates the neuronal basis of human cognitive brain functions. For that purpose, the lab focuses on invasive neurophysiology in the human brain, including ECoG and stereo-EEG. Additionally, unique microelectrode recordings (using Utah arrays and microwire electrodes) give access to the activity of dozens of single neurons in the patient's brain in order to reveal novel markers of epileptic seizures at the neuronal population level. The lab is equipped with state-of-the-art technology for human invasive neurophysiology. It benefits from the powerful computing infrastructure of the University. Importantly, the lab is fully integrated with the epilepsy monitoring unit of Geneva University Hospitals, and thus boasts exceptional access to patients and recordings. This project focuses on defining novel markers of seizures in patients who suffer from epilepsy. Continuous intracranial EEG and microelectrode recordings will be acquired for several weeks. Single-unit activity will be tracked over time for multiple neurons. Activity within the neuronal population will be examined for the presence of patterns that are specific to the patient’s seizures. The performance of seizure detection and prediction using microelectrode recordings will be compared to existing algorithms based on intracranial EEG data. Research tasks: - Acquire, analyze, and curate a uniquely rich dataset of human intracranial EEG and microelectrode recordings - Build a pipeline for semi-automated single-neuron identification and tracking - Establish novel markers of neuronal population activity that identify seizures - Participate in the mapping of sensory, motor and language functions in epilepsy patients - Daily interactions with the patients and staff of the epilepsy monitoring unit Qualifications: - Background in biomedical engineering, signal processing, or neuroscience - Expertise with analysis of neurophysiological signals, like EEG - Expertise with microelectrode recordings or intracranial EEG is a plus - Strong expertise with scientific computing (Matlab, Python) - Expertise with machine learning is a plus - Working proficiency in English (oral and written) is essential - Conversational knowledge of French must be acquired if not yet mastered - Ability to work independently Work environment: The University of Geneva is a prestigious research hub in neuroscience, federating many labs that cover the full spectrum from basic to cognitive, translational and clinical research. The neuroscience community in Geneva is also strengthened by rich collaborations with other research institutions, including Campus Biotech, the Wyss Center, and the EPFL. This project is fully funded by a grant from the Swiss National Science Foundation. The PhD and post-doc positions are open for up to 4 years each. Swiss salaries are very attractive in international comparison. The positions will open from May 2021 onwards. Please send your application, including a letter of intent, curriculum vitae, list of publications, and at least two references, by e-mail to: Prof. Pierre Mégevand Division of neurology, Geneva University Hospitals Rue Gabrielle-Perret-Gentil 4, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland pierre.megevand(a)unige.ch

Jan. 12, 2021

Postdoc positions in computational cognitive science at Max Planck Institute in Tübingen

by Eric Schulz

Our lab (PI: Eric Schulz) at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics in Tübingen, Germany, is looking to hire 2 fully-funded postdocs. For the first position (which will be jointly with Georg Martius at the MPI for Intelligent Systems), we are looking for someone to work on computational theories of curiosity at the intersection between cognitive science and robotics: https://bit.ly/38s2p0S The second position is an open topic position, and we would like to hire someone to work on the cognitive science aspects of learning, decision making, and generalization. Knowledge of behavioral (or neuroscientific) experiments, advanced statistical analysis skills, and experience with supervising students would be a strong plus: https://bit.ly/3q2w5ry * Key Requirements * - hold (or expect to hold by start of position) a PhD in CogSci, Psych, Neuroscience, Machine Learning, CS or related disciplines - record of publishing in peer-reviewed journals is highly beneficial * Details * - Deadline: Feb 28th 2021 - Position will last for a minimum of 2 years (extension possible) - Start: April 2021 (negotiable) * Application * - please email a cover letter, CV and 1-2 representative publications, as well as the names and email addresses of 3 referees to Eric Schulz * Questions? * - check our lab website to learn more about us: cpilab.org - email Eric at eric DOT schulz AT tue.mpg.de * Links * - Position 1: https://bit.ly/38s2p0S - Position 2: https://bit.ly/3q2w5ry

Jan. 12, 2021

Feb 8/9 Virtual Symposium: Surprise, Curiosity and Reward: from Neuroscience to AI

by Wulfram Gerstner

You are all kindly invited to the EPFL Neuro Symposium on Surprise, Curiosity and Reward: from Neuroscience to AI <https://memento.epfl.ch/event/epfl-neuro-symposium-surprise-curiosity-and-r…> which will take place on _February 8 and February 9 2021 as a Webinar, _ _both days from 14h00 - 19h00 Lausanne Time (8am-3pm US East Coast) _ The Symposium will feature talks from 10 speakers performing research at the intersection of Neuroscience and AI. They will provide in-depth insights into the state of the art of surprise and curiosity as drives of learning in human, animals, and robots. Registration is open <https://memento.epfl.ch/event/epfl-neuro-symposium-surprise-curiosity-and-r…>! (mandatory - no fee) After each talk there will be time for questions so as to get, despite the virtual format, into a real discussion with the speakers. Speakers: A. Barto, M.G. Bellemare, J. Gottlieb, T. Griffiths, E. Koechlin, A. Modirshanechi, D. Ostwald, D. Pathak, E. Vassena --- the program will be available soon, best regards M. Herzog and W. Gerstner https://memento.epfl.ch/event/epfl-neuro-symposium-surprise-curiosity-and-r…

Jan. 12, 2021

GEM 2021 - Registration deadline update

by Vinita Samarasinghe

*GEM 2021 - Generative Episodic Memory: Interdisciplinary perspectives from psychology, neuroscience and philosophy* https://for2812.rub.de/gem2021 <https://for2812.rub.de/gem2021> 16-18 February 2021 This workshop will take place in virtual space and is free of charge. The program is available at https://for2812.rub.de/gem2021program <https://for2812.rub.de/gem2021program> *The deadline for registration has been extended to 31.01.2021*. Please visit our website <https://for2812.rub.de/gem2021> to register. *Abstract:* Episodic memories are widely regarded as memories of personally experienced events. Early concepts about episodic memory were based on the storage model, according to which experiential content is preserved in memory and later retrieved. However, overwhelming empirical evidence suggests that the content of episodic memory is – at least to a certain degree – constructed in the act of remembering. Even though very few contemporary researchers would oppose this view of episodic memory as a generative process, it has not become the standard paradigm of empirical memory research. This is particularly true for studies of the neural correlates of episodic memory. Further hindering progress are large conceptual differences regarding episodic memory across different fields, such as neuroscience, philosophy, and psychology. This interdisciplinary workshop therefore aims to bring together researchers from all relevant fields to advance the state of the art in the research on generative episodic memory. FOR 2812 “Constructing scenarios of the past: A new framework in episodic memory” consists of 9 projects. Seven from the Ruhr University Bochum and two from the University of Münster. The consortium adopts an interdisciplinary approach and investigates generative episodic memory from a conceptual, modeling, and experimental perspective using a common conceptual framework: scenario construction. Keynote Speakers: Karl-Heinz Bäuml - University Regensburg, Germany Dorthe Berntsen - Aarhus University, Denmark Amy Criss - Syracuse University, USA Dorothea Debus - University of Konstanz, Germany David Huber - University of Massachusetts, USA Sarah Robins - University of Kansas, USA All questions regarding the workshop should be emailed to for2812(a)rub.de <mailto:for2812@rub.de> Coordinator - Vinita Samarasinghe Secretary - Christiane Dahl -- Vinita Samarasinghe M.Sc., M.A. Science Manager Arbeitsgruppe Computational Neuroscience Institut für Neuroinformatik Ruhr-Universität Bochum, NB 3/26 Postfachnummer 110 Universitätstr. 150 44801 Bochum Tel: +49 (0) 234 32 27996 Email: samarasinghe(a)ini.rub.de

Jan. 12, 2021

Re: [Comp-neuro] Special Issue on Deep Learning Approaches for Brain-Computer Interfaces (Signals - MDPI)

by Panagiotis Petrantonakis

Call For Papers for a Special issue on: *Deep Learning Approaches for Brain-Computer Interfaces* https://www.mdpi.com/journal/signals/special_issues/Brain_Computer_Interfac… *Special Issue Information* Brain–computer interfaces (BCIs) decipher and translate brain signals into commands for the surrounding environment. Different types of brain signals, e.g., EEG and fMRI, have been used as a means to decode intended user commands, and various machine learning approaches have been tested in such a task. With the advent of the deep learning (DL) era, new studies have emerged that exploit the advantages of the deep network architectures for BCI systems and depict more efficient and reliable brain signal decoding systems. The aim of this Special Issue is to provide a collection of forefront works investigating the deployment of various deep network types in different BCI applications using a variety of brain signals either of unimodal or multimodal signal processing framework. Topics of interest include but are not limited to the following: - Deep network architectures for BCIs; - Transfer learning in BCIs; - Big data for DL-based BCIs; - Fusion of multiple brain signals for BCIs using DL methods. *Guest Editor* Panagiotis Petrantonakis (ppetrant(a)iti.gr) Please do not hesitate to contact me for additional questions. Kind regards, Panagiotis

Jan. 12, 2021

Special session: Bio-inspired circuits, systems and algorithms for multimedia - CBMI-2021 (Lille)

by Teresa Serrano

*Special session: Bio-inspired circuits, systems and algorithms for multimedia in conjunction with CBMI-2021 (June 28-30)* CBMI aims at bringing together the various communities involved in all aspects of content-based multimedia indexing for retrieval, browsing, management, visualization and analytics. The Special Session on bio-inspired circuits, systems and algorithms will be a mini-venue, focusing on the state-of-the-art and research direction of the emerging field of bio-inspired circuits, systems and algorithms and in the envisioned applications and breakthrough that the application of this bioinspired technology and algorithms can bring to the content-based multimedia indexing field development. Special session papers, which can be invited or submitted, will supplement the regular research papers and be included in the proceedings of CBMI 2021. The special session would include four to five papers, which can be invited, or regular submissions. In order to ensure the high quality of all conference papers, all papers submitted to the special session will be peer-reviewed through the standard review process, including invited papers. If the special session has many high-quality submissions, some of the submissions may potentially be moved to some regular sessions. Authors are encouraged to submit previously unpublished research papers including bioinspired circuits, systems and algorithms that address the use of the bioinspired technology and algorithms in the areas of search and retrieval, multimedia content management, user interaction, large-scale search, learning in retrieval, social media indexing and retrieval, surveillance and security. Other applications areas of interest to the CBMI community not listed above maybe considered. *Organizer *: Teresa Serrano Gotarredona, IMSE-CNM —terese(a)imse-cnm.csic.es andcbmi2021-organisation(a)univ-lille.fr Submissions of papers for special sessions are open on EasyChair:https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=cbmi2021. Please select the special session you apply to in the submission form. *STUDENT PARTICIPATION:* We strongly encourage students to participate in CBMI-21 event and submit their research. We strongly believe in their power, and they are the future of the research in content-based multimedia indexing. For these reasons and for the first time in the history of the conference, the 2021 edition of CBMI with support of ACM SIGMM (www.sigmm.org) will sponsor several students, authors of papers submitted and accepted by CBMI-21, and being corresponding author of a paper. The student status will be recognized only to PhDs and master students. Certain students will be totally sponsored, including registration fees, accommodations and travel expenses. Other students will be partly sponsored, including substantial reduction in the registration fees, no cut-backs to the students’ conference experience, and budget accommodation options and arrangement for room sharing. Furthermore, in this edition, prizes will be awarded to the best student poster presentations of CBMI2021. All the participants registered to CBMI2021 as student will be automatically admitted to the selection for the awards. All the papers accepted as poster presentation by the Technical Program Committee (TPC), from students will be considered for the awards, given that a full-paper manuscript has been submitted. The student poster awards committee will evaluate the nominated contributions during the poster sessions of CBMI2021. The evaluation criteria will be independently established by the Committee before the conference and will take into account the scientific content as well as the technical quality of the posters. The Student Poster Awards will be announced during the Gala Dinner, on June 29th. *Instructions to authors:* Special sessions papers will be included in the CBMI proceedings like regular papers. The CBMI proceedings are traditionally indexed and distributed by IEEE Xplore and ACM DL. In addition, authors of certain best papers of the conference will be invited to submit extended versions of their contributions to a special issue of a leading journal in the field (e.g. MTAP - Springer), and other best papers will be invited to submit extended versions of their contributions in a book (ISTE/WILEY publisher). -- Teresa Serrano Gotarredona Investigadora Científica / Research Scientist Imagen Logo IMSE-CNM C/ Américo Vespucio, 28 Parque Científico y Tecnológico Cartuja 41092 Sevilla. SPAIN Ph.: +34 954 466 666 • Fax: +34 954 466 600

Jan. 11, 2021