September 2023 - Comp-neuro - lists.cnsorg.org

Final call for Mathematics of Neuroscience Conference: 28th Sept - 1st Oct 2023, Old Town, Rhodes, Greece.

by Battleday, Ruairidh

Fourth International Symposium on the Mathematics of Neuroscience. 28th September - 1st October 2023, Old Town, Rhodes, Greece. —---------------- Final call for general attendance and poster sessions —---------------- One week left before this year’s conference on the mathematics of neuroscience, and last chance to register for general attendance or to present a physical or virtual poster: www.neuromonster.org The line up is looking fantastic, and thank you to everyone that made a submission. Fortunately, flights and accommodation are still reasonably cheap! In this exploratory symposium, we present and discuss general mathematical models of brain function. We give priority to those models that account for brain or behavioural data, or provide simulations to that effect. Keynote Speakers Professor Aapo Hyvärinen (University of Helsinki) Painful intelligence: What AI can tell us about human suffering Professor Janneke Jehee (Donders Institute) Probabilistic representations in the human visual cortex Professor Peter Latham (UCL) What’s the question and how do we answer it? Session Chairs Probabilistic models: Dr Ruairidh McLennan Battleday (Harvard / MIT) Neurotheory: Dr James Whittington (Oxford / Stanford) Biocomputation: Professor Dan V. Nicolau (King’s College London / Oxford) Representational alignment: Dr Ilia Sucholutsky (Princeton) Confirmed Speakers Professor Andrew Adamatzky (UWE) Professor Dan Nicolau Sr (McGill) Professor Bill Thompson (Berkeley) Professor Bradley Love (UCL) Professor Iris Groen (Amsterdam) Professor Volker Tresp (Munich) Professor Daniel Graham (HWS) Professor Marcelo Bertalmío (SNRC) Professor Mayank Kejriwal (USC) Dr Thomas Parr (UCL) Dr Andreea Bobu (MIT) Dr Ilias Rentzeperis (SNRC) Dr Steeve Laquitaine (The Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) Dr. Panagiotis Mougkogiannis (UWE) Dr Jonathan V. Gill (NYU) Dr Tommaso Salvatori (Verses.ai) Dr Charles Cohen (Fidelis.ai) Dr Aslan Satary Dizaji (AutocurriculaLab & Neuro-Inspired Vision) Dr Michael Popov (OMCAN network) Dr Sunder Bukya (University of Hyderabad) Shirin Vafaei (Osaka University) Arvind Saraf (Attention Tag) Shivang Rawat (NYU) Jay Verma (University of Delhi) Declan Campbell (Princeton University) Tyler Giallanza (Princeton University) Carol Upchurch (Louisiana State University) Francesco Guido Rinaldi (SISSA) Hang Li (LMU Munich) Simon Frieder (Oxford) Sabahaddin Taha Solakoglu (Hacettepe University) Hanna Derets (University of Waterloo) Jia Li (KU Leuven) Rahul Jain (Pomona College) The symposium will be held virtually or in-person on the island of Rhodes, Greece from the 28th September - 1st October 2023 (www.neuromonster.org) Submission for poster sessions is by 250-word abstract, emailed to the session chairs at battleday(a)thinkingaboutthinking.org, indicating the desired session. -- Dr Ruairidh McLennan Battleday BMBCh (Oxon) PhD Postdoctoral Research Fellow Center for Brain Science, Harvard University Center for Brains, Minds, and Machines, MIT

Sept. 20, 2023

Multiple Tenure-Track Faculty positions at University of Oregon

by Luca Mazzucato

The University of Oregon is seeking candidates for multiple tenure-track faculty positions at the Assistant Professor level in data science, statistics, and applied math—one in the Math department and two in UO's new Data Science Department. We encourage applications from candidates working in Computational Neuroscience and Artificial Intelligence as well as other data science-related fields, and we particularly welcome applications from candidates from underrepresented backgrounds. UO's vibrant neuroscience community includes our Institute of Neuroscience <https://ion.uoregon.edu/>, the NeuroAI Center <https://ion.uoregon.edu/neuroai>, and the International Network for Bio-Inspired Computing <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.in-bic.org/__;!!C5qS4YX3!EH7D1JvIbA…> . Please circulate the two job advertisements below to any potential applicants at your institution who may be interested. -- *Assistant Professor of Mathematics* https://www.mathjobs.org/jobs/list/22919 <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.mathjobs.org/jobs/list/22919__;!!C5…> The University of Oregon’s Mathematics Department invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position, to begin in fall 2024. Successful candidates will be working at the interface of mathematics with statistical inference, machine learning, and/or related areas of data science. They will have a record of research excellence, potential for excellent teaching, and a commitment to promoting an inclusive community. While this position will be in the Mathematics Department, we value the ability to interact with other units on campus, including (but not limited to) the School of Computer and Data Sciences, the Department of Biology, the Institute of Neuroscience, and the Knight Campus for Accelerating Academic Impact. We welcome applicants with a wide range of academic backgrounds. Questions about this search can be directed to James Murray (jmurray9 at uoregon dot edu). -- *Assistant Professor of Data Science* https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/25568 <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/25568__…> We enthusiastically invite multiple interdisciplinary researchers to join our newly established Department of Data Science as tenure-track faculty colleagues. We invite applications from researchers working in Data Science, broadly defined, including those working in other domains who contribute to data analysis methodology for that domain (e.g., methods and/or applications of artificial intelligence, machine learning, statistical inference, computational/applied mathematics, data visualization, etc) as well as those whose research focuses directly on the methodology itself (e.g., computer science or statistics). We are building the Data Science department to center justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion (JDEI), in our department's research, teaching, and organization. Strong faculty candidates will therefore have demonstrated impactful contributions to JDEI. We encourage applications from candidates with a history of collaboration with domain experts. Questions about this search can be directed to Luca Mazzucato (lmazzuca at uoregon dot edu).

Sept. 19, 2023

Two faculty positions at the University of Miami (Department of Psychology)

by Mingbo Cai

The Department of Psychology at the University of Miami, a private institution in a diverse and metropolitan city, invites applications for two full-time, tenure-eligible, or tenure-track faculty members to join our department in August 2024. One position is in the department’s Adult Division, and the other is the Cognitive & Behavioral Neuroscience division. *Adult Division - *The specific area is open. Area(s) of focus could include, but are not limited to, basic research on affect, cognitive science, and/or mechanistic studies related to mental health or the impact of disparities. We also welcome outstanding scholars with expertise in one or more of the following methods, including lab-based experimental, neurophysiological, computational, and/or mobile health/digital phenotyping. Individuals with interests in data science, including advanced quantitative techniques, big data, and machine learning are also encouraged to apply. *Cognitive & Behavioral Neuroscience Division - *The specific area is open, but we are particularly interested in individuals who incorporate innovative and sophisticated cognitive, affective, or social neuroscience methods into their research program. Candidates must hold a Ph.D. (non-clinical or clinical) by the appointment start date. Applications will be considered at the rank of Assistant Professor and Associate Professor level. Appointment is expected to start on August 15, 2024. Applications can be submitted via the UM Careers website – Adult Division posting <https://umiami.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/UMFaculty/job/Coral-Gables-FL/A-S---Ps…> and Cognitive & Behavioral Neuroscience posting <https://umiami.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/UMFaculty/job/Coral-Gables-FL/A-S---Ps…> . Review of applications will begin on October 1, 2023 and continue until the position is filled. Inquiries, requests for information, and nominations can be sent to the Search Committee Chairs (Adult – Kiara Timpano k.timpano(a)miami.edu; Cognitive & Behavioral Neuroscience – Aaron Heller aheller(a)miami.edu) *------------------------------ * The University of Miami is an Equal Opportunity Employer – Females, Minorities, Protected Veterans, and/or Individuals with Disabilities are encouraged to apply. Applicants and employees are protected from discrimination based on certain categories protected by Federal law. Click here <https://www.hr.miami.edu/careers/eo-ada/index.html> for additional information.

Sept. 19, 2023

Postdoctoral positions for CRCNS project on Role of ACh on Memory

by Alex Roxin

*Call for one experimental and one theoretical postdoctoral position in the framework of a collaborative (US/Spain) CRCNS project on the role of acetylcholine on memory.* The Wang lab at the Max Plack Florida Institute for Neuroscience, and the Computational Neuroscience group at the Centre de Recerca Matemàtica (Barcelona, Spain) are looking for postdoctoral researchers for an experimental-theoretical collaboration to shed light on the role of acetylcholine (ACh) in the formation and long-term dynamics of memory in rodents. This collaborative project will combine large-scale two-photon imaging recordings of in-vivo neuronal and ACh dynamics (Wang lab), with computational modeling and analysis (Roxin group) to investigate the role of ACh in the emergence of internally generated sequences in hippocampal CA1 cells. We will furthermore track the long-term dynamics of the resulting patterns of neuronal activity to characterize the degree of representational drift and elucidate the underlying mechanisms through network modeling. *Call for Experimental Postdoctoral Researcher*: The experimental postdoctoral position will be based at the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience, in the laboratory of Yingxue Wang.The ideal candidates should have a background in neuroscience or related field, and are interested in understanding the neuronal mechanisms of learning and memory. Previous experience with electrophysiology and/or two-photon imaging in behaving animals, quantitative data analysis and computer programming is highly preferred. Excellent communication skills and the ability to work well in a team are required. The three year project will begin immediately. Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience is part of the Jupiter Neuroscience Research Campus which also includes UF Scripps Biomedical Research and Florida Atlantic University. It provides a flourishing interdisciplinary research environment for neuroscience. We offer outstanding benefits and salary compensation above the NIH scales. Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Yingxue Wang at Yingxue.Wang(a)mpfi.org. *Call for Theoretical Postdoctoral Researcher*: The theoretical postdoctoral position will be based at the Centre de Recerca Matemàtica, located on the campus of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Bellaterra, Spain. The postdoctoral researcher will combine the analysis of experimental data from the Wang Lab with computational modeling in order to study the physiological and network mechanisms underlying memory formation and representational drift. This work will involve large-scale numerical simulation as well as network analysis using methods from dynamical systems theory and statistical physics. Strong coding and mathematical skills are a must. This is a three-year position which is expected to begin in early 2024. Interested candidates should contact Alex Roxin at alexander.roxin(a)gmail.com. This project is jointly funded by the National Institutes of Health (USA) and the Agencia Estatal de Investigación (Spain) in the framework of Collaborative Research in Computational Neuroscience program (CRCNS). As such, the experimental and theoretical teams will work closely together, including regular online meetings and an annual in-person meeting to be held alternatingly in Florida and Barcelona. The postdoctoral researchers will be expected to work in a collaborative fashion with members of both teams to ensure a unified research effort. -- Alex Roxin Computational Neuroscience Group Centre de Recerca Matemàtica Campus de Bellaterra, Edifici C 08193 Bellaterra (Barcelona) https://sites.google.com/site/alexanderroxin/home

Sept. 19, 2023

post-doc position, RL and Comp Neuro, Moreno-Bote and Jonsson Labs

by Ruben Moreno Bote

*Post-doctoral position* *Reinforcement Learning and Computational Neuroscience, Moreno-Bote and Jonsson Labs* *University Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain* We are looking for strong post-doctoral candidates interested in joining the group of Theoretical and Cognitive Neuroscience of Ruben Moreno-Bote lab and the group of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning of Anders Jonsson. We are looking for excellent post-doctoral candidates with Physics, Mathematics or Machine Learning background. The publication record of the candidate should be very strong in their respective discipline. The candidate will develop state of the art theory and models of RL inspired by computational neuroscience to understand natural behavior based on reward-free approaches. Related papers on the focus of the project are: [2205.10316] Seeking entropy: complex behavior from intrinsic motivation to occupy action-state path space (arxiv.org) <https://arxiv.org/abs/2205.10316> [2302.01098] A general Markov decision process formalism for action-state entropy-regularized reward maximization (arxiv.org) <https://arxiv.org/abs/2302.01098> The candidate will benefit from the stimulating environment of Barcelona area in Theoretical and Systems Neuroscience and will have the opportunity of enjoying a lively city. TCN lab (https://www.upf.edu/web/tcn) forms part of a larger network of neuroscience labs in Barcelona. Financial support is provided by MdM and salary is competitive. APPLICATION: A full CV in pdf format, a 1 page-long project in pdf format, and names and email addresses of 2 referees should be sent to the following address: ruben.moreno(a)upf.edu Informal inquiries are welcome. DEADLINE: until the position is filled STARTING DATE: any time between November 2023 and April 2024 -- Rubén Moreno Bote Serra Húnter Full Professor and ICREA Academia Director of the Theoretical and Cognitive Neuroscience Group Center for Brain and Cognition & Dept. of Information and Communications Technologies University Pompeu Fabra Campus Ciutadella c\ Ramon Trias Fargas, 25-27 Mercè Rodoreda building, 3th floor (room 24.331) 08005 Barcelona, Spain https://www.upf.edu/web/tcn https://twitter.com/morenobote <https://twitter.com/morenobote?lang=ca>

Sept. 19, 2023

Post-doc in Paris (Benoît Girard, ISIR, Sorbonne Université, Paris)

by Benoît Girard

A 18-month postdoc position is opened at the Institute of Intelligent Systems and Robotics (ISIR, Sorbonne Université & CNRS). We are looking for a young and enthusiast researcher trained in computational neuroscience or neuro-robotics to develop a computational model of catatonia. It is based on a new theory and preliminary results obtained in the lab (Aubin et al., 2022), dealing with the study of alteration of dynamic regimes observed in models of cortico-baso-thalamo-cortical loops. Results obtained with a population model have to be reproduced and extended with a spiking model, as well as connected to motor control module so as to investigate the motor symptoms of catatonia. The position could start as soon as a candidate is found. The project builds on an ongoing collaboration between Benoît Girard (ISIR, computational neuroscience), David Cohen (ISIR and Pitié-Salpêtrière Hospital, clinical expertise) and Ghilès Mostafaoui (ETIS at Cergy-Pontoise Université, robotics and motor control) Please contact us (benoit.girard(a)isir.upmc.fr, david.cohen(a)aphp.fr, ghiles.mostafaoui(a)u-cergy.fr) for further information. Aubin, L., Batailley, B., Raffin, M., Mostafaoui, G., Cohen, D. and Girard B. (2022) Exploration of the respective roles of cortex and basal ganglia in catatonia with a computational model. Poster presented at FENS2022 and NeuralNet2022. -- Benoît Girard, ISIR, Sorbonne Université/CNRS Pyramide T55/65, CC 173 4 place Jussieu, 75252 Paris Cedex http://people.isir.upmc.fr/girard/ Submit your replications to ReScience: https://rescience.github.io/

Sept. 18, 2023

Scientific Computing Associate - Biophysical Modeling - Janelia Farm Research Campus

by Ahmed El Hady

Dear all, Below an exciting opportunity in Janelia Farm Research Campus to be part of an exciting collaboration if you are into scientific computing, software development and interaction with state of the art biophysics experiments: The Scientific Computing Associate (SCA) <https://www.janelia.org/support-team/scientific-computing-software/scientif…> II position represents an alternative to traditional scientific roles (e.g. postdoc) and provides an ideal environment to establish a career in computational research or software engineering. The position aims at developing qualifications and experience in computational research and professional software engineering in a research environment that enables the candidate to pursue their future career in science or industry. For each project, the SCA will be paired with an experienced software engineer and a member from the specific lab, often the lab head, to quickly learn techniques and about the project itself. The developed software will be openly accessible and the SCA will have the opportunity to become a lead contributor and to potentially publish results. The SCA position is a time-limited appointment for 12 to 24 months, with discretionary renewal for a 12-month term (maximum of 36 months in total). *What We Provide:* * A competitive compensation package, with comprehensive health and welfare benefits. * The opportunity to collaborate with skilled scientists and software engineers and work alongside computational and experimental enthusiasts * The ability to work as an independent scientist * An exciting and inspiring work environment at HHMI Janelia *What You’ll Do:* We are seeking an SCA to join our team at HHMI Janelia to lead a project aimed at /in silico/ biophysical modeling of extracellular ion dynamics in the mammalian brain. Dr. Kayvon Pedram <https://www.pedramlab.com/> will provide mentorship on biochemical aspects of the work; Dr. Ahmed El Hady <https://www.ab.mpg.de/person/111828/2736> will provide mentorship in theoretical neuroscience; and Dr. Stephan Preibisch <https://www.janelia.org/people/stephan-preibisch> and his team will provide mentorship in algorithm development and software engineering. Successful candidates will be interested in exerting intellectual and operational freedom to tackle research objectives at the intersection of these three fields. In brief, neurons convey information through electric pulses, which are generated by rapid ion transport between the cell’s interior and the local extracellular environment. These action potentials propagate from one neuron to the next via chemical synapses, where neurotransmitter-containing vesicles are released into the extracellular space for detection by neighboring neurons. The process of neurotransmitter release itself depends on a rapid, synaptically localized calcium exchange with the extracellular environment. While it is widely understood that transmembrane ion gradients are a crucial aspect of the biophysics that underlies communication within neuronal networks, there is a much more limited understanding of how molecules in the extracellular space, which are heterogenous and actively remodeled throughout the brain, contribute to neuronal communication over a variety of spatial and temporal scales. You will build theoretical frameworks and computational models to explore how extracellular factors, such as ion-ion interactions and mechanical perturbations, influence the diffusion of charged molecules, and subsequently, neuronal excitability. You can expect a close, bidirectional relationship between your theory/modeling efforts and experiments ongoing in the lab and will have the opportunity to test theoretical predictions in the laboratory, if desired. A detailed project description and bibliography will be provided to candidates at the interview stage. *What You Bring:* * M.S. or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Physics, Neuroscience, or related fields (e.g., Biology, Chemistry, Engineering). * Extensive coding experience * Collaborative and collegial attitude toward staff at all levels. For more information and application , please check here:https://hhmi.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/External/job/Janelia-Research… <https://hhmi.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/External/job/Janelia-Research-Camp…>

Sept. 17, 2023

Postdoctoral Position in Deep Learning/Computer Vision with a Focus on 2D Pose Estimation

by Majid Mohajerani

Position Overview: The Mohajerani lab (https://douglas.research.mcgill.ca/majid-mohajerani/) at McGill University is seeking individuals with expertise and experience in video analysis to fill a postdoctoral position that will span three years, ideally starting in November-December 2023. The Postdoctoral position will be based in the vibrant city of Montreal, offering an exceptional quality of life with its rich cultural diversity, culinary delights, and dynamic arts scene. As part of this role, you will work at McGill University, known for its world-class research and academic excellence, providing an intellectually stimulating and inspiring environment for your career growth. The preferred candidate for this Postdoctoral opportunity should hold a Ph.D. in deep learning, computer vision, engineering, or a related field, along with a distinguished research track record. A solid foundation in machine learning, artificial intelligence, and data mining is essential. Proficiency in programming, analytical problem-solving skills, and strong organizational capabilities are prerequisites. Previous hands-on experience with deep neural networks is obligatory. We are searching for a dedicated researcher who thrives on tackling challenges and possesses expertise and enthusiasm for developing video analysis techniques utilizing deep learning methodologies. The recruited candidate will be responsible for conducting research within the PREMIERE project and for participating in the related Work Package activities. The successful candidate must possess a collaborative spirit, as this role involves cooperation with multiple institutions and investigators. Key qualifications: - Strong expertise in deep learning frameworks (e.g., TensorFlow, PyTorch, or Keras). - Demonstrated expertise in applying Recurrent Neural Networks (RNNs), Transformers for temporal sequence analysis, or hybrid models such as Convolutional-LSTM architectures. - Experience in research and/or development for action recognition, body pose and motion estimation, multi-objects tracking, activity recognition, scene understanding, etc. - Expert knowledge of the principles, algorithms, and tools of deep learning, including models, training strategies, training dataset building, loss functions, quality metrics, etc. - Excellent communication and collaboration skills. How to Apply: If you’re passionate about machine learning and want to work in a dynamic and exciting environment, please apply with your resume and a cover letter describing your relevant experience and why you’re the right fit for this role. We strive to ensure that our team is diverse, equitable, and inclusive. All qualified applicants, including women and members of visible minority groups, are welcome to apply. The application review will start on Oct 15th till the positions are filled. If you meet all the requirements, please fill out the following form. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe6jDyhrjyE8nFVSokgn3vWpzEjfLhUi83…

Sept. 15, 2023

Tenure track faculty position Cognition and Cognitive Neuroscience Psychology at UMass Amherst

by Tejas Savalia

Dear all, The Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst (http://www.umass.edu/pbs/) is inviting applications for a tenure track, academic year, faculty position at the Assistant Professor level in its Cognition and Cognitive Neuroscience Psychology program, starting in Fall 2024. We are seeking outstanding applicants with expertise in any area of cognitive psychology or cognitive neuroscience, including interdisciplinary fields connected to cognitive psychology, whose work complements and broadens existing strengths in our program. We are known for interdisciplinary and cross-area collaborations and innovation. The program has current strengths in attention, decision-making, psycholinguistics, and mathematical modeling, with connections to our Behavioral Neuroscience, Clinical Psychology, Developmental Science, and Social Psychology programs. Across the university, our faculty have strong connections to Linguistics, Information and Computer Sciences, and Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences, as well as the Initiative in Cognitive Science, the Computational and Social Science Institute, the Institute for Diversity Sciences, and the Institute for Applied Life Sciences. The Department is interested in candidates who have demonstrated the ability to contribute to the inclusive excellence and diversity mission of the department, college, and university in research, teaching, and/or outreach. Requirements - Applicants must have a Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology or a closely related field at the time of appointment. - A developing record of demonstrated excellence in research consistent with an early career stage. - Strong methodological skills and a theoretically-based research program. - Demonstrated ability or strong promise of extramural funding. - A strong commitment to undergraduate education, graduate training and mentoring, and diversity and inclusion. About UMass Amherst UMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region. Application Instructions Along with the application, please submit a cover letter, curriculum vitae, statement of research interests, statement of teaching philosophy, statement of contributions and future plans to diversity, equity and inclusion (see below), samples of representative research papers, and contact information for three (3) professional references. We will begin to review applications on October 1, 2023, and will continue to accept applications until the position is filled. Please submit materials online to: http://careers.massachusetts.edu/cw/en-us/job/520191?lApplicationSubSourceI… As part of our commitment to supporting our multicultural community, we seek an individual with a demonstrated commitment to diversity and one who will understand and embrace university initiatives and aspirations. The statement of contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion should identify past experiences and future goals. These contributions may result from lived experiences, scholarships, and/or mentoring, teaching, and outreach activities. (https://www.cns.umass.edu/diversity-equity-inclusion) The University is committed to active recruitment of a diverse faculty and student body. The University of Massachusetts is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer of women, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities and encourages applications from these and other protected group members. Because broad diversity is essential to an inclusive climate and critical to the University’s goals of achieving excellence in all areas, we will holistically assess the many qualifications of each applicant and favorably consider an individual’s record working with students and colleagues with broadly diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds in educational, research or other work activities. We will also favorably consider experience overcoming or helping others overcome barriers to an academic career and degree. Best, Tejas Savalia

Sept. 15, 2023

Fwd: CFP: UniReps Workshop on Unifying Representations in Neural Models, NeurIPS 2023, DEADLINE 04 Oct

by Clementine Domine

We are thrilled to announce the first edition of the UniReps Workshop on Unifying Representations in Neural Models <https://unireps.org/>! To be held on Dec 15, 2023 at NeurIPS 2023 <https://nips.cc/>, New Orleans, USA. Our workshop aims to explore the emergence of similar representations from diverse neural models, both artificial and biological, when exposed to similar stimuli. We will investigate this phenomenon's reasons, conditions, and methods and explore the potential for unifying these representations into a shared framework. Additionally, we will delve into exciting applications such as model merging, stitching, and reusing independently trained modules. Our primary objective is to foster collaboration and idea exchange among Machine Learning, Neuroscience, and Cognitive Science researchers. We aim to create a platform for interdisciplinary discussions and collaborations by bringing together experts from diverse backgrounds. *Check our Call For Papers <https://unireps.org/call-for-papers/> below. * *For any additional information check our website <https://unireps.org/>, Twitter profile <https://twitter.com/unireps>, Slack workspace <https://join.slack.com/t/unirepsunifyi-stf5976/shared_invite/zt-22vr60uon-G…>, or contact us at unireps.organizers(a)gmail.com <unireps.organizers(a)gmail.com>.* Call For Papers Neural models, whether in biological or artificial systems, tend to learn similar representations when exposed to similar stimuli. This phenomenon has been observed in various scenarios, e.g., when individuals are exposed to the same stimulus or in different initializations of the same neural architecture. Similar representations occur in settings where data is acquired from multiple modalities (e.g., text and image representations of the same entity) or when observations in a single modality are acquired under different conditions (e.g., multiview learning). The emergence of these similar representations has sparked interest in the fields of Neuroscience, Artificial Intelligence, and Cognitive Science. This workshop aims to get a unified view on this topic and facilitate the exchange of ideas and insights across these fields, focusing on three key points: When: Understanding the patterns by which these similarities emerge in different neural models and developing methods to measure them. Why: Investigating the underlying causes of these similarities in neural representations, considering both artificial and biological models. What for: Exploring and showcasing applications in modular deep learning, including model merging, reuse, stitching, efficient strategies for fine-tuning, and knowledge transfer between models and across modalities. Topics A non-exhaustive list of the preferred topics includes: - Model merging, stitching, and reuse - Representational alignment - Identifiability in neural models - Symmetry and equivariance in NNs - Learning dynamics - Disentangled representations - Multiview representation learning - Representation similarity analysis - Linear mode connectivity - Similarity-based learning - Multimodal learning - Similarity measures in NNs Important Dates - Paper submission deadline: Oct 04, 2023 – Submit on OpenReview <https://openreview.net/group?id=NeurIPS.cc/2023/Workshop/UniReps> - Final decisions to authors: Oct 27, 2023 Tracks Submissions to the workshop are organized in two tracks, both requiring novel and unpublished results: an Extended abstract track, which will address early-stage results, insightful negative findings, opinion pieces, and a Proceedings track, which will address complete papers to be published in a dedicated workshop proceedings volume. Both tracks will be included in the workshop poster session to give an opportunity to authors to present their work, and a subset of the submissions will be selected for a spotlight talk session during the workshop. Paper FormatThe full paper submissions must be at most 9 pages long (excluding references and supplementary materials) and anonymized. We will follow the Neurips general conference submission criteria for papers - for details please see: NeurIPS Call For Papers <https://nips.cc/Conferences/2023/CallForPapers>. As a note, the reviewers will not be required to review the supplementary materials, so ensure your paper is self-contained. For the extended non-archival abstracts please use the same template but limit the submission to 4 pages, excluding references. The submission site will have an option to differentiate full papers and extended abstracts. Please make sure to use the NeurIPS LaTeX template <https://media.neurips.cc/Conferences/NeurIPS2023/Styles/neurips_2023.tex> and style file <https://media.neurips.cc/Conferences/NeurIPS2023/Styles/neurips_2023.sty>.

Sept. 15, 2023