January 2024 - Comp-neuro - lists.cnsorg.org

PhD in NeuroAI
by O'Donnell, Cian 11 Jan '24

11 Jan '24

We are looking for a computational neuroscience PhD student for a project on “NeuroAI approaches to understanding inter-individual differences in cognition and psychiatric disorders.” The goal is to use populations of deep neural networks as a simple model for populations of human brains, combined with models from evolutionary genetics, to understand the principles underlying the mapping from genotypes to cognitive phenotypes. More details including reading material here: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/doctoralcollege/find-a-phd/1577672. This is a collaborative project with Prof Liam McDaid and Dr Bryan Gardiner at Ulster University, and Dr Kevin Mitchell at Trinity College Dublin. You will join our research group which uses computational tools to do research on synaptic plasticity, learning and memory, autism, and neural data analysis methods: https://odonnellgroup.github.io. You will also be a member of the CNET team in the Intelligent Systems Research Centre (http://isrc.ulster.ac.uk) a community of researchers working across computational and cognitive neuroscience, neurotechnology, neuromorphic engineering, machine learning, robotics and related fields. We are based in the Derry campus of Ulster University. Derry a lively city of ~100K people on the River Foyle in Northern Ireland, UK. It has a highly affordable cost of living, thriving cultural scene, and access to spectacular coastal scenery and the great outdoors in Donegal and the north coast of Northern Ireland. To be eligible for funding, UK-based applicants should have or expect to obtain an upper second or first-class undergraduate or masters degree. International applicants should have a masters degree. Application deadline is 26th February 2024, for a Sept 2024 start. Application info here: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/doctoralcollege/find-a-phd/1577672. Please contact Cian (c.odonnell2(a)ulster.ac.uk<mailto:c.odonnell2@ulster.ac.uk>) if you are interested or have questions. -- Cian O’Donnell Lecturer in Data Analytics School of Computing, Engineering and Intelligent Systems Ulster University https://odonnellgroup.github.io This email and any attachments are confidential and intended solely for the use of the addressee and may contain information which is covered by legal, professional or other privilege. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager at postmaster(a)ulster.ac.uk and delete this email immediately. Any views or opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Ulster University. The University's computer systems may be monitored and communications carried out on them may be recorded to secure the effective operation of the system and for other lawful purposes. Ulster University does not guarantee that this email or any attachments are free from viruses or 100% secure. Unless expressly stated in the body of a separate attachment, the text of email is not intended to form a binding contract. Correspondence to and from the University may be subject to requests for disclosure by 3rd parties under relevant legislation. The Ulster University was founded by Royal Charter in 1984 and is registered with company number RC000726 and VAT registered number GB672390524.The primary contact address for Ulster University in Northern Ireland is Cromore Road, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry BT52 1SA

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Postdoc on Curiosity in Göttingen
by Ecker, Alexander 11 Jan '24

11 Jan '24

We have a postdoc position at the interface of machine learning, cognitive science and neuroscience within a new collaborative center on “Curiosity” (12 PIs, 14 open positions overall) in Göttingen. Here is the call: https://s.gwdg.de/lM9qZr Starting summer 2024, we will investigate curiosity jointly from the perspective of computational neuroscience, psychology, cognitive science, and artificial intelligence: https://www.uni-goettingen.de/de/681631.html The postdoc position comes with a lot of independence, the opportunity to help shape the research agenda of the center, co-supervise PhD students and is an excellent springboard to an academic career in Europe and beyond. Application deadline is January 15, but we can also accept late applications for a few more days. It helps if you let us know if you’re planning to apply and cannot meet the deadline. PIs are: Nivedita Mani (speaker), Alexander Ecker, Claudia Fichtel, Julia Fischer, Julia Ostner, Viola Priesemann, Hannes Rakoczy, Anne Schacht, Sascha Schroeder, Caspar Schwiedrzik, Oliver Schuelke, Fabian Sinz, Michael Wibral, Florentin Woergoetter A list of all open positions can be found here: https://www.uni-goettingen.de/de/open+positions/681638.html

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Postdoc in visual/computational neuroscience (NeuroAI) at UCSB
by Michael Beyeler 10 Jan '24

10 Jan '24

We are excited to invite a self-driven and enthusiastic postdoctoral researcher to our team at the Bionic Vision Lab <https://bionicvisionlab.org>, University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), led by Assistant Professor Michael Beyeler. This NeuroAI project at the exciting crossroads of visual and computational neuroscience, is part of the NIH BRAIN Initiative that seeks to elucidate how the mouse brain processes visual information during active exploration to support visual navigation. Our recent NeurIPS paper <https://bionicvisionlab.org/publications/2023-12-v1-mouse/> highlighted how a multimodal recurrent net can integrate gaze-contingent visual input with behavioral and temporal dynamics to explain V1 activity in freely moving mice. We are now seeking to extend this work to higher-order visual areas (HVAs) in collaboration with the labs of Spencer Smith (UCSB), Michael Goard (UCSB), and Cris Niell (University of Oregon). What we offer: - A welcoming, inclusive, and collaborative environment that combines expertise in neuroscience, computer science, and cognitive sciences. - A fully funded, unionized position, offering a competitive salary and excellent benefits, for a minimum 2-year commitment. - An opportunity to work with diverse experts and engage with unique neural activity data sets, collected using state-of-the-art techniques. We are looking for: - A passionate individual with a solid foundation in visual and computational neuroscience. - A PhD in (computational) neuroscience, computer science, cognitive sciences, statistics, or a related field - Strong communication and teamwork skills, with proficiency in programming and statistical analysis To apply, please email your CV and contacts for 2-3 references to mbeyeler(a)ucsb.edu. -- Michael Beyeler (he/him/his) Assistant Professor Department of Computer Science Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences bionicvisionlab.org [image: UC Santa Barbara]

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Postdoc Opportunity in Computational Modeling of Theory of Mind (Hamburg, Germany)
by Jan Gläscher 08 Jan '24

08 Jan '24

Postdoc position in Cognitive Computational Neuroscience for a project on “Recursive Theory of Mind during cooperative and competitive interactions” This project is part of the recently DFG-funded Collaborative Research Center (SFB) 1528 “Cognition of Interaction” primarily located at the University of Göttingen and will be conducted in the lab of Dr. Jan Gläscher <http://www.glascherlab.org/> (research group “Valuation and Social Decision-Making”) at the Institute for Systems Neuroscience <https://www.uke.de/english/departments-institutes/institutes/systems-neuros…> of the UKE (headed by Prof. Christian Büchel) in Hamburg, Germany. Research Project Theory of Mind describes a set of abilities that enables humans to think about the others and their actions, goals, and beliefs. In essence, it describes the ability to construct a mental model of others that can be used to make predictions about their next actions. However, these models can include models that the others build of ourselves at which point they become recursive (“I think that you think that I will do X.”). We are investigating the construction of such recursive mental models in the context of a cooperative and competitive social foraging task. We will employ computational modeling of behavior and model-informed analyses of EEG data to identify the neural representation of mental models and RSA and other hyperscanning analyses to detect and characterize within- and between brain connectivity during cooperative and competitive play. Available position A postdoc position for 2 years (until the end of 2025) is available to carry out this ambitious research project under the supervision of myself together with a PhD student working already on the project and in collaboration with other projects of the CRC 1528 in Göttingen. Salary depends on experience and is based on German regulations TVöD-VKA-13 with a factor of 100%. Start date: March 2024 or a 1-3 months later Research environment The CRC 1528 “Cognition of Interaction” <https://uni-goettingen.de/de/652672.html> chaired by Prof. Alexander Gail and consists of PIs Behavioral Biology, Cognitive Psychology, Computational Neuroscience, and Systems Neuroscience. The unit integrates world-class experts in computational modeling and cutting-edge neuroscience research in humans and primates. All projects work on related questions with a lot of opportunities to work and interact with other groups in Göttingen. The “Valuation and Social Decision-Making” <https://glascherlab.org/> group is one of currently 11 research groups <https://www.uke.de/english/departments-institutes/institutes/systems-neuros…> at the Institute for Systems Neuroscience at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Germany. The institute provides a vibrant, multidisciplinary, and highly international research environment with many interactions between its members and several regular common events (e.g. methods meetings, lecture series). Our graduate school <https://www.uke.de/kliniken-institute/institute/systemische-neurowissenscha…> is a member of the Hamburg Brain School <https://hamburgbrainschool.de/> and the Network of European Neuroscience Schools (NENS) <https://www.fens.org/careers/networks/nens>. The lab language is English. The institute hosts a 3T PRISMA MRI scanner, an EEG hyperscanning and eye-tracking lab, TMS, virtual reality and behavioral labs that allow us to easily and quickly acquire data from a variety of complementing modalities. Requirements for the position - Strong motivation and diligence to carry out a challenging and complex, but also exciting research project. - Ph.D. in cognitive neuroscience or a related field. - Strong experience in programming (MATLAB, R, Python) - Some prior experience in computational cognitive modeling and neuroimaging analyses Application Applications are accepted until the position is filled. If you are interested, please send a single PDF document including your CV, a brief statement of research interest and research experience (including your modeling experience), and the contact details of two academic references to Jan Gläscher (glaescher(a)uke.de) Informal inquiries are welcome. -- _____________________________________________________________________ Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf; Körperschaft des öffentlichen Rechts; Gerichtsstand: Hamburg | www.uke.de Vorstandsmitglieder: Prof. Dr. Christian Gerloff (Vorsitzender), Joachim Prölß, Prof. Dr. Blanche Schwappach-Pignataro, Matthias Waldmann (komm.) _____________________________________________________________________ SAVE PAPER - THINK BEFORE PRINTING

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Open Graduate and Postdoctoral Positions at the NEW Rich Lab at UConn
by Scott Rich 08 Jan '24

08 Jan '24

Dear Comp-Neuro Listserv, As 2024 has officially begun, my new lab at the University of Connecticut’s Department of Physiology and Neurobiology (PNB) has officially opened. This new computational neuroscience lab will use a wide range of computational techniques, from detailed single-cell modeling to biophysically-motivated neuronal circuits to abstract models of large populations, towards a better understanding of how neuronal heterogeneity drives physiological brain function. To learn more, please peruse my personal website <https://scottrich.mystrikingly.com/> or my profile page on the PNB webpage <https://pnb.uconn.edu/person/scott-rich/> (lab website under construction!). I am recruiting trainees at all levels to build the lab. The official posting for the open Postdoctoral position in my lab is available here <https://jobs.hr.uconn.edu/cw/en-us/job/498073/postdoctoral-research-associa…>. If you are interested in joining the lab as a graduate student, you can still apply to the department following the guidelines outlined here <https://pnb.uconn.edu/graduate/graduate-application-and-admission-informati…>. In addition, if you're applying to either position, or just want to express your interest to “stay in the loop” for further updates, please fill out this Google Form <https://forms.gle/r4m5VNZQJDAjKgcM8>. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions you might have. Sincerely, Scott Rich ___________ Sincerely, Scott Rich, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, University of Connecticut Department of Physiology and Neurobiology pnb.uconn.edu/person/scott-rich/ <http://pnb.uconn.edu/person/scott-rich/>scottrich.mystrikingly.com <http://scottrich.mystrikingly.com/>

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[job opening] Postdoc in Modeling Decision Making and Memory for Human-Robot Interaction @Delft University of Technology
by Arkady Zgonnikov 08 Jan '24

08 Jan '24

[apologies for cross-posting] Postdoc Modeling the Dynamics of Decision making and its Interplay with Memory Robots in interactions with humans need to predict their behavior and safely navigate around them. Such predictions can be especially hard when humans exhibit sudden shifts in behavior, often under stress and time pressure. For instance, a pedestrian can decide not to cross the road in front of an autonomous vehicle but then change their mind. Such sudden choice reversals could have particularly strong impact in high-stakes scenarios such as human-robot interactions in traffic. What are the cognitive mechanisms of humans’ changes-of-mind in dynamic tasks under time pressure? How do our past experiences affect such decisions? How can we model the ‘stress factor’ mathematically? In this project, your aim will be to 1) develop a neurally plausible cognitive model to explain changes-of-mind in dynamic decision-making and its interplay with memory, and 2) collect a large-scale online dataset on dynamic decision-making to evaluate the model. This proof-of-concept study will break through the fundamental limitations of the current models and will establish the basis for real-life applications of neurally plausible decision-making models. In this project, you will be able to develop your skills in mathematical modeling and numerical simulation. You will work at TU Delft in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering jointly at the Department of Cognitive Robotics and the Delft Center for Systems and Control, supervised by Dr. Matin Jafarian and Dr. Arkady Zgonnikov. Requirements * PhD in computational cognitive neuroscience or, alternatively, in applied mathematics or control engineering with motivated interest in human cognition * Strong teamwork skills and interest in highly interdisciplinary research * Affinity with teaching and supervising students * Solid programming skills * Proficiency in verbal and written English * Experience with one or more of the following topics is considered a plus * dynamical systems * stochastic differential equations * decision making * memory Conditions of employment * Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (salary indication: € 4.036 - € 5.090 per month gross). The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. * This postdoc position has a fixed-term contract of 12 months. More details/apply via https://www.tudelft.nl/over-tu-delft/werken-bij-tu-delft/vacatures/details/… until January 15, 2024. Best regards, Arkady Zgonnikov Assistant Professor Human-Robot Interaction Group Department of Cognitive Robotics Delft University of Technology

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PhD positions in Lifelong Reinforcement Learning at Loughborough University
by Andrea Soltoggio 08 Jan '24

08 Jan '24

Dear all, I am currently considering applications for fully funded PhD positions in Lifelong Machine (Reinforcement) Learning. The projects aim to advance SoTA lifelong learning AI algorithms towards better knowledge reuse, composability, scalability and transparency. Application areas include Robotics, Cybersecurity and medical data. Some specific projects with application links (more to come soon): * Lifelong Learning for cybersecurity systems: https://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/compsci/research-degrees/darktrace-stud… * Lifelong machine learning for medical data and personalised medicine https://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/research-degrees/phd-opportuniti… The following recent papers can be helpful to get an overview of our research focus: * Ben-Iwhiwhu, E., Nath, S., Pilly, P. K., Kolouri, S., & Soltoggio, A. (2023). Lifelong reinforcement learning with modulating masks. Transactions on Machine Learning Research https://openreview.net/pdf?id=V7tahqGrOq * Nath, S., Peridis, C., Ben-Iwhiwhu, E., Liu, X., Dora, S., Liu, C., Kolouri, S. and Soltoggio, A., (2023). Sharing Lifelong Reinforcement Learning Knowledge via Modulating Masks. Second Conference on Lifelong Learning Agents (CoLLAs) https://arxiv.org/abs/2305.10997 * Ben-Iwhiwhu, E., Dick, J., Ketz, N. A., Pilly, P. K., & Soltoggio, A. (2022). Context meta-reinforcement learning via neuromodulation. Neural Networks, 152, 70-79. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0893608022001368 * Kudithipudi, Dhireesha, et al. (2022). Biological underpinnings for lifelong learning machines. Nature Machine Intelligence 4.3 (2022): 196-210. The positions will be at Loughborough, UK. Loughborough University is renowned for its strong emphasis on practical innovation and industry collaboration. In REF 2021, 94% of the work submitted was judged to be top-rated as 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent'. The Computer Science Department has a growing research team dedicated to various AI themes and robotics, as well as theoretical Computer Science, cybersecurity and networks. The student will have access to state-of-the-art machine learning servers equipped with A100 GPUs and connected to the Loughborough University high-speed network facilities. Opportunities for exchanges and short visits to world-leading AI laboratories within our extensive collaboration network will be encouraged. The collaborative environment ensures exposure to diverse perspectives and facilitates knowledge exchange. Interested candidates are invited to contact me for further information at a.soltoggio(a)lboro.ac.uk<mailto:a.soltoggio@lboro.ac.uk> Best regards, Andrea -- Dr. Andrea Soltoggio (he/him or they/them) Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in Artificial Intelligence Department of Computer Science, School of Science & Intelligent Automation Centre https://www.intelligent-automation.org.uk/about-us/centre-staff & Centre for Information Management https://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/sbe/cim/ Haslegrave Building, N.2.03 Loughborough University LE11 3TU, UK Email: a.soltoggio(a)lboro.ac.uk<mailto:a.soltoggio@lboro.ac.uk> Web: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/compsci/staff/dr-andrea-soltoggio.html

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Three fully funded PhD Studentships at Sussex AI
by Thomas Nowotny 08 Jan '24

08 Jan '24

Dear all, We have three fully-funded (internationals included) PhD studentships available within Sussex AI<https://www.sussex.ac.uk/research/centres/ai-research-group/#SussexAI>, starting in September 2024! This is a great opportunity for doctoral research in our interdisciplinary Centre of Excellence based at the University of Sussex<https://www.sussex.ac.uk/>, where we are the focal point for research in AI methods and applications. We encourage prospective students to submit innovative proposals that either: - Engage with theoretical challenges in Artificial Intelligence. - Develop new Artificial Intelligence methods that have the potential to enable novel applications. - Address complex problems requiring research at the intersection of traditional disciplinary boundaries. To find out more information, check out the full advert https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/fees-funding/phd-funding/view/1686-Sussex-AI… Best regards, Thomas (co-director of Sussex AI) -- Prof. Thomas Nowotny Head of AI Research Group CCNR, Sussex Neuroscience Phone: +44-1273-678593 Engineering and Informatics, Fax: +44-1273-877873 University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QJ sussex.ac.uk/informatics/tnowotny<http://sussex.ac.uk/informatics/tnowotny> <../../owa/redir.aspx?C=9e11bb0e527242938402b42d9b5498ea&URL=http%3a%2f%2fsussex.ac.uk%2finformatics%2ftnowotny>

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PhD & postdoc position in computational resilience research
by Janina Hesse 08 Jan '24

08 Jan '24

The Computational Resilience Research group at the LIR (Mainz, Germany) is hiring PhD students and PostDocs for theoretical projects. By advanced data analysis and the development of dynamical models, we unravel the complex processes that prevent or enable resilience. To that end, we work in close collaboration with our experimental colleagues, using extensive mouse and human data sets from molecular to behavioral. We strive for a diverse, supportive, and collaborative work atmosphere. The position offers excellent interdisciplinary training possibilities at the intersection of modelling, machine learning, and medicine, with ample opportunities for interactions within the Institute for Quantitative and Computational Biosciences (IQCB) of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz. A typical background would be a Master's/PhD in the life sciences, physics, computer sciences, mathematics, or another quantitative field. For information on how to apply see https://lir-mainz.de/assets/lir_84_doctoral-candidate-or-postdoc_eng-170193… At the Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research (LIR) in Mainz, Germany, we study resilience - the maintenance or restoration of mental health during or following stressful life events or life circumstances. The LIR is the first center of its kind in Europe, and its main objectives are to understand resilience mechanisms from a neuroscientific point of view, to develop and provide appropriate interventions to strengthen resilience, as well as to promote resilience in living and working environments. Leibniz-Institut für Resilienzforschung (LIR) gGmbH Jun.-Prof. Dr. Janina Hesse Group leader Computational Resilience Research janina.hesse(a)lir-mainz.de Wallstraße 7 55122 Mainz https://www.lir-mainz.de   [Icon Description automatically generated with low confidence] Aufsichtsratsvorsitzender: Dr. Frank-Dieter Kuchta Geschaeftsfuehrer: Prof. Dr. Klaus Lieb, Prof. Dr. Beat Lutz (wissenschaftlich), Dr. Thorsten Mundi (kaufmaennisch). HRB 48032, Amtsgericht Mainz Diese E-Mail enthaelt vertrauliche und/oder rechtlich geschuetzte Informationen. Wenn Sie nicht der richtige Adressat sind oder diese E-Mail irrtuemlich erhalten haben, informieren Sie bitte sofort den Absender und loeschen Sie diese E-Mail. Das Kopieren sowie die Weitergabe dieser E-Mail und der darin enthaltenen Informationen ist nicht gestattet. This email may contain confidential and/or privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient (or have received this email in error) please notify the sender immediately and delete this e-mail. Any unauthorized copying, disclosure or distribution of the material in this email is strictly forbidden. Unsere Hinweise zum Datenschutz finden Sie hier: https://lir-mainz.de/datenschutz

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Retraction of a fraudulent publication
by Michael Biehl 08 Jan '24

08 Jan '24

Dear All. It is my pleasure to announce that a fraudulent and blatantly plagiarized publication from July 2023, (allegedly) about the training of layered neural networks in time-dependent envrionments, has been retracted by the Editorial Office of *MDPI Applied Sciences*, at last. The retraction process took very long and communication was quite unpleasant. *Please see * *https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/2/476* <https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/2/476> *for details and links to the plagiarized original pieces of work. * Note that the term "overlap" in the retraction notice is way too polite in view of the brazen "cut-and-paste" approach of the "authors". They literally copy/pasted essentially all figures and equations from other sources. The text consists of non-sensical gibberish and contains no original results whatsoever. Four referees apparently failed to note the gobbledygook and recognize the plagiarism. Best wishes, Michael Biehl -- --------------------------------------------------- Prof. Dr. Michael Biehl Bernoulli Institute for Mathematics, Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence P.O. Box 407, 9700 AK Groningen, NL https://www.cs.rug.nl/~biehl m.biehl(a)rug.nl

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