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

apply to ITCN at Penn

by Maria Neimark Geffen

The Computational Neuroscience Initiative <https://www.cni.upenn.edu/> at the University of Pennsylvania offers a new program for Interdisciplinary Training in Computational Neuroscience (ITCN) at the doctoral level. The goal of the ITCN is to train a new generation of scientists who will make quantitative links between properties of the brain and properties of the mind. ITCN trainees will learn to use computational methodology to interpret experimental results, build predictive models of brain function that inform the design of the experiments, and support an ever-growing list of applications from brain-machine interfaces in the clinic to cutting-edge forms of artificial intelligence. The ITCN brings together students and faculty <https://www.cni.upenn.edu/people> from Penn’s PhD programs in Neuroscience <https://www.med.upenn.edu/ngg/> (Biomedical Graduate Studies, Perelman School of Medicine), Bioengineering <https://be.seas.upenn.edu/doctoral/> (School of Engineering and Applied Science), Physics <https://www.physics.upenn.edu/graduate/> (School of Arts and Sciences), and Psychology <https://psychology.sas.upenn.edu/graduate> (School of Arts and Sciences). To join the ITCN, students first apply to one of those "home" PhD programs. Once admitted, students then typically apply to the ITCN before starting classes in their first year. Those selected meet with the ITCN Advisory Committee, both individually and as a group, to develop individualized training plans that meet the goals and requirements of the ITCN and each student’s home program. These plans include coursework, research, and other activities that aim to build both expertise in computational neuroscience and a sense of community in the ITCN. Details are provided below. The ITCN embraces diversity and inclusion in their many forms, including welcoming students with a broad range of personal, professional, and academic backgrounds into both our training program and the field of computational neuroscience as a whole. *Application. *The application deadline is Dec. 1 for the Penn PhD programs! Prospective PhD students must first apply and be accepted into one of our participating graduate programs: Neuroscience <https://www.med.upenn.edu/ngg/>, Bioengineering <https://be.seas.upenn.edu/doctoral/>, Physics <https://www.physics.upenn.edu/graduate/>, or Psychology <https://psychology.sas.upenn.edu/graduate> (PhD students admitted to other PhD programs at Penn may also be considered; see below for additional requirements). Students typically apply to the ITCN before starting classes in their first PhD year, although we will also consider applications from students in more advanced years who believe they will be able to meet our academic requirements. Selection into the ITCN does not require a background in computational neuroscience. Instead, we require: 1) a brief (~½ page) essay describing why you want to join the ITCN and how it would fit into your training and career plans; 2) written permission from your Graduate Chair (and, for MD-PhD or VMD-PhD students, the Director of your Combined Degree Program); and 3) if you are not in one of our four participating programs, descriptions of the funding source(s) and course and research requirements for your home PhD program. Please send your application materials, and/or any questions, to Vijay Balasubramanian <vijay(a)physics.upenn.edu>, Maria Geffen <mgeffen(a)pennmedicine.upenn.edu>, and/or Joshua Gold <jigold(a)pennmedicine.upenn.edu>.

Nov. 22, 2024

Allen Institute Modeling Software Workshop 2025 - and a brief survey

by Anton Arkhipov

Dear Colleagues, Join us at the Allen Institute Modeling Software Workshop<https://alleninstitute.org/events/2025-modeling-software-workshop/> on July 28-30, 2025 at the Allen Institute in Seattle, WA! And whether applying to the Workshop or not, please help us understand what the field needs by filling out this brief survey<https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=1pxmMn9zOUuL3daVESDT_M4…>. That will be very helpful to guide our work. About the Workshop This hands-on workshop focuses on building and simulating complex and heterogeneous network models grounded in real biological data. Participants will learn to use BMTK, SONATA, VND, our data, and models for simulating brain circuits. Applications<https://alleninstitute.submittable.com/submit/306603/2025-allen-institute-m…> are due March 15th, 2025! Selected applicants will be notified by May 1, 2025. Limited travel funding is available. We are looking forward to hearing from you. Best regards, Anton. Anton Arkhipov Investigator, Allen Institute antona(a)alleninstitute.org<mailto:antona@alleninstitute.org> alleninstitute.org<https://alleninstitute.org/> brain-map.org<https://portal.brain-map.org/>

Nov. 21, 2024

IMPRS for Language Sciences PhD Fellowships 2025

by Lam, Kevin

** IMPRS for Language Sciences PhD Fellowships 2025 ** The International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) for Language Sciences is offering two fully-funded PhD Fellowship for four years (2025-2029) with a preferred start-date in September or October, 2025. The goal of the scheme is to enable young researchers to pursue interdisciplinary research projects in the language sciences, supervised by leading scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics and its partner institutes at the Radboud University -- the Centre for Language Studies and the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour. https://www.mpi.nl/ | https://www.ru.nl/cls | https://www.ru.nl/donders Find out more about the Fellowships and read first-hand accounts of our members: https://www.mpi.nl/imprs-phd-fellowships-2025 | https://www.mpi.nl/imprs The application deadline is 6 January, 2025. Thanks in advance. Best wishes from Nijmegen, Dr. Kevin Lam, Graduate School Coordinator http://www.mpi.nl/imprs | https://www.mpi.nl/people/lam-kevin

Nov. 21, 2024

Global Summit on Open Problems for AI. Museum of Science, Boston, 4-6th December.

by Battleday, Ruairidh

Global Summit on Open Problems for AI. Museum of Science, Boston, 4-6th December. What are the next set of challenges for AI algorithms? What are the open problems in regulation & application? We are most excited to announce the Algorithmic Innovation and Entrepreneurship Global Summit on Open Problems for AI <http://www.algopreneurship.ai>. Join the USA’s leading AI researchers, policy makers, and entrepreneurs in this global Summit over three days of keynote talks, panels, and breakout sessions. Day 1 - Algorithms We ask what the fundamental challenges for developing AI algorithms are, as well as promising avenues for overcoming them. We’ll be hearing from Professor Aaron Courville (MILA), Professor Hidenori Tanaka (NTT & Harvard), Dr James Whittington (Oxford & Stanford & Zyphra), Dr Jonathan Richard Schwarz (Thomson Reuters), Dr Zi Wang (Google DeepMind) Panel on “Is this the end of Scale?” (Stanford, MIT, Kempner Institute Harvard, DeepMind, MosaicML, PillarVC) Panel on “How Should We Fund AI Research?” (Harvard Kempner Institute, Convergent Research, DeSciNYC, Advaita Capital, Flagship Pioneering) Day 2 - Ethics We ask what the fundamental ethical challenges and opportunities are for AI. Professor David Duvenaud (Toronto & Anthropic), Professor Alex "Sandy" Pentland (MIT), Dr William Casey King (Yale & Microsoft), Patricia Thaine (Private AI), Jurgita Miseviciute (Proton), Dr Aleks Jakulin (data.flowers) & Han Sheng Chia (Center for Global Development) Panel: Micro Ethics - What Can Individual Researchers Do for Ethical AI? Chair: Nicolay Hagen (NTNU) Panel institutions: Toronto, MIT, Harvard, Private AI, Anthropic, Context Fund Panel: Meso Ethics - What Can Organizations Do for Ethical AI? Chair: Professor Skyler Wang (McGill) Panel institutions: Microsoft Research, Northeastern University, Proton, Data.Flowers Panel: Macro Ethics - If AI is the answer, what is the question? Chair: Saima Fancy (Women in AI Ethics & Women in AI Governance) Panel institutions: McKinsey, Operation Hope AI Ethics Council, Center for Global Development, Academy Day 3 - Applications We ask what the fundamental challenges and opportunities are in applications for social good. Keynotes: AI for Science team (OpenAI), Dennis R. Mortensen (LaunchBrightly), Samuel Colvin (Pydantic), Professor Andreea Bobu (MIT), Professor Agata Lapedriza (Institute for Experiential AI), Dr Anna Litvak-Hinenzon (AL-Tech AI) Lightning talks: David Rose (LookOut), Albert Chen (Anago), Trevor Keith (Codapt), Waleed Atallah (Maco), Kachina Studer (Harvard/MIT), Dr Mireia Torello (AIKreate), Tanay Wakhare (Stealth) Expert session: AI & Medicine Professor Marzyeh Ghassemi (MIT), Professor Dan Nicolau Jr (Kings College London), Dr Alex Oshmyansky (Cost Price Drugs), Dr Clara-Lea Bonzel (Harvard), Anna Marie Wagner (DARPA & BOLD Corporation), Dr Salim Afshar (Harvard & RevealHealthtech), Thiri Shwesin Aung (Global Impact Assessment), Grigori Guitchounts (Flagship Pioneering) This should be an exciting and productive event, and we expect an audience of 400 of the USA’s best AI researchers and entrepreneurs, at student, early-stage, and full career levels. Student day tickets: $10 Early bird day: $20 Ruairidh <https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruairidh-battleday-648a2b65/>, James <https://www.jcrwhittington.com/>, and Dan <https://www.kcl.ac.uk/people/dan-nicolau> Thinking About Thinking <https://www.thinkingaboutthinking.org/> -- Dr Ruairidh McLennan Battleday BMBCh (Oxon) PhD President Thinking About Thinking, Inc <https://thinkingaboutthinking.org> Postdoctoral Research Fellow Center for Brain Science, Harvard University Center for Brains, Minds, and Machines, MIT

Nov. 20, 2024

PhD position - Memory - Neural Computation Group - Max Planck Institute CBS, Leipzig

by Andrej Bicanski

Dear colleagues, I am advertising a PhD position in computational neuroscience in my group (Neural Computation) - fully funded (3 years) - at the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences in Leipzig. The position is part of an international collaborative effort (4 labs) to test and develop further computational models of episodic and spatial memory by combining human intracranial electrophysiology and computational models. Specifically, the project will explore computational/neural mechanisms underlying cognitive maps, spatial (and episodic) memory, and navigation. The candidate will have two main tasks: 1. develop new and improve existing models, 2. co-develop an analysis pipeline for human single units. Prerequisites are outstanding records in an area relevant to neuroscience. A strong quantitative background in the natural sciences, mathematics, computer science or engineering is also suitable (e.g., physics, mathematics, electrical engineering etc.). Excellent programming skills (Python, Matlab) are required. This project is part of an international collaboration with the Universities of Bonn (Prof. Lukas Kunz), Berlin (Prof. Richard Kempter), and Columbia (Prof. Josh Jacobs). Please direct potential candidates to the ad at: https://www.cbs.mpg.de/stellenmarkt/stellenangebote Reference: PhD17/24 The intended starting dates are as early as possible in 2025. Applications will be considered as long as the above advert is up. You can read more on the group here: https://www.cbs.mpg.de/psychology/neural-computation Best wishes, Andrej Bicanski -- Dr. Andrej Bicanski Neural Computation Group Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences Stephanstrasse 1a, 04103 Leipzig, Germany Email: bicanski(a)cbs.mpg.de <mailto:bicanski@cbs.mpg.de> Tel.: +49 (0)341 9940197

Nov. 19, 2024

Abstract Submission for ICMNS 2025, June 17-20 in Barcelona, Spain now Open

by Alex Roxin

Dear all, We are happy to announce that *abstract submission* for the International Conference on Mathematical Neuroscience (ICMNS) 2025, to be held in Barcelona, Spain from the 17th to the 20th of June,* is now open*. Abstract submission will remain open until December 16th. The format for submission is a single abstract of plain text plus a pdf file of supporting information in any format you please, with a maximum extension of one page. Please find the link and more details regarding the submission process on the conference website https://www.crm.cat/international-conference-on-mathematical-neuroscience-i… We are also pleased to inform you that we will have three excellent keynote speakers: Tatyana Sharpee, Tatjana Tschumachenko and Misha Tsodyks, as well as eight exciting invited speakers whose names you will find on the website. We look forward to receiving your submissions and seeing you in Barcelona this coming June! best regards, The Organizing Committee: Toni Guillamon Gemma Huguet Ernest Montbrió Alex Roxin -- Alex Roxin Computational Neuroscience Group Centre de Recerca Matemàtica Campus de Bellaterra, Edifici C 08193 Bellaterra (Barcelona) https://sites.google.com/site/alexanderroxin/home

Nov. 18, 2024

Fwd: AI Cluster Hiring of UT System Research Excellence Regents' Professorships at UTSA

by Dhireesha Kudithipudi

The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), MATRIX AI Consortium, invites applications for the position of Full Professor / Associate Professor, to be appointed as a University of Texas System (UT System) Research Excellence Regents' Professor. Successful candidates will be part of a strategic Clustered & Connected Hiring Program (CCP) <https://www.utsa.edu/strategicplan/initiatives/research/strategic-hiring/cc…> focused on Artificial Intelligence, with an anticipated start date in the Fall of the 2025-26 academic year. The University of Texas System recently approved the creation of the Regents’ Research Excellence Program across its four Emerging Research Universities (ERUs), including UTSA. UT System has allocated $55 million across all four ERUs to fund the recruitment of research-active faculty to dramatically grow its national research prominence and federal funding opportunities. The positions open are in areas: 1. *Trustworthy AI/ML Algorithms (eg: neuro-inspired algorithms)* 2. *Neuromorphic AI Accelerators/Chips* 3. *Human-Centered AI* 4. *AI Ethics* The Regents Professors will be core members of the MATRIX Consortium, which is a central hub for 87 AI scientists, facilitating transdisciplinary research, fostering high-impact collaborations, and offering thought leadership and domain expertise to address the most challenging and complex problems in AI. Areas of interest include Trustworthy AI/ML Algorithms, Neuromorphic AI Accelerators, Human-centered AI, AI Ethics, all of which advance the research thrusts in the MATRIX. MATRIX strives for scientific excellence in developing holistic solutions for human well-being. The team has a successful track record in securing large collaborative grants that generated multiple centers, such as the NSF AI Partner Institute, two NSF EFRI BRAIDs, AFOSR COE in neuro-inspired AI, along with large collaborative projects in AI for healthcare. Apply here: https://zahr-prd-candidate-ada.utshare.utsystem.edu/psc/ZAHRPRDADA/EMPLOYEE… Best Regards Dhireesha Founding Director| MATRIX <https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fai.utsa.e…> AI Consortium & NUAI <https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nuail…> Research Lab Professor| McDermott Endowed Chair| ECE/CS| UTSA

Nov. 18, 2024

Neuroinformatics Cluster Hire at UIUC

by Vlasov, Yurii A

Strategic Hiring Initiative: Neuroinformatics Cluster Hire The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) is announcing a major university-wide Strategic Hiring Initiative to hire 3 full-time tenure-track faculty positions at all levels (Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Full Professor) in the area of Neuroinformatics that lies at the critical intersection of computational neuroscience, computer science, and information science with a primary focus on understanding the function of the brain in disease and health. This major institutional investment, which spans across the Grainger College of Engineering and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, seeks to expand and complement existing efforts across campus and serve as catalyst to establish UIUC as a center of excellence in understanding the function of the human brain. Additional information on this cluster hire initiative can be found on the website https://publish.illinois.edu/neuro-cluster/ Participating Departments This year the participating departments are: (1) Computer Science; (2) Electrical and Computer Engineering; (3) Bioengineering. Areas of Interest We seek applicants with expertise in computer science, biomedical informatics, and computational neuroscience, with primary research interests directed at the development and application of modern artificial intelligence or machine learning analytical tools and techniques for coordinated “big data” analyses of the state-of-the-art neuroscience datasets, such as large-scale electrophysiology, calcium/voltage imaging, multimodal brain imaging, genetic and epigenetic data, and complex behavioral datasets. Eligibility Successful candidates will be part of a large cohort of new faculty contributing to and benefiting from this rich computational systems neuroscience research environment and will have tenure homes in one of the six participating departments. Candidates interested in interactive and trans-disciplinary team research are particularly encouraged to apply. Cross-appointments between different departments are envisioned and encouraged, although each faculty member is expected to have a primary appointment in a single department. Application Instructions To ensure full consideration, candidates should apply to one or more of the six departments. Candidates should include in their application cover letters that they would like to be considered for the cluster hire program, and they should list which other departments they have applied to, if any. For other application materials, candidates should follow the directions in specific position descriptions. Candidates may be contacted if a search committee requires more information. For full consideration, apply by the closing date listed in the specific departmental position descriptions. Early applications are strongly encouraged as interviews may take place during the application periods, but hiring decisions will not be made until after the closing dates.

Nov. 18, 2024

[seminar.wwtns] World wide VVTNS series: Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at 11:00 am EST| Chris Eliasmith, University of Waterloo

by David Hansel

[image: VVTNS.png] https://www.wwtns.online <https://streaklinks.com/A9c7PbbpKY7PxB6PaAJWGD3-/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wwtns.on…> - on twitter: wwtns@TheoreticalWide You are cordially invited to the lecture given by Chris Eliasmith University of Waterloo on the topic of The algebra of cognition The lecture will be held on zoom on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, at *11:00 am EST * To receive the zoom link: https://www.wwtns.online/register-page *Abstract: *In recent years, my lab and others have demonstrated the value of vector symbolic algebras (VSAs) for capturing a wide variety of neural and behavioural results. In this talk I discuss the surprising and compelling variety of tasks and styles of reasoning that are well-suited to descriptions using a specific VSA. These tasks include path integration, navigation, Bayesian reasoning, sampling, memorization, and logical inference. The resulting spiking neural network models capture various hippocampal cell types (grid, place, border, etc.), behavioural errors, and a variety of observed neural dynamics. *About VVTNS : Launched as the World Wide Theoretical Neuroscience Seminar (WWTNS) in November 2020 and renamed in homage to Carl van Vreeswijk in Memoriam (April 20, 2022), Speakers have the occasion to talk about theoretical aspects of their work which cannot be discussed in a setting where the majority of the audience consists of experimentalists. The seminars, **held on Wednesdays at 11 am ET,** are 45-50 min long followed by a discussion. The talks are recorded with authorization of the speaker and are available to everybody on our YouTube channel.* ᐧ

Nov. 17, 2024

1 Postdoc and 1 PhD position on predictive representations / dynamic RSA, CIMeC, Uni Trento, Italy

by Moritz Wurm

We are seeking for highly motivated candidates for 1 Postdoc and 1 PhD position in the Action Recognition and Concepts Group <https://www.cimec.unitn.it/en/929/action-recognition-and-concepts-group> at CIMeC (Center for Mind/Brain Sciences), University of Trento, Italy. The research project will focus on an MEG-based dynamic extension to representational similarity analysis (dynamic RSA <https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-39355-y>) that we have recently developed in our lab to investigate predictive representations of dynamic events. We're looking for applicants who: • Have a strong drive to pursue a career in scientific research • Possess independent and critical thinking skills • Excel in collaborative teamwork • Have a background in cognitive neuroscience (preferably M/EEG or fMRI, MVPA/RSA) and strong programming skills (preferably Matlab, or Python) • Have experience in action / biological motion perception (ideally in generating point light displays or avatars) or in action execution At CIMeC, you'll have access to cutting-edge research facilities, such as: • A brand new MEGIN TRIUX neo MEG system • A 3T MRI Siemens Prisma • TMS, EEG, and combined TMS-EEG setups • Human intracranial stereotactic EEG • Eye-tracking systems • Kinematic recording systems All equipment is dedicated 100% to research purposes, providing you with the ideal environment for testing your research questions. As a member of our lab and of the wider CIMeC community, you will be part of an international community of students and researchers in a vibrant scientific environment. The working language is English. Our lab enjoys numerous international collaborations, and we offer ample opportunities to engage with the broader scientific community through conferences, workshops, and international meetings, supported by research funding attracted by our lab. Living in Trentino offers a unique combination of natural beauty and cultural richness. Situated among stunning landscapes between the Dolomites and Lake Garda, it provides a serene setting where you can appreciate nature alongside various cultural activities and sports. Trentino is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful regions in Italy, offering an exceptional quality of life alongside your academic pursuits. The Postdoc position will be for 2 years (potentially extendable), start date is flexible but ideally in spring/summer 2025. The PhD position will start in fall 2025, the deadline to apply will be in June 2025 (find more information on CIMeC’s doctoral program here <https://www.unitn.it/drcimec/>). If you are thrilled to contribute to our research in cognitive neuroscience, please send an informal inquiry, including a CV and a brief statement of research interests, to moritz.wurm(a)unitn.it <mailto:moritz.wurm@unitn.it>. We look forward to hearing from you! Best wishes, Moritz Wurm

Nov. 17, 2024