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

PhD Position in Neuro-Symbolic AI at Ulm University

by Daniel Braun

1x PhD Position (TVöD E13) in Neuro-Symbolic AI University of Ulm Institute of Neural Information Processing Faculty of Engineering, Computer Science and Psychology There is a fully funded PhD position available at the Institute of Neural Information Processing, Ulm University. At the institute we are interested in the mathematical foundations of intelligent behaviour in biological and artificial systems. The PhD topic will revolve around the fundamental question of how the abstraction capabilities of classic symbolic knowledge systems can be combined with the sub-symbolic pattern recognition capabilities of neural networks in order to allow neural networks to take existing knowledge into account when making predictions. The PhD position will be part of the newly established DFG graduate school KEMAI (Knowledge Infusion and Extraction for Explainable Medical AI). The structured PhD programme has a duration of 3 years with the possibility of extending for one more year. The candidate will have the opportunity both to make contributions to fundamental questions in AI and cognitive science and to apply their work directly in the context of medical imaging through collaboration with University Clinic. Within the same broad topic area there is a second PhD position available at the Institute of Medical Systems Biology that includes investigation of genetic markers. The applicants should have a strong mathematical background, hold a degree in natural science, mathematics, economics, psychology, computer science, engineering or similar and have a keen interest in neuroscience and artificial intelligence. The University of Ulm is an equal opportunity employer. Candidates should send a CV and a brief statement of interest to Prof. Dr. Dr. Daniel Alexander Braun daniel.braun(a)uni-ulm.de

Sept. 30, 2024

Fully funded trainee positions at CHINTA, TCG CREST, Kolkata

by Subhasis Ray

<Apologies for cross posting> Dear Colleagues, We are looking for self motivated and talented individuals for trainee positions (Research Assistant, PhD student, and Postdoc) at CHINTA, TCG CREST (https://www.tcgcrest.org/institutes/chinta/) in Kolkata, India in the following groups: Dr Agnik Dasgupta: Seeing is Believing: How does the brain develop in a living animal? We utilize optics and genetics to address this question using zebrafish! https://x.com/Agnik85 Dr Anant Jain: Understanding the mechanisms underlying behaviorally relevant synaptic plasticity using electrophysiology, two-photon imaging and behavior: https://www.tcgcrest.org/people/anant-jain/ Dr Subhasis Ray: Understanding neural circuits through experiments and simulations, developing neuro-simulator and scientific software: https://rayslab.github.io/ We have a rolling intake and the trainees will be fully funded by TCG CREST, with suitable adjustments for international candidates. We offer a highly interdisciplinary environment, with several other institutes under TCG CREST (https://www.tcgcrest.org/) conducting research in a wide range of areas such as AI, applied mathematics, and quantum computing. So in addition to biological sciences, students from diverse backgrounds like engineering, physics, chemistry, mathematics, and computer science, are welcome. Please spread the word to anybody who might be interested. Best, Agnik, Anant, and Subhasis ... PS : "Chinta" means "thought" in Sanskrit and related languages.

Sept. 29, 2024

Neurtex Manual Spike Sorting Contest

by Peter N. Steinmetz

I am writing to share a contest that students and postdocs (and possibly others) may be interested in. The Neurtex Manual Spike Sorting Contest is designed to assess how accurately spike sorting works in human intracranial microwire recordings and offers a $5000 first and other prizes. In the contest, participants are asked to perform spike sorting using any method they choose to identify spiking activity in 120 channels. These channels are a mixture of simulated and real recordings so accuracy can be judged directly for the simulated channels. Further details are available at https://neurtex.org/neurtex-manual-spike-sorting-contest/ . If you feel that others may be interested, a small poster announcing the contest which you can use to spread awareness of this opportunity is available at https://neurtex.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Flyer.pdf . cheers, Peter -- Peter N. Steinmetz, MD, PhD Chief Scientist, Neurtex Brain Research Institute PeterNSteinmetz(a)steinmetz.org http://steinmetz.org/peter<https://www.postbox-inc.com>

Sept. 27, 2024

PhD-Researcher and Lecturer, Neurocomputation of Language, Tilburg University (1.0 fte, six years)

by Harm Brouwer

PhD-Researcher and Lecturer, Neurocomputation of Language, Department of Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence (1.0 fte, six years) The Neurocomputation of Language (NCL) lab from the Department of Cognitive Science & Artificial Intelligence (CSAI) at Tilburg University invites applications for a 6-year position. The successful applicant for this position would spend 60% of their time as a PhD student and 40% as a lecturer. The PhD project would be determined by the successful applicant and the lab director but should employ advanced statistical modeling and/or neurocomputational modeling to address one or more of the core themes of the lab: the nature and time course of language comprehension, the neural representation and computation of meaning, and the cortical organization of the language network. The educational tasks of the candidate could include leading practical sessions, grading assignments and exams, and (eventually) supervising thesis students. Requirements * Master’s degree in (computational) cognitive (neuro)science, neurobiology of language, or a related field. If you expect to obtain your degree before August 2024, you are also eligible. * Good knowledge of statistics and machine learning (practical experience with large language models is a plus). * Excellent knowledge of English and good academic writing skills. What we offer * A full-time position. * The selected candidate will receive a contract for six years. * You will receive a temporary employment contract for the duration of 12 months. A 5-year extension is offered upon a positive assessment. After one year your UFO profile will change to PhD Candidate / Lecturer. In the second year your initial education assignment is 40% and your research assignment is 60%. * A minimum gross salary of €3226- per month up to a maximum of € 4036- in the 6th year. For the duration of 12 months, you are entitled to a allowance. The amount is the difference in salary of scale 10 level 0 and scale PR level 0. * A holiday allowance of 8% and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3% (annually). * Researchers from outside the Netherlands may qualify for a tax-free allowance equal to 30% of their taxable salary (the 30% tax regulation). The University will apply for such an allowance on their behalf. Note that the 30% rule will be scaled back from 1 January 2024. For new applications, during a five-year term, the scheme will gradually decrease to a 10% rule. More specifically, this means that during the first 20 months of the term, 30% of the salary will be reimbursed untaxed. In the next 20 months, this percentage drops to 20% and during the last 20 months, the untaxed reimbursement is 10% of the salary. * Assistance in finding accommodation (for foreign employees). * Benefits such as an options model for terms and conditions of employment and reimbursement of moving expenses, also including excellent technical infrastructure, savings schemes and excellent sports facilities. The collective labor agreement of the Dutch Universities applies. Information and application More detailed project information can be provided on request: please contact dr. Harm Brouwer (h.brouwer(a)tilburguniversity.edu<mailto:h.brouwer@tilburguniversity.edu>), PI of the Neurocomputation of Language lab. To apply, please submit: * a motivation letter in which you describe why you want to be considered for this position, and why you are the right person to do it; * a full curriculum vitae, demonstrating academic excellence, including publications (if applicable); academic transcripts of your Bachelor and Master’s degrees; * a sample of writing, such as your Master’s thesis or a relevant paper; * contact details of two academic referees. The only way to apply is online<https://tiu.nu/22296>. The position is open until filled. The start date is as soon as possible, but in agreement with the candidate. Neurocomputation of Language lab The Neurocomputational of Language (NCL) lab combines neurocomputational modeling with empirical experimentation to investigate the neural basis of language. Grounded in principles of neural information processing, and informed by empirical insights on the nature and time course of comprehension, our models aim to offer mechanistic explanations of how an interpretation is constructed in real time as spoken or written linguistic signal unfolds on a, more or less, word-by-word basis. See the lab website for more information: https://www.tilburguniversity.edu/about/schools/tshd/departments/dca/lab/ne… The department of Cognitive Science & Artificial Intelligence (CSAI) The Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence department (https://csai.nl/) at Tilburg University is part of the Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences. The department emphasizes innovative research spanning a wide array of fields including computational linguistics and language technology, data-science, human-robot interaction, virtual reality and serious games. CSAI is a member of the Benelux Association for Artificial Intelligence, participates in the Special Interest Group for AI (SIG AI), and also participates in the Confederation of Laboratories for Artificial Intelligence Research in Europe (CLAIRE). Tilburg University and the CSAI department offer a vibrant international environment, with current CSAI staff originating from more than 10 countries. Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences Research and education at the Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences (TSHD) has a unique focus on humans in the context of the globalizing digital society, on the development of artificial intelligence and interactive technologies, on their impact on communication, culture and society, and on moral and existential challenges that arise. The School of Humanities and Digital Sciences consists of four departments: Communication and Cognition, Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence, Culture Studies and Philosophy; several research institutes and a faculty office. Also the University College Tilburg is part of the School. Each year around 275 students commence a Bachelor or (Pre) Master Program. The School has approximately 2000 students and 250 employees. Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences<https://www.tilburguniversity.edu/about/schools/humanities/> Recruitment code Tilburg University applies the recruitmentcode<https://kmt.nvp-hrnetwerk.nl/download/?id=21374> of the Dutch Association for Personnel Management & Organization Development (NVP). Disclaimer The text of this vacancy advertisement is copyright-protected property of Tilburg University. Use, distribution and further disclosure of the advertisement without express permission from Tilburg University is not allowed, and this applies explicitly to use by recruitment and selection agencies which do not act directly on the instructions of Tilburg University. Responses resulting from recruitment by non-contractors of Tilburg Universities will not be handled. -- Dr. Harm Brouwer | Associate Professor Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence | Tilburg University Research Unit Leader | Computational Models of Brain and Behavior Principal Investigator | Neurocomputation of Language lab http://www.hbrouwer.eu/

Sept. 27, 2024

Faculty Position - Computational Neuroscience @ Middlebury College

by Dash, Mike

Dear Colleagues, Middlebury College is currently accepting applications for a tenure-track, computational neuroscientist to begin Fall 2025. If you’re interested in working with talented and motivated undergraduate students, in an academic environment that balances teaching (typically two courses per semester) and research, we encourage you to review our job posting (see below) and apply online: https://apply.interfolio.com/148567 Review of applications begins October 11th, 2024. Thanks, Mike Dash Associate Professor of Psychology and Program in Neuroscience Middlebury College ---------- COMPUTATIONAL NEUROSCIENTIST AT MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE. The Program in Neuroscience invites applications for a tenure-track appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor with a preferred focus in computational neuroscience or neurogenomics, beginning in Fall 2025. The Program in Neuroscience is especially interested in candidates who can contribute to the growing diversity and excellence of the academic community through their teaching, scholarship, and service. Commitment to inclusive pedagogy, mentoring, and advising a diverse population of students is essential. Applicants should have a Ph.D., postdoctoral experience, demonstrated commitment to excellence in teaching, and a proposed research program in computational neuroscience or neurogenomics that involves undergraduate students. The successful candidate is expected to be able to teach a course in cellular and molecular neuroscience and/or behavioral neuroscience. In addition, the candidate will contribute to the neuroscience curriculum with a course in statistics, and an upper-level elective broadly relevant to the field of computational neuroscience or neurogenomics. The candidate will occasionally contribute to Middlebury’s First Year Seminar Program and Winter Term course offerings. All faculty at Middlebury College are also expected to contribute to service to the College including, but not limited to, committee membership and serving as Director or Chair of a Program or Department. Middlebury College is a top-tier liberal arts college with a demonstrated commitment to excellence in both faculty teaching and research. It is also committed to fostering a truly inclusive, open, and supportive learning, teaching, and working environment. The College hires faculty from around the world and a myriad of life experiences, cultures, frames of reference, social identities, and learning perspectives to help cultivate and advance innovation in our curriculum and to provide a rich and varied educational experience to our talented and distinguished student body. To that end, Middlebury College seeks applications from people who would contribute to our increasingly diverse educational community not only through their backgrounds and interests, but in age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, ethnicity, national origin, religion, and physical ability.     Middlebury College uses Interfolio to collect all faculty job applications electronically. Email and paper applications will not be accepted. Through Interfolio submit: a letter of application addressed to Professor Mark Spritzer, search committee chair; a curriculum vitae; a statement of teaching philosophy; a statement of research interests and plans; a statement of inclusion; and three current letters of recommendation which speak to teaching ability. At Middlebury, we strive to make our campus a respectful, engaged community that embraces difference, with all the complexity and individuality each person brings. With your application materials, provide a separate statement (1-2 pages) addressing how your teaching, scholarship, mentorship, and/or community service demonstrate a commitment to and/or evidence of engaging with issues of diversity and inclusion. Review of applications will begin on October 11, 2024, and continue until the position is filled. Offers of employment are contingent on completion of a background check. Information on our background check policy can be found here: http://go.middlebury.edu/backgroundchecks. 

Sept. 26, 2024

GCNU-SWC Joint PhD Programme 2025: Applications now open

by Lin, I-Chun

*** Gatsby Unit and Sainsbury Wellcome Centre Joint PhD Programme *** Deadline: 11 November 2024 The Gatsby Computational Neuroscience Unit (GCNU) and Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour (SWC) are launching a 4-year joint PhD programme that aims to bridge the gap between theory and experiments. The two centres provide a unique opportunity for a critical mass of theoreticians and experimentalists to interact closely with one another and with researchers at the Centre for Computational Statistics and Machine Learning (CSML) and related UCL departments/domains such as UCL Neuroscience Domain; Artificial Intelligence; the ELLIS Unit at UCL; Computer Science; Statistical Science; and the nearby Francis Crick and Alan Turing Institutes. The joint programme will provide a rigorous preparation for an interdisciplinary research career. The programme blends aspects of the two existing PhD programmes and is designed to immerse students in both experimental and theoretical thinking. Courses in the first year provide a comprehensive introduction to systems neuroscience, theoretical/computational neuroscience, and machine learning. Students will be part of the broader trainee cohort across both centres, interacting and engaging in scientific discussion with both SWC and GCNU researchers with equal emphasis. Applicants should have a strong analytical and mathematical background, a keen interest in neuroscience, and a relevant first degree (e.g., in Computer Science, Cognitive Psychology, Engineering, Mathematics, Neuroscience, Physics, Statistics). Full funding is available regardless of nationality. We also welcome applicants who have secured or are seeking funding from other sources. Applications should be submitted directly to us via the online portal. For programme details (including the key differences between the Gatsby Unit PhD programme, the SWC PhD programme, and the joint programme) and how to apply, see www.ucl.ac.uk/gatsby/study-and-work/gcnu-swc-joint-phd-programme. -- I-Chun Lin, PhD Scientific Programme Manager Gatsby Computational Neuroscience Unit, UCL

Sept. 26, 2024

Leveraging Simulation Neuroscience using Blue Brain's Open Platform at SFN

by Lida Kanari

Dear colleagues,We are thrilled to announce that Blue Brain will be featured at the upcoming SfN 2024 meeting in Chicago. For the first time, we will be offering access to the Blue Brain Open Platform - a comprehensive suite of simulation neuroscience tools designed to enhance your research.As the Blue Brain Project concludes at the end of this year - marking nearly two decades of pioneering work to establish simulation neuroscience as a vital complement to experimental and theoretical approaches - we are proud to release the entire collection of tools, data, and algorithms developed throughout the project.Compiled across nearly 300 publications and 1 petabyte of data, these resources include 260+ public repositories, over 5,000 reconstructed morphologies, more than 100k electrophysiological recordings and 500 e-model, as well as more than 5 detailed models of brain regions, with hundreds of in-vitro simulation experiments - integrated into a single, user-friendly platform for the neuroscience community.We invite you to join our 1-hour workshops at SfN to explore the capabilities of the Blue Brain Open Platform: * Delve into detailed mouse brain data, including experimental and model datasets * Leverage existing models or create custom ones tailored to your research * Design and execute simulation experiments in your own Virtual Lab Sign up for the workshop here: https://forms.gle/jKCAxPzbkCP3P7MT6Our team will also be present at the Blue Brain Project Booth #1852, where we will showcase our range of tools and share our latest findings through over a dozen posters.Please feel free to share this invitation with colleagues or anyone interested in exploring the Blue Brain Open Platform as a new tool for simulation neuroscience.We look forward to collaborating with you on the platform! Best regards, Lida Kanari, PhD Group Leader Neuromathematics Blue Brain Project / EPFL Campus Biotech Chemin des Mines 9, CH-1202 Geneva +41 21 693 9656

Sept. 26, 2024

Postdoctoral fellowship positions in functional neurosurgery, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada

by srisaikaew.p＠gmail.com

Dear colleague, The Hodaie lab, led by Dr. Mojgan Hodaie at the Krembil Brain Institute, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Canada, is currently hiring new postdocs. Job description: Job type, Status: Temporary full-time Job function: Research Job duration: 12 months, renewable Required Travel: None Min Education: PhD Min Experience: 1-2 years Salary: Set by Krembil Research Institute, UHN Workplace type: On-Site, Toronto, Ontario, Canada Project / position summary: Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is an important tool for the non-invasive pre-surgical assessment of peripheral nerve sheath tumors. While conventional MRI sequences provide limited contrast to distinguish between tumor types or between nerve and tumor tissue, diffusion MRI techniques offer the potential for improved pre-surgical assessment. This project is focused on the application of state-of-the-art processing pipelines for diffusion MRI and tractography to provide additional means for neurosurgeons to assess nerve-tumor relationships prior to surgery. In particular, this includes the implementation of diffusion MRI tractography methods tailored to peripheral nerves, high-quality 3D visualizations for presentation and documentation purposes, as well as the implementation of new customized algorithms to cover new analysis objectives. Key responsibilities: - Keeping track of diffusion MRI-based imaging sessions related to peripheral nerve sheath tumors including timely download, image processing, and presentation of results - Selection of appropriate diffusion MRI sequence parameters - Implementation and application of state-of-the-art diffusion MRI and tractography processing pipelines adopted for peripheral nerves - Collaboration with neurosurgeons to define timelines, to identify and understand analysis objectives, and to discuss analysis results interactively - Lead efforts to define, execute and publish research projects in the context of this project This position will allow you to: - Work in a world-class clinical research environment - Present findings at national/international conferences - Publish in excellent journals - Actively engage and network with the large Toronto neuroscience community with one of the highest densities of neuroscientists in North America Job requirements: This position requires the following skills: - A Ph.D. in neuroimaging in neuroscience, psychology, medical physics, or related fields. - Prior experience in any of the following areas: Diffusion MRI processing, diffusion MRI tractography, interest in peripheral nerve imaging - Good knowledge of scripting languages in a Linux-based environment, in particular Bash and Python - Good knowledge of diffusion MRI and tractography processing frameworks, in particular MRtrix3 and FSL - Ability to work independently and deliver on schedule. - Excellent interpersonal and communication skills. - Committed to continuous learning and improvement. More information about the positions can be found here: https://www.hodaielab.com/ Interested candidates are encouraged to reach out to Dr. Mojgan Hodaie directly to discuss the positions. Best regards, Patcharaporn Srisaikaew, PhD Postdoctoral Researcher | Hodaie Surgical Imaging Laboratory, Division of Brain, Imaging and Behaviour at Krembil Brain Institute, Toronto Western Hospital, University Health Network 135 Nassau St, Toronto, ON, M5T 1M8

Sept. 25, 2024

50+ positions in Machine Learning and AI

by Robert Legenstein

Call for Applications For the recently established Cluster of Excellence CoE Bilateral Artificial Intelligence (BILAI), funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF), we are looking for more than 50 PhD students and 10 Post-Doc researchers (m/f/d) to join our team at one of the six leading research institutions across Austria (see below). In BILAI, major Austrian players in Artificial Intelligence (AI) are teaming up to work towards Broad AI. As opposed to Narrow AI, which is characterized by task-specific skills, Broad AI seeks to address a wide array of problems, rather than being limited to a single task or domain. To develop its foundations, BILAI employs a Bilateral AI approach, effectively combining sub-symbolic AI (neural networks and machine learning) with symbolic AI (logic, knowledge representation, and reasoning) in various ways. Harnessing the full potential of both symbolic and sub-symbolic approaches can open new avenues for AI, enhancing its ability to solve novel problems, adapt to diverse environments, improve reasoning skills, and increase efficiency in computation and data use. These key features enable a broad range of applications for Broad AI, from drug development and medicine to planning and scheduling, autonomous traffic management, and recommendation systems. Prioritizing fairness, transparency, and explainability, the development of Broad AI is crucial for addressing ethical concerns and ensuring a positive impact on society. The research team is committed to cross-disciplinary work in order to provide theory and models for future AI and deployment to applications. CoE Research Institutions: Johannes Kepler Universität Linz (JKU Linz) Technische Universität Wien (TU Wien) Alpen-Adria-Universität Klagenfurt (AAU) Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) Technische Universität Graz (TU Graz) Wirtschaftsuniversität Wien (WU Wien) The call for applications is available at https://www.bilateral-ai.net/jobs/ -- Dr. Robert Legenstein Univ.-Professor Institute of Theoretical Computer Science Graz University of Technology Inffeldgasse 16b/I, 8010 Graz, Austria http://www.igi.tugraz.at/legi/ Follow @CompLegenstein on Twitter. WebEx meeting room: https://tugraz.webex.com/meet/robert.legenstein ++43/316/873-5824 ----------------------------------

Sept. 25, 2024

School on the Origins of Life, Behavior and Cognition 2025

by Ahmed El Hady

** *School on the Origins of Life, Behavior and Cognition* *March 10-21, 2025* *ICTP-SAIFR, São Paulo, Brazil* */Application Deadline:/December 28, 2024* School on Origins is an interdisciplinary school that tackles the foundational questions concerning the origins of biophysical systems which include but are not limited to : molecular, cellular, neural and behavioral systems. We aim to find principles shared across systems using tools from statistical physics, mathematical analysis and numerical simulations to explore these questions. We have invited researchers that work both on the experimental and theoretical side to cover a variety of biophysical systems and theoretical approaches. The school is aimed at graduate students either at the master’s or PhD level who have a strong quantitative background and a keen interest to pursue interdisciplinary research. We invite students pursuing degrees in physics, computer science, engineering, or mathematics. Those pursuing degrees in biology need to provide evidence of strong and extensive quantitative background in topics such as calculus, dynamical systems and numerical programming. /There is no registration fee and limited funds are available for travel and local expenses./ *Organizers:* * *Ahmed El Hady* (Center for Collective Animal Behavior, Max Planck Institute and Univ.Konstanz, Germany) * *Antonio C. Roque* (USP Ribeirão Preto, Brazil) * *Daniel Y. Takahashi* (UFRN, Brazil) *Lecturers:* * *Suzanne Still* (University of Hawaii at Mānoa, USA) * *Randall Beer* (Indiana University Bloomington, USA) * *Asif Ghazanfar* (Princeton University, USA) * *Don Katz* (Brandeis University, USA) * *Gandhimohan M. Viswanathan* (Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte – UFRN, Brazil) * *Bruno Mota* (Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) * *Ana Amador* (University of Buenos Aires, Argentina) All details and application procedure can be found here: https://www.ictp-saifr.org/solbc2025/ <https://www.ictp-saifr.org/solbc2025/> . Please let me know if you have any questions, All the best regards, Ahmed El hady Dr. Ahmed El Hady Research Group Leader Cluster for Advanced Study of Collective Behavior University of Konstanz / Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior Universitätsstraße 10, 78464 Konstanz Room ZT 907 Postbox 687 Tel.: +49 7531 88-4742

Sept. 25, 2024