April 2025 - Comp-neuro - lists.cnsorg.org

post-doc position in the science of AI cognition

by Anna Leshinskaya

A postdoctoral position is available in the relational cognition lab <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.relcoglab.org/__;!!CzAuKJ42GuquVTTm…> at UC Irvine, directed by Anna Leshinskaya. The position is funded by a 2-year grant from the Schmidt Sciences AI Safety Science Program <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.schmidtsciences.org/safetyscience/_…> , co-led with collaborators Seth Lazar and Alice Oh. The project involves developing experiments and interpretable computational models of morally guided decision-making and conceptual combinatorial thought in humans and large language models. Applicants should have a background in computational cognitive science and ideally, AI interpretability, with strengths in research project design and leadership, collaboration and mentorship, and python skills for working with research code repositories and with large language models. ML experience not required, but familiarity with probabilistic programming and methods in neural network interpretability a plus. Background in conceptual and relational reasoning, moral cognition, and decision-making is highly relevant. The position is either fully onsite in Irvine, CA, or hybrid. Please email me at aleshins(a)uci.edu to express interest.

April 10, 2025

Call for Papers to "Neuromorphic Artificial Intelligence and Its Applications: Retrospective and Prospective" special issue

by Vassilis Cutsuridis

Dear colleagues, we would like to invite you to submit a manuscript to the Special Issue "Neuromorphic Artificial Intelligence and Its Applications: Retrospective and Prospective<https://www.mdpi.com/journal/brainsci/special_issues/ID2J799RH5>" organized by the Brain Sciences<https://www.mdpi.com/journal/brainsci> journal. Scope Neuromorphic artificial intelligence (AI), inspired by brains, constitutes a shift in the development of AI technology that is able to process vast amounts of information extremely quickly, accurately, and with far less energy expenditure than any AI/DL system. Because it utilizes event-based processing in which neurons spike only in response to specific stimuli, at any given time only a small fraction of neurons is active, drastically reducing energy consumption. Neuromorphic AI is expected to open new roads to computing technologies (software and hardware) and pave the way to true artificial general intelligence. This Special Issue aims to solicit articles that report state-of-the-art approaches to and recent advances in: * Novel neuromorphic architectures and models constrained by neurobiological data from multiple levels of detail showing mastery in all faculties, including sensory recognition, learning and memory, decision making, cognitive control, reasoning, language processing, and consciousness * Learning algorithms constrained by the limits of biology and neuromorphic hardware * Neuromorphic hardware (sensors, chips, cameras) for cognitive systems * Applications of neuromorphic architectures or hardware to cognitive robotics * Application of neuromorphic architectures or hardware to all other aspects of science and technology This Special Issue will bring together scientists with diverse backgrounds to discuss current concepts and exciting new results in this broad field, cutting across disciplines and focusing on topics that have a high potential to synergize. It is expected that this Special Issue will generate valuable new insights and highlight promising directions of future progress. Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2025 Regards, Vassilis --- Dr Vassilis Cutsuridis Associate Professor in Computer Science School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, UK, PL4 8AA Email: vassilis.cutsuridis(a)plymouth.ac.uk Web: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/staff/vassilis-cutsuridis *** I work strange hours. You may receive emails from me outside of office hours, but please do not feel you need to reply outside of office hours. ________________________________ [https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/images/email_footer.gif]<http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/worldclass> This email and any files with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the recipient to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient then copying, distribution or other use of the information contained is strictly prohibited and you should not rely on it. If you have received this email in error please let the sender know immediately and delete it from your system(s). Internet emails are not necessarily secure. While we take every care, University of Plymouth accepts no responsibility for viruses and it is your responsibility to scan emails and their attachments. University of Plymouth does not accept responsibility for any changes made after it was sent. Nothing in this email or its attachments constitutes an order for goods or services unless accompanied by an official order form.

April 9, 2025

Postdoctoral Fellows in Theoretical/Computational Neuroscience at UChicago

by Ramon Nogueira

The Grossman Center for Quantitative Biology and Human Behavior <https://neuroscience.uchicago.edu/GrossmanCenter> at the University of Chicago seeks outstanding applicants for multiple postdoctoral positions in computational and theoretical neuroscience. We especially welcome applicants who develop mathematical approaches, computational models, and machine learning methods to study the brain at the circuits, systems, or cognitive levels. The current faculty members of the Grossman Center to work with are: (informal enquiries are welcome) - Brent Doiron’s lab investigates how the cellular and synaptic circuitry of neuronal circuits supports the complex dynamics and computations that are routinely observed in the brain. ( bdoiron(a)uchicago.edu) - Jorge Jaramillo’s lab investigates how subcortical structures interact with cortical circuits to subserve cognitive processes such as memory, attention, and decision making. (jorgejaramillo(a)uchicago.edu) - Ramon Nogueira’s lab investigates the geometry of representations as the computational support of cognitive processes like abstraction in noisy artificial and biological neural networks. (rnogueira(a)uchicago.edu) - Marcella Noorman’s lab investigates how properties of synapses, neurons, and circuits shape the neural dynamics that enable flexible and efficient computation. (noormanm(a)uchicago.edu) - Samuel Muscinelli’s lab studies how the anatomy of brain circuits both governs learning and adapts to it. We combine analytical theory, machine learning, and data analysis, in close collaboration with experimentalists. ( smuscinelli(a)uchicago.edu) Appointees will have access to state-of-the-art facilities and multiple opportunities for collaboration with exceptional experimental labs within the Neuroscience Institute, as well as other labs from the departments of Physics, Computer Sciences, and Statistics. The Grossman Center offers competitive postdoctoral salaries in the vibrant and international city of Chicago, and a rich intellectual environment that includes the Argonne National Laboratory <https://www.anl.gov/> and UChicago’s Data Science Institute <https://datascience.uchicago.edu/>. The Neuroscience Institute is currently engaged in a major expansion that includes the incorporation of several new faculty members in the next few years. APPLICATIONS: Please send your application before May 1st, 2025 as a single PDF file to neurotheory(a)uchicago.edu. It must include: 1. CV with publications highlighted; 2. A motivation letter specifying the types of projects you would like to work on; 3. The names and contact details of two academic references. Earliest start date: July 1st, 2025, or via mutual agreement. https://neuroscience.uchicago.edu/grossmancenter-postdoctoral-fellows-theor… *The University of Chicago is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, shared ancestry, age, status as an individual with a disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination.* https://neuroscience.uchicago.edu/grossmancenter-postdoctoral-fellows-theor…

April 9, 2025

[reminder] Birmingham-Leiden Summer School in Computational Social Cognition 2025

by Lei Zhang

(sorry for cross-posting) We are delighted to welcome applications for the second edition of the *Birmingham-Leiden Summer School in Computational Social Cognition (CSC) <https://www.compsoccog.com/>*. The summer school is hosted at the University of Birmingham (UK), in collaboration with Leiden University (NL), and will take place from 2nd-5th September 2025. Apply by 18th April 2025 (see information below)! Attending the Birmingham-Leiden CSC Summer School will equip a diverse cohort of early career researchers (trainees through to junior faculty members) with the ability to understand, program, and interpret the output of a range of computational models of social cognition (e.g., reinforcement learning models, evidence accumulation models, Bayesian inference models) and their potential interaction with other modalities of measurements (e.g., fMRI, EEG, eye-tracking). Attendees will receive various types of training (keynote lectures, workshops, tutorials, etc) and work on a group project, both aimed at understanding modelling as well as the theoretical and practical inferences that can be drawn from computational models under social contexts. Keynote speakers: - Matthew Rushworth, University of Oxford (UK) - Diana Tamir, Princeton University, (USA) - David Amodio, University of Amsterdam, (NL) The full list of instructors is available at *https://compsoccog.com/instructors-and-speakers. <https://compsoccog.com/instructors-and-speakers>* For this year’s training program and organising committee, see *https://www.compsoccog.com/about <https://www.compsoccog.com/about>*. To apply, please complete *this form covering your motivation and experience <https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfcAccPZFTKLSfvKhwUwH3UQ-6FrpmiPbP…>*, including a short CV. The deadline is 18th April 2025. Outcomes will be communicated in early May, with registration for successful applicants then open until mid-June. This year, the CSC Summer School received financial support from the *William K. & Katherine W. Estes Fund in association with the Association of Psychological Science <https://www.psychologicalscience.org/members/awards-and-honors/estes-fund>* We hope to see you this summer in Birmingham! Jo (2025 co-lead), Lei (2025 co-lead), & Anna, on behalf of the CSC 2025 organising committee --- Dr. Lei Zhang w: lei-zhang.net t: @lei_zhang_lz <https://twitter.com/lei_zhang_lz>

April 8, 2025

NeuroBridges 2025: deadline to apply is approaching

by David Hansel

*NeuroBridges 2025* *A Mediterranean, Middle Eastern Summer School in Neuroscience* *Deadline to apply: April 15th, 2025* *NeuroBridges 2025* is a summer school which will take place between *September 7 and September 18, 2025* in Le Centre de Conferences Internationales de Cluny, France (CCIC) <https://84454458.streaklinks.com/CYSff59uLj27U__lKAXml_qR/https%3A%2F%2Fcol…> . The school will provide an overview of theoretical and experimental frameworks used to study a variety of *decision making* processes. It will cover different model systems from rodents to humans and a plethora of decision making mechanisms. Another objective of Neurobridges is to bring together *Mediterranean and Middle Eastern scientists*, in order to promote scientific cooperation between young researchers from these countries. The organizers of NeuroBridges are convinced that such scientific collaborations can lead to personal relations, which eventually may alleviate the political distress in the Middle East. The school is intended for graduate students and postdocs, primarily, but not only, from the Middle East and the Mediterranean region, either working in their home countries or abroad. Applicants should have some background in related fields in neuroscience or cognitive psychology. *All costs of registration and accommodation will be covered by the organizers. A limited number of travel grants will also be available*. *NeuroBridges 2025 Faculty:* - Alaa Ahmed (U. Colorado) Rava Azeredo da Silveira (IOB) Ahmed El Hady (Max Planck Institute) David Hansel (CNRS) Mehdi Khamassi (CNRS) Carole Levenes (CNRS) Yonatan Loewenstein (Hebrew U.) Zach Mainen (Champalimaud), TBC Israel Nelken (Hebrew U.) Drazen Prelec (MIT) Reza Shadmehr (John Hopkins U.) - *NeuroBridges *is co-organized by Ahmed El Hady (Max Planck Institute), David Hansel (CNRS, Paris), Yonatan Loewenstein (Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel) and Carole Levenes (CNRS, Paris). For more information and application, visit our website: https://neurobridges.net/upcoming *Contact us:* neurobridges2025(a)gmail.com <neurobridges2023(a)gmail.com> - ᐧ

April 8, 2025

Research assistant post: neural computations of foraging decisions. University of Nottingham (UK)

by Mark Humphries

The Humphries’ lab<https://www.humphries-lab.org> at the University of Nottingham is seeking a research assistant to join a project on the neural computations of foraging decisions, in collaboration with the groups of Matthew Apps (Birmingham) and Nathan Lepora (Bristol). Whether choosing to leave one shop for another, switching TV programs, or seeking berries to eat, humans and other animals make endless stay-or-leave decisions, but how we make them is not well understood. The goal of this project is to find out if there is a common decision algorithm for leaving across species and what that algorithm is. You will create predictions for how foragers should vary in their stay-of-leave decisions for different types of decision algorithm, and test them using data from humans and rodents tackling foraging tasks. You will have some experience in computational modelling of behaviour, such as decision-making models or reinforcement learning, and good programming skills. The post is for 12 months, and would suit predoctoral candidates seeking research experience. Unsure if you're a good fit for the post? Got any questions? Then contact Mark for a chat: mark.humphries(a)nottingham.ac.uk<mailto:.humphries@nottingham.ac.uk>. For full details of the role and how to apply https://jobs.nottingham.ac.uk/vacancy.aspx?ref=SCI128025 Closing date: May 5th 2025 This message and any attachment are intended solely for the addressee and may contain confidential information. If you have received this message in error, please contact the sender and delete the email and attachment. Any views or opinions expressed by the author of this email do not necessarily reflect the views of the University of Nottingham. Email communications with the University of Nottingham may be monitored where permitted by law.

April 8, 2025

Brains and Machines Podcast

by Bains, Sunny

Brains and Machines is a monthly podcast about neuromorphic engineering and bio-inspired technology, published in conjunction with EE Times Current. Each episode is featured around an interview, with the latest one being Terry Sejnowski from the Salk Institute. Previous guests (we’re on episode 26) include Mitra Hartmann from Northwestern, Carver Mead of Caltech, and roboticist Rodney Brooks. You can listen to the podcast at EE Times Current<https://www.eetimes.com/category/podcasts/eetimes-current/> (interspersed with other podcasts), through Brains and Machines<https://brainsandmachines.net>, and you can also subscribe (with a one episode delay) by clicking the links at the top right of that site (we’re available through most of the usual channels). We hope you get the chance to listen in!

April 7, 2025

Grenoble Neurotech School 2025 (Aussois, May 11-16, 2025) – Deadline April 14

by Blaise Yvert

Dear colleagues, We would like to remind you that this is the last week to register for the second edition of the Neurotech School 2025, taking place from May 11 to 16 at the Centre Paul Langevin in Aussois, France (https://www.caes.cnrs.fr/sejours/centre-paul-langevin-3-2/) You can register via the following link : https://neurotech2025.sciencesconf.org/ The deadline to register is April 14, and as last year, the number of available seats is limited. We look forward to your participation and to welcoming you in Aussois! Best regards, Blaise Yvert for the organizing committee.

April 7, 2025

This week: Global Summit on Open Problems for AI. Central Tokyo, Japan, 9-11th April 2025

by Battleday, Ruairidh

今週：AI の未解決問題に関するグローバルサミット。Sakura Deeptech、渋谷サクラステージ、東京、日本、2025 年 4 月 9 〜 11 日。This week: Global Summit on Open Problems for AI. Sakura Deeptech, Shibuya Sakura Stage, Tokyo, Japan, 9-11th April 2025. What are the next set of challenges for AI algorithms? What are the big possibilities in entrepreneurship and business application? AI アルゴリズムの次の課題は何でしょうか?起業家精神とビジネス応用における大きな可能性は何ですか? The Algorithmic Innovation and Entrepreneurship Global Summit on Open Problems for AI <http://www.algopreneurship.ai/>. is this week in Sakura Deeptech, Shibuya Sakura Stage, Tokyo, Japan, 9-11th April 2025. Join world-leading AI researchers, policy makers, and entrepreneurs in this global Summit over three days of keynote talks, panels, and breakout sessions. 基調講演、パネル、分科会セッションで構成される 3 日間にわたるグローバルサミットに、世界をリードする AI 研究者、政策立案者、起業家が参加します。日本語でライブ文字起こし Day 1 - Algorithms アルゴリズム We ask what the fundamental challenges for developing AI algorithms are, as well as promising avenues for overcoming them. AI アルゴリズムの開発における根本的な課題は何か、またそれを克服するための有望な道筋は何かを尋ねます。 We’ll be hearing from: Dr Shane Gu (Google DeepMind), Prof. Taro Toyoizumi (Riken CBS), Prof. Masanori Koyama (University of Tokyo), Dr Kai Arulkumaran (Araya Inc.), Dr Emityaz Khan (Riken AIP), Professor Masanori Koyama (University of Tokyo), Prof. Yunzhe Liu (Beijing Normal University), Dr Jad Tarifi (Integral AI), Kiran Mysore (University of Tokyo UTEC), Dr Jiaxian Guo (Google DeepMind), Dr James Whittington (Stanford & Oxford University & Zyphra), Dr Lucy Lai (Harvard University), Dr Yusuke Iwasawa (University of Tokyo), Dr Sam Passaglia (Cohere) Panel on “Is Scale all we need?” 「スケールだけが必要なのでしょうか？」 Panel on “What is the next big breakthrough in AI?” 「AI における次の大きな進歩は何でしょうか?」 Day 2 - Ethics 倫理と社会 We ask what the fundamental ethical challenges and opportunities are for AI. AIにとって根本的な倫理的課題と機会は何かと問う。 Keynotes: Prof. Yuko Harayam (Tohoku University; GPAI), Prof. Arisa Ema (University of Tokyo & RIKEN CAIP), Prof. Toshie Takahashi (Waseda University), Dr Colin Rowat (Rakuten, Cambridge), Dr Joe Ledsam (Google Health), Kenny Song (Citadel AI), Kevin Loi-Heng (Avalon AI), Chris Lengerich (Context Fund), Evan Burkosky (Kimaru AI), Tiffany Kayo (Coral Capital) Panel: Micro Ethics - What Can Individual Researchers Do for Ethical AI? 倫理的な AI のために個々の研究者は何ができるでしょうか? Chair: Nicolay Hagen (NTNU) Panel: Meso Ethics - What Can Organizations Do for Ethical AI? 組織は倫理的な AI のために何ができるでしょうか? Chair: Prof. Skyler Wang (McGill) Panel: Macro Ethics - If AI is the answer, what is the question? AIと社会 Chair: Dr Ruairidh McLennan Battleday (Harvard & MIT) Day 3 - Applications and entrepreneurship 社会実装 We ask what the fundamental challenges and opportunities are in applications for social good and entrepreneurship. 私たちは、社会貢献と起業家精神への応用における根本的な課題と機会は何かを問います。 Keynotes: Prof. Yukie Nagai (University of Tokyo), Dr Hiroaki Kitano (Adjunct Professor, OIST), Sho Ito (Deputy Director of Innovation, Cabinet Office, Government of Japan), Ilya Kulyatin (Tokyo AI; TAI), Robert Lange (Sakana AI), Dr Daisuke Okanohara (Preferred Networks), Dr Conglong Li (Google Deepmind), Takahiro Matsumoto (Cisco / Robust Intelligence), Dr Jungo Kasai (Kotoba Tech), Dr Nick McGreivy (Princeton University), Dr Andrew Fyfe (Neutone), Elizabeth Oda (Braid AI), Dr Tiago Ramalho (Recursive), Francis Hamilton (Tektome Inc), Dr Qi Chen (Paragraph), Kosuke Arima (Stockmark), Dr Yoshitaka Ushiku (NexaScience) Dr Joshua Tan (Metagov) Run in partnership with the Matsuo-Iwasawa Lab, the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI at NICT), and Tokyo AI (TAI). 松尾・岩澤研究室、人工知能に関するグローバルパートナーシップ、東京 AI と提携して運営されます。 This should be an exciting and productive event, and we expect an audience of 200 of Japan’s best AI researchers and entrepreneurs at student, early-stage, and full career levels. これは刺激的で生産的なイベントになるはずであり、学生、初期段階、フルキャリアレベルの日本最高の AI 研究者や起業家 200 名が参加すると予想しています。 Student tickets: $20 for all three days ¥3000 学生3日間入場 General tickets: $20 per day ¥3000 1日一般入場 Reserve your place now! <http://www.algopreneurship.ai/> 席を予約してください <http://www.algopreneurship.ai/> Ruairidh <https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruairidh-battleday-648a2b65/>, <https://www.jcrwhittington.com/>Lucy <https://lucylai.com/>, and James <https://www.jcrwhittington.com/> Thinking About Thinking <https://www.thinkingaboutthinking.org/> -- Dr Ruairidh McLennan Battleday BMBCh (Oxon) PhD President Thinking About Thinking (www.thinkingaboutthinking.org) Postdoctoral Research Fellow Center for Brain Science, Harvard University Center for Brains, Minds, and Machines, MIT

April 7, 2025

Call for applications: School on Analytical Connectionism (25 Aug- 5 Sep 2025)

by Lin, I-Chun

Topical focus: Bias in learning 25 August - 5 September 2025, London www.analytical-connectionism.net/school/2025<https://www.analytical-connectionism.net/school/2025/> Apply by 18 April 2025 We are delighted to announce the 3rd edition of the School on Analytical Connectionism. This 2-week course will focus on analytical tools, including methods from statistical physics and probability theory, for probing neural networks and higher-level cognition. This course is appropriate for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and faculty in fields from psychology and neuroscience, to physics, computer science, and mathematics. The course will bring together neuroscience, psychology, and machine-learning communities, introducing participants to connectionist theories of higher-level cognition and psychology as well as analytical methods for neural-network analysis. Participants will work in teams, mentored by course lecturers and organisers, to develop novel research projects on topics related to analytical connectionism. Participants will present the research proposals in Week 1 and interim results at the end of the course. Confirmed Faculty: Rémi Monasson (CNRS/ENS) Tim Rogers (University of Wisconsin-Madison) Tali Sharot (UCL/MIT) Merav Ahissar (Hebrew University of Jerusalem) Xuechunzi Bai (University of Chicago) Marco Baity-Jesi (Eawag) Mathew Diamond (SISSA) Lasana Harris (UCL) Tiago Maia (University of Lisbon) Angela Radulescu (Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai) Levent Sagun (FAIR) Fanny Yang (ETHZ) Best, I-Chun on behalf of the School Organisers -- I-Chun Lin Scientific Programme Manager Gatsby Computational Neuroscience Unit, UCL

April 7, 2025