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

Worldwide VVTNS series: Carl van Vreeswijk Memorial Lecture | Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at 11:00 am EDT| James DiCarlo, MIT

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 first *'Carl van Vreeswijk Memorial Lecture ' * James DiCarlo MIT on the topic of Do contemporary, machine-executable models of primate sensory systems unlock the ability to non-invasively, beneficially modulate high-level brain states? The lecture will be held on Zoom on April 9, 2025, at *11:00 am EDT * To receive the link: https://www.wwtns.online/register-page *Abstract: *Over the past decade, neuroscience, cognitive science and computer science (“AI”) converged to create specific, image-computable, deep neural network models intended to appropriately abstract, emulate and explain the mechanisms of primate ventral visual processing, up to its deepest neural level, the inferior temporal cortex (IT). Because these leading neuroscientific emulation models — aka “digital twins” — are fully observable and machine-executable, they offer predictive and potential application power that our field’s prior conceptual models did not. Our team’s ongoing work is aimed at asking if current digital twin models might support non-invasive, beneficial brain modulation. In this talk, I will describe a key result: we demonstrate that we can use a digital twin to design spatial patterns of light energy that, when “added” to the organism’s retinal input in the context of ongoing natural visual processing, results in precise modulation (i.e. rate bias) of the pattern of a population of IT neurons (where any intended modulation pattern is chosen ahead of time by the scientist). Because the IT visual neural populations are known to directly connect to and modulate downstream neural circuits (e.g. amygdala) that may underlie psychological affective states (e.g. mood and anxiety), this novel basic science may unlock a new, non-invasive application avenue of potential future human clinical benefit. This progress and new impact possibilities resulted from convergent brain science and AI engineering efforts in the domain of visual object intelligence. I will motivate this as just one example of what I believe will unlock in other domains of human intelligence as brain scientists and AI engineers collaborate to develop machine-executable models of the underlying mechanisms of those still-mysterious domains. *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 -- *Il n'y a ni obligation ni pression à traiter ou répondre à ce mail en dehors des heures de travail* "В каждой шутке есть доля шутки" 'Life is good ..' (Carl van Vreeswijk, 1962-2022) --------------------------------------- David Hansel Directeur de Recherche au CNRS Co-Group leader Cerebral Dynamics Plasticity and Learning lab., CNRS 45 rue des Saints Peres 75270 Paris Cedex 06 Tel (Cell): +33 607508403 - Fax (33).1.49.27.90.62 *CONFIDENTIALITY AND PRIVACY NOTICE:* *This message and the documents that might be attached, are addressed exclusively to their(s) recipient(s) and may contain privileged or confidential information. The access to this information by people other than those designated is not authorized. If you are not the indicated recipient, you are notified that the use, disclosure and / or copying without authorization is prohibited under current legislation. If you have received this message in error, please kindly inform the sender immediately and proceed to its destruction.* ᐧ

April 6, 2025

NeuroAI fellow - exciting opportunity

by Rui Ponte Costa

Dear all, As part of the ENCODE AI for Science program we are hiring a neuroAI fellow for a project that aims to bring together state-of-the-art deep RL systems with both systems and behavioural neuroscience. See more below: https://encode.pillar.vc/projects/behavioral-neuroscience Deadline: 30th April 2025 How to apply? Quick application here: https://encode.pillar.vc/apply we will then get in touch with you to discuss more. Note that the salary is substantially higher than usual for academia (> £100k). Best wishes, Rui Ponte Costa Group Leader, Neural and Machine Learning group<https://neuralml.github.io/> | Oxford Neurotheory Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics | Medical Sciences Division University of Oxford, UK

April 4, 2025

Job posts at the Cognitive Science Center at Jagiellonian University

by Marcin

*Postdoc and PhD student positions to study cognition in naturalistic settings* *Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland* *Job Description* The Brain and Cognition Lab at Jagiellonian University in Kraków, Poland, is excited to announce several upcoming job openings at different levels (postdoc and PhD) to work on the psychophysics and electrophysiology of cognition. These positions are funded by the National Science Center, Poland. We are seeking highly motivated candidates eager to investigate cognition using eye tracking, virtual reality (VR), electrophysiology, psychophysics, and advanced signal processing tools. Interested applicants should contact Marcin Leszczyński (marcin.leszczynski(a)uj.edu.pl) to discuss possibilities. *Lab Description* Successful candidates will join a dynamic research group at the Cognitive Science Center at Jagiellonian University, located in the heart of the beautiful city of Kraków. Our lab uses a variety of technologies, including scalp and intracranial electrophysiology, eye-tracking, VR, psychophysics, combined with advanced signal processing and machine learning, to study neural mechanisms of cognition in health and disease (see Google Scholar <https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=O-mtQkIAAAAJ&hl=en&oi=ao>). We are interested in questions including neural mechanisms of perception, memory, mind wandering. Specifically, we aim to understanding why our minds wander and how sensory systems interact in naturally uncertain environments. We explore limits of attention capacity, and many more. To do so, we combine experiments in natural settings (e.g., VR or movie watching) with controlled laboratory experiments including psychophysics and advanced analytical tools like machine learning, signal processing, large language models and more. We offer a vibrant international research environment, with English as the working language. Our lab is located in the heart of the beautiful city of Kraków (ul. Ingardena), right next to a beautiful park (Park Jordana) and within walking distance of the Old Town square and several other tourist attractions. We encourage interested candidates to get in touch to discuss the opportunities available. The department provides excellent infrastructure, including supporting staff and state-of-the-art equipment for conducting experiments (e.g., behavioral laboratories, EEG, eye-tracking, and VR setups, fMRI, TMS). Additionally, motivated candidates will have the chance to participate in numerous collaborative and international projects with partners at Columbia University in New York City, Nathan Kline Institute and University Hospital in Bonn. *Requirements* - *Postdoc applicants* must hold, or expect to hold, a doctorate in Psychology, Neuroscience, Computer Science, or related disciplines. An ideal candidate will have experience designing, performing, analyzing, and disseminating psychophysics studies or experimental studies using eye tracking, VR, EEG, MEG, or LFPs. Motivated candidates with other relevant experience are also encouraged to apply. Ability to work independently and proficiency in English are essential (no need to speak Polish). - *PhD applicants* should have previous programming experience and a research interest in neuroscience, perception, attention, mind wandering, memory, eye movements, sensory-motor, or multi-sensory interactions. Previous experience in analyzing psychophysiological signals is an asset. Ability to work independently and proficiency in English are essential (no need to speak Polish). For further inquiries about the positions, please contact Marcin Leszczyński at marcin.leszczynski(a)uj.edu.pl. *Application Process* Interested candidates should send a 1) cover letter describing research interests and motivation to join our lab (max. 2 pages), 2) curriculum vitae, 3) two reference contacts to Marcin Leszczyński. The application will remain open until the positions are filled.

April 4, 2025

Postdoctoral fellowship opportunity

by Samuel Reiter

Dear colleagues, Interested in a postdoc in Japan, studying octopus, cuttlefish and squid brains, on a tropical island, well-funded by the Japanese government and CZI? Apply here, and please spread the word. Open to graduates of US institutions. https://chanzuckerberg.com/rfa/global-science-scholars/ All the best, Sam

April 3, 2025

Reminder: Registration, Abstract Submission and Travel Award applications deadline in 2 weeks for the NSF-Simons NITMB MathBio Convergence Conference 11-14 August 2025 Chicago IL

by William L. Kath

* In response to the recent financial uncertainty associated with federal awards, we have significantly reduced the conference registration fee. Please note that travel award funding for the conference is secure and a generous number of awards are available. * *The NSF-Simons NITMB MathBio Convergence Conference 11-14 August 2025 Chicago, IL Registration, Abstract Submission and Travel Award applications is open! * More details at https://www.nitmb.org/nitmb-mathbio-convergence-conference We are calling for talks and posters discussing challenging problems in biology that are inspiring new mathematics, statistics, theory and computation, and mathematics that is generating important new insights into biology. If you are a mathematician working on biology or a biologist using mathematics, or just someone who would like to learn more about research at the interface between mathematics and biology, we encourage you to attend. * *Registration:* The number of attendees at the conference is finite. We are asking participants to pay a small fee ($40, or $20 for undergraduates) to hold their place. * *Abstracts:* Register before 15 April if you would like to submit an abstract. * *Travel Awards:* We are offering travel awards for students, early career researchers, faculty at Primarily Undergraduate Institutions (PUIs) and others who live more than 50 miles from Chicago who may need funding to attend. A brief application is required for consideration -- deadline April 15. * Travel awards fund up to $650 for domestic travel and $800 for intercontinental travel, plus reimbursement for local hotel costs and for meals not provided by the conference (gsa.gov rates apply). Award recipients must lodge at The Drake Hotel (140 East Walton Place Chicago, IL 60611) to receive reimbursement. *Registration/submission steps:* 1. Register at https://www.nitmb.org/nitmb-mathbio-convergence-conference 2. Upon entering your information, you will be directed to a payment site. 3. After confirmation of payment (please note your confirmation number), you will be sent links with which to submit an abstract and/or apply for a travel award. If you have questions, please email nitmb(a)nitmb.org I_mportant Dates:_ Abstract Submission April 15, 2025 Travel Award Application April 15, 2025 Early Registration (to be considered for a presentation) ($40, or $20 for undergraduates) February 15 - April 15, 2025 Notification of selection for an Oral Talk or a Poster Late May Regular Registration (no presentation) ($40, or $20 for undergraduates) February 15 - July 14, 2025 Late Registration ($80) July 15 - August 4, 2025 Hotel Registration (at the Drake) Mid-April - July 15, 2025 *Confirmed plenary speakers:* *Alexander Auhlela, The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL)* Dr. Aulehla uses dynamical systems to study how a vertebrate embryo forms the unique number of body segments that make up the vertebrae. *Carina Curto, Brown University* Dr. Curto combines mathematical tools from algebra, geometry, topology and dynamical systems to elucidate complex patterns of activity in networks of neurons. *Lorin Crawford, Microsoft Research and Brown University* Dr. Crawford uses machine learning and statistical tools to study the genotype-to-phenotype map for complex traits and diseases. *Michael Hawrylycz, The Allen Institute* Dr. Hawrylycz studies the cellular constitution and organization of the brain using single-cell transcriptomics and cutting-edge computational and statistical tools. *Anna-Liisa Laine, University of Helsinki* Dr. Laine studies complex problems in ecology across a spectrum of length and time scales. *Reidun Twarock, University of York* Dr. Twarock uses mathematics to study the symmetries of animal viruses and how they self-assemble inside host cells.

April 3, 2025

Call for Participation: International Artificial Intelligence Summer School – IAISS 2025, Sept 21-25, Riva del Sole Resort & SPA @ Tuscany * Registration: by April 23 *

by Giuseppe Nicosia

* Apologies for multiple copies. Please forward to anybody who might be interested, thanks! * IAISS2025, A Residential Summer School in AI & Generative AI for Science and Engineering IAISS 2025 is a full-immersion 5-day Summer School in Tuscany on cutting-edge advances in AI and Generative AI with lectures delivered by world-renowned experts. Riva del Sole Resort & SPA @ Tuscany, Italy, Sept 21-25, 2025 https://2025.iaiss.cc iaiss(a)icas.cc REGISTRATION: by April 23 (AoE) https://2025.iaiss.cc/registration/ Oral Presentation Submission Deadline: by April 23 (AoE) Applicant *may* submit (during the Registration Process) a research abstract (max 2 pages; any format) for presentation. School directors and the scientific committee will review the abstracts and will recommend for poster and/or short talk. Abstract must be submitted by April 23 during the registration process. LECTURERS: Each Lecturer will hold up to four lectures on one or more research topics. Yuki Asano, University of Technology Nuremberg, Germany Pierre Baldi, University of California, Irvine, CA,USA Lucas Beyer, OpenAI, Zürich, Switzerland Wessel Bruinsma, Microsoft Research Amsterdam, The Netherlands Sam Buchanan, Toyota Technological Institute at Chicago, USA Floris Geerts, University of Antwerp, Belgium Sven Giesselbach, Fraunhofer Institute - IAIS, Germany & Telecom Systems Chin-Wei Huang, Microsoft Amsterdam, The Netherlands Vicky Kalogeiton, Ecole Polytechnique Paris, France Thomas Kipf, Google DeepMind, USA Yi Ma, University of California, Berkeley, USA Abigail See, Google DeepMind, London, UK Michal Valko, Meta Paris, France More Speakers TBA TUTORIAL SPEAKERS: Druv Pai, University of California, Berkeley, USA Yaodong Yu, University of California, Berkeley, USA Peng Wang, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA https://2025.iaiss.cc/lecturers/ https://2025.iaiss.cc/lectures/ VENUE: https://2025.iaiss.cc/venue/ Riva del Sole Resort & SPA Località Riva del Sole‚ Castiglione della Pescaia (Grosseto) CAP 58043‚ Tuscany‚ Italy p: +39-0564-928111 e: booking.events(a)rivadelsole.it w: https://www.rivadelsole.it/en/ REGISTRATION: https://2025.iaiss.cc/venue/ CERTIFICATE & 8 ECTS: The International Artificial Intelligence Summer School – IAISS 2025 is a full-immersion five-day Summer School at the Riva del Sole Resort & SPA (Castiglione della Pescaia – Grosseto – Tuscany, Italy) on cutting-edge advances in AI and Generative AI with lectures delivered by world-renowned experts. The Summer School provides a stimulating environment for PhD students, Post-Docs, junior academics (only up to assistant professors), early career researchers, and industry leaders (and highly motivated, promising and brilliant Master students / BSc students). Participants will also have the chance to present their results with talks, and to interact with their colleagues, in a convivial, professional and productive environment. PhD students, PostDocs, Industry Practitioners and Junior Academics (only up to assistant professors) will be typical profiles of the IAISS attendants. The Summer School will involve a total of 36–40 hours of lectures, according to the academic system the final achievement will be equivalent to 8 ECTS points for the PhD Students (and some strongly motivated Master Student – BSc Student) attending the Summer School. Language: English. To participate in the IAISS 2025, all attendants must (1/2) register for the school (by April 23, 2025) and (2/2) book accommodation at the school venue, “Riva del Sole Resort & SPA” (by July 23, 2025); all attendants must stay at the “Riva del Sole Resort & SPA”. Once accommodation has been booked at “Riva del Sole Resort & SPA“, the participant must send this information (including the Booking Number) to the IAISS organizing committee (iaiss(a)icas.cc) IAISS is a residential school, so all lecturers and participants must reside in the same Hotel (Riva del Sole Resort & SPA). No exceptions are made. For privacy reasons, the Hotel cannot match people. If you have someone to share the apartment with, please send to the Hotel ( booking.events(a)rivadelsole.it ) the name, surname and email address. Otherwise the solution is to book an apartment in single use. IAISS is organized as a non-profit scientific event. Please note that only IAISS registered participants can book a room (in hotel or apartment) at the Riva del Sole Resort & SPA with the accommodation form attached in the registration email and with the IAISS Discounted Rates. The Booking Office of the Riva del Sole Resort & SPA will verify the names of the participants and the corresponding registration number to confirm the booking. Anyone interested in participating in IAISS 2025 should register as soon as possible: https://2025.iaiss.cc/registration/ See you in Riva del Sole in September! IAISS 2025 Organizing Committees. https://2025.iaiss.cc iaiss(a)icas.cc Obviously, this is only a Call for Participation, to have complete and updated information we recommend you access the relevant website: https://2025.iaiss.cc the News Section: https://2025.iaiss.cc/category/news/ and the FAQ: https://2025.iaiss.cc/faq/ * Apologies for multiple copies. Please forward to anybody who might be interested, thanks! *

April 3, 2025

Apply Now: EITN EBRAINS Fall School 2025

by DEPANNEMAECKER Damien

Dear All, Applications are now open for the EITN EBRAINS Fall School in Computational Neuroscience 2025, which will take place November 19–28, 2025, in Marseille, France. This intensive course is designed for Master’s students, PhD candidates, and postdocs looking to deepen their expertise in computational neuroscience. 🔹 Application deadline: June 4, 2025 (Anywhere on Earth) All application details, including course topics, required documents, and IBRO fellowship information, are available on our webpage: 🌐 https://www.ebrains.eu/news-and-events/eitn-ebrains-fall-school-2025 We look forward to your applications! Best regards, The EITN EBRAINS Fall School Team 📧 eitn2025(a)proton.me

April 3, 2025

The Canadian Neuroanalytics Scholars (CNS) Program

by Joern Davidsen

The Canadian Neuroanalytics Scholars (CNS) Program The Canadian Neuroanalytics Scholars (CNS) Program is now accepting Notices of Intent for the 2025 recruitment cycle. Up to 10 scholars will be awarded $70,0000 per year for up to two years, plus access to training and mentorship from CNS Program partners. Who is eligible? The applicant must: * Be affiliated with a Canadian post-secondary institution * Have less than 5 years of full-time training after completion of a doctoral degree * Current PhD students can apply if their degree will be completed before the program start date The proposed supervisor must: * Hold a full-time faculty position at a degree-granting research institution in Canada, such as the Hotchkiss Brain Institute (HBI) at the University of Calgary which is one of the Partner Institutes of the CNS Program (potential supervisors in Computational Neuroscience at the HBI can be found here<https://hbi.ucalgary.ca/computational-neuroscience/graduate-specialization/…>) * Conduct research primarily in the field of neuroscience * Only supervise one scholar awarded from this competition; i.e., a supervisor can only be associated with a single applicant NOI Deadline: June 6, 2025 12 pm (noon) MT Interested in learning more? Visit https://www.albertaneuro.ca/funding-programs/canadian-neuroanalytics-schola… This program is made possible by generous funding from the Hilary and Galen Weston Foundation, and from support by our partners at the Hotchkiss Brain Institute, The Ontario Brain Institute and The Neuro. We are pleased to collaborate with Canada's centres for excellence in AI/ML as training partners: Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute (Amii), Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence, Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute (Mila). If you have any questions about the program, we would love to hear from you at abneuro(a)ucalgary.ca<mailto:abneuro@ucalgary.ca>. --- Dr. Jörn Davidsen Professor of Physics & Humboldt Research Fellow University of Calgary www.ucalgary.ca/davidsen<http://www.ucalgary.ca/davidsen>

April 2, 2025

2 PhD/postdoc positions in computational/cognitive neuroscience/neuroAI/precision psychiatry in Tübingen

by Trang-Anh Nghiem

Dear All, I am pleased to announce that my research group at the Hertie Institute for AI in Brain Health (Hertie AI, https://hertie.ai/) within the Eberhard Karls University in Tübingen, invites applications for *two PhD students or postdoctoral researchers (f/m/d)*. My group will investigate the neural mechanisms of altered brain dynamics and function in neuropsychiatric disorders, leveraging biophysical whole-brain models personalized to each patient using AI and model inference methods. Research questions for PhD/postdoctoral projects will be chosen from a range of topics in *computational neuroscience / neuro-AI / precision psychiatry / cognitive neuroscience * including: - Whole-brain biophysical modeling of resting-state brain dynamics in neuropsychiatric disorders, personalized to each patient using evolutionary algorithms and simulation-based inference approaches, and - Whole-brain biophysical modeling of brain function and dysfunction in tasks tied to core symptoms of disorders, including sensory salience paradigms *Required qualifications*: MSc in neuroscience, physics, data science, computer science, engineering, applied mathematics or similar. *Preferred qualifications*: experience with whole-brain or neural network modeling, with neuroimaging data analysis, and/or with model inference. Recruited researchers will be expected to start in Sept 2025 for a duration of 3 years with the possibility of extension. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. If interested, please get in touch and send me your CV and statement of research interests (limited to 2 pages). Looking forward to hearing from you! Best, Trang-Anh Nghiem https://scholar.google.fr/citations?user=2PlcVlIAAAAJ&hl=en

April 2, 2025

Postdoctoral and PhD Positions -- modeling/analysis of dopamine in rhythm perception

by Jonathan Cannon

Postdoctoral and PhD Positions in modeling and analyzing intracranial dopamine data from rhythm perception experiments McMaster University, Hamilton Ontario The METRE lab (Models and Experiments in Timing, Rhythm, and Entrainment, metre.mcmaster.ca), led by Jonathan Cannon (joncannon.net) is initiating a collaboration with Dan Bang’s group at University of Aarhus, Denmark, funded by the Human Frontier Science Program. The project will collect electrophysiological and electrochemical data from human basal ganglia during deep brain stimulator implantations while patients listen to and entrain movement to auditory rhythms. Data will be used to evaluate and develop models of the role of dopamine in rhythm perception, movement, and prediction. Dr. Cannon is looking to welcome at least one postdoctoral researcher and multiple PhD students over the next two years. These lab members will help to refine rhythm experiments, analyze intracranial electrical and chemical data, and develop both neurophysiological and interpretive (Bayesian predictive processing, reinforcement learning) models of rhythm perception. They may also pursue other projects at the intersection of computational neuroscience/cognition, experimental neuroscience/psychology, and music perception, in a rapidly growing new Canadian lab focused on rhythm in the brain and what it can tell us about the experience of being human. About the Postdoctoral Position(s) - Duration: One year with possibility of one- or two-year extension - Start Date: ASAP - Salary: $55k CAD, potentially negotiable - Location: McMaster University, Hamilton Ontario, Canada About the PhD Positions(s) - Program: Psychology, Neuroscience, or Computational Science/Engineering - Start Date: Summer or fall 2026 — earlier start date could be discussed - Stipend: Program dependent, top-up negotiable - Location: McMaster University, Hamilton Ontario, Canada Research Environment The METRE lab is a rapidly growing, international group with diverse interests and backgrounds. Graduate students and postdocs generally attend at least one conference per year, which may include computational neuroscience or auditory/music/rhythm-focused conferences. Postdocs will have access to teaching and professional development opportunities through the McCall MacBain Postdoctoral Fellows Teaching & Leadership Program <https://mccallmacbain.mcmaster.ca/>. Hamilton is a family-friendly city with hiking trails everywhere. 1-2hrs to Toronto by car or public transportation. A living costs calculator can be found here: https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Hamilton Application Process *Please submit* a cover letter, a CV, and email addresses for two academic references. We will notify applicants before contacting references. *Send materials by email* to Jonathan Cannon: cannoj9(a)mcmaster.ca *Subject line:* HFSP postdoc/phd positions The postdoc selection process may begin as early as May 1, but feel free to reach out after that! PhD inquiries will be evaluated in fall 2025 except in unusual circumstances, but it’s never too early to establish contact!

April 1, 2025