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

Postdoctoral Research Fellow Position at Stanford University

by Yu Zhang

*Postdoctoral Research Fellow Position in Computational & Translational Neuroscience* *Stanford University, USA* The Stanford Precision NeuroIntelligence Laboratory (SPNI Lab) has an opening position for Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Computational & Translational Neuroscience. *Position description:* The fellow will work on developing and applying advanced machine learning and deep learning methods for multimodal brain imaging (e.g., MRI, EEG) and cognitive/behavioral data analysis with the goal of discovering data-driven neural biomarkers for precision medicine in brain disorders. The position offers a unique opportunity to conduct high-impact, interdisciplinary research at the interface of machine learning, data science, neuroscience, and clinical translation. *Qualifications:* - PhD in Biomedical/Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Neuroscience, or related fields. - Strong background in machine learning and programming (Python and/or MATLAB). - Excellent quantitative and analytical skills. Strong written and interpersonal communication skills. - Prior research experience in neuroimaging, computational neuroscience, or related fields, with publications in top-tier journals or conferences, is highly desirable. - Strong motivation & ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment. *Opportunities:* - Collaborate closely with world-leading neuroscience and clinical teams at Stanford University. - Access to large-scale clinical and neuroimaging datasets and state-of-the-art computing resources. - Comprehensive training in machine learning, neuroscience, and precision medicine, with mentorship tailored to foster independence and career development. *Stanford University:* Stanford University is a world-leading research institution, consistently ranked among the top universities globally. The university offers an unparalleled academic environment with cutting-edge facilities, vibrant interdisciplinary collaborations, and a diverse intellectual community. Its location in the heart of Silicon Valley provides unique opportunities for innovation and cross-sector partnerships. *Application:* Interested candidates should send their CV, a cover letter describing research accomplishments and interests, writing samples (e.g. published lead-author papers or preprints), a link to code examples, and 2-3 references to Dr. Yu Zhang (yzhangsu(a)stanford.edu) Application review begins immediately and will continue until the position is filled. We are looking forward to hearing from you! -- Yu Zhang, PhD Assistant Professor Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Stanford University | School of Medicine Palo Alto, CA 94304 Stanford Precision NeuroIntelligence Lab <http://spnilab.weebly.com/> Email: yzhangsu(a)stanford.edu

Sept. 12, 2025

University of Toronto: Assistant Professor – Artificial Intelligence in Psychological Science

by Dirk Bernhardt-Walther

*Assistant Professor – **Artificial Intelligence in Psychological Science* *Job posting* The Department of Psychology in the Faculty of Arts and Science at the University of Toronto invites applications for a full-time tenure stream faculty position in the area of Artificial Intelligence in Psychological Science. The appointment will be at the rank of Assistant Professor with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2026. This search aligns with the University’s commitment to strategically and proactively promote diversity among our community members (Statement on Equity, Diversity & Excellence <https://governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/secretariat/policies/equity-diversity-…>). Recognizing that Black, Indigenous, and other Racialized communities have experienced inequities that have developed historically and are ongoing, we strongly welcome and encourage candidates from those communities to apply. Candidates must have earned a PhD degree in Psychology or a related area by the time of appointment, or shortly thereafter, with a demonstrated record of excellence in research and teaching. We seek candidates whose research and teaching interests complement and enhance our existing departmental strengths <https://www.psych.utoronto.ca/>. The successful candidate will be expected to pursue innovative and independent research, and to establish an outstanding, competitive, and externally funded research program. Candidates must provide evidence of research excellence which can be demonstrated by a record of publications in top-ranked and field relevant journals or forthcoming publications meeting high international standards, the submitted research statement, presentations at significant conferences, awards and accolades, and strong endorsements from referees. We seek candidates whose research integrates psychology with advances in AI and complements our core areas: developmental psychology; perception, cognition, and cognitive neuroscience; social and personality psychology; or behavioural neuroscience. Possible foci include AI applications in big data analysis (social), brain and thought process modeling (developmental, cognitive neuroscience), or multi-unit activity networking (behavioural neuroscience). Topics may also include human–machine interaction in a technologically augmented society, such as cognitive challenges of VR/AR or self-driving vehicles, and trust in generative AI content. Expertise in computational/quantitative modeling and teaching in statistics at the undergraduate and/or graduate level is especially welcome. Applicants are encouraged to review the research and teaching profiles of current faculty members. In your cover letter, please indicate into which of the above-mentioned research directions your own research profile would fall. Please visit our home page: Department of Psychology, www.psych.utoronto.ca Evidence of excellence in teaching will be demonstrated by teaching accomplishments, and the teaching dossier, including a teaching statement, sample course materials, and teaching evaluations or other evidence of superior performance in teaching-related activities submitted as part of the application, as well as strong letters of reference. Other teaching-related activities can include performance as a teaching assistant or course instructor, experience leading successful workshops or seminars, student mentorship, or excellent conference presentations or posters. The successful candidate will undertake undergraduate and graduate teaching responsibilities on the University’s STG CAMPUS (downtown Toronto). The successful candidate will join a vibrant intellectual community of world-class scholars at Canada’s leading university. The University of Toronto offers a wide range of opportunities for collaborative and interdisciplinary research and teaching, the excitement of working with a highly diverse student population and actively encourages innovative scholarship. The Greater Toronto Area offers amazing cultural and demographic diversity and one of the highest standards of living in the world. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. All qualified candidates are invited to apply online by clicking the link below. Applicants must submit a cover letter; a current curriculum vitae; a research statement outlining current and future research interests; a recent writing sample; and a teaching dossier including a teaching statement, sample course materials, and teaching evaluations or evidence of superior performance in other teaching related activities as listed above. Equity, diversity and inclusion are essential to academic excellence as articulated in University of Toronto’s Statement on Equity, Diversity and Excellence <https://governingcouncil.utoronto.ca/secretariat/policies/equity-diversity-…>. We seek candidates who share these values and who demonstrate throughout the application materials their commitment and efforts to advance equity, diversity, inclusion, and the promotion of a respectful and collegial learning and working environment. Applicants must provide the name and contact information of three references. The University of Toronto’s recruiting tool will automatically solicit and collect letters of reference from each referee within 48 hours after an application is submitted. Applicants remain responsible for ensuring that referees submit recent letters (on letterhead, dated and signed) by the closing date. More details on the automatic reference letter collection, including timelines, are available in the candidate FAQ <https://jobs.utoronto.ca/content/Frequently-Asked-Questions/?locale=en_US>. Submission guidelines can be found at http://uoft.me/how-to-apply <https://jobs.utoronto.ca/content/Frequently-Asked-Questions/>. Your CV and cover letter should be uploaded into the dedicated fields. Please combine additional application materials into one or two files in PDF/MS Word format. If you have any questions about this position, please contact Poppy Lockwood, Chair, Department of Psychology at psy.chair(a)utoronto.ca. All application materials, including recent reference letters, must be received by October 15, 2025. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. The University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission. As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey. This survey is voluntary. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources staff. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes. For more information, please see http://uoft.me/UP.

Sept. 12, 2025

Open postdoctoral position in Computational Neuroscience at UCLA

by Mario Dipoppa

Dear colleagues, We invite applications for a postdoctoral position in the Theoretical and Computational Neuroscience Laboratory at UCLA. The selected candidate will investigate how brain computations emerge from the dynamics of neural circuits and how computational demands and biological constraints shape the neural code. Our research team (www.dipoppalab.com) led by Mario Dipoppa, is a cooperative and vibrant environment with close collaborations across UCLA’s world-class neuroscience community. Lab members receive excellent scientific training and career mentoring. Candidates should have a strong publication record in computational neuroscience or a related quantitative field, including but not limited to computer science, machine learning, engineering, bioinformatics, physics, mathematics, or statistics. Candidates who hold or are about to obtain a Ph.D. and are interested in joining the laboratory should submit: (i) a CV with a list of publications; (ii) one publication or preprint to which they made a significant contribution; (iii) a research statement (max two pages) describing past work and career goals; and (iv) contact information for three academic referees. Please submit all materials as a single PDF to mdipoppa(a)g.ucla.edu. The position is available immediately with a flexible start date. We offer competitive salary and benefits. Informal inquiries are welcome. Best regards, Mario Dipoppa -- *Mario Dipoppa, PhD* Assistant Professor *University of California, Los Angeles* *Department of Neurobiology* *David Geffen School of Medicine* *https://www.dipoppalab.com <https://www.dipoppalab.com>* *mdipoppa(a)g.ucla.edu <mdipoppa(a)g.ucla.edu>*

Sept. 10, 2025

funded PhD position in computational modeling of infant sensorimotor development - CTU, Prague

by Matej Hoffmann

** *Dear colleagues,* * We invite applications for a PhD position in the Humanoid and cognitive robotics group (https://cyber.felk.cvut.cz/research/groups-teams/humanoids/ <https://cyber.felk.cvut.cz/research/groups-teams/humanoids/>) led by Assoc. Prof. Matej Hoffmann (https://sites.google.com/site/matejhof/ <https://sites.google.com/site/matejhof/>) at the Department of Cybernetics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague. Project context The position is part of the project “Understanding infant body know-how development through baby humanoid robots (ROBOTBABY)”. The PhD student will focus on embodied computational models and/or the AI tools for developmental science. A compilation of our past work in this area is available at https://sites.google.com/site/matejhof/research/body-schema <https://sites.google.com/site/matejhof/research/body-schema>. Requirements * Master’s (or equivalent) degree in computer science, mechanical/electrical engineering, robotics, applied mathematics, or a related discipline. * Background in the specific research topics of the project and thesis or prior publications in the area are an advantage. What we offer * A PhD from a top-ranked European university (According to Computer Science rankings https://csrankings.org/ <https://csrankings.org/>, CTU ranks 6th in Europe in computer vision, and 7th in robotics). * Salary: approx. 1,600 EUR / month net (2,050 EUR gross), with performance- and publication-based bonuses. * A highly international and interdisciplinary group. * Access to baby humanoid robots (iCub, Pepper, Nao, and several robot arms with sensitive skin and robot hands) and simulators, motion capture facilities, and high-performance computing clusters. Starting date: January 1st, 2026 (flexible). The standard PhD duration is 4 years. How to apply: Please send the following documents to matej.hoffmann(a)fel.cvut.czwith “PhD application” in the subject line. -Motivation letter (max. 1 page) - CV (including contact details of two references) Deadline: October 1, 2025. If you are attending the 2025 IEEE International Conference on Development and Learning (ICDL) in Prague (https://icdl2025.fel.cvut.cz/ <https://icdl2025.fel.cvut.cz/>), feel free to approach me there. Best regards, Matej Hoffmann * -- Matej Hoffmann, PhD Associate Professor Department of Cybernetics Faculty of Electrical Engineering Czech Technical University in Prague Karlovo namesti 13 121 35 Praha 2, Czech Republic https://sites.google.com/site/matejhof/home https://cyber.felk.cvut.cz/research/groups-teams/humanoids/ +420 224 357 387

Sept. 10, 2025

Postdoc position in infant sensorimotor development - CTU, Prague

by Matej Hoffmann

** *Dear colleagues, * * We invite applications for a postdoctoral position in the Humanoid and cognitive robotics group (https://cyber.felk.cvut.cz/research/groups-teams/humanoids/ <https://cyber.felk.cvut.cz/research/groups-teams/humanoids/>) led by Assoc. Prof. Matej Hoffmann (https://sites.google.com/site/matejhof/ <https://sites.google.com/site/matejhof/>) at the Department of Cybernetics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague. Project context The position is part of the project “Understanding infant body know-how development through baby humanoid robots (ROBOTBABY)”. The postdoc will coordinate the developmental psychology aspects of the project, which aims to: 1. Study infant behavior in three scenarios: (i) spontaneous behavior, (ii) reaching to touch, (iii) reaching to visual targets. 2. Apply AI-based tools to extract motion trajectories from infant videos. 3. Refine and advance theories of body know-how development. The group offers a unique datasetof infant behavioral recordings, combined with state-of-the-art AI tools for automatic movement analysis. While the focus is behavioral, the project may also involve brain imaging (iEEG in adults, fNIRS in infants). Requirements * PhD in developmental or cognitive psychology, cognitive neuroscience, or related fields. * Expertise in the specific research topics and interest in embodied computational modeling is a plus. What we offer * Two-year appointment (with possible extension). * Salary: approx. 3000 EUR / month (gross), depending on the applicant’s qualifications, with additional bonuses tied to publication outputs. * No mandatory teaching; opportunities for teaching are available if desired. * A highly international and interdisciplinary group. * The postdoc will conduct independent research, help shape group research directions, and supervise students. * Access to baby humanoid robots and simulators, motion capture facilities, and high-performance computing clusters. International collaborations: The project involves collaborations with: * Prof. Daniela Corbetta (U. Tennessee Knoxville – UTK, USA) * Prof. Francesca Garbarini (U. Turin, Italy) * Prof. Yasuo Kuniyoshi and Dr. Hoshinori Kanazawa (U. Tokyo, Japan) * Prof. Matthew R. Longo (Birkbeck U., London, UK) * Prof. Tobias Heed (U. Salzburg, Austria) * Dr. Kevin O’Regan (U. Paris Cité, France) * Dr. Luke E. Miller (Donders Inst., Radboud U., Nijmegen, The Netherlands) Starting date: January 1st, 2026 (flexible). How to apply: Please send the following documents to matej.hoffmann(a)fel.cvut.czwith “Postdoc application” in the subject line. -Motivation letter (max. 1 page) - CV (including contact details of two references) Deadline: October 1, 2025. If you are attending the 2025 IEEE International Conference on Development and Learning (ICDL) in Prague (https://icdl2025.fel.cvut.cz/ <https://icdl2025.fel.cvut.cz/>), feel free to approach me there. Best regards, Matej Hoffmann * -- Matej Hoffmann, PhD Associate Professor Department of Cybernetics Faculty of Electrical Engineering Czech Technical University in Prague Karlovo namesti 13 121 35 Praha 2, Czech Republic +420 224 357 387 https://sites.google.com/site/matejhof/home https://cyber.felk.cvut.cz/research/groups-teams/humanoids/ IEEE ICDL 2025 General Chairhttps://icdl2025.fel.cvut.cz/

Sept. 10, 2025

Special Issue: Dynamics in Complex Systems: From Neurosciences to Psychiatry (JoVE)

by DEPANNEMAECKER Damien

Dear all, We invite you to submit your work to our JoVE special issue<https://app.jove.com/fr/methods-collections/4215/dynamical-systems-approach…>, which will include an associated video demonstration to showcase your research. This Special Issue<https://app.jove.com/fr/methods-collections/4215/dynamical-systems-approach…>, “Dynamics in Complex Systems: From Neurosciences to Psychiatry”, explores how dynamical systems models can illuminate the complex, time-evolving processes underlying brain function and psychiatric disorders. From molecular interactions to large-scale brain networks and symptom dynamics, contributions will address how non-linear, multi-scale dynamics shape cognition, behavior, and mental health. We invite original research, reviews, and methodological papers focusing on dynamic processes across scales, including neural network oscillations, brain-behavior interactions, symptom networks in psychiatry, and clinical time-series analyses. Emphasis is placed on integrative approaches that bridge basic neuroscience and clinical applications. Both new results and methodological articles will be considered. Best, Christophe Gauld and Damien Depannemaecker link to the journal page: https://app.jove.com/fr/methods-collections/4215/dynamical-systems-approach… About JoVE: JoVE publishes methods, original research, case presentations and review articles. First, an author submits a manuscript, including a step-by-step protocol. For a method or case presentation the text of the manuscript needs to be novel; however, the results are representative and can be republished with appropriate permission. For an original research article, the text and the findings must be novel. Next, the manuscript is peer-reviewed. Please note that videos for original research articles and case reports are created only when the methods used require visual demonstration. If a video is not required, they will be published as text-only articles. There is no video created for a review article. However, there will be a video playlist on their article's webpage. This playlist will highlight JoVE videos that are relevant to the topic of the review. When authors submit it to our official submission site, they'll be asked to suggest some relevant videos for the playlist. Authors can provide some suggestions of relevant recent JoVE videos (2022-2025) based on their planned review topic for the playlist. If accepted, those that require a video will be turned into a script by our PhD-level science writers. A videographer will then come to your location for one day and film your protocol or video. Once filming is complete, the footage comes back to our video team who will do all the post-production work. The article is indexed in Web of Science, PubMed, SciFinder, and Scopus. This is the link to our publishing process and costs<https://1bdf5d0c.streaklinks.com/CkA1qpFLy5cdf8poxwvcLZDI/https%3A%2F%2Fwww…>. The fee is used to offset the costs involved in filming and post production (scripting, editing, professional voice over etc.). You will receive a copy of the video article that can be shared or linked to your website and used for training purposes. The costs for publishing are as follows. The list of fee waiver eligible nations is linked here<https://1bdf5d0c.streaklinks.com/CkA1qpBysvoOusj2tAQ3KMsX/https%3A%2F%2Fdoc…>. [image (1).png]

Sept. 10, 2025

LASCON 2026 - X Latin American School on Computational Neuroscience (Call for applications)

by Antonio Roque

*LASCON 2026 – X Latin American School on Computational Neuroscience* *January 5–30, 2026 | University of São Paulo, Brazil* https://sisne.org/en/lascon-x/ *APPLICATION DEADLINE: October 4, 2025* **** Apologies for cross-posting **** Dear Colleagues, It is my pleasure to announce the *10th edition of the Latin American School on Computational Neuroscience (LASCON 2026)*, which will be held at the University of São Paulo, Brazil, from *January 5 to 30, 2026*. LASCON 2026 offers an intensive four-week training program designed for graduate students, advanced undergraduates, and early-career researchers interested in applying computational and mathematical methods to the study of neurons and neural networks. The curriculum spans multiple scales of brain modeling—from biophysically detailed neurons to large-scale networks and theoretical frameworks of brain function and dysfunction—and covers topics such as extracellular field modeling, synaptic and structural plasticity, brain disease and brain state modeling, artificial intelligence, criticality in brain dynamics, consciousness, and brain–machine interfaces. The program combines *morning lectures* on theory, *afternoon tutorials* using leading simulation tools (NEURON, NEST, NetPyNE), and *evening group project work*, culminating in student project presentations. This 10th edition marks a special milestone: *20 years of LASCON*. Since its first edition in 2006, the school has become a recognized international initiative in computational neuroscience training, attracting students from Latin America and beyond. Over the years, LASCON has welcomed participants from all continents, and its alumni (278 to date) have gone on to successful careers in academia and industry worldwide ( https://sisne.org/en/lascon-alumni/) To celebrate this anniversary, LASCON 2026 will feature the largest faculty in the school’s history, with lectures and tutorials covering a wide spectrum of subfields in computational neuroscience. Confirmed faculty include: Alain Destexhe (Paris-Saclay Inst. of Neuroscience, France) · Alessandro Treves (SISSA, Italy) · Aline Duarte (USP, Brazil) · Arnd Roth (UCL, UK) · Cláudia Vargas (UFRJ, Brazil) · Daniel Takahashi (UFRN, Brazil) · Demian Battaglia (Univ. of Strasbourg, France) · Enzo Tagliazucchi (Univ. of Buenos Aires, Argentina) · Fernanda Matias (UFAL, Brazil) · Florencia Iacaruso (The Francis Crick Institute, UK) · Gaute Einevoll (NMBU, Norway) · Gustavo Rohenkohl (USP, Brazil) · Hans Ekkehard Plesser (NMBU, Norway) · Harel Shouval (Univ. of Texas Medical School at Houston, USA) · Horacio Rotstein (NJIT & Rutgers, USA) · Junji Ito (Jülich, Germany) · Leonardo Elias (Unicamp, Brazil) · Lyle Muller (Western Univ., Canada) · Marja-Leena Linne (Tampere Univ., Finland) · Markus Diesmann (Jülich, Germany) · Maurício Girardi-Schappo (UFSC, Brazil) · Mauro Copelli (UFPE, Brazil) · Netta Cohen (Univ. of Leeds, UK) · Oswaldo Baffa (USP, Brazil) · Patricia Reynaud-Bouret (Côte d’Azur Univ., France) · Rodrigo Pavão (UFABC, Brazil) · Rodrigo Pena (Florida Atlantic Univ., USA) · Sonja Grün (Jülich, Germany) · Sophia Sanborn (Stanford Univ., USA) · Viktor Jirsa (Aix-Marseille Univ., France) · Valeriy Bragin (SUNY, USA) · William Lytton (SUNY, USA). *Applications*: The number of students is limited to 40. Applications must be submitted via the school’s Application form <https://forms.gle/FcqXe3rFvsdCtQZ29> and include a CV (in English) and two recommendation letters. The application deadline is *October 4, 2025 (midnight, US Pacific time)*. *Costs and support*: There is *no registration fee*. Subject to available funding, accommodation may be provided for participants coming from outside Greater São Paulo. Travel costs must be covered by participants. *Selection*: Priority will be given to Latin American students, but applications from all regions are warmly encouraged. LASCON 2026 is organized as an activity of the *FAPESP Research, Innovation and Dissemination Center for Neuromathematics (NeuroMat)*. We look forward to welcoming you in São Paulo. Best regards, Antonio C. Roque Director, LASCON -- Antonio C. Roque Professor Associado Departamento de Fisica FFCLRP, Universidade de Sao Paulo 14040-901 Ribeirao Preto-SP Brazil - Brasil antonior(a)usp.br <antonior(a)ffclrp.usp.br> aroquesilva(a)gmail.com www.sisne.org ORCID: 0000-0003-1260-4840 <https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1260-4840> ResearcherID: C-2316-2011 <http://www.webofscience.com/wos/author/record/C-2316-2011> Google Scholar: GqHWF74AAAAJ <http://scholar.google.com.br/citations?user=GqHWF74AAAAJ> CV Lattes: 4609096963207702 <http://lattes.cnpq.br/4609096963207702>

Sept. 9, 2025

PhD position in computational and experimental neuroscience

by Thomas Knoesche

The Brain Networks Research and Development Group at the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences (MPI CBS) in Leipzig, Germany, lead by Professor Thomas Knösche offers a PhD position for 3 years. The project is dedicated to elucidating the role of long-range brain connectivity in human language processing and will involve EEG and MRI experiments as well as realistic modeling of biological neural networks. It is a cooperation between the TU Berlin, the TU Chemnitz, the Czech Academy of Sciences, and the MPI-CBS, funded by the DFG. Candidates should hold a master (or equivalent) degree and have a background in engineering, computer science, neuroscience, physics, or similar, as well as a keen interest in neuroscience. Good computer programming skills (e.g., C++, Matlab, Python) are necessary. Some experience in EEG or MEG experimenting and data analysis would be beneficial, though not strictly required. Skills or interest in MRI processing (especially diffusion MRI), biophysical neural modeling, and machine learning are welcome. The Institute offers a world-leading research environment with outstanding facilities and research infrastructure (five MR scanners, including a 3T Connectom and 7T Terra.X; MEG; EEG TMS). The Brain Networks group is dedicated to the development of methods to investigate, model, and understand brain networks and how they give rise to human behavior and cognition. Current projects are centered around non-invasive brain stimulation of the motor system, sensory perception, the relation between human cognition and machine learning, and others. The position is currently offered for three years with the possibility of an extension by another year subject to future funding acquisition. Starting date is flexible. The salary is fixed in accordance with the collective agreement for the public sector: 65% TVöD E13. Funding is available for three years. To apply, please submit (1) a statement describing your research interest and motivation to apply for one of these positions as well as your qualifications for the positions (max. 2 pages), (2) a full CV, (3) transcript of records for the master and bachelor degrees, and (4) names and contact details of up to two potential referees. There is no formal closing date for applications, however, we will start screening applications in October 2025. Please feel free to contact Prof. Dr. Thomas R. Knösche (knoesche(a)cbs.mpg.de) for informal enquires about the position. The Max Planck Society seeks to employ more people with disabilities and strongly encourages them to apply. Furthermore, we actively support the compatibility of work and family life. The Max Planck Society strives for gender equality and diversity. -- Prof. Dr. Thomas R. Knösche Brain Networks (@brainnetleipzig) Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences Stephanstraße 1A 04103 Leipzig Germany Tel +49 341 9940 2619 Fax +49 341 9940 2624 knoesche(a)cbs.mpg.de http://www.cbs.mpg.de/~knoesche

Sept. 8, 2025

open PhD position - Memory/Navigation - 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, 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://tinyurl.com/yc84ctap This position is being re-advertised. The starting date is flexible, but ideally candidates are available in the near future. Applications will be considered as long as the above advert is accessible. You can read more on the neural computation 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 Tel.: +49 (0)341 9940197

Sept. 8, 2025

Uri Hasson speaking on September 25 in Developing Minds global online lecture series

by Jochen Triesch

Dear colleagues, On September 25, the Developing Minds global online lecture series is proud to host Uri Hasson from Princeton University, USA, speaking on: "Developing cognitively feasible learning agents that can acquire language like children through real-life experiences“. Thursday, September 25, 2025: 9:00 am EST (Eastern Standard Time, US) 14:00 UTC (Universal Coordinated Time) 15:00 CET (Central European Time) 22:00 JST (Japan Standard Time) The zoom link/credentials are: https://uni-frankfurt.zoom-x.de/j/65594262654?pwd=2BdrxR1IvUy2rjn3dDmfEVGXy… Meeting-ID: 655 9426 2654 Access code: 141793 Abstract: Understanding how humans learn to think, speak, and interact in natural environments is one of the most significant scientific challenges. Traditional computational models perform well in artificial tasks but struggle to generalize to real-life ecological situations. In contrast, new deep learning models excel at processing real-world information and demonstrate cognitive abilities close to those of humans. However, these models are trained on impractically large datasets and use training protocols that are not cognitively feasible, which limits their ability to explain or predict human learning and cognitive development. This project aims to develop the first cognitively feasible learning agents—AI systems that learn language and cognition within constraints that mimic human development. Leveraging a unique dataset (the 1kD corpus)— continuous daily audio-visual recordings from 18 children’s first 1,000 days of life—we will train models directly on the ecologically valid, socially embedded experiences that shape children’s growth. Unlike large-scale industrial models, which depend on vast impersonal datasets, our approach emphasizes individual-centered, real-world input that captures the long-tail variability of human development. By replicating learning trajectories across multiple households, we will establish the first mechanistic framework for how natural input shapes children’s cognition. The project represents a bold shift from analyzing existing models to building new brain-inspired learning agents, directly addressing ecological validity and laying the foundation for a new generation of cognitive science. Short Bio: Uri Hasson grew up in Jerusalem. He studied philosophy and cognitive sciences at the Hebrew University as an undergrad. He completed his Ph.D. in Neurobiology at the Weizmann Institute in Israel and was a postdoctoral fellow at NYU before moving to Princeton. He is currently a Professor in the Psychology Department and the Neuroscience Institute at Princeton University. His research program aims to understand the neural basis of face-to-face, brain-to-brain, communication in real-world contexts, using big ECoG data and deep language models. The talk will be recorded and made available for later viewing. For more information on the talk series and recordings of previous events, please visit: https://sites.google.com/view/developing-minds-series/home Best regards, Jochen Triesch -- Prof. Dr. Jochen Triesch Johanna Quandt Chair for Theoretical Life Sciences Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies and Goethe University Frankfurt http://fias.uni-frankfurt.de/~triesch/ Tel: +49 (0)69 798-47531 Fax: +49 (0)69 798-47611

Sept. 8, 2025