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Re: [Comp-neuro] Postdocs integrated into the Human brain Project – specifically data-driven modeling at the subcellular or network levels, or tool development/support

by Prof. Dr. Jordi Vallverdú

*CFP* Call for Chapters, for the book *“Blended Cognition. The Robotic Challenge”,* edited by Jordi Vallverdú and Vincent C. Müller, and published by *Springer Verlag*. To be released in January 2017. *Main aims of the book:* This book introduces a new concept into cognitive sciences research, which will contribute to the design of more realistic and efficient robots: *blended cognition*. Looking at human daily decision-making, we can observe a mixture of methods, as well as lots of intuition-driven actions that are not properly decision-taking at all. Humans blend and combine several kinds of heuristics, consciously or not, at symbolic and sensory-motor levels. The blending can be parallel or sequential, or both. Human beings use a large array of methods and techniques in order to decide a broad range of actions. It can be considered an integrated multi-heuristic activity that runs at several formal as well as informal and even unconscious levels. Our aim is to join re-searchers who are trying to integrate multitask skills into robotic and cognitive systems and to analyze the possible connections of a subsumptioned architecture, with bio-inspired as well as artificial approaches working together. Between classic top down and bottom-up approaches to cognitive processing, we look for the creation of a space for cognitive systems experts that makes possible to select the best and optimal strategy for each decision situation. Blended cognition is, thus, the study of how an intelligent system can use or even partially combine several methods to decide among possible action outputs or data evaluation and storage. A combination of possible data- and task-demands: Semantics-Body-Mind. By ‘semantics’ we mean the value of information at a specific moment for the agent; by ‘body’ we mean the bodily requirements and possibilities (DOF, flexibility, impact absorption, …) that the agent exhibits; and by ‘mind’ we refer to the heuristic mechanisms designed to give answers to the data flows. The importance of blended cognition is that there is no pre-established and rigid hierarchy of control among these possible main layers, as well as for their sub-layers. There are optimized functional strategies of agreement and combination but the key point here is the *flexibility* and *adaptability *of the system. *Suggested Topics:* § A-modal and Modal approaches to decision § Abductive reasoning § Automated discovery § Autonomous robots § Bayesian analysis § Bio-inspired computing § Bounded rationality § Computational Creativity § Data Integration § Embodied cognition § Emotional Architectures § Epigenetic robotics § Extended cognition § Genetic algorithms § Grounded cognition § Heuristics § Incremental active learning § Meta-heuristics § Morphological computing § Multi-heuristics § Non-monotonic logic § Procedural reasoning § Statistical processing § Subsumption architectures § Swarm intelligence *Deadlines :* I. CFP: January, 2016. II. Paper proposals: May 4th, 2016. III. Editors acceptance: May 2nd, 2016. IV. Full materials August 25th, 2016. V. Last reviews: October 24th, 2016. VI. Camera-Ready: November 28th, 2016. VII. Releasement: January, 2017. *Guidelines for manuscript preparation:* https://www.springer.com/gp/authors-editors/book-authors-editors/manuscript… Please, take into account that all submissions have abstracts, keywords, and a completed and signed consent to publish form. *Send proposals to jordi.vallverdu(a)uab.cat <jordi.vallverdu(a)uab.cat>. All e-mails will be answered in order to check deliveries! * Prof. Dr. Jordi Vallverdú, B. Phil, B. Mus, M.Sci, Ph.D. Room B7/104, Philosophy Dept. UAB 08193 Bellaterra (BCN) CATALONIA ------------------- FULL CV/Publications: https://uab.academia.edu/JordiVallverdu <https://uab.academia.edu/JordiVallverd%C3%BA> ORCID: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9975-7780 ResearcherID: http://www.researcherid.com/rid/K-5536-2014 Researchgate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jordi_Vallverdu 2016-01-23 15:12 GMT+01:00 Jeanette Hällgren Kotaleski <jeanette(a)csc.kth.se> : > Dear Colleagues, dear all, > > > KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, is currently recruiting > postdocs to be working within the Human Brain Project. > > 1) Postdoc/application expert – specifically development of brain modeling > tools: > > Specifically for the current position software applications providing > user-friendly interface to cellular-level modelling tools will be > developed, supported and used. These will include an optimization framework > (for fitting electrical models of neurons to their observed electrical > behaviour) and also a morphology pipeline (the tool used to analyse and > validate neuron morphologies). > More info and how to apply at: > https://intra.kth.se/en/anstallning/karriar/karriar-och-kompetensutveckling… > > > > 2) Postdoc in computational systems (neuro)biology – specifically synaptic > plasticity and neuromodulation: > > Specifically for the above position data-driven modeling of receptor > induced cascades such as GPCR dependent cascades involved in > neuromodulation and synaptic signaling will be done. > More info and how to apply at: > https://intra.kth.se/en/anstallning/karriar/karriar-och-kompetensutveckling… > > > > 3) Postdoc in brain simulations - specifically motor control and selection > of behaviour: > > Specifically for the position, modeling of motor control and learning with > basal ganglia as important components will be done. The modeling tools are > mainly Nest and Neuron. > More info and how to apply at: > https://intra.kth.se/en/anstallning/karriar/karriar-och-kompetensutveckling… > > > > All the best, > Jeanette Hellgren Kotaleski > Prof, School of Computer Science and Communication, > KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm > > > > _______________________________________________ > Comp-neuro mailing list > Comp-neuro(a)neuroinf.org > http://www.neuroinf.org/mailman/listinfo/comp-neuro > >

Jan. 28, 2016

Master in Brain and Cognition focus on Computational Neuroscience

by Ruben Moreno Bote

Master in Brain and Cognition focus on Computational Neuroscience, Barcelona, Spain. Call for applicants. The Master in Brain and Cognition being offered at Pompeu Fabra University (UPF), Barcelona Spain (http://www.upf.edu/mbc/) opens the rolling application period (deadline is 26th of June 2016). The core of the master's programme is composed of the research groups at UPF's Center for Brain and Cognition (http://cbc.upf.edu) In this email, we emphasize the possibility of participation of outstanding candidates with strong quantitative background, such as physics, mathematics or machine learning eager to learn about computational neuroscience. Candidates with these backgrounds could perform research activity with the following experts in computational neuroscience: Gustavo Deco (http://cns.upf.edu/) Albert Compte (http://complab.fcrb.es/complab/pres) Rubén Moreno-Bote (https://portal.upf.edu/web/ruben-moreno-bote) Overall, the groups participating at the Master are directed by renowned scientists in areas such as computational neuroscience, cognitive neuroscience, psycholinguistics, vision, multisensory perception, human development and comparative cognition https://www.upf.edu/mbc/who_are_we2.html . Students will be exposed to the ongoing research projects at the Center for Brain and Cognition and will be integrated in one of its main research lines, where they will conduct original research for their final project. Please visit the Master’s web page or contact mbc(a)upf.edu for further information. Scientific-related questions such as fit of quantitative backgrounds can be consulted to Rubén Moreno-Bote, ruben.moreno(a)upf.edu -- Rubén Moreno Bote Serra Húnter Professor Dept. of Information and Communication Technologies University Pompeu Fabra La Nau building, office 51017 08018 Barcelona, Spain http://www.upf.edu/pdi/ruben-moreno-bote

Jan. 28, 2016

Computational & Cognitive Neuroscience Summer School, in Shanghai

by Murray, John

We are pleased to announce the 6th Computational and Cognitive Neuroscience (CCN) Summer School which will take place July 9-27, 2016, on the campus of NYU-Shanghai in Shanghai, China. Designed to emphasize higher cognitive functions and their underlying neural circuit mechanisms, the course aims at training talented and highly motivated students and postdoctoral fellows from Asia and other countries in the world. Applicants with quantitative (including Physics, Mathematics, Engineering and Computer Science) or experimental background are welcomed. The lectures will introduce the basic concepts and methods, as well as cutting-edge research on higher brain functions such as decision-making, attention, learning and memory. Modeling will be taught at multiple levels, ranging from single neuron computation, microcircuits and large-scale systems, to normative theoretical approach. Python-based programming labs coordinated with the lectures will provide practical training in important computational methods. Course information is available on the CCN official website: www.ccnss.org<http://www.ccnss.org> Applications are being accepted now through the Cold Spring Harbor Asia website: http://www.csh-asia.org/2016meetings/s-cosyne16.html The application deadline is March 15. Organizers: - Xiao-Jing Wang (New York University) - Zach Mainen (Champalimaud Neuroscience Program) - Si Wu (Beijing Normal University) - Eric DeWitt (Champalimaud Neuroscience Program) - John D. Murray (Yale University) Lecturers: - Yang Dan (University of California, Berkeley) - Gustavo Deco (Universitat Pompeu Fabra) - Stanislas Dehaene (College de France) - Bob Desimone (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) - Michael Hausser (University College London) - Quentin Huys (University of Zurich) - Razvan Pascanu (Google) - Philip Sabes (University of California, San Francisco) - Mariano Sigman (Universidad Torcuato Di Tella) - Mike Shadlen (Columbia University) - Misha Tsodyks (Weizmann Institute) - Daniel Yamins (Stanford University) Feel free to direct any questions to: john.murray(a)yale.edu<mailto:john.murray@yale.edu>

Jan. 28, 2016

Postdoctoral research position at the University of Houston

by Kresimir Josic

We are looking for a postdoctoral associate with a background in applied mathematics and/or computational neuroscience. The successful applicant will work with Krešimir Josić at the University of Houston and Zack Kilpatrick at the University of Colorado at Boulder. The goal of the project is to use linear response theory and its extensions to predict how patterns of activity and structure of neuronal networks co-evolve. This is a collaborative project with Brent Doiron (Pitt) and Eric Shea-Brown (UW, Seattle). This position is expected to run September 1, 2016 through August 31, 2018. Interested applicants can apply online at at the University of Houston jobs website: https://jobs.uh.edu/postings/28856 <https://jobs.uh.edu/postings/28856> Please contact Krešimir Josić (josic(a)math.uh.edu <mailto:josic@math.uh.edu>) or Zack Kilpatrick (zpkilpat(a)math.uh.edu <mailto:zpkilpat@math.uh.edu>) if you have any questions. The University of Houston is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. Minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Additionally, the University prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

Jan. 27, 2016

4th Baltic-Nordic Summer School on Neuroinformatics (BNNI 2016)

by Daniel Wójcik

4th Baltic-Nordic Summer School on Neuroinformatics (BNNI 2016) Understanding neurons, cognition and behavior through neuroinformatics Place: Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, and Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw Warsaw, Poland Time: June 15-18, 2016 More information and applications at http://bit.do/bnni2016 Important dates: 21 February 2016 Application deadline 13 March 2016 Acceptance notification 15-18 June 2016 Summer School We invite advanced master students, doctoral students, and postdoctoral researchers to participate in the BNNI 2016 to be held at the Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology and the Faculty of Physics of the University of Warsaw. The course is interdisciplinary and covers modeling at different levels of organization of the brain, analysis of neural data, brain atlases, and other aspects of neuroinformatics. The course combines lectures, tutorials and computer exercises. This summer school is the fourth in the series of the Baltic-Nordic Courses on Neuroinformatics (BNNI 2013 in Kaunas, BNNI 2014 in Tampere, BNNI 2015 in Tartu). The target audience of the course will be advanced master students, doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers in natural and life sciences, from physics, chemistry, mathematics, computer science, informatics and information technology, to biology, medicine, and psychology, who would like to get an introduction to neuroinformatics and computational neuroscience. Some experience with programming and quantitative reasoning as well as strong interest in computational and mathematical modeling of the brain are required to benefit from the school. Faculty includes Piotr Durka, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland Gaute Einevoll, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Aas, Norway Bruce Graham, University of Stirling, United Kingdom Marja-Leena Linne, Tampere University of Technology, Finland Szymon Łęski, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland Arnd Roth, University College London, UK Ausra Saudargiene, Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas, Lithuania Eleni Vasilaki, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom Daniel Wójcik, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland Jarosław Żygierewicz, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland Venue The lectures will be held at the Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of the Polish Academy of Sciences and the computer classes in the Faculty of Physics of the University of Warsaw. The two buildings are next to each other, they are located at the center of Ochota campus, encompassing a number of university departments and research institutes. Practical arrangements There is a small tuition fee of 100 euros. The organizers will provide teaching, meals and coffee during the course. The participants are expected to cover their travel and health insurance expenses as well as lodging. Small financial support is available for those without funding. Inexpensive lodging for all the students will be organized. The course is supported by the IBRO-PERC committee, University of Warsaw, and the Nencki Institute We are looking forward to welcome you at the BNNI 2016 in Warsaw, Poland! -- Prof. Daniel K. Wojcik Laboratory of Neuroinformatics, Head PhD Studies, Head Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology 3 Pasteur St, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland tel: (+48 22) 5892348 fax: (+48 22) 8225342 skype: danek8317 http://dwojcik.pl/ http://neuroinflab.wordpress.com/ http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0812-9872

Jan. 27, 2016

Announcement of job opening: Scientist (postdoctoral) position on analysis of Electron Microscopy datasets

by Nuno da Costa

Dear Sir/Madam I would like to announce the following job opening in computational neuroscience mailing list POSITION SUMMARY We are seeking a neuroscientist to lead the effort in image processing , reconstruction and analysis of large scale Electron Microscopy datasets. The scientist will be an essential member of the Neural Coding team studying the relationship between neural circuits and neural dynamics by combining in vivo functional imaging with ex vivo state of the art Electron Microscopy. JOB RESPONSIBILITIES · Collaborate with others to develop a scalable and high throughput image processing pipeline for peta-scale Electron Microscopy datasets. · Collaborate with others to develop a workflow for morphological reconstruction of Electron Microscopy datasets. · Work closely with a team of anatomists, physiologists, theoreticians and modelers to analyze and interpret the relationship between structure and function in cortical networks. · Publish/present findings in peer-reviewed journals/scientific conferences. BASIC QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS · PhD in Computer Science, Neuroscience, Physics, Biology or related scientific field. (Required) · Excellent programming skills (Required) · A strong interest in understanding neuroanatomy and functional connectivity. (Required) · Experience with large scale datasets. (Preferred) · Experience with Electron Microscopy. (Preferred) Many thanks Nuno Nuno Macarico da Costa Assistant Investigator T: 206.548.8437 [cid:5047F5CE-4C9A-45E6-A13D-A46F96F5F6E6] www.alleninstitute.org<http://www.alleninstitute.org/>

Jan. 26, 2016

Sense 2 Synapse Conference, Saturday April 16, The Rockefeller University, New York City

by Christoph Kirst

Dear all, *Sense 2 Synapse* is back and is going to be held on *Saturday, April 16* at *The Rockefeller University,**New York City*, Carson Family Auditorium this year Our confirmed keynote speakers are: *Jeffrey Holt (Harvard University) Vanessa Ruta (Rockefeller University) Anthony Zador (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) Mike Shadlen (Columbia University)* Sense to Synapse is an annual conference for scientists working on the biology of sensory transduction, subsequent neural processing and perception. Primary target audience are scientists from New York-tristate area (New York, New Jersey and Connecticut), but the event is open to everyone interested in sensory systems. Please save the date; registration will open soon on sense2synapse.com <http://sense2synapse.com>. Give a short talk, present a poster, or just come to network with other scientists. As usual we will have great food, coffee and science. Information on last years event can be found here: http://sense2synapse.com/html/about.html. We hope to see you there! Christoph Krist Tobias Bartsch Gonzalo Otazu (Organizing committee S2S 2016)

Jan. 26, 2016

Re: [Comp-neuro] Postdoctoral Position using High-Density Electrophysiology in Behaving Primates

by Nicho

*Postdoctoral Position in Multi-Electrode Cortical Recording and Stimulation in Behaving Primates* A postdoctoral position is available in 2016 to investigate the neural basis of visuo-motor behavior.This project involves high density multi-electrode array recordings and stimulation from motor and premotor cortical sites in monkeys performing complex reaching and grasping movements.Experiments seek to investigate spatio-temporal patterning in single unit and local field potential activity that encodes different aspects of these movements.These experiments also seek to develop decoding algorithms for possible application in brain-machine interfaces.Facilities include a fully equipped electrophysiological laboratory with three 128-channel acquisition systems, a two-link exoskeletal robot, and a camera-based, motion capture system.Expertise in multi-electrode, behavioral electrophysiology is preferred.A strong mathematical, computational, or engineering background is also desirable.Applicants should send a CV and names and addresses of two or three references to Dr. Nicholas Hatsopoulos, Department of Organismal Biology & Anatomy, University of Chicago, 1027 East 57^th Street, Chicago, IL 60637 or by e-mail to nicho(a)uchicago.edu <mailto:nicho@uchicago.edu>.

Jan. 26, 2016

Postdoc position - human intracranial electrophysiology

by Brett Foster

Postdoctoral position in human intracranial electrophysiology and memory – Department of Neurosurgery, Baylor College of Medicine (Houston). We invite applicants for a postdoctoral research position at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, focused on studying human episodic memory using intracranial recordings. Specifically, the project will focus on tracking cortical dynamics during the encoding and retrieval of visual stimuli by combining human electrocorticography (ECoG) measurements with multivariate statistical techniques (e.g. machine learning). Applicants should have a PhD in cognitive/computational neuroscience with prior training in the recording and analysis of electrophysiological data. The successful applicant will have expertise in programming time series analysis and multivariate statistics (e.g. matlab/python/r). Previous experience with human intracranial data is ideal but not essential. The successful applicant will also have excellent standards of written English, and data presentation, as shown through previously published work. The position is available from June 2016, for an initial appointment of one year, with renewal subject to review. Salary will be consistent with NIH standards and level of experience. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Applicants should send a letter of interest, CV, and 2-3 letters of reference (all pdf) to Dr. Brett Foster: brett.l.foster(a)gmail.com Baylor College of Medicine is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action and Equal Access Employer.

Jan. 25, 2016

Brain Connectivity Workshop 2016, Marseille (France)

by Demian Battaglia

*** Please apologize cross-postings *** Brain Connectivity Workshop 2016, Marseille (France) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ When: 22nd to 24th June, 2016 Link to official website: http://bcw2016.org We are happy to announce the 15th edition of the Brain Connectivity Workshop (BCW) to take place in Marseille from the 22nd to the 24th of June 2016. The Brain Connectivity Workshop (BCW) is a well-established workshop series, which has been held annually in Europe, USA, Australia and Asia for the last 14 years. BCW is an official satellite of the annual meeting of OHBM, which is held in Geneva, Switzerland in 2016. BCW attracts every year a public of 100-200 participants working in cognitive, computational and clinical neurosciences. The discussions are centered on all themes around brain connectivity including structural and functional imaging, modeling, brain function and clinics. BCW is highly influential in the field due to the traditionally high quality of speakers and a long track record of innovation. For instance, both, the Connectome and The Virtual Brain have been born within the BCW community. The typical BCW format —a first educational day of lectures held by international authorities in their fields, followed by two days of shorter talks with ample time for discussion provides a unique forum for creativity, controversy and brainstorming. BCW 2016, introduced by a first day of tutorials by experts in their field, will feature focused sessions on themes such as perturbing the brain, mapping the brain, and brain dynamics in function (cognition) and dysfunction (epilepsy). Registration will open soon. NB!!!!!!! Please note that European Cup of Football will be held in France during this period and hotels are going to be booked fast! Confirmed educational lecturers (day 1) and workshop speakers (days 2-3) include: Fabrice Bartolomei (Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France) Michael Breakspear (QIMR, Brisbane, Australia) Vince Calhoun (University Of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM) Karl Friston (UCL, London, UK) Jorge Gonzalez-Martinez (Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH) Marc Goodfellow (University of Exeter, Exeter, UK) Charles Gray (Montana State University, Bozeman, MT) Claudius Gros (Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany) Sean Hill (EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland) Martin Hoffman-Apitius (Fraunhofer Institute SCAI, St Augustin, Germany) Esther Krook-Magnuson (University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN) Pierre Luppi (Lyon Neuroscience Research Center, Lyon, France) Randy McIntosh (Baycrest Research Center, Toronto, ON) Lionel Naccache (ICM, Paris, France) Ivan Soltesz (UC Irvine, CA) Olaf Sporns (Indiana University, Bloomington, IN) William Stacey (University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI) Gregor Thut (University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK) Stephan Van Gils (University of Twente, Ae Enschede, The Netherlands) Michael Wibral (Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany) A special evening lecture will be delivered by Patrick Chauvel (Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France). A detailed program is coming soon. Organizing committee: Viktor Jirsa, Chair (INS, Aix-Marseille University, UMR 1106 INSERM) Demian Battaglia, Christian Bénar, Mireille Bonnard, Monique Esclapez (INS, Aix-Marseille University) Andrea Brovelli (INT, Aix-Marseille University), Maxime Guye (CRMBM, Aix-Marseille University, UMR 7339 CNRS & APHM) Ingo Bojak (University of Reading, UK). An event sponsored by: University Aix-Marseille, Brain Products, Bionics, Springer EPJ Nonlinear Biomedical Physics Journal, Codebox, Institute of System Neuroscience Inserm, Institute of Neuroscience Timone, Center for Magnetic Resonance in Biology and Medicine, Mediterranean Society of Neuroscience (IBRO member)

Jan. 25, 2016