- Comp-neuro - lists.cnsorg.org

Postdoctoral position in computational systems neuroscience (sensory processing & decision-making)

by Ralf Haefner

Postdoctoral position in computational systems neuroscience (sensory processing & decision-making) We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher to join the group of Ralf Haefner in the department for Brain & Cognitive Sciences at the University of Rochester (NY). The focus of our group is on understanding the neural basis of perceptual inference. Based on the assumption that the brain performs probabilistic inference using an internal model of the world, we ask questions such as: What is the nature of the internal model? How is it learnt? How are posterior beliefs represented by spiking responses of populations of neurons and what algorithm does the brain use to compute its beliefs? The position requires strong mathematical and good programming skills. The ideal candidate would also be familiar with machine learning techniques, especially regarding generative models and MCMC-sampling-based probabilistic inference. Possible research projects range from purely theoretical to data-driven. Our collaborations with electrophysiology labs allow for testing of theoretical models using state-of-the-art cortical population recordings in vivo and, if desired, the opportunity to record your own data. More information about past work is available here: http://tinyurl.com/rmhaefner and a preprint of a manuscript representative of future work here: http://arxiv.org/abs/1409.0257 For details on current and possible future projects, and general information, please contact us directly. The successful candidate with join a world-class department with a wide range of research interests ( https://www.bcs.rochester.edu/research/index.html ) and a strong tradition in probabilistic modeling. Start date and duration are flexible. Please send applications including a CV and names of 2-3 references by email. Please contact us as soon as possible if you'd like to meet at the upcoming SfN or NIPS conferences. Ralf Haefner Assistant Professor Brain & Cognitive Sciences University of Rochester (NY) rhaefner(a)bcs.rochester.edu

Nov. 10, 2014

Postdoctoral research position: modelling musical preference decisions

by Marcus Pearce

Dear All (with apologies for cross-posting), A postdoc position is available at Queen Mary, University of London as part of an EPSRC-funded project <http://gow.epsrc.ac.uk/NGBOViewGrant.aspx?GrantRef=EP/M000702/1>on predicting musical choices using computational models of cognitive and neural processing. The goal of the project is to understand the cognitive and neural processes involved in musical preference decisions using computational modelling that incorporates the structure of the music, the listener and the listening context. The project also involves behavioural and EEG data collection and analysis using machine learning. Salary: £31,735 - £35,319 per annum Closing date: 14th November 2014 Start date: January 2014 or soon thereafter Duration of post: 14 Months For further information and to apply see: http://music-cognition.eecs.qmul.ac.uk/postdoc.html Marcus -- Lecturer in Sound and Music Processing Queen Mary, University of London Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK Tel: +44 (0)20 7882 6207 Web:http://webprojects.eecs.qmul.ac.uk/marcusp Lab:http://music-cognition.eecs.qmul.ac.uk/

Nov. 10, 2014

G-Node Winter Course on Neural Data Analysis 2015

by Thomas Wachtler

7th G-Node Winter Course on Neural Data Analysis February 23 - 27, 2015 in Munich, Germany The German Neuroinformatics Node (G-Node) organizes its seventh international training course to promote state-of-the-art methods of neural data analysis among PhD students and postdocs. The course offers hands-on experience with model-driven analysis of data from intra- and extracellular electrophysiology. We encourage applications from students/postdocs with an experimental background that want to widen their repertoire of analysis methods, as well as from students with a theoretical background that have an interest in analyzing physiological data. Participants must have ample programming skills in Matlab or Python. Faculty: Jan Grewe · Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen Alex Loebel · Ludwig-Maximillians-Universität München and BCCN München Moritz Grosse-Wentrup · Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems Tübingen Thomas Wachtler · Ludwig-Maximillians-Universität München and BCCN München Topics: · Short-term plasticity · Spectral analysis · Mutual information · Machine learning · Neural tuning and decoding · Deadline for application: December 19, 2014 For more information visit http://www.g-node.org/dataanalysis-course-2015 With best regards, Jan Grewe (Organizer, Tübingen) and Thomas Wachtler (Local Organizer, Munich)

Nov. 9, 2014

Postdoctoral position in Houston--Multisensory Integration and Visual Perception

by Beauchamp, Michael S

The Beauchamp Lab at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston (http://openwetware.org/wiki/Beauchamp) seeks a postdoctoral fellow for a federally-funded research program. The main focus of the lab is to understand the neural substrates of multisensory integration and visual perception. The laboratory uses multiple techniques, including fMRI and electrocorticography: experience with one of these techniques (or related) is a requirement. Data analysis is carried out with specialized software, including AFNI, EEGlab and Fieldtrip, requiring that applicants be comfortable with writing and modifying C-shell scripts. An interest in computational and quantitative modeling of behavioral and neuroimaging data is an asset. Houston has a rich neuroimaging and neuroscience community, with Rice University, Baylor College of Medicine, and the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston as partners in the Gulf Coast Consortia for quantitative biomedical sciences. Facilities include multiple research‑dedicated 3 T scanners, a Blackrock Microsystems 128‑channel recording system, infrared eye trackers, and MR-compatible transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). The position is available immediately and the review of applications will continue until the position is filled. Please send your CV to beauchamplab(a)gmail.com<mailto:beauchamplab@gmail.com> for an immediate reply.

Nov. 8, 2014

Tenure Track Assistant Professor in Theoretical and Computational Neuroscience

by Liu, Robert C

Tenure Track Assistant Professor in Theoretical and Computational Neuroscience The Department of Biology in the Emory College of Arts and Science is seeking applications for a tenure-track position in theoretical and computational neuroscience. Current computational neuroscience research at Emory is anchored in the Department of Biology (http://www.biology.emory.edu<http://http/www.biology.emory.edu/>) and is grounded in experimental preparations and neurobiological questions (http://compneurosci.college.emory.edu) The ideal candidate would be a theorist who bridges into experimental data analysis in systems neuroscience. Innovative approaches to understanding principles of neural coding, neural dynamics, learning, memory, and behavior are of particular interest. The successful candidate is anticipated to have a PhD and postdoctoral experience in a quantitative science, and is expected to contribute to the Biology Department's teaching mission in the context of programs in quantitative theory and methods (http://quantitative.emory.edu) and neuroscience (http://www.nbb.emory.edu) Interactions with experimentalists and other theorists within Emory's rich, collaborative neuroscience community are encouraged. Emory has more than 120 laboratories participating in graduate programs in Neuroscience (http://biomed.emory.edu/PROGRAM_SITES/NS/) and Biomedical Engineering (http://www.bme.emory.edu) and spanning Emory College (Biology, Psychology, Physics, Anthropology), School of Medicine, Yerkes National Primate Research Center and Georgia Institute of Technology. Applications should include a curriculum vitae, a research statement, a teaching statement and three confidential reference letters. Applications and reference letters must be electronically uploaded through Interfolio at http://apply.interfolio.com/25348<http://go.toutapp.com/ecca7f39a80cf3c11e>. The deadline for applying is December 1, 2014; applications received after this date are not guaranteed full consideration. Emory University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Disability/Veteran employer. Women, minorities, persons with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply. Robert C. Liu, PhD Associate Professor Winship Distinguished Research Professor Emory University Department of Biology Rollins Research Center 1510 Clifton Road NE, Room 2131 Atlanta, GA 30322 Phone: (404) 727-5274 Fax: (404) 727-2880 Email: robert.liu at emory.edu Website: http://www.biology.emory.edu/research/Liu/html/index.php This e-mail message (including any attachments) is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this message (including any attachments) is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please contact the sender by reply e-mail message and destroy all copies of the original message (including attachments).

Nov. 7, 2014

Faculty position in Information Engineering and Medical Neuroscience, Cambridge

by Máté Lengyel

Faculty position in Information Engineering and Medical Neuroscience Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, UK Applications are invited for a University Lectureship (~ US Assistant /Professor equivalent) in the Control Group in the Department of Engineering. Exceptional candidates are sought with the potential to develop a record of world-class research commensurate with the Department’s international reputation. The current faculty members in the Cambridge Control Group are: Emeritus Professor Keith Glover, Professor Jan Maciejowski, Professor Rodolphe Sepulchre (Professor of Engineering), Professor Malcolm Smith (Head of Group) and Dr Glenn Vinnicombe (Reader). Candidates will be expected to contribute to undergraduate and graduate teaching in the general area of Control Engineering and possibly other related areas of Information Engineering. The closing date for applications is 9 January, 2015. The interviewing panel will meet soon after the closing date. Short-listed candidates will be invited to visit the Department, give a short seminar/lecture and attend a formal interview. The field of this University Lectureship is at the interface between Information Engineering and Medical Neuroscience. Unprecedented challenges and opportunities exist in this area as a consequence of a fast-developing technology of actuating and sensing devices at the neuronal scale (e.g. neural implants, multi-electrode recordings, and optogenetic techniques). The successful candidate will preferably be working in the field of Control Engineering with a research record in problems of medical neuroscience, and with appropriate theoretical expertise (nonlinear systems). It could be filled by someone whose primary expertise is in a different branch of Information Engineering, but the ability to contribute to teaching in one or more of the ‘core’ areas of Information Engineering (Control, Signal processing, Information theory, etc) will be expected. Medical neuroscience and brain science is a current focus of most national and international funding agencies. Funding opportunities will exist in conjunction with Cambridge Neuroscience. The lectureship will strengthen the Department’s Bioengineering strategic theme. Informal enquiries can be made to Professor Rodolphe Sepulchre (r.sepulchre(a)eng.cam.ac.uk) or Professor Malcolm Smith (mcs(a)eng.cam.ac.uk)

Nov. 7, 2014

PhD studies in Comp Neuro and Neural Engineering at the University of Washington

by Adrienne Fairhall

PhD studies in Computational Neuroscience and Neural Engineering at the University of Washington The University of Washington has a rich, active and highly collaborative community of researchers in the field of computational neuroscience (http://compneuro.washington.edu/) and neural engineering. The University of Washington is a vibrant research university with a beautiful campus in a spectacular urban setting, with an ERC Center in Sensorimotor Neural Engineering (http://www.csne-erc.org/) the UW Institute for Neuroengineering (uwin.washington.edu) close connections to the local tech industry and the Allen Institute for Brain Science. UW is also a major data sciences center with interdisciplinary interactions coordinated through the eSciences Institute (http://escience.washington.edu) The city is a short distance from wilderness and outstanding summer and winter outdoor adventure. While faculty advisors belong to a wide range of different departments, researchers come together regularly for seminars, journal clubs and a yearly retreat. Many student funding opportunities exist through multiple training grants, UWIN and the CSNE. Doctoral programs encourage collaborative research projects across departmental boundaries, but admissions and first-year course work and formal requirements are handled by graduate programs individually. Students interested in this area should apply to the program that best fits their background, interests and career goals. Relevant programs, websites and application deadlines include: Neuroscience, http://depts.washington.edu/behneuro/ , Dec 1 Bioengineering, http://depts.washington.edu/bioe/, Dec 1 Computer Science and Engineering, www.cs.washington.edu/, Dec 15 Applied Mathematics, www.amath.washington.edu/, Jan 15 Speech and Hearing, http://depts.washington.edu/sphsc/, Feb 15 Biological Physics, Structure and Design, http://depts.washington.edu/bpsd/, Dec 1 Biology, www.biology.washington.edu/, Dec 1 Faculty include: Wyeth Bair (Neurobiology and Behavior, CSE): Computer modeling of visual cortical circuits Geoff Boynton (Neuro, Psychology): Functional imaging of vision Beth Buffalo (Neuro): Navigation and memory in primates Bing Brunton (Biology and Data Sciences): High dimensional neural data Howard Chizeck (CSE): Performance metrics for neural interfaces Tom Daniel (Neuro, Biology): Sensorimotor integration and flight control Horacio de la Iglesia (Neuro, Biology): Circadian rhythms Marcel den Nijs (Physics): Statistical mechanics of brain function Adrienne Fairhall (Neuro, BPSD, Physics): Adaptive neural coding and sensorimotor integration Eb Fetz (Neuro): Motor control and brain-computer interfaces Ione Fine (Neuro, Psychology): Human visual psychophysics and imaging David Gire (Neuro, Psychology): Mammalian olfaction Bertil Hille (Neuro, BPSD): Biophysics of neuronal signal transduction Greg Horwitz (Neuro): Cortical color processing Nathan Kutz (A Math): Nonlinear dynamics and dimensionality reduction Adrian KC Lee (Neuro, Speech and Hearing): Auditory scene analysis with imaging Chet Moritz (Neuro, Rehabilitation Medicine): Neural prosthetics Sheri Mizumori (Neuro, Psychology): Neurobiology of decisions, learning, and memory Bill Moody (Neuro, Biology): Cortical development Scott Murray (Neuro, Psychology): Visual neuroimaging Jay Neitz (Neuro): Color vision Jeff Ojemann (Neuro, Neurology): Human neural function and neuroprosthetics Anitha Pasupathy (Neuro): Neurobiology of visual shape processing David Perkel (Neuro): Neural mechanisms of vocal learning Steve Perlmutter (Neuro): Motor control Chantal Prat (Neuro, Speech and hearing): Auditory processing Nino Ramirez (Neuro): Neural control of rhythmic activity Rajesh Rao (Neuro, CSE): Computational modeling and brain-computer interfaces Fred Rieke (Neuro, Physics, BPSD): Sensory signal processing in the retina Jeff Riffell (Neuro, Biology): Neuroecology and chemosensation Ed Rubel (Neuro): Development of the auditory system Jay Rubinstein (Neuro, Bioengineering): Biophysics and engineering of cochlear implants Eric Shea-Brown (Neuro, A Math): Nonlinear dynamics in neural computation and coding Bill Spain (Neuro): Biophysics of neuronal computation Kat Steele (Mec Eng): Human movement Emo Todorov (Neuro, A Math, CSE): Optimal motor control

Nov. 6, 2014

NEURAL COMPUTATION - December 1, 2014

by Terry Sejnowski

Neural Computation - Contents -- Volume 26, Number 12 - December 1, 2014 Available online for download now: http://www.mitpressjournals.org/toc/neco/26/12 ----- View Population Coding and the Labeling Problem: Extrinsic Versus Intrinsic Representations Sidney Lehky, Margaret E. Sereno, and Anne B. Sereno Letters Information Transfer Through Stochastic Transmission of a Linear Combination of Rates Stelios Smirnakis, Ioannis Smyrnakis Spike-Based Probabilistic Inference in Analog Graphical Models Using Interspike-Interval Coding Andreas Steimer, Rodney J. Douglas An Investigation of the Stochastic Hodgkin-Huxley Models Under Noisy Rate Functions Marifi Guler Dynamic Analysis of Naive Adaptive Brain-machine Interfaces Kevin Cai Kowalski, Bryan D He, and Lakshminarayan Srinivasan A Bio-inspired, Computational Model Suggests Velocity Gradients of Optic Flow Locally Encode Ordinal Depth at Surface Borders and Globally They Encode Self-Motion Florian Raudies., Stefan Ringbauer, and Heiko Neumann Exploitation of Pairwise Class Distances for Ordinal Classification Javier Sanchez-Monedero , Peter Tino, Pedro Antonio Gutierrez, and C. Hevas-Martinez Spherical Mesh Adaptive Direct Search for Separating Quasi-uncorrelated Sources by Range-based Independent Component Analysis S. Easter Selvan, Pierre B. Borckmans, Amit Chattopadhyay, and Pierre-Antoine Absil ------------ ON-LINE -- http://www.mitpressjournals.org/neuralcomp SUBSCRIPTIONS - 2014 - VOLUME 26 - 12 ISSUES USA Others Electronic Only Student/Retired $70 $193 $65 Individual $124 $187 $115 Institution $1,035 $1,098 $926 -----

Nov. 6, 2014

PhD in Cogn Neuro, Univ of Wisc-Milwaukee

by Adam S Greenberg

Dear Colleagues, Please pass the following information along to your undergraduates who plan to pursue a PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience beginning in the Fall of 2015. Faculty at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) are actively recruiting graduate students who intend to earn a PhD conducting cognitive neuroscience research. UWM has an extremely energetic & cohesive group of faculty using cognitive neuroscience techniques to study the neural bases of learning & memory, attention, perception, dementia, addiction, anxiety, depression, and motor control. Collectively, our labs form a group of more than 50 faculty, postdocs, graduate students, research scientists, and research assistants all working on cognitive neuroscience at UWM. A major strength of our program is our depth - cognitive neuroscientists at UWM are part of a much broader community of researchers whose interests range from cellular to systems-level neuroscience (see http://www4.uwm.edu/neuroscience for more information about UWM's Neuroscience Program). Labs of the following cognitive neuroscience faculty are currently interested in accepting graduate students: Ira Driscoll, PhD --> Cognitive Neuroscience of Aging Lab (http://www.uwmdriscolllab.com) Adam S. Greenberg, PhD --> Sensory Neuroscience, Attention, & Perception Lab (http://SNAPlaboratory.com<http://snaplaboratory.com/>) Anthony J. Greene, PhD --> Greene Cognitive Neuroscience Lab (http://www4.uwm.edu/people/ag) Deborah Hannula, PhD --> Memory & Brain Lab (https://pantherfile.uwm.edu/hannula/brainlab) Fred Helmstetter, PhD --> Helmstetter Lab (http://pantherfile.uwm.edu/fjh/www/helmlab) Wendy Huddleston, PhD --> Visuomotor Lab (http://www4.uwm.edu/visuomotor) Christine Larson, PhD --> Affective Neuroscience Lab (http://<http://uwmlarsonlab.org/>uwmlarsonlab.org<http://uwmlarsonlab.org/>) Krista M. Lisdahl, PhD --> Brain Imaging & Neuropsychology Lab (http://uwmBraINlab.com<http://uwmbrainlab.com/>) Ali Borji, PhD --> Vision & Learning Lab (http://pantherfile.uwm.edu/borji/www) These labs make use of a large array of tools including fMRI, TMS, eye-tracking, MEG, EEG, DTI, psychophysical methods, and computational modeling. In addition to two existing 3 Tesla MRI scanners, we are also excited about the recent arrival of a research-dedicated 7 Tesla MRI scanner at our partner institution, the Medical College of Wisconsin. Students in our program interact with biophysicists, neurologists, and radiologists through the world-renown Center for Imaging Research: http://www.mcw.edu/CIR/AboutUs/About-the-Center.htm Milwaukee is a vibrant, inexpensive city on the shores of Lake Michigan (90 miles from Chicago) with a thriving urban culture, food, arts & music scene. An award-winning network of parks and biking/hiking trails allow for plentiful outdoor activities during all seasons. Research experience is strongly desirable. Students in good standing typically receive financial support for five years, in the form of research, teaching or fellowship positions. Students are encouraged to contact the above faculty directly by email, and can apply through the graduate programs listed below (depending on the lab they're interested in). NOTE: Please come visit our booth (#41) at SfN 2014 during the Graduate School Fair on 11/15 & 11/16 to talk to one of us about our program and answer any questions you may have. PhD in Experimental Psychology/Neuroscience (applications due December 1, 2014): http://www4.uwm.edu/letsci/psychology/graduate/phdprograms/experimental/ind… PhD in Clinical Psychology (applications due December 1, 2014): http://www4.uwm.edu/letsci/psychology/graduate/phdprograms/clinical/ PhD in Health Sciences/Kinesiology (rolling admissions): http://www4.uwm.edu/chs/academics/phd_health_sciences/ PhD in Computer Science/Engineering (rolling admissions); http://uwm.edu/engineering/academics-2/graduate/doctoral-programs-in-engine… ___________________________ Adam Greenberg, Ph.D. Assistant Professor University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Department of Psychology P.O. Box 413 Milwaukee, WI 53201 email: agreenb(a)uwm.edu<mailto:agreenb@uwm.edu> Tel. (414) 229-1106 Fax (414) 229-5219 http://www.snaplaboratory.com/ ___________________________

Nov. 6, 2014

Neuroscience Graduate Group at the University of Pennsylvania

by Joshua Gold

The Neuroscience Graduate Group (NGG) at the University of Pennsylvania is a collaborative and interdisciplinary PhD program that is currently accepting applications for matriculation in the fall of 2015. We are particularly interested in attracting exceptional applicants with backgrounds in Neuroscience, Computer Science, Cognitive Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Physics, and/or Psychology and are interested in the broadly defined field of Computational Neuroscience. We have a robust and growing community of scholars in this field, including: Vijay Balasubramanian, Department of Physics Danielle S Bassett, Department of Bioengineering David H Brainard, Department of Psychology Maja Bucan, Department of Genetics Johannes Burge, Department of Psychology Alice S Chen-Plotkin, Department of Neurology Brian Chow, Department of Bioengineering Yale E Cohen, Department of Otorhinolaryngology Diego Contreras, Department of Neuroscience Christopher M Fang-Yen, Department of Bioengineering Maria Neimark Geffen, Department of Otorhinolaryngology Joshua I Gold, Department of Neuroscience John B Hogenesch, Department of Pharmacology Joseph W Kable, Department of Psychology Michael J Kahana, Department of Psychology Max Kelz, Department of Anesthesiology Brian Litt, Departments of Neurology and Bioengineering Joel D Mainland, Department of Neuroscience Javier F Medina, Department of Psychology Nicole C Rust, Department of Psychology Robert G Smith, Department of Neuroscience Alan A Stocker, Department of Psychology Penn also has strong programs in Statistics, Computer Science, Engineering, and Psychology with faculty actively involved in machine learning, decision making, perception, and computational learning theory. NGG students are encouraged to pursue collaborations and interactions with these groups. The application deadline for the NGG is December 1, 2014. For more details please see our website: http://www.med.upenn.edu/ngg/app_info.shtml ----- Joshua Gold University of Pennsylvania Department of Neuroscience 116 Johnson Pavilion 3610 Hamilton Walk Philadelphia, PA 19104-6074 office phone: 215-746-0028 lab phone: 215-746-0168 e-mail: jigold(a)mail.med.upenn.edu http://www.med.upenn.edu/goldlab

Nov. 6, 2014