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Call for papers - Special Issue: Advances in Intelligent Systems, Technologies and Applications

by Barna Iantovics

Call for papersSpecial Issue: Advances inIntelligent Systems, Technologies and ApplicationsJournal: Applied Sciences (ISSN2076-3417) Impact Factor 2.5Submission https://www.mdpi.com/journal/applsci/special_issues/5IQ6DOHB42 Dear Colleague, You are kindly invited tocontribute with a paper to the Special Issue. Intelligence in nature is verydiverse; it can be discussed in terms of the intelligence of chimps, dolphins,and many other animals and even the collective intelligence of very simple lifeforms such as ants. The concept of intelligence is being adopted in manydomains of science. From practical and theoreticalperspectives, an essential current research direction that is under examinationby a very large number of scientists worldwide is the development of artificialsystems, also called agent-based systems, which can be either individual agentsor cooperative multiagent systems. These systems are embedded in theenvironment, possess a certain degree of autonomy, and are capable ofperceiving the environment and executing actions in it. Intelligence inagent-based systems can emerge through advanced problem-solving abilities. Todevelop these intelligent systems, techniques such as supervised learning andunsupervised learning play pivotal roles. Supervised learning involves trainingsystems on labeled datasets, enabling them to map inputs to outputs and improvetheir predictions or classifications over time. These methods are extensivelyused in applications such as image recognition, natural language processing,and medical diagnosis. On the other hand, unsupervised learning enables systemsto identify patterns and structures in unlabeled data, facilitating clustering,anomaly detection, and exploratory data analysis. A more recent paradigm,retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) and cache-augmented generation (CAG),combines retrieval- and cache-based methods with generative models to enhanceintelligent systems, producing highly contextualized and accurate responses oractions. These approaches are instrumental in developing advanced systems fordomains such as conversational AI, knowledge management, and decision support.Intelligent agent-based systems have many real-world applications, includingthe health sciences and industry. The number and diversity of intelligentsystems are increasing rapidly. In this context, the great challenge consistsof creating increasingly intelligent systems. Another critical challenge,approached by only a few researchers worldwide, is the development of universalmetrics, including black-box-based intelligence metrics, to measure theintelligence of these systems. Such advances could allow for the comparison ofsystems based on their intelligence. In cooperative multiagent systems,intelligence can be assessed at the system level; this is known as collectiveintelligence. Even in very simple cooperative multiagent systems, agents mayinteract nonlinearly at various decision points, resulting in emergentcomplexity and intelligence at the system level. This Special Issue aims toestablish a solid foundation for future research through a collection of papersthat advance the field by elaborating on theories, designing applications, andpresenting surveys regarding the next generation of increasingly intelligentsystems. The areas of research covered in these papers could include the studyof self-organization, emergence, hybridization, scalability, robustness,measuring machine intelligence, and the integration of advanced paradigms suchas supervised learning, unsupervised learning, retrieval-augmented generation,and cache-augmented generation. Kind regards,Guest EditorsProf. Dr. Laszlo Barna IantovicsProf. Dr. László KovácsDr. Attila Biró

Jan. 4, 2026

Fwd: [seminar.wwtns] World wide VVTNS series (6th season): Wednesday, January 7, 2025, at 11:00 am ET - Carlos Brody, Princeton Neuroscience Institute

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 VVTNS 2026 opening lecture Carlos Brody Princeton Neuroscience Institute on the topic of *Towards using large-scale, cross-brain neuronal recordings * *to identify the brain’s internal signals* to identify the brain’s internal signals The lecture will be held on zoom on January 7, 2026, at *11:00 am ET * > To receive the link: https://www.wwtns.online/register-page > *Abstract: *Neural activity is often analyzed with respect to external referents, such as the onset of a sensory stimulus or an overt motor action. Simultaneous recordings allow referencing neurons’ activity to each other and thus detecting signals that are internal to the organism. Further, multi-region simultaneous recordings allow observing how these internal signals are coordinated across the brain. Following this logic in rats performing a perceptual decision-making task, we recorded simultaneously from thousands of neurons across up to 20 brain regions at once. Here we report two internal signals which we found to profoundly shape decision-related neural dynamics and brain states. First, we decoded the continuously evolving decision state separately from each region, and found surprisingly large magnitude co-fluctuations in these measures. Dimensionality analysis showed these to be dominated by a single state variable, suggesting that only a single decision-making computation, not multiple parallel computations, are being carried out during the analyzed period. Second, we found that the precise time the subject commits to a decision – a covert event that we decoded from large-scale neural activity in primary motor cortex – was accompanied by a coordinated change, across the brain, from a decision formation to a post-commitment state. The two states differ substantially in their choice-predictive neural dynamics and in their inter-region correlations. Therefore, knowing the time of this state change on single trials is needed to correctly parse fundamentally different phases of decision-making. Overall, our data suggest that internally-referenced signals and state changes, not timelocked to external events but detectable through simultaneous recordings, are major features of neural activity during cognition. *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

Jan. 4, 2026

Postdoctoral position in Development and Egocentric Vision.

by Bonnen, Kathryn

Postdoctoral position in Development and Egocentric Vision. The Training Program in Integrative Developmental Processes at Indiana University invites applications for a T32-funded postdoctoral fellowship in Bloomington, Indiana. We seek highly motivated individuals interested in research at the intersection of development, vision science, and computer vision. The postdoctoral fellow will join a collaborative research environment dedicated to understanding developmental processes through egocentric vision in natural tasks, using advanced computational methods and multimodal datasets to advance developmental theory. Indiana University offers a highly interdisciplinary training environment with exceptional career development and mentoring opportunities. The position will be jointly mentored by Dr. Rowan Candy, whose research integrates behavioral, optical, and neuroscientific approaches to study typical and atypical visual development; and Dr. Kathryn Bonnen, a computational neuroscientist specializing in visuomotor coordination in natural tasks. The broader research community includes faculty from Computer Science (Dr. David Crandall, Dr. Zoran Tiganj), Informatics (Dr. Justin Wood, Dr. Samantha Wood), and Psychological and Brain Sciences (Dr. Linda Smith, Dr. Joshua W. Brown, Dr. Ehren Newman). Applicants should have strong computational skills and a background in one or more of the following areas: developmental science, vision science, neuroscience, motor control, computer science, psychology, or related fields. Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents who currently hold a doctoral degree or will have met all doctoral program requirements before enrolling. Applicants should send a cover letter describing their motivation for applying and a curriculum vitae to: Dr. Rowan Candy (rcandy(a)iu.edu) Dr. Kathryn Bonnen (kbonnen(a)iu.edu) Position is available immediately and will remain open until filled. -- Kathryn Bonnen Assistant Professor, School of Optometry Indiana University kbonnen(a)iu.edu<mailto:kbonnen@iu.edu> https://bonnenlab.github.io

Jan. 3, 2026

Review of 2025 in neuroscience

by Mark Humphries (staff)

My regular review of the year in neuroscience is up on The Spike: https://medium.com/the-spike/2025-a-review-of-the-year-in-neuroscience-b062… The tenth of these, would you believe? Enjoy! Mark Professor Mark Humphries | Professor of Computational Neuroscience Office hours: Calendar<https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0?cid=a2twY2xkYXNvazVnYnA3ODM2bmFwZ2…> Lab: humphries-lab.org<https://www.humphries-lab.org/> Connect: Bluesky<https://bsky.app/profile/markdhumphries.bsky.social> / LinkedIn<https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-humphries-65a460212/> / X<https://x.com/markdhumphries> Essays on the brain and science: drmdhumphries.medium.com<https://drmdhumphries.medium.com/> Book: "The Spike: An Epic Journey Through the Brain in 2.1 Seconds" (Princeton UP) in hardback<https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691195889/the-spike?_gl=1*h…..>, paperback<https://press.princeton.edu/books/paperback/9780691241487/the-spike>, ebook<https://press.princeton.edu/books/ebook/9780691213514/the-spike-0?_gl=1*1uf…..> & audiobook<https://press.princeton.edu/books/audio/9780691224091/the-spike?_gl=1*37xz7…..> <https://press.princeton.edu/books/audio/9780691224091/the-spike?_gl=1*37xz7…..> read by Anand Jagatia This message and any attachment are intended solely for the addressee and may contain confidential information. If you have received this message in error, please contact the sender and delete the email and attachment. Any views or opinions expressed by the author of this email do not necessarily reflect the views of the University of Nottingham. Email communications with the University of Nottingham may be monitored where permitted by law.

Jan. 2, 2026

The First International Young Scholars Forum,School of AI for Science, Peking University

by Wei Fang

Dear Colleagues: The School of AI for Science, Peking University is planning to host the First International Young Scholars Forum in late January 2026, and will *provide travel grants for outstanding scholars*. This forum is particularly suitable for scholars with interdisciplinary backgrounds in neuroscience and machine learning. In addition, the School of AI for Science, Peking University is actively recruiting outstanding scholars from around the world. *You will have the opportunity to discuss with the school’s faculty and staff the possibility of joining Peking University and obtaining a faculty position during the forum.* Here are the specific details of the forum: -------------------- *The First International Young Scholars Forum* *School of AI for Science, Peking University* *1. **Forum Background* The School of AI for Science at Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School will host the first International Young Scholars Forum in late January 2026. The forum will center on core research areas in the field of AI for Science, with a focus on cutting-edge domains, including the Foundations of AI for Science, AI for Materials Science, AI for Life Sciences, and Computational Mathematics. *2. **School Introduction* In 2025, in response to the scientific revolution and industrial transformation of the intelligent era, with a forward-looking vision, Peking University established the School of AI for Science (the School) at its Shenzhen Graduate School. As the world’s first higher education platform to promote the institutionalized development of AI for Science through an independent academic unit, the School focuses on the deep integration of artificial intelligence and fundamental sciences. It will establish a dual-track mentorship system under the "AI + Science" framework, pioneer a research paradigm that closely integrates scientific principles with big data, and build an open and collaborative innovation ecosystem. By accelerating the process of scientific discovery and shaping the future industrial landscape, the School is committed to cultivating interdisciplinary talents with global perspectives and innovation capabilities. - Student Cultivation: The School has launched the Boya AI for Science (AI4S) Top-Talents Cultivation Program, which selects outstanding undergraduate students from Peking University and Tsinghua University for further studies. It is one of the few schools at the Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School that offers an undergraduate program. Meanwhile, the School is planning and developing the AI4S Teaching Platform. By building a smart, blended teaching platform that integrates online and offline components with laboratory facilities, it aims to provide teachers with a brand-new teaching experience. - Research Support: The School supports the dual-appointment of faculty members in relevant fields at the PengCheng Laboratory, granting them access to the PengCheng Cloud Brain—a world-leading large-scale intelligent computing platform. This provides robust computing power for computing-intensive research projects such as large model development and large scientific facility research, overcoming the computing power bottleneck in scientific research. In addition, the School has taken the lead in establishing the International Alliance of AI for Science, building the AI4S Lab—the world’s first one-stop digital and intelligent life science research platform—and setting up a number of industry-university joint laboratories, while also planning to construct the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Institute of AI for Science. Rooted in the innovation hub of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the School is committed to building a closed-loop, full-chain transformation system integrating basic research, technological breakthroughs, and industrial applications through these initiatives. Collectively, these efforts have forged a comprehensive full-chain platform for faculty to conduct international academic cooperation, facilitate the industrialization of research outcomes, and carry out interdisciplinary research; they enable faculty to connect with top-tier global resources, align with real-world industrial needs, tackle core key technologies in the field of AI for Science, and accelerate the output of cutting-edge research achievements. - Excellent Talents in Collaboration: Through programs such as the National Science Fund for Excellent Young Scholars (overseas), the School has successfully gathered a group of aspiring and accomplished talented young academics. By joining the School, you will collaborate with peers in its open ecosystem, tackle core challenges, and jointly pioneer the future landscape of AI for Science. For more details, please visit the official website of the School of AI for Science at Peking University: https://ai4s.pkusz.edu.cn/en/ *Vision:* Accelerating Scientific Discovery, Defining the Future of Industry *Educational Philosophy:* Rooted in first principles, Driven by intelligence, Promoting interdisciplinarity, Shaping the future. *3. **Registration **Requirements* (1) Ph.D. degree in AI for Science, Artificial Intelligence, fundamental sciences, or a related interdisciplinary field, with a solid academic background. (2) Before April 1, 2026, generally should have obtained formal teaching or research position in an overseas university, scientific research institution, or enterprise R&D institution, and have more than 36 consecutive months of work experience. For those who have obtained a doctorate overseas and have particularly outstanding performance, the working years requirement may be relaxed appropriately. (3) Expertise in specialized fields, rigorous academic integrity, and excellent team spirit. *4. **Registration Method and Required Materials* (1) Application Deadline: 24:00 (Beijing Time), January 15, 2026 (2) Required Materials: Detailed personal resume, title, and abstract of the presentation to be delivered at the forum. (3) Submission Email: ai4s(a)pku.edu.cn Note: The School of AI for Science at Peking University will cover part of the international travel expenses for scholars invited to attend the main forum offline. *5. **Salary and Benefits* Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School is committed to offering a competitive compensation system that meets both domestic and international standards. Our scientific and reasonable salary models have predictable growth mechanisms, and provide comprehensive social security and welfare benefits. Based on the specific position, we offer competitive research start-up funds and dedicated research and office space. We also assist newly recruited faculty apply for various national, Guangdong Provincial, and Shenzhen Municipal talent programs or initiatives. Specific salary and additional benefits are negotiable based on qualifications and experience. *6. **Contact Information* (1) Contact Person: Ms. Bao (2) Email: baojy(a)pku.edu.cn *Welcome to the School of AI for Science at Peking University**—**where innovation meets intelligence!* *Join us, let’s create a new paradigm for scientific research in the era of intelligence together!* -- ----------------------- Wei Fang Postdoc, Electrical & Computer Engineering Yale University, USA

Dec. 31, 2025

Postdoc on attention in VLMs at NYU

by Grace Lindsay

I'm looking to hire a postdoc to study the attention abilities (i.e. ability to selectively process relevant sensory information) of large Vision-Language Models. The position will be based at the Center for Data Science at New York University. Interested candidates can find more information and instructions on how to apply here: https://lindsay-lab.github.io/2025/12/08/postdoc-ad.html -- Grace Lindsay Assistant Professor, Psychology & Data Science New York University gracewlindsay.com lindsay-lab.github.io *Models of the Mind: How Physics, Engineering and Mathematics Have Shaped Our Understanding of the Brain* <https://gracewlindsay.com/2021/02/10/models-of-the-mind-how-physics-enginee…>

Dec. 30, 2025

Positions for international postdocs in the Tchumatchenko lab in Bonn/Germany

by Tatjana Tchumatchenko

Dear friends and colleagues, I am looking to recruit international postdoctoral fellows to my lab. It would be great to attract scientists who didn't have yet exposure to the German neuroscience community and who would bring complementary expertise and perspectives. *Two postdoc positions (m/f/d) are available in the Tchumatchenko group.* The Tchumatchenko Group is seeking to attract two highly motivated postdoc candidates (0-5 years post PhD) to conduct research in the field of computational neuroscience. Prof. Tatjana Tchumatchenko was recently appointed a Henriette Herz scout at the Alexander von Humboldt foundation and is looking to attract two international postdocs though this funding scheme [1]. The ideal candidate will be an international, highly motivated, scientifically curious postdoctoral fellow with a strong work ethic and a PhD degree in life sciences, Neuroscience, Physics, Mathematics, Engineering or similar disciplines who looking to answer open question in computational neuroscience. Great social skills, excellent command of the English language and enthusiasm for working in a competitive interdisciplinary research team are essential. Potential scientific projects should lie either at the boundary between behavioral analysis and circuit neuroscience or at the boundary between molecular dynamics and circuit neuroscience: how is the molecular dynamics organized across the brain and what are statistical differences across cell types? How can we design computational models and conduct data analysis at the level transcriptomes and proteomes to understand the implementation of physiological and behavioral conditions across the brain? How can we relate learning at the level of synapses and circuits to behavioral changes observed in animals? Can we identify behavioral states and link them to particular circuit activity states? Please send your application together with a cover letter, a CV with contact details from one academic reference and copies of all relevant degree certificates to tatjana.tchumatchenko(a)uni-bonn.de. Please include in your subject line “AvH Application your name”. We are looking forward to your application! Duration and salary will be according to the fellowship scale of the Alexander von Humboldt foundation. Start date negotiable, preference for April to October 2026 or 2027. Tatjana Tchumatchenko Professor (W3) for Computational Neuroscience of Behavior Institute for Experimental Epileptology and Cognition Research Medical Faculty, University of Bonn Poppelsdorfer Allee 24 53115 Bonn www.tchumatchenko.de [1] https://www.humboldt-foundation.de/bewerben/foerderprogramme/henriette-herz…

Dec. 29, 2025

Fully-funded Neuroscience PhD program at Champalimaud Foundation

by Memming Park

Greetings everyone, Applications are now open for the *International Neuroscience Doctoral Programme (INDP)* at Champalimaud Foundation, Lisbon, Portugal. *Deadline for application: Jan 31, 2026* https://fchampalimaud.org/champalimaud-research/education/indp <https://protect.checkpoint.com/v2/r01/___https://fchampalimaud.org/champali…> Research program spans systems/computational/theoretical/clinical/sensory/motor neuroscience, neuroethology, intelligence, and more!! The programme includes an initial year of classes + three lab rotations. We seek talented, motivated applicants from all areas of neuroscience, as well as physics, math, stats, computer science, electrical/biomedical engineering, and related quantitative background To learn more about the culture and value of Champalimaud Research, check out: https://www.fchampalimaud.org/about-cr <https://protect.checkpoint.com/v2/r01/___https://www.fchampalimaud.org/abou…> Looking forward to your applications! (and please forward as you see fit. Thanks!) Sincerely, Memming Park Director of INDP P.S. Happy holidays! --- Group Leader, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Lisbon, Portugal Neural Dynamics = CATNIP Lab http://catniplab.github.io/

Dec. 28, 2025

PhD position and further opportunities in the group “Neural network dynamics and computation” (Raoul-Martin Memmesheimer, University of Bonn)

by Raoul-Martin Memmesheimer

PhD position and further opportunities in the group “Neural network dynamics and computation” (Raoul-Martin Memmesheimer, University of Bonn) There is a fully funded PhD position (65% E13) available in the “Neural network dynamics and computation” group at the University of Bonn lead by Raoul-Martin Memmesheimer. The scope of the research is rather open, ranging from computations and learning in precisely spiking neural networks, which is relevant for neural network modeling and neuromorphic machine learning, to investigating representational drift and its consequences by means of data acquired by our experimentally working colleagues at the University of Bonn. At an earlier career stage, you can write your Bachelor’s or Master’s thesis, or do a short-term internship to get to know research in theoretical neuroscience/neurophysics. Optimal backgrounds of applicants include physics, theoretical neuroscience, theoretical biology, computer science and mathematics. If you are interested in more information, see our website (www.nndc.group) contact Raoul-Martin Memmesheimer via email (rm.memmesheimer(a)uni-bonn.de) or, if you are in the neighborhood, come over to our offices near the botanical garden of the University of Bonn.

Dec. 23, 2025

Application Deadline EXTENDED: Nengo Summer School 2026

by Kathryn Simone

Dear colleagues, The deadline for application to the 2026 Nengo Summer School has been extended to 15 January, 2026 Anywhere On Earth. All details about this school can be found online at https://www.nengo.ai/summer-school The Centre for Theoretical Neuroscience at the University of Waterloo is excited to announce our 11th annual Nengo summer school on large-scale brain modelling and neuromorphic computing. This two-week school will teach participants to use the Nengo simulation package to build state-of-the-art cognitive and neural models to run both in simulation and on neuromorphic hardware. Summer school participants will be given on-site access to neuromorphic hardware and will learn to run high-level applications using Nengo! More generally, Nengo provides users with a versatile and powerful environment for designing cognitive and neural systems and has been used to build what is currently the world's largest functional brain model, Spaun, which includes spiking deep learning, reinforcement learning, adaptive motor control, and cognitive control networks. For a look at the last in-person summer school, check out this short video: https://youtu.be/hHwIryt053M?si=N70eVlC3Sm_2sDy5 We welcome applications from all interested graduate students, postdocs, professors, and industry professionals with a relevant background. Application Deadline EXTENDED: January 15th, 2026 Format: A combination of tutorials and project-based work. Participants are encouraged to bring their own ideas for projects, which may focus on testing hypotheses, creating models to account for neural or cognitive data, implementing specific behavioural functions with neurons, expanding past models, or providing a proof-of-concept of various neural mechanisms. Hands-on tutorials, individual or group projects, and talks from invited faculty members will make up the bulk of day-to-day activities. A project demonstration event will be held on the last day of the school, with prizes for strong projects! * Participants will have the opportunity to learn how to: * interface Nengo with various kinds of neuromorphic hardware (e.g. BrainDrop, SpiNNaker) * build perceptual, motor, and sophisticated cognitive models using spiking neurons * build models to account for anatomical, electrophysiological, cognitive, and behavioural data * use a variety of single cell models within a large-scale model  * integrate machine learning methods into biologically oriented models * interface Nengo with cameras and robotic systems * implement modern nonlinear control methods in neural models * neurally implement vector symbolic architecture algorithms * and much more… Date and Location: May 31st to June 12th, 2026 at the University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Applications: Please visit http://www.nengo.ai/summer-school, where you can find more information regarding costs, travel, lodging, along with an application form listing required materials. If you have any questions about the school or the application process, please contact: Madeleine Bartlett: madeleine.bartlett(a)uwaterloo.ca Kathryn Simone: kpsimone(a)uwaterloo.ca The school is partly supported by ABR, Inc. We look forward to hearing from you! Kathryn Simone, PhD Postdoctoral Fellow, Computational Neuroscience Research Group Department of Systems Design Engineering University of Waterloo

Dec. 22, 2025