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PhD and postdoc positions in distributed lifelong learning / RL

by Andrea Soltoggio

Dear All, I would like to advertise a Ph.D. and a postdoc position in my research group at Loughborough University to work on distributed lifelong learning / reinforcement learning, with a particular focus on neuro-modulatory approaches. If interested, please email me. Best regards, Andrea Soltoggio Further additional links to our latest news and papers: https://www.azorobotics.com/News.aspx?newsID=12518 https://www.nature.com/articles/s42256-022-00452-0.epdf https://openreview.net/forum?id=BJge3TNKwH https://arxiv.org/abs/1703.10371 Details. This new field of AI seeks to create machines that learn during a lifetime similarly to biological brains. This research continues and advances recent progress from the DARPA projects Lifelong Learning Machines (L2M) and Shared Experience Lifelong Learning (ShELL). The researchers will join a growing research group of Ph.D. students and postdocs working in the same area, and have access to the latest computational devices such as Nvidia A100 cards. Collaboration opportunities with world-leading AI laboratories will be encouraged and supported. Loughborough University Loughborough University is a top-ten rated university in England for research intensity (REF2014). In choosing Loughborough for your research, you’ll work alongside academics who are leaders in their field. You will benefit from comprehensive support and guidance from our Graduate School, including tailored careers advice, to help you succeed in your research and future career. -- Dr. Andrea Soltoggio (he/him or they/them) Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in Artificial Intelligence Department of Computer Science, School of Science & Intelligent Automation Centre https://www.intelligent-automation.org.uk/about-us/centre-staff & Centre for Information Management https://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/sbe/cim/ Haslegrave Building, N.2.03 Loughborough University LE11 3TU, UK Email: a.soltoggio(a)lboro.ac.uk<mailto:a.soltoggio@lboro.ac.uk> Web: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/compsci/staff/dr-andrea-soltoggio.html

April 7, 2022

Assistant Professor / Postdoc Researcher in computational neuroscience and/or developmental robotics at the University of Tokyo

by nagai.yukie＠mail.u-tokyo.ac.jp

Dear colleagues, The International Research Center for Neurointelligence (IRCN) at the University of Tokyo is looking for highly motivated full-time Assistant Professor / Postdoc researchers in the field of computational neuroscience and/or developmental robotics. The selected candidates will join Cognitive Developmental Robotics Laboratory head by Prof. Yukie Nagai and investigate the underlying mechanisms of human cognitive development and disorders by means of computational approaches. We design computational neural networks inspired by the human brain and examine what enables the networks to acquire human-like intelligence. Please send the required documents if you are interested in being considered. Assistant Professor / Postdoc Researcher at IRCN, the University of Tokyo https://ircn.jp/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/20211220_IRCN_Nagai_lab_2EN.pdf Cognitive Developmental Robotics Laboratory (Nagai Lab) http://developmental-robotics.jp ---------- 1. Job title / Number of positions Project Research Associate or Project Researcher (Postdoctoral Fellow) / One or two 2. Employment period Starting Date: Negotiable Contract duration: until March 31, 2022 3. Renewable The contract is renewable on a fiscal year basis (from April 1 to March 31; every year) according to research budget, research activity, and research achievements. Contract duration is until March 31, 2026. 4. Place of work International Research Center for Neurointelligence, The University of Tokyo 7-3-1 Hongo, Bunkyo-ku Tokyo, 113-0033 JAPAN 5. Description Successful applicants will work in the fields of computational neuroscience, cognitive developmental robotics, machine learning, and relevant topics. They will investigate the principle of human cognitive development and disorders by modeling computational neural networks inspired by the human brain and/or analyzing human cognitive behaviors. Please see the lab homepage (https://developmental-robotics.jp/en/) for more details. 6. Salary and benefits Salary: To be determined in accordance with the University of Tokyo Regulations Commuter allowance: JPY55,000 per month at maximum No retirement benefits or bonuses 7. Qualifications - PhD in engineering, computer science, cognitive science, neuroscience, or relevant fields - Communication skills in English - Programming skills - Experiences in computational neuroscience and/or cognitive developmental robotics are preferred 8. Application documents (1) Cover letter (A4 1 page) (2) Curriculum vita (3) Publication list (4) Research plan (A4 2-3 pages) (5) Name, affiliation, and email address of two references, one of which should be a previous employer or supervisor 9. Submission Please send the application documents (PDF) to yukie(a)ircn.jp 10. Application deadline / Selection process When the position is filled All applications will be screened, and only those qualified will be scheduled for an interview (on-site or online). 11. Inquiries Please contact Prof. Yukie Nagai at IRCN, the University of Tokyo yukie(a)ircn.jp — Yukie Nagai, Ph.D. Project Professor, The University of Tokyo nagai.yukie(a)mail.u-tokyo.ac.jp | https://developmental-robotics.jp CREST Cognitive Mirroring: https://cognitive-mirroring.org CREST Cognitive Feeling: https://cognitive-feeling.jp

April 7, 2022

Postdoc positions in nanoscale modeling of astrocytes, neurons or synapses

by Erik De Schutter

The Computational Neuroscience unit at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (https://www.oist.jp) Japan has been spearheading nanoscale stochastic modeling of astrocytes, neurons and synapses (https://groups.oist.jp/cnu) We have two postdoctoral positions open and Japan is finally issuing visa again. The selected candidates will build on previous work in modeling of cerebellar or hippocampal astrocytes, neurons and synapses using our STEPS software (http://steps.sourceforge.net) research project depending on experience and interests of the candidate. Previous experience in neural modeling required, preferentially as subject of PhD. Competences: A recent PhD in a relevant discipline such as neuroscience, molecular biology, biophysics or biochemistry. Experience in programming in Python. Fluent English conversation and writing skills. Benefits / Offer: A competitive salary and relocation package are offered. This an ideal position to gain experience in a prominent computational neuroscience lab and take part in our international collaborations. Please contact Prof. Erik De Schutter (erik(a)oist.jp) for inquiries.

April 7, 2022

CAMP summer course on computational neuroscience: announcement.

by U.S.Bhalla

Dear Colleagues, We would like to announce CAMP@Bangalore 2022 from 23 July 2022 to 7 August 2022, in Bangalore, India. CAMP (Computational Approaches to Memory and Plasticity at NCBS, Bangalore) is a 16-day summer school where students will be trained in theoretical and computational modeling, pertaining to memory and plasticity in the brain, spanning different scales of space, time and complexity. This flavor of CAMP will focus on — Neuromodulation and Cell Diversity. The course will have lectures, hands-on tutorials, and project work to launch students into the exciting field of computational neuroscience. The course is supported by the Simons Foundation. Students worldwide are encouraged to apply. Accommodation and food will be free for the selected students. The NCBS Campus has pleasant grounds, sports facilities, and the weather in late July is mild with moderate rain. There is no registration fee. Students are advised to obtain independent travel grants. Please visit the course website https://camp.ncbs.res.in/ for more details about this year's course and past courses. Application deadline: 30 April 2022 Referee letters must reach by 2 May 2022 Speakers include: Arvind Kumar KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden Gilad Silberberg Karolinska Institutet, Sweden K.T. Blackwell George Mason University, USA Peter Dayan Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Germany Raffaella Tonini Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Italy Rishikesh Narayanan Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore Sho Yagishita University of Tokyo, Japan Srikanth Ramaswamy Newcastle University, UK Upinder Bhalla National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bangalore Vatsala Thirumalai National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bangalore Thank you, Course Organizers CAMP 2022 Arvind Kumar Rishikesh Narayanan Upinder S. Bhalla

April 6, 2022

Available Ph.D. Position in Developmental Robotics / Human-Robot Interaction

by Amir Aly

Dear All, *Apologies for cross-posting* We are pleased to announce an opportunity for a funded Ph.D. studentship about (*Computational Modelling of Language Compositionality through Human-Robot Interaction*) at the Center for Robotics and Neural Systems (CRNS) at Plymouth University, UK. The closing date for applications is *12 noon on 04 May 2022* *(funding conditions for the international (non-home fees / non-UK-based) students are available in the link below)*. This exciting project tries to investigate language compositionality (*from the word to sentence levels*) through human-robot interaction with a view to making a robot able to understand human instructions. This requires *inferring the* *latent syntactic structure* of language through perceptual information (e.g., visual and/or haptic perception) and defining its mechanism of compositional development. This project will set the basis for learning the meaning of words and their syntactic categories (e.g., nouns, verbs) through perception in the surroundings, and learning language grammar - through an unsupervised approach - so as to understand phrases and sentences (*more details and research questions are available in the link below*). More details *about the topic*, *how to apply*, *eligibility criteria for home students / international students*, *and* *funding conditions* are available at: https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/computational-modelling-of-language-c… <https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/computational-modelling-of-language-c…> Computational Modelling of Language Compositionality through Human-Robot Interaction at University of Plymouth on FindAPhD.com <https://www.findaphd.com/phds/project/computational-modelling-of-language-c…> PhD Project - Computational Modelling of Language Compositionality through Human-Robot Interaction at University of Plymouth, listed on FindAPhD.com www.findaphd.com If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me, Regards ---------------- *Dr. Amir Aly* Lecturer in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Center for Robotics and Neural Systems (CRNS) School of Engineering, Computing, and Mathematics Room B332, Portland Square, Drake Circus, PL4 8AA University of Plymouth, UK

April 5, 2022

Four lectureships available at University of Sussex

by Thomas Nowotny

Dear comp-neuro, four permanent positions at the level of lecturer (assistant professor) are available at University of Sussex due to our rapid expansion in Computer Science and AI. The lectureships are for any topics in Computer Science/Informatics, including computational neuroscience and bio-inspired AI. Please get in touch if you want to know more. The full advert is here: https://www.sussex.ac.uk/about/jobs/lecturer-com-sci-8058 Come and work with us in the beautiful city of Brighton on the South coast of England. Best regards, Thomas -- Prof. Thomas Nowotny Head of AI Research Group CCNR, Sussex Neuroscience Phone: +44-1273-678593 Engineering and Informatics, Fax: +44-1273-877873 University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QJ sussex.ac.uk/informatics/tnowotny<http://sussex.ac.uk/informatics/tnowotny> [../../owa/redir.aspx?C=9e11bb0e527242938402b42d9b5498ea&URL=http%3a%2f%2fsussex.ac.uk%2finformatics%2ftnowotny] I support the University of Sussex Community Pledge, as I continue to help those around me during the pandemic. Small acts of collaboration, kindness and integrity can make a big difference. www.sussex.ac.uk/community-pledge<http://www.sussex.ac.uk/community-pledge>

April 4, 2022

The interplay of complex and coherent dynamics in brain function; Cergy (France) May 18-22 2022

by bgutkin

The HYBRID workshop The interplay of complex and coherent dynamics in brain function https://complexityparisseine.wordpress.com/ <https://complexityparisseine.wordpress.com/> will take place at Cy Advanced Studies , Neuville sur Oise (France) from 18-20 May 2022. This international workshop is the final act of the ANR Project Exact Reduction of Multiscale Neural Dynamics ERMUNDY involving CY Cergy Paris Université, École Normale Supérieure in Paris and Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes in Marseille. Our aim is to bring in Neuville-sur-Oise scientists working in different disciplines ranging from applied mathematics to neuroscience, from physics to biology in order to address a topic of general interest as the emergence of complex and coherent dynamics in the brain. If you are interested to follow the workshop via ZOOM you should register here: https://univ-amu-fr.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEuceypqjItE9ASdbQAOwoovh7EJc… <https://univ-amu-fr.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZEuceypqjItE9ASdbQAOwoovh7EJc…> In case you would like to come (even for 1 single day) and eventually present a poster, you should register here : https://complexityparisseine.wordpress.com/contact/ <https://complexityparisseine.wordpress.com/contact/> due to COVID restrictions only 20 places are left and they will be reserved in priority for those presenting a poster. The organizing committee A. Torcini, B. Gutkin, D. Battaglia, M. di Volo

April 4, 2022

Coordinator position 'Diversity Internship Programme', Tuebingen, Germany

by Susan Fischer

---- Apologies for cross-posting ---- In an exciting venture, the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics has created a new internship programme, targeting students from currently underrepresented communities. The Institute investigates information processing in the brain for which it uses experimental, theoretical and computational methods to study perception, memory, decision-making, motor performance and more, and to develop appropriate recording and imaging techniques. We now invite applications for a part-time position for a Coordinator of the Computation and Cognition Tübingen Summer Internship (CaCTüS internship) (m/f/d;). This position is limited until 31 October 2023 in the first instance. The internship aims to improve diversity, equity and inclusion in animal, human and machine intelligence research by offering paid research stays to students from currently underrepresented groups to work on projects suggested and supervised by early career researchers. By providing hands-on research experience, access to first-class research facilities and scientific networks at the start of the students’ careers, the initiative counteracts systemic disadvantages and empowers students to continue their academic career and to develop their full potential. Key Duties & Responsibilities: In your role as CaCTüS Coordinator you will be responsible for the implementation and the overall management of the internship. You will contribute to the planning, organisation, implementation and maintenance of the programme’s activities, systems and processes and serve as the point of contact for potential candidates/enrolled interns. You will also identify and assess further potential external funding opportunities and contribute to the strategic development and promotion of the initiative. Full job description and detailed information about the position can be found on our website at: https://jobs.tue.mpg.de/jobs/168 ************************************************ Susan Fischer Coordinator Alexander von Humboldt Professorship Prof Peter Dayan & Department for Sensory and Sensorimotor Systems, Prof Zhaoping Li Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen & Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics AI Research Building R 20-7/A21 Maria-von-Linden-Str. 6 72076 Tübingen Germany susan.fischer(a)tue.mpg.de ************************************************

April 4, 2022

Postdoctoral Scholar in Computational/Theoretical Neuroscience (Western University)

by Lyle Muller

The lab of Lyle Muller (http://mullerlab.ca<http://mullerlab.ca/>) at the Department of Mathematics and the Western Institute for Neuroscience (Western University, London, Ontario) has an open postdoctoral position in computational and theoretical neuroscience. This scientist will work with an international NeuroNex consortium (http://nxwm.io) studying the transcriptomic, cellular, and network basis of working memory. The project will incorporate analysis of multichannel neural data and computational models ranging from single neurons to spiking neural networks and machine learning algorithms. The researcher will work within a dynamic team and with data at multiple scales (transcriptomics, intracellular patch clamp, and extracellular spiking data). Research in this project utilizes a combination of large-scale numerical simulations, supervised/unsupervised learning, and analytical approaches. Prior experience with scientific computing languages (MATLAB, Julia, or Python) and/or low-level programming (C/C++) is preferred. Prior experience with computational modeling, signal processing, or random graph theory is also preferred. Western University offers an excellent research environment and support. Both our group and the University are deeply committed to fostering diversity in the sciences, and applications from underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged. Interested candidates can write to lmuller2(a)uwo.ca<mailto:lmuller2@uwo.ca> with a CV and statement of interest. Review of applications will begin on 18 April 2022. -- Lyle Muller http://mullerlab.ca

April 4, 2022

Deadline extension - 31st International Conference on Artificial Neural Networks ICANN 2022, Sept 6-9, Bristol, UK

by Paolo Masulli ENNS

31st International Conference on Artificial Neural Networks ICANN 2022 https://e-nns.org/icann2022 *Submission deadline extended to: 13 April 2022* Bristol, United Kingdom - *Hybrid event* 6 - 9 September 2022 ============================================================= The International Conference on Artificial Neural Networks (ICANN) is the annual flagship conference of the European Neural Network Society (ENNS). In 2022 the Department of Computer Science and Creative Technologies of the University of the West of England, in Bristol, United Kingdom will organise ICANN 2022. This will be held at Frenchay Campus from 6 to 9 September 2022. The conference is currently planned as a *hybrid event* with some presence and some online participation if possible. We will continuously monitor the situation in the next few months according to the overall health developments. * **CONFERENCE TOPICS* ICANN 2022 is a conference featuring tracks in Brain-inspired Computing and Machine Learning in Artificial Neural Networks, with strong cross-disciplinary interactions and applications. All research fields dealing with Neural Networks will be present at the conference. A non-exhaustive list of topics includes: *Machine Learning*: Deep Learning, Neural Network Theory, Neural Network Models, Graphical Models, Bayesian Networks, Kernel Methods, Generative Models, Information-theoretic Learning, Reinforcement Learning, Relational Learning, Dynamical Models, Recurrent Networks, Ethics of AI. *Brain-inspired Computing*: Cognitive models, Computational Neuroscience, Self-organisation, Bioinspired Learning, Neural Control and Planning, Hybrid Neural-Symbolic Architectures, Neural Dynamics, Cognitive Neuroscience, Brain Informatics, Perception and Action. *Neural Applications for*: Bioinformatics, Biomedicine, Intelligent Robotics, Neurorobotics, Language Processing, Speech and Image Processing, Sensor Fusion, Pattern Recognition, Data Mining, Neural Agents, Brain-Computer Interaction, Neural Hardware, Evolutionary Neural Networks. *CALL FOR CONTRIBUTED SCIENTIFIC COMMUNICATIONS* All scientific communications presented at ICANN 2022 will be reviewed and scientifically evaluated by a panel of experts. The conference will feature two categories of communications: - oral communications (15'+5') - poster communications. *Call for Special Sessions and Workshops* ICANN 2022 organizers cordially invite internationally recognised experts to organise Special sessions and Workshops within the general scope of the conference. Proposals should be sent to ICANN2022(a)uwe.ac.uk *CALL FOR PAPERS* Authors willing to present original contributions in either the oral or poster category may submit: - A full paper of maximum 12 pages (including references) to be published in Springer-Verlag Lecture Notes in Computer Science (LNCS) series with individual DOI. - An extended abstract of maximum 4 pages to be published in Springer-Verlag Lecture Notes in Computer Science (LNCS) series, without indexing. The number of oral slots is limited. In case the number of requested oral presentations is larger than the available slots, the ICANN scientific committee will select which papers will be reassigned to a poster session. This selection will be based on the coherence of the programme and is totally independent of the category of submission. Submission of communications will be on the conference website: https://e-nns.org/icann2022/ *IMPORTANT DATES* Deadline for special session and workshop proposals: 28 Feb 2022 Opening of contribution submissions: 21 Feb 2022 Deadline for full paper and extended abstract submission: 13 Apr 2022 Notification of acceptance: 20 Jun 2022 Camera-ready paper upload: 30 June 2022 Deadline for author registration and early registration at early rate: 30 June 2022 *BEST PAPER AWARDS* ENNS will sponsor a maximum of four best paper awards. All awards will be presented during the final ceremony. *TRAVEL GRANTS* The European Neural Network Society sponsors a number of Student Travel Grants covering part of the costs for attending ICANN. Details will be provided on the conference website. *ORGANISATION* *General Chairs* Elias Pimenidis – UWE Bristol, UK Angelo Cangelosi – University of Manchester, UK *Organising Committee Chairs* Tim Brailsford – UWE Bristol, UK Larry Bull – UWE Bristol, UK *Honorary Chairs* Stefan Wermter – University of Hamburg, Germany (ENNS President) Igor Farkaš – FMPI, Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia *Programme Committee Chairs* Plamen Angelov – Lancaster University, UK Mehmet Aydin – UWE Bristol, UK Chrisina Jayne – Teesside University, UK Elias Pimenidis – UWE Bristol, UK *Communication Chairs* Paolo Masulli – ENNS, Technical University of Denmark Kristína Malinovská – FMPI, Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia Antonios Papaleonidas – Democritus University of Thrace, Greece

April 3, 2022