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Atsushi IRIKI speaking on March 31 in Developing Minds global online lecture series

by Jochen Triesch

Dear colleagues, On March 31, the Developing Minds global online lecture series will feature Atsushi IRIKI, RIKEN Japan: "Self-in-the-world map evolved in the primate brain as a basis of civilized Homo sapiens“ The live event will take place via zoom at: 22:00 JST (Japan Standard Time) 15:00 CET (Central European Time) 13:00 UTC (Universal Coordinated Time) 9:00 EST (Eastern Standard Time) To participate please register here: https://sites.google.com/view/developing-minds-series/home Abstract After a specific point in history, hominin evolution accelerated to a level that could not be accounted for by natural selection alone, but an alternative mechanism has been proposed based on mutual interaction among neural, cognitive, and ecological niches in a positive feedback loop (triadic niche construction; TNC). Nevertheless, the trigger events for the cognitive revolution of Homo sapiens as well as the reasons for this event being limited to a single species remain unknown. Using a multidisciplinary approach involving psychology, neurobiology, and phenomenology, I will propose a shift in the mechanisms underlying TNC, from TNC- 1 in primates/hominids to TNC-2 in Homo sapiens, to answer these questions. As the primates and hominin brain expanded during TNC-1, latent cognitive capabilities were incubated within its neural framework to be expressed with a simple rewiring among brain areas in TNC-2, a quick and inexpensive process but one that requires a unique set of preconditions to commence. This process was bootstrapped by the advanced function of “projection,” which enabled humans to recognize the “self” in particular time and space in the world, allowing the manipulation of this world (in both physical and symbolic dimensions) again in a positive feedback loop. Based on these, a new concept of a somatocentric holistic self will be proposed, represented as a more comprehensive body-in-the-world map in the primate brain, taking into account evolutionary aspects that characterize the human cognition and its implication in the emergence of self-consciousness. Paper: Iriki A, Suzuki H, Tanaka S, Bretas R, Yamazaki Y. (2021). The sapient paradox and the great journey: Insights from cognitive psychology, neurobiology and phenomenology. Psychologia, https://doi.org/10.2117/psysoc.2021-B017. Bio Atsushi IRIKI received his Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Tokyo Medical and Dental University in 1986. He held research associate positions at the Tokyo Medical and Dental University and then at The Rockefeller University (USA). He joined the faculty of Toho University Medical School as an assistant professor and then as an associate professor in Physiology (1991-1999). In 1999, he returned to Tokyo Medical and Dental University as a full professor and chairman of Cognitive Neurobiology. In 2004, Atsushi IRIKI was appointed a head of Laboratory for Symbolic Cognitive Development at RIKEN Institute (first at its Brain Science Institute and then 2018 onward at Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research). He is currently a visiting professor of University College London (UK) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU, Singapore), an adjunct professor of Keio University, a research professor of Kyoto University, a senior fellow of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (Canada), founding co-director of RIKEN-NTU Research Centres (Singapore & Japan). Web: https://www.riken.jp/en/research/labs/bdr/symbol_cogn_dev/index.html Best regards, Jochen Triesch -- Prof. Dr. Jochen Triesch Johanna Quandt Chair for Theoretical Life Sciences Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies and Goethe University Frankfurt http://fias.uni-frankfurt.de/~triesch/ Tel: +49 (0)69 798-47531 Fax: +49 (0)69 798-47611

March 28, 2022

Postdoc in Computational Neuroscience and/or Machine Learning at the University of Calgary, Canada

by Joern Davidsen

Dear colleagues, We are recruiting a postdoctoral researcher in Computational Neuroscience and/or Machine Learning to study network neural dynamics of brain function and psychedelics to participate in a cutting-edge International Network for Brain-Inspired Computation<https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2019976&HistoricalAwards=f…> (AcelNet) that includes nodes in Montreal, Paris, and the Pacific Northwest of the US and Canada (e.g. University of Washington, Allen Brain Institute). The project is at the intersection of mathematics, physics, and neuroscience in the general area of complex network dynamics and representations that drive biological computation. The objective is to understand how the brain develops generative cognitive models to organize perception and behaviour, and the effects of psychedelic drugs. This project involves both analysis of large-scale ensemble neural data collected in our labs, and computational and/or analytical work to develop theories of core function. Please forward to anyone who you think might be interested. For more info (review of applications will begin on May 1st), please see below or https://www.ucalgary.ca/complexity/positions or reach out to Dr. Jörn Davidsen (davidsen(a)phas.ucalgary.ca<mailto:davidsen@phas.ucalgary.ca>) and Dr. Aaron Gruber (aaron.gruber(a)uleth.ca<mailto:aaron.gruber@uleth.ca>). Best wishes, Joern. --- Dr. Jörn Davidsen Professor of Physics & Humboldt Research Fellow University of Calgary www.ucalgary.ca/davidsen<http://www.ucalgary.ca/davidsen> ************************************************************************************ Postdoc in Computational Neuroscience and/or Machine Learning at the University of Calgary, Canada We are recruiting a talented postdoctoral researcher in Computational Neuroscience and/or Machine Learning to study network neural dynamics of brain function and psychedelics to participate in a cutting-edge International Network for Brain-Inspired Computation<https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2019976&HistoricalAwards=f…> (AcelNet) that includes nodes in Montreal, Paris, and the Pacific Northwest of the US and Canada (e.g. University of Washington, Allen Brain Institute). The project is at the intersection of mathematics, physics, and neuroscience in the general area of complex network dynamics and representations that drive biological computation. The objective is to understand how the brain develops generative cognitive models to organize perception and behaviour, and the effects of psychedelic drugs. This project involves both analysis of large-scale ensemble neural data collected in our labs, and computational and/or analytical work to develop theories of core function. The ideal candidate will have a quantitative background (e.g. PhD in mathematics, physics, computer science) along with experience in applying this background to neuroscience. Specifically, we are looking for a postdoctoral candidates interested in what mathematical principles predict (1) how the connectivity structure of neural networks – their connectomes – combine with the dynamics of nodes and edges to control the dynamics and statistics of the network, (2) how the brain learns these connectomes to produce generative models predictive of their environment, and (3) how such models are affected by psychedelic drugs. The overarching aim of the project is to understand how mental models become corrupted in depression/anxiety, and how psychedelics appear to reverse the corruption. A variety of world-class data sets on the structure and function of the brain are available to guide theoretical advances in the understanding of underlying brain computation, particularly in learning, perception, and decision making. The position is open immediately with a primary location in Calgary. It is partially funded by the Pacific Institute for Mathematical Sciences<https://www.pims.math.ca/> and is aimed to strengthen the link between the computational neuroscience community at the University of Calgary (Complexity Science Group<https://www.ucalgary.ca/complexity/>, Hotchkiss Brain Institute<https://hbi.ucalgary.ca/>) and the University of Lethbridge (Canadian Center for Behavioural Neuroscience<https://www.uleth.ca/artsci/neuroscience/about>) with the other network members including the Computational Neuroscience Center<https://cneuro-web01.s.uw.edu/> at the University of Washington, and centers in Montreal and Paris. The specific start date has to be within five years of being awarded a PhD degree. The position is funded for at least two years and includes an annual stipend in the range of CAD$42,000 – $50,000 plus benefits. Opportunities for brief residences in partner nodes (Montreal, Seattle, or Paris) are also available. Interested candidates should submit their application package including a cover letter, their CV with a list of publications, brief statement of research interests and their possible start dates in PDF format to Dr. Jörn Davidsen (davidsen(a)phas.ucalgary.ca<mailto:davidsen@phas.ucalgary.ca>) and Dr. Aaron Gruber (aaron.gruber(a)uleth.ca<mailto:aaron.gruber@uleth.ca>). Applicants should arrange for at least two letters of reference to be sent as well. Review of applications will begin May 1st, 2022, and continue until the position is filled. For additional information and informal inquiries, please contact Dr. Davidsen or Dr. Gruber. We strive for a diverse and inclusive environment, and encourage applications from members of any identity. --- Dr. Jörn Davidsen Professor of Physics & Humboldt Research Fellow University of Calgary www.ucalgary.ca/davidsen<http://www.ucalgary.ca/davidsen>

March 26, 2022

PostDoc positions on neuromorphic sensing for condition monitoring

by Fredrik Sandin

The Embedded Intelligent Systems Lab (EISLAB) at the Luleå University of Technology in Sweden is inviting applications for two 2-year PostDoc positions focusing on neuromorphic sensing for condition monitoring. The scholarships are intended for research that aims to develop knowledge about neuromorphic and event-driven sensor systems for advanced condition monitoring, e.g. investigating filterbanks, charge amplifier designs, event-based sampling, and machine learning based signal processing methods suitable for implementation with spiking neural networks and neuromorphic processors. The project is a collaboration between EISLAB and the division of Machine Elements and is funded by The Kempe Foundations. By taking part in this collaboration you will work in an international, creative resourceful environment with an extensive international contact network. Further information about the positions, requirements and how to apply is available here: - https://www.ltu.se/ltu/stipendier-priser/postdoc-stipendier?l=en - https://web103.reachmee.com/ext/I003/583/main?site=14&validator=47967adc563… ========================= Professor Fredrik Sandin EISLAB, Machine Learning Luleå University of Technology 971 87 Luleå, Sweden www.ltu.se/staff/f/fresan-1.10646?l=en

March 26, 2022

MBL Methods in Computational Neuroscience Course - Deadline March 30

by Stephen A. Baccus

Applications are open for the Methods in Computational Neuroscience course at the Marine Biology Laboratory in Woods Hole, MA. The course will run from July 28 to August 24, 2022, and the online application form can be found at: https://www.mbl.edu/education/advanced-research-training-courses/course-off… The course application deadline is *March 30*. The course covers a range of topics in computational neuroscience including neuronal biophysics, neural coding & information processing, circuit dynamics, learning & memory, motor control, and cognitive processing & disease. In addition, numerous tutorials and problem sets will cover a broad range of computational and mathematical modeling methods. The course strongly emphasizes the collaboration between theory and experiment in solving neuroscience problems, and lectures will be given by a mixture of theorists and experimentalists. The final weeks of the course are primarily reserved for work on projects that students design in collaboration with the resident faculty. Further information can be found on the MCN website: http://www.mbl.edu/mcn/ 2022 Course Directors: Stephen Baccus, Stanford University Xiao Jing Wang, New York University 2022 Faculty: Larry Abbott, Columbia University Tim Behrens, Univ. College London Emery Brown, MIT Randy Buckner, Harvard University Anne Churchland, UCLA Claudia Clopath, Imp. College London Albert Compte, IDIBAPS Shaul Druckmann, Stanford University Uri Eden, Boston University Bard Ermentrout, U. of Pittsburgh Adrienne Fairhall, U. of Washington Michale Fee, MIT James Fitzgerald, Janelia Res., HHMI Loren Frank, UCSF Stefano Fusi, Columbia University Surya Ganguli, Stanford University Paul Glimcher, New York University Mark Goldman, UC Davis Nancy Kopell, Boston University Eve Marder, Brandeis University Yiota Poirazi, IMBB-FORTH David Redish, U. Minnesota Terry Sejnowski, Salk Institute Reza Shadmehr, Johns Hopkins Univ. Sara Solla, Northwestern University Haim Sompolinsky, Hebrew University Nelson Spruston, Janelia Res., HHMI Josh Tenenbaum, MIT Nao Uchida, Harvard University Greg Wayne, DeepMind

March 25, 2022

Final Call For Papers: RaPID4@LREC-2022 and PSST Challenge ...

by Dim X

Final Call for Papers: The 4th workshop on: "Resources and ProcessIng of linguistic, para-linguistic and extra-linguistic Data from people with various forms of cognitive/psychiatric/developmental impairments" Full-day workshop: co-located with LREC 2022 | Marseille, France | June 25th, 2022 Submission deadline: Sat., 9th of April, 2022 (extended) Paper submission: https://www.softconf.com/lrec2022/RaPID-4/ Website and more details: https://spraakbanken.gu.se/en/rapid-2022 Contact: Dimitrios Kokkinakis (dimitrios.kokkinakis(a)gu.se) RaPID-4 Organizing committee: Kathleen C. Fraser, National Research Council, Canada; Dimitrios Kokkinakis, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; Kristina Lundholm Fors, Lund University, Sweden; Johan Skoog, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; Charalambos K. Themistocleous, Johns Hopkins University, USA; Athanasios Tsanas, The University of Edinburgh, UK ************************************************************************************ Collocated shared task: for papers related to the Post-Stroke Speech Transcription, PSST Challenge: https://psst.study/ Paper submission: https://www.softconf.com/lrec2022/RaPID-4/ PSST Contacts: Steven Bedrick (bedricks(a)ohsu.edu) or Gerasimos Fergadiotis ( gfergadiotis(a)pdx.edu) PSST Organizing committee: Steven Bedrick, Oregon Health and Science University, USA Gerasimos Fergadiotis, Portland State University, USA Robert Gale, Oregon Health and Science University, USA Mikala Fleegle, Portland State University, USA ************************************************************************************ RaPID-4 and the PSST ask for full papers, 4 to 8 pages, plus more pages for references if needed, which must strictly follow the LREC stylesheet: https://lrec2022.lrec-conf.org/en/submission2022/authors-kit/ ************************************************************************************ Description: RaPID-4 aims to be an interdisciplinary forum for researchers to share information, findings, methods, models and experience on the collection and processing of data produced by people with various forms of mental, cognitive, neuropsychiatric, or neurodegenerative impairments, such as aphasia, dementia, autism, bipolar disorder, Parkinson's disease or schizophrenia. Particularly, the workshop's focus is on creation, processing and application of data resources from individuals at various stages of these impairments and with varying degrees of severity. Creation of resources includes e.g. the annotation, description, analysis and interpretation of linguistic, paralinguistic and extra-linguistic aspects of such data (i.e. spontaneous spoken language, transcripts, eye tracking, wearable and sensor measurements, digital biomarkers, etc.). Processing of such data can be used to identify, extract, correlate, evaluate and disseminate various linguistic or multimodal phenotypes and measurements, which then can be applied to aid diagnosis, monitor the progression or predict individuals at risk. A central aim is to facilitate the study of the relationships among various levels of linguistic, paralinguistic and extra-linguistic observations. Submission of papers are invited in all of the aforementioned areas, particularly emphasizing multidisciplinary aspects of processing such data and the interplay between clinical/nursing/medical sciences, language technology, computational linguistics, natural language processing (NLP) and computer science. The workshop will act as a stimulus for the discussion of several ongoing research questions driving current and future research by bringing together researchers from various research communities. ************************************************************************************

March 25, 2022

2 Postdoctoral Research Positions at Imperial College London

by Schultz, Simon R

These two posts form part of an interdisciplinary collaborative research project, “Statistical Physics of Cognition” funded by the UKRI and Wellcome. The aim of the project is to understand how neuronal avalanches relate to cognition. The postholders will be part of an interdisciplinary team including theorists, experimental neuroscientists and optical physicists aiming to solve this problem. The approach taken will be to perform large-scale neuronal imaging experiments to record the activity of thousands of neurons in the brains of mice performing cognitive tasks, to use advanced methods to analyse how distance from criticality is task-dependent, to develop models describing the role of avalanche dynamics in cognition, and to use graph theory, information theory and complexity theory to advance our understanding how large-scale network dynamics affect cognitive performance. As well as advancing our understanding of the way the brain operates, this may lead to new insights into how neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s Disease cause degradation in cognitive function, and aid in the development of future treatments. Based in the Neural Coding and Neurodegenerative Disorders Laboratory led by Prof Simon Schultz, we are seeking two postdoctoral fellows to carry out neuroscience experiments involving mesoscopic two-photon imaging of neural activity from thousands of neurons in behaving mice. Applicants should have research experience in either systems neuroscience or in biomedical optics. A PhD in neuroscience, physics, or a cognate discipline is essential. Post 1 – Multiphoton optical microscopy. You will have expertise in biomedical optics, including the construction, maintenance and use of advanced optical apparatus for fluorescence imaging of neural activity, and an interest in neuroscience. Post 2 – Optical neurophysiology. You will have expertise in systems neuroscience, including experience in performing in vivo neurophysiology experiments, and expertise in processing and analysis of neurophysiological data. You will be based in the Neural Coding and Neurodegenerative Disease Laboratory led by Prof Simon Schultz and Dr Amanda Foust, in the Department of Bioengineering at Imperial College London. As well as members of the group, you will work closely with colleagues in the Department of Mathematics, including Prof Mauricio Barahona and Prof Henrik Jensen, as well as two theoretical postdoctoral fellows working as part of the collaborative project. You will also work together with external collaborators, including particularly Dr Fernando Rosas (University of Sussex) and Prof Lucilla De Arcangelis (University of Campania). The link to the official job advertisement and application portal can be found here: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/jobs/description/ENG02064/postdoctoral-research-… I am happy to discuss the positions via email. (Please email me directly rather than replying to this email, as I have mailing list emails filtered). The closing date is 5th April 2022 (but is likely to be extended). Please note that there will be a further two postdoctoral positions advertised shortly, focused on theoretical elements of the project. ---------- Simon R. Schultz DPhil FIET FRSB Professor of Neurotechnology Director, Imperial College Centre for Neurotechnology Dept of Bioengineering, Imperial College London Email: s.schultz(a)imperial.ac.uk http://www.schultzlab.org http://www.imperial.ac.uk/neurotechnology Centre contact: Dr Kate Hobson, 0207 594 5101, k.hobson(a)imperial.ac.uk

March 24, 2022

Upcoming HBP Education events

by HBP Education

Dear Sir*Madam, I hope this e-mail finds you well! I would like to raise awareness for several upcoming events by the HBP Education Programme. Please consider adding them to your list of upcoming events. Symposium: From Cortical Microcircuits to Consciousness Date: 11-13 April 2022 Website: https://www.humanbrainproject.eu/en/education/corticon/ <https://www.humanbrainproject.eu/en/education/corticon/> Description: The Symposium: From Cortical Microcircuits to Consciousness aims at bringing together the Human Brain Project’s neuroscientists and invited guests to present their latest achievements in understanding neurocircuit dynamics at microscales, meso- and macro-scales, including the emergence of consciousness. Theories of consciousness will be reviewed and challenged by new findings from brain circuits and behavior. The involvement of neuronal and neuroglial cells in brain functioning, memory, learning, cognition and consciousness in health and disease will be discussed from the experimental and theoretical perspective. The Symposium will offer a hands-on session on The Virtual Brain, the platform of EBRAINS for constructing and simulating personalised brain network models. EBRAINS is the European research infrastructure for gathering, processing and simulating brain data. Finally, the Symposium will address the recent advances in neuroethics and neurophilosophy in neuroscience research and society. Address: Institut Catholique de Paris, 21 Rue d'Assas, 75006 Paris, France Registration deadline: 6 April 2022 ———————————————— Young Researchers Event 2022 in Denmark Date: 16 May 2022 Website: https://www.humanbrainproject.eu/en/education/YRE2022-Denmark/ <https://www.humanbrainproject.eu/en/education/YRE2022-Denmark/> Description: HBP <http://humanbrainproject.eu/> and EBRAINS <http://ebrains.eu/> together with the University of Copenhagen <https://www.ku.dk/english/> invite the entire scientific community, in particular early career researchers, to join the Young Researchers Event on 16 May 2022 at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark. Young Researchers Events provide a setting where EBRAINS <http://ebrains.eu/> RI, the Project’s tools and results are presented to early career scientists as well as to a wider scientific community. The event will introduce participants to EBRAINS, offer opportunities to exchange information and knowledge with peers, as well as with renowned experts. Address: University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Maersk Tower, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark Registration deadline: 9 May 2022 —————————— EBRAINS Brain Simulation School 2022 Training on Single Neuron Models, Brain Circuit Models, Cognition, Collaboratory, Synaptic Plasticity and Learning Date: 30 May – 3 June 2022 Website: https://www.humanbrainproject.eu/en/education/BRAINSIM/ <https://www.humanbrainproject.eu/en/education/BRAINSIM/> Description: The EBRAINS Brain Simulation School 2022 aims at introducing the participants to the latest achievements and innovations of the digital infrastructure for brain research EBRAINS <http://ebrains.eu/>, created by the Human Brain Project. The School will offer tutorials on EBRAINS Tools and eServices. The students will be presented with the overview of the EBRAINS research platform, discussed by the leaders of the Human Brain Project, and gain practical skills in using EBRAINS resources to implement cellular and network level computational models, to use EBRAINS Computing Services configure and run simulations, and to visualise/analyse the results. Through tutorials, interactive sessions and hands-on activities, attendees will learn how to interact with EBRAINS to carry out their own research, to set up and manage a data-driven collaborative project, or to use the EBRAINS platform to interact with internal and external databases. The target audience of this school are advanced master students, doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers in biomedical and technology sciences, from medicine, biology, psychology, to mathematics, informatics, information technology, physics, chemistry, who would like to get an introduction to the neuroinformatics and computational neuroscience tools available in the EBRAINS Infrastructure. The event is limited to 40 participants. Address: Splendid Hotel la Torre, Via Piano di Gallo 11, 90151 Palermo, Italy Registration deadline: 30 April 2022 ——————————————— Brain Activity across Scales and Species: Analysis of Experiments and Simulations (BASSES) - EBRAINS Workshop Date: 13-15 June 2022 Website: https://www.humanbrainproject.eu/en/education/ebrains-workshops/basses/ <https://www.humanbrainproject.eu/en/education/ebrains-workshops/basses/> Description: The HBP and EBRAINS invite interested scientists to join the forthcoming EBRAINS Workshop on Brain Activities across Scales and Species. The study of brain rhythms and of spatio-temporal patterns of brain activation is an important test-bench for understanding connectivity and the mechanisms that determine cognitive systems in mammals. The large variety of available experimental protocols and measurement techniques enable researchers to investigate new scientific questions. In addition, the input from experimental observations is used to design theoretical models able to emulate brain dynamics and cognitive mechanisms in in-silico experiments. The goal of the BASSES Workshop (Brain Activity across Scales and Species: analysis of Experiments and Simulations) is to provide an overview of the scientific topic of brain states and complexity, state transitions, and their connection with cognitive functions, and to demonstrate the achievements in this field obtained within the Human Brain Project thanks to the functionalities provided by the EBRAINS <http://www.ebrains.eu/> research platforms. Lectures will showcase the latest advancements in analysis strategies and whole-brain modelling tools. Hands-On Sessions will allow the participants to be actively engaged and test the EBRAINS functionalities for data storage, curation, analysis, and modelling. BASSES will allow people with different expertises, from experimental and theoretical neuroscientists to computer scientists, to share results and ideas and connect into a wider community. Address: ROMA EVENTI – Fontana di Trevi, Piazza della Pilotta, 00187 Rome, Italy Registration deadline: 27 May 2022 ———————————————————————— Please don’t hesitate to contact us should you need further info. Thank you in advance Best regards, HBP Education Team

March 24, 2022

Computational & Cognitive Neuroscience Summer School application open!

by Chengcheng Huang

Applications are open for the 11th Computational and Cognitive Neuroscience Summer School (CCNSS), which will be held from *June 26 to July 17, 2022*, at *Suzhou, China*. Online application: https://www.csh-asia.org/?content/1239 Application deadline: *April 30, 2022* About CCNSS: Designed to emphasize computational principles and neural circuit mechanisms of higher cognitive functions, the course aims at training talented and highly motivated students and postdoctoral fellows from Asia and around the world. We welcome both applicants with quantitative backgrounds (including Physics, Mathematics, Engineering and Computer Science) and those with experimental backgrounds. 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 and microcircuits up to large-scale brain systems and artificial intelligence and psychiatric disorders. Python-based programming labs coordinated with the lectures will provide practical training in important computational methods. More details can be found at the course website https://www.ccnss.org. Organizers: Dora Angelaki, New York University Christopher Honey, Johns Hopkins University Chengcheng Huang, University of Pittsburgh Xiao-Jing Wang, New York University Guangyu Robert Yang, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Faculty: Dani Bassett, University of Pennsylvania Carlos Brody, Princeton University Bob Desimone, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Angela Langdon, National Institute of Mental Health Songting Li, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Yunzhe Liu, Chinese Institute for Brain Research Yuanyuan Mi, Chongqing University Tirin Moore, Stanford University Srdjan Ostojic, École normale supérieure Anna Schapiro, University of Pennsylvania Kim Stachenfeld, DeepMind

March 24, 2022

Support for Ukrainian doctoral students in computer science at the University of Vienna

by Moritz Grosse-Wentrup

Dear all, The Doctoral School for Computer Science (DoCS) at the University of Vienna (https://docs.univie.ac.at/) supports Ukrainian doctoral students in computer science (who are currently enrolled in a Ukrainian university) with 6-month stipends to continue their doctoral studies in Vienna. If you would like to apply for such a stipend, please send an email to uadocs2022(a)univie.ac.at including a CV and a brief description of your dissertation topic. We will then contact you asap regarding further details. We ask for your understanding though that our funds may not cover stipends for all applicants. For other initiatives, please also see https://scienceforukraine.eu/ On behalf of the DoCS and the Faculty of Computer Science, Moritz Grosse-Wentrup -- Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. Moritz Grosse-Wentrup Research Group Neuroinformatics Faculty of Computer Science University of Vienna Kolingasse 14-16, Room 02.49 A-1090 Wien, Austria moritz.grosse-wentrup(a)univie.ac.at +43-1-4277-79610 http://neural.engineering/

March 23, 2022

3 Postdoctoral Positions at the University of Calgary

by Wilten Nicola

We are currently looking for 3 postdoctoral positions in the Nicola Computational Neuroscience Lab ( http://www.nicolacomputationalneurosciencelab.com) at the University of Calgary, in Alberta Canada: *Postdoctoral Position 1* We are currently looking for a postdoctoral researcher for a 2-year position investigating the interplay between hippocampal and cortical dynamics in memory consolidation. The project will involve both simulating spiking neural networks, and analyzing real spiking data. The ideal postdoctoral researcher will have a PhD in mathematics, physics, or engineering, and will have a proven track-record in working with spiking neural networks. A knowledge of neuroscience is beneficial, but not strictly necessary. Familiarity with multi-unit recordings is also beneficial, but not strictly necessary. Interested candidates should submit their application package including a cover letter, their CV with a list of publications, a brief statement of research interests, and their possible start dates in PDF format to Dr. Wilten Nicola. Applicants should arrange for at least two letters of reference to be sent as well. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the positions are filled. For additional information and informal inquiries, please contact Dr. Nicola. ------------------------------ *Postdoctoral Position 2* We are currently looking for a postdoctoral researcher for a 2 year position investigating how networks of neurons can learn to create abstraction and semantic definitions from a few stimuli. In short, how do networks of neurons learn and know how to generalize in a meaningful way? The ideal postdoctoral researcher will have a PhD in mathematics, physics or engineering and will have extensive experience in working with feedforward or recurrent neural networks, either artificial or spiking. Interested candidates should submit their application package including a cover letter, their CV with a list of publications, a brief statement of research interests, and their possible start dates in PDF format to Dr. Wilten Nicola. Applicants should arrange for at least two letters of reference to be sent as well. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the positions are filled. For additional information and informal inquiries, please contact Dr. Nicola. ------------------------------ *Postdoctoral Position 3 * We are currently looking for a postdoctoral research for a 2 year position in commercializing spiking neural network technologies. This is a joint postdoc with Dr. Aaron Gruber, as part of an ongoing initiative on commercializing spiking neural networks for both edge computing, and big-data applications. The ideal postdoctoral researcher will have a strong background in hardware and software engineering, specifically with Field Programmable Gate Arrays or other neuromorphic-like platforms capable of spiking network emulation. Interested candidates should submit their application package including a cover letter, their CV with a list of publications, a brief statement of research interests, and their possible start dates in PDF format to Dr. Wilten Nicola. Applicants should arrange for at least two letters of reference to be sent as well. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the positions are filled. For additional information and informal inquiries, please contact Dr. Nicola. The University of Calgary is a global intellectual hub located in Canada’s most enterprising city. In our spirited, high-quality learning environment, students thrive in programs made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. Our strategy drives us to be recognized as one of Canada’s top five research universities, engaging the communities we both serve and lead. This strategy is called Eyes High, inspired by the university's Gaelic motto, which translates as 'I will lift up my eyes.' For more information, visit ucalgary.ca/eyeshigh.

March 22, 2022