- Comp-neuro - lists.cnsorg.org

4-year fully-funded Ph.D. Position in Computational Neuroscience at the Donders Institute

by Bernhard Englitz

Dear List, please distribute the following position announcement to finishing M.Sc. students with strong skills in (computational) neuroscience interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in Neuroscience. Thanks & best wishes, Bernhard Bernhard Englitz, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Department of Neurophysiology Donders Centre for Neuroscience Faculty of Science, Radboud Universiteit Heyendaalseweg 135, 6525 AJ Nijmegen --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Project : As a PhD Candidate you will work on a project entitled ‘Neural Mechanisms of Processing and Recognizing Complex, Statistical Sounds’. This project is funded by the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO) and will be conducted at Radboud University in Nijmegen. The main research question is how the brain represents and processes acoustic stimuli which are only defined on a statistical level. These stimuli have a high behavioural relevance, since many natural stimuli have this character. The PhD project will involve a combination of neural population recordings from multiple areas of the auditory and parietal cortex of behaving mice, and their subsequent data analysis. Individual cells will be identified using specific genetically modified mouse lines and matched optogenetic tools. The main outcome of the research will be an expansion of our knowledge of auditory processing, which may have far-reaching implications for the processing of sounds in hearing aids and smart phones. Scientific Environment : The Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour consists of three research centres, the Centre for Cognition, the Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging and the Centre for Neuroscience. It focuses on state-of-the-art cognitive neuroscience in a multidisciplinary approach, and offers excellent lab and neuroimaging facilities. The position will be hosted at the Neurophysiology department, which provides a high-quality neuroscience environment with facilities for chronic and non-chronic multi-channel recordings, imaging and computational modelling. The department’s research questions address issues in fundamental and applied research, and enable the interaction of theory and experimental work in a single location. The Donders Institute is an equal opportunity employer, committed to building a culturally diverse intellectual community, and as such encourages applications from women and minorities. Radboud University offers a parental leave scheme and day care on campus. Qualifications : MSc degree in (computational) neuroscience, engineering or biology; experience with animal physiology, programming and data analysis; a proactive attitude, good communication skills, and the ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team. Application Link : http://www.ru.nl/english/working-at/jobopportunities/details/details-vacatu… <http://www.ru.nl/english/working-at/jobopportunities/details/details-vacatu…> Closing Date of Call : 30.3.2018 Planned Starting Date : 1.9.2018

Feb. 27, 2018

Postdoctoral Position in Systems Neurophysiology of Social Bonding in Rodents

by Liu, Robert C

Postdoctoral Position in Systems Neurophysiology of Social Bonding in Rodents Yerkes National Primate Research Center and the Department of Biology Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia The laboratories of Robert Liu, Gordon Berman and Larry Young at Emory University are accepting applications for a postdoctoral scientist working in a collaborative team to study pro-social interactions in rodents. The research combines recent advances in computational ethology (Berman et al, Interface, 2014) with in vivo electrophysiology and optogenetics in socially interacting prairie voles (Amadei, Johnson et al, Nature, 2017), a premier rodent model for the formation of social bonds (Lim et al, Nature, 2004). The research aims to use behavioral and neurophysiological activity to build predictive models of social dynamics leading to a pair bond, and investigate the role that oxytocin plays in mediating these activities. PhD required. We are looking for a candidate who approaches neuroscience with a systems or circuit perspective and is interested in the neuroscience of social behavior. Training in any of the following areas would be viewed favorably: in vivo electrophysiology, optogenetics, computational data analysis, sensorimotor integration, reward and reinforcement. Emory University and the Yerkes National Primate Research Center have a rich, collaborative neuroscience community (http://biomed.emory.edu/PROGRAM_SITES/NS/) especially in the areas of translational social neuroscience (http://ctsn.emory.edu/) and computational neuroscience (http://compneurosci.college.emory.edu/) Research at Emory in the neurobiology of social behavior extends across many labs from the molecular level through the organismal level in animal models and humans, with a particular interest in the functions of oxytocin (http://www.oxytocin.emory.edu/) Ongoing efforts include both elucidating normal processes and ameliorating deficits found in human conditions, like autism spectrum disorder. To inquire or apply, please email robert.liu(a)emory.edu<mailto:robert.liu@emory.edu>. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue at least through March 31, or until the position is filled. Applications should include a CV, the names and full contact information of 3 references, and at least one representative publication. Emory University is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. References: Amadei EA*, Johnson ZV*, Kwon YJ, Shpiner AC, Saravanan V, Mays W, Ryan S, Walum H, Rainnie D, Young LJ, Liu RC (2017). Dynamic corticostriatal activity biases social bonding in monogamous female prairie voles, Nature, 546(7657):297-301. doi:10.1038/nature22381<http://www.nature.com/articles/doi:10.1038/nature22381> Berman GJ, Choi DM, Bialek W, Shaevitz JW (2014). Mapping the stereotyped behaviour of freely moving fruit flies. Journal of the Royal Society Interface, 11(99):20140672. doi:10.1098/rsif.2014.0672<http://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2014.0672> Lim, MM, Wang Z, Olazábal DE, Ren X, Terwilliger EF, Young LJ (2004). Enhanced partner preference in promiscuous species by manipulating the expression of a single gene. Nature, 429(6993):754-757. doi:10.1038/nature02539<http://www.readcube.com/articles/10.1038/nature02539> Robert C. Liu, PhD Associate Professor Department of Biology Emory University O. W. Rollins Research Center Rm 2131 1510 Clifton Rd NE Atlanta, GA 30322 USA Phone: +1 404-727-5274 Email: robert.liu(a)emory.edu<mailto:robert.liu@emory.edu> Lab 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).

Feb. 27, 2018

Postdoctoral fellowships at the Gatsby Unit

by Maneesh Sahani

The Gatsby Computational Neuroscience Unit invites applications for one or more postdoctoral training fellowships in theoretical neuroscience and related areas. Neuroscience research in the unit focuses on the interpretation of neural data, population coding, perceptual processing, neural dynamics, neuromodulation, and learning. We have strong connections with experimental neuroscience and cognitive science groups at UCL (particularly in the Sainsbury-Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour with which the Unit shares a new purpose-built home) and at institutions around the world. The Unit also has significant interests across a range of areas in machine learning, and is perhaps unique in the way these fields are brought together. The fellowships are suitable for candidates with a doctoral degree and previous experience in relevant theoretical neuroscience or machine learning research. We are especially keen to recruit fellows with expertise in the modelling of perception or population-scale neural data. Full details of the fellowships, and information on how to apply, are available at http://www.gatsby.ucl.ac.uk/vacancies/TN%20Fellows/TN-2018.html The closing date for applications is 23rd Mar 2018. If you have questions unanswered by the website, please contact me by email or in person at Cosyne. -- Maneesh Sahani, Ph.D. Professor of Theoretical Neuroscience and Machine Learning, Director, Gatsby Computational Neuroscience Unit UCL, 25 Howland Street, London W1T 4JG

Feb. 27, 2018

Post-doc in Neurophysiology of Attention at UCLA

by Bisley, James

Apologies for cross-posting We invite applications for a fully funded post-doc position studying the neurophysiology of attention. The work will include recording from &/or the reversible inactivation of cortical areas MT, LIP and FEF while animals perform a visual search task utilizing moving dot patterns. For more information about the sort of work done in the lab, check out our publications at http://www.bri.ucla.edu/people/james-w-bisley-phd. Applicants should have a strong background in systems neurophysiology, behavioral training or computational neuroscience and be comfortable working independently on all aspects of the project. Previous experience with NHP recording and data analysis is desirable. Candidates should hold a PhD in neuroscience, psychology or a related discipline. The position is initially for 12 months with the possibility of renewal. Compensation will be commensurate with relevant experience. Candidates should send a CV, a brief statement of research experience and interests, expected date of availability, and the contact information for two references to James Bisley (jbisley(a)mednet.ucla.edu<mailto:jbisley@mednet.ucla.edu>). Cheers, James ________________________________ UCLA HEALTH SCIENCES IMPORTANT WARNING: This email (and any attachments) is only intended for the use of the person or entity to which it is addressed, and may contain information that is privileged and confidential. You, the recipient, are obligated to maintain it in a safe, secure and confidential manner. Unauthorized redisclosure or failure to maintain confidentiality may subject you to federal and state penalties. If you are not the intended recipient, please immediately notify us by return email, and delete this message from your computer.

Feb. 27, 2018

Computational Postdoc - Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory - Long Island, New York

by Engel, Tatiana

The Engel and Churchland labs in the Department of Neuroscience at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory invite applications from highly motivated candidates for a postdoctoral position working on a collaborative project between the two labs. The position is entirely computational and truly interdisciplinary with equal (50/50) effort in the Churchland (experimental) and Engel (computational) labs. The project’s goal is to unravel functional roles of excitatory and inhibitory neurons in the decision-making microcircuit through computational analyses of large-scale neural activity recordings and biophysical circuit modeling. In particular, we will develop and deploy novel machine learning frameworks for discovering collective network dynamics from large-scale activity recordings in mice with genetically identified excitatory and inhibitory neurons. These data analyses will provide hard constraints for biophysical models of the decision-making microcircuit, which will be then inferred using deep learning methods. We are looking for theoretical/computational scientists to work at the exciting interface of systems neuroscience, machine learning, and biophysics, embedded within the computational and experimental labs. The postdoctoral scientist is expected to exhibit resourcefulness and independence, developing computational models of large-scale neural activity recordings with the goal to elucidate excitatory/inhibitory neural circuits underlying decision making. Interested candidates should e-mail their application to Tatiana Engel (engel(a)cshl.edu<mailto:engel@cshl.edu>) and Anne Churchland (churchland(a)cshl.edu<mailto:churchland@cshl.edu>) as a single pdf file with subject: Postdoc Application. The application file should include: (1) CV with the publication list, (2) a brief description of research interests, (3) contact information for three references. In addition, the candidates should upload their application online at http://cshl.peopleadmin.com/postings/13170 Position requirements: - PhD in neuroscience, physics, mathematics, computer science, engineering or related quantitative discipline - Expertise in scientific programming, e.g., Python, Matlab, C/C++, CUDA - Expertise in statistics, data analyses, and/or machine learning - Experience with deep learning methods is a plus - Experience with database software is a plus - Track record of publications in scientific journals - Effective communication skills, both written and oral - Dedication and passion for solving hard scientific problems -- Tatiana Engel, PhD Assistant Professor Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory 1 Bungtown Road, Cold Spring Harbor, NY (+1) 408 409 3647

Feb. 27, 2018

2 year postdoc : Graph Signal Processing at IMT Atlantique

by Nicolas Farrugia

IMT Atlantique has an opening for a fully-funded two-year postdoctoral fellowship open immediately and starting no later than June 2018, to work on Graph Signal Processing and potential applications to Neuroimaging. The host team is Br.A.In. (Brain-inspired Artificial Intelligence http://www.brain.bzh) and is in the Brest Campus. The call for the position can be downloaded here : http://recherche.telecom-bretagne.eu/brain/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/postd… Scientific context Several application domains rely on multivariate spatiotemporal signals such as transportation networks, energy network, social networks or neural networks. Under the natural assumption that the signal properties are related to the topology of the graph where they are supported, graph signal processing (GSP) offers algorithms that fruitfully leverage this relational structure, and can make inferences about these relationships when they are only partially observed. Developing GSP tools specifically intended to advance modeling and analytics of multivariate signals is a new, fertile area of investigation. In particular, the positionning of the Br.A.In. project regarding GSP is targetted towards the following issues: (1) finding optimal graph representations and adapting machine learning approaches accordingly, (2) generalizing GSP approaches to dynamic graphs in order to fully capture the spatiotemporal complexity of multivariate signals, and finally (3) developing new approaches to enhance the understanding and interpretability of machine learning and deep learning methods using metrics derived from GSP. We are seeking a candidate that will contribute to our research effort on GSP by proposing innovative theoretical approaches, or extensions to existing approaches, related to at least one of the aforementioned issues. Our main target application is the analysis, decoding and interpretability of Neuroimaging data (Electroencephalography EEG or functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging fMRI), but candidates with interest or background in other application domains are encouraged to apply as well. Details and requirements The present postdoctoral fellowship is funded by the Sustainable Attractivity Strategy of the Brittany Region, with the goal of attracting high profile junior researchers from all over the world, offering exceptional conditions for long-term academic development. IMT Atlantique is a public technological university focusing on the training of engineers at the MSc. level and junior researchers at the PhD level. Being a technological university, IMT Atlantique benefits from a advantageous status compared to french public universities. As such, we offer very competitive salary packages, with postdoc wages corresponing to a junior assistant professor level. Successful candidates will also benefits from 49 annual paid holidays, as well as access to multiple benefits from the institutions' union (such as campus activities or sea sports). In addition, living costs in the Brest bay area are exceptionally low, with a high quality of life, and the Brest campus of IMT Atlantique is ideally located at the sea front. The position is open immediately and must start no later than June 2018, for a duration of 24 months. The postdoc fellowship is accompanied with overheads for travel expenses covering (a) the participation to international conferences, (b) article processing charges for open-access publications and (c) acquisition of a computation server dedicated to the postdoc project. The postdoc fellowship will be fully devoted to his research projects, and may optionally (but will not be required to) contribute to teaching activities in machine learning, computer science, signal processing or electronical engineering. Candidates must have defended a Ph.D. related to machine learning or computer science, or signal/image processing. Candidates with a PhD in neuroimaging with solid programming skills and a strong interest for machine learning are also welcome to apply. An additional requirement pertains to the attractivity strategy related to the regional funding; in order to attract international applications, candidates must have spent a minimum 12 months outside France after June 2014. Please send your CV, contacts for two references, as well as a cover letter to nicolas.farrugia(a)imt-atlantique.fr . Nicolas Farrugia Associate professor IMT Atlantique - Department of electronics +33 (0) 2 29 00 16 53

Feb. 27, 2018

Postdoc in computational neuroscience at University of Sheffield

by Hannes Saal

Postdoc in computational neuroscience at the University of Sheffield Closing date: 26th March 2018 We are looking to recruit a Research Associate to work on the Wellcome Trust funded project Modelling synaptic and intrinsic plasticity in primate somatosensory cortex. In short, the project will investigate somatosensory plasticity in human cortex and specifically the effect of different learning rules on somatosensory representations. To this end, you will develop a computational framework that will simulate the effects of different plasticity rules on sensory cortical representations and make predictions that can be empirically tested using existing fMRI paradigms. The project involves close collaboration with partners at UCL and Oxford, who will gather empirical data using a state-of-the-art neuroimaging setup. This post is suitable for a candidate with a background in computational neuroscience, or a closely related discipline. The ideal candidate will have experience with the analysis and simulation of large-scale spiking neuron models, mathematical models of plasticity, and/or self-organizing systems. A significant part of the project will involve collaborating with our partner helping to guide empirical data collection. As such, a background in neuroscience is highly desirable, with knowledge of tactile processing, cortical plasticity, and/or neuroimaging especially preferred. For more info, please see http://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/BHY156/research-associate/ or contact Dr Hannes Saal (h.saal(a)sheffield.ac.uk) -- Dr Hannes P Saal Lecturer in Cognitive Science and Computational Modelling Active Touch Laboratory (co-director) Department of Psychology & Sheffield Robotics University of Sheffield Pam Liversidge Building F.05 Sheffield S1 3JD United Kingdom Tel: +44 (0)114 222 6504 Web: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/psychology/staff/academic/hannes_saal

Feb. 27, 2018

REMINDER: Abstract Submission for CNS*2018 closes March 5, 2018

by Sharon Crook

Registration and abstract submission are open for CNS*2018 in Seattle, USA, July 13-18. The deadline for abstract submission is March 5, 2018. The main meeting begins on the evening of Friday July 13 and runs through Monday July 16. It will be preceded by a day of tutorials (Friday July 13) and followed by two days of workshops (Tuesday July 17 and Wednesday July 18). Invited Keynote Speakers: Eve Marder, Brandeis University Nancy Kopell, Boston University Daniel Wolpert, University of Cambridge Rajesh Rao, University of Washington Note that one of the authors must register as sponsoring author for the main meeting before abstract submission is possible. In case the abstract is not accepted for presentation, the registration fee will be refunded. Abstract Submission: http://www.cnsorg.org/cns-2018-abstract-submission Registration: https://ocns.memberclicks.net/index.php?option=com_mc&view=mc&mcid=form_243… For up-to-date conference information, please visit: http://www.cnsorg.org/cns-2018 ---------------------------------------- OCNS is the international member-based society for computational neuroscientists. Become a member to be eligible for travel awards and more. Visit our website for more information: http://www.cnsorg.org.

Feb. 26, 2018

Post-doctoral position in machine learning for computational psychiatry at the University of Munich (LMU)

by Moritz Grosse-Wentrup

We are seeking a highly creative and motivated post-doctoral researcher to work at the intersection of machine learning and computational psychiatry. The position will be based in the group of Moritz Grosse-Wentrup in the Department of Statistics [1]. The successful candidate will closely interact with the group of Nikolaos Koutsouleris in the Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy [2]. To apply, you should have a strong passion for developing and employing machine learning methods that make a difference in patients' lives. Also, you should have (or be about to obtain) a Ph.D. in Computer Science, Statistics, Information Engineering, Psychology/Psychiatry (with a strong analytical background), or a related field. You should have an excellent track record in machine learning or data science, which is backed up by publications in major journals or papers at top conferences. Prior experience in psychology or psychiatry would be advantageous but is not a strict requirement. You need to be fluent in written and spoken German. Your job duties include . performing independent research at the intersection of machine learning and computational psychiatry, . teaching courses and seminars to students in statistics and computer science, . and contributing to an interdisciplinary grant proposal on machine learning for computational psychiatry. Salary is according to TV-L E13 (100%) [3]. Part-Time employment is possible. The initial appointment will be for one year, with a potential extension contingent on funding. The starting date is flexible. Screening of applications will commence on March 18, but we will consider applications until the position is filled. The University of Munich is one of Europe's premier academic and research institutions [4]. The recently established elite graduate program in Data Science [5] bundles research in data science across various institutes and attracts excellent students from all over the world. Besides, Munich is a beautiful metropolis with high recreational value. Your application should include a cover letter (~one page), a CV, and contact information of at least two referees. Please submit your application documents (as one PDF file) to mgw(a)stat.uni-muenchen.de. We particularly welcome applications by female candidates. Disabled applicants will receive preference over equally qualified non-disabled applicants. If you have any questions before submitting your application, please contact Prof. Dr. Moritz Grosse-Wentrup Department of Statistics Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München Ludwigstr. 33, 80539 München, Germany Phone: +49-89-2180-3847 mgw(a)stat.uni-muenchen.de Links: [1] http://www.datascience.statistik.uni-muenchen.de [2] http://www.klinikum.uni-muenchen.de/Klinik-und-Poliklinik-fuer-Psychiatrie-… [3] http://oeffentlicher-dienst.info/tv-l/west/ [4] https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings/lmu-munich [5] http://www.m-datascience.mathematik-informatik-statistik.uni-muenchen.de

Feb. 26, 2018

PhD student/postdoc in Sensory and Behavioral Neuroscience

by Gjorgjieva, Julijana

The labs of Julijana Gjorgjieva (Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, Frankfurt, Germany) and Ilona Grunwald Kadow at the TUM School of Life Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Germany invite applications for a fully-funded position (Postdoc or PhD student). We are looking for highly-motivated individuals with a strong quantitative background (in mathematics, physics, engineering, computer science, or related fields), experience in programming and data analysis, and a desire to develop cutting-edge experimental techniques. Previous background in neuroscience, imaging or behavioral analysis is a plus! Julijana will be at Cosyne (March 1-7) so please get in touch to discuss details. The project will examine the neural basis of need and effort-based decision-making in a collaboration between the Gjorgjieva lab, which develops theoretical models of neural circuit processing, and the Grunwald Kadow lab, which studies neural circuits underlying sensory processing and decision making in animal models. The project aims to uncover circuit principles and behavioral readouts of motivation, persistence, and value perception as a function of internal state or experience (e.g. hunger). In particular, the Grunwald Kadow lab is collecting rich data sets of behavioral trajectories of single Drosophila flies as well as functional imaging data (i.e. multiphoton and light-sheet) of neuronal populations (e.g. modulatory neurons). The project will aim to develop advanced analysis techniques that extract key statistical features of the behavioral trajectories and imaging data, and build mathematical models that reproduce the data and make new predictions to be further tested experimentally. By combining behaviour, genetics and imaging, we will also develop neural circuit models that involve several brain areas, including sensory brain areas and higher cognitive regions of the fly brain (i.e. mushroom body). References: S. Sayin J. Gjorgjieva, I. C. Grunwald Kadow (2018). A neural circuit arbitrates between perseverance and reward in hungry Drosophila. BioRxiv doi.org/10.1101/259119<http://doi.org/10.1101/259119> J. Gjorgjieva, G. Drion and E. Marder (2016). Computational implications of biophysical diversity and multiple timescales in neurons and synapses for circuit performance. Curr Opin Neurobiol 37:44-52. Lewis L, Siju KP, Aso Y, Friedrich AB, Bulteel AJB, Rubin GM, Grunwald Kadow IC (2015). A higher brain circuit for immediate integration of conflicting sensory information in Drosophila. Current Biology PMID: 26299514, doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2015.07.015 Application: The position will be based at the Technical University of Munich, with frequent visits to the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research in Frankfurt, two of the most exciting and international cities in Germany. Recommended application deadline: March 20, 2018. Applicants will be considered until the position is filled. For further information please visit: http://www.cns.wzw.tum.de and http://www.neuro.wzw.tum.de or email gjorgjieva(a)brain.mpg.de and ilona.grunwald(a)tum.de. To apply, please email the following to: neuro(a)wzw.tum.de (ref. GGK application) 1. A curriculum vitae 2. A letter of motivation explaining your scientific interests, your strengths when working on a problem, why us etc. 3. Contact details for 2 referees 4. A written sample of scientific research, e.g. a manuscript, thesis, or code etc. ----------------------------------------- Julijana Gjorgjieva, PhD Research Group Leader Max Planck Institute for Brain Research Max-von-Laue-Str. 4, Frankfurt Assistant Professor of Computational Neuroscience Technical University of Munich, WZW Freising office: +49 69 850033 3600 http://cns.wzw.tum.de

Feb. 25, 2018