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LASCON 2020 - VIII Latin American School on Computational Neuroscience (Call for applications)
by Antonio Roque Aug. 28, 2019

Aug. 28, 2019

**** Apologies for cross-posting **** VIII Latin American School on Computational Neuroscience - LASCON 2020 January 6-31, 2020, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil www.sisne.org/lascon LASCON Video <https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10FDmMw2IbM> APPLICATION DEADLINE: October 5, 2019 Dear Colleagues, Following the success of the previous editions of LASCON (Latin American School on Computational Neuroscience), I am pleased to announce the 8th LASCON, which will take place January 6-31, 2020 at the NeuroMat Center in the University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil. LASCON aims at introducing young researchers and graduate and advanced undergraduate students to the use of computational and mathematical methods for modeling neurons and neural networks. The following topics will be covered: biophysically detailed single neuron models; reduced and simplified single neuron models; networks of biophysical and simplified neuron models; synaptic plasticity and learning; spike train analysis; statistical methods in neuroscience; models of extracellular fields; modeling of brain stimulation; predictive coding; dynamics of neuronal functional connectivity; and computational psychiatry. These subjects will be illustrated with the use of programs NEURON, neuroConstruct, XPP-AUTO, Matlab, NEST, Brian and the Virtual Brain. Students will have to work on small research projects (to be done in groups of two), which they will present orally at the end of the school. The following lecturers will be in charge of theoretical classes and tutorials: Aline Duarte, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil Antonio Galves,University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil Arnd Roth, University College, London, UK Christophe Pouzat, Paris Descartes University, Paris, France Demian Battaglia, Aix-Marseille University, Marseille, France Eli Shlizerman, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA Emilio Kropf, Leloir Institute Foundation, Buenos Aires, Argentina Gaute Einevoll, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, As, Norway German Mato, Bariloche Atomic Center, San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina Horacio Rotstein, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, USA John Murray, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA Marcelo Reyes, Federal University of ABC, Sao Bernardo do Campo, SP, Brazil Mauricio Girardi-Schappo, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil Mauro Copelli, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil Renan Shimoura, University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil Risto Ilmoniemi, Aalto University, Espoo, Finland Rodrigo Cofre, University of Valparaiso, Valparaiso, Chile Sacha van Albada, Juelich Research Center, Juelich, Germany Salvador Durá-Bernal, State University of New York, New York, NY, USA Volker Steuber, University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield, UK William Lytton, State University of New York, New York, NY, USA The number of students is limited to 20 and applications should be made electronically via the application form in the school's web page ( www.sisne.org/lascon) Applicants are also requested to submit a detailed CV (in English) and to provide two letters of recommendation. The application deadline is October 5, 2019 (until midnight, US Pacific time). There is no registration fee for the school. Costs for accommodation will be covered by the school organization. Travel costs have to be covered by the students. Sao Paulo is the major transportation hub in South America, so it is possible to fly from basically anywhere in the world to its airports. In the selection procedure, priority will be given to Latin-American students, but students from other parts of the world are encouraged to apply as well. LASCON 2020 is an activity of the FAPESP Center for Neuromathematics (NeuroMat - http://neuromat.numec.prp.usp.br/) I am looking forward to see you in Sao Paulo. Best regards, Antonio Roque LASCON Director -- Dr. Antonio C. Roque Professor Associado Departamento de Fisica FFCLRP, Universidade de Sao Paulo 14040-901 Ribeirao Preto-SP Brazil - Brasil E-mails: antonior(a)usp.br <antonior(a)ffclrp.usp.br> aroquesilva(a)gmail.com URL: www.sisne.org Tels: +55 16 3315-3768 <+55%2016%203315-3768> (sala/office); +55 16 3315-3859 <+55%2016%203315-3859> (lab) FAX: +55 16 3315-4887 <+55%2016%203315-4887>

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3 year Research Fellow in Bio-Inspired Artificial Intelligence and Robotics at the University of Sussex
by Thomas Nowotny Aug. 28, 2019

Aug. 28, 2019

Dear all, Research Fellow in Bio-Inspired Artificial Intelligence and Robotics at the University of Sussex Are you a talented and ambitious computer scientist, computational neuroscientist or machine learner? Are you looking for an opportunity to use cutting edge technology to gain new understanding of how small-brained insects learn so rapidly and robustly, and in turn develop novel active AI algorithms that are inspired by these insights? We have an opportunity for a Research Fellow to join the Brains on Board<http://brainsonboard.co.uk/> team at the Department of Informatics at the University of Sussex to join a collaboration with the University of Sheffield and world-leading neuroscientists in Australia through the EPSRC-funded ActiveAI project: active learning and selective attention for rapid, robust and efficient AI. You will develop a new class of ActiveAI controllers for problems in which insects excel but deep learning methods struggle. These problems have one or more of the following characteristics: (i) learning must occur rapidly, (ii) learning samples are few or costly, (iii) computational resources are limited, and (iv) the problem changes over time. Insects deal with such complex tasks robustly despite limited computational power because learning is an active process emerging from the interaction of evolved brains, bodies and behaviours. Through a virtuous cycle of modelling and experiments, you will develop insect-inspired models, in which behavioural strategies and specialised sensors actively structure sensory input while selective attention drives learning to the most salient information. This will be achieved through extended visits to Australia, in which you will interact with biologists and shape novel insect experiments that in turn will inspire computational and robotic models and novel algorithms. In this way, we will both advance neuroscience and enable ActiveAI solutions which will be efficient in final network configuration, robust to real-world conditions and learn rapidly. This project includes significant scope for you to creatively shape and drive the project to your interests and to organise the timing and length of your visits to Australia. You will work under the supervision of Professors Andrew Philippides, Thomas Nowotny and Paul Graham at Sussex as well as the wider Brains on Board team and, together with a partner research fellow at Sheffield University, you will lead a new collaboration with world-leading Australian research partners through extended secondments. Closing date: midnight UK BST, 23 September 2019. For full details see: https://www.sussex.ac.uk/about/jobs/rf-artifical-intellience-robotics-2091 -- Prof Thomas Nowotny Director of Research and Knowledge Exchange School of Engineering and Informatics University of Sussex Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QJ, UK Phone: +441273678593 FAX: +441273877873

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CFP NeurIPS2019 AI↔Neuro Workshop: Real Neurons & Hidden Units
by Jessica Thompson Aug. 28, 2019

Aug. 28, 2019

Call for Papers: NeurIPS2019 Workshop Real Neurons & Hidden Units: Future directions at the intersection of neuroscience and artificial intelligence Workshop website: https://sites.google.com/mila.quebec/neuroaiworkshop <https://sites.google.com/mila.quebec/neuroaiworkshop/home> Submission deadline: September 6, 2019 Contact: neuroaiworkshop(a)gmail.com We invite contributions at the intersection of neuroscience and AI. In particular, we encourage work that identifies novel questions about the brain, which are informed by the recent successes of AI, and that establish key brain mechanisms that hold promise for further advancement of AI. Topical areas include but are not limited to: - study of recurrent dynamics, - inductive biases to guide learning, - global versus local learning rules, - interpretability of network activity, - connectivity structure. A strict requirement for admission is that the topic must be at the intersection of AI and Neuroscience, in that the work must leverage findings from one field to advance the other or address important questions common to both. Submissions must be within four pages. Accepted contributions will be invited to present posters. A select number will be also invited to present short talks. Invited speakers: Ila Fiete (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) Surya Ganguli (Stanford University) Tim Lillicrap (DeepMind/University College London) Doina Precup (McGill University/DeepMind) Blake Richards (McGill University) Cristina Savin (New York University) David Sussillo (Google Brain/Stanford University) Please see the workshop website <https://sites.google.com/mila.quebec/neuroaiworkshop/home> for further details. We look forward to receiving your submission! On behalf of the organizers, Guillaume Lajoie (UdeM/Mila) Eli Shlizerman (UW) Maximilian Puelma Touzel (UdeM/Mila) Konrad Kording (UPenn) Jessica Thompson (UdeM/Mila) and Advisors, Adrienne Fairhall (UW) Yoshua Bengio (UdeM/Mila)

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Academic Fellowship positions Computational Neuroscience, Nottingham
by Mark van Rossum Aug. 28, 2019

Aug. 28, 2019

Academic Fellowship positions Computational Neuroscience, Nottingham (extended deadline) The University of Nottingham is a research intensive university ranked in the top 10 in the UK and in the top 30 of Europe. It has a strong tradition in Cognition, Perception, Mathematical Biology, and Imaging. To support further development across these areas, and stimulate new research opportunities, the University has recently made a major investment in Computational Neuroscience. As part of this investment we are inviting applications for two independent fellowships. The positions are for 3 years, after which the fellows are expected to be competitive candidates for permanent positions at the University. The positions are ideal for researchers with some postdoctoral experience and a strong vision who are planning to develop their own research group in a supportive, interdisciplinary environment with outstanding research facilities. We are interested in candidates working across a broad spectrum of research topics areas in Computational Neuroscience, including functional neuroimaging, neural networks, and models of cognition. Research methodologies could include numerical simulation, machine learning, theoretical neuroscience, and innovative data analysis. The Fellows will be based in the School of Psychology and/or Mathematical Sciences. These positions were advertised earlier. After a number of requests for a later deadline, the application process is now briefly opened again until Sept 3rd. For the online application form see http://jobs.nottingham.ac.uk/SCI215819 Please include a research proposal in your application. For informal inquiries contact Mark van Rossum, mark.vanrossum(a)nottingham.ac.uk, +44-115-7486851 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.

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[Job][Postdoc]: 4yrs senior researcher position and Phd scholarship on Modelling beliefs dynamics of social media users with machine learning methodologies at University of Essex funded by VolkswagenStiftung (Volkswagen Foundation)
by Dimitri Ognibene Aug. 27, 2019

Aug. 27, 2019

** Apologies for cross-postings ** Dear Colleagues, I would be very grateful if you could forward this job advert to anybody who could be interested. The highlight is on machine learning for user interaction modelling. Here are some information for the positions. ** Application deadline 1st of September** To apply https://vacancies.essex.ac.uk/tlive_webrecruitment/wrd/run/ETREC107GF.open?… <https://vacancies.essex.ac.uk/tlive_webrecruitment/wrd/run/ETREC107GF.open?…> https://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/BTV423/senior-research-officer-in-social-media-m… <https://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/BTV423/senior-research-officer-in-social-media-m…> A PhD scholarship on the same topics is also out with deadline on the 30th of August Check <http://sites.google.com/site/dimitriognibenehomepage/jobs>http://sites.google.com/site/dimitriognibenehomepage/ <http://sites.google.com/site/dimitriognibenehomepage/>jobs Kind regards, Dimitri *Postdoc and Phd Positions in: Modelling beliefs dynamics of social media users with machine learning methodologies at University of Essex funded by VolkswagenStiftung (Volkswagen Foundation)* Project: Courage Applications are invited for a 4 years position of Senior Postdoctoral Research Officer and a PhD shcolarship on ht project “COURAGE: A Social Media Companion Safeguarding and Educating Students”. This project is an international collaboration funded by VolkswagenStiftung (Volkswagen Foundation) as part of the Artificial Intelligence and the Society of the Future funding initiative. The project partners include the Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Spain), the Istituto per le Tecnologie Didattiche of the National Council of Research ITD-CNR (Italy), Hochschule Ruhr West (Germany) and the Rhine-Ruhr Institute for System Innovation (Germany). The project aims to develop a Virtual Social Media Companion that educates and supports teenage school students facing the threats of social media such as discrimination and biases as well as hate speech, bullying, fake news and other toxic content. The project involves a substantial experimentation aspect in collaboration with multiple schools around Europe. It will thus provide a unique chance to perform interventions to test the validity of social interaction theories and governance methods. The Essex team will drive two strands of this work, the machine-learning-based user beliefs dynamics modelling aspect and the process of analysing visual and textual content. More specifically, we aim at developing Bayesian computational models of beliefs dynamics of social media users to support governance and educational strategies. These models will also be applied to evaluate socially relevant variables, such as trust and inclusion. We will build on and implement state-of-the-art CV, NLP & AI methods to provide measurements of sentiment, bias, hatefulness, veracity, polarization, and sensationalism of social media content. In addition, we will drive forward the state of the art in detecting hate speech and biased content. The companion will actively counteract this kind of content, balancing it with opposite perspectives and proposing specifically themed challenges adopting ideas used in games. The successful candidate will be based in the School of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering at Colchester Campus of The University of Essex. The post is available for four years with a start date from September 2019. To apply: https://vacancies.essex.ac.uk/tlive_webrecruitment/wrd/run/ETREC107GF.open?… <https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.jobs.ac.uk%2Fjob%2FBSW396%2F…> For more information: https://sites.google.com/site/dimitriognibenehomepage/jobs?authuser=0 <https://sites.google.com/site/dimitriognibenehomepage/jobs?authuser=0> Applicants are encouraged to contact Dr. Dimitri Ognibene <mailto:dimitri.ognibene@essex.ac.uk> (dimitri.ognibene(a)essex.ac.uk <mailto:dimitri.ognibene@essex.ac.uk>) for informal enquiries and further information on research objectives. -- Dimitri Ognibene, PhD Lecturer in Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Department of Computer Science and Electronic Engineering, University of Essex, UK http://sites.google.com/site/dimitriognibenehomepage/ <http://sites.google.com/site/dimitriognibenehomepage/> Skype: dimitri.ognibene

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post-doctoral position in computational neuroscience at Duke University
by Nicolas Brunel Aug. 27, 2019

Aug. 27, 2019

A post-doctoral position is available in the group of Nicolas Brunel in the Department of Neurobiology at Duke University (Durham, NC, USA), to work on theoretical models of learning in the cerebellum. The position is funded by a Brain Initiative NIH grant to a collaboration between Steve Lisberger (Duke), Court Hull (Duke), Javier Medina (Baylor), and Nicolas Brunel, whose goal is to infer learning rules used by the cerebellum using electrophysiological and imaging data of multiple cell types recorded in different animals and different motor tasks. Applicants should have a strong background in computational neuroscience, physics and/or applied mathematics. Prior experience with computational neuroscience is a plus, but it is not required. Applications will be considered until the position is filled. The ideal starting date is before the end of 2019. To apply, send a letter with a CV to nicolas.brunel(a)duke.edu, and ask three people send letters of recommendation to the same address. For more information about the lab, see https://www.neuro.duke.edu/research/faculty-labs/brunel-lab For more information about the position, and a link to apply, see https://careers.duke.edu/job/Durham-POSTDOCTORAL-ASSOCIATE-NEUROBIOLOGY-NC-…

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Doreen Thomas Postdoctoral Fellowships for Women
by Uwe Aickelin Aug. 26, 2019

Aug. 26, 2019

The Melbourne School of Engineering has introduced the Doreen Thomas Postdoctoral Fellowships to attract, or to retain, outstanding female doctoral graduates and provide a career pathway to a global Teaching and Research academic career at the University of Melbourne. We are currently looking for accomplished, enthusiastic, and interested early-career female doctoral graduates for multiple fellowships within the three schools of MSE: * Computing and Information Systems * Chemical and Biomedical Engineering * Electrical, Mechanical and Infrastructure Engineering More details can be found here: LinkedIn<https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/1441685438> Seek<https://www.seek.com.au/job/39782535?searchrequesttoken=9e11c449-42dd-4296-…> University of Melbourne Careers<http://jobs.unimelb.edu.au/caw/en/job/900626/doreen-thomas-postdoctoral-fel…> Applications close Sunday 13 October 2019. About Doreen Thomas “Professor Emeritus Doreen Thomas is a leading academic whose work has spanned the fields of mathematics and electrical and mechanical engineering. Her career at the University of Melbourne has lasted over 40 years and practical applications of her research have had significant commercial impact. Doreen is a powerful advocate for women in engineering and mathematics. She chairs the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Education Forum at the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering. While at the University of Melbourne’s School of Engineering, she helped create nine research fellowships to launch and accelerate the careers of female academics. In 2006, she was appointed the University of Melbourne’s first female professor in engineering. She was the first woman at the university to become head of each of the departments she led, and the first woman in Victoria to become head of two different university departments. Doreen’s long and distinguished career has been inspirational for other women in mathematics and science. She has made significant contributions to knowledge with real-world impact, promoted the next generation of women in STEM disciplines, and taught mathematics to generations of engineering students.” – Vic.gov.au Professor Uwe Aickelin | Head of School of Computing and Information Systems Melbourne School of Engineering Level 8, Doug McDonell Building, 168 Grattan Street The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010 Australia T: +61 3 8344 3635 E: uwe.aickelin(a)unimelb.edu.au<mailto:uwe.aickelin@unimelb.edu.au> http://aickelin.com/ | http://linkedin.com/in/aickelin

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Open Post-doctoral Position in Human Perceptual Neuroscience at NYU
by Persinger, Christine Aug. 23, 2019

Aug. 23, 2019

Post-doctoral Fellowship in Human Perceptual Neuroscience at New York University The Perception and Brain Dynamics Laboratory (PI: Biyu J. He, Ph.D.) at New York University is currently recruiting for a post-doctoral fellow to conduct research to illuminate how prior knowledge shapes perception in the human brain. The planned research project involves a combination of cutting-edge human brain imaging technologies, including ultra-high-field (7 Tesla) fMRI and magnetoencephalography (MEG) in healthy subjects, electrocorticography (ECoG) in neurosurgical patients, along with psychophysics and neuropsychology. We are looking for a candidate with a passion for perceptual and cognitive neuroscience, independent critical thinking, strong analytical and quantitative skills, and good interpersonal skills. Experience with human brain imaging (such as fMRI, MEG, or ECoG) and excellent programming skills are highly desirable. Our laboratory is located on the medical campus of New York University in Manhattan, NY, and is affiliated with the Neuroscience Institute, Department of Neurology, and Department of Radiology. The position is expected to start in fall-winter of 2019, but early spring of 2020 is also possible. We provide competitive salary and benefits that adjust for cost of living in New York City. To apply, please send a CV, a cover letter, a statement of scientific and career goals, and names and contacts of three referees to Prof. Biyu Jade He (email: biyu.jade.he(a)gmail.com<mailto:biyu.jade.he@gmail.com>) with the subject line “post-doctoral application 2019”. We strongly encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible, but no later than Oct 15.

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[jobs] Neural Ego-Noise Reduction for Interactive Robots
by Stefan Wermter Aug. 22, 2019

Aug. 22, 2019

The Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics and Natural Sciences / Department of Informatics invites applications for a RESEARCH ASSOCIATE Ego-Noise Reduction for Interactive Robots - SALARY LEVEL 13 TV-L - The position in accordance with Section 28 subsection 1 of the Hamburg higher education act (Hamburgisches Hochschulgesetz, HmbHG) commences on the earliest possible date. This is a fixed term contract in accordance with Section 2 of the academic fixed-term labor contract act (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz, WissZeitVG). The initial fixed term is three years. The position calls for 75% of standard work hours per week. (Full-time positions currently comprise 39 hours per week.) Responsibilities: Research associates will be expected primarily to teach and conduct research. The research associate will also have the opportunity to pursue further academic qualifications, in particular a doctoral dissertation. At least one-third of set working hours will be made available for the research associate’s own academic work. Specific Duties: The candidate will work in the Signal Processing and the Knowledge Technology groups and will do research on modern methods for single and multichannel speech enhancement for human-robot interfaces. The particular task is to take the specific ego-noise of an interactive robot into account, such as the sound of the motors and the cooling systems of specific robotic platforms. Teaching duties are expected to be 3 hours/week at the BSc Informatics level. Requirements: A university degree in a relevant field. Examples are Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics or Electrical Engineering. We require the candidate to have excellent knowledge in signal processing and neural network learning as well as good programming skills in Python and neural network frameworks. Experience in speech processing is helpful. Fluent English, spoken and written, and good communications skills are mandatory. Knowledge of German is desired; we expect the willingness to learn German for non-native German speakers. The University aims to increase the number of women in research and teaching and explicitly encourages women to apply. Equally qualified female applicants will receive preference in accordance with the Hamburg act on gender equality (Hamburgisches Gleichstellungsgesetz, HmbGleiG). Qualified disabled candidates or applicants with equivalent status receive preference in the application process. For further information, please contact Stefan Wermter (stefan.wermter(a)informatik.uni-hamburg.de) or Timo Gerkmann (timo.gerkmann(a)uni-hamburg.de) or consult our website athttp://www.informatik.uni-hamburg.de/WTM/ orhttp://uhh.de/inf-sp. Applications should include a cover letter, a tabular curriculum vitae, and copies of degree certificate(s). Please send applications by 25.08.2019 to:sp-office@informatik.uni-hamburg.de in a single PDF document. Please start the subject of your Email with [Application Kooperationspromotion]. Please do not submit original documents as we are not able to return them. *********************************************** Professor Dr. Stefan Wermter Director of Knowledge Technology Department of Informatics University of Hamburg Vogt-Koelln-Str. 30 22527 Hamburg, Germany Email: wermter AT informatik.uni-hamburg.de http://www.informatik.uni-hamburg.de/WTM/ ***********************************************

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PhD position - Inverse Reinforcement Learning
by Constantin Rothkopf Aug. 21, 2019

Aug. 21, 2019

The Centre for Cognitive Science at Technische Universitaet Darmstadt, Germany invites applications for a Ph.D. Position in Inverse Reinforcement Learning initially limited to a period of three years. Research area The Ph.D. student is expected to work in the domain of inverse reinforcement learning with the particular focus of elucidating human decision making and collective human decision making in the wild, i.e. under real world conditions. The research project is a joint venture between the Bioinspired Communication Lab and the Psychology of Information Processing Lab, both members of the Centre of Cognitive Science at TU Darmstadt. Accordingly, the student will be advised by Prof. Heinz Koeppl, Department of Electrical Engineering and Prof. Constantin Rothkopf, Institute of Psychology. Work will involve methodological research in machine learning, design of dedicated human behavioral experiments, and the analysis and further processing of gathered data. What we offer We offer a unique interdisciplinary environment to perform cutting-edge research at one of Germany’s leading universities in the domain of computer science and engineering. The student will be embedded in the ongoing research activities within the Centre for Cognitive Science and will hence have the opportunity to interact with many other cognitive science researchers. The conducted research is expected to culminate in a Ph.D. degree. We offer comprehensive support for dissemination of results through leading scientific journals and through participation in leading international conferences and workshops. Your profile Candidates should have a M.Sc. degree in one of the following fields: computer science, physics, mathematics, engineering, or cognitive science. Candidates are required to have a sincere interest in interdisciplinary research at the crossroad of psychology and computer science. Application We look forward to receiving your application, consisting of a cover letter in which you lay out your interest in the indicated research area, curriculum vitae, copies of certificates and contact details of at least two academic references. Please send your application package as a single PDF file to application(a)bcs.tu-darmstadt.de. Code No. 487. The position is initially advertised till September 9th 2019, but later applications will be considered until the position is filled. -- Constantin A. Rothkopf, PhD http://www.pip.tu-darmstadt.de/ http://www.cogsci.tu-darmstadt.de/ http://www.ai-da.tu-darmstadt.de/

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