- Comp-neuro - lists.cnsorg.org

Closed-Loop Deep Learning with Robotics, NECO Vol 32, No 11
by Sama Daryanavard (PGR) 23 Nov '20

23 Nov '20

Dear Colleagues, In our paper we present Closed-Loop Deep Learning which combines the power of deep learning and classical control to create an efficient analogue multi-layered fast learning paradigm, for robotic navigation. At the heart of this algorithm is an error signal that arises from a reflex which is delicately used to both drive the closed loop system and train the deep learner simultaneously. Through mathematical derivation in z-space we show how to implement back-propagation in a closed-loop system. Preprint: https://arxiv.org/abs/2001.02970 Neural Computation (final version): https://www.mitpressjournals.org/doi/abs/10.1162/neco_a_01317?journalCode=n… Please do not hesitate to get in touch for a copy of the paper and to discuss your thoughts. Warmest Regards, Sama Daryanavard Dr Bernd Porr Biomedical Engineering Division, School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8QQ, U.K.

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PhD programs in computational and theoretical neuroscience at the University of Washington
by Adrienne L Fairhall 23 Nov '20

23 Nov '20

Looking for PhD opportunities? Join the vibrant, collaborative theoretical/computational neuroscience community at University of Washington in Seattle! Research areas span the full spectrum of scales, mechanisms, and functions of the brain — from the cellular biophysics of computation to brainwide models of neural processing and cognition to next-generation brain/computer interfaces. The Computational Neuroscience Center <https://cneuro-web01.s.uw.edu>, directed by Adrienne Fairhall and Eric Shea-Brown, is a hub for research in mathematical and computational neuroscience, connecting researchers at the University of Washington across campus and to the extended neuroscience community in the Pacific Northwest including the Allen Institute <https://alleninstitute.org/what-we-do/brain-science/>. UW is home to the Center for Neurotechnology <http://www.csne-erc.org/>, a leader in BCI technologies and neuroethics, and a member of the Weill Neurohub <https://www.weillneurohub.org/>, which collaboratively links UW with researchers with the neuroscience communities at UCSF and UC Berkeley. Specialized training is available in data science through the eScience Institute <https://escience.washington.edu>. Please visit our webpage <https://cneuro-web01.s.uw.edu> to learn more about faculty research interests and our wide range of community activities. The neuroscience community at UW is interdisciplinary, and students have the freedom to work across departments. Programs of interest to students wishing to study computational neuroscience include (w/ computational faculty in bold): NEUROSCIENCE <https://grad.uw.edu/admission/find-a-program/program-detail/#!?progid=76>(Deadline Nov. 30): faculty include Nick Steinmetz, Wyeth Bair, Anitha Pasupathy, Beth Buffalo, Bing Brunton, Ione Fine, David Gire, Jeff Ojemann, Adrienne Fairhall, Eric Shea-Brown, Jeff Riffell, Steve Perlmutter, Fred Rieke, John Tuthill COMPUTER SCIENCE <https://grad.uw.edu/admission/find-a-program/program-detail/#!?progid=29> (Deadline Dec. 15): faculty include Raj Rao APPLIED MATH <https://grad.uw.edu/admission/find-a-program/program-detail/#!?progid=3> (Deadline Dec. 15): faculty include Eric Shea-Brown, Nathan Kutz, Eli Shlizerman, Bing Brunton, and Adrienne Fairhall as well as Allen Institute affiliate faculty Michael Buice and Stefan Mihalas BIOLOGY <https://grad.uw.edu/admission/find-a-program/program-detail/#!?progid=641> (Deadline December 1): faculty include Bing Brunton, David Perkel, Jeff Riffell, Tom Daniel ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING <https://grad.uw.edu/admission/find-a-program/program-detail/#!?progid=213> (Deadline Dec. 15): faculty include Chet Moritz, Amy Orsborn, Azadeh Yazdan-Shahmorad, Howard Chizeck BIOENGINEERING <https://grad.uw.edu/admission/find-a-program/program-detail/#!?progid=14> (Deadline Dec. 1): Faculty include Amy Orsborn, Azadeh Yazdan-Shahmorad, Jay Rubinstein PSYCHOLOGY <https://grad.uw.edu/admission/find-a-program/program-detail/#!?progid=97> (Deadline Dec. 1): Faculty include Sheri Mizumori, Ariel Rokem, David Gire, Ione Fine, Geoff Boynton, Eliot Brenowitz, Andrea Stocco BIOSTATISTICS <https://grad.uw.edu/admission/find-a-program/program-detail/#!?progid=177> (Deadline December 1): Faculty include Daniela Witten and Ali Shojaie PHYSICS <https://grad.uw.edu/admission/find-a-program/program-detail/#!?progid=95> (Deadline Jan 5. ): faculty include Adrienne Fairhall, Fred Rieke

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IEEE WIE ILS - ITALY: virtual event on Dec 15th, 2020
by Michela Chiappalone 23 Nov '20

23 Nov '20

Dear friends and colleagues, we would like to let you know about this *free of charge* virtual IEEE Women in Engineering (WIE) event which will be held on December 15th 4.00PM CET. We will present two case studies of leader women in STEM and we will create awareness on mental health problems, especially arising in the research community. More information, the full speaker list and registration page can be found at this link: https://wieils-italy.eu/ IEEE WIE mission is to connect and to advance women in technology at all points in their life and career. WIE periodically organizes International Leadership Summits (ILS), providing leading-edge professional development sessions focusing on leadership, innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship that aims to inspire and advance mid-level and senior technical professionals globally. The December 15th virtual event is part of IEEE WIE International Leadership Summit (ILS) that was supposed to take place this year in Genova (Italy). Due to the pandemic, the live event has been postponed to November 2021 and further notice on it will be provided in the next months. Thank you for your kind attention and looking forward to your participation! Best regards, Michela Chiappalone & Marianna Semprini, organizers IEEE WIE ILS ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr Michela Chiappalone, PhD Researcher Rehab Technologies IIT-INAIL Lab Phone : +39 010 71781743 E-mail : michela.chiappalone(a)iit.it<mailto:michela.chiappalone@iit.it> ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI TECNOLOGIA Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova Site: www.iit.it<https://eur02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.iit.it…>

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Tenure-Track Assistant Professor Position in Neuroscience and Behavior
by Sébastien Hélie 21 Nov '20

21 Nov '20

Department of Psychological Sciences Tenure-Track Assistant Professor Position in Neuroscience and Behavior Date Available: August 2021 Principal Duties: Purdue University’s Department of Psychological Sciences invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Neuroscience and Behavior to begin in the Fall of 2021. The successful candidate will be expected to develop a program of nationally recognized research and teach undergraduate and graduate level courses. You can learn more about our department at our website: https://www.purdue.edu/hhs/psy/. Qualifications: The candidate must have a Ph.D. in psychology, neuroscience, or a related field and should have appropriate postdoctoral experience. Candidates should have a strong publication record, a research program with a high likelihood of obtaining external funding, and potential for teaching and mentoring excellence. We are particularly interested in candidates whose research is at the intersection of neuroscience and aging, but we will consider all candidates who conduct research in neuroscience, broadly defined. The College & University: The Department of Psychological Sciences is the largest Department in the College of HHS (http://www.purdue.edu/hhs/) which is the second largest college at Purdue. The department's graduate program in Neuroscience and Behavior was recently restructured to integrate research in human neuroscience within the program's traditional focus on (non-human) animal neuroscience. The Psychological Sciences faculty have strong connections with centers, institutes, and resources across campus, including the Life Science MRI Facility (https://www.purdue.edu/hhs/mri/) the Center for Research on Brain, Behavior, and NeuroRehabilitation (CEREBBRAL; https://www.purdue.edu/hhs/cerebbral/) the Purdue Institute for Integrative Neuroscience (PIIN; https://www.purdue.edu/discoverypark/institute-for-integrative-neuroscience/) and the Center on Aging and the Life Course (CALC; https://www.purdue.edu/aging/about) Established in 1869, Purdue is Indiana’s land-grant university, a comprehensive educational and research institution and member of the American Association of Universities. The West Lafayette campus, located one hour north of Indianapolis and two hours south of downtown Chicago, has ten academic colleges with an enrollment of 44,500 students from over 133 countries. The diverse greater Lafayette/West Lafayette community (http://www.homeofpurdue.com) has a population of approximately 200,000, and a low cost of living. Application Procedure: Applications must include (1) a cover letter of interest, (2) a curriculum vitae, (3) a research statement, (4) three peer-reviewed research articles, (5) a teaching statement, and (6) a diversity, equity, and inclusion statement (see below), and 7) contact information for three references. Application materials should be submitted by January 6th, 2021 for full consideration. Review of applications will continue until the position is filled. A background check is required for employment in this position. Questions regarding the position may be sent to Dr. Julia Chester, Chair of the Search Committee (jcheste(a)purdue.edu) Interested candidates should apply to https://career8.successfactors.com/sfcareer/jobreqcareer?jobId=12135&compan…. Purdue University’s Department of Psychological Sciences is committed to advancing diversity in all areas of faculty effort including discovery, instruction, and engagement. Candidates should address at least one of these areas in the separate Diversity and Inclusion Statement, indicating their past experiences, current interests or activities, and/or future goals to promote a climate that values diversity and inclusion. Equal Opportunity: Purdue University is an EOE/AA employer. All individuals, including minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Sébastien Hélie, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Psychological Sciences Director of CEREBBRAL -- Offices: PRCE 359 / DLR 331 Phone: (765) 496-2692 Website: http://ccn.psych.purdue.edu/ ----------------------------------------------------------------

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Postdoctoral position in computational neuroscience at UCSF and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
by Kirst, Christoph 21 Nov '20

21 Nov '20

The lab of Christoph Kirst<https://profiles.ucsf.edu/christoph.kirst> at UCSF<https://weill.ucsf.edu/> and the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory<https://www.lbl.gov/research-areas/> is looking for a postdoctoral scholar working at the interface between theoretical neuroscience and neuromorphic computing. The project seeks to explore mechanisms underlying dynamical self-reconfiguration of neuronal networks in brains and machines. Areas of interest are broad and include adaptive processing in dynamically self-reconfiguring neuronal networks, coordination of large scale distributed computation as well as energy efficient neuromorphic hardware. A potential research direction is to explore oscillatory mechanisms to coordinate computation and implement those into neuromorphic hardware of super-conducting oscillators. The ideal candidate would be capable of creating novel ideas and frameworks for flexible analog computation in neuronal and artificial networks. Experience with computation in dynamical systems, theoretical and experimental neuroscience, machine learning, neuromorphic computing or hardware design are advantageous. Interactions between researchers at UC San Francisco, UC Berkeley and at LBNL are encouraged. Postdoctoral researchers will have access to allocations on some of the world-leading supercomputers including Cori, and Perlmutter (Berkeley/NERSC). The lab is committed to providing a diverse and inclusive environment for all scholars, and applications are especially encouraged from all underrepresented groups. Additionally, the lab is committed to the professional development of the members, making it valuable preparation for people who are interested in academic, industrial, or entrepreneurial careers. The position has no mandatory teaching or administrative duties. Excellent (written and oral) communication skills in English are required Candidates should send a CV, a statement of research experience and interests, expected date of availability, and the contact information for three references to christoph.kirst(a)ucsf.edu. Application review will proceed until the position is filled. Christoph Kirst Assistant Professor Department of Anatomy Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience University of California San Francisco Faculty Scientist Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Sandler Neuroscience Building 675 Nelson Rising Lane, Suite 514G San Francisco, 94158, CA, USA Phone: 415-502-7372 https://profiles.ucsf.edu/christoph.kirst [cid:b1051939-2ae0-4294-a389-d3100054eba7]

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Job Posting: MindCORE Research Fellowship for Postdoctoral Scholars at the University of Pennsylvania (apply by Jan 14)
by Calvert, Heather J 20 Nov '20

20 Nov '20

MindCORE Research Fellowship for Postdoctoral Scholars MindCORE (Mind Center for Outreach, Research, and Education) seeks to recruit outstanding postdoctoral researchers for our Research Fellowship for Postdoctoral Scholars. Housed within the School of Arts & Sciences of the University of Pennsylvania, MindCORE is an interdisciplinary effort to understand human intelligence and behavior. Designed for individuals who have recently obtained a PhD degree in psychology, linguistics, neuroscience, philosophy, computer science or other cognitive science discipline, the MindCORE Fellowship is a springboard for young researchers as they establish their own research program. Fellows are also encouraged to pursue collaborative research with faculty working across disciplines at Penn. Benefits Fellows receive a competitive salary, relocation allowance, health insurance plus a modest research budget. Fellows also benefit from access to the greater community of academics including visiting scholars plus leading research facilities equipped with cutting-edge instrumentation all on an urban campus in a vibrant city. Fellows are invited to join regular working group meetings within their field plus career development workshops aimed at young researchers, and will be provided with a mentoring committee. Funding is provided in one year terms renewable for up to three years. Eligibility & Application * Applicants must have formally completed all requirements of the PhD degree and provide a copy of their diploma at the time of appointment. Candidates must submit 1-2 page research statement that identifies at least three MindCORE faculty at Penn (https://mindcore.sas.upenn.edu/people/faculty-and-associates/) with whom the applicant would be interested in collaborating, along with a CV and contact information for two referees. * Submitted documents should be saved with candidate's Lastname_Firstname.PDF in one PDF file in this order: research statement, CV, referees (name, affiliation, email address). Complete applications should be submitted through the form on our website: https://web.sas.upenn.edu/mindcore/post-doctoral-research-fellowship/. Questions can be emailed to pennmindcore(a)sas.upenn.edu<mailto:pennmindcore@sas.upenn.edu> * Applications due January 14, 2021. Selection All eligible and complete applications will be evaluated by the Selection Committee and are judged on the following criteria: * Scientific excellence * Scientific match and interdisciplinarity * Career potential MindCORE awards ~2 post-doctoral Fellowships per year. Positions may start as early as July 1, 2021. Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class. Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job. Thank you for posting/sharing! Heather J. Calvert (she / her) Executive Director, MindCORE, University of Pennsylvania Penn's hub for the integrative study of the mind. hcalvert(a)sas.upenn.edu<mailto:hcalvert@sas.upenn.edu> https://web.sas.upenn.edu/mindcore/ Follow MindCORE on Twitter & Facebook @PennMindCORE

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The KiloNeurons ERC project: post-doctoral and PhD research positions in theoretical neuroscience
by Yoram Burak 20 Nov '20

20 Nov '20

The Burak Lab at the Hebrew University is recruiting *post-doctoral research associates* and *graduate students* in theoretical neuroscience to take part in an *ERC Synergy* research project led by Edvard Moser (NTNU) and Yoram Burak (HUJI). The €10M *KiloNeurons* project is a collaborative endeavor bringing together theoretical and experimental researchers from the two labs, aiming to identify how thousands of neurons in the mammalian cortex interact with each other to achieve computational and cognitive functions. Team members at HUJI will develop theories of neural network dynamics and methodologies for interpretation of large scale neural recordings. Experimental data will be collected in the Moser Lab, and analyzed in close collaboration between the labs. Research will be conducted at the *Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences*, offering a superb intellectual environment for interdisciplinary brain research, with a strong emphasis on systems and computational neuroscience. The Burak Lab is affiliated also with the *Racah Institute of Physics*. Extensive interaction, including research visits, will take place with the *Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience* (Trondheim, Norway). *Postdoctoral research positions* Candidates for postdoctoral positions must have an excellent research record in theoretical neuroscience, theoretical physics, mathematics, computer science, or a related field, and a keen interest in computational neuroscience. Experience with research related to machine learning, statistical physics, nonlinear dynamics, information theory, or large-scale data analysis, as well as familiarity with research in computational neuroscience are advantageous, but not individually required. We are looking for candidates with excellent abilities in theoretical research, strong intellectual curiosity and drive, and an interest in relating theory to experimental data. *To apply for postdoctoral research positions*Please send the following information to yoram.burak(a)elsc.huji.ac.il in a *single PDF file*: 1. Curriculum vitae 2. List of publications 3. Brief statement of research interests 4. The names and contact details of three references Please include the text 'POSTDOC_APPLICATION' in the subject header of the email. *Deadline*: For full consideration, applications must be received by December 21, 2020. *Graduate student positions*Candidates for graduate student positions must have an excellent record from their undergraduate studies in physics, mathematics, computer science, or a related field, and a keen interest in computational neuroscience. We are looking for candidates with an excellent ability to learn new topics and with superb intellectual curiosity and drive. Students can join through the physics Ph.D. program at the Racah Institute of Physics, or the Ph.D. program in brain sciences at the Edmond and Lily Safra Center. Other graduate study programs at the Hebrew University may be appropriate, depending on the background of the candidate. *To apply for graduate student positions*Please send the following information to yoram.burak(a)elsc.huji.ac.il in a* single PDF file*: 1. Curriculum vitae 2. Grade transcripts from undergraduate studies and, if applicable, M.Sc. studies 3. Brief statement (up to one page) describing why you would like to join the project as a graduate student 4. M.Sc. graduates: please provide the names and contact details of two references Please include the text 'PHD_APPLICATION' in the subject header of the email. *Deadline*: University deadlines and possible starting dates depend on the specific program joined. For full consideration in this search please apply by December 21, 2020. *See also*: https://www.buraklab.me/kiloneurons https://sciencebusiness.net/network-updates/ntnu-eu10m-erc-synergy-grant-no…

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Assistant Professorin Computational Neuroscience (W1) with tenure track option (to W2) - Institute of Cognitive Science, Osnabrueck
by Prof. Pipa 20 Nov '20

20 Nov '20

The School of Human Sciences at Osnabrück University seeks to appoint, at the Institute of Cognitive Science, an Assistant Professor (m/f/d) in Computational Neuroscience at the earliest possible date. This tenure-track Professorship is funded by the German Federal Government under its Program for the Promotion of Young Academics (Tenure-Track Program). Research experience in the field of experimental and computer aided Human Cognitive Neuroscience, proven by a publication record in recognized scientific journals is expected. Further, on the theoretical side, significant experience in training and analysing deep neural networks as models of brain functions is required. Experimental work should cover a variety of methods, including, e.g., EEG, MEG, fMRI, TMS and Eyetracking, combined with advanced analysis by machine learning methods. Research should be in the area of experimental and computer aided Cognitive Neuroscience. The professorship complements and cooperates with the existing research groups of the Institute of Cognitive Science at Osnabrück University. Further, the holder of the position should actively contribute to existing and future collaborative research projects (currently, the RTG Situated Cognition, RTG Computational Cognition, and SIDDATA) and should participate in the respective continuation research proposals. In addition, the professorship should represent the complete range of the subject in both research and teaching in all degree programs of Cognitive Science (BSc, MSc, PhD). Teaching is in English. Osnabrück University is a certified family-friendly university and is committed to helping working/studying parents balance their family and working lives. Osnabrück University is actively seeking to increase the number of female Professors in its employ. Applications from women are therefore particularly welcome. You can find more information here. https://www.uni-osnabrueck.de/universitaet/stellenangebote/professuren-junio rprofessuren/ For further information, please contact Prof. Dr Gordon Pipa, E-Mail: gpipa(a)uni-osnabrueck.de. Please submit your application by January 03, 2021 (bewerbungfb08(a)uni-osnabrueck.de enter the code word "CN" in the subject of your e-mail ) We look forward to receiving your application. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------- Professor and Chair of the Neuroinformatics Department Dr. rer. nat. Gordon Pipa Institute of Cognitive Science, Room 50/218 tel. +49 (0) 541-969-2277 fax (private). +49 (0) 5405- 500 80 98 home office. +49 (0) 5405- 500 90 95 e-mail: gpipa(a)uos.de webpage: http://www.ni.uos.de research gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Gordon_Pipa/?ev=prf_act linkedin: https://de.linkedin.com/in/gordon-pipa-47771539 Personal Assistent and Secretary of the Neuroinformatic lab: Anna Jungeilges Tel. +49 (0)541 969-2390 Fax +49 (0)541 969-2246 Email: anna.jungeilges(a)uni-osnabrueck.de visit us on http://www.facebook.com/CognitiveScienceOsnabruck https://twitter.com/#!/CogSciUOS

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Call for 2021 Telluride Neuromorphic Cognition Engineering Workshop Topic Area Proposals
by Emre Neftci 20 Nov '20

20 Nov '20

The Telluride Neuromorphic 2021 Workshop Organizers are soliciting topic area proposals for the 2021 Telluride Neuromorphic Cognition Engineering Workshop ( https://sites.google.com/view/tellurideneuromorphic2021/home ) which will run from June 27 to July 16 2021. Details of the call can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oVU27pg-O3hIRepgfx1GnrZawiDhG6zNBsTty_k… Important upcoming dates: - 17.12.2020: Proposer's Day (5pm CET (9am USA Mountain Time). We will answer questions from prospective proposers about the topic area organization. - 01.15.2021: Deadline for Topic Area Proposals. -- Emre Neftci, PhD, Assistant Professor, Neuromorphic Machine Intelligence Lab (http://nmi-lab.org/) Department of Cognitive Sciences, 2308 Social & Behavioral Sciences Gateway Building, UC Irvine 92697-5100

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PhD opportunity: Neurocomputational mechanisms of decision making
by Simon Kelly 19 Nov '20

19 Nov '20

Applications are invited for a *fully-funded, 4-year PhD* position in the Kelly lab in University College Dublin, to work on a project examining the task-adaptive role of evidence accumulation in perceptual decision making using human neurophysiology combined with computational modelling. This project is funded under a Wellcome Trust Investigator Award, by the SFI-HRB-Wellcome Research Partnership. The extent to which evidence accumulation underpins decision formation in some or all perceptual tasks is still widely debated. Accordingly, there now exist many distinct, alternative mathematical decision models that limit the role of evidence accumulation in various ways, most notably through leaky integration or "collapsing" decision bounds. The trouble is, these alternative models can often be made to fit behavioral data equally well but lead to fundamentally different inferences. With the rapidly growing use of these models across many basic and clinical research domains, it is past time that we knew whether, why and how these alternative mechanisms are invoked across different task scenarios, including ones representative of real life. This project will draw on novel neurally-informed modelling approaches developed by our lab (see, e.g. [1-3]) and others, to uncover core principles governing how neurocomputational decision processes are flexibly adapted to diverse task demands. The Kelly lab is based in the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering in University College Dublin, Ireland, and is affiliated with the Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience. It has strong collaborative links to basic and clinical cognitive neuroscience research groups employing a range of methods, both locally and internationally. The successful candidate will have ample opportunities for wider collaborations and the learning of new skills. Interested candidates should submit their CV and a brief research statement describing their background and research interests and how they align with the project and the broader interests of the Kelly lab, to simon.kelly(a)ucd.ie. The PhD position is intended to start in Sept 2021, with some flexibility. [1] Afacan-Seref K, Steinemann NA, Blangero A, Kelly SP. Dynamic interplay of value and sensory information in high-speed decision making. Current Biology. 2018. 28(5):795-802.e6. [2] Kelly SP, Corbett EA, O'Connell RG. Neurocomputational mechanisms of prior-informed perceptual decision making in humans. Nature Human Behaviour. In Press. [3] O'Connell RG, Shadlen MN, Wong-Lin K, Kelly SP. Bridging Neural and Computational Viewpoints on Perceptual Decision-Making. Trends Neurosci. 2018;41(11):838‐852. doi:10.1016/j.tins.2018.06.005 ----------------------------------------------------------- Simon Kelly, Ph.D. Associate Professor School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering University College Dublin t: +353 (1) 716 1803 e: simon.kelly(a)ucd.ie -----------------------------------------------------------

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