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World wide VVTNS series (6th season): Equilibrium Geometry and Chaotic Dynamics in Large Recurrent Neural Networks | Giancarlo La Camera, Stonybrook University| Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at 11:00 am ET

by David Hansel

[image: VVTNS.png] https://www.wwtns.online <https://streaklinks.com/A9c7PbbpKY7PxB6PaAJWGD3-/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wwtns.on…> - on twitter: wwtns@TheoreticalWide You are cordially invited to the lecture Giancarlo La Camera Stonybrook University on the topic of Equilibrium Geometry and Chaotic Dynamics in Large Recurrent Neural Networks The lecture will be held on Zoom on May 27, 2026 at *11:00 am ET * > To receive the link: https://www.wwtns.online/register-page > *Abstract: *Large recurrent networks are important models in several fields, including neuroscience, machine learning, physics, and applied mathematics. Yet their dynamics are difficult to study directly, because high-dimensional nonlinear systems can exhibit rich behavior that is hard to summarize in terms of individual trajectories. In this talk, I will discuss an approach that seeks to understand such dynamics through the structure of the network’s equilibria. I will focus on a random balanced network of threshold-linear units that undergoes a transition from a single stable equilibrium to extensive chaos as the disorder strength crosses a critical value. Using a combination of Kac–Rice theory, replica calculations, numerical root-finding, and dynamical mean-field theory, we show that the chaotic regime contains an exponentially large number of equilibria. These equilibria are all saddles, but with only a fractionally small number of unstable directions. Surprisingly, despite the completely random connectivity, the equilibria are not scattered randomly through phase space. Instead, they are strongly correlated and confined to a comparatively small region. The chaotic attractor lies within this same region, suggesting a direct geometric link between the organization of unstable equilibria and the collective structure of the dynamics. This picture helps explain why networks with extensive chaos can nevertheless display dynamics dominated by a relatively small number of collective modes. More broadly, the results suggest that the geometry of equilibria provides a useful complementary perspective to dynamical mean-field theory for understanding high-dimensional neural dynamics. *About VVTNS : Launched as the World Wide Theoretical Neuroscience Seminar (WWTNS) in November 2020 and renamed in homage to Carl van Vreeswijk in Memoriam (April 20, 2022), Speakers have the occasion to talk about theoretical aspects of their work which cannot be discussed in a setting where the majority of the audience consists of experimentalists. The seminars, **held on Wednesdays at 11 am ET,** are 45-50 min long followed by a discussion. The talks are recorded with authorization of the speaker and are available to everybody on our YouTube channel.* ᐧ ᐧ

May 24, 2026

Late-breaking poster abstract submission for the 35th Annual Computational Neuroscience Meeting CNS*2026

by Rubchinsky, Leonid L

Dear Colleagues, We are inviting abstracts for the late-breaking poster-only presentations at the 35th Annual Computational Neuroscience Meeting CNS*2026, Halifax, Canada, July 11-15, 2026. The deadline to submit a late-breaking poster abstracts is June 4. Note that one of the authors must register as a sponsoring author for the main meeting before abstract submission. Please follow the formatting guidelines on the submission site. Registration: https://ocns.memberclicks.net/cns-2026-registration Abstract submission: https://www.cnsorg.org/cns-2026-abstract-submission CNS*2026 information: https://www.cnsorg.org/cns-2026 With kind regards, Leonid Rubchinsky OCNS Vice President, on behalf of the OCNS Board of Directors *********************** Leonid Rubchinsky, PhD Professor Department of Mathematical Sciences, Indiana University Indianapolis Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine 402 N. Blackford St Indianapolis, IN 46202-3216 lrubchin(a)iu.edu https://lrubchin.pages.iu.edu ***********************

May 22, 2026

9th Summer School in Computational Biology — Coimbra, Sept 1–12, 2026

by Renato Duarte

9th Summer School in Computational Biology — from molecules to tissues ===================================================================== Dates: September 1 – 12, 2026 Venue: University of Coimbra, Portugal Website: https://www.uc.pt/events/computationalbiology/ Apply: https://forms.gle/DGehyz1Mbecu5TnT6 Contact: computational.biology(a)uc.pt The Computational Biology network at the University of Coimbra is pleased to announce the 9th edition of the Summer School in Computational Biology. This year with a dedicated Computational Neuroscience day. The school is an intensive introductory course aimed at students from the M.Sc. to postdoctoral levels, with either biological or quantitative-science backgrounds, who wish to acquire skills in computational biology. Applications from B.Sc. students with outstanding records will also be considered. Structure --------- * Introductory lectures, in parallel tracks: - mathematics and physics for biologists - biology for exact-science students * Specialised courses spanning the molecular to the integrated-physiological scales * Seminars on cutting-edge developments by world-leading scientists * Hands-on research projects, applying acquired skills to real problems Topics ------ * Core principles for modelling biological systems * Molecular dynamics of lipid membranes and proteins * Protein–ligand interactions and drug discovery * Data science and AI in biology and biomedicine * Genomics / transcriptomics for characterising cellular mechanisms * Kinetic modelling of metabolic and signalling processes * Modelling of tissues in health and disease * Computational neuroscience / NeuroAI Illustrative applications emphasise biomedical problems. Application ----------- Apply here: https://forms.gle/DGehyz1Mbecu5TnT6 Deadline: May 31 Registration fee for selected candidates: €150 - decisions announced by June 7 - payment due within one week of acceptance, no later than June 15 Further information: https://www.uc.pt/events/computationalbiology/ Queries: computational.biology(a)uc.pt — The Computational Biology network, University of Coimbra (forwarded by Renato Duarte, CNC-UC)

May 22, 2026

On behalf of Davide Carbone: Workshop 'A Scientist's Guide to AI', November 2-5, Paris

by Reinoud Maex

Dear colleagues, We are pleased to announce SGAP 2026 (A Scientist's Guide to AI - Paris), a thematic school for researchers and PhD students in the Île-de-France region who want to get started with machine learning tools in their research. The event will take place November 2–5, 2026, at INRIA Paris (13th arrondissement). The program runs over three days: * two days of tutorials covering ML fundamentals and deep learning. * a third day (Nov 4th) showcasing concrete examples of AI applications across scientific fields. The targeted audience are researchers and students in biology, chemistry, physics and related fields. No prerequisites are needed in machine learning, only core mathematical knowledge and prior python programming will be assumed. Pre-registration are open on the conference website: https://sgap.sciencesconf.org/<https://sgap.sciencesconf.org>, where you can also find the tentative program. Registration is free but mandatory for attendance. See you in November!

May 22, 2026

Postdoctoral Associate in Computational Neuroscience at UWF

by Shusen Pu

Dear comp-neuro community, I am hiring a postdoctoral associate to join my research group at the University of West Florida, supported by the UWF Center for Computational Intelligence. The position focuses on developing interpretable AI and computational modeling frameworks to study fundamental questions in neuroscience. The postdoctoral researcher will work on projects integrating neural recordings, dynamical systems models, recurrent neural networks, and modern AI approaches to study cognition, neural dynamics, and motor control. The position will also involve close collaboration with experimental collaborators, model-data integration, generation of testable predictions, manuscript preparation, and development of preliminary results for NSF/NIH grant proposals. Candidates with backgrounds in computational neuroscience, neuroscience, applied mathematics, statistics/biostatistics, computer science, artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, or related fields are encouraged to apply. Strong programming skills in Python and/or MATLAB are required. Experience with computational neuroscience, interpretable AI, machine learning, dynamical systems, recurrent neural networks, neural population data analysis, EEG/ERP analysis, or reproducible computational workflows would be especially welcome. The position is approved for 2 years, with funding available to extend to a 3rd year depending on progress and agreed-upon goals. The salary range is $65,000–$80,000 annually. The preferred response date is July 15, 2026. The position is based at the University of West Florida in Pensacola, Florida. Postdocs are expected to live locally and work on campus, with schedule flexibility coordinated with the PI. Applicants must apply through the official UWF Careers website: https://careers.uwf.edu/jobs/postdoctoral-associate-130210-pensacola-main-c… Applicants should submit a CV, letter of interest, and three recommendations through the UWF application system. Please note that employment-based visa sponsorship will not be considered for this position. Please feel free to share this announcement with potentially interested candidates. Best regards, Shusen Pu -- Shusen Pu, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Department of Mathematics and Statistics University of West Florida 850.474.2180 Office <850.474.2180> spu(a)uwf.edu Pu's MIND Lab: https://www.pusmindlab.com/ <https://www.shusenpu.com/> [image: University of West Florida logo] <https://uwf.edu/> [image: U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges Regional Universities South 2026 badge.] <https://uwf.edu/rankings/>

May 21, 2026

FSL Neuroimaging Course 2026 - Registration

by Rezvan Farahibozorg

Dear all, Registration is still open for FSL Course 2026, which will be held in-person June 22nd – 26th in Bordeaux, France. You can find details and registration info here: https://open.oxcin.ox.ac.uk/pages/fslcourse/website/upcoming.html This comprehensive neuroimaging course will cover basic and more advanced analysis tools, as available in FSL software. The course will cover the theory and practice of functional, structural, diffusion and resting state brain image analysis. Background concepts and the practicalities of analyses are taught in detailed lectures. These lectures are interleaved with hands-on practical sessions, where attendees learn how to carry out analysis for themselves on real data. The contents covered in the course are primarily aimed at applications in basic science and clinical research (not clinical practice). If you have any questions, please feel free to contact: fslcourse(a)ndcn.ox.ac.uk We hope to see you at the course! The FSL Course team

May 21, 2026

Two open PhD positions at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics

by Roxana Zeraati

Dear all, I recently started my research group at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics in Tübingen, Germany, and we currently have two open PhD positions. In "Natural Decision Making Group <https://www.kyb.tuebingen.mpg.de/906930/natural-decision-making>", we aim to understand how animals learn the dynamics of their environment across different timescales and adapt their decisions accordingly. We study this in the context of foraging behavior, which allows us to link neural, behavioral, and environmental dynamics in naturalistic settings. Specifically, we develop data-driven, species-specific computational models by integrating methods from reinforcement learning, dynamical systems, and AI. Here you can find more information about the PhD positions and the application process: https://nextcloud.tuebingen.mpg.de/index.php/s/bYwTJibWPXW6NMH I would appreciate it if you could share this call with anyone who might be interested in your academic network. Best wishes, Roxana Zeraati Minerva Fast Track Group Leader Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics

May 20, 2026

Call for participation & posters - workshop “Cortex Structure and Function in Monkey, Mouse and Man” (Sep 21-24, 2026)

by von Behren, Christina

Dear all, hereby, we would like to draw your attention to the upcoming workshop “Cortex Structure and Function in Monkey, Mouse and Man”. This workshop aims to bring together researchers from the fields of systems neuroscience, comparative transcriptomics, connectomics, and primate palaeobiology in one place to foster mutual awareness and interdisciplinary discussions as well as identify yet unknown principles in the development, organization and function of the primate brain from computational and experimental points of view. * when: Sep 21-24, 2026 * where: Hanse Wissenschaftskolleg (HWK) Delmenhorst, Germany * pre-registration by May 31, 2026 via https://www.uni-bremen.de/hwk-workshop-2026 workshop outline: Evolution in mammal brains has formed basic building blocks that might superficially look similar, but are organized in different structures and are obviously specialized for distinct computations. Accumulating evidence indicates that, while rodents are close evolutionary relatives to our own primate lineage, fundamental changes on all levels of brain organization occurred at the primate-rodent-split. In addition, subsequent primate evolution appears to be marked by apparently qualitative grade shifts. Recent progress across distinct disciplines provides a springboard to take a fresh perspective on what makes primate brains special. This workshop aims to enhance this comparative cognition perspective by contributions on avians and machines, which, despite having very different “brain” structures, perform functions that are surprisingly similar to those of mammals. Confirmed speakers: Tatjana Engel, Katja Nowick, Marieke Schölvinck, Matthias Kaschube, Henner Koch, Ken Miller, Huib Mansfelder, Wiktor Młynarski, Fabian Sinz, Andreas Neef, Dan Eric Nilsson, Madineh Sedigh-Sarvestani, Ziad Hafed, Fred Wolf, Daniel Huber, Alessandro Treves, David Dahmen, Neda Shahidi, Jonas Rose, Andreas Kreiter and Udo Ernst. For further information and pre-registration visit https://www.uni-bremen.de/hwk-workshop-2026. The workshop is co-funded by the Priority Program SPP 2205 Evolutionary Optimization of Neuronal Processing <https://www.uni-goettingen.de/de/618311.html> and NeuroNex Working Memory <https://www.nxwm.io/> . We are very much looking forward to meeting you in September! Best regards (on behalf of the organizers), Britta **************** Dr. Britta Korkowsky Coordinator Goettingen Campus Institute for Dynamics of Biological Networks (CIDBN) Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Graduate Program in Theoretical and Computational Neuroscience SPP 2205 Evolutionary Optimization of Neuronal Processing University of Goettingen Heinrich-Düker-Weg 12 37073 Göttingen Tel.: +49-551-39-26675

May 20, 2026

IMOL Online Seminar – Karl Friston: “The Physics of Motivation” – 17 June 2026

by Nicola Catenacci

[Apologies for multiple posts; please distribute to interested people] Dear colleagues, We are pleased to launch the *Intrinsically Motivated and Open-ended Learning (IMOL) Online Seminar Series*. IMOL research explores how learning systems can autonomously generate goals, acquire skills, and continually adapt through open-ended interactions with the environment. Inspired by mechanisms observed in humans and animals, such as intrinsic motivations and self-motivated behaviour, the field brings together ideas from AI, robotics, neuroscience, developmental psychology, and cognitive science. The series will host leading scientists presenting recent advances and perspectives on IMOL themes and related topics. We are honoured to announce that the first seminar in the series will be delivered by *Professor Karl Friston (UCL, UK), who will present a talk entitled “The Physics of Motivation” the 17th of June 2026*. More information about the talk, together with the online meeting link, is provided below. The seminar series is organised by the IMOL Community, which also coordinates the IMOL workshop series and related initiatives. If you are interested in learning more about IMOL, or getting involved in the community, we encourage you to apply for membership ( http://www.imol-community.org/) and subscribe to the mailing list ( https://groups.google.com/g/imol-community) We look forward to seeing you on June 17th. Best regards, Nicola ************ MEETING DETAILS ************ - TITLE: The physics of motivation - WHEN: 17th of June, 16:30 (UCT+1; BST) - LINK: IMOL seminar - Karl Friston | Meeting-Join | Microsoft Teams <https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/332210692358706?p=W4WlQZzUA9yOALkuK5> - ABSTRACT: This overview of the free energy principle offers an account of embodied exchange with the world that associates neuronal operations with actively inferring the causes of our sensations. Its agenda is to link formal (mathematical) descriptions of dynamical systems to a description of perception in terms of beliefs and goals. The argument has two parts: the first calls on the lawful dynamics of any (weakly mixing) ergodic system – from a single cell organism to a human brain. These lawful dynamics suggest that (internal) states can be interpreted as modelling or predicting the (external) causes of sensory fluctuations. In other words, if a system exists, its internal states must encode probabilistic beliefs about external states. Heuristically, this means that if I exist (am) then I must have beliefs (think). The second part of the argument is that the only tenable beliefs I can entertain about myself are that I exist. This may seem rather obvious; however, it transpires that this is equivalent to believing that the world – and the way it is sampled – will resolve uncertainty about the causes of sensations. We will consider the implications for functional anatomy, in terms of predictive coding and hierarchical architectures, and conclude by looking at the epistemic behaviour that emerges – using simulations of active inference. - SPEAKER: *Karl J. Friston*, MBBS, MA, MRCPsych, MAE, FMedSci, FRBS, FRS. Professor: Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London. Honorary Consultant: The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery. Karl Friston is a theoretical neuroscientist and authority on brain imaging. He invented statistical parametric mapping (SPM), voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and dynamic causal modelling (DCM). These contributions were motivated by schizophrenia research and theoretical studies of value-learning, formulated as the dysconnection hypothesis of schizophrenia. Mathematical contributions include Variational Laplace and generalized filtering for hierarchical Bayesian model inversion. Friston currently works on models of functional integration in the human brain and the principles that underlie neuronal interactions. His main contribution to theoretical neurobiology is a free-energy principle for action and perception (active inference). Friston received the first Young Investigators Award in Human Brain Mapping (1996) and was elected a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences (1999). In 2000 he was President of the international Organization of Human Brain Mapping. In 2003 he was awarded the Minerva Golden Brain Award and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 2006. In 2008 he received a Medal, College de France and an Honorary Doctorate from the University of York in 2011. He became of Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology in 2012, received the Weldon Memorial prize and Medal in 2013 for contributions to mathematical biology and was elected as a member of EMBO (excellence in the life sciences) in 2014 and the Academia Europaea in (2015). He was the 2016 recipient of the Charles Branch Award for unparalleled breakthroughs in Brain Research and the Glass Brain Award, a lifetime achievement award in the field of human brain mapping. He holds Honorary Doctorates from the Universities of York, Zurich and Radboud University. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr. Nicola Catenacci Volpi, PhD Research Fellow in Information Theory for AI & Robotics Adaptive Systems Research Group The University of Hertfordshire School of Computer Science College Lane Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL10 9AB United Kingdom E-mail: n.catenacci-volpi(a)herts.ac.uk

May 19, 2026

Open Faculty Position – Department of Computer Engineering, Universidad de Santiago de Chile

by Javier Baladron

Dear colleagues, The Department of Computer Engineering at the Universidad de Santiago de Chile invites applications for an open faculty position. We seek candidates who meet the following requirements: - Undergraduate degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or related fields. - Ph.D. in Informatics, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence, or related areas. - Teaching experience in the relevant area of specialization. - Record of scientific publications indexed in WoS and Scopus, consistent with the candidate’s academic trajectory. - Participation in research projects. - For applicants whose native language is not Spanish, ability to teach in Spanish within the first year of employment. Priority will be given to candidates conducting research in Cybersecurity or Artificial Intelligence. Preferably, candidates should also demonstrate: - Active national and international scientific collaboration networks. - Experience supervising undergraduate and graduate theses. - Proficiency in English. In the event of equal merit between candidates, preference will be given to female applicants. Questions and informal applications may be sent directly to me at javier.baladron(a)usach.cl We would appreciate it if you could share this call with potentially interested candidates and relevant academic networks. Best regards, Javier Baladrón Department of Computer Engineering Universidad de Santiago de Chile

May 19, 2026