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Dec 13, 14 Workshop: The free energy principle of the brain: experiments and verification
by Hideaki Shimazaki Nov. 11, 2021

Nov. 11, 2021

Dear colleagues, We are pleased to invite you to *an online two-day workshop on the free energy principle and active inference, focusing on its experimental verification and biological implementation*. The time is set for EU/UK and East Asia. Please visit our website for registration (free): https://sites.google.com/view/free-energy-workshop Workshop title: *The free energy principle of the brain: Experiments and verification* Date: 2021 Dec 13 (Mon) and 14 (Tue) Place: Online (Registration required) Invited Speakers and Titles: *Takuya Isomura* (RIKEN CBS) Active inference and the emergence of sentient behaviour *Hitoshi Okamoto* (RIKEN CBS) Zebrafish as a model animal for studying active inference *Beren Millidge *(U Oxford) The FEP, Predictive Coding, and Backpropagation in the Brain *Rafal Bogacz* (U Oxford) Dopamine: precision of action selection or prediction error *Naoki Honda* (Hiroshima U) Decoding reward-curiosity conflict in probabilistic bandit task *Miguel Aguilera* (Sussex U) When can we interpret organisms as performing Bayesian inference? *Jun Tani *(OIST) Cognitive Neurorobotics Study Using the Free Energy Principle *Ken-ichi Amemori *(Kyoto U) Neuroscientific and computational basis of anxiety in primates: conflict decision and risk aversion *Rosalyn Moran* (King's Colledge London) Active Inference from Neurobiology to Blackjack We are looking forward to your active participation! Sincerely, Hideaki on behalf of organizers Hideaki Shimazaki, CHAIN Hokkaido University Masatoshi Yasuda, CHAIN Hokkaido University Mark Miller, CHAIN Hokkaido University Takuya Isomura, RIKEN CBS Naoki Honda, Hiroshima U Christopher Buckley, Sussex U --- Hideaki Shimazaki, Ph.D Center for Human Nature, Artificial Intelligence, and Neuroscience (CHAIN) Hokkaido University https://www.neuralengine.org

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A Dendrites Virtual Workshop hosted at Emory University Dec. 7.
by Jaeger, Dieter Nov. 10, 2021

Nov. 10, 2021

Dear Colleagues: We are pleased to invite you to our virtual workshop entitled "Are dendrites necessary for cortical computation?” to be held on Tuesday, December 7, 10:00am - 1:00 pm EST. This workshop is in the series of Emory University Initiative in Theory And Modeling of Living Systems (TMLS, http://livingtheory.emory.edu) virtual workshops, exploring provocative questions on the interface of biology and physical sciences. See https://www.youtube.com/c/EmoryTMLS for recordings of previous workshops in the program. Abstract: Many network models for modeling cortical function are built with single compartment units using a variety of more or less simple integrate and fire dynamics. On the other hand, many biologically oriented research groups place great emphasis on the complex and detailed properties of active processing in pyramidal neuron dendrites. The question to be addressed in this workshop is whether essential computational properties of biological cortical networks rely on dendritic processing, and if so, which? Finally, could such properties be formalized in simpler ways than using full biophysical detail and substantially add to the function of more abstract network modeling? Six exciting speakers will present their thoughts on the matter, and the audience will be able to interact with them in real time, asking questions through the YouTube comments interface. Free registration is requested at: https://forms.gle/9HzNgrYbJPYBUfSw9<https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fforms.gle…> We expect to stream the workshop live at the TMLS YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/c/EmoryTMLS and we will send information, updates/changes to all registered participants before the workshop begins. Confirmed Speakers and Titles: Dieter Jaeger, Emory University, Introduction Claudia Clopath, Imperial College London Brent Doiron, University of Chicago “Cell specific inhibitory plasticity in assembly formation” Bartlett Mel, University of Southern California "How to optimize a dendrite for binary subunit pooling” Yiota Poirazi, IMBB-FORTH Crete “Dendritic solutions to logical operations in models of human neurons” Andreas Stöckel, University of Waterloo. “Passive Dendrites as a Computational Resource in the Neural Engineering Framework” Xiao-Jing Wang, New York University “Dendritic gating in the whole neocortex” Please feel free to forward this announcement to anyone that you think might be interested. Hope to see you there! Thank you, Dieter Jaeger (workshop organizer) Dieter Jaeger Professor, Department of Biology Emory University djaeger(a)emory.edu<mailto:djaeger@emory.edu> https://scholarblogs.emory.edu/jaegerlab/

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Second session of the Brains Through Time Reading Club
by manuel molano Nov. 10, 2021

Nov. 10, 2021

Dear all, We would like to bring to your attention the second session of the Brains Through Time Reading Club<https://sites.google.com/view/bbtreadingclub/home>! It will be on the first of December (6pm CEST / 12 EST) and will include the participation of Maria Tosches<https://www.biology.columbia.edu/people/tosches>, Luis Puelles<https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=nIoLKVAAAAAJ&hl=en> and Paul Cisek<https://cisek.org/pavel/>. We will dedicate ~2 hours to present and discuss the main ideas of the second chapter of the book: The Origin of Vertebrates: Invertebrate Chordates and Cyclostomes. You can register HERE<https://www.crowdcast.io/e/brains-through-time-2>. In case you missed the first session, you can watch it HERE<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cErEJTa2GUc&ab_channel=TheBrainingClub> or read a quick summary of the first chapter HERE<https://twitter.com/TheBrainingClub/status/1445105424722767877>. See you there! The Braining Club About the BTT reading club: As the name implies, the idea is to review the book Brains Through Time<https://oxford.universitypressscholarship.com/view/10.1093/oso/978019512568…>, by Georg Striedter<https://www.faculty.uci.edu/profile.cfm?faculty_id=3006> and Glenn Northcutt<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenn_Northcutt>. Brains Through Time is a masterful synthesis of much of what is known about brain evolution, and offers great insights to anyone interested in a broad understanding of how the brain produces behavior.

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PhD positions in Math Biology & Computational Neuroscience at NJIT
by Victor Matveev Nov. 9, 2021

Nov. 9, 2021

Dear all, The Department of Mathematical Sciences at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) invites candidates to apply for one of our doctoral program tracks: (1) Applied Mathematics or (2) Applied Probability & Statistics. The Department's research focus spans Mathematical Biology and Computational Neuroscience, Scientific Computing, Fluid Dynamics, Materials Science, Wave Propagation, Applied Analysis, and Applied Probability and Statistics, including Biostatistics and Data Science. We offer teaching and research assistantships, which include a tuition waiver, a competitive stipend starting at $25,000 per academic year and, pending funding availability, at least $3,500 in summer support. The application target date is December 15, 2021, but review will be ongoing until all available positions are filled. New Jersey Institute of Technology is a "Research I" University by Carnegie Classification, with a campus in the city of Newark. NJIT is conveniently located in close vicinity to many other centers of research in mathematical biology and neuroscience, across the street from Rutgers-Newark, and within about 40 min of New York City by public transportation. To apply, go to: https://www.njit.edu/graduatestudies/department-mathematical-sciences/ For more information, please email us (math(a)njit.edu, CC to: shahriar.afkhami(a)njit.edu) Program flyer is posted here: https://web.njit.edu/~matveev/NJIT_DMS_PhD_flyer.pdf Sincerely --Victor Matveev (on behalf of the Admissions Committee ) -- _____________________________________________ Victor Matveev, Professor Applied Math, Biophysics, Neuroscience Department of Mathematical Sciences Graduate Faculty, Dept of Biological Sciences New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark, NJ 07102-1982 Office: Cullimore Hall 616 E-mail:matveev@njit.edu http://web.njit.edu/~matveev/

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Announcing DENDRITES 2022
by Yiota Poirazi Nov. 8, 2021

Nov. 8, 2021

Dear colleagues, We are pleased to announce that after the cancellation of our 2020 meeting because of the covid-19 pandemic, DENDRITES 2022 will take place in Heraklion, Crete on 23-26 May 2022. This is the 4th of a very successful series of meetings on the island of Crete that is dedicated to dendrites. The meeting will bring together scientific leaders from around the globe to present their theoretical and experimental work on dendrites. The meeting program is designed to facilitate discussions of new ideas and discoveries, in a relaxed atmosphere that emphasizes interaction. DENDRITES 2022 EMBO Workshop on Dendritic Anatomy, Molecules and Function Heraklion, Crete, Greece 23-26 May 2022 http://meetings.embo.org/event/20-dendrites *Organizing committee:* Yiota Poirazi, IMBB-FORTH, GR Kristen Harris, University of Texas-Austin, US Michael Häusser, University College London, GB Matthew Larkum, Humboldt University of Berlin, DE *Registration and abstract submission will open soon at:* http://meetings.embo.org/event/20-dendrites Submissions of abstracts are due by *February 1st, **2022.* Notifications will be provided by February 28th, 2022. Potential attendees are strongly encouraged to submit an abstract as presenters will have registration priority. For more information about the conference, please refer to our web site or send email to info(a)mitos.com.gr We look forward to seeing you at DENDRITES 2022! on behalf of the organizers, Yiota Poirazi -- Panayiota Poirazi, Ph.D. Research Director Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB) Foundation of Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH) Vassilika Vouton, P.O.Box 1385, GR 70013, Heraklion, Crete GREECE Tel: +30 2810 391139 Fax: +30 2810 391101 Εmail: poirazi(a)imbb.forth.gr Lab site: www.dendrites.gr

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hybrid IEEE WIE ILS on December 2nd and 3rd, 2021
by Marianna Semprini Nov. 8, 2021

Nov. 8, 2021

Dear all, We are pleased to announce the IEEE Women in Engineering International Leadership Summit as a hybrid event to be held on December 2nd and 3rd, 2021 both online and in person in Genova, Italy (limited seats available, green pass required). Information and registration form can be found here: https://wieils-italy.eu/ The IEEE WIE ILS is an internationally acclaimed program of IEEE Women in Engineering, which is one of the world's largest technical communities working towards shaping the scenario of underrepresentation of Women in Engineering and Technology. IEEE WIE ILS started in 2015 was organized in Chennai with the theme "Beyond Yourself - Leveraging your strengths and breaking barriers". The summit drew more than 200 participants which paved the way for more such summits all over the globe. Now every year ten such summits are organized across the globe. In 2020 we were selected to host an ILS event for the first time in Italy. Due to the pandemic, the 2020 ILS was only virtual (see the "past editions" tab). This year we are going to have a hybrid event with participation both online and in-person! We have planned sessions on empowering, entrepreneurship, mentoring, and also parenting! The event is open to anyone, especially to women and minorities in the STEM area. Join us (either in person or online) for two days of panel discussions, keynote presentations, round table discussions, and networking! Marianna Semprini, PhD (she/her) Rehab Technologies Lab Phone : 010 71781 212 ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI TECNOLOGIA Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova Site: www.iit.it

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Theoretical Sciences Visiting Program 2022 at OIST (Application by Nov. 30, 2021)
by Kenji Doya Nov. 7, 2021

Nov. 7, 2021

We are pleased to call for Long-Term Visiting Scholars in Theoretical Sciences at OIST as below. **** As part of an initiative to develop a vibrant program in theoretical sciences, OIST invites applications for Visiting Scholars in the Theoretical Sciences. The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) is a research institution with a Ph.D. program. Outstanding graduate students and faculty are being attracted internationally. Applicants should have a Ph.D. in a relevant field and be independent researchers, i.e., should have an academic standing equivalent to senior postdoc, junior group leader, or faculty member at a research-intensive institution. The position has a flexible term of 2 to 12 months taken continuously starting between April 2022 and March 2023 with a preference for longer-term visitors. Visitors through this program are encouraged to collaborate with one or more research units in OIST during their stay. The appointment may be taken while on leave or sabbatical from another university and comes with housing, research funds, and moving allowance. This program can provide a per diem as per OIST rules. In exceptional situations where the applicant does not receive any salary from grants or their institution at the time of their visit to OIST, successful candidates may be able to apply for support with salary, where this is necessary to facilitate the visit, and they can provide evidence of their need. No teaching duties come with the position. However, candidates are strongly encouraged to give a short series of lectures to students and researchers in the OIST community on a topic of their choosing, and we ask that they include details of this in their cover letter. OIST is an institution with no departments, aiming to eliminate barriers between people working in different fields. It provides a family-friendly working environment including the multilingual Child Development Center and has proactive policies designed to promote a culture of diversity. OIST is an equal opportunity, affirmative action educator, and employer. Further details can be found at https://www.oist.jp/. Qualifications Applicants should have a Ph.D. in a relevant field and be independent researchers, i.e., should have an academic standing equivalent to senior postdoc, junior group leader, or faculty member at a research-intensive institution. Application Instructions To apply, please go to our Interfolio page: https://apply.interfolio.com/96304 Applicants should submit a CV including a list of publications (limit 10 pages), and provide a brief description of their research to date and proposed research while visiting OIST (limit 2 pages). In your proposal, please explicitly mention OIST units you wish to collaborate with, and include your intended start date and length of stay in your proposal (date range is acceptable). All visits are subject to the availability of funding. To be considered for this year’s funding the applicant’s intended stay should start no later than March 2023. Applications received by November 30th 2021, are guaranteed full consideration. If you have any questions, please contact the Faculty Affairs Office at tsvp(a)oist.jp ---- Kenji Doya <doya(a)oist.jp> Neural Computation Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University 1919-1 Tancha, Onna, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan Phone: +81-98-966-8594; Fax: +81-98-966-2891 https://groups.oist.jp/ncu

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Two Data Scientist positions in Marburg, Germany
by Dominik Endres Nov. 5, 2021

Nov. 5, 2021

We are offering *two Data Scientist*(m/f/d) positions as a part of the cluster project *The Adaptive Mind*at the Philipps-Universität Marburg, Germany. The positions are associated with the Center of Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB) in Marburg. If you are interested in high-performance computing, machine learning and data management for large, interdisciplinary projects, then one of these jobs might be for you. Please contact Prof. Dominik Endres, dominik.endres(a)uni-marburg.de <mailto:dominik.endres@uni-marburg.de>, for more information. The full job adverts can be found here: https://www.uni-marburg.de/de/universitaet/administration/verwaltung/dezern… <https://www.uni-marburg.de/de/universitaet/administration/verwaltung/dezern…> https://www.uni-marburg.de/de/universitaet/administration/verwaltung/dezern… <https://www.uni-marburg.de/de/universitaet/administration/verwaltung/dezern…> Application deadline is Nov. 26^th , 2021 regards, Dominik Endres -- Prof. Dr. Dominik Endres Theoretische Kognitionswissenschaft - Theoretical Cognitive Science FB 04 Psychologie Tel: 06421-28 23818

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Flatiron Research Fellows (Post-Docs), Center for Computational Neuroscience, Flatiron Institute
by Matthew Turner Nov. 4, 2021

Nov. 4, 2021

Flatiron Research Fellows (Post-Docs), Center for Computational Neuroscience <https://www.simonsfoundation.org/flatiron/center-for-computational-neurosci…>, Flatiron Institute New York, New York ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW The Simons Foundation is a private foundation established in 1994 in New York City. With assets of approximately $2 billion and an annual grants and programs budget of $230 million, the foundation is dedicated to advancing the frontiers of research in mathematics and the basic sciences. The Flatiron Institute is a major, new internal scientific unit of the Simons Foundation, focused on the computational aspects of a wide range of basic science. The mission of the Flatiron Institute is to advance scientific research through computational methods, including theory, modeling, simulation and data analysis. The Flatiron Institute currently consists of five centers: the Center for Computational Astrophysics (CCA); the Center for Computational Biology (CCB); the Center for Computational Quantum Physics (CCQ); the Center for Computational Mathematics (CCM); and the Center for Computational Neuroscience (CCN). The Institute staff is composed of research scientists at various stages of their careers from recent Ph.D.s through senior scientists, software engineers and support staff. We host a vigorous visitor program and interact regularly with scientists from neighboring institutions. POSITION SUMMARY Applications are invited for Flatiron Research Fellowships (FRF) at the Center for Computational Neuroscience. The CCN FRF program offers the opportunity for postdoctoral research in areas that have strong synergy with one or more of the existing research groups at CCN or other centers at the Flatiron Institute. CCN FRF’s will be assigned a primary mentor from a CCN research group or project, though affiliations and collaborations with other research groups within CCN and throughout the Flatiron Institute are encouraged. In addition to carrying out an independent research program, Flatiron Research Fellows are expected to: disseminate their results through scientific presentations, publications, and software release, collaborate with other members of the CCN or Flatiron Institute, and participate in the scientific life of the CCN and Flatiron Institute by attending seminars, colloquia, and group meetings. Flatiron Research Fellows may have the opportunity to organize workshops and to mentor graduate and undergraduate students. The mission of CCN is to develop theories, models, and computational methods that deepen our knowledge of brain function — both in health and in disease. CCN takes a “systems" neuroscience approach, building models that are motivated by fundamental principles, that are constrained by properties of neural circuits and responses, and that provide insights into perception, cognition and behavior. This cross-disciplinary approach not only leads to the design of new model-driven scientific experiments, but also encapsulates current functional descriptions of the brain that can spur the development of new engineered computational systems, especially in the realm of machine learning. CCN currently has research groups in computational vision, neural circuits and algorithms, neuroAI and geometry, and statistical analysis of neural data; interested candidates should review the CCN public website <https://www.simonsfoundation.org/flatiron/center-for-computational-neurosci…> for specific information on CCN’s research areas. Review of applications for positions starting between July and October 2022 will begin in mid-January 2022. Application Materials: - Cover letter (optional); - Curriculum Vitae with bibliography; - Research statement of no more than three pages describing past work and proposed research program. Applicants are encouraged to discuss the broad impact of the past and proposed research on computational neuroscience. Applicants should also indicate the primary CCN group(s) with which they’d seek to conduct research, and any desired affiliation with other Flatiron Centers. - Three (3) letters of recommendation submitted confidentially by direct email to ccnjobs(a)simonsfoundation.org Selection Criteria: Applicants must have a PhD in a related field or expect to receive their PhD before the start of the appointment. Applications will be evaluated based on 1) past research accomplishments 2) proposed research program 3) synergy of applicant’s expertise and research proposal topic with existing CCN staff and research programs. Education: - PhD in computational neuroscience or a relevant technical field such as electrical engineering, machine learning, statistics, physics, or applied math. Related Skills: - Flexible multi-disciplinary mindset; - Strong interest and experience in the scientific study of the brain; - Demonstrated abilities in analysis, software and algorithm development, modeling and/or scientific simulation; - Ability to do original and outstanding research in neuroscience; - Ability to work well independently as well as in a collaborative team environment. FRF positions are two-year appointments and are generally renewed for a third year, contingent on performance. FRF receive a research budget and have access to the Flatiron Institute’s powerful scientific computing resources. FRF may be eligible for subsidized housing within walking distance of the CCN. THE SIMONS FOUNDATION'S DIVERSITY COMMITMENT Many of the greatest ideas and discoveries come from a diverse mix of minds, backgrounds and experiences, and we are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment. The Simons Foundation actively seeks a diverse applicant pool and encourages candidates of all backgrounds to apply. We provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic disposition, neurodiversity, disability, veteran status or any other protected category under federal, state and local law. Application portal: https://simonsfoundation.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/simonsfoundationcareer… Matthew B. Turner Manager for Center Administration | Center for Computational Neuroscience Pronouns: he/him/his *FLATIRON INSTITUTE* 162 Fifth Avenue Suite 308 New York, NY 10010 917.363.1095 *mobile* *simonsfoundation.org/flatiron/ <http://simonsfoundation.org/flatiron/>*

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Postdoc Fellowship in Data Science in Göttingen, Germany
by Ecker, Alexander Nov. 4, 2021

Nov. 4, 2021

The Campus Institute Data Science (CIDAS) at the University of Göttingen invites applications for two fellowships for outstanding young scientists to implement their own innovative research agenda in the field of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. CIDAS promotes campus-wide interdisciplinary exchange and activities in the field of data science. The application deadline is Sunday, November 14th, 2021. In case of questions contact Alexander Ecker: ecker(a)cs.uni-goettingen.de *Funding Objectives:* CIDAS would like to support young scientists at an early stage of their career to develop independent projects and to create a perspective to work independently for several years at the Göttingen Campus in the field of Data Science. In particular, the collaboration between methodological, theoretical researchers and applied scientists at the Göttingen Campus and within CIDAS should be promoted. The applications should show a career perspective for the applicants and open a path to scientific independence and own third-party funding. *Who can apply:* Outstanding young scientists who are in the final phase of their PhD (last year) or early postdoc phase (maximum 2 years after the PhD) with an idea for their own research project in the field of Data Science. This can be in the fundamentals of Data Science, applied Data Science, or in the social science aspects of Data Science. This requires a planned collaboration with at least one member of CIDAS. Other collaborations with groups outside CIDAS are also possible and encouraged. If the applicant is not already a CIDAS member, he/she will be accepted into CIDAS upon approval of the application. The position can be used in particular for preparatory work for a subsequent application, e.g. for a junior research group. *Scope of funding:* Two fellowships will be awarded. The funding includes €75,000 each, which can be used, for example, to finance the applicant's own position. *Documents to be submitted:* 1. Description of the research idea (max. 5 pages), incl.: - Clearly defined content-related goals, comprehensible time schedule - Possible perspectives after the project, career perspectives, possibly plan for external funding - Planned collaboration with CIDAS members and other scientists - Innovation of the application 2. Curriculum vitae 3. Letter of recommendation from the supervisor or mentor, including a workplace (incl. infrastructure) commitment for the period to be funded Deadline: Sunday, November 14th, 2021 Application by email to: cidas(a)uni-goettingen.de -- Alexander Ecker Professor of Data Science Department of Computer Science • Campus Institute Data Science University of Göttingen • Max Planck Inst. for Dynamics and Self-Organization Goldschmidtstr. 1 • room 2.137 • 37077 Göttingen https://eckerlab.org • @alxecker • +49 551 39-21272

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