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REMINDER: Special Issue Operations Research for Neuroscience II
by Ruben A. Tikidji-Hamburyan Nov. 11, 2018

Nov. 11, 2018

Dear Colleagues, Just a friendly reminder: Deadline for paper submission is in a few weeks. December 1, 2018 We strongly encourage colleagues who are using modern operations research methods, to consider submitting a manuscript. We also invite manuscripts which propose further developments of modern formal theories (such as the free-energy principle, integrated information, Bayesian learning, etc). Please find the CfP attached as a pdf file or as plain text below. Best regards, Ruben Tikidji-Hamburyan. ____________________________________________________ ― Call for Papers ― Annals of Operations Research Special Issue Operations Research for Neuroscience II ____________________________________________________ After the positive and encouraging response from the scientific and wider community to the special issue Operations Research for Neuroscience, the journal Annals of OperationsResearch (Springer) now invites submissions of papers to a second special issue on the same subject, called Operations Research for Neuroscience II. Neuroscience, a multidisciplinary science, is concerned with the study of the structure and functions of the nervous system. It comprises aspects of physiology, cellular and molecular biology, as well as behavioral and cognitive science. Recent technological and theoretical advances offer promising opportunities for better understanding of the nervous system at the quantitative level. New optogenetic, in vitro and in vivo multielectrode recording, neuroimaging, brain imaging, and other modern techniques provide high-quality data that can be used in elucidating the fundamental mechanisms of information processing in the nervous system. The rapidly growing pool of experimental data has triggered the development of new mathematical models that can provide new insights into the functioning of the nervous system at various scales, ranging from that of molecular biology to that of the organizational principles of behavior and cognition. Sophisticated analyses of intracellular signaling or dynamics in heterogeneous neural networks, conditional behavior, or connections of brain regions in decision-making lead to theoretical problems, addressed by operations research. Although, operations research is actively used in bottom-up approaches--from experimental observation to consistent theory-- it also widely overlaps modern and rapidly developing formal theories, for example the free-energy principle, integrated information theory, and may others. The special issue will cover a broad range of topics in the field of neuroscience using operations research approaches, methods, and theories. Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the following areas and methodologies of neuroscience: o intracellular signaling and regulation o synaptic plasticity o dynamics in heterogeneous neural networks o intelligent systems and control o perceptual, cognitive, and behavioral functions o learning and memory o spatio-temporal network analysis o behavioral economics and finance o linguistics and cognition o combinatorial optimization o signal and information processing o neuroimaging and functional brain imaging processing o computational modeling and simulation o formal theoretical approaches: the free-energy principle, integrated information, Bayesian inference, etc. The use of methods from modern operations research in neuroscience is a prerequisite for any paper submitted to this special issue to enter the reviewing process. Annals of Operations Research is abstracted and indexed in the following databases: Science Citation Index, Science Citation Index Expanded (SciSearch), Journal Citation Reports/Science Edition, SCOPUS, INSPEC, Zentralblatt Math, Google Scholar, EBSCO, CSA, ProQuest, ABS Academic Journal Quality Guide, Academic OneFile, Academic Search, Computer Abstracts International Database, Computer Science Index, CSA Environmental Sciences, Current Contents/Engineering, Computing and Technology, DBLP, ECONIS, Expanded Academic, International Abstracts in Operations Research, Mathematical Reviews, OCLC, SCImago, STMA-Z, Summon by ProQuest. The Special Issue is officially endorsed by EURO Conference 2018, Valencia. Guest Editors: Erik Kropat, Ruben A. Tikidji-Hamburyan, Gerhard-Wilhelm Weber Important Date: Submission deadline of full papers: December 1, 2018. Submission Details: The format of manuscripts for the Annals of Operations Research as well as guidelines can be found on the web page of Springer, the publisher of the journal: http://www.springer.com/journal/10479/submission. Authors should submit a cover letter mentioning that the paper is for a special issue and a manuscript via the journal's online submission site: http://www.editorialmanager.com/anor. When prompted, please select the article type “S.I.: OR in Neuroscience II”. All papers submitted for publication will be carefully refereed. In case of any question please contact by e-mail one of the following guest editors: Dr. Erik Kropat Department of Computer Science Universität der Bundeswehr München Werner-Heisenberg-Weg 39 85577 Neubiberg, Germany E-mail: erik.kropat(a)gmx.de Dr. Ruben A. Tikidji-Hamburyan Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy Health Sciences Center, Louisiana State University New Orleans, Louisiana 70112, USA E-mail: rtikid(a)lsuhsc.edu Prof. Dr. Gerhard-Wilhelm Weber Faculty of Engineering Management Chair of Marketing and Economic Engineering Poznan University of Technology ul. Strzelecka 11 60-965 Poznan, Poland E-mail: gerhard.weber(a)put.poznan.pl

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PhD Position in Computational Neuroscience and Neuroimaging at Jülich Research Centre and University of Düsseldorf Germany
by Martina Reske Nov. 9, 2018

Nov. 9, 2018

PhD Position in Computational Neuroscience and Neuroimaging at Jülich Research Centre and University of Düsseldorf Germany One PhD position is available in computational neuroscience with a focus on mathematical modeling of brain dynamics based on neuroimaging data in the lab of Prof. Dr. Simon Eickhoff at Jülich Research Centre and University of Düsseldorf in Germany. The PhD candidate will work on projects involving large-scale dynamical brain models derived from multimodal neuroimaging data (structural, functional & diffusion magnetic resonance imaging, MRI) combined with numerical simulations and analysis of model dynamics and parameter space. We are specifically looking for candidates with training in applied mathematics/computational neuroscience or related fields and experience in programming and numerical simulation of neuronal models/nonlinear dynamics systems. The candidate will be responsible for derivation, validation and analytical and numerical investigation of the whole-brain dynamical models, preparation of necessary neuroimaging data, and writing manuscripts for publication. The position provides an opportunity to work in an interdisciplinary environment and training in mathematical modeling of neuroimaging data and methods for data analysis. More details on the lab: http://www.fz-juelich.de/inm/inm-7/EN/ Requirements: * Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Applied Mathematics, Physics, Engineering, Computer Science or a related field. * Experience with programming languages such as C/C++/CUDA/Python/Matlab/R. * Familiarity with numerical simulations of nonlinear dynamical systems/differential equations. Experience with high-performance computing is a plus. * Strong writing, communication, interpersonal and organizational skills. * Experience with neuroimaging data processing and related analysis packages (FSL, SPM, MRtrix, etc.) will be of advantage. To apply: Please send your CV, names of two referees, one-page letter of motivation (emphasizing any related work/projects) and representative publications if any (up to 3) to Oleksandr Popovych via email (o.popovych(a)fz-juelich.de<mailto:o.popovych@fz-juelich.de>). Please mention “PhD application” in the subject. -- Dr. Martina Reske Scientific Coordinator Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-6) Computational and Systems Neuroscience & Institute for Advanced Simulation (IAS-6) Theoretical Neuroscience Jülich Research Centre and JARA Jülich, Germany Work +49.2461.611916 Work Cell +49.151.26156918 Fax +49.2461.619460 www.csn.fz-juelich.de<http://www.csn.fz-juelich.de> Office hours: TU & FR 9.00-17, WE & TH 9.00-13 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH 52425 Juelich Sitz der Gesellschaft: Juelich Eingetragen im Handelsregister des Amtsgerichts Dueren Nr. HR B 3498 Vorsitzender des Aufsichtsrats: MinDir Dr. Karl Eugen Huthmacher Geschaeftsfuehrung: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Wolfgang Marquardt (Vorsitzender), Karsten Beneke (stellv. Vorsitzender), Prof. Dr.-Ing. Harald Bolt, Prof. Dr. Sebastian M. Schmidt ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Ph.D. position in deep learning for signal processing at University of Oldenburg
by Jörn Anemüller Nov. 9, 2018

Nov. 9, 2018

A Ph.D. position in the field of deep learning for signal processing is available at University of Oldenburg, Germany, within the newly established, DFG-funded collaborative research centre "CRC 1330 - Hearing Acoustics" in the group of Jörn Anemüller. For details, see below or contact me directly (joern.anemueller(a)uol.de, https://uol.de/en/computational-audition/statistical-modelling/) Kind regards, Jörn The Computational Audition Group at the Department of Medical Physics and Acoustics, University of Oldenburg, Germany, seeks a highly motivated PhD student (75 % of full time, TV-L E13, 3 years, with possibility of extension) in the field of Deep Learning for Signal Processing Our group investigates audio signal recognition with multi-channel microphone arrays, identifying important sound sources in real-world acoustic scenes, and performing source separation to enhance e.g. an attended speech signal. Applicants for the position must hold an academic university degree (master or equivalent) in physics, engineering, computer science or a related discipline and should have knowledge in at least one of the following fields: - machine learning, - speech recognition, - acoustic event detection, - speech and audio processing. Excellent knowledge of scientific programming languages such as Python or MATLAB, as well as excellent English language skills are required. The position is funded by the newly established DFG collaborative research centre CRC 1330 "Hearing Acoustics", which aims at improving human communication in real-world acoustic scenes and is a long-term collaboration of researchers from Oldenburg, Aachen and Munich. For more information about the CRC see https://www.uni-oldenburg.de/sfb1330. The Computational Audition Group is part of the Department of Medical Physics and Acoustics at University of Oldenburg. We offer an international scientific environment and world-class research facilities. For more information about the group and the department see https://uol.de/computational-audition/ and https://uol.de.de/en/mediphysics-acoustics/. The University of Oldenburg is dedicated to increase the percentage of women in science. Therefore, female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. In accordance to § 21 Section 3 NHG, female candidates with equal qualifications will be preferentially considered. Applicants with disabilities will be given preference in case of equal qualification. Applications including a CV, a motivation letter, copies of relevant certificates and the name and contact details of two references should be sent as single pdf-file to joern.anemueller(a)uni-oldenburg.de or to Dr. Jörn Anemüller Faculty VI Department of Medical Physics and Acoustics Universität Oldenburg D - 26111 Oldenburg Tel. (+49) 441 798 3610 The application deadline is 28th of November 2018. *******************************************************

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Re: [Comp-neuro] PhD Studentship in Computational Neuroscience
by Dimitris Pinotsis Nov. 9, 2018

Nov. 9, 2018

The School of Psychology at City, University of London, is offering * one full-time, three-year doctoral studentship for 2019/20 entry*. Applications are invited from exceptional UK, EU, and international graduates wishing to pursue cutting-edge research in the following areas of Neuroscience and Psychology: *Autism Spectrum Disorders, Cognitive Neuroscience, Computational Neuroscience, Brain Imaging, Computational Psychiatry, Decision Making, Behavioral Economics, Counselling, Health and Organizational Psychology. * For information on how to apply for the studentships, please go to https://www.city.ac.uk/courses/research-degrees/psychology *Closing date: 23.59 on 20th January 2019* For any enquiries, please email SASS-enquiries(a)city.ac.uk We encourage potential applicants to contact prospective supervisors to discuss possible research projects prior to submitting an application. For further details about the psychology department please go to https://www.city.ac.uk/arts-social-sciences/psychology#unit=research where you will find information about research groups and individual staff interests. Full information about all our doctoral studentships can be found at: https://www.city.ac.uk/study/fees-and-funding/scholarships-and-bursaries/sa… *What is Offered* · An annual bursary at the prevailing ESRC rate (£16,777 in 2018/19) · A full tuition-fee waiver for UK and EU students. Applications from overseas applicants are welcome, but the applicant must make appropriate arrangements to cover the difference between the overseas and UK tuition fee. · Further funds to support research expenses (up to £1000 over three years) As part of our commitment to doctoral student training, you will also be eligible for appointment as a Graduate Teaching Assistant and are likely to be offered teaching-related duties within your department (to a maximum of 150 hours each year). This work will be paid in full. *Eligibility* The studentships will be awarded on the basis of outstanding academic achievement and the potential to produce cutting-edge research. · Applicants must hold at least a 2.1 honours degree and a merit-level Master’s degree in a relevant subject (or international equivalent) · Applicants whose first language is not English must have achieved at least 7.0 in IELTS or a recognised equivalent · Applicants must not be currently registered as a doctoral student at City, University of London, or any other academic institution <SASS-enquiries(a)city.ac.uk>

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PhD Projects - ARC Training Centre in Cognitive Computing for Medical Technologies
by David Grayden Nov. 7, 2018

Nov. 7, 2018

Current PhD Project Openings at the ARC Training Centre in Cognitive Computing for Medical Technologies We are seeking Expressions of Interest from potential Graduate Researchers to work on the following PhD projects in Australia. These project are embedded within the Centre, where up to 14 PhD students, 5 post-doctoral researchers, and 11 University of Melbourne staff will collaborate across 4 research streams with researchers at IBM Research and a number of Australian Universities, including The University of Melbourne, RMIT University, the University of South Australia, and Western Sydney University. Each student will be jointly supervised by Universities and IBM Research and will spend at least 12 months of their candidature working on site at an IBM Research laboratory. These positions are supported by a scholarship and a supplemented living stipend of A$34,848 per annum. Projects available: 1. Context-specific clinical decision support leveraging clinical practice guidelines 2. Multi-document summarisation supporting clinical evidence review 3. Seizure forecasting using neural networks 4. Deep learning for fitting neural mass models to EEG 5. Brain-computer interfaces for low-powered mobile/wearable devices 6. Multimodal brain-computer interfaces for augmented reality and virtual reality applications If interested, please visit: http://aimedtech.org.au/phd-openings.html Regards, David Professor David B. Grayden Head of Department Dept of Biomedical Engineering Melbourne School of Engineering The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3010 Australia http://www.bme.unimelb.edu.au | https://www.linkedin.com/in/dgrayden [cid:image001.jpg@01D1F264.94C20650] This email and any attachments may contain personal information or information that is otherwise confidential or the subject of copyright. Any use, disclosure or copying of any part of it is prohibited. The University does not warrant that this email or any attachments are free from viruses or defects. Please check any attachments for viruses and defects before opening them. If this email is received in error please delete it and notify us by return email.

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One fMRI MVPA Post-Doc (very competitive salary) 5 year position available under an ERC Starting Grant on the organization of object knowledge
by Jorge Almeida Nov. 6, 2018

Nov. 6, 2018

The Proaction Laboratory (Perception and Recognition of Objects and Actions; http://gaius.fpce.uc.pt/pessoais/jorgealmeida/proaction_home.html; Jorge Almeida’s Lab) at the University of Coimbra (www.uc.pt) Portugal is looking for a motivated and bright Post-doctoral researcher to work on an ERC Starting Grant project (ContentMAP) on the neural organization of object knowledge. In this project we will explore how complex information is topographically organized in the brain using fMRI and state of the art analytical techniques, as well as computational approaches, and neuromodulation. Excellent understanding of and experience with fMRI and data analysis is required. Strong programming skills (matlab, python, etc.) are also a requirement. Experience with data analysis techniques using MVPA and other multivariate approaches (e.g., Representation Similarity Analysis). Very good English (oral and written) communicative skills are necessary. The position is for a maximum of 5 years, and will start in February 2019. The position involves no formal teaching (unless the candidate wants to). It does involve, however, lab mentoring. The salary is extremely competitive – between 2200 and 2400 euros per month (dependent on experience), tax free (annual 26400-28800 euros tax free). This value is on par with the average salaries at top American institutions, as well as London, Paris, etc. However, the cost of living in Portugal (and particularly in Coimbra) is much lower. According to Numbeo, 2400 euros would be equivalent to 4850 pounds in London/4800 euros in Paris/6615 USD in Boston/6210 USD in Los Angeles/ 8330 USD in New York). The researcher will work directly with Jorge Almeida in Coimbra, but the laboratory has extensive collaborations with researchers throughout the world. In fact, there may be the option of spending some time in another lab as part of the position. The researcher will also be encouraged to develop her/his own projects and look for additional funding so that the stay can be extended. We have access to a 3T MRI scanner with a 32-channel coil (with EEG inside the scanner), to tDCS with neuronavigation, and to a fully set psychophysics lab. We have EEG and eyetracking on site. We also have access, through other collaborations, to a 7T scanner. Finally, the University of Coimbra is a 700 year old University and has been selected as a UNESCO world Heritage site. Coimbra is one of the most lively university cities in the world, and it is a beautiful city with easy access to the beach and mountain. The deadline for the application is NOVEMBER 20, but you should apply as soon as you can, as we may fill in the positions sooner than the deadline if there are candidates with a superb fit with the requirements and project. The interested candidates should email Jorge Almeida for questions and applications. Please send an email with the subject “Post-doc position underERC - ContentMAP” with your*curriculum vitae, list of publications, 2 reference letters, and a short description of your experience in the field and how you fulfill the requirements (fit with the position)* to: jorgealmeida(a)fpce.uc.pt.

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Research internship for 2nd year master student in Toulouse, France
by MASQUELIER Timothee Nov. 5, 2018

Nov. 5, 2018

TOPIC: Spiking neural networks for bird song detection SUPERVISORS: Timothée Masquelier (computational neuroscience) and Thomas Pellegrini (machine learning for audio processing) STARTING DATE: early 2019 DURATION: 5 months PLACE: Toulouse, France (Centre de Recherche Cerveau et Cognition and Institut de Recherche en Informatique de Toulouse) STIPEND: 560€/month The goal of the internship is to use spiking neural networks (SNN) to detect bird songs in audio recordings. Several learning rules will be evaluated, including spike-timing-dependent plasticity (STDP). More information: https://www.dropbox.com/s/psvqubjdlral6zf/Masquelier-Pellegrini-AO%20M2%20T… We are looking for an outstanding student with a strong quantitative background (computer science, physics, applied maths...) and a keen interest in neuroscience. Applicants should send their CV and a brief statement of purpose to: timothee.masquelier(a)cnrs.fr and Thomas.Pellegrini(a)irit.fr Informal enquiries are welcome.

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Postdoc at Aix-Marseille University in computational modelling of basal-ganglia-cortico-cerebellar circuits
by BATTAGLIA Demian Nov. 4, 2018

Nov. 4, 2018

Applications are invited for a: POSTDOCTORAL POSITION at Aix-Marseille University (southern France) under the joint mentoring of Dr. Demian Battaglia (Institute for Systems Neuroscience - INS) and Dr. Nicole Malfait (Institut de Neurosciences de la Timone - INT). This two-years position is funded by the project ANR (Agence National de la Recherche) “SENCE - Movement disorders in Parkinson’s disease: The role of somatoSENsory deficits and CErebellar anomalies”, involving researchers from Aix-Marseille University and the University of Oxford, as well as clinicians of the Hôpital de la Timone (AP-HM). In the context of this project, behavioral, electrophysiological (EEG/subthalamic nucleus LFP) and neuroimaging data will be recorded in patients with Parkinson's disease, under different medication (ON/OFF L-Dopa) and deep brain stimulation (DBS) conditions. In particular, effects of conventional continuous “open-loop” and "closed-loop" (adaptive) DBS will be contrasted. Rich expertise will be thus available in psychophysics and electrophysiology of sensorimotor systems (Nicole Malfait, INT; Huiling Tan, University of Oxford), structural and functional neuroimaging analyses (Olivier Coulon, INT), basal ganglia involvement in sensorimotor coordination (Andrea Brovelli, INT), and DBS (Alexandre Eusebio, AP-HM; Huiling Tan, University of Oxford) and theoretical and computational modelling of oscillating circuits dynamics (Demian Battaglia, INS). The postdoctoral fellow will participate to the design of circuit models (mean-field and spiking) with realistic anatomy, including known basal ganglia/cortical loops, as well as connections between basal ganglia and cerebellum, whose role has been until now only poorly studied. It has indeed recently been hypothesized that basal ganglia deregulation may directly interact with cerebellar predictive functions contributing to movement disorders in Parkinsons’s disease. Computational simulations of extended BG–cortex–cerebellum circuits will be used to reverse engineer circuit mechanisms responsible for the transition from normal to pathological oscillatory dynamics –also in relation to Dopamine levels– and to model and optimize the impact of adaptive deep brain stimulation protocols. Candidates should have already acquired experience in the computational modelling of neural circuits during their PhD. Previous experience in the modelling of BG circuits is a plus. Candidates should be able to work in a dynamic, interdisciplinary and international work environment. Salary corresponds to French national guidelines (~2K € net per month, experience-dependent), with travel and equipment funds. The successful candidate will integrate the Theoretical Neuroscience Group at the Institute for Systems Neuroscience (INS), located on the same campus as the Institut des Neuroscience de la Timone (INT) and the Hôpital de la Timone (AP-HM). The integrative and clinical neuroscience community in Marseille is among the most lively in Europe and Marseille is a vibrating city, with wonderful natural surroundings and home to the largest French-speaking university in the world, with an emphasis on interdisciplinary studies. Interested candidates should send a cv, a brief description of qualifications and research interests and the name of two reference contacts to both the co-directors: Demian Battaglia demian.battaglia(a)univ-amu.fr<mailto:demian.battaglia@univ-amu.fr> Nicole Malfait nicole.malfait(a)univ-amu.fr<mailto:nicole.malfait@univ-amu.fr> Feel free to inquire for further information. Applications from under-represented categories in STEM sciences are welcome and supported.

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Postdoc Position in Neural Data Analysis, University of Edinburgh
by Arno Onken Oct. 30, 2018

Oct. 30, 2018

The School of Informatics, University of Edinburgh, invites applications for a full-time, fixed term Research Associate position on the project "Novel techniques for stochastic modelling of time-dependent multivariate relationships with application to primary visual cortex", funded by the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), and directed by Dr Arno Onken (PI). The successful candidate will contribute to the development of a new framework for analysing multi-modal and multi-scale neural recordings. Moreover, the candidate will apply this framework to analyse activity of large neural populations recorded from awake mice during a virtual reality task by experimental project partner Dr Nathalie Rochefort. Candidates should have a PhD (or near completion) in a quantitative discipline (Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics, Computational Neuroscience or related), good software development skills and a keen interest in interdisciplinary research. A background in neuroscience is desirable, but not essential. The post is full time and fixed term at UE07: £33,199 - £39,609 pa. The post is available from 1st March 2019 for 36 months until the scheduled end of the project at 28th February 2022. For further information, please visit the vacancy website at: https://www.vacancies.ed.ac.uk/pls/corehrrecruit/erq_jobspec_version_4.jobs… Informal enquires can be made to Dr Arno Onken <aonken(a)inf.ed.ac.uk>. -- The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, with registration number SC005336.

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PhD in Cognitive Sciences at UC Irvine
by Jeff Krichmar Oct. 30, 2018

Oct. 30, 2018

Dear colleagues, The Department of Cognitive Sciences at UC Irvine has a number of openings for new graduate students starting Fall of 2019. We are in the process of expanding our graduate program, so please feel free to forward this information to any interested parties. All this information and more can be found via cogs.ci. Our department specializes in • Computational and mathematical cognitive modeling • Cognitive neuroscience • Visual and auditory perception • Attention and representation • Learning and development • Memory and language • Judgment and decision making ... and is generally strong in the use of leading technologies such as EEG, fMRI, and robotics, and of modern research tools such as computational methods, big data, and Bayesian statistics. We offer PhD degrees in Cognitive Sciences with an optional specialization in cognitive neuroscience and an optional joint degree (MS/PhD) in Statistics. We also take pride in offering excellent financial packages to our graduate students, including at least five years of guaranteed support, health insurance, research funding, and more. These positions are also open to international students with appropriate academic qualifications (i.e., a Bachelor's degree in a relevant field). This year's deadline to apply is December 1, 2018. We are happy to answer questions you or your students might have. Best, Joachim & Jeff -- Joachim Vandekerckhove Associate Professor Department of Cognitive Sciences Department of Statistics University of California, Irvine Jeff Krichmar Department of Cognitive Sciences 2328 Social & Behavioral Sciences Gateway University of California, Irvine Irvine, CA 92697-5100 jkrichma(a)uci.edu http://www.socsci.uci.edu/~jkrichma

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