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[Meetings] CRNS Talk Series (4) - Live Talk by Prof. Mehul Bhatt - Orebro University - Sweden
by Amir Aly March 8, 2022

March 8, 2022

Dear All * Apologies for cross-posting* The *Center for Robotics and Neural Systems* (CRNS) is pleased to announce the talk of *Prof. **Mehul Bhatt* from *Orebro University* - Sweden on Wednesday, March 16th from *11:00 am* to *12:30* *pm* (*London time*) over *Zoom*. >> *Events*: The CRNS talk series will cover a wide range of topics including social and cognitive robotics, computational neuroscience, computational linguistics, cognitive vision, machine learning, AI, and applications to autism. More details are available here: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/research/robotics-neural-systems/whats-on <https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.plymo…> >> *Link for the next event (No Registration is Required)*: Join Zoom Meeting https://plymouth.zoom.us/j/95748572834?pwd=M05YTXhTVnBOK0R6WTlPaDJnTm5GUT09… >> *Title of the talk*: Artificial visual intelligence: Perceptual commonsense for human-centred cognitive technologies *Abstract*: This talk addresses computational cognitive vision and perception at the interface of (spatial) language, (spatial) logic, (spatial) cognition, and artiﬁcial intelligence. Summarizing recent works, I present general methods for the semantic interpretation of dynamic visuospatial imagery with an emphasis on the ability to perform abstraction, reasoning, and learning with cognitively rooted structured characterizations of commonsense knowledge pertaining to space and motion. I will particularly highlight: - explainable models of computational visuospatial commonsense at the interface of symbolic and neural techniques; - deep semantics, entailing systematically formalised declarative (neurosymbolic) reasoning and learning with aspects pertaining to space, space-time, motion, actions & events, spatio-linguistic conceptual knowledge; and - general foundational commonsense abstractions of space, time, and motion needed for representation mediated (grounded) reasoning and learning with dynamic visuospatial stimuli. The presented works –demonstrated in the backdrop of applications in autonomous driving, cognitive robotics, visuoauditory media, and cognitive psychology– are intended to serve as a systematic model and general methodology integrating diverse, multi-faceted AI methods pertaining knowledge representation and reasoning, computer vision, and machine learning towards realising practical, human-centred, computational visual intelligence. I will conclude by highlighting a bottom-up interdisciplinary approach –at the conﬂuence of cognition, AI, Interaction, and design science– necessary to better appreciate the complexity and spectrum of varied human-centred challenges for the design and (usable) implementation of (explainable) artiﬁcial visual intelligence solutions in diverse human-system interaction contexts. *Keywords*. Cognitive Vision; Knowledge Representation and Reasoning; Commonsense Reasoning; Deep Semantics; Declarative Spatial Reasoning; Com- puter Vision; Computational Models of Narrative; Human-Centred Computing and Design; Spatial Cognition and AI; Visual Perception; Multimodal Interaction; Autonomous Driving; HRI; Visuo-Auditory Media; Visual Art >> If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me, Regards ---------------- *Dr. Amir Aly* Lecturer in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Center for Robotics and Neural Systems (CRNS) School of Engineering, Computing, and Mathematics Room B332, Portland Square, Drake Circus, PL4 8AA University of Plymouth, UK

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Symposium "From Cortical Microcircuits to Consciousness" 11-13, April 2022
by Zélie Tournoud March 8, 2022

March 8, 2022

*From Cortical Microcircuits to Consciousness (CORTICON)* In person Symposium Institut Catholique de Paris, Paris, France 11-13 April 2022 The Symposium aims at bringing together neuroscientists from the Human Brain Project and invited guests to present their latest achievements in understanding cortical circuits at various scales, including the emergence of consciousness. The involvement of neuronal and neuroglial cells in brain functioning, memory, learning, cognition and consciousness in health and disease will be discussed from the experimental and theoretical perspective. The Symposium will also address neuroethics and neurophilosophy with links to society in a public key note, followed by a panel discussion by experts. Talks will be recorded and later put online. It will also offer a hands-on session on The Virtual Brain, the principal full brain network simulator in EBRAINS for constructing and simulating personalised brain models. We hope to see many of you in Paris at the Institut Catholique de Paris, close to Jardin du Luxembourg, in April 2022. Walter Senn, Alain Destexhe and Ausra Saudargiene ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ *Abstract submission* (300 words, for Posters): 15 March 2022 *Registration deadline:* 6 April 2022 *Info and program:*https://www.humanbrainproject.eu/en/education/corticon/ <https://www.humanbrainproject.eu/en/education/corticon/> *Speakers:* Katrin Amunts | Human Brain Project Scientific Research Director Melanie Boly | University of Wisconsin, USA Stanislas Dehaene | Collège de France Alain Destexhe | Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, France Kathinka Evers | Uppsala University, Sweden Wulfram Gerstner | Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland Jeanette Hellgren-Kotaleski | KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden Viktor Jirsa | Aix-Marseille University, France Christof Koch | Allen Institute for Brain Sciences, USA Matthew Larkum | Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany Marja-Leena Linne | Tampere University, Finland Marcello Massimini | University of Milan, Italy Lucia Melloni | Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Science, Germany Michele Migliore | Institute of Biophysics, Italian National Research Council, Italy Lars Muckli | University of Glasgow, UK Theofanis Panagiotaropoulos | Inserm, NeuroSpin, France Cyriel Pennartz | University of Amsterdam, Netherlands Panayiota Poirazi | IMBB-FORTH, Greece Petra Ritter | Berlin Institute of Health, Germany Pieter Roelfsema | Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Netherlands Ausra Saudargiene | Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Lithuania Walter Senn | University of Bern, Switzerland Johan Storm | Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Norway Chris Summerfield | University of Oxford, UK Marmaduke Woodman | Aix-Marseille University, France _____ *Zélie Tournoud*/// EITN Communication manager/ *European Institute for Theoretical Neuroscience (EITN)* UMR 9197 – *NeuroPSI*(Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay) CNRS – Université Paris-Saclay Centre CEA Paris-Saclay Bâtiment 151 91400 Saclay https://www.eitn.org <https://www.eitn.org>

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Comp Neuro PhD position, Moreno Bote Lab, Barcelona
by Ruben Moreno Bote March 8, 2022

March 8, 2022

*PhD Position in* *Computational Neuroscience, Ruben Moreno-Bote Lab * *Center for Brain and Cognition, University Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain* 1 fully funded PhD position is available in the group of Theoretical and Cognitive Neuroscience of Ruben Moreno-Bote in the Center for Brain and Cognition at the University Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain. We are looking for excellent candidates with Physics, Mathematics or Machine Learning background interested in developing theory for the brain and mind. Knowledge of Computational Neuroscience or Neuroscience would be ideal, but it is not necessary. The candidate will develop state of the art theory and models of cognition and intelligence by using neural networks, reinforcement learning, machine learning, data analysis and multielectrode neural data. The main research topic of our lab is decision-making, from a multidisciplinary angle. The candidate will benefit from the stimulating environment of Barcelona area in Theoretical and Systems Neuroscience and will have the opportunity of enjoying a lively city. Our lab (https://www.upf.edu/web/tcn) forms part of a larger network of neuroscience labs in Barcelona. Financial support is provided by HHMI and the Spanish MINECO. APPLICATION: A full CV in pdf format and an extract of grades for degree and master studies should be sent to the following address: ruben.moreno(a)upf.edu DEADLINE: until the position is filled STARTING DATE: any time between September 2022 and January 2023 -- Rubén Moreno Bote Serra Húnter Professor Director of the Theoretical and Cognitive Neuroscience Group Center for Brain and Cognition & Dept. of Information and Communications Technologies University Pompeu Fabra Campus Ciutadella c\ Ramon Trias Fargas, 25-27 Mercè Rodoreda building, 3th floor (room 24.331) 08005 Barcelona, Spain https://www.upf.edu/web/tcn https://twitter.com/morenobote <https://twitter.com/morenobote?lang=ca>

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[CFP, Deadline Extended] MDPI Molecules (IF: 4.412) - Special Issue "Practical Aspects of Molecular Communications"
by Murat Kuşcu March 7, 2022

March 7, 2022

(Apologies if you receive multiple copies of this CFP) MDPI Molecules (IF: 4.411, ISSN: 1420-3049) Special Issue on Practical Aspects of Molecular Communications https://www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules/special_issues/molecular_communicati… --------------------------- CALL FOR PAPERS The Internet of Bio-Nano Things (IoBNT) is an emerging technology that aims to extend our connectivity to nanoscale and biological environments with collaborative nanonetworks of artificial nanomachines and biological entities integrated into the Internet infrastructure. To enable the IoBNT and its groundbreaking applications, such as continuous intrabody health monitoring, it is imperative to devise low-complexity nanoscale communication techniques suitable for the envisioned nanomachines of simple architectures. The most promising communication technology for realizing the IoBNT is Molecular Communications (MC), as it ubiquitously manifests itself in many complex biological systems in the Universe, and thus, stands as one of the most common communication modalities, optimized from many aspects as a result of billions of years of evolutionary advancement. Making use of this naturally existing technology requires understanding its foundations through our existing modeling and analysis tools. This quest, which started almost 15 years ago, has received increasing attention from ICT researchers, which have been overly inspired by conventional electromagnetic communication technologies in their approach to this radically different paradigm. These theoretical approaches, however, have not always come with sufficient physical relevance. Currently, this emerging field has come to a critical turning point, as many researchers have started to report on initial MC experiments following different approaches and using different materials, while consistently pointing out a discrepancy between the obtained experimental results and the past theoretical work. This reveals the need to rethink the previous efforts and come up with new interdisciplinary strategies, thus building practical MC techniques and developing feasible MC system components, experimental testbeds, and prototypes in order to close the gap between theory and practice, and expedite the transfer of this emerging technology to the market. Among the challenges stated above, this Special Issue is particularly focused on the practical aspects of MC. Therefore, we are calling for technical papers that report on new research with the potential to move this field forward towards its practical applications, as well as surveys/tutorials focusing on the practical challenges of MC research. Hence, its scope encompasses a wide range of interdisciplinary research topics, with some examples listed as follows: ** The physical design, modeling, and implementation of MC system components (e.g., transmitter, receiver, channel); ** The design and implementation of MC testbeds; ** Practical and low-complexity MC methods (e.g., modulation, detection, channel estimation, synchronization, coding methods); ** The testing and validation of MC transceiver/channel models and MC methods; ** Applications of microfluidics, biosensors, and nanomaterials for MC system design; ** Bio-cyber interfaces between MC networks and conventional macroscale networks; ** Synthetic biology-based MC transceiver architectures; ** Optimization of ligand-receptor interactions for MC; ** Biocompatibility and co-existence challenges; ** Energy harvesting and power transfer techniques for MC networks; ** The design and demonstration of MC applications (e.g., those in healthcare, agriculture, biocomputing). --------------------------- Deadline for manuscript submissions: *31** July 2022* --------------------------- Guest Editors Murat Kuscu, Koc University, Turkey (mkuscu(a)ku.edu.tr) Sasitharan Balasubramaniam, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA ( sasi(a)unl.edu) Kerstin Lenk, Graz University of Technology, Austria (kerstin.lenk(a)tugraz.at ) Ergin Dinc, University of Cambridge, UK (ed502(a)cam.ac.uk) Michael Barros, University of Essex, UK (m.barros(a)essex.ac.uk) Bige D. Unluturk, Michigan State University, USA (unluturk(a)msu.edu) --------------------------- Paper submission Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All papers will be peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website. Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI. Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2300 CHF (Swiss Francs). --------------------------- Additional information: Please visit the MDPI Molecules Special Issue webpage at: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules/special_issues/molecular_communicati… Inquiries can be addressed to Mr. Gavin Fu at: gavin.fu(a)mdpi.com <gavin.fu(a)mdpi.com>, molecules(a)mdpi.com

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Postdoctoral Fellowship in Machine Learning for Brain Connectivity in Clinical Neuroscience
by Paolo Avesani March 7, 2022

March 7, 2022

A postdoctoral fellowship in Machine Learning for Brain Connectivity in Clinical Neuroscience We are pleased to announce the opening of one Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Neuroinformatics Lab, an interdisciplinary initiative between the Center for Mind/Brain Sciences (CIMeC) of the University of Trento, and the Center for Digital Health of Fondazione Bruno Kessler. The position is part of the “Neusurplan” project, an integrated approach to neurosurgery planning based on multimodal and longitudinal data. The goal is to pursue an integrated approach to pre-operative neurosurgical planning, combining structural and functional characterization of brain connectivity. The data driven strategy will take advantage of a unique dataset of intra-operative points of directed electrical stimulation and the related functional responses. In this project, the candidate will pursue research on machine learning methods for neuroimaging data analysis to study and characterize brain connectivity, with applications to longitudinal studies and clinical practice. The ideal candidate should have a mixed background in neuroimaging techniques and numerate disciplines, like computer science, engineering, physics, or mathematics. This project is in collaboration with the Division of Neurosurgery, S. Chiara Hospital, Trento (IT). The position is for a 2 year Postdoc Fellowship (May, 2022 - April, 2024). To apply, follow the instructions at this link: https://bit.ly/nilab2022call Deadline for application: 21 March 2022. For questions about the position, please contact Paolo Avesani ( paolo.avesani(a)unitn.it) and/or Emanuele Olivetti (olivetti(a)fbk.eu) The University of Trento ranks among top Italian Universities ( https://www.unitn.it/en/ateneo/1636/rankings) Fondazione Bruno Kessler ranks first among the Italian research centers in Engineering and Computer Science ( https://magazine.fbk.eu/en/news/fbk-ranks-1st-in-italy-for-scientific-excel… ). To also consider a work/life balance, there is more than our passion for translational research. You can check these pointers for a flavor of life quality in Trentino: https://www.visittrentino.info/en; https://www.discovertrento.it/en A few papers related to the project are below: Bertò G,et al., (2021) Classifyber, a robust streamline-based linear classifier for white matter bundle segmentation, Neuroimage, 224 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.117402 Sarubbo S, et al., (2020) Mapping critical cortical hubs and white matter pathways by direct electrical stimulation: an original functional atlas of the human brain, Neuroimage, 205 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2019.116237 Astolfi P, et al., (2020) Tractogram filtering of anatomically non-plausible fibers with geometric deep learning, International Conference on Medical Image Computing and Computer-Assisted Intervention (MICCAI) LNCS, vol 12267. Springer https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-59728-3_29 Sarubbo S, et al., (2021) Planning brain tumor resection using a probabilistic atlas of cortical and subcortical structures critical for functional processing: a proof of concept, Operative Neurosurgery, 20(3), 175-183 https://doi.org/10.1093/ons/opaa396 -- ------------------------------------------------------- Paolo Avesani Fondazione Bruno Kessler via Sommarive 18, 38050 Povo (TN) - I phone: +39 0461 314336 fax: +39 0461 302040 email: avesani(a)fbk.eu web: avesani.fbk.eu -- -- Le informazioni contenute nella presente comunicazione sono di natura privata e come tali sono da considerarsi riservate ed indirizzate esclusivamente ai destinatari indicati e per le finalità strettamente legate al relativo contenuto. Se avete ricevuto questo messaggio per errore, vi preghiamo di eliminarlo e di inviare una comunicazione all’indirizzo e-mail del mittente. -- The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. If you received this in error, please contact the sender and delete the material.

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EMBO Practical Course - Barcelona summer school for Advanced Modelling of Behavior (BAMB!) -, September 1-8, 2022
by Alexandre Hyafil March 7, 2022

March 7, 2022

The Barcelona summer school for Advanced Modelling of Behavior (BAMB! <http://www.bambschool.org>) teaches advanced techniques in model-based analysis of behavior (humans and other species) to cognitive and computational neuroscientists at PhD and early career levels. This will be achieved through structured lectures, talks, hands-on tutorials and group projects aimed at making knowledge obtained directly applicable to the participants' own research. We want the trainees to acquire both the conceptual bases and the technical skills that will enable them to pursue a full modelling approach on their own when they come back to their lab. The course is intended for PhD students and postdocs in cognitive and computational neuroscience with a solid background in computational/quantitative analysis to benefit maximally from the advanced training offered by the course. Proficiency in either Python or Matlab is also required. We seek a nice blend of experimentalists (cognitive psychology / neuroscience) and theoreticians (with or without experience in cognitive modeling). Scientists from underrepresented groups and countries are especially encouraged to apply. The school is an EMBO Practical Course <https://www.embo.org/conferences-training/> and is organized by the Centre de Recerca Matemática <http://www.crm.cat>. A limited number of travel grants <https://www.embo.org/funding/lecture-travel-and-childcare-grants/travel-gra…> will be available from EMBO. Organizers: Chris Summerfield (Oxford / Deepmind) Klaus Wimmer (CRM, Barcelona) Alex Hyafil (CRM, Barcelona) Confirmed Faculty: Jean Daunizeau (ICM, Paris) Alex Hyafil (CRM, Barcelona) Máté Lengyel (Cambridge) Zhaoping Li (Tübingen) Alfonso Renart (Champalimaud) Marion Rouault (ENS Paris) Kim Stachenfeld (Deepmind) Chris Summerfield (Oxford / Deepmind) MH Tessler (Deepmind) Klaus Wimmer (CRM, Barcelona) Dates and location: September 1-8, downtown Barcelona, Spain Applications are open until April 13. Please see the course website for further details: www.bambschool.org.

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INCF/OCNS Software working group survey on software usage
by Ankur Sinha March 7, 2022

March 7, 2022

Dear all, We, the INCF/OCNS Software working group, are conducting a short anonymous survey to collect information on the usage of common software tools in comp-neuro. Could we please request you to spend 2 minutes of your time to fill it out here: https://forms.gle/NXWv2CwtWBSB9BXv9 The information gathered in the survey will be used to organise sessions/workshops related to the software, and improve awareness about them and their maintenance. On behalf of the Software WG, -- Thanks, Regards, Ankur Sinha (He / Him / His) Research Fellow at the Silver Lab | http://silverlab.org/ Department of Neuroscience, Physiology, & Pharmacology University College London, London, UK Time zone: Europe/London

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Survey on the technical landscape and barriers present in EEG research informatics
by Christian O'Reilly March 6, 2022

March 6, 2022

Dear colleagues, We'd appreciate your time completing this brief survey, for a new initiative, EEGNet <https://protect2.fireeye.com/v1/url?k=31323334-501d2dca-31327df5-4544555345…> , which aims to leverage open-source infrastructure for sharing and annotating open standardized EEG datasets with automated processing workflows. We are keen to have your views on the technical landscape and barriers present in EEG research informatics. Click here to take this survey <https://protect2.fireeye.com/v1/url?k=31323334-501d2dca-31327df5-4544555345…> (https://tinyurl.com/4rruuz42) which should take around 10 minutes -- and thank you for sharing it with colleagues in your field. If you're interested in sharing tools and data through EEGNet and providing more input on the platform, please let us know via the embedded links you'll find in the survey. EEGNet is a constituent organization of the Global Brain Consortium (GBC <https://protect2.fireeye.com/v1/url?k=31323334-501d2dca-31327df5-4544555345…>), an international neuroscience collaboration focused on EEG-mediated applications in global health. Thank you for your valuable input - We are hoping to have all responses back as soon as possible. Christian O'Reilly ------------------ Assistant Professor, University of South Carolina (UofSC) Department of Computer Science and Engineering Artificial Intelligence Institute (#AIISC) Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders Center (#USCAND) Institute for Mind and Brain

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Postdoc position
by Cian O'Donnell March 4, 2022

March 4, 2022

Postdoc position in Computational Neuroscience Intelligent Systems Research Centre, Ulster University, Derry/Londonderry, UK We are looking for a computational/mathematical neuroscience research associate to build stochastic models of gene expression in neurons to try to understand how or if synapses can store information stably. Post has funding for up to 3 years. You will be based in the group of Cian O'Donnell at Ulster University in Derry, Northern Ireland, UK (https://odonnellgroup.github.io) but closely collaborating with and visiting the mathematical neuroscience group of Romain Veltz at INRIA, Sophia-Antipolis, France (http://romainveltz.pythonanywhere.com) In addition to mathematical/computational modelling, as part of the project you will have the opportunity to analyse in vivo and in vitro imaging data from experimental collaborators Noam Ziv, Technion, Israel (https://noamziv.net.technion.ac.il) and Haining Zhong, OHSU, USA (https://www.hainingzhonglab.com) You will also be a member of the Intelligent Systems Research Centre (http://isrc.ulster.ac.uk) which hosts a community of researchers working across computational and cognitive neuroscience, neurotechnology, neuromorphic engineering, machine learning, robotics and related fields. You should have: - PhD in computational neuroscience/biology, applied mathematics, computer science, engineering, physics, or related field. - Expertise in one or more programming languages for scientific computing such as Python, Julia, MATLAB, or similar. - Experience of computational/mathematical modelling of biological or related systems. Derry is lively city of ~100K people situated on the River Foyle, in the north-west of the island of Ireland. It has a highly affordable cost of living, thriving cultural scene, and access to spectacular coastal scenery and the great outdoors in Donegal and the north coast of Northern Ireland. Application deadline is 13th March 2022. Follow this link (https://www.ulster.ac.uk/about/jobs) and search for job ref 010982. Please contact Cian (c.odonnell2(a)ulster.ac.uk<mailto:c.odonnell2@ulster.ac.uk>) for informal enquiries. -- Cian O’Donnell Lecturer in Data Analytics School of Computing, Engineering and Intelligent Systems Ulster University https://odonnellgroup.github.io

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Postdoc in Computational Neuroscience at NYU
by Cristina Savin Feb. 28, 2022

Feb. 28, 2022

Postdoc in Computational Neuroscience at NYU We are seeking a creative and driven computational neuroscience postdoctoral fellow to work on a collaborative project between the labs of Dora Angelaki (https://angelakilabnyu.org/ <https://angelakilabnyu.org/>) and Cristina Savin (http://www.cns.nyu.edu/~csavin <http://www.cns.nyu.edu/~csavin>) at New York University. The project studies neural representations underlying foraging behavior in monkeys, comparing both freely-moving and head-restrained behaviors, funded by the NIH BRAIN Initiative. The position is initially for one year, with the possibility of renewal. The successful candidate will have: a strong quantitative background demonstrable interest in neuroscience obtained (or be close to the completion of) a PhD in computational neuroscience, physics, mathematics, computer science, machine learning, statistics, etc ability to work in a strongly collaborative and interdisciplinary setting Preference will be given to candidates with: expertise in probabilistic machine learning strong programming skills, ideally in python previous experience with neural data analysis To send your application please provide your cv, a brief statement of research interests, and the contact details for reference letters to <csavin(a)nyu.edu <mailto:csavin@nyu.edu>>. For informal queries, please contact Cristina Savin (csavin(a)nyu.edu <mailto:csavin@nyu.edu>) or Dora Angelaki(da93(a)nyu.edu <mailto:da93@nyu.edu>). We will be available for in person discussions at the upcoming Cosyne meeting.

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