- Comp-neuro - lists.cnsorg.org

Postdoctoral Position at Johns Hopkins: Selective attention in deep neural networks

by Ernst Niebur

The computational neuroscience group, headed by Prof. Ernst Niebur, in the Department of Neuroscience of Johns Hopkins University is recruiting one or more postdoctoral fellows. This is a collaborative project with the Johns Hopkins Electrical and Computer Engineering Department and the Allen Institute for Brain Research in Seattle, WA. Project: Deep learning has achieved impressive performance in many tasks which is driven by the capacity for backpropagation to “assign credit” to a vast array of parameters. This achievement is obtained at the cost of large energy consumption and many needed examples for learning. Furthermore, machine learning performance still pales in comparison with the energy efficiency and capacity to generalize when compared to biological systems. In this project, we will use mechanisms of selective attention, akin to those used in biological cognition, to constrain and direct the task of credit assignment during learning. Start date: As soon as possible. Affiliation: The computational neuroscience group (http://cnslab.mb.jhu.edu) is part of the Krieger Mind/Brain Institute at Johns Hopkins University and the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Requirements: * PhD in computational neuroscience, computer science, or a closely related field preferred. Candidates with a PhD in physics, mathematics, engineering, psychology, ... with a proven track record of creative thinking will be considered * Solid quantitative/mathematics training * Solid programming skills * Experience in deep learning strongly preferred * US citizens/permanent residents preferred * Women and members of underrepresented minorities strongly preferred Please send applications via email to niebur(a)jhu.edu, including * Complete CV including contact information, transcripts and a list of publications * Names, email addresses, and phone numbers of three references

March 14, 2023

Reminder! Fast Lane to Slow Science – Online panel discussion to celebrate International Women's Month – 20 March 2023, 13h GMT / 14h CET

by Sidarus, Nura

Hi, Can you please advertise a reminder for the following event. Thank you in advance, Nura Sidarus. ----- Fast Lane to Slow Science Online panel discussion to celebrate International Women's Month Monday, 20th March 2023 – 13h GMT / 14h CET You are warmly invited to join us in celebrating International Women's Month with an online panel discussion on "Fast Lane to Slow Science". If "fast science is bad for scientists and bad for science" (Frith, TiCS, 2019), how can we move towards a Slow Science? What are the implications for the evaluation of science and scientists? And for equity and diversity? Join our panel of world leading scientists, who have been shaping science, science evaluation and science policy in Europe, to discuss these questions and more: * Professor Dame Uta Frith, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, UK. Author of "Fast Lane to Slow Science<https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cell.…>" (TiCS, 2019). * Professor Sylvie Lorente, College of Engineering, Villanova University, USA. Member of the ERC Scientific Council. * Professor Toma Susi, Faculty of Physics, University of Vienna, Austria. Member of the Steering Board of the Coalition for Advancing Research Assessment. Details and registration: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/womens-month-celebration-panel-discussion-on…<https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.event…> Organised and chaired by Dr Nura Sidarus, Royal Holloway University of London, and facilitated by Dr María Jesús Maraver, University of Granada. Conceived by Women in Cognitive Science - Europe<https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.faceb…> & supported by Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway, University of London<https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.faceb…>. This email, its contents and any attachments are intended solely for the addressee and may contain confidential information. In certain circumstances, it may also be subject to legal privilege. Any unauthorised use, disclosure, or copying is not permitted. If you have received this email in error, please notify us and immediately and permanently delete it. Any views or opinions expressed in personal emails are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Royal Holloway, University of London. It is your responsibility to ensure that this email and any attachments are virus free.

March 14, 2023

Postdoctoral position in computational cognitive neuroscience, UKE, Hamburg (Germany)

by Stefano Panzeri

Profs Stefano Panzeri and Cristina Becchio and are seeking candidates for a fully funded postdoctoral position to research at the interface between Computational and Cognitive Neuroscience at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany. The successful candidate will conduct computational research in collaboration between the computational laboratory of Stefano Panzeri (Department of Excellence for Neural Information Processing) ( https://www.uke.de/english/departments-institutes/institutes/department-of-…) and the experimental laboratory of Cristina Becchio ( https://www.uke.de/english/physicians-and-scientists/wissenschaftlerprofils…) The aim of the project is to investigate the link between movement, decisions, and cognitive processes. One focus will be developing and applying advanced computational methods to study social transmission of information through movement kinematics. Another focus will be mathematical analysis on how information about covert cognitive states and ongoing individual and collective decision processes is encoded and readout in human movement. Our laboratories offer a wide range of interdisciplinary expertise in computational and cognitive neuroscience, covering advanced analysis techniques and neural network modeling. The laboratories also offer a thriving, ambitious and well-funded research environment (including several grants from the European Union, the NIH Brain Initiative, the Simons Foundation). This gives successful candidates ample opportunities for advanced training and personal scientific growth. We seek candidates holding a PhD in a numerate or cognitive neuroscientific discipline, with a solid computational background and a keen interest in neuroscience and cognition. The ideal candidate should be a highly motivated and creative individual who enjoys working in a dynamic, multi-disciplinary research environment and is willing to interact with both experimental and theoretical scientists. The job is available starting immediately and applications will be considered as soon as they are received and until the position is filled. The position is initially for 2 years, with the possibility of additional years of funding. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to email stefano.panzeri(a)gmail.com and c.becchio(a)uke.de as soon as possible, to inform us of the interest for the position and initiate a discussion about research projects. We suggest interested candidates to attach a CV when inquiring by email. For recent publications from our labs relevant to this project, see: Montobbio N., Cavallo A., Albergo D., Ansuini C., Battaglia F., Podda J., Nobili L., Panzeri S., Becchio C. (2022) Intersecting kinematic encoding and readout of intention in autism. *Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America*, 119: e2114648119. Patri J-F., Cavallo A., Pullar K., Soriano M., Valente M., Koul A., Avenanti A., Panzeri S., Becchio C. (2020). Transient disruption of the inferior parietal lobule impairs the ability to attribute intention to action. *Current Biology*, 30: 4594–4605. Panzeri S., et al (2017) Cracking the neural code for sensory perception by combining statistics, intervention and behaviour. *Neuron* 93: 491-507 Stefano Panzeri and Cristina Becchio >

March 13, 2023

REMINDER – Application deadline approaching for the Systems Vision Science Summer School

by Pavlovic, Maria

Systems Vision Science Summer School & Symposium: Aug. 14-24, in Tübingen, Germany -------------------------------- REMINDER APPLICATION DEADLINE MARCH 31, 2023! Applications are invited for a brand new summer school designed for everyone interested in gaining a systems level understanding of biological vision. We plan a coherent, graduate-level, syllabus on the integration of experimental data with theory and models, featuring lectures, guided exercises and discussion sessions. The summer school will end with a Systems Vision Science symposium on frontier topics, with talks and posters by additional participants. All summer school participants are invited to attend, and welcome to submit contributions to the symposium. For participation and contribution to the symposium only, click here <https://summerschool.lizhaoping.org/contributions-for-symposium/> to find more information. -------------------------------- Invited lecturers and speakers include: Assaf Breska, Peter Dayan, Andrea van Doorn, Wolfgang Einhäuser-Treyer, Karl Gegenfurtner, Ziad Hafed, Tadashi Isa, Jan Koenderink, Kristine Krug, Hanspeter Mallot, Laurence Maloney, Pascal Mamassian, Antje Nuthmann, Daniel Osorio, Andrew Parker, Jenny Read, Alexander Schütz, Manuel Spitschan, Kristina Visscher, Li Zhaoping. We are pleased to announce our symposium's keynote speaker: Marty Sereno. The keynote speech will be on August 22, 2023 -------------------------------- Please apply via https://summerschool.lizhaoping.org/application <https://summerschool.lizhaoping.org/application/> by March 31, 2023. Please check out our webpage https://summerschool.lizhaoping.org to find more out about the program, our invited lecturers/speakers, and other details. Please direct inquiries to svs.summerschool(a)tue.mpg.de <mailto:svs.summerschool@tue.mpg.de> -------------------------------- Organizing team: Li Zhaoping Ulf Lüder Maria Pavlovic Junhao Liang Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics University of Tuebingen <http://www.lizhaoping.org> www.lizhaoping.org

March 13, 2023

Barcelona summer school for Advanced Modelling of Behavior (BAMB!), July 19-27, 2023

by Klaus Wimmer

Applications for the Barcelona summer school for Advanced Modelling of Behavior (BAMB!<http://www.bambschool.org/>) are still open until March 15. Thanks to additional funding, we have reduced the course fee to 750 Eur. A limited number of course fee waivers and travel grants will also be available. Scientists from underrepresented groups and countries are especially encouraged to apply. BAMB! 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 basis 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, systems 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). The school is organized by the Centre de Recerca Matemática<http://www.crm.cat/>. Organizers: Chris Summerfield (Oxford / Deepmind) Marion Rouault (Paris Brain Institute) Klaus Wimmer (CRM, Barcelona) Heike Stein (ENS, Paris) Alex Hyafil (CRM, Barcelona) Confirmed Faculty: Anne Collins (UC Berkeley) Elaine Corbett (UC Dublin) Maria Eckstein (Deepmind) Alex Hyafil (CRM, Barcelona) John Krakauer (John Hopkins) Marion Rouault (Paris Brain Institute) Chris Summerfield (Oxford / Deepmind) Valentin Wyart (ENS Paris) Klaus Wimmer (CRM, Barcelona) Dates and location: July 19-27, downtown Barcelona, Spain Applications are open until March 15. CONFIDENTIALITY AND PRIVACY NOTICE: This message and the documents that might be attached, are addressed exclusively to their(s) recipient(s) and may contain privileged or confidential information. The access to this information by people other than those designated is not authorized. If you are not the indicated recipient, you are notified that the use, disclosure and / or copying without authorization is prohibited under current legislation. If you have received this message in error, please kindly inform the sender immediately and proceed to its destruction. We inform you that the personal data contained in this document, and in particular your contact information and professional position, are protected in accordance with current legislation on the protection of personal data. Centre de Recerca Matemàtica (CRM) will process the data only for the purpose of managing the relationship you have with us. The data will be kept while the purpose for which it was collected remains. You can exercise at any time your rights to access, rectification and erasure of your personal data, as well as the right to object and restriction of processing. For this, you must contact CRM by email to dpo(a)crm.cat.

March 11, 2023

Postdoctoral position in computational analyses of calcium imaging data, IIT (Italy)

by Stefano Panzeri

Profs Tommaso Fellin (IIT, Genoa, Italy) and Stefano Panzeri (UKE, Hamburg, Germany) are seeking candidates for a fully funded postdoctoral position in computational neuroscience at the Italian Institute of technology. The successful candidate will conduct research in the experimental Optical Approaches to Brain Functions Group led by Fellin at ITT ( https://www.iit.it/it/web/optical-approaches-to-brain-function) in close collaboration with the computational laboratory of Panzeri at UKE (Department of Excellence for Neural Information Processing https://www.uke.de/english/departments-institutes/institutes/department-of-…) We will investigate, by developing and using advanced data analysis methods and biophysically plausible network models, how populations of neurons and of astrocytes in the brain interact to encode information and use it to produce appropriate behaviors. Our laboratories have established a close and fruitful experimental-theoretical collaboration for a decade, and offer a wide range of interdisciplinary expertise in computational neuroscience, including both advanced neural analysis techniques and neural network modeling. We also offer thriving research environments, including many international collaborations several funded by the NIH Brain Initiative, the Simons Foundation, the European Union. This gives successful candidates strong opportunities for interdisciplinary training and scientific growth. We seek candidates holding a PhD in a numerate or neuroscientific discipline, with a solid computational background and a keen interest in neuroscience. They must be highly motivated and creative individuals who want to work in a dynamic, multi-disciplinary research environment and be willing to interact with both experimental and theoretical neuroscientists. The job is available from May 2023 and applications will be considered as soon as they are received. Candidates are encouraged to email us ( tommaso.fellin(a)iit.it and stefano.panzeri(a)gmail.com) as soon as possible, to inform us of the interest for the position and initiate a discussion about research projects. For recent publications from our labs relevant to this project, see: Panzeri S, et al (2022) The structures and functions of correlations in neural population codes. *Nature Reviews Neuroscience* 23: 551-567 Curreli S, et al (2022) Complementary encoding of spatial information in hippocampal astrocites. PLoS Biology 20: e3001530. Valente, M. et al (2021), Correlations enhance the behavioral readout of neural population activity in association cortex. *Nature Neuroscience*, 24, 975–986 Sità, et al A deep-learning approach for online cell identification and trace extraction in functional two-photon calcium imaging. Nat Commun 13, 1529 (2022) Antonini A, et al (2020) Extended field-of-view ultrathin microendoscopes for high-resolution two-photon imaging with minimal invasiveness *eLife* 9:e58882. Panzeri S, et al (2017) Cracking the neural code for sensory perception by combining statistics, intervention and behaviour. *Neuron* 93: 491-507 Pica G. et al (2017) Quantifying how much sensory information in a neural code is relevant for behavior, *Neural Information Processing Systems (NeurIPS 2017)* Thanks Stefano Panzeri and Tommaso Fellin

March 10, 2023

Postdoc position in Computational / Statistical Neuroscience @NYU

by Chen, Zhe

Postdoctral Fellow in Computational and Statistical Neuroscience New York University School of Medicine New York, NY Applications are now being accepted for two postdoctoral fellow positions to develop innovative methods to study the rodent hippocampal-neocortical recordings in rodents and human patients. The applicant will work closely with Dr. Zhe Sage Chen and Professor Gyuri Buzsaki at the New York University School of Medicine, with cross-disciplinary training in computational and systems (experimental) neuroscience. The applicant will have great opportunities to interact with a large and growing neuroscience community at the NYU campus, including the Neuroscience Institute<http://neuroscience.med.nyu.edu/>, Center for Neural Science<http://www.cns.nyu.edu/>, Department of Neuroscience & Physiology<http://neuro-physio.med.nyu.edu/>, and Department of Psychiatry<http://psych.med.nyu.edu/>. This position is available from immediately, and will be funded by the NIH for 3 years. Applications must have a PhD degree in Neuroscience, Engineering (Biomedical or Electrical), Statistics, Physics, or a related discipline. The desired applicant is expected to be highly motivated and work independently as well as cooperatively with other colleagues in the research projects. Ability to learn new techniques and resolve new research challenges is essential. Previous training in some areas, such as neural data analysis, machine learning, computer programming (MATLAB/Python) is preferred. To apply, please send an email along with (i) CV; (ii) a cover letter describing research accomplishments and interests; (iii) the names and contact information of two references to: Dr. Zhe Sage Chen (zhe.chen(a)nyulangone.org<mailto:zhe.chen@nyulangone.org?subject=Application>).

March 10, 2023

Call for workshops for INCF Neuroinformatics Assembly 2023

by INCF

*Call for workshops for INCF Neuroinformatics Assembly 2023* Do you have a great workshop idea? Let us know! <http://bit.ly/INCFAssembly23WSideas> We are inviting all members of the INCF community to submit proposals for workshop themes to be included in the virtual INCF Neuroinformatics Assembly 2023 this autumn. Please note that submission of workshop themes does not require submitters to commit to being the workshop chair. This year’s theme is Transparency in FAIR Neuroinformatics. Here are some topics we would like to see represented at Assembly: - "Opening the black box”: How to make AI/ML interpretable for Neuroinformatics - “A FAIR share”: The feasibility and scalability of data sharing from the infrastructure POV - A FAIR roadmap for knowledge graphs and ontologies - “Is this FAIR?”: Transparency in EDI & career development & management - From repositories to workflows: A FAIR roadmap for building and endorsing tools We encourage several forms of workshops: - Classical workshops that focus on a particular research area within neuroinformatics, including proposals for continuations of workshops that were held at previous general INCF Assemblies or discipline-specific conferences (e.g., OHBM, OCNS, FENS, etc…) - Workshops that focus on emerging neuroinformatics topics and applications or on open research questions and challenges - Cross-discipline workshops that foster the exchange of ideas between groups that are unaware of each other’s research - Birds-of-a-feather sessions - Other topics of interest to the neuroinformatics community Submit your ideas no later than March 24 using this form <https://forms.gle/d9z6BicgWNdWvN2b7>. /The INCF Secretariat

March 10, 2023

Advanced Medical Imaging Workshop in Python - Los Angeles - April 23-28 2023

by sreekar chigurupati

Dear Researcher, DIPY is an internationally-recognized software used for processing structural (3D) and diffusion (4D) imaging data. Funded by the NIH and used in surgical planning for over a decade. Join us for an exciting in person workshop hosted in Santa Monica, Los Angeles. April 23-28. https://dipy.org/workshops/latest This disruptive workshop provides 5 days of hands-on tutorial sessions in Python opening the box of the internal mechanisms of state-of-the-art ML algorithms. Our comprehensive program is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to master the latest techniques and tools in structural and diffusion imaging. Do not miss learning about our new set of ML-driven pre-processing tools! See figure above! Our team of expert instructors will guide you through the fundamentals of diffusion theory, data pre-processing, fiber tracking, and much more. You'll have the opportunity to learn from industry-leading professionals, ask questions, and network with like-minded peers. Register today to secure your spot in this highly anticipated event! Thank You, DIPY team

March 9, 2023

Women in Memory Research - Deadline approaching - 15.03.23

by Vinita Samarasinghe

A final reminder regarding our Women in Memory Research program. The deadline for applications is 15.03.23 (as is the deadline for submitting abstracts for GEM 2023). The event below is for women who are interested in pursuing a PhD in memory research in neuroscience or philosophy. Please be kind enough to pass on this message to interested students. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Women in Memory Research 2023 The research unit “Constructing scenarios of the past” seeks to promote women in memory research. The program WiMR 2023 is made possible through a grant from the German Research Foundation (DFG) and collaboration with the Ruhr University Bochum. Come and learn what an academic career looks likeand discover its advantages. During your week at the Ruhr University Bochum (RUB)you will participate in GEM 2023 <https://for2812.rub.de/gem2023/> where you will hear about the latest research in generative episodic memory, be given the opportunityto present your research and meet with female scientists from the field. Before and after GEM you'll be introduced to support structures, funding measures and the FOR 2812 labs <https://for2812.rub.de/projects/>. Our participating senior scientists include: Ali Boyle, London School of Economics; Pernille Hemmer, Rutgers University; Peggy St. Jacques, University of Alberta; Kristina Liefke, Ruhr University Bochum; Ricarda Schubotz, University of Munster; Maria Wimber, University of Glasgow. Sounds exciting? *Who can apply:* Womenmasters students in their final year of study and recently graduated masters students who are looking into an academic career in the area of memory research/neuroscience. Applicants must have excellent grades and be able to communicate in English. Selection of participants is competitive. We only have 12 spots! *How to apply:* Send your application including a one page letter of motivation, a current CV, masters transcripts and a letter of recommendation from one of your professors. Your application should be sent, as a single PDF document, to Vinita Samarasinghe @ for2812+gem(a)rub.de <mailto:for2812@rub.de> by March 15, 2023 with the subject line "WiMR - application". If you need child care or any other support please note this in your application. Applications will be evaluated and ranked after the deadline has passed and notifications will be sent out by 31.03.2023. If you accept, you must register for GEM 2023. *What to expect from us:* We will provide bed and breakfast (single occupancy), cover travel costs (restrictions apply) and provide some meals. The program is offered in English. *What we expect from you:* You are present for all of the program and that you present your current research in the form of a poster at GEM 2023. *Program:* 12.06.2023 AM Welcome to Bochum PM GEM 2023 13.06.2023 GEM 2023 14.06.2023 AM GEM 2023 PM Fireside chat with senior memory researchers 15.06.2023 AM Resilience Workshop PM Funding and support structures 16.06.2023 Lab visits *Questions? * Visit our website at https://for2812.rub.de/wimr2023 for more information. Please feel free to get in touch with Vinita Samarasinghe (for2812(a)rub.de <mailto:for2812@rub.de>) if you have any questions. -- Vinita Samarasinghe M.Sc., M.A. Science Manager Arbeitsgruppe Computational Neuroscience Institut für Neuroinformatik Ruhr-Universität Bochum, NB 3/73 Postfachnummer 110 Universitätstr. 150 44801 Bochum Tel: +49 (0) 234 32 27996 Email:samarasinghe@ini.rub.de

March 9, 2023