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World wide VVTNS series (6th season): Unsupervised representation learning by amortised neural message-passing | Wednesday, March 4, 2026, at 11:00 am ET - Lior Fox, Gatsby Computational Neuroscience Unit

by David Hansel

[image: VVTNS.png] https://www.wwtns.online <https://streaklinks.com/A9c7PbbpKY7PxB6PaAJWGD3-/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wwtns.on…> - on twitter: wwtns@TheoreticalWide You are cordially invited to the lecture Lior Fox Gatsby Computational Neuroscience Unit on the topic of * Unsupervised representation learning by amortised neural * *message-passing* The lecture will be held on zoom on March 4 ,2026, at *11:00 am ET * > To receive the link: https://www.wwtns.online/register-page > *Abstract: *Useful internal representations should explain the patterns of regularities and dependencies among observations. Probabilistic graphical models promise a principled way to uncover latent factors as such, but they are hard to scale to handle high-dimensional sensory observations and complicated dependency structures. Neural-networks, on the other hand, excel at approximating complicated high-dimensional functions, but their internal representations do not easily lend themselves to a probabilistic interpretation. Despite some successes, a general unified approach is still missing for integrating the two approaches. I will describe a novel approach towards merging adaptive neural-network components into a probabilistic framework, based on three core ideas. The first is to train a set of networks to collectively perform inference, leveraging the ability of pattern-recognition methods to amortise complicated transformations. The second is to constrain the way in which the outputs of these networks are interpreted, transformed, and combined together. These constraints, together with the learning objective itself, are derived directly from probabilistic considerations encoded in a graphical model. Finally, the third core idea is that of recognition-parameterization, allowing the inference ("recognition") procedure to directly define the model itself, without requiring an explicit "generative" decoder. *About VVTNS : Launched as the World Wide Theoretical Neuroscience Seminar (WWTNS) in November 2020 and renamed in homage to Carl van Vreeswijk in Memoriam (April 20, 2022), Speakers have the occasion to talk about theoretical aspects of their work which cannot be discussed in a setting where the majority of the audience consists of experimentalists. The seminars, **held on Wednesdays at 11 am ET,** are 45-50 min long followed by a discussion. The talks are recorded with authorization of the speaker and are available to everybody on our YouTube channel.* ᐧ ᐧ ᐧ

March 1, 2026

ICIST 2026 – Call for Papers

by Nian Ashlee Zhang

The 16th International Conference on Information Science and Technology (ICIST 2026) will be held in Coimbra, Portugal, October 1-6, 2026. Topics include intelligent control and automation, artificial intelligence, machine learning, information processing, computer vision, networking, and information security. Submission deadline: May 15, 2026. Technically supported by IEEE SMC. Accepted papers are expected to be included in IEEE Xplore. Conference website & submission: https://conference.cs.cityu.edu.hk/icist/ Please feel free to share with interested colleagues.

Feb. 28, 2026

Re: Accepting applications: The Brain Prize Course - Computational and Theoretical Neuroscience 2026

by Maria Geffen

Dear Colleagues, The deadline for the Cajal course in Computational Neuroscience has been extended to March 9! We look forward to seeing you in sunny Lisbon this summer! Please apply. -Maria ________________________________ From: Maria Neimark Geffen <mariageffen(a)gmail.com> Sent: Friday, January 30, 2026 10:21 AM To: comp-neuro(a)lists.cnsorg.org <comp-neuro(a)lists.cnsorg.org> Subject: Accepting applications: The Brain Prize Course - Computational and Theoretical Neuroscience 2026 Dear Colleagues, I’m writing as a co-director of the upcoming CAJAL Advanced Neuroscience Training Course: The Brain Prize Course - Computational and Theoretical Neuroscience 2026, now open for applications. This intensive course is a unique opportunity for early-career researchers interested in this field. Hosted at the Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, this three-week course focuses on bridging the gap between theoretical frameworks and experimental neuroscience. It provides intensive training in neural coding, network dynamics, and advanced data analysis, combining high-level lectures with hands-on Python-based projects to model complex brain functions and interpret large-scale neuronal datasets. 📍 Location: Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Lisbon, Portugal 📅 Dates: 13 - 31 July 2026 ⏳ Application Deadline: 27 February 2026 🔗 Apply now: https://form.jotform.com/Cajal_training/computational-neuro2026 Course Directors * Alfonso Renart - Champalimaud Foundation, Portugal * Julijana Gjorgjieva - Technical University of Munich, Germany * Maria Geffen - University of Pennsylvania, USA * Omri Barak - Technion, Israel Institute of Technology Course Themes & Topics: * Neural Modeling & Dynamics: Mastering the mathematical foundations of brain function, from single-cell biophysical models like Hodgkin−Huxley to the complex behavior of excitatory-inhibitory networks. * Neural Coding & Data Analysis: Learning how populations of neurons represent information using advanced computational tools like dimensionality reduction to decode large-scale neural datasets. * Cognitive & Normative Theory: Exploring high-level functions through Bayesian inference and reinforcement learning to understand how the brain optimizes decision-making and motor control. Speakers include: * Larry Abbott (Columbia University, USA) * Haim Sompolinsky (Harvard University, USA & Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel) * Susanne Schreiber (Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany) * Francesca Mastrogiuseppe (SISSA – International School for Advanced Studies, Italy ) * Il Memming Park (Champalimaud Foundation, Portugal) * Jakob Macke (University of Tübingen, Germany ) * Wiktor Młynarski (LMU Munich – Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Germany ) * Laura Busse (LMU Munich – Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Germany ) * Yiota Poirazi (IMBB–FORTH, Heraklion, Greece ) * Adrienne Fairhall (University of Washington, USA) * Agostina Palmigiano (Gatsby Computational Neuroscience Unit, UCL, UK) * Joe Paton (Champalimaud Foundation, Portugal) * Dmitri Chklovskii (Flatiron Institute, Simons Foundation, USA) * Brent Doiron (University of Chicago, USA) * Gilles Laurent (Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, Germany) * Alex Cayco Gajic (École Normale Supérieure – PSL, France ) * Rafal Bogacz (MRC Brain Network Dynamics Unit, University of Oxford, UK) ________________________________ Maria Neimark Geffen, Ph.D. (she/her) Professor Co-director, Penn Computational Neuroscience Initiative Department of Otorhinolaryngology: HNS (primary) Department of Neuroscience Department of Neurology Perelman School of Medicine University of Pennsylvania 5 Ravdin 3400 Spruce St. Philadelphia PA 19104 Tel.: 215.898.0782 My zoom<https://pennmedicine.zoom.us/my/mgeffen?pwd=eWVFbUJFUGRJZ3g1eU9YZEZic2VwZz09> mgeffen(a)pennmedicine.upenn.edu<mailto:mgeffen@pennmedicine.upenn.edu> http://hosting.med.upenn.edu/hearing https://bsky.app/profile/geffenlab.bsky.social

Feb. 27, 2026

CfP AISC 2026 - Natural and Artificial Intelligence: between Skills and Biases

by Luca Tummolini

*Call for Papers — AISC 2026* *https://www.aisc2026.com/ <https://www.aisc2026.com/>* *22nd Annual Conference of the Italian Association for Cognitive Science:* *Natural and Artificial Intelligence: between Skills and Biases* Torino, Italy — *September 9–11, 2026* The *Italian Association for Cognitive Science (AISC)* invites submissions for AISC 2026, an interdisciplinary forum for researchers in all areas of cognitive science. We particularly encourage submissions addressing skills and biases in both natural and artificial intelligent systems, but we welcome contributions from all areas of cognitive science, including theoretical, empirical, computational, philosophical, and interdisciplinary work that advances understanding of intelligence across biological, social, and artificial domains. ------------------------------ *IMPORTANT DATES* - *Deadline for Abstract Submission: 20 April 2026* - *Notification of Acceptance: 22 June 2026* - *Conference Dates: 9–11 September 2026* ------------------------------ *INVITED SPEAKERS* - *Francesca Garbarini *(University of Turin) - *Marco Marini* (ISTC-CNR – Winner of the AISC Early Career prize 2025) - *Carlotta Pavese* (University of Oxford) - *Walter Quattrociocchi* (Sapienza University of Rome) ------------------------------ Abstracts for talk or poster presentation (500 words references excluded, anonymized), or for symposia (2000 words, references excluded, with author details) must be submitted at the following link: *https://cmt3.research.microsoft.com/IACS2026/Submission/Index <https://cmt3.research.microsoft.com/IACS2026/Submission/Index>* For any questions about the submission process, please visit *https://www.aisc2026.com/calls-committees <https://www.aisc2026.com/calls-committees>* or reach out via the following email address: *aisc2026(a)outlook.com <aisc2026(a)outlook.com>* ------------------------------ TOPICS OF INTEREST: We accept submissions on all topics related to cognitive science, including (but not limited to): 4E cognition – artificial intelligence and cognition – bounded rationality and decision-making – cognitive architecture – cognitive biases and heuristics – cognitive modeling – cognitive neuroscience – cognitive psychology – cognitive and motor skills – cognitive robotics – collective intelligence and collective behavior – computational linguistics – computational social sciences – decision-making under uncertainty – deep neural models – developmental science – embodied and grounded cognition – expertise and know-how – epistemology – ethics of artificial intelligence and robotics – history of cognitive science – human–AI interaction – learning and adaptation in natural and artificial systems – natural and artificial consciousness – neuroethics – neurolinguistics – philosophy of biology – philosophy of cognitive science – philosophy of language – philosophy of mind – philosophy of neuroscience – philosophy of health and medicine – philosophy of technology – psycholinguistics – social cognition and social influence – social robotics – misinformation and information dynamics in networks ------------------------------ PROGRAM COMMITTEE - Fabrizio Calzavarini, University of Torino - Vincenzo Crupi, University of Torino - Marco Viola, Roma Tre University ORGANIZING COMMITTEE - Alessandro Demichelis, IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca - Head of committee - Maddalena Costa, University of Torino - Alessandra Civani, University of Pavia - Lorenzo D'Errico, University of Torino - Niccolò Nanni, University of Torino SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE - Carola Barbero (University of Torino) - Francesco Bianchini (University of Bologna) - Monica Bucciarelli (University of Torino) - Fabrizio Calzavarini (University of Torino) - Vincenzo Crupi (University of Torino) - Olga Dal Monte (University of Torino) - Federico D'Agata (University of Torino) - Edoardo Datteri (University Milano-Bicocca) - Sara Dellantonio (University of Trento) - Alessandro Demichelis (IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca) - Elvira Di Bona (University of Torino) - Matteo Diano (University of Torino) - Francesco Ianì (University of Torino) - Antonio Lieto (University of Salerno) - Chiara Lucifora (LINK Campus University) - Claudia Mazzuca (Sapienza University of Rome) - Eugenio Petrovich (University of Torino) - Antonella Tramacere (University Roma Tre) - Luca Tummolini (ISTC-CNR) - Marco Viola (Roma Tre University) - Alberto Voltolini (University of Torino) -- ==================================== Luca Tummolini Istituto di Scienze e Tecnologia della Cognizione - CNR Via Giandomenico Romagnosi 18A - 00196 - Roma Personal Website: http://www.istc.cnr.it/people/luca-tummolini Lab Website: http://www.istc.cnr.it/group/mind Office: +39 06 44595 272 E-mail: luca.tummolini(a)istc.cnr.it

Feb. 27, 2026

Research Fellow - Deep Learning Theory & AI Safety

by I-Chun Lin

Closing date: 26 March 2026 We invite applications for a postdoctoral training fellowship under the guidance of Professor Andrew Saxe. The Saxe Lab works across the Gatsby Computational Neuroscience Unit and the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre and is focussed on understanding learning in biological and artificial systems. This role lies at the interface of deep learning theory and AI safety. You will conduct research into artificial deep networks using techniques from applied mathematics and statistical physics. A particular focus is on understanding how depth affects learned representations and network behaviour, with applications to AI safety including emergent misalignment, unlearning and the efficacy of safety fine-tuning. The project is a collaboration with the Sarao Mannelli group at Chalmers University of Technology, where additional Research Fellows will be based. Funding for collaborative visits is included. This post is funded for two years by a grant from OpenAI's Alignment Team, awarded by the UK AI Security Institute, through the Alignment Project. The appointment will be on the UCL Grade 7 salary scale £45,103 - £52,586. Grade 7 Research Fellows will also be eligible for a departmental allowance of up to £5,000 p.a. You should have a PhD in Computer Science, Physics or closely related discipline (Engineering, Theoretical Neuroscience, Mathematics) or have submitted your final thesis by the agreed start date of the position. A proven track-record of publishing work as a lead author relating to theory of deep learning or AI safety is essential as is a demonstrable interest in mathematical analysis of artificial neural network models. A demonstrable interest in AI safety and track record of running controlled empirical experiments on large deep network models on HPC or via frontier model APIs is desirable. For detailed information on the role and how to apply, please visit “UCL Job: B02-10169” (https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/search-ucl-jobs/details?jobId=42098&jobTi…)

Feb. 26, 2026

Advanced Neural Data Analysis and Neuroinformatics School (ANDA-NI) 2026

by Michael Denker

Advanced Neural Data Analysis and Neuroinformatics School (ANDA-NI) 2026 Online: June 19-26, 2026 and June 22-26, 2026 In-person: July 27-31, 2026 We are excited to announce the launch of the *2026 Advanced Neural Data Analysis and Neuroinformatics school (ANDA-NI)*, a program targeted to students and researchers in neuroscience eager to deepen their expertise in data analysis and neuroinformatics in cellular and network-level electrophysiology (spiking activity, local field potentials). *Why attend? *- Gain hands-on experience in analyzing and managing electrophysiological datasets that you bring to the school. - Master neuroinformatics techniques to facilitate reproducible, high-impact research. - Work closely with experts in the field. *ANDA-NI 2026 is three modules to choose from:* *ANDA: Advanced Neural Data Analysis* (June 15–19, 2026) /Online/ – Dive into advanced topics in neural data analysis, including correlation analysis, population analysis, spectral methods, cortical variabilityand more. *NI: Neuroinformatics* (June 22–26, 2026) /Online/ – Focus on best practices for data management, sharing, and reproducibility. *ANDA-NI Retreat* (July 27–31, 2026) /In-person/ – Deepen your skills and collaborate intensively on your datasets (requires completion of ANDA & NI modules).** *Who **is this school for**?**:* Graduate students, postdocs, and researchers in neuroscience, computational neuroscience, and related fields. *Apply now:* _https://andani.info_ /Limited spaces available/ We’d love to have you join us.

Feb. 26, 2026

Upcoming deadline - Open Position - Postdoctoral Fellow in Brain Plasticity (Blindness/Deafness) - Washington DC

by Ella Striem-Amit

Dear Colleagues, Could you please post the following ad for a postdoctoral research fellow position in my lab? The application deadline is at the end of this month. Sorry for cross-posting. Thanks! Ella _____ *Postdoctoral Fellow in Brain Plasticity (Blindness/Deafness)* *Sensory & Motor Plasticity (SAMP) Lab — Georgetown University, Washington, DC* The SAMP Lab (PI: Ella Striem-Amit) investigates how experience shapes brain organization by studying people born with blindness, deafness, or without hands, using behavioral paradigms, computational methods, and state-of-the-art fMRI analyses. For more information, see samp-lab.facultysite.georgetown.edu <https://samp-lab.facultysite.georgetown.edu/research>. We seek a Postdoctoral Fellow to lead projects on individual differences in brain plasticity in congenital blindness or deafness. This includes testing how lived experience and compensatory strategies shape neural organization. *Required qualifications* - PhD (by start) in Neuroscience, Psychology, Cognitive Science, CS/EE/BME, or related fields. - Demonstrated fMRI expertise and solid statistics. - Strong programming skills (MATLAB, Python, or R). - *Preferred (but not required)* - Experience with brain plasticity, multisensory processing or development - Experience working with special populations and inclusive research practices. *Appointment & compensation* - Start window: Spring–Summer 2026 (flexible). - Initial term: 2 years, with the possibility of extension based on performance and funding. - Salary per NIH/Georgetown guidelines; full benefits. - The position is not limited to US citizens. *To apply* Apply - Interfolio <https://apply.interfolio.com/177838> *Diversity & inclusion* We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are committed to an inclusive, accessible research environment. Georgetown University is an equal opportunity employer. Georgetown University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer fully dedicated to achieving a diverse faculty and staff. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. -- *Ella Striem-Amit (she/her)* Sensory and Motor Plasticity Lab (SAMP Lab) Edwin H. Richard and Elisabeth Richard Assistant Professor Department of Neuroscience Georgetown University Medical Center 3970 Reservoir Rd., NW Washington, DC 20007 http://samp-lab.facultysite.georgetown.edu

Feb. 25, 2026

Applications open for the Computational and Cognitive Neuroscience Summer School in Suzhou, China

by jorge.f.mejias＠gmail.com

Dear colleagues, We would like to let you know that the application period for the CSHA Computational and Cognitive Neuroscience Summer School are now open. If you know of any PhD students or early postdocs (in your own labs or elsewhere) interested in learning cutting edge computational neuroscience topics during three weeks in July in beautiful Suzhou, China, please let them know about this opportunity. The deadline for applications is April 1st: https://ccnss.net/ Our faculty list for this year includes top computational neuroscience researchers like Gustavo Deco, Rainer Goebel, Tatiana Engel, Naoshige Uchina, Cristina Savin, Xiao-Jing Wang, and many others. Students will also work on individual projects guided by experienced TAs (senior postdocs from top labs) and aided by the school’s faculty. On top of all the science, attending the school will give all participants the chance to explore China and the Shanghai region. Citizens from multiple countries (including many Europeans) don’t need a visa to travel and stay in China for up to 30 days (which covers the whole duration of the school). It’s truly a golden opportunity! Thank you very much in advance for your help in spreading this message. Best wishes, Jorge Mejias On behalf of the organizing committee: Xiao-Jing Wang (New York University) Áine Byrne (University of College Dublin) Chengcheng Huang (University of Pittsburgh) Songting Li (Shanghai Jiao Tong University) Jorge Mejias (University of Amsterdam)

Feb. 25, 2026

Postdoctoral fellows in computational neuroscience at the University of Chicago

by Jorge Jaramillo

Dear Comp-neuro community: The Grossman Center for Quantitative Biology and Human Behavior<https://neuroscience.uchicago.edu/GrossmanCenter> at the University of Chicago seeks outstanding applicants for multiple postdoctoral positions in computational and theoretical neuroscience. We especially welcome applicants who develop mathematical approaches, computational models and/or data analysis methods to study the brain at the circuits, systems, or cognitive levels. The Grossman Center faculty members to work with are: (informal enquiries are welcome) * Brent Doiron’s lab investigates how the cellular and synaptic circuitry of neuronal circuits supports the complex dynamics and computations that are routinely observed in the brain. (bdoiron(a)uchicago.edu<mailto:bdoiron@uchicago.edu>). * Stephanie Palmer’s lab studies how the behavioral goals of an organism shape how it senses the world, using a variety of tools from information theory and statistical physics. (sepalmer(a)uchicago.edu<mailto:sepalmer@uchicago.edu>). * Jorge Jaramillo’s lab investigates multiareal brain circuits underlying cognitive processes such as memory, attention, and decision making through dynamical systems modeling. (jorgejaramillo(a)uchicago.edu<mailto:jorgejaramillo@uchicago.edu>). * Ramon Nogueira’s lab investigates the geometry of representations as the computational support of cognitive processes like abstraction in noisy artificial and biological neural networks. (rnogueira(a)uchicago.edu<mailto:rnogueira@uchicago.edu>). * Marcella Noorman’s lab studies how biological constraints shape the neural circuit dynamics that enable flexible, efficient computations necessary for cognitive functions like navigation. (noormanm(a)uchicago.edu<mailto:noormanm@uchicago.edu>). * Samuel Muscinelli’s lab studies how brain circuit anatomy shapes learning and adapts to it. We combine modeling, machine learning, and data analysis with experimental collaborators. (smuscinelli(a)uchicago.edu<mailto:smuscinelli@uchicago.edu>) Appointees will have access to state-of-the-art facilities and multiple opportunities for collaboration with exceptional experimental labs within the Neuroscience Institute, as well as other labs from the departments of Physics, Computer Sciences, and Statistics. The Grossman Center offers competitive postdoctoral salaries in the vibrant and international city of Chicago, and a rich intellectual environment that includes the Argonne National Laboratory<https://www.anl.gov/>, Chicago’s National Institute for Theoretical and Mathematical Biology (NITMB)<https://www.nitmb.org/>, and UChicago’s Data Science Institute<https://datascience.uchicago.edu/> and Center for Living Systems<https://centerforlivingsystems.uchicago.edu/>. The Neuroscience Institute at UChicago is currently engaged in a major expansion that includes the incorporation of several new faculty members in the next few years. APPLICATIONS: Please send your application before April 4th, 2026, as a single PDF file to neurotheory(a)uchicago.edu<mailto:neurotheory@uchicago.edu>. It must include: 1. CV with publications highlighted; 2. A motivation letter specifying the types of projects you would like to work on; 3. The names and contact details of two academic references. Earliest start date: June 1st, 2026, or via mutual agreement.

Feb. 25, 2026

PhD position in Cognitive Neuroscience, Computational and Developmental Psychiatry, University of Tuebingen, Germany

by Susan Fischer

**Apologies for cross-posting** Dear colleagues, As part of our Wellcome-funded project “From premature to protracted decision-making: Neural mechanisms underlying transdiagnostic biases in deliberation” a PhD-student position is available in the "Developmental Computational Psychiatry" lab, led by Tobias Hauser at the University of Tübingen (Germany). The focus of the lab is to better understand the computational and neural mechanisms underlying decision making and learning, and how these processes go awry in patients with mental illnesses. The tasks of the available position include scientific research contributions that relate specifically to the purposes of this project and span neuroimaging (fMRI), behavioural testing, and computational modelling of behaviour. This project extends across multiple organisations, including the University Tübingen, the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics Tübingen, the University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Fundació de Recerca Clínic Barcelona-Institut d’Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (FRCB-IDIBAPS) and the National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore. For this purpose we are seeking applications from highly motivated students with an interest in computational neuroscience, cognitive (neuro-)science, or psychology. A good command of both English and German is required for this role. More information about the position can be found here: https://devcompsy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/PhD_WT_2026.pdf The application deadline is March 13, 2026. Informal enquiries can be directed to Tobias Hauser (tobias.hauser(a)uni-tuebingen.de) Best regards, Susan. ************************************************ Susan Fischer Coordinator Alexander von Humboldt Professorship Prof Peter Dayan & W3-Professorship ‘Computational Psychiatry’, Prof Tobias Hauser Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen Equal Opportunities Officer Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics Max-Planck-Ring 8 72076 Tübingen Germany ************************************************

Feb. 25, 2026