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PhD studentship, University of Exeter

by Goodfellow, Marc

A fully funded studentship is available to work with Dr. Marc Goodfellow (University of Exeter, UK) and Prof. George Augustine (NTU, Singapore). The deadline for applications is 31st January 2019. Healthy brain function is mediated by the coordination of neuronal activity - both locally and across different brain regions - giving rise to large-scale brain dynamics. These dynamics are measured using a variety of techniques, for example magneto-/electro-encephalography or functional MRI in humans, or by fluorescence-based imaging of voltage- or calcium-sensitive indicators in animal models in vivo. Uncovering the nature and mechanisms of large-scale brain dynamics at rest, or during sensory processing, remains a fundamental challenge in neuroscience. In addition to basic insight, improving our understanding of healthy brain dynamics will help us elucidate reasons why abnormal dynamics occur, for example in neurological or neuropsychiatric disorders. This studentship will develop a novel program of interdisciplinary research across in vivo (mouse) experimentation and mathematical modelling. The overall aim is to construct and validate mathematical models of large-scale brain dynamics that are able to explain the spontaneous activity of the rodent brain in vivo. The student will train in optogenetic technologies and in vivo imaging, as well as mathematical model development, multi-variate time series analysis and parameter fitting tools, thus placing them at the forefront of interdisciplinary neuroscience. In a first step, targeted optogenetic stimuli will be combined with voltage sensitive dye imaging in awake mice to probe the response of brain tissue to excitatory and inhibitory afferent stimuli. Neural mass models will be fit to these data, using machine learning approaches (for example random forests). This information will be compiled into a predictive model of cortical dynamics and tested against experimental recordings of spontaneous activity. The studentship is part of a joint program between The University of Exeter (UoE) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU), Singapore. They are offering six fully funded postgraduate studentships to undertake collaborative research projects at the two institutions, leading to PhD degrees (split-site) to be conferred either by the UoE or NTU. Students pursuing these postgraduate research projects will benefit from the unique opportunity to conduct their research at both institutions. Students will be registered at one or other institution, where they will be based for the majority of their time, but will spend at least 12 and not more than 18 months at the partner institution over the duration of the programme. The frequency and length of stays at each institution will be agreed with successful candidates prior to offers being made. All six projects are advertised concurrently at both institutions and three will be allocated to each institution after the deadline has passed, based on a collaborative decision made between the UoE and NTU. The final decision on the successful applicant for each project will be made by the institution hosting the project. Project allocation will be based on the applicant's best fit to a project, following a review of applications submitted to each institution. Applications to undertake the projects at the UoE and NTU are open to all nationalities. The programme start dates are August 2019 for NTU and September 2019 for UoE The home institution will determine the regulations that will apply to the successful applicant. The student's main supervisor will be based at the home institution. For further information and to register interest, please contact Dr. Marc Goodfellow (m.goodfellow(a)exeter.ac.uk) To apply and for further details, please see http://www.exeter.ac.uk/studying/funding/award/?id=3058

Nov. 19, 2018

Ph.D. positions in Math Biology and Computational Neuroscience at NJIT

by Victor Matveev

Dear all, The Department of Mathematical Sciences at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) is inviting candidates to apply to one of our doctoral program tracks: (1) Applied Mathematics or (2) Applied Probability & Statistics. The Department's research focus spans Mathematical Biology and Computational Neuroscience, Scientific Computing, Fluid Dynamics, Materials Science, Wave Propagation, Applied Analysis, Applied Probability & Statistics, including Biostatistics. Teaching and research assistantships are available, and include a tuition waiver and a competitive stipend. Application target date is December 15, 2018 but ongoing review will continue until all available positions are filled. To apply, please visit our homepage: https://www.njit.edu/graduatestudies/department-mathematical-sciences/?utm_… For more information, please email us (math(a)njit.edu, CC to:rmoore@njit.edu, matveev(a)njit.edu) PhD Program advertisement flyer is available at http://web.njit.edu/~matveev/NJIT_DMS_PhD_flyer.pdf Sincerely, -- Admissions Committee, Department of Mathematical Sciences, NJIT -- _____________________________________________ Victor Matveev, Professor Applied Math, Biophysics, Neuroscience Department of Mathematical Sciences Graduate Faculty, Dept of Biological Sciences New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark, NJ 07102-1982 Office: Cullimore Hall 616 E-mail: matveev(a)njit.edu http://web.njit.edu/~matveev/

Nov. 17, 2018

Threshold Networks Workshop - First announcement

by Stephen Coombes

First announcement Threshold Networks July 22 - 24, 2019 Nottingham, UK https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/conference/fac-sci/maths-sci/threshold-network… This workshop will bring together a community of people interested in both networks and dynamics, with an eye to both mathematical tractability and applications to biology, engineering, physics, and the social sciences. The emphasis will be on ‘thresholds’ in their broadest sense as exemplified by node dynamics or interactions that are described by simple, yet possibly non-smooth or discontinuous switch-like processes. The workshop will cover both theory and applications. The meeting will have no parallel sessions, and it is expected to involve around 60 participants (with 12 main speakers) and contributed poster presentations. Speakers: Alex Arenas, Universidad Rovira i Virgili, Spain Mario Di Bernardo, University of Bristol, UK Ginestra Bianconi, Queen Mary University of London, UK Des Higham, University of Strathclyde, UK Renaud Lambiotte, University of Oxford, UK Naoki Masuda, University of Bristol, UK Peter Mucha, University of North Carolina, USA Sarah Muldoon, University at Buffalo, USA Yamir Moreno, University of Zaragoza, Spain Important dates Registration deadline: 1st June 2019 Poster abstract submission deadline: 12th April 2019. Notification of acceptance: 1st May 2019 The registration fee for the conference is 100.00 GBP. A “Tutorial Day” (covering key concepts in dynamical systems and network science) will also take place prior to the meeting (on July 21). Some financial assistance may be available to assist graduate students who attend both the training workshop and the conference. Further details of this meeting and how to register may be found at https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/conference/fac-sci/maths-sci/threshold-network… Scientific Organisers Yi Ming Lai, Rüdiger Thul, and Stephen Coombes, University of Nottingham Mason A. Porter, UCLA Enquiries should be sent to: ThresholdNetworks2019(a)nottingham.ac.uk<mailto:ThresholdNetworks2019@nottingham.ac.uk> ------------------------------------------------------- Stephen Coombes Professor of Applied Mathematics School of Mathematical Sciences Nottingham, UK Tel: 0115 846 7836 http://www.maths.nott.ac.uk/~sc/ ------------------------------------------------------- This message and any attachment are intended solely for the addressee and may contain confidential information. If you have received this message in error, please contact the sender and delete the email and attachment. Any views or opinions expressed by the author of this email do not necessarily reflect the views of the University of Nottingham. Email communications with the University of Nottingham may be monitored where permitted by law.

Nov. 16, 2018

Multiple Postdocs available in the Neurobiology of Language

by Woolnough, Oscar

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH POSITIONS Multiple Postdoctoral research positions are available in the Tandon Lab at The University of Texas in Houston as part of the newly formed Texas Epilepsy Neurotechnologies and Neuroinformatics (TENN) Institute. Positions are funded either via multi year Institute funding or by NIH funds (an R01 and a U01). The lab uses multimodal approaches – fMRI, lesional analysis following epilepsy surgery, intracranial recordings and direct stimulation to create validate network level representations of language. Lab Collaborators include Greg Hickok (UCI), Stanislas Dehaene (NeuroSpin), Nathan Crone (JHU), Simon Fisher Baum (Rice) and Xaq Pitkow (Rice-Baylor); the post-doc will benefit from a close interaction with these experts in the fields of reading, semantics, speech production and computational neuroscience. The selected individual must have a Ph.D. in one or more of the following: neuroscience, psychology, cognitive science, mathematics, electrical engineering or computer science. Previous experience in neural time series data analysis, functional imaging studies of language, or studies of speech production are desirable – but not crucial. They must possess the ability to independently code in any or all of the following: MATLAB, R or python. They are expected to be highly motivated, team players with a passion to study cognitive processes using any or all of the various modalities available in the lab - imaging, direct recordings and closed-loop cortical stimulation in humans. Given the multiple unpredictable variables and privacy issues around data collection in human patients, the individual must possess high ethical and professional standards and be adaptable. A strong publication record and excellent academic credentials are highly desirable. CONTACT: Nitin.Tandon(a)uth.tmc.edu<mailto:Nitin.Tandon@uth.tmc.edu> Eliana.Klier(a)uth.tmc.edu<mailto:Eliana.Klier@uth.tmc.edu> More information @ www.tandonlab.org

Nov. 16, 2018

PhD fellowship on analysis/large-scale modelling of cross-frequency coupling and stimulation

by BATTAGLIA Demian

Applications are invited for a: PhD fellowship at Aix-Marseille University (AMU, southern France) under the mentoring of Dr. Demian Battaglia (Institute for Systems Neuroscience - INS). This three-years fellowship is funded by the ANR grant (Agence National de la Recherche) “ERMUNDY (Exact Reduction of Multiscale Neural Dynamics)”. In the context of this project we will develop computational multi-scale models of cortical oscillatory dynamics (multiple frequencies, cross-frequency coupling…) and of its control via stimulation. The used models (from the regional to the whole-brain level) will be constrained by realistic information on the phase response properties of actual neural populations, which will be inferred from both extra-cranial (TMS) and intra-cranial (sEEG) stimulation data, acquired in house at AMU. Interactions with other researchers will take place as well, including experimentalists located in AMU, and theorists at Cergy-Pontoise University (Alessandro Torcini) and Ecole Normale Supérieure in Paris (Boris Gutkin). The PhD fellow will participate to both experimental data analysis (extraction of Phase Response Curves, functional connectivity analyses…) and model design and simulation. The successful candidate will integrate the Theoretical Neuroscience Group at the Institute for Systems Neuroscience (INS), located on the same campus of the Timone University hospital (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. Salary (~1.4k euros net, after all taxes and full social security coverage) is defined according to French national guidelines and cannot be negotiated. Interested candidates should send a cv, a brief description of qualifications and research interests and the name of one or two reference contacts to: Demian Battaglia demian.battaglia(a)univ-amu.fr Feel free to inquire for further information. Applications from under-represented categories in STEM sciences are welcome and supported.

Nov. 16, 2018

PhD position at HU Berlin (Physics Dep.) available

by Benjamin Lindner

*Calcium spiking with cumulative refractoriness - statistics of the fluctuations and implications for Calcium signaling** *We are looking for a PhD candidate to theoretically explore models of noisy spike-generating cellular signalling systems for which the intracellular Calcium dynamics is a prominent example. Methods will be developed within the frameworks of the theory of stochastic processes, statistical physics and nonlinear dynamics. The project is a collaboration between the research groups of Martin Falcke (Max-Delbrueck Center for Molecular Medicine Berlin and Humboldt University Berlin) and Benjamin Lindner (Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin and Humboldt University Berlin) and the PhD students of both groups are expected to closely collaborate. The successful candidate should have a degree in physics (a background in physical biology is desirable but not obligatory), expertise in analytical calculations, programming skills (C++ or C, Python, LaTeX, Linux), and excellent command of the English language, good communication skills, and team spirit. Funding is provided for three years, starting at the latest February 1, 2019. For details on the doctoral examination process at the Physics Department of Humboldt University Berlin, see https://fakultaeten.hu-berlin.de/en/mnf/wisskar/promotionen/index_html?set_…. Applications, including a letter of motivation, a CV, and a list of three potential referees should be sent by email to   me benjamin.lindner(a)physik.hu-berlin.de  (cc to nikola.schrenk(a)bccn-berlin.de)  The deadline for applications is December 31st 2018, however, later applications might also be considered. HU is seeking to increase the proportion of women in research and teaching, and specifically encourages qualified female scholars to apply. Severely disabled applicants with equivalent qualifications will be given preferential consideration. People with an immigration background are specifically encouraged to apply. Since we will not return your documents, please submit copies in the application only. Kind regards, Benjamin Lindner -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Benjamin Lindner Professor for Theory of Complex Systems and Neurophysics Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin Philippstr. 13, Haus 2, 10115 Berlin Room: 1.17, phone: 0049(0)302093 6336 Department of Physics Humboldt University Berlin Newtonstr. 15 12489 Berlin Room: 3.408, phone: 0049(0)302093 7934 http://people.physik.hu-berlin.de/~lindner/index.html --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nov. 16, 2018

Associate Professor in Mathematical Imaging

by Stephen Coombes

Dear all, As part of the growth of activity in Precision Imaging at Nottingham there is an opening at Associate Professor level in the area of Mathematical Imaging. The post-holder will undertake original research of international excellence in Mathematical Imaging or closely related areas including Neuroimaging and Computational Neuroscience, complementing and enhancing the current activity of the Mathematical Medicine and Biology group (https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/cmmb/index.aspx) and the University Beacon in Precision Imaging (https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/research/beacons-of-excellence/precision-imagi…) For information about how to apply please visit https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/jobs/currentvacancies/ref/MED1511 Best regards, Steve ------------------------------------------------------- Stephen Coombes Professor of Applied Mathematics School of Mathematical Sciences Nottingham, UK Tel: 0115 846 7836 http://www.maths.nott.ac.uk/~sc/ ------------------------------------------------------- This message and any attachment are intended solely for the addressee and may contain confidential information. If you have received this message in error, please contact the sender and delete the email and attachment. Any views or opinions expressed by the author of this email do not necessarily reflect the views of the University of Nottingham. Email communications with the University of Nottingham may be monitored where permitted by law.

Nov. 14, 2018

XI. Dubrovnik Conference on Cognitive Science - Computational Rationality

by Gergo Orban

Dear All, We are happy to announce the XI. Dubrovnik Conference on Cognitive Science, which is devoted to the topic of Computational Rationality. The conference will take place between 23-25 May 2019 in Dubrovnik, Croatia. Invited speakers are: Ulrike Hahn (Birkbeck, University of London, UK) Quentin Huys (ETH Zürich, Switzerland) Julian Jara-Ettinger (Yale University, USA) Mate Lengyel (University of Cambridge, Central European University) Azzurra Ruggeri (Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany) Laura Schultz (MIT, USA) For more information please visit: http://www.cecog.eu/ducog/page_invitation.php <http://www.cecog.eu/ducog/page_invitation.php> or email us: ducog(a)cogsci.bme.hu <mailto:ducog@cogsci.bme.hu> On behalf of the organisers, Oana Stanciu Gergő Orbán

Nov. 13, 2018

Postdoc positions in computational and multimodal neuroimaging

by Laura Lewis

Postdoc positions at Boston University and Harvard Medical School/MGH POSITION 1: We have openings for postdoctoral associates to lead multimodal neuroimaging studies of brain function in Laura Lewis' lab at Boston University, aiming to advance computational and systems neuroscience of the human brain. These positions offer the opportunity to develop computational neuroimaging approaches using state-of-the-art MR techniques, and study the neural basis and cognitive consequences of sleep, wake, arousal, and attentional states. We use fast fMRI, multimodal imaging (e.g. EEG-fMRI, PET-fMRI), computational modeling, ultra-high field (7 Tesla) imaging, and other multimodal approaches to measure and analyze brain function across diverse states. The lab is a fast-paced and interdisciplinary environment that supports its members in achieving their long-term research and career goals, and has strong collaborations throughout the Boston-area computational neuroscience and neuroimaging communities. POSITION 2: Postdoctoral Research Fellow in advanced functional MRI based at the Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and Harvard Medical School. Our research aims to enable new kinds of analyses of brain activity through advanced neuroimaging and signal processing approaches. Working with Drs. Jonathan Polimeni and Laura Lewis, the fellow will study the neural and vascular origins of fast fMRI signals and test the upper limits of the speed and sensitivity of fMRI. The postdoctoral fellow will use advanced accelerated fMRI methods and ultra-high field imaging (7T) to study and model the dynamics of neural activation at fast timescales and across cortical layers. Multimodal imaging (including ASL, CBV, and simultaneous EEG/fMRI) and computational models of physiological dynamics may also be used, to ultimately track fast and local neural dynamics using accelerated fMRI. The Martinos Center is home to state-of-the-art imaging facilities and technological expertise in neuroimaging. The center houses over 200 faculty and postdoc members, conducting diverse neuroimaging research with great potential for collaborations and career development. BU and MGH are equal opportunity employers. Position is well suited for a highly motivated researcher with a desire to begin an independent career related to advanced fMRI and/or neuroscience. A Ph.D. in engineering, physics, neuroscience, psychology, or related field, is required. A background in neuroimaging techniques and/or neurophysiology is an asset but not required. Strong analysis skills and independent motivation and creativity are essential. TO APPLY: Interested applicants should send a cover letter describing research experience, interests, and future goals, as well as a CV and contact information for three references, to ldlewis(a)bu.edu For more information see: http://www.lewisneurolab.org/positions

Nov. 13, 2018

Postdoc in auditory thalamocortical system modeling & data analysis

by Neymotin, Samuel (NKI)

A computational neuroscience postdoctoral position is available at the Nathan Kline Institute for Psychiatric Research under the auspices of a NIH R01 (MPI: Peter Lakatos, Sam Neymotin). The aim of our project is to develop/utilize computer models of the auditory thalamocortical system to investigate mechanisms and functions of neuronal oscillatory patterns observed in the auditory system in the electrophysiological recordings from Dr. Lakatos' group. The broad goal is to develop a biologically-realistic data-driven computer model of the thalamocortical auditory system that is able to support critical auditory information processing features, with special emphasis on neuronal oscillations. The combined in vivo and in silico results of our project will pave the way for model-driven neuromodulation, offering precise predictions on how to efficiently control biological circuits. Besides modeling, our group also focuses heavily on developing and applying novel signal processing techniques for the analysis of electrophysiological data on multiple spatial scales, from single neurons to ECoG recordings. Applicants should have a strong background in: computer programming, with demonstrated proficiency in Python and Matlab, analysis of electrophysiological data, development of signal processing methods for neural data, detailed computational modeling of neurons/neuronal circuits using NEURON with Python. The job will be based at the Nathan Kline Institute (www.nki.rfmh.org<http://www.nki.rfmh.org> ~1 hour north of NYC), but some telecommuting will be allowed. Applicants should contact Sam Neymotin by email (samuel.neymotin(a)nki.rfmh.org<mailto:samuel.neymotin@nki.rfmh.org>) with a CV and cover letter. The Nathan Kline Institute is an equal opportunity employer. ________________________________ IMPORTANT NOTICE: This e-mail is meant only for the use of the intended recipient. It may contain confidential information which is legally privileged or otherwise protected by law. If you received this e-mail in error or from someone who was not authorized to send it to you, you are strictly prohibited from reviewing, using, disseminating, distributing or copying the e-mail. PLEASE NOTIFY US IMMEDIATELY OF THE ERROR BY RETURN E-MAIL AND DELETE THIS MESSAGE FROM YOUR SYSTEM. Thank you for your cooperation.

Nov. 13, 2018