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Reminder: Call for applications: Brains for Brains Young Researchers' Computational Neuroscience Award 2017

by Kerstin Schwarzwaelder

Dear colleagues, Please let me remind you that, for the eighth time, the Bernstein Association for Computational Neuroscience<http://www.nncn.de/en/bernstein-association> is announcing the "Brains for Brains Young Researchers' Computational Neuroscience Award". The call is open for researchers of any nationality who have contributed to a peer reviewed publication (as coauthor) or peer reviewed conference abstract (as first author) that was submitted before starting their doctoral studies, is written in English and was accepted or published in 2016 or 2017. The award is endowed with a travel grant of 2.000 € to cover a trip to Germany, including participation in the Bernstein Conference 2017 in Göttingen (www.bernstein-conference.de<http://www.bernstein-conference.de>), and an individually planned visit to up to two German research institutions in Computational Neuroscience. Deadline for application is April 27, 2017 (2:00 p.m. CET). Detailed information about the application procedure can be found under: www.nncn.de/en/bernstein-association/brains-for-brains-2017<http://www.nncn.de/en/bernstein-association/brains-for-brains-2017> For inquiries please contact bernstein.network(a)fz-juelich.de<mailto:bernstein.network@fz-juelich.de> Best regards, Kerstin Schwarzwälder -- Dr. Kerstin Schwarzwälder Scientific Coordination / Management Officer Please note: Our email addresses have changed. Please use k.schwarzwaelder(a)fz-juelich.de<mailto:k.schwarzwaelder@fz-juelich.de> Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience | Bernstein Coordination Site (BCOS) Branch Office of the Forschungszentrum Jülich at the University of Freiburg Hansastr. 9A | 79104 Freiburg, Germany phone: (+49) 0761 203 9589 mail: k.schwarzwaelder(a)fz-juelich.de<mailto:k.schwarzwaelder@fz-juelich.de> web: www.nncn.de<http://www.nncn.de> Twitter: NNCN_Germany<https://twitter.com/NNCN_Germany> YouTube: Bernstein TV<https://www.youtube.com/user/BernsteinNetwork> Facebook: Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience, Germany<https://www.facebook.com/BernsteinNetwork/> LinkedIn: Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience, Germany<https://www.linkedin.com/company/bernstein-network-computational-neuroscien…> <https://www.linkedin.com/company/bernstein-network-computational-neuroscien…> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH 52425 Juelich Sitz der Gesellschaft: Juelich Eingetragen im Handelsregister des Amtsgerichts Dueren Nr. HR B 3498 Vorsitzender des Aufsichtsrats: MinDir Dr. Karl Eugen Huthmacher Geschaeftsfuehrung: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Wolfgang Marquardt (Vorsitzender), Karsten Beneke (stellv. Vorsitzender), Prof. Dr.-Ing. Harald Bolt, Prof. Dr. Sebastian M. Schmidt ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

April 24, 2017

Call for papers: First International Workshop on Grounding Language Understanding (GLU 2017)

by Jean Rouat

Call for papers GLU 2017 ==================== Apologies for cross posting. Please forward to your colleagues and peers. The **First International Workshop on Grounding Language Understanding (GLU 2017)** will be held at KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden, on August 25, 2017. http://www.speech.kth.se/glu2017/ The purpose of this workshop is to bring together researchers from different disciplines (linguistics, language, robotics, systems neuroscience, cognitive science, signal processing, etc.) working with modeling different aspects of grounding language acquisition and understanding. Although speech and language technology have reached a level of maturity, machines still fall short of human performance, especially when considering flexibility and robustness. It is therefore desirable to extend the machine learning approach which has been applied to speech and language technology, and emulate more closely the way humans and living systems acquire language. Desirable properties of the new learning approaches would include: * being less dependent on annotated data, * acquiring knowledge from multimodal inputs (acoustic, visual, tactile), * learning from interaction, * relating learning to the situational context, * grounding language in the perceptual, emotional and sensorimotor experience of the agent This requires a highly multidisciplinary approach, combining the field of human language processing, speech technology, machine learning, developmental robotics and cognitive and systems neuroscience. Confirmed keynote speakers: ======================== * Emmanuel Dupoux, École des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales, Paris, France. * Katerina Pastra, Cognitive Systems Research Institute, Athens, Greece Scientific Area Topics ================= * Language Learning via Grounded Dialogue * Language Generation for Embodied Tasks * Grounded Knowledge Representations * Skill Learning via Interactive Dialogue * Aligning and Translating Language to Situated Actions * Instructions for Navigation/Articulation/Manipulation * Mapping Language and World * Grounded Reinforcement Learning * Language-based Game Playing for Grounding * Structured and Deep Learning Models for Embodied Language * New Datasets for Embodied Language * Better Evaluation Metrics for Embodied Language Important Dates ============= Paper Submission: **Wednesday, 31 May 2017** Paper Notification Acceptance: **Wednesday, 28 June 2017** Publication of Full Programme: **Wednesday, 12 July 2017** Camera-ready Paper Due: **Wednesday, 26 July 2017** Registration Deadline: **Wednesday, 2 August 2017** Workshop: **Friday, 25 August 2017** Submission and Format =================== We invite original submissions from 3 pages to 4 pages of text, plus one page (maximum) for references in the INTERSPEECH format. Each submission will be reviewed by at least two members of the Scientific Review Committee. Submit your paper through EasyChair: https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=glu2017 Proceedings and Publication ======================= Accepted papers will be published in the open access GLU2017 (indexed) proceedings. Registration ========== We are trying to keep the costs as low as possible. Registration fees should be around 150€. These will include the lunch, coffee breaks and the evening dinner on the day of the workshop. Sponsors ======== GLU2017 is supported by the CHIST-ERA/IGLU consortium and is an ISCA sponsored event and a satellite event for Interspeech 2017 in Stockholm. MORE Details at the workshop website: http://www.speech.kth.se/glu2017/ ----------------------------------------------- Jean Rouat, Prof., coord. IGLU, http://iglu-chistera.github.io Université de Sherbrooke Université de Montréal Member of the centre for Interdisciplinary research Professeur titulaire, Professeur associé in Music Media and Technology NECOTIS: Computational Neurosciences Vision, neuroscience Lab McGill Schulich School of Music and Intelligent Signal Processing FAS- Sciences biologiques 527 Sherbrooke St. West Faculté de génie, GEGI, C1-3108 90 avenue Vincent-d’Indy Montreal, Qc, 2500 boul. de l'université Montréal, Qc, Canada, H3A 1E3 Sherbrooke, Québec Canada, H3C 3J7 Canada, J1K 2R1 Tél.: +1(819)-821-8000 ext. 63864 http://www.gel.usherbrooke.ca/rouat http://bio.umontreal.ca/repertoire-departement/vue/rouat-jean/ http://www.gel.usherbrooke.ca/necotis http://www.usherbrooke.ca/gelecinfo/fr/pers/profs/rouj-fr/ Jean.Rouat(a)umontreal.ca ou Jean.Rouat(a)usherbrooke.ca

April 23, 2017

Fully funded PhD Position at IIT Rovereto - Computational approaches to study the neural code

by Stefano Panzeri

We are seeking candidates for a fully funded PhD position at the Italian Institute of Technology’s Neural Computation Laboratory ( http://cncs.iit.it/labs/neural-computation ) directed by Stefano Panzeri and located in Rovereto (Trento), Italy. IIT collaborates with Università degli studi di Trento and finances these positions at the PhD course in Cognitive and Brain Sciences. The PhD project is entitled “Computational approaches to study the neural code*”* Interested candidates are invited to informally approach *as soon as possible* Prof. Stefano Panzeri (stefano.panzeri(a)iit.it) by emailing their CV and briefly explaining their interest in this position. In order to formally apply to the PhD Position, candidates will then need to refer to the call published by Università degli Studi di Trento and available at the following link: http://web.unitn.it/en/drcimec/38030/2017-selection-announcement-topic-spec… *Deadline for formal application is 16 may 2017* Topic description: Computational approaches to study the neural code. This project will develop a mathematical analysis framework, based on the principles of information theory, to identify neurons that transform sensory information into behavioral choices. Ideally the candidate should have a background in a numerate discipline and a keen interest in neuroscience. For further information, please see Panzeri S, et al (2017) Cracking the neural code for sensory perception by combining statistics, intervention and behavior. Neuron 93: 491-507 The successful candidate will have the opportunity to both develop new advanced methods and to analyze experimental data in collaboration with experimental neuroscience laboratories. The applicant should have a strong background in numerate sciences, and have a strong propensity for interdisciplinary research. No extensive previous experience in neuroscience is needed. However, a keen interest in understanding the brain is essential. For further information about the application see: PhD Application summary: http://web.unitn.it/en/drcimec/10141/application-summary-and-process <https://mail.iit.it/owa/redir.aspx?REF=hFWMrmQ81c9b8DyWuH-FKc0o2U8ec2QMk-G9…..> PhD Application link: https://www5.unitn.it/Apply/en/Web/Home/dott <https://mail.iit.it/owa/redir.aspx?REF=mvIGJaIQ3UO7GUlfSxUVk81RpBfT3kS_MYi-…..> PhD Application deadline: *Tuesday May 16, 2017, at 4pm *(Italian time) Regards Stefano Panzeri

April 23, 2017

WORKSHOP ANNOUNCEMENT - Machine Learning meets Biology: Algorithms and Cortical Mechanisms

by Muller Eilif Benjamin

WORKSHOP ANNOUNCEMENT "Machine Learning meets Biology: Algorithms and Cortical Mechanisms" Thurs. May 4th, 2017 09h00 - 18h00 B1 6th Floor Campus Biotech Chemin des Mines 9 1202, Geneva Switzerland OVERVIEW EPFL's Blue Brain Project invites you to participate in a day of scientific talks presented by leading experts in the fields of machine learning, artificial intelligence, and simulation neuroscience. In addition to the talks, the workshop will include informal, round-table style discussions, and opportunities for networking. This event aims to encourage informal discussion and exchange of ideas between the simulation neuroscience and machine learning communities through open discourse. We thereby hope to facilitate ongoing efforts to bridge the gap between outcome and performance-oriented research in the field of machine intelligence, and the mechanistic and process-oriented focus of fundamental neuroscience, while providing an opportunity for synergistic collaboration. REGISTRATION ?For additional information and registration, please see our event webpage: http://bluebrain.epfl.ch/page-143786-en.html Alternatively, to register immediately, click the following link: https://goo.gl/forms/e7uRbHLtLbAqqLNt1? Registration is free, and open to the public. We hope you will join us for this unique event. On behalf of the organizing committee: Taylor Newton, Fabien Delalondre, Marc-Oliver Gewaltig, Eilif Muller, Henry Markram ------------- Dr. Eilif Muller Section Manager - Simulation Neuroscience - Cells & Circuits Task Leader - Community Engagement - HBP Brain Simulation SP EPFL - Blue Brain Project Biotech Campus Chemin des Mines 9 1202 Geneva Switzerland Tel: +41 21 693 0698 Fax: +41 21 693 5350 www: http://bluebrain.epfl.ch/page-77926-en.html www: http://neuralensemble.org/people/eilifmuller

April 21, 2017

Neural Networks - Postdoc Position - Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany - Deadline extended!

by samarasinghe＠ini.rub.de

The deadline for the position below has been *extended *until *07.05.2017*. Pending funding approval, Prof. Sen Cheng in the Institute for Neuroinformatics at Ruhr University Bochum, invites applications for a full time position of *Postdoctoral Scholar (TV-L E13) in Computational Neuroscience*. The position starts on 1st July 2017 and is funded for 3 years. The research focuses on the neural bases of episodic memory and spatial navigation in rodents, including the development of quantitative models of the hippocampus. Further information can be found at https://www.ini.rub.de/research/groups/computational_neuroscience/. The working language at the institute is English. There is no teaching obligation. *Your Profile:* Candidates should have an excellent degree in neuroscience, physics, mathematics, engineering, or a related field. Competence in mathematical modeling, and excellent programming skills (e.g. Python, C/C++, Matlab) are mandatory. Experience with interdisciplinary research in integrative neuroscience and cognitive science and with collaborative research would be a further asset. Please send your applications, including CV, transcripts and research statement electronically, as a single PDF file, to samarasinghe(a)ini.rub.de by 07.05.2017. Please quote the job ID number *BO-2017-03-17-108925.* In addition, at least two academic references may be sent independently to the above email address. Travel costs for interviews will not be reimbursed. The Ruhr-University Bochum provides a dynamic research environment in neuroscience and cognitive science. The Institute for Neural Computation unifies various core competencies extending from experimental and theoretical neuroscience to machine learning and robotics. The Ruhr University Bochum is committed to equal opportunity. We strongly encourage applications from qualified women and persons with disabilities. Contact person: Vinita Samarasinghe -- Vinita Samarasinghe M.Sc., M.A. Science Manager Arbeitsgruppe Computational Neuroscience Institut für Neuroinformatik Ruhr-Universität Bochum, NB 3/26 Universitätstr. 150 D-44780 Bochum Tel: +49 (0)234 32 27316 Email: samarasinghe(a)ini.rub.de Hours: Monday 9-12 & 14-16; Friday 9-12 & 14-16; Wednesday 12 - 16

April 21, 2017

Postdoctoral Position - Ruhr University Bochum, Germany - Deadline extended!

by samarasinghe＠ini.rub.de

The deadline for the position below has been *extended *until *07.05.2017*. Pending funding approval, Prof. Sen Cheng in the Institute for Neuroinformatics at Ruhr University Bochum, invites applications for a full time position of *Postdoctoral Scholar (TV-L E13) in Computational Neuroscience*. The position starts on 1st July 2017 and is funded for 3 years. *Job description* Analyze the learning dynamics in neural and psychophysiological data as well as behavioral data that will be collected by other projects within the framework of a collaborative research group. Comparing the learning dynamics between individuals, species, learning phases and learning paradigms. Develop algorithms to analyze the learning dynamics. Coordinate research with other participating projects. Further information can be found at https://www.ini.rub.de/research/groups/computational_neuroscience/. The working language of the institute is English. There is no teaching obligation. *Your Profile:* Candidates should have an excellent degree in neuroscience, physics, mathematics, engineering, or a related field. Competence in mathematical modeling, and excellent programming skills (e.g. Python, C/C++, Matlab) are mandatory. In addition, relevant research experience in neuroscience or a related field is required. Experience in the study of learning dynamics and in working within a collaborative research group would be a further asset. Please send your applications, including CV, transcripts and research statement electronically, as a single PDF file, to samarasinghe(a)ini.rub.de by 07.05.2017. Please quote the job ID number *BO-2017-03-17-108926. *In addition, at least two academic references may be sent independently to the above email address. Travel costs for interviews will not be reimbursed. The Ruhr-University Bochum provides a dynamic research environment in neuroscience and cognitive science. The Institute for Neural Computation unifies various core competencies extending from experimental and theoretical neuroscience to machine learning and robotics. The Ruhr University Bochum is committed to equal opportunity. We strongly encourage applications from qualified women and persons with disabilities. Contact person: Vinita Samarasinghe -- Vinita Samarasinghe M.Sc., M.A. Science Manager Arbeitsgruppe Computational Neuroscience Institut für Neuroinformatik Ruhr-Universität Bochum, NB 3/26 Universitätstr. 150 D-44780 Bochum Tel: +49 (0)234 32 27316 Email: samarasinghe(a)ini.rub.de Hours: Monday 9-12 & 14-16; Friday 9-12 & 14-16; Wednesday 12 - 16

April 21, 2017

call for applications - several funded PhD and postdoc positions in Ghent, Belgium

by Daniele Marinazzo

Dear all, We (Tom Verguts, Marcel Brass, Daniele Marinazzo, Wim Fias) are a team with broad and complementary expertise in different aspects of cognitive and computational neuroscience. We are currently seeking several PhD students and postdocs to collaborate on a project funded by Ghent University, called “Connections for cognition: A cognitive neurocomputational perspective on human flexibility”. The aim of the project is to study how connections between brain areas can be flexibly recruited for the implementation of working memory and cognitive control. We seek researchers with interest and expertise in at least one of the following methods: EEG, fMRI, tACS, computational modeling, or statistical connectivity analysis. More information can be obtained on the website https://www.ugent.be/pp/bind/en. Informal inquiries about the project can also be directed to one of us. If you are interested in applying for one of the positions, please send your CV (including names and email addresses of two references) and motivation letter to Tom Verguts (Tom.Verguts(a)UGent.be) PhD positions are funded for 4 years; postdoc positions for 2 years. Salaries conform to standard Belgian regulations. Recruitment will start in May 2017; the project will start in Sept-Oct 2017. -- Daniele Marinazzo -- Department of Data Analysis Faculty of Psychology and Pedagogical Sciences, Ghent University Henri Dunantlaan 1, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium +32 (0) 9 264 6375 <http://www.da.ugent.be/>http://users.ugent.be/~dmarinaz/ https://twitter.com/dan_marinazzo http://helpdesk.ugent.be/e-maildisclaimer.php

April 20, 2017

PhD/Postdoc position at Bielefeld University in the area of hybrid neuromorphic systems

by elisabetta chicca

Dear colleagues, A PhD/postdoc position in the area of hybrid neuromorphic systems is available at the Cognitronics and Sensor Systems Group ( http://www.ks.cit-ec.uni-bielefeld.de) Center of Excellence Cognitive Interaction Technology at Bielefeld University. Combining concepts from biology, physics, electrical engineering and computer science, the research will focus on new methods for the development of hybrid systems, coupling living neurons and neuromorphic systems. In close cooperation with researchers from the different domains you will assist in establishing a new collaborative research group targeting hybrid neuromorphic systems. Tasks include the analysis of new methods for electrode/neuron interfacing, evaluation of the energy efficiency of living cells, and the realization of small neural networks based on memristors. In addition to research, 20% of the position is dedicated to teaching in the respective areas. For the positions we look for candidates with a M.Sc. degree in computer science, electrical engineering, physics, or biology with a technical focus and a PhD or significant experience in one of the areas neuromorphic systems, nanoelectronics, neurobiology, or biological cybernetics. Fluency in English – written and oral – as well as good German skills are required. We offer a position (100% German salary level: TV-L E13, limited to one year) to do research in a stimulating environment with excellent facilities. Your application should include: motivation letter, CV, copy of degrees, and transcript of grades. Details can be found at http://www.uni-bielefeld.de/Universitaet/Aktuelles/Stellenausschreibungen/A… Please submit your application in a single pdf file via e-mail to cheidbrede(a)cit-ec.uni-bielefeld.de before 20.04.2017. Best regards, Elisabetta -- JProf. Dr. Elisabetta Chicca CITEC - Bielefeld University Inspiration 1 33619 Bielefeld - Germany Tel.: +49 521 106-12043 Fax : +49 521 106-12348

April 19, 2017

Workshop on High Performance Computing at OCNS 2017 meeting

by Ted Carnevale

What: Workshop on High Performance Computing Resources for Large Scale Simulations When: 14:00 - 18:00 on Thursday, July 20, 2017 Where: CNS 2017 meeting in Antwerp, Belgium Who: Organized by A Majumdar and S Sivagnanam (UCSD) and T Carnevale (Yale) See how neuroscientists engaged in large scale simulation projects, and developers of powerful tools for computational neuroscience research, are making productive use of high performance computing resources. Learn about the tools they are developing. Find out how you can use those tools in your own research. Speakers to include S Dura-Bernal, S Neymotin, W Lytton (SUNY Downstate) M Migliore, C Lupascu, L Bologna, R Migliore (NRC, Palermo) P Gleeson (UCL) A Peyser (Juelich) C Weaver (Franklin and Marshall) M Bezaire (BU) For abstracts and other information see http://www.nsgportal.org/NSGWorkshop-OCNS-2017.html --Ted

April 18, 2017

Research Staff and PostDoc : Deep Learning for Speech Recognition, Enhancement, Synthesis, and Dialogue

by Soo-Young Lee

We are seeking a strong and motivated candidate for positions of PostDoc and Research Fellow in the area of Deep Learning theory and applications. Especially, we are looking for energetic people for speech recogntion and synthesis, language understanding and emotional dialogues. Candidate are expected to have PhD or Master degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Sciences, or related fields. Please send your CV to bsrc(a)neuron.kaist.ac.kr and sylee(a)kaist.ac.kr with "[Research Positions]" at the "RE" lie. Soo-Young Lee Professor of EE, Director of Center for AI Research, Director of Brain Science Research Center

April 16, 2017