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PhD in Mathematical modelling of neuronal activity in the nucleus reuniens: a thalamic region contributing to mammalian cognitive processing.

by Tsaneva-Atanasova, Krasimira

EPSRC funded PhD in Mathmatics: Mathematical modelling of neuronal activity in the nucleus reuniens: a thalamic region contributing to mammalian cognitive processing. Ref: 2047 About the award This project is one of a number which are funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Doctoral Training Partnership to commence in September, 2016. The studentships will provide funding for a stipend (currently £14,057 per annum for 2015/16), research costs of £3,000 and UK/EU tuition fees at Research Council rates for 3.5 years. Location: Streatham Campus, University of Exeter, EX4 4QJ Primary supervisor: Dr Ozgur Akman<http://emps.exeter.ac.uk/mathematics/staff/oea201> Secondary supervisors: Professor Krasimira Tsaneva-Atanasova (University of Exeter), Professor Andrew Randall (University of Exeter) The production of action potentials is a defining feature of the functional physiology of all excitable cells. Typically, only after firing a spike will a cell perform its task and, furthermore, the rate, timing and patterns of spike generation have important effects on the nature of the downstream events they trigger, for example neurotransmitter release. Hence, quantifying the characteristic features of action potential production in neurons is crucial in helping us to understand the normal functional physiology of nervous systems, as well as how these are altered during pathological conditions associated with disease. Based within the EPSRC Centre for Predictive Modelling in Healthcare, a £2M initiative bringing together mathematicians, statisticians and clinicians, you will work on a project aiming to develop in silico biophysical models of neural excitability in the mammalian nucleus reuniens (NRe). This area within the thalamus is receiving increased attention from neuroscientists, (including both the 2013 and 2014 Nobel Laureates in Physiology and Medicine; see Xu and Sudhoff (2013), Science 339, 1290-5 and Ito et al. (2015) Nature 522, 50-5). Through its robust connectivity to structures such as the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex, this midline thalamic nucleus is involved in both spatial and cognitive processing. It is also a key site of pathology in Korsakoff’s syndrome (aka amnesic-confabulatory syndrome), a form of dementia. Recent ongoing work in the Randall lab at Exeter has generated a large body of novel electrophysiological data that details the core electrical excitability of neurons in the nucleus reuniens, in both normal adult animals and rodent disease models. These datasets are supported by additional biophysical characterisations of the gating of some of the key underpinning ion channels in NRe neurons. These experimental data will form the basis for the computational models that this project will generate, models that will probe the mechanisms that govern the physiological spiking and bursting dynamics of NRe cells. The ultimate goal is to both better understand normal physiological NRe function, and to identify possible interventional routes through which abnormal NRe activity observed in disease models can be normalised toward the neurophysiological signatures presented by healthy tissue. Mathematical analysis and numerical/computational techniques will be applied to study the behaviour of the system in normal and pathological conditions. The computational component of the project will include the use of multi-objective evolutionary algorithms to optimise the parameters of the model to data, and the use of bifurcation analysis software. Application Criteria Applicants should have or expect to achieve a 2:1 Honours degree, or equivalent, in Mathematics, Physics, Natural Sciences, Medicine or other numerate discipline. The closing date for applications if midnight on 4 January, 2016. Interviews will be held at the University of Exeter mid-late January, 2016. For further information, or an informal discussion about the position, please contact Dr Ozbur Akman, e-mail: O.E.Akman(a)exeter.ac.uk<mailto:O.E.Akman@exeter.ac.uk>. Summary Application deadline: 4th January 2016 Value: £14,057 per annum plus UK/EU fees for eligible students (2015-16 rates) Duration of award: per year Contact: Postgraduate Research Office emps-pgr-ad(a)exeter.ac.uk<mailto:emps-pgr-ad@exeter.ac.uk> How to apply Please visit www.exeter.ac.uk/postgraduate/money/studentships/application/<http://www.exeter.ac.uk/postgraduate/money/studentships/application/> and complete the online web form. You will be asked to submit some personal details and upload a full CV, covering letter and details of two academic referees. Your covering letter should outline your academic interests, prior research experience and reasons for wishing to undertake this project. Krasimira Tsaneva-Atanasova Professor of Mathematics for Healthcare College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences University of Exeter Exeter, Devon, EX4 4QF, UK tel: +44 (0) 1392 723615 email: k.tsaneva-atanasova(a)exeter.ac.uk<mailto:k.tsaneva-atanasova@exeter.ac.uk> web: http://emps.exeter.ac.uk/mathematics/staff/kt298 ALTEREGO - Enhancing Social Interaction with an AlterEgo artificial agent http://www.euromov.eu/alterego/homepage

Dec. 4, 2015

Master's degree fellowships in cognitive science at Ecole Normale Supérieure

by Reinoud Maex

The Cognitive Science Departement of Ecole Normale Supérieure in Paris (Département d'études cognitives, DEC) aims to recruit advanced undergraduate international students in Cognitive Science and in Linguistics. DEC and Ecole Normale Supérieure (http://www.ens.fr) offer several international fellowships, intended for advanced undergraduate students who will either directly enroll in a master's program (two-year or three-year fellowship) or first complete their last year of undergraduate studies and then enroll in a master's program (three-year fellowship). These fellowships will be attributed on the basis of a national competitive exam, known as the `ENS international selection.' For more details (including about eligibility), please visit: http://www.ens.fr/admission/selection-internationale/?lang=en The fellowships include: - monthly stipend: 1000 euros; - possibility of subsidized housing; - access to subsidized cafeteria (about 4 euros/meal); - minimal tuition fees (about 500 euros/year). How to Apply: More detailed information is available on line: - http://www.cognition.ens.fr/EnseignementFinancementENG - http://www.ens.fr/admission/selection-internationale/article/session-2016?l… Applications Deadline: 1-Feb-2016 Web Address for Applications: http://www1.ens.fr/recrutement-si/ Contact Information: Benjamin Spector benjamin.spector(a)ens.fr Benjamin SPECTOR Institut Jean-Nicod CNRS - EHESS - ENS Ecole Normale Supérieure Pavillon Jardin 29 rue d'Ulm 75005 Paris France Tel: (33) 1 44 32 26 62

Dec. 4, 2015

Interdisciplinary Neuroscience PhD program at George Mason University

by Avrama Blackwell

Applicants with a theoretical/quantitative background particularly welcome! Deadline: January 4 We are seeking highly motivated and creative students for the Interdisciplinary PhD program in Neuroscience at George Mason University. This PhD program offers students the opportunity to apply their skills to challenging problems in brain research, while working with faculty with primary appointments in physics, molecular neuroscience, cognitive psychology, and bioinformatics / computational biology. The Theoretical and Computational track within the Neuroscience PhD program aims to train the next generation of neuroscientists with the broad range of computational and analytical skills that are essential to understand the organization and function of complex neural systems. Research approaches of the faculty range from the subcellular and molecular level to the systems and behavioral level. Some of the areas that students will contribute to include: Molecular profiling of drug effects in the brain, cellular signaling underlying memory, the relationship between dendritic morphology and neuronal activity, nonlinear dynamics of neurons and networks of neurons, and fMRI investigations of reasoning, attention and human performance. Applicants should submit the following materials (see http://neuroscience.gmu.edu/prospective/admissions for more information): 1. All undergraduate and graduate transcripts (originals, or attested or notarized copies); 2. GRE scores (use code 5827); 3. Three letters of recommendations; and 4. Goals Statement. Applications should be submitted by January 4 for Fall admission. The deadline is December 15 for degree holders from non-US institutions. Financial assistance is available at competitive levels through graduate research assistantships to outstanding candidates.

Dec. 4, 2015

PhD Position: Modelling Gait in People with Parkinson's Disease.

by Tsaneva-Atanasova, Krasimira

EPSRC funded PhD in Modelling Gait in People with Parkinsons Disease. Location: Streatham Campus, University of Exeter, EX4 4QJ Primary supervisor: Prof Krasimira Tsaneva-Atanasova<http://emps.exeter.ac.uk/mathematics/staff/kt298> Secondary supervisors: Dr Mark Wilson (University of Exeter), Dr Victoria Goodwin (University of Exeter) Based within the EPSRC Centre for Predictive Modelling in Healthcare, a £2M initiative bringing together mathematicians, statisticians and clinicians, you will work on a project aiming to develop a data-driven mathematical modeling framework in order to study gait impairments in patients with Parkinson’s. Parkinson's is a progressive neurological condition that mainly affects people of 50 and over. One person in every 500 has Parkinson's, which equates to about 127,000 people in the UK. There's currently no cure, and the range of symptoms and how quickly they progress are different for everyone. The main symptoms of Parkinson's are tremor, rigidity and slowness of movement. Despite optimal medication therapy, many people with Parkinson’s still experience gait impairments. Gait impairments (e.g., freezing of gait) are associated with falls and fear of falling, and reduced quality of life. This studentship aims to further our understanding of the degenerative nature of the disease by taking a dynamical systems approach to modelling the coordination of locomotion (gait) from an individual perspective. While many studies have examined discrete gait measures (e.g. step length) it is likely that several gait malfunctions will interact and incur a simultaneous deterioration of stepping. A dynamical systems approach is particularly useful in predicting when and if this deterioration may cross a critical threshold; for example, triggering a freeze or a stumble. The first stage of this project will be to develop a model based on gait data we have already collected from 18 people with Parkinson’s. The second stage would be to collect additional data to test model’s predictions and refine and improve the model. This project is one of a number which are funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Doctoral Training Partnership to commence in September 2016. The studentships will provide funding for a stipend (currently £14,057 per annum for 2015/16), research costs of £3,000 and UK/EU tuition fees at Research Council rates for 3.5 years. Application Criteria Applicants should have or expect to achieve at least a 2:1 Honours degree, or equivalent, in Maths, Physics, Medicine, Natural Sciences or other numerate discipline. The closing date for applications is midnight on Monday 4 January 2016. Interview will be held at the University of Exeter is mid-late January 2016. For further information, or informal discussion about the position, please contact Prof Krasimira Tsaneva-Atanasova, e-mail: K.Tsaneva-Atanasova(a)exeter.ac.uk<mailto:K.Tsaneva-Atanasova@exeter.ac.uk>. Krasimira Tsaneva-Atanasova Professor of Mathematics for Healthcare College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences University of Exeter Exeter, Devon, EX4 4QF, UK tel: +44 (0) 1392 723615 email: k.tsaneva-atanasova(a)exeter.ac.uk<mailto:k.tsaneva-atanasova@exeter.ac.uk> web: http://emps.exeter.ac.uk/mathematics/staff/kt298 ALTEREGO - Enhancing Social Interaction with an AlterEgo artificial agent http://www.euromov.eu/alterego/homepage

Dec. 4, 2015

Postdoc position in Phone/wearable based diagnostics

by Konrad Kording

A postdoc position to apply machine learning to use data from phones and wearables to make clinical progress is available in collaboration between Konrad Kording and Arun Jayaraman. Learn machine learning. Capture clinical knowledge. The position is supported by NIH and NIDRR and is at the rehabilitation institute of chicago/ Northwestern University in downtown Chicago. A successful candidate should have a real interest in clinical problems while also having computational skills. The candidate will be expected to use state of the art machine learning algorithms while developing interesting analyses. The candidate will also shape clinical decision making and conceptually help structuring the research. A certain level of independence is highly encouraged. Interested individuals should send a c.v. and the names of three references to Dr. Konrad Kording ( kk(a)northwestern.edu) The position is available immediately, and applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Dec. 3, 2015

Postdoctoral openings in modeling, analysis of brain network dynamics

by ShiNung Ching

Postdoctoral positions are available in the Brain Dynamics and Control Group at Washington University in St. Louis (St. Louis, MO, USA), in two areas of interest: (i) Modeling macro-scale network dynamics in states of reduced arousal, including coma. The research goals include developing tractable dynamical systems models for network dynamics associated with severe brain injuries resulting in coma. The developed models will be analyzed in order to study mechanisms and their link to behavior. This position, which carries an affiliation with the Department of Neurology at the Washington University School of Medicine, will involve close collaboration with clinical researchers and will require analysis of multimodal neural data. (ii) Relating systems-theoretic properties to information processing in neural circuits. The goals include reconciling systems-level properties (reachability, controllability etc.) with overt information objectives in dynamical neuronal network models, and to explore the conservation of these network input-output relationships across scales. Candidates should have a background in some combination of dynamical systems theory, network science or systems science/control engineering. Prior experience in clinical research and basic neural data analysis is a substantial asset. Positions are for two years, with review after Year 1. Interested applicants should send a CV and brief description of interests and goals to ShiNung Ching (shinung(a)wustl.edu) ideally by January 5, 2016. The starting date is flexible, but the position is expected to begin no later that the Summer of 2016. Salary will be determined according to experience and the institutional scale at Washington University in St. Louis. For more information, please visit: http://braindynamics.engineering.wustl.edu

Dec. 3, 2015

Workshop announcement: HBP CodeJam

by Andrew Davison

================================ HBP CodeJam Workshop #7 11th-14th January 2016, Manchester, UK ================================ You are cordially invited to join us at the 7th CodeJam workshop, sponsored this year by the Human Brain Project. http://neuralensemble.org/meetings/CodeJam7/ The goal of the CodeJam workshops is to catalyze open-source, collaborative software development in computational and systems neuroscience and neuroinformatics, by bringing together researchers, students and engineers to share ideas, present their work, and write code together. Mornings will be dedicated to invited and contributed talks, leaving the afternoons free for discussions, tutorials and code sprints. If you would like to give a lightning talk or have an idea for a code sprint, please let us know when you register. The CodeJam is open to all scientists, engineers and students who use or write software as part of their neuroscience research. Confirmed speakers include Michael Hines (NEURON simulation environment), Eilif Muller (Blue Brain Project), Matteo Cantarelli (OpenWorm), Catherine Zwahlen (Human Brain Project), Padraig Gleeson (NeuroML and OpenSourceBrain) and David Lester (SpiNNaker). Registration is open until 16th December at http://neuralensemble.org/meetings/CodeJam7/ and is limited to 50 participants. The meeting will take place at Shrigley Hall Hotel, a 19th Century four-star country house hotel in Cheshire, UK, close to Manchester International Airport and perfectly located for exploring the Peak District. Andrew Davison (CNRS) David Lester (University of Manchester) Eilif Muller (EPFL) Abigail Morrison (Forschungszentrum Jülich) Jeffrey Muller (EPFL)

Dec. 3, 2015

Postdoctoral Position at The Rockefeller University

by George Reeke

Postdoctoral position in Computational Neuroscience A postdoctoral position supported by the BRAIN initiative is available at The Rockefeller University under the guidance of George Reeke in collaboration with Charles Gilbert and Winrich Freiwald. The overall project will study cortical mechanisms of object recognition and more specifically the influence of top-down task-and attentional influences on cortical dynamics and perceptual learning in areas of the visual cortical pathway. The computational work will involve developing and running large-scale spiking models of cortical regions studied in the overall project, with the goal of developing an accurate theoretical understanding of the phenomena observed in the experimental research. The successful candidate should, ideally, have a Ph.D. in a relevant area of neuroscience with a strong knowledge of mammalian visual systems and neuronal systems modeling. The candidate will be expected to develop suitable software to supplement the available tools as needed and will be able to work both independently and as part of a team. Interested individuals should send a c.v. and the names of three references to Dr. George Reeke (reeke(a)rockefeller.edu) with a subject line "Computational Neuroscience postdoc position". The position is available immediately, and applications will be accepted until the position is filled. The Rockefeller University is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Minorities/Women/Disabled/Veterans.

Dec. 2, 2015

Tenure Track position in Computational Neuroscience, NIDA-IRP

by Brian Sadacca

*Tenure-Track, Tenure-Eligible Investigator in **Computational Modeling, * *National Institute on Drug Abuse - Intramural Research Program* *Baltimore, MD * *(Review of Applications Begins: December 28)* The Intramural Research Program (IRP), National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), a research component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), is seeking an outstanding tenure-eligible or tenure-track scientist to develop a research program to use computational models and other tools (e.g. human functional imaging) to complement and expand existing research programs at the NIDA IRP. The successful candidate must possess a doctoral degree in neuroscience, physiology, economics or another relevant field with additional training and emphasis on computational neuroscience, learning and decision-making. Expertise in computational modeling and state of the art imaging techniques and a strong publication record highlighting his/her contributions to elucidating the computational mechanisms underlying brain systems involved in reward learning, cognitive control and decision making is highly desirable. Preference will be given to those with interest in applying computational models to the study of the neurobiology of addiction. In view of the required integrative approach, the successful candidate will be expected to collaborate with other research groups within NIDA - a proven ability to establish and sustain collaborative work is desired. Candidates must submit a CV, a statement of proposed research objectives and goals (3 pages or less), and contact information for 3 potential references to: Joshua Kysiak, Intramural Program Specialist, NIDA IRP, 251 Bayview Boulevard, Suite 200, Room 04A314, Baltimore, Maryland 21224. Telephone 443-740-2465, FAX 443-740-2865, Email: kysiakjo(a)nida.nih.gov <https://mail.nih.gov/owa/redir.aspx?SURL=1n7m_YTJ84moYRtNCS2AiK5V49da0Ff6C4…>. Review of applications will begin on or about December 28, 2015, but applications will be accepted until the position is filled. DHHS and NIH are equal opportunity employers.

Dec. 2, 2015

CFP: SCIS&ISIS 2016, Hokkaido, Japan, August 25-28, 2016

by Yusuke NOJIMA

<Apologies for multiple postings> =================================================== SCIS&ISIS 2016 Call for Papers and OS Proposals =================================================== Joint 8th Int. Conf. on Soft Computing and Intelligent Systems ＆ 17th Int. Symp. on Advanced Intelligent Systems August 25-28, 2016, Sapporo, Japan http://scis2016.j-soft.org =================================================== Dear colleagues, On behalf of the organizing committee, we would like to announce Joint 8th International Conference on Soft Computing and Intelligent Systems and 17th International Symposium on Advanced Intelligent Systems (SCIS&ISIS 2016) to be held in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan on August 25-28, 2016. SICS&ISIS 2016 is the flagship international conference of Soft Computing in Asia, that attracts several hundred participants all over the world. We strive to foster an open and lively scientific forum by bringing together researchers, engineers and practitioners with diversified backgrounds to discuss and disseminate the latest state-of-the-art achievements, thought provoking challenges and potential future directions in many different aspects. Conference webpage: http://scis2016.j-soft.org < Call for Papers > We would like to cordially invite you to submit your papers to SCIS&ISIS 2016. There are two categories: full paper submissions (4-6 pages) and short paper submissions (2-4 pages) in IEEE style. < Call for Organized Session Proposals > We would also like to invite you to submit your organized session proposals. Interested organizers should prepare a proposal which includes: 1. Session title. 2. Organizer(s) (name, affiliation and E-mail address). 3. List of at least three (3) papers (tentative titles and their authors). 4. Presentation mode: oral or poster. Please send it to scisisis2016+OS(a)gmail.com. < Important Dates > Organized Session Proposal: December 15, 2015 Paper Submission: February 15, 2016 Notification of Acceptance: May 1, 2016 Conference: August 25-28, 2016 For general inquiries regarding the conference, please contact the general affairs. SCIS&ISIS2016 General Affairs: scisisis2016+info(a)gmail.com

Dec. 2, 2015