- Comp-neuro - lists.cnsorg.org

Virtual Telluride Neuromorphic Engineering Workshop (July 27-31 2020)

by Emre Neftci

We are happy to announce a Virtual Telluride Neuromorphic Cognition Engineering Workshop 2020 (https://tellurideneuromorphic.org/) this year in replacement of our usual Workshop in Telluride. The workshop will take place from July 27 to July 31 (8am to 10am PDT, or 17:00 to 19:00 CET). The format will be a week of lectures and tutorials on current topics in neuromorphic engineering (two hours per day) followed by four hands-on, collaborative challenges which will be carried out in the month of August. The results of the challenges will be presented on September 10 and 11. More up-to-date information on the list of speakers and the challenges can be found at the 2020 Neuromorphic Workshop website (https://sites.google.com/view/telluride2020/home) The workshop is free to attend and is open to everyone upon registration. Please pass this announcement to other interested parties. Regards, The Telluride Neuromorphic Cognition Engineering 2020 Organizing Committee -- Emre Neftci, PhD, Assistant Professor, Neuromorphic Machine Intelligence Lab (http://nmi-lab.org/) Department of Cognitive Sciences, 2308 Social & Behavioral Sciences Gateway Building, UC Irvine 92697-5100

July 7, 2020

PhD Position on the Brain, Language and Multilingualism

by Narly Golestani

With the launch of a new ‘NCCR Evolving Language’ (http://www.snf.ch/SiteCollectionDocuments/nfs/Faktenblatt_NCCR_evolvinglang…) which involves nearly 40 different research groups from a large variety of disciplines across Switzerland, we seek to fill a PhD position for a four-year project, starting in September or October 2020. Our goal is to make progress in understanding language giftedness from cognitive, psychological and neural perspectives. To this end, we plan to carry out a set of studies involving acquisition of both behavioral measures of cognitive and language-related abilities (e.g. auditory/perceptual abilities, phonemic perception and production, inductive learning, working memory etc) and of brain imaging measures (fMRI and sMRI). The project will be supervised by Narly Golestani (University of Geneva) and Raphael Berthele (University of Fribourg), and will be done in collaboration with a postdoctoral fellow. Data will be collected with Francophone (mono- and multilingual) subjects. Applicants should hold have a background in cognitive neuroscience or psychology, with solid experience in brain functional neuroimaging (ideally fMRI), behavioral testing and strong statistics skills. Command of the French and English languages is essential. Given hiring restrictions due to Covid19, priority will be given to European applicants, at least for now. The NCCR places great emphasis on gender diversity and we particularly encourage women to apply. Applicants may send a pdf file including a cover letter, a CV, names and contact information of 3 references as well as any other relevant documents to Narly.Golestani(a)unige.ch<mailto:Narly.Golestani@unige.ch> and Raphael.berthele(a)unifr.ch<mailto:Raphael.berthele@unifr.ch>. Deadline for application: July 22nd 2020 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brain and Language Lab Prof. Narly GOLESTANI Department of Psychology Campus Biotech 9 Chemin des Mines, 1202 Genève +41 22 379 53 52 <https://outlook.unige.ch/owa/redir.aspx?SURL=5WTo-p-J-W9FrDydU-0WU4PdMytUGs…>http://www.brainandlanguagelab.org https://twitter.com/brain_lang_lab ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- <https://outlook.unige.ch/owa/redir.aspx?SURL=5WTo-p-J-W9FrDydU-0WU4PdMytUGs…>

July 6, 2020

Offer of a PhD position

by Daun, Silvia

Dear All, I have a PhD position to offer in my lab: "Researchers at the subinstitute Cognitive Neuroscience (INM-3) investigate the neural mechanisms underlying cognitive (dys-) function in healthy subjects and patients suffering from neurological and psychiatric disorders. Functional imaging (PET, MRI) and electrophysiological methods (EEG, TMS, tDCS) are combined with computational approaches. The successful candidate will investigate how neural information processing within the human motor system is impaired by (non-)pathological aging under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Silvia Daun. We are offering a PhD Position - Cognitive Neuroscience / Computational Neurology at the Research Center Juelich Your Job: * Acquisition and analysis of EEG and fMRI data from healthy subjects and stroke patients * Implementation of analysis algorithms * Presentation and publication of the results * Interaction with team members and collaborators from Psychology, Medicine, and Computational Neuroscience Your Profile: * Excellent University degree (Diploma/Master) in Computational Neuroscience, Physics, Psychology, Biomedical Engineering or a related field * Solid programming skills (preferably in Matlab or Python) * Keen interest in cognitive and systems neuroscience * Good command of English Our Offer: * Outstanding scientific and technical infrastructure – ideal conditions for successfully completing a doctoral degree * A highly motivated group as well as an international and interdisciplinary working environment at one of Europe`s largest research establishments * An attractive research campus, situated between the cities of Cologne, Düsseldorf, and Aachen * Chance of participating in (international) conferences and project meetings * Continuous scientific mentoring by your scientific advisor * Doctoral degree conferred by University of Cologne * Participation in overarching seminars including certificate * Further development of your personal strengths, e.g. via a comprehensive further training programme * Pay in line with 65 % of pay group 13 of the Collective Agreement for the Public Service (TVöD-Bund). Pay higher than the basic pay may be possible * Information on employment as a PhD student at Forschungszentrum Jülich can be found here http://www.fz-juelich.de/gp/Careers_Docs Forschungszentrum Jülich promotes equal opportunities and diversity in its employment relations. We also welcome applications from disabled persons." To apply, please follow the link: https://www.fz-juelich.de/SharedDocs/Stellenangebote/_common/dna/2020D-071-… All the best, Silvia Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Silvia Daun Kognitive Neurowissenschaften Institut für Neurowissenschaften und Medizin (INM-3) Forschungszentrum Jülich Leo-Brandt-Str. 5 52425 Jülich Telefon: 02461-61-8638 Telefax: 02461-61-9853 Email: s.daun(a)fz-juelich.de und Professorin für Computational Neuroscience - Modeling Neural Network Function Zoologisches Institut Universität zu Köln Biowissenschaftliches Zentrum, Zi. 1.104 Zülpicher-Straße 47b 50674 Köln Telefon: 0221-470-3829 Telefax: 0221-470-4889 Email: silvia.daun(a)uni-koeln.de http://www.neuro.uni-koeln.de/neuro-gruhn-staff-sg.html ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH 52425 Juelich Sitz der Gesellschaft: Juelich Eingetragen im Handelsregister des Amtsgerichts Dueren Nr. HR B 3498 Vorsitzender des Aufsichtsrats: MinDir Volker Rieke Geschaeftsfuehrung: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Wolfgang Marquardt (Vorsitzender), Karsten Beneke (stellv. Vorsitzender), Prof. Dr.-Ing. Harald Bolt ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

July 6, 2020

9th International Summer School in Biomedical Engineering (2020)

by Dölker Eva-Maria TU Ilmenau

Dear Colleagues, We are pleased to announce that we have an excellent list of lecturers at the 9th International Summer School in Biomedical Engineering (2020) hold from 5th-11th August 2020 in Augustinerkloster in Erfurt, Germany. The program can be found on the summer school webpage: https://www.tu-ilmenau.de/bmti/wissenschaftliche-veranstaltungen/summer-sch… We are currently accepting PhD students and advanced Master students applications. Registration info can be found at the point “General Information”. Please send any enquiries to Eva-Maria Dölker <eva-maria.doelker(a)tu-ilmenau.de<mailto:eva-maria.doelker@tu-ilmenau.de>>. Best regards, Eva-Maria Dölker Organization of the Summer School

July 3, 2020

Explainable AI: Overcoming problems of Deep Learning problems with Adaptive Resonance

by Grossberg, Stephen

Dear Colleagues, There's currently a lot of interest in AI, notably Deep Learning, and in achieving autonomous adaptive intelligence. The following new article summarizes foundational problems of reliability and trustworthiness of Deep Learning, explains how Adaptive Resonance overcomes them, and outlines a blueprint for achieving autonomous adaptive intelligence: Grossberg, S. (2020). A path towards Explainable AI and autonomous adaptive intelligence: Deep Learning, Adaptive Resonance, and models of perception, emotion, and action. Frontiers in Neurobotics, June 25, 2020. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbot.2020.00036 Best, Steve Grossberg

July 2, 2020

Postdoctoral fellowships at the Neuromathematics Center in Sao Paulo State, Brazil

by Antonio Roque

Positions for Postdoctoral Researchers The Research, Innovation and Dissemination Center for Neuromathematics (NeuroMat), hosted by the University of São Paulo, Brazil, and funded by the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), is offering *three post-doctoral fellowships* for recent PhDs with outstanding research potential. The research will involve collaborations with experimental and theoretical groups and laboratories associated to NeuroMat. The research to be developed by the post-doc fellows shall be strictly related to ongoing research lines developed by the NeuroMat team. The project may be developed at USP (main campus, São Paulo), USP campus Ribeirão Preto or University of Campinas (UNICAMP). We seek candidates capable to develop independent research in one of the research lines below: 1. Stochastic and/or computational modeling of the brain functioning; 2. Acquisition, processing and quantitative analysis of electrophysiological data; 3. Biomedical devices for neuroscience research. Candidates to the first research line are required to have at least one of the profiles below: - A strong background in probability theory with emphasis on stochastic processes. Previous knowledge of rigorous statistical mechanics or random graphs will be favorably considered; and/or - A strong mathematical and / or computational background and experience with computers and programming. Previous experience with development and / or simulation of neural brain models, complex networks and parallel computing will be favorably considered. Candidates to the second research line are required to have at least one of the profiles below: - A strong background in neuroscience with previous experience in neurophysiological data acquisition, processing and analysis, and knowledge of computer programming; and/or - A strong background in computer science with experience in the development of algorithms, software tools and data bases. Previous research experience in neuroscience or related areas will be favorably considered. Candidates to the third research line are required to have at least one of the profiles below: - A strong background in electromagnetism and biomedical engineering. Previous knowledge of transcranial magnetic stimulation or magnetic / electric field simulation will be favorably considered; and/or - A strong background in computer science and control software development expertise. Previous experience with neuroscience and neuronavigation systems will be favorably considered. Previous experience with multidisciplinary research teams is welcome for all the above research lines. The initial appointment is for one year, with a possible extension to up to four years, conditional on research progress. The fellowship is competitive at international level, and fellows benefit from extra funds for travel and research expenses plus limited support for relocation expenses. *Application Instructions* Applicants should complete and submit the application form (https://neuromat.numec.prp.usp.br/postdoc/new/) The following documents and information are requested (please see the form for further details): - Summary of the CV, in the FAPESP format (see http://www.fapesp.br/en/6351 for instructions); - List of publications, with links to those available online; - A summary of the research plan for the next year, up to 5 pages length. It should explicitly state for which of the three above profiles the candidate is applying. It should also address its place within the framework of the NeuroMat research program ( https://neuromat.numec.prp.usp.br/scientific-project/) - Pointers to other research related output, such as software, web pages, and so forth. Candidates should be willing to send copies of publications, if requested; - Any further information deemed relevant to the application. In addition to the above, we require at least 2 recommendation letters. Those should be mailed by the recommenders directly to postdoc-appl(a)numec.prp.usp.br. FAPESP requirements: The candidate should have concluded a doctorate less than seven years before the beginning of the PD fellowship. The fellowship demands full-time dedication to the research project (except under conditions outlined in resolution PR Nº 13/2009, 15 July 2009). The fellowship holder may not hold any formal or informal employment nor receive, during the term of the fellowship, a fellowship from another entity, salary or remuneration deriving from the exercise of activities of whatever nature (except under conditions outlined in the decree PR Nº 13/2009, 15 July 2009). *Timetable* Candidates are encouraged to apply at their earliest convenience until August 16, 2020. Appointments are expected to start by November 1st, 2020. The initial period of the position lasts for 12 months, with possible renovations for up to three years. This opportunity is open to candidates of any nationality. The selected candidates will be awarded FAPESP Post-Doctoral fellowships in the amount of R$ 7,373.10 monthly and a research contingency fund, equivalent to 15% of the annual value of the fellowship, which should be spent in items directly related to the research activity. Check the rules of FAPESP post-doctoral fellowships at: http://www.fapesp.br/en/5427. -- Dr. Antonio C. Roque Professor Associado Departamento de Fisica FFCLRP, Universidade de Sao Paulo 14040-901 Ribeirao Preto-SP Brazil - Brasil E-mails: antonior(a)usp.br <antonior(a)ffclrp.usp.br> aroquesilva(a)gmail.com URL: www.sisne.org Tels: +55 16 3315-3768 <+55%2016%203315-3768> (sala/office); +55 16 3315-3859 <+55%2016%203315-3859> (lab) FAX: +55 16 3315-4887 <+55%2016%203315-4887>

July 1, 2020

[SOFTWARE] Open-Source Neurodynamic Modeling Software PyRates

by Richard Gast

The Brain Networks Group and Neurophysics Department of the Max-Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences Leipzig released an open-source Python software for neural network and dynamical systems modeling: PyRates (https://github.com/pyrates-neuroscience/PyRates, https://www.cbs.mpg.de/departments/neurophysics/software/pyrates) Main features of PyRates are: - Intuitive and re-usable model definitions via YAML files or purely in Python - networkx representations of each model allows to compute graph theoretic measurements on the fly (https://networkx.github.io/) - Efficient numerical simulations via scipy, numpy and tensorflow - evolutionary model parameter optimization - large-scale parameter sweeps on single machines and compute clusters - parameter continuation and bifurcation analysis via auto-07p For a full list of features and their documentation, check out the PyRates documentation at https://pyrates.readthedocs.io/en/latest/. For feedback and contributions, contact us via our GitHub repository: https://github.com/pyrates-neuroscience/PyRates. Install instructions can be found there as well!

July 1, 2020

Opening for Research Associate

by Paola Malerba

The Malerba Lab at the Abigail Wexner Research Institute Battelle Center for Mathematical Medicine in Columbus, Ohio is looking for a new Research Associate. The lab focuses on brain rhythms, especially during sleep, and their role in cognition (memory and motor skills). We are looking for a detail-oriented, adaptable and curious mind, who has graduate-level training and at least one year of experience working in a research lab. The position (initially for one year, with possible extension tied to lab funding) will be centered on high-level quantitative EEG analysis and simulations of neural network dynamics related to ongoing research projects. Demonstrated proficiency in programming (Matlab and python) is required, and so is interest in how brain dynamics is tied to behavior. Some neuroscience training is desirable. A small part of the position will be to screen and coordinate research subjects for participation to ongoing studies, hence timeliness and people skills are necessary. The Research Institute at NCH is a collaborative interdisciplinary environment, that strives to apply the most modern knowledge to challenging questions with high impact. The Malerba lab is part of the Center for Mathematical Medicine, and contributes to the Chronic Brain Injury collaborative at Ohio State University and the Neurodevelopmental Research Interest Group at NCH. We have collaborations at local, national and international level and are developing strategies to introduce brain dynamics during sleep to the toolbox of medical interventions. Link to the full ad and application page: https://external-nationwidechildrens.icims.com/jobs/24247/research-associat… Informal inquiries to MalerbaLab(a)nationwidechildrens.org are welcome. Paola Malerba, PhD Principal Investigator, Battelle Center for Mathematical Medicine Abigail Wexner Research Institute, Nationwide Children’s Hospital Assistant Professor, Ohio State University Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine Biophysics Graduate Program Neuroscience Graduate Program Malerba Lab at BCMM <https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/research/areas-of-research/battelle-cen…> 575 Children’s Crossroad WB5145 Columbus, OH 43215 Phone: (614) 355-5894

June 30, 2020

Bernstein Conference 2020 - abstract submission deadlines extended

by a.dorrn＠fz-juelich.de

Each year the Bernstein Network invites the international computational neuroscience community to the annual Bernstein Conference for intensive scientific exchange. It has established itself as one of the most renown conferences worldwide in this field, attracting students, postdocs and PIs from around the world to meet and discuss new scientific discoveries. This year’s Bernstein Conference will take place September 29 – October 1, 2020 and will be held entirely online for the first time. It will be followed by the online Bernstein PhD Symposium on October 2, 2020 www.bernstein-conference.de<http://bit.ly/BC_online> ____ NEWS * Participation will be free of charge * Registration will open mid-July * Abstract submission deadlines have been extended: * July 17, 2020: deadline for submission of abstracts to be considered for Contributed Talks * August 21, 2020: deadline for abstract submission * Find more information here: bit.ly/BC20abstracts<http://bit.ly/BC20abstracts> * Selected satellite workshops are now published: bit.ly/BC20workshops<https://bit.ly/BC20workshops> * more information regarding the PhD symposium will follow soon ____ INVITED SPEAKERS William Bialek (Princeton University, USA) Michael Brecht (Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Germany) Laura Busse (LMU Munich, Germany) Megan Carey (Champalimaud Center for the Unknown, Lisbon, Portugal) Rosa Cossart (Institut de neurobiologie de la méditerranée, Marseille, France) Ann Hermundstad (Janelia Research Campus, Ashburn, USA) Roozbeh Kiani (New York University, New York City, USA) Vanessa Ruta (The Rockefeller University, New York City, USA) David Sussillo (Google AI, Mountain View, USA) Srdjan Ostojic (L'École normale supérieure, Paris, France) Fred Wolf (Max-Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization, Göttingen, Germany) ____ CONFERENCE COMMITTEE Udo Ernst (Conference Chair) Elad Schneidmann (Program Chair) Julijana Gjiorgjieva (Program Vice Chair) Tim Vogels (Workshop Chair) Marion Silies (Workshop Vice Chair) Henning Sprekeler (Conference Host) Danielle Bassett, Matthew Botvinick, Peter Dayan, Alain Destexhe, Tim Gollisch, Stephanie Palmer, Nathalie Rochefort, Nicole Rust, Gasper Tkacik ____ For any further questions, please contact: bernstein.conference(a)fz-juelich.de<mailto:bernstein.conference@fz-juelich.de> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH 52425 Juelich Sitz der Gesellschaft: Juelich Eingetragen im Handelsregister des Amtsgerichts Dueren Nr. HR B 3498 Vorsitzender des Aufsichtsrats: MinDir Volker Rieke Geschaeftsfuehrung: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Wolfgang Marquardt (Vorsitzender), Karsten Beneke (stellv. Vorsitzender), Prof. Dr.-Ing. Harald Bolt ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

June 30, 2020

Information theory workshop at CNS*2020 -- call for contributed talks

by Joseph Lizier

Dear all, We are pleased to announce that the Workshop on Methods of Information Theory in Computational Neuroscience<http://lizier.me/joseph/conferences/202007-CNS2020-ITW/> will be held once again at the CNS*2020<https://www.cnsorg.org/cns-2020> conference, online. The workshop will be held during 3 sessions over two days of the main conference, July 21 (15:00-18:30 CET) and July 22 (09:00-12:30, 15:00-18:30 CET). Our confirmed speakers so far include the following (schedule available soon): * Oliver Cliff, The University of Sydney -- "Exact Inference of Linear Dependence Between Multiple Autocorrelated Time Series" * Abdullah Makkeh, University of Goettingen -- "A differentiable measure of pointwise shared information" * Thomas Parr, University College London -- "Inferring what to do" * Daniel Polani, University of Hertfordshire -- TBA * Maryam Shanechi, University of Southern California -- TBA * Naotsugu Tsuchiya, Monash University -- "Structure of information to understand the physical basis of consciousness" * ... more TBA! Also, we would like to call for contributions of talks. If you are interested in contributing a talk, please send a title and abstract to Joseph Lizier (joseph.lizier(a)sydney.edu.au<mailto:joseph.lizier@sydney.edu.au>) at your earliest convenience (earlier submissions will be prioritised) Please see our website https://bit.ly/cns2020itw for more details. We hope you will join us there! Organising Committee: Joseph Lizier Justin Dauwels Lubomir Kostal Michael Wibral

June 30, 2020