- Comp-neuro - lists.cnsorg.org

Call for participants -- WasON study

by Davide Coraci

Dear list members, We are recruiting participants worldwide and it would be fantastic if you could take part in the WasON study. The aim of the study is to investigate how *neuroscientists* and researchers (psychologists, cognitive scientists, philosophers, etc.) with some familiarity with neuroimaging techniques draw associations between *cognitive processes* and *fMRI data* observed experimentally. The study has been developed by the SANe and the MInD units (MoMiLab <https://momilab.imtlucca.it/> research group at IMT School Lucca, Italy) and can be found here: https://www.sane-elab.eu/NRIA/welcome.php. The questionnaire can be completed through PC or smartphone (however, the use of the PC is warmly suggested to visualize the fMRI maps better). Collected data will be completely *anonymous*. Once the questionnaire is finished, you can *check your accuracy* and decide to continue with another set of questions. In this case, please do not close or restart the session, otherwise the system will create another participant ID. We ask you to complete the questionnaire individually. However, after completing the survey you may want to compare your score with one of your lab mates and colleagues. Feel free to forward the link to anyone you think could be interested. If you have any questions or just want to be updated with the results of the study, please do not hesitate to contact us (davide.coraci(a)imtlucca.it) Thank you very much for your availability and your time. All the best, Davide Coraci -- Davide Coraci Phd Student IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca MoMiLab <https://momilab.imtlucca.it> - *Molecular Mind Laboratory* MInD <https://momilab.imtlucca.it/research/mind> - *Models, Inference, and Decisions * https://www.davidecoraci.com/welcome.php

April 3, 2024

positions available in consciousness research: 2x postdoc and 3x PhD

by Anil Seth

Apologies for cross posting: 2x Postdoc and 3x PhD new positions now available at Sussex! Do you have a strong background in cognitive and computational neuroscience and a desire to contribute to the cutting edge of consciousness research? Two postdoctoral research positions and three PhD positions are now available at the Sussex Centre for Consciousness Science (SCCS; https://www.sussex.ac.uk/research/ccs/) The SCCS is a University of Sussex Centre of Excellence and an internationally prominent group in consciousness science, situated in the beautiful Falmer campus of Sussex University, and boasting enviable research facilities as well as strong collaborative links with a range of national and international partners. The positions are supported by an ERC Advanced Investigator Grant (project CONSCIOUS; 2 postdocs and 2 PhDs) to Anil Seth, and by the SCCS, via the School of Informatics and Engineering (1 PhD). The postdoc positions funded for 2 years with possible extension for another 2, starting as soon as suitable candidates are identified. The PhD positions are fully funded (for both UK and overseas candidates) for 3.5 years, starting in September 2024 (earlier start may be negotiable). The ERC positions are all within the broad remit of computational (neuro)phenomenology, exploring different applications of a predictive processing view of conscious perception. One of the ERC PhD positions will focus on perceptual diversity, analysing and extending our unique Perception Census project (https://perceptioncensus.dreamachine.world/) The SCCS PhD is flexible in terms of project focus and supervisor; here, we invite PhD proposals that have a computational/informatics element. *Updated Deadline*. Apply by April 26 for all positions. Further details, including how to apply, are here: https://www.sussex.ac.uk/research/centres/sussex-centre-for-consciousness-s… ------------------------------------------- Anil K. Seth, D.Phil. Professor of Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience, University of Sussex Director, Sussex Centre for Consciousness Science, University of Sussex Co-Director, Canadian Institute for Advanced Research, Program on Brain, Mind, and Consciousness Advanced Investigator, European Research Council Editor-in-Chief, Neuroscience of Consciousness www.anilseth.com @anilkseth [Being You Pb Digital Assets v1 Email copy.png]

April 3, 2024

Dana Ballard memorial symposium at ICDL (May 20, 2024), UT Austin

by Reinoud Maex

From: Brian Sullivan <brian.sullivan(a)bristol.ac.uk<mailto:brian.sullivan@bristol.ac.uk>> Sent: Wednesday, March 27, 2024 14:27 To: comp-neuro-owner(a)lists.cnsorg.org<mailto:comp-neuro-owner@lists.cnsorg.org> <comp-neuro-owner(a)lists.cnsorg.org<mailto:comp-neuro-owner@lists.cnsorg.org>> Subject: Dana Ballard memorial symposium at ICDL (May 20, 2024), UT Austin On May 20, 2024, a memorial symposium will be held as a remembrance and celebration of the life and scientific work of Dr. Dana Ballard (1946–2022), who was a pioneer in the study of computer vision, neural computation, human vision and motor coordination, and robotics. Dr. Ballard was a professor of computer science at the University of Texas at Austin and a member of the Center for Perceptual Systems. As part of the IEEE International Conference on Development and Learning (ICDL) 2024,https://la.utexas.edu/users/dil/ICDL_Austin_2024/<https://la.utexas.edu/users/dil/ICDL_Austin_2024>, we will host a morning seminar session celebrating Dana Ballard’s research with presentations by: Rajesh Rao, Jochen Triesch, Chen Yu, Virginia De Sa, Constantin Rothkopf, Janneke Jehee, and Ruohan Zhang. Memorial Session Website: https://la.utexas.edu/users/dil/symposium%20_icdl/index.html<https://la.utexas.edu/users/dil/symposium%20_icdl/index.html> Date: Monday May 20, 2024 Time: 8:30 am to 12:00 pm Location: The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA The session is free but we ask that you kindly register your plans to attend via the Google form listed on the session website, or via the direct link here: Registration for the Dana Ballard Memorial Symposium at ICDL 2024 (google.com)<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScI5RRtrBBlKpEi3wcXw30MBM3nfe7mwCj…> Note that registration for the main conference is not required, but if you are interested in attending the main conference, you can register here: https://web.cvent.com/event/298b4f7f-1772-4c46-b774-f438a164f72f/summary<https://web.cvent.com/event/298b4f7f-1772-4c46-b774-f438a164f72f/summary> Information about accommodation is available on the main conference web page. Brian Sullivan & Chen Yu -- Brian Sullivan brian.sullivan(a)bristol.ac.uk<mailto:brian.sullivan@bristol.ac.uk> Honorary Research Fellow Population Health Sciences Bristol Medical School BF7 Barley House University of Bristol Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK

April 3, 2024

Applications are now open for CAMP2024

by Jeevan Kumar Gochhayat

Dear All, Applications for CAMP 2024 are now open <https://campiiser.com/>! . CAMP (Computational Approaches to Memory and Plasticity) summer school is a two-week program that provides Ph.D. students and postdocs with training in the areas of learning, memory, and plasticity in the brain. The program will take place between 1st and 17th July 2024 at IISER Pune <https://www.iiserpune.ac.in/>, India. Deadline for application submission is 23rd April ,2024. Apply now at https://campiiser.com/ Please circulate the course information among labs/departments/students that might be interested. You can also follow us on X (formerly Twitter) : https://x.com/camp_course?t=p_3pXlqRl3yNmRgb83_AMQ&s=09 CAMP invites Ph.D. students, master’s students, final-year undergraduates, and postdocs worldwide from all backgrounds to CAMP@Pune. At this intensive 17-day course, students will be trained in theoretical and computational modeling of memory and plasticity in the brain, spanning different scales of space, time, and complexity. This year’s flavor of CAMP will be Data-Driven Neuroscience. The course will have lectures, hands-on tutorials, and projects to launch students into the exciting field of computational neuroscience. Accommodation and meals will be covered for the participants. More details on the poster <https://campiiser.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/CAMP2024.pdf>. For more information please visit https://campiiser.com/ or email us at: camp(a)acads.iiserpune.ac.in On behalf of the organisers, Aravind Kumar Collins Assisi Rishikesh Narayanan Suhita Nadkarni Upi Bhalla ReplyForward

April 3, 2024

Modellers Workshop for the Brain Dynamics Toolbox

by Stewart Heitmann

Enrolments are now open for the Modellers Workshop for the Brain Dynamics Toolbox. This is an online course for researchers who wish to build custom dynamical models in matlab using the Brain Dynamics Toolbox. The course focuses on practical programming techniques for the major classes of differential equations (ordinary, partial, delay, stochastic) in computational neuroscience. Study time is 8 hours. Example code is provided in all cases. Upon completion, students will be able to turn custom differential equations into working simulations. Course Website https://bdtoolbox.teachable.com/p/modellers-workshop Toolbox Website https://bdtoolbox.org Important Dates Enrolments close 28th April 2024. Disclaimer The information contained in this communication from the sender is confidential. It is intended solely for use by the recipient and others authorized to receive it. If you are not the recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or taking action in relation of the contents of this information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. This email has been scanned for viruses and malware, and may have been automatically archived by Mimecast Ltd, an innovator in Software as a Service (SaaS) for business. Providing a safer and more useful place for your human generated data. Specializing in; Security, archiving and compliance. To find out more visit the Mimecast website.

April 3, 2024

Optics and Microscopy Workshop, Goniądz, Poland - Deadline April 10th

by Mateusz Kostecki

Dear Colleagues We would like to remind you that the deadline for registration to our Optics and Microscopy Workshop is April 10th! The workshop will be a *thorough, hands–on introduction to optics and microscopy*. With our instructor, Fred Marbach from Crick Institute, we will start from absolute basics – *photons, ray diagrams and lenses*; then move to building a simple optical system, just to *end up building DIY bright-field and fluorescent microscopes.* We will image neurons (hopefully!), and understand every last bit of how that image came to be (this is a certainty!). During the workshop you will build an intuition for optics, allowing you to reason about optical systems found in the lab (and in publications): you will understand the equipment you are using on a much deeper level. The workshop will take place *May 10-12th in Goniądz*, in Dwór Bartla, overlooking the beautiful Biebrza river, which at this time of the year provides great opportunities for birdwatching. The deadline for registration is April 5th,* the cost of the workshop is EUR 250 (but we provide fee waivers if needed)*. The cost includes the r*egistration fee, accommodation, breakfast and lunch.* Please find the registration form and more info here - https://nenckiopenlab.org/optics-and-microscopy-workshop-2024/ Best! NOL Team -- --- Mateusz Kostecki PhD Student Knapska Laboratory Nencki Institute 02-093 Warsaw, Pasteura 3, Poland https://twitter.com/mtkostecki https://evolvingbehavior.blog/

April 2, 2024

PhD Studentships in Computational Neuroscience at the University of Hertfordshire, UK

by Volker Steuber

PhD Studentships in Computational Neuroscience Biocomputation Research Group School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science University of Hertfordshire, UK Application deadline 1 May 2024 Bursary £19,632 per annum bursary plus the payment of the student fees Applications are invited from candidates with excellent first degrees in computer science, engineering, physics, maths, biology, neuroscience or other relevant disciplines to join projects as research students. Projects are available in (but not limited to): Computational Modelling of Homeostatic Plasticity Mechanisms for Functional Recovery of Neuronal Networks after Peripheral Lesions (supervisors Dr Muhammad Yaqoob, Dr Ankur Sinha, UCL, Dr Christoph Metzner, Technical University Berlin, Prof Volker Steuber). Mathematical Modelling of Microglia and the Neuroimmune System (supervisors Dr Alireza Poshtkohi, Prof Volker Steuber). Research in Computer Science at the University of Hertfordshire has been recognised as excellent in REF 2021, with 90% of the research submitted and all of the research impact rated as internationally excellent or world leading. The University of Hertfordshire provides a very stimulating environment, offering a large number of specialised and interdisciplinary seminars as well as general training and researcher development opportunities. The University is situated in Hatfield, in the green belt just north of London. For informal enquiries contact Prof Volker Steuber (v.steuber(a)herts.ac.uk) Dr Mohammad Yaqoob (m.yaqoob3(a)herts.ac.uk) or Dr Alireza Poshtkohi (a.poshtkohi(a)herts.ac.uk) Detailed project descriptions and an application form can be found at: https://www.herts.ac.uk/study/schools-of-study/physics-engineering-and-comp… Volker Steuber Professor of Computational Neuroscience Biocomputation Research Group School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science University of Hertfordshire College Lane, Hatfield, AL10 9AB, UK biocomputation.herts.ac.uk<http://biocomputation.herts.ac.uk> ________________________________

April 2, 2024

Paper Submission Deadline May 1st: From Animals to Animats: 17th International Conference on the Simulation of Adaptive Behavior (SAB 2024)

by Jeffrey L Krichmar

Dear Colleagues, The submission deadline for SAB 2024 is one month away! More information about the conference can be found at: https://sites.uci.edu/sab2024/ CFP DEADLINE: From Animals to Animats: 17th International Conference on the Simulation of Adaptive Behavior (SAB 2024) CALL FOR PAPERS - SAB 2024 ------------------------------------------- The Simulation of Adaptive Behavior (SAB) interdisciplinary conference brings together researchers in artificial intelligence, artificial life, computer science, cybernetics, ethology, evolutionary biology, neuroscience, robotics, and many other fields, to further our understanding of the behaviors and underlying mechanisms that allow natural animals and artificial agents to adapt and survive in complex, dynamic and uncertain environments. Animats denote the connection between animals and synthetic agents. The conference focuses on models and experiments designed to help characterize and compare various organizational principles and architectures underlying adaptive behavior in real animals and in animats. SAB 2024 solicits contributions dealing with any aspect of adaptive behavior. We especially invite submissions from researchers who connect biology and natural behavior to synthetic agents. Conference papers are peer-reviewed and accepted papers will be published in “From Animals to Animats 17. SAB 2024.” Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence, Springer Nature. Venue -------- CalIT2 Auditorium University of California, Irvine Irvine, CA 92697 USA Important Dates ——————————— May 1, 2024: Deadline for paper submission May 1, 2024: Deadline for Workshop and tutorial proposals June15, 2024: Notice of acceptance June 30, 2024: Camera-ready papers September 9-12: Conference dates Jeff Krichmar Department of Cognitive Sciences 2328 Social & Behavioral Sciences Gateway University of California, Irvine Irvine, CA 92697-5100 jkrichma(a)uci.edu http://www.socsci.uci.edu/~jkrichma https://sites.uci.edu/sab2024/

April 2, 2024

World wide VVTNS series: Wednesday, April 3 at 11am (EDT),Manuel Beiran Columbia University | Prediction of neural activity in connectome-constrained recurrent networks

by David Hansel

Important: North America moved to daylight savings time on March 10 Please check the time in your country ------------------- [image: VVTNS.png] https://www.wwtns.online - on twitter: wwtns@TheoreticalWide You are cordially invited to the lecture given by Manuel Beiran Columbia University on the topic of "Prediction of neural activity in connectome-constrained recurrent networks *"* The lecture will be held on zoom on *April 3, 2024*, at *11:00 am EDT * To receive the zoom link: https://www.wwtns.online/register-page *Abstract: *In this talk, I will explain a theory of connectome-constrained neural networks in which a “student” network is trained to reproduce the activity of a ground-truth “teacher”, representing a neural system for which a connectome is available. Unlike standard paradigms with unconstrained connectivity, here both networks have the same connectivity but they have different biophysical parameters, reflecting uncertainty in neuronal and synaptic properties. We find that the connectome is often insufficient to constrain the dynamics of networks that perform a specific task, illustrating the difficulty of inferring function from connectivity alone. However, recordings from a small subset of neurons can remove this degeneracy, producing dynamics in the student that agree with the teacher. Our theory can prioritize which neurons to record from to most efficiently unmeasured network activity. The analysis shows that the solution spaces of connectome-constrained and unconstrained models are qualitatively different, and provides a framework to determine when such models yield consistent dynamics. *About VVTNS : Created as the World Wide Neuroscience Seminar (WWTNS) in November 2020 and renamed in homage to Carl van Vreeswijk in Memoriam (April 20, 2022), its aim is to be a platform to exchange ideas among theoreticians. Speakers have the occasion to talk about theoretical aspects of their work which cannot be discussed in a setting where the majority of the audience consists of experimentalists. The seminars, **held on Wednesdays at 11 am ET,** are 45-50 min long followed by a discussion. The talks are recorded with authorization of the speaker and are available to everybody on our YouTube channel.* -- 'Life is good ..' (Carl van Vreeswijk, 1962-2022) --------------------------------------- David Hansel Directeur de Recherche au CNRS Co-Group leader Cerebral Dynamics Plasticity and Learning lab., CNRS 45 rue des Saints Pères 75270 Paris Cedex 06 Tel (Cell): +33 607508403 - Fax (33).1.49.27.90.62 ᐧ

March 31, 2024

Research Summit on Fundamental Challenges for AI. Mountain View, April 15th.

by Battleday, Ruairidh

We are most excited to announce the AE Spring Summit on Fundamental Challenges for AI (Computer History Museum, Mountain View; April 15th). www.algopreneurship.org This is a day of keynote talks and panels by leading AI researchers on what the open problems for the development of AI algorithms are, and promising scientific and engineering strategies for solving them. We have invited speakers and representatives from the following five technical stakeholder groups to this Summit: - Academia - Tech - FROs / nonprofits - Start-up - VCs / Funders By soliciting answers and discussions from scientists and leaders at these different groups we hope to also examine what their different roles will be in the next period of AI research, and to foster the sharing of research between them. This should be an exciting and productive day, and we have made lower-priced tickets available for students and early-stage researchers. Lunch and a reception will be provided. We look forward to seeing some of you there, and please feel free to share news about the event on social media. The Thinking About Thinking <http://www.thinkingaboutthinking.org> Team Twitter / X: https://bit.ly/springsummitaix LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/springsummitaiLI -- Dr Ruairidh McLennan Battleday BMBCh (Oxon) PhD Postdoctoral Research Fellow Center for Brain Science, Harvard University Center for Brains, Minds, and Machines, MIT

March 29, 2024