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[journals] Call for papers: IEEE TCDS Special Issue on Continual Unsupervised Sensorimotor Learning

by Nguyen, Sao Mai

Dear Colleagues, Happy new year 2019! We are preparing a special issue in IEEE Transactions on Cognitive and Developmental Systems on "Continual Unsupervised Sensorimotor Learning", and would like to invite you to contribute a research article or a review for the SI. The deadline is set as February 28th, 2019. The scope, aim, submission and other details are given below. URL: http://projects.au.dk/socialrobotics/news-events/show/artikel/special-issue… AIM AND SCOPE Although machine learning algorithms continue to improve at a rapid pace enabling technologies and products such as autonomous driving cars and sophisticated image and speech recognition, it is often forgotten that these applications represent tailored solutions to specific tasks. Thus it is not clear if or how these autonomous systems can pave the road to general purpose machines envisioned by many. The pursuit for higher levels of autonomy and versatility in robotics is arguably lead by two main factors. Firstly, as we push robots out of the labs and productions lines, it becomes increasingly difficult to design for all possible scenarios that a particular robot might encounter. Secondly, the cost of designing, manufacturing, and maintaining such systems becomes prohibitive. As the algorithms for learning single tasks in restricted environments are improving, new challenges have gained relevance in order to get more autonomous artificial systems. These challenges include multi-task learning, multimodal sensorimotor learning and lifelong adaptation to injury, growth and ageing. Addressing these challenges promise higher levels of autonomy and versatility of future robots. This special issue on Continual Unsupervised Sensorimotor Learning is primarily concerned with the developmental processes involved in unsupervised sensorimotor learning in a life-long perspective, and in particular the emergence of representations of action and perception in humans and artificial agents in continual learning. These processes include action-perception cycle, active perception, continual sensory-motor learning, environmental-driven scaffolding, and intrinsic motivation. The special issue will highlight behavioural and neural data, and cognitive and developmental approaches to research in the areas of robotics, computer science, psychology, neuroscience, etc. Contributions might focus on mathematical and computational models to improve robot performance and/or attempt to unveil the underlying mechanisms that lead to continual adaptation to changing environment or embodiment and continual learning in open-ended environments. Contributions from multiple disciplines including cognitive systems, cognitive robotics, developmental and epigenetic robotics, autonomous and evolutionary robotics, social structures, multi-agent and artificial life systems, computational neuroscience, and developmental psychology, on theoretical, computational, application-oriented, and experimental studies as well as reviews in these areas are welcome. THEMES This special issue aims to report state-of-the-art approaches and recent advances on Continual Unsupervised Sensorimotor Learning with a cross-disciplinary perspective. Topics relevant to this special issue include but are not limited to: Emergence of representations via continual interaction Continual sensory-motor learning Action-perception cycle Active perception Environmental-driven scaffolding Intrinsic motivation Neural substrates, neural circuits and neural plasticity Human and animal behaviour experiments and models Reinforcement learning and deep reinforcement learning for life-long learning Multisensory robot learning Multimodal sensorimotor learning Affordance learning Prediction learning SUBMISSION Manuscripts should be prepared according to the “Information for Authors” of the journal found at https://cis.ieee.org/publications/t-cognitive-and-developmental-systems/tcd… . Submissions must be done through the IEEE TCDS Manuscript center: https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/tcds-ieee. Please select the category “SI: Continual Unsupervised Sensorimotor Learning”. IMPORTANT DATES 28th February 2019 – Paper submission deadline 15th April 2019 – Notification for authors 16th June 2019 – Deadline revised papers submission 16th July 2019 – Final notification for authors 18th August 2019 – Deadline for camera-ready versions September 2019 – Expected publication date http://projects.au.dk/socialrobotics/news-events/show/artikel/special-issue… On behalf of the guest editors: Nicolás Navarro-Gerrero Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark nng(a)eng.au.dk Sao Mai Nguyen IMT Atlantique, France nguyensmai(a)gmail.com Erhan Oztop Ozyeğin University, Turkey erhan.oztop(a)ozyegin.edu.tr Junpei Zhong National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Japan joni.zhong(a)aist.go.jp With my best wishes for the year 2019, Nguyen Sao Mai nguyensmai(a)gmail.com Researcher in Cognitive Developmental Robotics http://nguyensmai.free.fr

Jan. 10, 2019

PhD/postdocs spike pattern analysis/methodology

by Francesco Battaglia

Three positions are available (preferred start: first half 2019, contract duration, 2-4 years) for PhD students and postdocs, funded by a Dutch NWO Exact sciences TOP grant. The researchers will develop methods for the unsupervised pattern detection in neural data based on Optimal Transport theory, developing on the idea described in the paper by Grossberger et al. PLoS Comp. Biol. 14(7): e1006283 (2018) We look for a combination of expertise, ideally one applied mathematician, one computer scientist/machine learning specialist, and one computational neuroscientists. Positions will be awarded at the postdoc or PhD level, depending on the best available candidate. The researchers will be embedded in the Memory Dynamics Lab (co-leaders, FP Battaglia and L Genzel), a rapidly growing group active in the exploration of mechanisms of memory, and will have access to large datasets from behavioral neurophysiology experiments (large scale ensemble ) from the group, currently further funded by a Marie Sklodowska Curie "M-GATE" Doctoral Network coordinated by FP Battaglia, a NWO VIDI grant to L Genzel and other public and private grants, and counting eight core members active in experimental work. Data obtained via external collaborations will also be available. Dr. Martin Vinck (ESI Frankfurt) and Dr. Paul Tiesinga (Donders Institute) will be key collaborators on this project. The group is embedded in the Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behavior at the Radboud University in Nijmegen, sporting a large concentration of top theoretical and experimental neuroscience work. To apply, please send a CV, a letter of motivation (2 page max. length) and the name and contact info for two possible referees to Francesco Battaglia f.battaglia(a)donders.ru.nl <mailto:f.battaglia@donders.ru.nl>. Requests for information go to the same address. Applications reaching us before February, 28th 2019 will be given full consideration.

Jan. 9, 2019

postdoctoral fellowships at the Theoretical Neuroscience Group, Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, Higher School of Economics, Moscow.

by boris gutkin

Higher School of Economics (HSE, Moscow) is pleased to announce a new post-doctoral post at the Theoretical Neuroscience Group <http://www.hse.ru/en/cdm-centre/Theoretical/> (TNG) that applies computational and mathematical approaches to understanding neural function and cognition. Research interests of the TNG at the Centre for Cognition and Decision Making <http://www.hse.ru/en/cdm-centre> are wide ranging, carried out in collaboration with the experimental labs at the Center. Current research topics include computational psychiatry, computational neuroeconomics, information processing in neurons and circuits, as well as role of oscillations in cognition. The candidate will have the opportunity to further define and expand the Group’s research programme. We are seeking highly qualified and motivated candidate with backgrounds in quantitative disciplines: applied mathematics, physics, computer science or engineering. Knowledge of biology, neuroscience and ability to work with data is highly desired. Candidates will be trained in model building, analysis and will be offered advanced training in neuroscience and cognitive psychology. Candidates will have an opportunity to develop independent research projects and collaborations under the direction of the group leading scientists. The TNG is a structural part of the HSE’s Centre for Cognition & Decision Making <https://www.hse.ru/en/cdm-centre/> with ample collaboration opportunities within the Centre with other research groups, both within Russia and internationally. This new international group is tightly linked with the Group for Neural Theory at the Ecole Normale Superior <http://iec-lnc.ens.fr/group-for-neural-theory/?lang=en> in Paris, where research internships and visiting positions can be made available. The job involves: working under the direct supervision of Boris Gutkin, head of the Theoretical Neuroscience Group. participants are encouraged to pursue their own research in parallel with working on research projects in collaboration with other groups in the Center for Cognition and Decision Making and the Institute for Cognitive Neuroscience. participation in organization of the events and other contribution to the Lab’s development public presentations of candidate’s own research to the researchers in the field and the broader academic community some teaching is encouraged, though not required. Requirements: a PhD from an international research university in such fields as: neuroscience, applied mathematics, physics, engineering a strong background in mathematical and computational modelling in neuroscience. ability to work in a team, fluent English relevant experience is an asset although not required General conditions for Post-Doctoral Research positions can be found here <https://iri.hse.ru/faq_pd>. Appointments will be normally made for one year. A CV and research statement should be submitted via online application form <https://www.hse.ru/expresspolls/poll/229374241.html> and two letters of recommendation should be submitted by the referees directly to fellowship(a)hse.ru <mailto:fellowship@hse.ru> by February 15, 2019. Please note that direct applications to TNG may not be reviewed. About HSE HSE <http://hse.ru/en> is a young, dynamic, fast-growing Russian research university providing unique research opportunities. For more information about HSE, please visit: Centre for Cognition & Decision Making <https://www.hse.ru/en/cdm-centre/> or contact Boris Gutkin (boris.gutkin(a)gmail.com) directly.

Jan. 9, 2019

Call for applications - Science of Intelligence Berlin - Cluster of Excellence

by Sprekeler, Henning

*Early notice* Call for applications - Science of Intelligence Berlin - Cluster of Excellence 11 PhD and 12 Postdoc positions Cross-disciplinary research in artificial intelligence, machine learning, control, robotics, computer vision, behavioral biology, cognitive science, psychology, educational science, neuroscience, and philosophy. Starting dates: Summer / Fall 2019 Duration: 3 years Salary level: TV-L 13, 100% What are the principles of intelligence, shared by all forms of intelligence, no matter whether artificial or biological, whether robot, computer program, human, or animal? And how can we apply these principles to create intelligent technology? Answering these questions - in an ethically responsible way - is the central scientific objective of the new Cluster of Excellence Science of Intelligence (www.scioi.de<http://www.scioi.de>). Researchers from a large number of analytic and synthetic disciplines - artificial intelligence, machine learning, control, robotics, computer vision, behavioral biology, cognitive science, psychology, educational science, neuroscience, and philosophy - join forces to create a multi-disciplinary research program across universities and research institutes in Berlin. Our approach is driven by the insight, that any method, concept, and theory must demonstrate its merits by contributing to the intelligent behavior of a synthetic artifact, such as a robot or a computer program. These artifacts represent the shared “language” across disciplines, enabling the validation, combination, transfer, and extension of research results. Thus we expect to attain cohesion among disciplines, which currently produce their own theories and empirical findings about aspects of intelligence. Interdisciplinary research projects have been defined which combine analytic and synthetic research and which address key aspects of individual, social, and collective intelligence. In addition the Science of Intelligence graduate program promotes the cross-disciplinary education of young scientists on a Master, PhD, and postdoctoral level. All PhD students associated with the cluster are expected to join the Science of Intelligence doctoral program (www.scioi.de/education/doctoral-program<http://www.scioi.de/education/doctoral-program>). The cluster welcomes applications from all disciplines that contribute to intelligence research. Applications shall be uploaded through the application portal (www.scioi.de/call-for-applications/application-process<http://www.scioi.de/call-for-applications/application-process>), where details of the individual research projects (www.scioi.de/call-for-applications/open-positions<http://www.scioi.de/call-for-applications/open-positions>) are also available. Please submit your applications by 15 February 2019 in order to receive full consideration. Applicants wishing to apply for several projects need to upload separate applications for each project.

Jan. 8, 2019

Postdoc position in computational neuroscience at the Gatsby Unit

by Peter Latham

The Gatsby Computational Neuroscience Unit, a world-class centre for theoretical neuroscience and machine learning, invites applications for one or more postdoctoral training fellowships in theoretical neuroscience. We are looking especially for someone with an interest and/or background in synaptic plasticity and learning. Candidates should have a very strong analytical background in physics, mathematics, statistics, or machine learning, with an emphasis on the use of Bayesian methods in neuroscience, a detailed knowledge and understanding of the literature, and a publication record in highly ranked conferences and journals. Candidates must also have a PhD in a relevant subject area by the agreed start date of the position. Training fellowships are funded by the Wellcome Trust, and are part of a continuing program of training postdoctoral researchers. The position is available for an initial period of two years, and may be renewed to a maximum of three years. To apply, go to http://www.gatsby.ucl.ac.uk/vacancies/index.html and click on Research Fellow (Training Fellowship in Theoretical Neuroscience or Machine Learning) Please be sure to attach to your online application a copy of your CV, statement of research interests, and full contact details (including e-mail addresses) of three academic referees. CVs should include education history, details of current or most recent position, and details of previous employment or fellowships. For further details of our research, go to http://www.gatsby.ucl.ac.uk/research.html Questions should be directed to Peter Latham, pel(a)gatsby.ucl.ac.uk

Jan. 8, 2019

Call for Applications: Summer School on Intrinsically Motivated Open-Ended Learning (IMOL): June 27 - July 3

by Jochen Triesch

We invite applications from PhD students and post-docs to participate in our summer school: "Intrinsically Motivated Open-Ended Learning (IMOL)" Place: Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies, Germany Dates: June 27 to July 3, 2019 Web: http://www.goal-robots.eu/announcements/events/summer-school-2019-2/ *Participation is free of charge, but participants must cover their own travel and lodging.* Topics will include: - Intrinsic Motivations - Architectures for open-ended learning - Deep reinforcement learning - Multi-task reinforcement learning - Curriculum learning - Goal self-generation - Goal-based skill learning - Modularity and hierarchies - Ethics of open-ended learning List of confirmed speakers (more to be added): Gianluca Baldassarre (organizer) Marc Bellemare Luc Berthouze Stephane Doncieux Kenji Doya Petar Kormushev Georg Martius Kathryn Merrick (organizer) Yukie Nagai Nicolas Navarro-Guerrero Kevin O'Regan Daniel Polani Elmar Rueckert Vieri Giuliano Santucci (organizer) Bertram E. Shi Céline Teulière Jochen Triesch (organizer) How to Apply: 1. Prepare a letter of intent and CV (single PDF) 2. Arrange for a letter for recommendation to be sent by your supervisor Both should be sent to: triesch(a)fias.uni-frankfurt.de by January 27th, 2019. The school is organized with funding from the European GOAL-Robots project: http://www.goal-robots.eu Happy learning, Jochen Triesch -- Prof. Dr. Jochen Triesch Johanna Quandt Research Professor Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies http://fias.uni-frankfurt.de/~triesch/ Tel: +49 (0)69 798-47531 Fax: +49 (0)69 798-47611

Jan. 8, 2019

Seeking group leaders in computational neuroscience

by Daniel Choquet

Dear colleague, I would like to seek your help in identifying outstanding candidates for our ongoing call for group leaders in our Neuroscience department. Please note our special emphasis in seeking group leaders in computational neuroscience. Could you please circulate this add ? I thank you in advance for your help and wish you a very happy and fruitful year 2019 Best wishes Daniel Choquet Director of the BRAIN cluster of excellence Group Leader Position in Neuroscience, Bordeaux, France Neuroscience in Bordeaux, France, has grown over the last 10 years to become one of the largest scientific communities in the field of Neuroscience in Europe. Encompassing a total of 650 international scientists organized in 6 main independent research centers, 10 core facilities and the Bordeaux School of Neuroscience, the neuroscience in Bordeaux, France, constitutes an exciting international environment with worldwide recognition in the fields of addiction, brain imaging, synapse biology, memory and dementia, sleep, attention and cognition, movement disorders, pain and sensory functions, pathophysiology of brain development, nutrition and neuro-inflammation. We are seeking to recruit new Group Leaders at junior or midcareer level. We offer attractive start-up packages and state-of-the-art laboratories and infrastructures to young group leaders, typically as a first independent position specialised in non-human primate (patho)physiology of neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. Alzheimer Disease & Parkinson Disease), or in chemical biology, biosensors, structural biology, physical chemistry of molecular assemblies, cell biology and synapse physiology, modelling from molecular and cellular mechanism to neural circuits, all for neuroscience applications. Two major site grants enable to position Bordeaux Neurocampus as a foremost center to meet the challenges of brain research. The Neurocampus project, fully supported by the University of Bordeaux, CNRS, INSERM and the Aquitaine Regional Government, consists into the extension of Neurocentre Magendie (+ 8 000 m2) and of the construction of a 12 000m2 new building which hosts laboratories, animal facilities and the Bordeaux Imaging Center. It also supports the installation of new international research teams, start-up companies and medical patients' association. We expect candidates to develop a competitive, independent research program in his/her respective field, local collaboration and integration into the Bordeaux neuroscience community. Applicants should hold a PhD or MD/PhD degree, with a record of outstanding training and exceptional research potential. Applications from abroad are expressly welcome. We strive to increase the proportion of female staff and expressly encourages qualified women to apply. Interested candidates should submit : <http://bit.ly/neurocampus-application> http://bit.ly/neurocampus-application -a complete CV, - a description of research interests (achievements and projects, max 5 pages), - Name and contact of three references who will be independently asked to provide support letters The deadline for applications is February 28th, 2019. Preselection of the candidates will occur in spring before onsite interview in June 2019. For additional information, please contact <mailto:applicants-neurocampus@u-bordeaux.fr> : applicants-neurocampus(a)u-bordeaux.fr

Jan. 7, 2019

PhD level - international fellowship

by Vinita Samarasinghe

Prof. Sen Cheng, Institute for Neural Computation at the *Ruhr University Bochum* in Germany, invites applicants for an International Student Fellowship to be awarded through the international research training group “Integration and Representation of Sensory Processes” (SFB 874). The fellowship has a duration of 4 months, after which it could be extended to a *3 year **PhD position* if a good fit with the group is observed. The work will focus on studying the interaction between neocortex and hippocampus using spiking neural network models. The position is part of the project "Theory of the interplay between sensory cortices and hippocampus in memory formation and retrieval", which is funded by the German Research Foundation as part of the collaborative research center SFB 874. The appointment will be initially from 01.03.2019-30.06.2019. Candidates should have an excellent university degree in neuroscience, physics, mathematics, engineering or a related field and be eligible to enroll in a relevant PhD program at the Ruhr University. Competence in mathematical modeling and excellent programming skillsare mandatory. Familiarity with computational neuroscience or computational cognitive modeling would be a further asset. Only candidates who have not previously lived in Germany will be considered. For further information regarding the IRTG fellowship please visit https://www.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/sfb874/integrated_research_training_group/fe… The Ruhr University Bochum is home to a vibrant research community in neuroscience and cognitive science. The Institute for Neural Computation is an independent research unit and combines different areas of expertise ranging from experimental and theoretical neuroscience to machine learning and robotics. For further information see www.rub.de/cns <http://www.rub.de/cns>. To apply please send a statement of your motivation and research interests, academic transcripts, and a complete CV to samarasinghe(a)ini.rub.de <mailto:samarasinghe@ini.rub.de> in a single PDF file. Please, also request from at least two academic referees that they send letters of reference directly to the same email address. The deadline for applications is 15.01.2019. The Ruhr University Bochum is committed to equal opportunity. We strongly encourage applications from qualified women and persons with disabilities. -- Vinita Samarasinghe M.Sc., M.A. Science Manager Arbeitsgruppe Computational Neuroscience Institut für Neuroinformatik Ruhr-Universität Bochum, NB 3/26 Universitätstr. 150 D-44801 Bochum Tel: +49 (0)234 32 27316 Email: samarasinghe(a)ini.rub.de Hours: Mon. - Fri. 8-11

Jan. 7, 2019

Okinawa/OIST Computational Neuroscience Course 2019: Apply now

by Erik De Schutter

OKINAWA/OIST COMPUTATIONAL NEUROSCIENCE COURSE 2019 Methods, Neurons, Networks and Behaviors June 24 to July 11, 2019 Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Japan https://groups.oist.jp/ocnc The aim of the Okinawa/OIST Computational Neuroscience Course is to provide opportunities for young researchers with theoretical backgrounds to learn the latest advances in neuroscience, and for those with experimental backgrounds to have hands-on experience in computational modeling. We invite graduate students and postgraduate researchers to participate in the course, held from June 24th through July 11th, 2019 at an oceanfront seminar house of the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University. Applications are through the course web page (https://groups.oist.jp/ocnc) only; January 1 - February 2, 2019. Applicants will receive confirmation of acceptance in March. Like in preceding years, the 16th OCNC will be a comprehensive three-week course covering single neurons, networks, and behaviors with ample time for student projects. The first week will focus exclusively on methods with hands-on tutorials during the afternoons, while the second and third weeks will have lectures by international experts. The course has a strong hands-on component based on student proposed modeling or data analysis projects, which are further refined with the help of a dedicated tutor. Applicants are required to propose their project at the time of application. There is no tuition fee. The sponsor will provide lodging and meals during the course and provides partial travel support. We hope that this course will be a good opportunity for theoretical and experimental neuroscientists to meet each other and to explore the attractive nature and culture of Okinawa, the southernmost island prefecture of Japan. Invited faculty: • Claudia Clopath (Imperial College, UK) • Erik De Schutter (OIST) • Kenji Doya (OIST) • Tomoki Fukai (OIST) • Wenbiao Gan (New York University, USA) • Geoff Goodhill (University of Queensland, Australia) • Jun Izawa (Tsukuba University, Japan) • Mike Hausser (University College London, UK) • Bernd Kuhn (OIST) • Eve Marder (Brandeis University, USA) • Peggy Series (University of Edinburgh, UK) • Greg Stephens (OIST) • Taro Toyoizumi (RIKEN BSI, Japan) • Yoko Yazaki-Sugiyama (OIST) • Yi Zeng (Chinese Academy of Sciences, China)

Jan. 7, 2019

Research tech/postdoc position in computational neuroscience (Washington U in St. Louis)

by Carlos R. Ponce

Position available: Computational specialist for neuroscience research (research tech or postdoc) Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri Our laboratory conducts visual neuroscience research using electrophysiology and artificial neural networks. We are looking for candidates with experience in Python and C++, and with interest in deep learning approaches. The ideal candidate will help implement third-party software, working closely with biologists in designing and/or performing experiments. Salary based on experience. Requirements: strong interest in visual neuroscience. Minimum Bachelor’s degree in scientific field, computer science and/or engineering. Experience with Python/C++ programming (Linux/Windows). Preferred but not required: Familiarity with data analysis and statistics,Matlab, coding high-performance computing software (including container technology), optimizing parallelized and GPU-based code. Please send application materials to Carlos R. Ponce (crponce(a)wustl.edu , poncelab.org) including CV with cover letter, and contact information for 2-3 references. If a recent graduate, please send transcripts. Peer-reviewed journal or conference publications a plus.

Jan. 6, 2019