- Comp-neuro - lists.cnsorg.org

Postdoc & PhD student positions

by Haefner, Ralf

Postdoctoral and graduate student positions available How does the brain infer causal relationships in the world? How do beliefs about the causal structure of a scene influence motion perception? How can the underlying computations be modeled using Bayesian inference, and how can these computations be tested using neurophysiological experiments? For this collaborative project between the computational neuroscience lab of Dr. Ralf Haefner, and the neurophysiology lab of Dr. Gregory DeAngelis, both at the Department of Brain & Cognitive Sciences at the University of Rochester, we are looking to recruit two postdoctoral fellows and PhD students. This project is highly collaborative with all researchers being involved in most aspects of the project from experimental design to data collection to data analysis & theory development. The project is based on our prior collaborative work [1,2] and we will have two related posters at the upcoming SfN meeting [3,4]. For the theoretical/computational efforts, candidates are expected to have a background in a quantitative field like computational neuroscience, machine learning, math & psychology, etc.. For the experimental efforts, candidates are expected to have a background in neuroscience, experimental psychology, biomedical engineering, or a related field, and previous research experience in systems neuroscience is highly beneficial. If interested, please submit your CV, a statement of research interests, and the names and contact information for three references to ralf.haefner(a)rochester.edu or gdeangelis(a)ur.rochester.edu. Ralf will also be at SfN to answer any questions. The UR/BCS department is at the center of a vibrant and supportive scientific community. It has particularly strong ties to the Center of Visual Science, the Department for Neuroscience, the Department for Computer Science, the Department for Linguistics, and the Data Science Institute. Rochester in upstate NY is family-friendly and affords a high quality of life with access to a world-class symphony, museums, and a wide range of outdoor activities: several parks within cycling distance, 20min by car to sandy beaches on Lake Ontario, 1h to Finger Lakes / wine country / skiing, 3h to great hiking in the Adirondacks. We also have a balanced 4 season climate with weather for every occasion: Lilac Festival in the spring, beautiful sunny summers (<10 days above 90 degrees), gorgeous fall foliage, and guaranteed snow in the winter. More info here: https://www.visitrochester.com. [1] Shivkumar, S., DeAngelis, G. C., & Haefner, R. M. (2025). Hierarchical motion perception as causal inference. Nature Communications, 16(1), 3868. [2] Lengyel, G., Shivkumar, S., DeAngelis, G. C., & Haefner, R. M. (2026). Bayesian causal inference unifies perceptual and neuronal processing of center-surround motion in area MT. eLife. https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.110621.1 [3] Dong et al. (2026). Neural correlates of speed-dependent relative motion perception in area MT. SfN Poster# PSTR184.01 / AA2, WCC Halls A-C, Nov 16, 1-5pm [4] Yuan et al. (2026). Motion perception as causal inference: testing the causality assumption. SfN Poster# PSTR184.02 / AA3, WCC Halls A-C, Nov 16, 1-5pm

Nov. 6, 2026

Computational Neuroscience job search at University of Maryland (College Park)

by Daniel A. Butts

The Department of Biology at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD), invites applications from individuals using computational approaches to study fundamental questions in neuroscience for a tenure-track or tenured position at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor. Computational neuroscience is defined broadly; research areas of interest include: biophysical and statistical modeling, computational neurogenetics, neural population codes, and the intersection of biological intelligence and AI ("NeuroAI"). Preference will be given to applicants with computational research programs that integrate experimental data (including multi-modal data) to address important issues in basic and translational neuroscience. This position is intended for applicants with research programs that have minimal or no wet lab components. The successful candidate will be expected to: Establish and sustain a vigorous, externally funded, independent research program in computational neuroscience. Teach undergraduate and graduate courses in neuroscience and/or quantitative biology and contribute to larger campus initiatives in neuroscience, quantitative biology, and/or NeuroAI. Participate in departmental, college, and university service and contribute to a collaborative academic environment. This position is part of a new Quantitative Biology Initiative in the Department of Biology supporting postdoctoral fellows and supports a new Predictive Biology Hub for Human and Environmental Health dedicated to fostering collaborative research and new educational programs in Quantitative Biology. Members of the Department work with colleagues across UMD, including in the Artificial Intelligence Interdisciplinary Institute at Maryland (AIM), the Brain and Behavior Institute (BBI), the UMD Institute for Advanced Computer Studies (UMIACS), and the Institute for Systems Research (ISR). Faculty participate in a number of relevant graduate programs, including Neuroscience and Computational Science (NACS), Biological Sciences (BISI), Biophysics, and Applied Mathematics & Statistics, and Scientific Computation (AMSC). The Department also supports undergraduate programs in Biological Sciences (BSCI) and Neuroscience (NEUR). UMD is located in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, which is home to major national institutions and medical centers (e.g., the National Institutes of Health) and proximate to the Rockville Biotech corridor. Details and information on applying: https://umd.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/UMCP/job/University-of-Maryland-College-P…

Nov. 5, 2026

Recruiting Ph.D students in computational cognitive neuroscience

by Stefano Anzellotti

I am looking for a Ph.D student interested in using computational approaches, behavioral methods and/or neuroimaging to study one or more of the following areas: 1. Recognition of objects, actions and events 2. Multi-task learning 3. Agent understanding 4. Individual variation in autism and other psychiatric disorders The laboratory collaborates with Computer Science and Physics PIs, offering opportunities for interdisciplinary training. The position starts in Fall 2027, the deadline for applications is December 15, 2026. For inquiries please contact anzellos(a)bc.edu sending a CV and a brief statement of skills and research interests. Stefano Anzellotti (he/him) Associate Professor, Department of Psychology and Neuroscience Chair, Research Computing Committee Boston College https://sccnlab.bc.edu/

Nov. 5, 2026

[COMPLEX NETWORKS 2026] Program Announced – Join Us in Granada!

by Hocine Cherifi

Dear colleagues, 🌐 *The scientific program of COMPLEX NETWORKS 2026 is now available!* Join us in *Granada, Spain, December 2–4, 2026*, for the *15th International Conference on Complex Networks and Their Applications*. 🎙️ *Five distinguished keynote speakers* Alexandra Brintrup · Nitesh Chawla · Kimmo Kaski · Bruno Lepri · Eckehard Schöll 📚 *A rich interdisciplinary program* 27 thematic oral sessions, 3 spotlight sessions, and 5 poster sessions covering network science, graph learning, complex systems, computational social science, and applications across disciplines. 🎓 *Tutorials — December 1* Fariba Karimi · Huijuan Wang 🤝 *More than a conference* COMPLEX NETWORKS is a unique meeting place where researchers from diverse backgrounds exchange ideas, engage in stimulating discussions, and build new collaborations. *Whether presenting or simply attending, everyone is welcome!* 📋 *Explore the program:* https://complexnetworks.org/program/ 🎟️ *Register:* https://complexnetworks.org/registration/ We look forward to welcoming you in Granada for this special 15th edition! Please share this invitation with colleagues and students who may be interested. Best regards, Hocine Cherifi General Co-Chair, COMPLEX NETWORKS 2026 Join us at COMPLEX NETWORKS 2026 <https://www.complexnetworks.org/> *-------------------------* Hocine CHERIFI Laboratoire* I*nterdisciplinaire *C*arnot de *B*ourgogne - ICB UMR 6303 CNRS Université Bourgogne Europe Editor in Chief Plos Complex Systems <https://plos.org/complex-systems-research-journal/#:~:text=PLOS%20Complex%2….> Founding & Adisory Editor Applied Network Science <https://appliednetsci.springeropen.com/> Editorial Board member IEEE ACCESS <https://ieeeaccess.ieee.org/?http%3A%2F%2Fieeeaccess_ieee_org%2F>, Scientific Reports <https://www.nature.com/srep/>, Journal of Imaging <https://www.mdpi.com/journal/jimaging>, Quality and Quantity <https://www.springer.com/journal/11135/>, Computational Social Networks <https://computationalsocialnetworks.springeropen.com/>, Complex Systems <https://www.complex-systems.com/> Evolutionary Intelligence <https://link.springer.com/journal/12065>

Nov. 4, 2026

Fully-funded PhD position in neuroimaging studies at USC

by Z S

Dear all, Description: Dr. Sha’s lab (https://shazhiqiang.wixsite.com/sha-lab) at the University of South Carolina is seeking *PhD students in neuroimaging studies *in the Department of Psychology. Our lab is affiliated with the Carolina Autism & Neurodevelopment Center, the Institute for Mind & Brain, and working closely with the McCausland Center for Brain Imaging in Columbia, center of SC Metropolitan Statistical Area. Our lab explores the mechanisms of atypical brain development and neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., autism spectrum disorders) by leveraging computational modeling (e.g., deep learning models) to bridge neural circuitry, exposure (e.g., early life adversity) and psychopathological phenotypes, and treatment outcomes. These innovative projects will leverage state-of-the-art machine learning models and neuroimaging, supported by the brand-new Brain Imaging Center (with 3T and 7T MRI scanners) and the Biobehavioral Research Center at the University of South Carolina. This position provides an excellent opportunity for a self-motivated student to gain hands-on experience with neuroimaging (e.g., MRI) and biomedical research techniques. The candidate will have full access to rich in-house and public datasets, and advanced neuroimaging platforms. Our lab fosters a collaborative and productive environment, and we actively support PhD students in generating high-quality research publications, applying for fellowships and securing their future career paths. Key roles: · Data analysis; present results and publish papers under the PI’s supervision · Keep up-to-date on relevant studies and methods, and actively discuss them with the PI · Present your work at national and international conferences Requirements: · Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., neuroscience, math, data science, biostatistics, biomedical engineering) · Experience with neuroimaging MRI data analysis is preferred. · Candidates with coding experience are preferred. How to apply: Please submit your CV to Dr. Sha (zsha(a)mailbox.sc.edu)

Nov. 3, 2026

Fwd: World wide VVTNS series (7th season): November 4 2026 |Learning to Oscillate: Hebbian Plasticity Imprints Limit Cycles in Neural Networks| Pierfrancesco Urbi IPhT, Saclay France

by David Hansel

[image: VVTNS.png] https://www.wwtns.online <https://streaklinks.com/A9c7PbbpKY7PxB6PaAJWGD3-/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wwtns.on…> - on twitter: wwtns@TheoreticalWide You are cordially invited to the lecture Pierfrancesco Urbi IPhT, Saclay France on the topic of Learning to Oscillate: Hebbian Plasticity Imprints Limit Cycles in Neural Networks The lecture will be held on Zoom on November 4, 2026 at *11:00 am ET * To receive the link: https://www.wwtns.online/register-page *Abstract: * Oscillatory activity is a hallmark of brain dynamics, yet how neural circuits learn to generate rhythmic patterns through biologically plausible mechanisms remains an open question. In this work, we investigate high-dimensional, non-linear dynamical systems—prototypical models of recurrent neural networks—exposed to incoherent periodic inputs and Hebbian-like synaptic plasticity. Our analysis reveals a striking phenomenon: depending on the interplay between the strength of the periodic drive and synaptic plasticity, the system’s phase diagram exhibits a regime where, once both inputs are removed, the network spontaneously settles into a limit cycle . This demonstrates that periodic drives can "imprint" lasting rhythmic patterns into the network’s connectivity, effectively teaching it to oscillate autonomously. Using dynamical mean-field theory (DMFT) and finite-size numerical simulations, we characterize this memorization phase , where the system retains a "memory" of the rhythm. We identify distinct dynamical attractors—chaotic, fixed-point, and limit cycle phases—and show that the limit cycle’s robustness depends on the metabolic time window between stimulation and plasticity halting. This work bridges the gap between driven and autonomous dynamics, offering a theoretically tractable yet biologically inspired mechanism for rhythm learning.

Nov. 1, 2026

Assistant Professor position at University of Arizona, Department of Philosophy, Consciousness Studies/ Philosophy of Mind

by Charles, Andrew Vincent - (andrewvcharles)

Job category: Junior faculty / Tenure-track or similar Consciousness studies (construed broadly), or philosophy of mind and the philosophy of at least one special science relevant to the interdisciplinary study of consciousness such as cognitive science, psychology, neuroscience, AI, linguistics, or physics. AOC :Open Workload: Full time Vacancies 1 Organization's reference number: req27296 Location: Tucson, Arizona, United States Start date August 2027 Job description: The Department of Philosophy at the University of Arizona invites applications for a tenure track position at the rank of Assistant Professor, specializing in research on consciousness. In addition to candidates with a research focus on traditional philosophical questions regarding consciousness, we also encourage applications from candidates with strong research programs involving consciousness-adjacent areas of scientific inquiry. The Department seeks a researcher and teacher to contribute to its emerging interdisciplinary degree programs in Consciousness and to the overall philosophical life of the department. Candidates must have earned a PhD in Philosophy or another field relevant to consciousness research by the date of employment. Applicants whose PhD is not in Philosophy should include clear evidence of their research and teaching qualifications pertinent to a leading PhD program in philosophy. All applicants must demonstrate evidence of a commitment to undergraduate and graduate teaching. The standard teaching load in the department is 2 courses per semester. The individual hired will be expected to teach half of their courses at the undergraduate and graduate level in the philosophy of consciousness, and in other core related topics such as those listed in the AOS description; or also e.g. general philosophy of science; philosophy of biology; the philosophy of religion; neuroethics; AI ethics; or aesthetics. The individual hired will also be expected to engage actively in scholarship and participate in departmental, college, and university service, including participating actively in the long-established Center for Consciousness Studies, whose role is now expanding as a cross-disciplinary university center for both research and teaching. They will also be expected to participate actively in the graduate and undergraduate degree programs in Cognitive Science. The University of Arizona has a long history as a pioneer in the development of consciousness studies. Recently, the university has received significant donor support to create its new educational programs in consciousness studies for undergraduates and graduate students. To date we have created a unique undergraduate curriculum in consciousness studies, with increasing numbers of students; a parallel graduate program is under development. The programs now have an endowed chair in this area, with annually increasing funds for novel collaborative projects, with established programs in the cognitive sciences, information science, and neuroscience, among others. Applications should be submitted by November 7, 2026 for full consideration and include the following documents: • A brief cover letter • A curriculum vitae • A research statement, of no more than 2 pages • A statement of teaching interests and philosophy, of no more than two pages • Evidence of teaching excellence • A writing sample • At least three and no more than four letters of reference. Applicants with a PhD in a field other than Philosophy should be sure to have letters from at least two philosophers. For any questions please contact Dennis Tamblyn dtamblyn(a)arizona.edu. Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, vision, and life insurance; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more! The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here. https://talent.arizona.edu/ How to apply Application type: Online Instructions Letters of Recommendation can be submitted the following ways: 1. Attach the letters as a single document and upload to the application. 2. Email the letters directly to Dennis Tamblyn, dtamblyn(a)arizona.edu. 3. Send the letters through Interfolio to Dennis Tamblyn, dtamblyn(a)arizona.edu. Web address to apply https://arizona.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/4/home/... Deadline for full consideration: November 7, 2026, 11:59am MST Hard deadline No deadline specified (applications considered on an ongoing basis) Contact Web address for more information https://philosophy.arizona.edu Contact name Dennis Tamblyn Contact email dtamblyn @arizona.edu Contact phone 520-621-5045

Oct. 31, 2026

Graduate Program at the Center for Perceptual Systems

by Mary Hayhoe

The Center for Perceptual Systems (CPS) at the University of Texas Austin is an exciting interdisciplinary center designed to foster communication and collaboration in the study of sensory systems, at the behavioral, neural, and theoretical levels. Members of the Center come from the Departments of Neuroscience, Psychology, and Computer Science and have strong expertise in the investigation of perception in the context of natural environments, and in the development of computational tools both for studying neural function and for modeling natural behavior. We encourage applications from PhD candidates with particular interests in these domains. CPS Training Program Faculty Thomas Elston: Cognitive control, decision-making, computational psychiatry Robbe Goris: Visual perception, neural computation, perceptual decision-making. Mary Hayhoe: Eye movements, visual attention, and visuo-motor coordination. Lori Holt: Auditory perception, cognition, learning and attention. Jarrod Lewis-Peacock: Working memory, cognitive control, memory regulation. Franco Pestilli: Visual system connectivity and white matter mapping. Nicholas Priebe: Intracellular recording, 2 photon microscopy and visual neurophysiology. Thibaud Taillefumier: Computational and theoretical neuroscience. Xuexin Wei: Computational and theoretical neuroscience, visual perception. Chen Yu: Early sensory-motor development and learning, visual attention, visuo-motor coordination and egocentric scene statistics. Yuke Zhu: 3D computer vision, robot perception, and embodied AI. Graduate trainees come from a range of home departments and programs, most commonly from the Interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program, the Psychology Department, and Computer Science. Graduate admissions are through the participating departments listed below, together with application deadlines. https://inp.neuroscience.utexas.edu/ Deadline: Nov 15th https://liberalarts.utexas.edu/psychology/ Deadline: Nov 15th https://www.cs.utexas.edu/graduate/degrees-and-programs Deadline: December 15th Mary Hayhoe Center for Perceptual Systems University of Texas Austin 108 E. Dean Keeton Blvd, Stop A8000 Austin TX 78712-1043 hayhoe(a)utexas.edu

Oct. 30, 2026

Postdoc Position at Radboud University (Nijmegen) in NeuroAI: Biologically Grounded Neural Networks for Cognition

by Paul Tiesinga

Postdoc Position at Radboud University (Nijmegen) in NeuroAI: Biologically Grounded Neural Networks for Cognition _Can you help designing cognitive architectures to make brain implants smart in an international and interdisciplinary team involving the top neuroscience institutes in the Netherlands and thereby (ultimately) contribute to improve the life of patients?_ Brain implants are, for the most part, fixed-function devices. The EBRAINS-NEUROTECH infrastructure is building a tool chain that changes this: neural networks that perform the perceptual and cognitive processing an implant needs, run on-device, and can be adapted by the experimenter. You will build the core of that tool chain: a set of neural network modules for perception and cognition, grounded in what we know about the brain's own mechanisms. For this position you will develop NeuroAI-in-practice: a set of neural network modules that can be easily used and adapted by an experimental user, while also giving publishable scientific insights in and of themselves. Two use-cases, involving processing for vision implants and implants for cognitive restoration, will guide the work. These networks also have to run on-device. Together with a postdoctoral researcher from the Centre for Mathematics and Computer Science (CWI), you will translate the designs to a neuromorphic architecture. Does this sound like you? * You are a scientific programmer or postdoctoral researcher with excellent programming skills and a strong interest in NeuroAI. * You have a PhD degree in a quantitative field, such as physics, mathematics, computer science, engineering or computational or theoretical neuroscience. * You have experience with programming in Python and C in combination with deep learning tools such as PyTorch, TensorFlow, and JAX. * You have a background in neuroscience, preferably on mechanisms for cognitive processes, or a strong desire to obtain such a background. This position is physically hosted at the Neurophysics department of the Donders Institute at Radboud University. The work is part of the Software Platform of the EBRAINS-NEUROTECH infrastructure, involving teams at the University of Amsterdam (Dr Jorge Mejias), CWI (Prof. Sander Bohte) and Radboud University (Prof. Paul Tiesinga). To apply for this job please consult the Academic Transfer link: https://www.academictransfer.com/en/jobs/365079 For more information contact Paul Tiesinga at p.tiesinga(a)science.ru.nl

Oct. 29, 2026

ANNOUNCING the 2025 Best Illusion of the Year Contest Winners AND ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS for the 2026 CONTEST!

by smart＠neuralcorrelate.com

Dear Illusion Enthusiasts, Voters around the globe chose the Best Illusions of 2025 from the TOP TEN Finalists competing in the 20th edition of the Best Illusion of the Year Contest <https://illusionoftheyear.com/> (hosted by the Neural Correlate Society and supported by the Museum of Illusions <https://www.museumofillusions.com/> ). The TOP THREE winning illusions were revealed on Tuesday, October 27th, 2026. First Prize and a $3,000 award went to "Cogs in a Machine," by Jacky Z. J. Yueh and Joan Danielle K. Ongchoco, Canada. Second Prize and a $2,000 award went to "9 Purple Dots," by Hinnerk Schulz-Hildebrandt, United States. Third Prize and a $1,000 award went to "The Hole Truth," by Matt Pritchard, United Kingdom. This year's illusions are making headlines! Read The Washington Post's article featuring several of the illusions that just competed in the Best Illusion of the Year Contest: <https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2026/10/27/how-this-years-best-optica l-illusions-trick-your-brain/> How this year's best optical illusions trick your brain. If you enjoyed the spectacular winning and finalist illusions, please consider making a tax-deductible donation <https://www.paypal.com/webapps/shoppingcart?flowlogging_id=d2461f180023b&mf id=1607894519576_d2461f180023b#/checkout/openButton> to the Best Illusion of the Year Contest. We rely on your generous help to continue to share the wonders of illusion with people of all ages and backgrounds, all over the world. We are now accepting submissions for the 21st edition of the Best Illusion of the Year Contest! If you have created a novel, mind-bending illusion, we invite you to share it with the world. Don't miss the opportunity to be part of next year's TOP TEN illusions and compete for international recognition and cash prizes. Contestants are invited to submit 1-minute YouTube videos featuring novel illusions (unpublished or published no earlier than 2025) of all sensory modalities (visual, auditory, etc.) and/or cognitive nature. Novel variants of known illusions are welcome. The content of the 1-minute video presenting your illusion is solely up to you, and the only requirement is that it wows all viewers! Some examples include, but are not limited to: * A slide presentation, or succession of images, with a voice over (and/or written text, if you prefer) * A video of yourself describing your illusion * A video animation/theatrical performance of your illusion An international panel of impartial judges will rate all the videos and narrow them down to the TOP TEN. Then, online voters around the world will choose their favorite illusions from the TOP TEN finalists. The TOP THREE winners will receive cash prizes: $3,000 USD for first place; $2,000 USD for second place, and $1,000 USD for third place. The Judge Panel will rate illusions according to: * Significance to our understanding of the human mind and brain * Simplicity of the description * Sheer beauty * Counterintuitive quality * Spectacularity Submissions will be held in strict confidence by the Judge Panel. Only the TOP TEN illusions will be posted online, to allow worldwide voting. Participation in the Best Illusion of the Year Contest does not preclude you from also presenting or submitting your work for publication elsewhere. By participating in the Best Illusion of the Year Contest you agree to have your illusion posted on the Contest website, if selected among the TOP TEN, and included in press releases and other promotional materials/fundraising initiatives for the Contest. You (and your co-authors, if appropriate) will retain the full copyright of your illusion and receive full credit as illusion creator(s). Illusions submitted to previous editions can be re-submitted to the 2026 Contest, as long as they meet the above requirements and were not among the TOP TEN finalists in previous years. You can send your 1-minute video to Susana Martinez-Conde via email ( <mailto:smart@neuralcorrelate.com> smart(a)neuralcorrelate.com) until December 14th, 2026. On behalf of the Executive Board of the Neural Correlate Society: Jose-Manuel Alonso, Stephen Macknik, Susana Martinez-Conde, Luis Martinez, Xoana Troncoso, Peter Tse ---------------------------------------------------------- Susana Martinez-Conde, PhD Author, <x-msg://2/championsofillusionbook.com> Champions of Illusion and Sleights of Mind Professor of Ophthalmology, Neurology, and Physiology & Pharmacology State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate Health Sciences University 450 Clarkson Ave, Brooklyn NY 11203, USA Email: <mailto:smart@neuralcorrelate.com> smart(a)neuralcorrelate.com Phone: <tel:%2B1%20718-270-4520> +1 718-270-4520 http://smc.neuralcorrelate.com

Oct. 29, 2026