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announcement Trieste Encounters on Cognitive Science (TEX) 2017

by Natalia Bielczyk

Dear all, The* Trieste Encounters on Cognitive Science (TEX)* are a yearly summer initiative by SISSA aiming at bringing together scientists from all over the world at all levels of their careers to enjoy science, but also sunshine, food & wine. This year’s edition focuses on* time in the brain*. By looking at time as percept but also as mechanism for perception, TEX 2017 will offer a broad and multifaceted view on the neuroscience of time. To this purpose we gather scientists who are studying time in the brain from different perspectives (e.g. how time shapes our perception, how information is processed over time, how time is perceived or misperceived) and using distinct methodological approaches (from *animal**electrophysiology* to *human neuroimaging*, from *computational modelling* to *psychophysics*). TEX 2017 is a *summer school* for PhD students and Post-Docs. The idea is to have classes on fundamentals provided by eight invited speakers who will give talks on the established concepts and body of evidence in their own field but to also have room for students and post-docs talks. You can *apply *by clicking on the the following link <https://indico.sissa.it/event/13/overview> TEX2017 will take place between *Monday June 12 and Friday June 16, 2017*. It will be held at *SISSA main campus*, via Bonomea 265, Trieste. Information on how to reach us can be found *here* <http://www.sissa.it/how-reach-us>. TEX2017 will feature *Marco Cicchini *(Pisa), *Ayelet Landau* (Jerusalem), *Stefano Panzeri* (Trento), *Warrick Roseboom* (Sussex), *Marshall Shuler * (Baltimore), *Virginie van Wassenhove* (Paris), *Hedderik van Rijn* (Groningen). We look forward to meeting you in Trieste next summer! Domenica Bueti, Mathew Diamond and the TEX2017 team

April 3, 2017

PhD project in "Data-mining for large-scale neural recordings"

by Mark Humphries

We seek PhD candidates for the project "Data-mining for large-scale neural recordings", supervised by Dr Mark Humphries at the University of Manchester. The aim of this project is to develop data-mining (or "knowledge-discovery") approaches to large-scale neural recordings. This project will build on a range of statistical and machine-learning tools built by the Humphries' lab [Humphries, 2011; Bruno et al 2015], to develop a comprehensive, statistically-rigorous approach to data-mining neural activity recordings. We seek candidates with a background in statistics, physics, maths, computer science, engineering, or other quantitative disciplines. (Bruno, A., Frost, W. F., & Humphries, M. D. (2015) Modular deconstruction reveals the dynamical and physical building blocks of a locomotion motor program. Neuron, 86, 304-318. Humphries, M. D. (2011) Spike-train communities: finding groups of similar spike-trains. Journal of Neuroscience, 31: 2321-2336) Deadline for applications: Friday, 21st April 2017 More information, and how to apply: https://www.findaphd.com/search/ProjectDetails.aspx?PJID=84600&LID=1020 Questions: mark.humphries(a)manchester.ac.uk<mailto:mark.humphries@manchester.ac.uk> Our lab: http://www.systemsneurophysiologylab.manchester.ac.uk/ _____________________________________________________________________________ Dr Mark Humphries | MRC Senior non-Clinical Research Fellow | Faculty of Biology, Medicine & Health http://www.systemsneurophysiologylab.manchester.ac.uk/ [0da17e2a-9ed5-496a-b161-9fd4491ce5c7]@markdhumphries <https://twitter.com/markdhumphries> Public blog: https://medium.com/the-spike

April 3, 2017

Post-Doc and PhD positions available at Durham University

by Ulrik Beierholm

Dear all, We have vacancies coming up for a post-doc and a PhD student on a 3-year Leverhulme-funded project, “Learning to perceive and act under uncertainty”. The project is supervised by Marko Nardini and Ulrik Beierholm at Durham University (UK) and aims to understand how humans learn new sensory and motor mappings and new perceptual priors for perception and action under uncertainty. The post-doc will work on behavioural studies with adults and computational modelling, while the PhD student will address development in childhood. The postdoc can be from anywhere, but the PhD studentship pays only UK or EU tuition fees. Prospective applicants can find all the details at http://community.dur.ac.uk/marko.nardini/ and are welcome to contact marko.nardini(a)durham.ac.uk and ulrik.beierholm(a)durham.ac.uk for any more information. ------------------------------------------- Ulrik Beierholm, PhD Assistant Professor Department of Psychology, Durham University http://beierholm.net

April 3, 2017

Postdoc positions in audition and cognition and brain imaging at Universidad de Chili, Santiago de Chile

by Cristóbal Quiñinao

Dear comp neuro community, A postdoctoral position to study the cognitive consequences of age-related hearing loss is available at the auditory and cognition center (AUCO). This postdoctoral position is funded by the project “From Presbycusis to Dementia. A basic and clinical approach” from the PIA-CONICYT program: Anillo de Investigacion en Ciencia ACT1403. This collaborative project includes three laboratories directed by Paul Delano (Universidad de Chile), Carolina Delgado, (Universidad de Chile) and Alexies Dagnino (Universidad de Valparaiso). (www.auco.cl) In particular, the eligible postdoctoral researcher will analyze brain-imaging data with magnetic resonance. In addition, the postdoctoral researcher will have to analyze cognitive, behavioral and audiological data from human subjects, including controls and presbycusis patients at the Clinical Hospital of the Universidad de Chile in Santiago, Chile. The postdoctoral researcher must have full availability (44 h per week), and the expected beginning of this postdoctoral position is on May 2th, 2017. The offered salary is 1,200,000 CLP monthly, for one year renewable for another year, depending on the evaluation performed by the principal investigators. Requisite and expected skills: - PhD in biomedical sciences, engineering, or public health. - Expertise in programming in different languages (C, R, Matlab, etc.). - Ability to work in an interdisciplinary group of researchers. Applications: Send an email with your CV and cover letter to: phdelano(a)gmail.com; carodede(a)gmail.com including the contact information of two references. Application deadline: 15th April, 2017. The non-selected and selected applicants will be informed by email near 22th April, 2017. The granted postdoctoral fellow at the AUCO center is expected to apply with the principal investigator of the AUCO center in May 2017 for postdoctoral Fondecyt funding. (http://www.conicyt.cl/fondecyt/category/concursos/postdoctorado/) Thank you for spreading the announcement! -- Cristóbal Quiñinao

April 1, 2017

Post-doc positions available: decoding memory in health and disease

by Annabelle Singer

*Description* Postdoctoral positions are available in the Singer lab at Georgia Institute of Technology and Emory University School of Medicine studying how neural activity across large ensembles of cells represents memories of experiences and guides behavior in health and disease. *Major Responsibilities:* The successful applicant will examine how neural activity across many neurons drives learning and memory of experiences and how this process goes awry in disease with a focus on the hippocampal circuit. This research uses a variety of advanced neurophysiology techniques including in vivo recordings from many single cells, patch-clamp electrophysiology, and optogenetics in mice behaving in a virtual reality environment as well as innovative data analysis methods. To find out more about the Singer Lab, see our lab website http://singer.gatech.edu/ <http://singer.gatech.edu/publications/> and our recent publications: Gamma frequency entrainment attenuates amyloid load and modifies microglia <http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v540/n7632/abs/nature20587.html> Hippocampal SWR Activity Predicts Correct Decisions during the Initial Learning of an Alternation Task <http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0896627313000937> And some recent press: Beating Alzheimer’s with Brain Waves <https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2016/12/beating-alzheimers-with…> *Qualifications* The ideal candidate will have a PhD in Neuroscience, Biomedical Engineering, or a related discipline. Previous experience with electrophysiology, in vivo experimentation, or learning and memory is preferred. Candidates with computation backgrounds including signal processing, electrical engineering, programming, or physics are highly encouraged to apply. The Singer Lab is part of the dynamic, exciting, and collaborative neuroscience and neuroengineering communities at Georgia Tech and Emory University. The candidate is expected to become an active member of this flourishing research community. *How to Apply:* If you meet these requirements and are interested in this position, please provide your detailed CV, a cover letter stating your research interests, and names and contact information for two references to Annabelle Singer: asinger(a)gatech.edu *Department Description* *The Wallace H. Coulter Department of Biomedical Engineering at Georgia Tech* is part of a vibrant biomedical community in Atlanta that includes the Emory School of Medicine, Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Winship Cancer Institute, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta (CHOA), Georgia ImmunoEngineering Consortium, Institute for Electronics and Nanotechnology, Petit Institute for Bioengineering and Bioscience, and more. This rich scientific environment provides unique and unparalleled research opportunities, including seminars given by leaders in science and engineering from throughout the U.S. and abroad, opportunities for collaborations, exposure to diverse research programs, and sophisticated core facilities. As such, we offer the best of internationally renowned institutions. The partnerships have created an outstanding undergraduate program — which is now recognized as #1 in the nation. Our excellent graduate program is also top ranked at No. 2. Georgia Tech is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Annabelle Singer Assistant Professor Coulter Dept. of Biomedical Engineering Georgia Tech & Emory University 313 Ferst Drive Atlanta, GA 30332 Web: http://singer.gatech.edu/ Email: Annabelle.singer(a)bme.gatech.edu Skype: annabellesinger Google Hangout: annabellecsinger(a)gmail.com

April 1, 2017

The Virtual Brain Node 5 in Marseille, May 15-16 2017

by Viktor Sip

*The Virtual Brain (TVB) Node 5* * * *2-day Training Workshop in Marseille, France, on May 15-16, 2017* We would like to invite interested students and researchers to the upcoming *The Virtual Brain Node 5 *workshop, Marseille, France, 15th - 16th May 2017. The workshop is dedicated to a theoretical and hands-on understanding of large-scale brain network modeling using the open source neuroinformatics platform The Virtual Brain (TVB). For the first time this workshop will be held over 2 days and will go more in depth regarding the hands-on modeling sessions along explicit use cases from resting state studies and clinical applications to epilepsy and stroke. Also for the first time we will offer in-depth training of fitting virtual brain models to human imaging data. The Virtual Brain simulation environment enables the biologically realistic modeling of network dynamics using connectome-based approaches across different brain scales. Personalized brain network models can be derived from an individual’s MRI data. Configurable brain network models generate macroscopic neuroimaging signals including functional MRI, intracranial and stereotactic EEG, surface EEG and MEG for single subjects. TVB researchers from different backgrounds can benefit from an integrative software platform including a supporting framework for data management (generation, organization, storage, integration and sharing) and a simulation core written in Python. *Workshop format:* lectures and hands-on tutorials. Participants are encouraged to bring their own data to work on. *Workshop program overview:* * *- Theoretical background of large scale brain network modeling - Architecture of The Virtual Brain (TVB) - Interacting with TVB using GUI and Python interface - Preprocessing neuroimaging data, or how to obtain a TVB dataset - Fitting the brain model parameters to the functional data - Modeling resting state network dynamics in fMRI - Modeling stroke and recovery - Modeling epilepsy and surgical interventions - Modifying TVB code and implementing new features - Bring your own data hands-on sessions: preprocessing and simulations Further information and the registration form are at: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/tvb-node5-the-virtual-brain-workshop-registrati… *Registration will be closed on April 20th.* With any questions please contact Viktor Sip (viktor.sip(a)univ-amu.fr <mailto:viktor.sip@univ-amu.fr>). -- Viktor SIP INS - Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes UMR INSERM 1106, Aix-Marseille Université 27 Bd Jean Moulin 13005 Marseille France viktor.sip(a)univ-amu.fr http://ins.univ-amu.fr/

March 31, 2017

Final program online and registration deadline, Sense 2 Synapse 2017 Conference, Saturday April 8th, The Rockefeller University, New York City

by Christoph Kirst

Dear all, The final program for the Sense 2 Synapse**conference is online: http://www.sense2synapse.com/program Registration for participation will remain open until April 5th. You can register here: http://www.sense2synapse.com/registrationForm <https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__www.sense2synapse.com_r…>* *Join us for a day of interesting neuroscience presentations and further discussions during breakfast, lunch, and our legendary wine reception ! The organizing team Christoph Kirst Florian Berger Jeremie Barral Gonzalo Otazu Nicolas Renier *Sense 2 Synapse 2017 Program * 9:00am Breakfast & Introduction 9:30am *Gaby Maimon*(The Rockefeller University) /Quantitatively tuned efference copies in/Drosophila 10:10am Contributed Short Talks Erin Barnhart (New York University) /Multi-layered nonlinear integration of local motion cues underpins efficient coding of global motion patterns in Drosophila /Menachem Katz (The Rockefeller University) / Repetitive behavior mediated by glutamate is controlled by astrocyte-like glia in C. elegans / 10:40am Coffee Break 11:15am *Larry Abbott*(Columbia University) /A Novelty Detector in the Fly/ 11:55am Contributed Short Talks Luca Mazzucato (Stony Brook University) /Expectation modulates network dynamics in sensory circuits/ Leenoy Meshulam (Princeton University) /Place and non-place: collective coding in large hippocampal networks/ 12:25pm Lunch Break & Poster Session 3:00pm *Nicole Rust*(University of Pennsylvania) /Single-trial familiarity memories for objects and scenes/ 3:40pm Contributed Short Talks Na Young So (Columbia University) /Representation of an intention toward a delayed action by neurons in the parietal cortex/ Izumi Fukunaga (OIST Graduate University) /Task-dependent tuning of the olfactory bulb/ 4:10pm Coffee Break 4:40pm *Sarah Woolley*(Columbia University) /Early social experience couples auditory tuning and vocal acoustics/ 5:20pm Contributed Short Talks David S. Deutsch (Princeton University) /From Courtship Song Processing to Behavior in Drosophila Females / Srivatsun Sadagopan (University of Pittsburgh) /Optimal features for auditory recognition/ 6:00pm Reception -- Christoph Kirst Fellow for Physics and Biology Center for Theoretical Studies and Kavli Physics Fellow Kavli Neural Systems Institute The Rockefeller University 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065 USA +1 212 327 7561 ::ckirst@rockefeller.edu

March 30, 2017

Postdoc positions in event-based vision and neurocomputing systems at TU München, Germany

by Jörg Conradt

Dear comp neuro community, the NST group at TU München, Germany, http://www.nst.ei.tum.de/en is looking for up to two postdoctoral researchers to join the group as soon as available. Research covers event-based vision and neurocomputing systems from biological modelling to engineering applications. http://www.nst.ei.tum.de/en/research/ Upcoming projects address engineering applications of neural computation; e.g. neuronal models for sensory perception, reasoning, and action generation in robotics. Preference will be given to (a) engineering applications of event-based vision and (b) investigations in spiking computing algorithms on neuromorphic hardware, such as SpiNNaker, TrueNorth, Spikey, etc. The successful postdoc is expected to initiate novel research projects (initial funding is available) and to supervise graduate and undergraduate students in his/her area of expertise. Strong programming skills are essential! Current funding is secured until September 2018 with possible extension. The positions include a reduced teaching obligation of ~2.5h per week in the recently established ENB Elite Master Program on NeuroEngineering (http://www.msne.ei.tum.de) To inquire please send brief email to office(a)nst.ei.tum.de<mailto:office@nst.ei.tum.de>. To apply, please send a concise (max 1/2 page) statement of your research interest and how you fit in our group, accompanied by your CV and names + email addresses of 2 references to office(a)nst.ei.tum.de<mailto:office@nst.ei.tum.de>. We are very much looking forward to extending our group! Thank you for spreading the announcement! Jörg Conradt -- Jörg Conradt W1 Professor of Neuroscientific System Theory www.nst.ei.tum.de<http://www.nst.ei.tum.de/> Center of Competence on NeuroEngineering www.NeuroEng.de<http://www.neuroeng.de/> Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Technische Universität München, Karlstr. 45, 80333 Munich, Germany Tel: +49 89 289-26902, Fax: +49 89 289-26901, E-mail: conradt(a)tum.de<mailto:conradt@tum.de>

March 30, 2017

Postdoctoral Position (neural ensemble dynamics during REM sleep) at University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, UK

by Shuzo Sakata

Applications are invited for a postdoctoral research position in the group of Dr Shuzo Sakata in Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences at University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK. This position is funded by the Leverhulme Trust. Mission of our research team is to understand state-dependent information processing in the brain at the level of neural circuits. This project particularly concerns REM sleep. Taking multidisciplinary approaches, we are aiming to elucidate the function of sub-second brain waves and underlying neural ensemble dynamics during REM sleep in rodents. As a large data set has been already collected, this project will focus primarily on data analysis and developing a computational model. The successful applicant will have a PhD in the field of neuroscience, engineering, statistics, computer science, physics or related fields. Strong quantitative skills for neurophysiological data (e.g., LFP, neuronal ensemble, video image) and/or computational modelling would be advantageous. Applicants should send (1) a CV and (2) a summary of their specific interests in our research programs to Dr. Shuzo Sakata, email: shuzo.sakata(a)strath.ac.uk. -- Shuzo Sakata, Ph.D. Senior Lecturer in Circuit Neurophysiology Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences University of Strathclyde 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK tel: +44-(0)141-548-2156, fax: +44-(0)141-552-2562 email: shuzo.sakata(a)strath.ac.uk The University of Strathclyde is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, number SC015263

March 30, 2017

announcement ESIsync 2017 conference

by Martin Vinck

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear Colleagues, registration is now open for the ESI- Systems Neuroscience Conference 2017. The conference will take place on July 24th and 25th, at the Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics in Frankfurt. This year’s theme is "Principles of structural and functional brain connectivity”. The talks will cover a wide range of techniques, including electrophysiology, calcium imaging, fMRI, and computational methods for connectivity analysis. Confirmed speakers at present are: Christopher Moore, Rafael Yuste, Charles Gilbert, Fritzjof Helmchen, Thomas Klausberger, Olaf Sporns, Maria Ercsey-Ravasz, Suliann Ben Hamed, Christopher Pack and Matthew Larkum. We welcome submissions for poster presentations. More information can be found at: http://www.esi-frankfurt.de/esisync/ Regards, On behalf of the organizers: Wolf Singer, Pascal Fries, Renata Vajda, Martin Vinck, Gustavo Rohenkohl -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

March 29, 2017