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Computational and Cognitive Neuroscience Summer School application deadline extension (April 10)

by Chengcheng Huang

Application deadline is extended for the 12th Computational and Cognitive Neuroscience Summer School (CCNSS), which will be held from *June 23 to July 14, 2024*, at *Suzhou, China*. Online application: https://www.csh-asia.org/?content/2382 Application deadline: **April 10, 2024** About CCNSS: Designed to emphasize computational principles and neural circuit mechanisms of higher cognitive functions, the course aims at training talented and highly motivated students and postdoctoral fellows from Asia and around the world. We welcome both applicants with quantitative backgrounds (including Physics, Mathematics, Engineering and Computer Science) and those with experimental backgrounds. The lectures will introduce the basic concepts and methods, as well as cutting-edge research on higher brain functions such as decision-making, attention, learning and memory. Modeling will be taught at multiple levels, ranging from single neuron computation and microcircuits up to large-scale brain systems and artificial intelligence and psychiatric disorders. Python-based programming labs coordinated with the lectures will provide practical training in important computational methods. 2024 Faculty: Hannah Choi, Georgia Institute of Technology Robert Desimone, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Alain Destexhe, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) Tomoki Fukai, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Leyla Isik, Johns Hopkins University Máté Lengyel, University of Cambridge Sukbin Lim, New York University, Shanghai Yunzhe Liu, Beijing Normal University Luca Mazzucato, University of Oregon Jorge Mejias, University of Amsterdam Yuanyuan Mi, Tsinghua University Ida Momennajad, Microsoft Research Memming Park, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown Anqi Wu, Georgia Institute of Technology Organizers: Dora Angelaki, New York University Christopher Honey, Johns Hopkins University Chengcheng Huang, University of Pittsburgh Songting Li, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Xiao-Jing Wang, New York University Guangyu Robert Yang, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Supports: Cold Spring Harbor Asia Simons Foundation -- Dr. Chengcheng Huang Assistant Professor Department of Neuroscience Department of Mathematics University of Pittsburgh

April 4, 2024

Neuroinformatics Assembly 2024: Keynote announcement, IP sessions, abstract submissions, & early bird registration

by Heather Topple

*Neuroinformatics Assembly 2024: Keynote announcement,* *IP sessions, abstract submissions, & early bird registration* The INCF Assembly <https://neuroinformatics.incf.org/> is a unique venue where neuroscience standards developers, infrastructure providers, and software developers have the opportunity to interact with the research community to share the latest advancements in neuroinformatics. For the first time since 2019, we're hosting Assembly in-person! Assembly will run from Sep 23-25 in Austin, Texas, with training activities from Sep 26-27. This year's theme is Brain Meets AI: Pioneering the Future of Neuroinformatics. Abstract submission <https://neuroinformatics.incf.org/abstract-submission> and early bird registration <https://neuroinformatics.incf.org/register> are open for INCF Neuroinformatics Assembly 2024 <https://neuroinformatics.incf.org/> - make sure to register before Jun 28 to get the early bird price! Are you interested in presenting at Assembly 2024? We’re seeking 3 investigator presentations for each of the 4 main sessions at INCF Neuroinformatics Assembly 2024: - FAIR neuroscience - Technologies for large-scale computation and team science - Applications of AI to neuroscience research - Closing the discovery loop and digital twins Please submit your investigator presentation abstract via this link <https://neuroinformatics.incf.org/abstract-submission> no later than April 08, 2024. Selected presenters will have their registration fee waived as a thank-you for your contribution. Note: You need to be signed in to submit an abstract, but you don’t need to be an INCF member to create an account. Keynote announcement! Elisabeth Bik, PhD, Microbiome Digest Microbiome specialist Elisabeth Bik is a Microbiome and Science Integrity consultant. She can often be found discussing science papers on Twitter at @MicrobiomDigest <https://twitter.com/MicrobiomDigest>, writing for her blog ScienceIntegrityDigest <https://scienceintegritydigest.com/> or searching the biomedical literature for inappropriately duplicated or manipulated photographic images, plagiarized text, or poor study design and data analysis. Bik’s work has been featured in Nature, Science, the New York Times, Le Monde, Wall Street Journal, STAT News, and The Scientist. Viktor Jirsa, PhD, Institut de Neurosciences des Systemès Dr. Jirsa is one of the Lead Scientists in the Human Brain Project <https://www.humanbrainproject.eu/> and The Virtual Brain <https://www.thevirtualbrain.org/> and has published more than 150 scientific articles and book chapters, as well as co-edited several books including the Handbook of Brain Connectivity <https://www.amazon.ca/Handbook-Brain-Connectivity-Viktor-Jirsa/dp/3540714626>. Dr. Jirsa has made notable contributions to the understanding of how network structure constrains the emergence of functional dynamics using methods from nonlinear dynamic system theory and computational neuroscience. Danilo Bzdok, MD, PhD, Mila - Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute Dr Bzdok currently serves as Associate Professor at McGill's Faculty of Medicine and as Canada CIFAR AI Chair at Mila - Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute, Montreal, Canada, including cross-appointments at the McConnell Brain Imaging Center, Montreal Neurological Institute, Ludmer Centre for Neuroinformatics and Mental Health, and the School of Computer Science at McGill University. His interdisciplinary research activity centers on narrowing knowledge gaps in the brain basis of human-defining types of thinking, with a special focus on the higher association cortex in health and disease. Important dates Mar 15 - Early bird, abstract, & investigator presentation registration open! Apr 08 - IP registration closes Jun 29 - Regular registration Sep 23-25 - Assembly Sep 26-27 - Training See you at Assembly 2024! /The INCF Team

April 4, 2024

2-years post-doc position in neuro-computational AI ethics, ISIR, Sorbonne University, Paris

by Mehdi Khamassi

Context The CAVAA European project (https://cavaa.eu/) proposes to realize a theory of awareness instantiated as an integrated computational architecture and its components to explain awareness in biological systems and engineer it in technological ones. In a world governed by hidden states, awareness enables to deal with the “invisible”, from unexplored environments (counterfactual pasts and futures) to social interaction that depends on the internal states of agents and moral norms. In particular, we will study such cognitive architecture agents’ ability and propensity of reasoning, decision-making, or revisiting past experiences, but also reflecting upon what was right or wrong given some moral norms, and which possible future states could be right or wrong. CAVAA’s awareness engineering is accompanied by an ethics framework towards human users and aware artefacts in the broader spectrum of trustworthy AI, considering shared goals, counterfactuals and projections towards new future scenarios, and prediction of the impact of choices. CAVAA aims to deliver a better user experience because of its explainability, adaptability, and legibility. Location and environment The post-doc position will be located in the Institute of Intelligent Systems and Robotics (ISIR, http://www.isir.upmc.fr) Paris, France. ISIR belongs to Sorbonne Université, CNRS and INSERM, and is located in the center of Paris, thus at walking distance from the Seine river, from other academic institutions (La Sorbonne, Collège de France, Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle, Ecole Normale Supérieure, Université Paris Cité, Hôpital la Pitié Salpétrière), and from famous monuments (Notre Dame, Conciergerie, Panthéon, Théâtre du Châtelet, Institut du Monde Arabe). Speaking or understanding French is not required. This work will be done in close collaborations with philosophers, engineers and computational neuroscientists of the CAVAA consortium. Profile We are looking for highly motivated candidates with a strong academic record. An excellent background is expected at the interface between computational neuroscience and machine learning. Significant experience in cognitive architectures and computational modeling for neuroscience, psychology, AI or cognitive robotics will be appreciated. Mastery of reinforcement learning and game theory, and advanced programming skills in modern C++ and python are required. A strong interest in philosophy of mind and moral philosophy is expected. Mission The post-doc work will focus on ethical reasoning through virtualization, deliberation and alignment with human values. The theoretical framework will be anchored on probabilistic model-based reinforcement learning, extended to include homeostatic, epistemic and social values, including social conventions and moral norms as starting point. Research will investigate learning through interaction with the environment and with other agents, social decision-making, mental simulation and counterfactual reasoning to inform humans about potential long-term consequences of actions. The model will be confronted to experimental data about human decision-making when confronted to various social and moral dilemmas. The model will be integrated into the CAVAA cognitive architecture and applied in artificial agents and robots in virtual and real-world scenarios involving spatial navigation and social interaction. To apply Applicants should send a CV, letter of motivation (max 2 pages), and a list of two references via e-mail to mehdi.khamassi(a)sorbonne-universite.fr and raja.chatila(a)sorbonne-universite.fr. Please put [CAVAA post-doc application] in the subject of the mail. Review of applications will begin immediately, and will continue until the position is filled. -- Mehdi Khamassi, PhD, HDR Research director (DR2), Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique Institute of Intelligent Systems and Robotics, Sorbonne Université ISIR - BC 173, 4 place Jussieu, 75005 Paris, France phone: +33 6 50 76 44 92 email: mehdi.khamassi(a)sorbonne-universite.fr https://pages2.isir.upmc.fr/mkhamassi/ Visiting Researcher at the Institute of Communication and Computer Systems National Technical University of Athens, Greece https://www.iccs.gr/en/?noredirect=en_US

April 3, 2024

New positions for postdoc at unipv

by Shailesh Appukuttan

*(posting on behalf of Simona Tritto)* *New calls for postdoc positions are now open at the Neurophysiology/Neurocomputation Units of the University of Pavia coordinated by prof. Egidio D'Angelo *(dangelo lab <https://dangelo.unipv.it/>) · Spiking neural networks for digital brain twins of schizophrenia <https://dangelo.unipv.it/2024/03/20/7606/> · Generation and simulation of a cerebellar robotic controller <https://dangelo.unipv.it/2024/03/20/new-position-1-generation-and-simulatio…> · Workflow design and signal analysis <https://dangelo.unipv.it/2024/03/20/new-position-3-workflow-design-and-sign…> Many thanks, best wishes Simona [image: LOGO-UNIPV] Simona Tritto Dipartimento di Scienze del Sistema Nervoso e del Comportamento Scientific Technician T. 0382.987048 <0382987048>

April 3, 2024

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 2, 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