- Comp-neuro - lists.cnsorg.org

REMINDER: Call for Workshops - Bernstein Conference 2016

by Philipp Hoevel

The Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience and the Bernstein Center Berlin invite proposals for Satellite Workshops directly preceding the Bernstein Conference 2016 in Berlin. ********************************************************************************** Call for Workshop proposals: Workshops: September 20-21, 2016 Main Bernstein Conference: September 21-23, 2016 Deadline for proposal submission: March 18, 2016 Notification of acceptance: April 22, 2016 Conference Registration starts: May 2, 2016 Early Registration Deadline: July 24, 2016 ********************************************************************************** The Bernstein Conference started out as the annual meeting of the Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience and has become the largest annual single-track Computational Neuroscience conference in Europe in recent years. Since 2013, the Bernstein Conference hosts pre-conference workshops, which have developed swiftly into a well-attended event. They supply a stage to debate topical research questions and challenges in Computational Neuroscience and related fields, different points of view and scientific approaches in an informal setting. Workshops addressing controversial issues, open problems, and comparisons of competing approaches are encouraged, and formats are expected that foster debate beyond a mere series of talks. SCHEDULE: September 20, 2016, 14:00 - 18:30. September 21, 2016, 9:00 - 12:30. You may apply for either half-day or full-day workshops. WORKSHOP COSTS: The Bernstein Conference does not provide financial support, but workshop organizers and speakers are offered free workshop registration. Organizers get a waiver for the main conference fee. For further information about the conference, please visit the conference website<http://www.bernstein-conference.de>. DETAILS FOR WORKSHOP PROPOSALS: The Workshop Proposal form can be downloaded here: <http://www.nncn.de/de/bernstein-conference/2016/satellite-workshops>. Deadline for submission of Workshop Proposals: March 18, 2016 CONTACT: <bc16_ws(at)bccn-berlin.de> We are looking forward to welcoming you in Berlin! The program committee ------------------------------- Michael Brecht Gustavo Deco Alain Destexhe Sophie Deneve Udo Ernst Adrienne Fairhall Sonja Grün John-Dylan Haynes Andreas Herz Philipp Hövel Richard Kempter Klaus Obermayer Stefan Rotter Susanne Schreiber Henning Sprekeler

Feb. 10, 2016

Feb. 15 Application Deadline - 2016 Nengo Summer School

by Peter Blouw

[All details about this school can be found online at http://www.nengo.ca/ summerschool] The Centre for Theoretical Neuroscience at the University of Waterloo is inviting applications for our 3rd annual summer school on large-scale brain modeling. This two-week school will teach participants how to use the Nengo software package to build state-of-the-art cognitive and neural models to run in simulation and on neuromorphic hardware. Nengo has been used to build what is currently the world's largest functional brain model, Spaun [1], and provides users with a versatile and powerful environment for designing cognitive and neural systems to run in simulated and real environments. We welcome applications from all interested graduate students, research associates, postdocs, professors, and industry professionals. No specific training in the use of modeling software is required, but we encourage applications from active researchers with a relevant background in psychology, neuroscience, cognitive science, robotics, neuromorphic engineering, computer science, or a related field. For a look at last year's summer school, check out this short video: https://goo.gl/wy4dNC [1] Eliasmith, C., Stewart T. C., Choo X., Bekolay T., DeWolf T., Tang Y., Rasmussen, D. (2012). A large-scale model of the functioning brain. Science. Vol. 338 no. 6111 pp. 1202-1205. DOI: 10.1126/science.1225266. [ http://nengo.ca/publications/spaunsciencepaper] ****Application Deadline: February 15, 2016**** *Format*: A combination of tutorials and project-based work. Participants are encouraged to bring their own ideas for projects, which may focus on testing hypotheses, modeling neural or cognitive data, implementing specific behavioural functions with neurons, expanding past models, or providing a proof-of-concept of various neural mechanisms. Hands-on tutorials, work on individual or group projects, and talks from invited faculty members will make up the bulk of day-to-day activities. A project demonstration event will be held on the last day of the school, with prizes for strong projects! *Topics Covered*: Participants will have the opportunity to learn how to: - build perceptual, motor, and sophisticated cognitive models using spiking neurons - model anatomical, electrophysiological, cognitive, and behavioural data - use a variety of single cell models within a large-scale model - integrate machine learning methods into biologically oriented models - interface Nengo with various kinds of neuromorphic hardware (e.g. SpiNNaker) - interface Nengo with cameras and robotic systems - implement modern nonlinear control methods in neural models - and much more… *Date and Location*: June 5th to June 17th, 2016 at the University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. *Applications*: Please visit http://www.nengo.ca/summerschool, where you can find more information regarding costs, travel, lodging, along with an application form listing required materials. If you have any questions about the school or the application process, please contact Peter Blouw (pblouw(a)uwaterloo.ca) We look forward to hearing from you!

Feb. 10, 2016

DENDRITES 2016, June 18-21, Crete: SECOND CALL FOR ABSTRACTS & REDUCED STUDENT FEES

by Yiota Poirazi

Please post this announcement on the comp-neuro list. many thanks! Yiota Poirazi * ---------------------------------- EMBO Workshop on Dendritic Anatomy, Molecules and Function (DENDRITES 2016)* Heraklion, Crete, Greece June 18-21, 2016 http://dendrites2016.gr/ <http://www.dendrites2016.gr/> info(a)dendrites2016.gr <mailto:info@dendrites.gr> _Organizers:_ Yiota Poirazi, IMBB-FORTH Michael Hausser, UCL * * Matthew Larkum, Humboldt University Dear Colleagues, We are happy to announce *reduced registration fees* for students attending DENDRITES 2016: 150 Euro until March 31st. We would also like to remind you that abstracts for poster and oral presentation *are due by* *February 15th, 2016. * Notifications will be provided by February 29th, 2016. We welcome both experimental and theoretical contributions addressing novel findings, methods or databases related to dendrites that fall into one or more of the following domains: * morphological and functional characterizations, * dendritic integration and compartmentalization, * dendritic channel distribution and their functional implications, * molecular pathways and signaling networks, * RNA trafficking and local protein synthesis, * functional or structural plasticity and homeostasis, * the role of dendrites in complex processes, including learning/memory, neural computations etc. Please note that places are limited and subject to availability. Attendees are highly encouraged to submit abstracts for presentations, since presenters will be given priority for registration. Instructions for on-line submission can be found at http://www.dendrites2016.gr/call-for-papers _Invited speakers (scientific talks): _ Claudia Clopath Daniel Dombeck Casper Hoogenraad Arthur Konnerth Attila Losonczy Judit Makara Rishikesh Narayanan Elly Nedivi Jackie Schiller Erin Schuman Idan Segev Nelson Spruston Greg Stuart _Invited speakers (Career Issues in academia):_ Monica Di Luca, FENS President: "Publication issues: right time for a reality check" Camilla Belone, FENS-Kavli Scholar: "Retention of women in high levels of neuroscience - Perspectives" Emre Yaksi, FENS-Kavli Scholar: "Funding opportunities in Neuroscience: how to write a successful grant proposal" Matthew Larkum: "How to write an influential scientific publication" NOTE: The Workshop takes place on the island of Crete and is followed by the AREADNE 2016 meeting <http://areadne.org/> (June 22-26th, 2016), focusing on Research in Encoding And Decoding of Neural Ensembles, on the neighboring island of Sandorini. DENDRITES 2016 participants are encouraged to consider attending both meetings. On behalf of the organizing committee, Yiota Poirazi -- Panayiota Poirazi, Ph.D. Director of Research Computational Biology Laboratory Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB) Foundation of Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH) Vassilika Vouton, P.O.Box 1385 GR 711 10 Heraklion, Crete, GREECE Tel: +30 2810 391139 <tel:+30%202810%20391139> Fax: +30 2810 391101 <tel:+30%202810%20391101> Εmail: poirazi(a)imbb.forth.gr <mailto:poirazi@imbb.forth.gr> http://www.dendrites.gr Chair http://www.fens.org/Outreach/FENS-Kavli-Network-of-Excellence/ -

Feb. 9, 2016

Postdoc position in multisensory decision making

by Thomas Otto

A *post-doctoral position* is available in the School of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of St Andrews. The position is part of a BBSRC funded research project on *multisensory decision making*, which will be carried out in the lab of Dr Thomas Otto. The research involves psychophysical experiments as well as mathematical modelling. The position includes funding for career development. The initial appointment is for one year, funding is available for *up to 3 years*. Start date is 1st May 2016, or as soon as possible thereafter. *Applicants *should have strong interests in our research (www.lclab.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk) and solid experience with psychophysical experiments or mathematical modelling. Strong candidates will have excellent communication skills in English as well as experience of programming (e.g., MATLAB). A PhD in Psychology, Neuroscience, or in a related field is required. Candidates near to completion may also submit applications, indicating the expected date of completion. A more detailed job description can be found online <https://www.vacancies.st-andrews.ac.uk/ViewVacancy.aspx?enc=mEgrBL4XQK0+ld8…> under Further Particulars. Informal enquiries are encouraged and can be made to Dr Thomas Otto, Email: to7(a)st-andrews.ac.uk. *Closing Date*: 4 March 2016 We encourage applicants to apply online at www.vacancies.st-andrews.ac.uk/welcome.aspx, however if you are unable to do this, please call +44 (0)1334 462571 for an application pack. Please quote ref: AR1745MR Applications are particularly welcome from women who are under-represented in Arts posts at the University. You can find out more about Equality and Diversity at https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk.hr.edi/. The University of St Andrews is committed to promoting equality of opportunity for all, which is further demonstrated through its working on the Gender and Race Equality Charters and being awarded the Athena SWAN award for women in science, HR Excellence in Research Award and the LGBT Charter; http://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/hr/edi/diversityawards/. The University of St Andrews is a charity registered in Scotland (No SC013532). -- Dr. Thomas Otto University of St Andrews School of Psychology and Neuroscience St Mary’s Quad, South Street, St Andrews, KY16 9JP, Scotland Phone: +44 (0)1334 462091 http://lclab.wp.st-andrews.ac.uk/

Feb. 9, 2016

post-doctoral position in auditory decision-making

by Yale Cohen

The laboratories of Joshua Gold (http://www.med.upenn.edu/goldlab) and Yale Cohen (http://auditoryresearchlaboratory.weebly.com/) at the University of Pennsylvania are seeking highly motivated post-doctoral fellows to participate in a joint research project that tests the contribution of feedback and feedforward connections to auditory decision-making in non-human primates. Candidates should have a PhD. Those with an MD will be considered but only if the candidates have a strong scientific background. A strong candidate will have experience in systems and computational neuroscience; recording and analysis of single- and multi-unit activity and local-field potentials from awake, behaving animals (in particular non-human primates); analysis of behavioral data and electrophysiological data; computational-analysis and programming skills. We are interested in individuals who have a good personality and can interact well with other members of the laboratories. The positions are funded through a joint ONR grant to Cohen and Gold and are available immediately. Salary will be based on experience and the NIH post-doctoral scale. The University of Pennsylvania has an outstanding environment for systems and computational neuroscience. The environment is further enriched by the PIs' ongoing collaborations with other members of the Penn Neuroscience community. For more information or to apply, contact Joshua Gold (jigold at mail.med.upenn.edu) or Yale Cohen (ycohen at mail.med.upenn.edu) Interested applicants should send a CV; a brief statement of research interests; and names of 2-3 referees. -- Yale E. Cohen, Ph.D. Associate Professor Chair, IACUC Department of Otorhinolaryngology:Head and Neck Surgery University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine 3400 Spruce - 5 Ravdin Philadelphia, PA 19104 Office: B50 John Morgan Building E-mail: ycohen(a)mail.med.upenn.edu <mailto:ycohen@mail.med.upenn.edu> Phone: 215 898 7504 FAX: 215 898 9994 URL: http://auditoryresearchlaboratory.weebly.com/ <http://www.med.upenn.edu/auditoryresearchlab/>

Feb. 8, 2016

CfP - MLUB 2016 - International Workshop on Machine Learning for Understanding the Brain

by Emre Akbas

Please accept our apologies if you receive multiple copies of this call. 1st International Workshop on Machine Learning for Understanding the Brain, MLUB 2016 June 28-29 2016, Ankara, Turkey http://mlani.ceng.metu.edu.tr/ * Call for papers: International Workshop on Machine Learning for Understanding the Brain (MLUB) welcomes original and unpublished work on theory, systems, algorithms and applications related to Machine Learning and understanding techniques for modeling and analysis of brain in various modalities, such as, fMRI, sMRI, EEG, MEG, fNIRS. The workshop focuses on but is not limited to the following topics: - Learning and inference on neuroimaging data - Cognitive state classification - Functional Connectivity - Sparse Techniques - Multimodal Learning - Multi-Subject Learning - Efficient Algorithms for Large-Scale Data - Brain Network Embedding - Cognitive Computing - Software Simulation of the Brain - Pattern and Object Recognition - Cognitive Machine Learning - Modeling - Vision Models of the Brain - Memory Model of the Brain - Neural Models of the Brain - Visualization - High-Dimensional Neuroimaging Data Visualization - Brain Network Visualization - Network Summarization - Applications - Resting-State Data Analysis - Task-Based Data Analysis - Diagnosis of Diseases - Brain Computer Interface We call for paper contributions with a maximum length of 4 pages (double-column, IEEE style, PDF) for review. Accepted submissions will be assigned to one of the oral sessions. Every accepted submission has to be presented at the workshop by one of the paper's authors. All accepted and presented submissions will be included in the workshop proceedings and will be published by IEEE Xplore. * Important dates: Paper submission deadline: February 26, 2016 Notification of acceptance: March 22, 2016 Camera ready Submission: March 29, 2016 Workshop: June 28-29, 2016 * Keynote talks: Tulay Adali (University of Maryland, Baltimore County) Peter Janssen (KU Leuven) * Executive Committee Fatos T. Yarman Vural (Middle East Technical University) Tulay Adali (University of Maryland, Baltimore County) Enis Cetin (Bilkent University) Haluk Bingol (Bogazici University) Huseyin Boyaci (Bilkent University) * Technical Program Chairs Sinan Kalkan (Middle East Technical University) Emre Akbas (Middle East Technical University) Mete Ozay (Tohoku University) * For more information: http://mlub.ceng.metu.edu.tr/ <http://mlani.ceng.metu.edu.tr/>

Feb. 7, 2016

Ph.D. and PostDoctoral positions on High-Performance Brain Simulations

by C. Strydis

Dear all, Please find below new job postings in the field of High-Performance Brain Simulations: Our Computer Engineering group (www.erasmusbrainproject.nl<http://www.erasmusbrainproject.nl>) of the Neuroscience Department of the Erasmus Medical Center, the Netherlands, is conducting research on high-performance, large-scale simulations of the human cerebellum. Depending on the neuronal-network size and the modeling accuracy desired, brain-model simulations can rapidly grow to be become exascale order-of-magnitude applications for HPC platforms. By capitalizing on the long-standing expertise and track record of the Neuroscience Department, the overall objective of the research performed is dual: to re-construct in hardware (‘in silico’) the human cerebellar cortex and – in the process – to develop novel tools for the automatic, seamless and fast simulation of any brain-model ensembles on popular HPC platforms, such as FPGAs, NVidia GP-GPUs, Intel Xeon Phis and Maxeler Dataflow Engines. The selected candidates are expected to work on these topics. This research will be part of the VINEYARD Horizon 2020 EU-funded project (www.vineyard-h2020.eu<http://www.vineyard-h2020.eu>). Erasmus MC is a partner in the HiPEAC European Network of Excellence and an official collaborator in the H2020 Flagship: Human Brain Project (HBP - www.humanbrainproject.eu<http://www.humanbrainproject.eu>). Where HBP works on fully simulating the cerebral cortex, Erasmus MC is adding in accurate simulations of the cerebellar cortex. Collaborative partners are the Delft University of Technology, the Chalmers University of Technology and the National Technical University of Athens. For more details please check the posting here: https://www.hipeac.net/jobs/9011/one-phd-position-and-one-postdoctoral-posi… Kind regards, Christos Strydis -- ============================== Christos Strydis, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Neuroscience Department Erasmus Medical Center Wytemaweg 80 (12th floor) Office Ee1210a 3015 CN Rotterdam Tel: +31 - 10 - 70 - 43294 Fax: +31 - 10 - 70 - 44734 E-mail: C.Strydis(a)erasmusmc.nl<mailto:C.Strydis@erasmusmc.nl> Web: www.erasmusbrainproject.com/index.php/strydis<http://www.erasmusbrainproject.com/index.php/strydis> ==============================

Feb. 6, 2016

Neuro-Inspired Computational Elements Workshop, March 7-9

by Bruno OLSHAUSEN

2016 Neuro-Inspired Computational Elements Workshop March 7-9, 2016 Clark-Kerr Campus, Berkeley, CA http://neuroscience.berkeley.edu/2016-neuro-inspired-computational-elements… *About the meeting* Neuro-inspired Computational Elements (NICE) workshops have been held for the last three years, bringing the very wide ranging scientific disciplines (neuroscience: imaging, theory, algorithms), hardware and applications communities looking for a common ground to accelerate the development of next generation of computing approaches. The key outcome will be the further clarification of the value proposition for neuro-inspired/neuromorphic computing: why and how could these systems deliver the performance and efficiency we seek beyond conventional computing approaches? The concurrent task for the workshop is to identify pathways for building and accelerating the evaluation and development of such systems. *Invited Speakers:* William Dally, NVIDIA Ila Fiete, UT Austin Steve Furber, University of Manchester Surya Ganguli, Stanford Jeff Hawkins, Numenta Bruce Hendrickson, Sandia National Laboratories Giacomo Indiveri, University of Zurich Pentti Kanerva, Redwood Center for Theoretical Neuroscience Amir Khosrowshahi, Nervana Systems David Kirk, Nvidia Christof Koch, Allen Institute for Brain Science Aurel Lazar, Columbia Wolfang Maass, Technische Universität Graz Rajit Manohar, Cornell Dharmendra Modha, IBM Christos Papadimitriou, UC Berkeley Alice Parker, USC Michael Schmuker, University of Sussex Narayan Srinivasa, Intel Winfried Wilcke, IBM *To Register* Please click on the following registration page link https://www.regonline.com/Register/Checkin.aspx?EventID=1749241 If you are interested in presenting at the workshop, we ask that you submit an extended abstract (1 page max pdf) during registration. There is an opportunity to upload your abstract at the bottom of the "personal information" page. After your information is entered you will be asked to pay. The 3 day event costs $275.00 per person, plus processing fees. *Hotel ** book by Sunday, Feb. 7 *** A block of rooms has been reserved at the Claremont Hotel for $219 per night, plus taxes and fees. Please click on this link to make a reservation in the room block: https://aws.passkey.com/event/14424359/owner/14188480/home --------------------------------------- Bruno A. Olshausen Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute & School of Optometry Director, Redwood Center for Theoretical Neuroscience UC Berkeley 575A Evans hall, MC 3198 Berkeley, CA 94720-3198 (510) 642-7250 / 2-7206 (fax) http://redwood.berkeley.edu/bruno

Feb. 6, 2016

Summer course in Computational Neuroscience: Vision

by Horwitz Lab

*Summer course* COMPUTATIONAL NEUROSCIENCE: VISION July 11 – July 24, 2016 COLD SPRING HARBOR LABORATORY *Application Deadline: March 31, 2016* Co-organized by Geoff Boynton, Greg Horwitz, and Jonathan Pillow, this course is offered every two years and gives 24 graduate students and postdocs the chance for intensive interchange with a diverse faculty in an intellectually stimulating environment. The goal of the course is to introduce students to the processing of visual information as a model for general issues in systems neuroscience. The emphasis is on approaches with strong theoretical bases. In addition to talks by an international faculty, the course offers ample opportunity to interact with the speakers and to apply the knowledge gained in the course through hands-on projects using Matlab. Please see https://meetings.cshl.edu/courses.aspx?course=C-VISI&year=16 for more information about the course, the faculty, and the application procedure.

Feb. 6, 2016

Position available: Doctoral Student in Auditory Neuroscience

by Vollmer, Maike

The Comprehensive Hearing Center (CHC) at the University Hospital of Wuerzburg offers the position of a Doctoral Student in Auditory Neuroscience. The DFG-funded research project (Priority Program 1608) investigates age-dependent effects of unilateral hearing loss on binaural signal processing and tests for neural plasticity and functional recovery using chronic electric stimulation with cochlear implants. The laboratory uses state-of-the art recording techniques across different auditory brain regions in animal models and computational analyses of neural data. In a collaborative team of investigators, corresponding histological and immunohistochemical analyses and modeling of neuronal data are performed. The CHC provides a rich interdisciplinary training environment within one of Germany's largest cochlear implant centers. Candidates can be integrated into the Ph.D. program of the Graduate School of Life Sciences. Applicants should have a Master's degree (M.Sc. or equivalent) in biology, bioengineering, neuroscience or related disciplines and show an interest in the auditory system and electrophysiology. Experience with Matlab and computational/programming skills are a plus. The position is available from April 2016 for three years. Applications from severely handicapped persons with basically similar qualification will be given priority. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Applicants should submit a CV, one page statement of research interests, and the name of one referee electronically to: Maike Vollmer, MD PhD Vollmer_M(a)klinik.uni-wuerzburg.de Comprehensive Hearing Center Auditory Neuroscience University Hospital Wuerzburg Josef-Schneider-Strasse 11 97080 Wuerzburg Germany

Feb. 5, 2016