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Call for posters and participation: The 3rd International Symposium on Cognitive Neuroscience Robotics
by amser116 Oct. 6, 2016

Oct. 6, 2016

Call for posters and participation: (apologies for cross-posting) The following international symposium will be held in Osaka, Japan in December 2016. The theme of the symposium is Constructive Developmental Science, which aims at understanding human cognition by means of interdisciplinary approach (e.g., psychology, cognitive science, neuroscience, and robotics). We will have world-leading researchers from different disciplines as invited speakers and would like to invite you to present a poster of your recent achievement. Please see the symposium homepage for more details: http://www.cnr.osaka-u.ac.jp/?p=1835&lang=en ============================================ The 3rd International Symposium on Cognitive Neuroscience Robotics: Toward Constructive Developmental Science ============================================ Date: Sunday, December 11 – Tuesday, December 13, 2016 Place: Science Hall, Senri Life Science Center, Osaka, Japan Fee: No fee except banquet Registration: Advance registration is required (see the following homepage) Program: http://www.cnr.osaka-u.ac.jp/?p=1835&lang=en Invited speakers: - Rechele Brooks, University of Washington - Helge Ritter, Bielefeld University - Giulio Sandini, Italian Institute of Technology - Shinsuke Shimojo, California Institute of Technology Sponsors: - Institute for Academic Initiatives, Osaka University “Division of Cognitive Neuroscience Robotics” - JSPS Grant-in-Aid for Specially Promoted Research “Constructive Developmental Science Based on Understanding the Process from Neuro-Dynamics to Social Interaction” Best regards, Yukie Nagai, on behalf of the symposium organizers — Yukie Nagai, Ph.D. Specially Appointed Associate Professor, Osaka University Visiting Researcher, Bielefeld University yukie(a)ams.eng.osaka-u.ac.jp http://cnr.ams.eng.osaka-u.ac.jp/~yukie/

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high performance computing with the Neuroscience Gateway Portal
by Ted Carnevale Oct. 6, 2016

Oct. 6, 2016

Space is still available in the workshop on the Neuroscience Gateway Portal (NSG), but if you are interested you should act soon because space is limited and the registration deadline is Friday Oct. 28. The NSG is an NSF-supported resource for neuroscientists whose research involves computationally intensive modeling and/or data analysis. It has a simple, convenient user interface for running simulations and data analysis tasks on HPC hardware, and provides free CPU time. Currently installed software includes Brian, GENESIS, MOOSE, NEST, NEURON, PyNN, Freesurfer, and the Virtual Personalized Multimodal Connectome Pipeline. The workshop will be held on Saturday, Nov. 12, from 9 AM to noon, just before the start of the 2016 SFN meeting, at a downtown San Diego location near the convention center. The agenda includes instruction on how to use the NSG in your own research, a hands-on exercise, and presentations by research teams about how they are using the NSG for their own high performance computing needs. See http://www.neuron.yale.edu/neuron/static/courses/nsg2016/nsg2016.html for more information and a link to the registration form. --Ted

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Postdoctoral Fellowship in System Neuroscience
by Majid Mohajerani Oct. 5, 2016

Oct. 5, 2016

A position as Postdoctoral Fellow is now open for an outstanding postdoctoral associate to conduct research in the field of neural network functions at the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience at the University of Lethbridge, Alberta. Our goal is to understand cellular and brain system mechanisms of memory and cognitive processing in animal models of healthy brain and memory disorders associated with aging and brain damage. Our research focusses on information coding, neural dynamics and system level neural interactions among diverse brain regions (e.g., hippocampus, prefrontal, retrosplenial, parietal and anterior cingulate cortices). This research will be supported by state-of-the-art facilities including advanced two-photon imaging, microendoscope imaging, wide-field voltage and calcium imaging, and high-density multi-unit electrophysiological recording and optogenetic techniques. The project is a collaborative effort between the research groups of Prof. Bruce McNaughton and Dr. Majid Mohajerani. Successful candidates will join the highly collaborative and interdisciplinary Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience (http://www.uleth.ca/artsci/neuroscience/our-faculty) and Brain Dynamics group (http://lethbridgebraindynamics.com/) which has outstanding research strengths in the areas of learning and memory, decision making, information coding and related diseases such as Alzheimer's, schizophrenia, addiction and stroke. Salary scales will be competitive with NIH standards for postdoctoral researchers. The position will be initially for 1 year with possibility of renewal depending on performance review at the end of the first 9 months. QUALIFICATIONS Preference will be given to candidates with strong quantitative and neuroscience methodological backgrounds such as neural ensemble recording, 2-photon or other in vivo neural activity imaging or in brain mapping. Good verbal and written communication skills are a must. Experience in MATLAB will be an asset. Candidates should be prepared to learn and use cutting-edge physiological, anatomical, and computational techniques, such as virtual reality-based rodent behavioural systems, optogenetic manipulations, and statistical methods for the analysis and modelling of data. HOW TO APPLY Interested applicants should send an email to Dr. McNaughton ( <mailto:bruce.mcnaughton@uleth.ca> bruce.mcnaughton(a)uleth.ca) with cc to Dr. Mohajerani ( <mailto:mohajerani@uleth.ca> mohajerani(a)uleth.ca ) and include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, a brief statement of research interests, and contact information of three references. Applications are encouraged from women and minorities.

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POSTDOCTORAL POSITIONS IN COMPUTATIONAL NEUROSCIENCE AT BROWN UNIVERSITY
by Wilson Truccolo Oct. 4, 2016

Oct. 4, 2016

Applications for post-doctoral positions are invited for the Laboratory of Dr. Wilson Truccolo in the Department of Neuroscience at Brown University, Providence, RI, USA. The positions are for the development of data-driven stochastic models of multiscale neural dynamics. Neural data consist of recordings of single-neuron ensembles and local field potentials obtained via multiple intracortical microelectrode arrays implanted in human and non-human primates. Research topics include: (1) Role of neuronal network intrinsic dynamics in neural encoding and decoding. (2) Multiscale neocortical dynamics in human focal epilepsy: seizure transition, propagation and termination. (3) Precursor signatures of focal seizure transitions, prediction and control. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in computational/theoretical neuroscience and modeling of stochastic neural dynamics. Related publications can be found on the Truccolo lab website ( http://www.truccololab.com/ <http://dl.dropbox.com/u/983891/Truccolo_home.htm>). Inquiries should be addressed to Dr. Truccolo (wilson_truccolo(a)brown.edu) Applications including a CV, statement of research interests, and the names and full contact details of three referees should be sent to wilson_truccolo(a)brown.edu. -- Wilson Truccolo, Ph.D. Pablo J. Salame '88 Goldman Sachs Assistant Professor of Computational Neuroscience Department of Neuroscience & Institute for Brain Science, Brown University Lab website: http://www.truccololab.com/

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Two PhD Positions for Neural Network Research Using High-density Microelectrode Arrays
by Felix Franke Oct. 4, 2016

Oct. 4, 2016

*PhD Positions for Students with Neurobiology Background or Engineering/Data-analysis Background for Neural Network Research Using High-density Microelectrode Arrays* We are currently seeking PhD students with a neurobiology background, or with an engineering/data analysis background, who will conduct electrophysiological experiments with high-density microelectrode arrays. The students will investigate how information is processed by neuronal networks and by the corresponding individual neurons and subcellular units within active networks. Suitable candidates should either have a background in neurobiology/neuroscience, or interest in evaluating large-scale complex data sets and a background in engineering or computer science. The candidate should be interested in interdisciplinary collaborative work in the area of electronics/neurobiology/data processing. Programming skills (for example Matlab, Python, R, etc.) are required, and knowledge of mathematics, statistics and data analysis methods, or experience in cell culturing and sterile techniques, or - possibly - patch clamp will be an asset. For more information see: https://www.bsse.ethz.ch/bel/open-positions.html -- Felix Franke, PhD ETH Zürich, D-BSSE Bio Engineering Laboratory (BEL) http://www.bsse.ethz.ch/bel

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Deadline extended for Brains and Bits NIPS Workshop
by Konrad Kording Sept. 29, 2016

Sept. 29, 2016

We just expanded the NIPS brains and bits deadline by a week: http://www.stat.ucla.edu/~akfletcher/brainsbits.html Consider joining us if you are interested in neural data science.

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Open PhD Position in Neuroscience at the University of Bremen, Germany
by David Rotermund Sept. 29, 2016

Sept. 29, 2016

The Institute for Theoretical Physics at the University of Bremen, headed by Prof. Dr. Klaus Pawelzik, offers a PhD position in the field of Complex Adaptive Systems. Successful candidates will join an international research group that is located in the field of Complex Adaptive Systems with a specialization in Econophysics, Psychophysics and Computational Neuroscience. In the latter we work on Attention, Neuronal Dynamics, Learning and Neurotechnology. The project funded by the DFG is entitled: “Dynamic instabilities from information annihilation in neuronal networks” Many Complex Adaptive Systems, including human balancing behavior, financial markets, and neuronal networks, exhibit complex spatio-temporal activity. Interestingly, all these systems feature a dynamic balance of opposing influences. In this project we will investigate the consequences of simple but biologically realistic mechanisms that yield a balance of excitatory and inhibitory inputs into neurons. In particular, we will determine the conditions where this balance does not result in simple equilibria but causes complex temporal dynamics and power-law distributed avalanches of activity in recurrent networks. This topic is part of a long term research program where we investigate whether a single general principle, by which criticality emerges from an efficient absorption of information, can account for these observations in a wide range of systems. The position is funded with a salary comparable to a 65 % TVL13 position and comes with support for 3 years and direct supervision by the principal investigator. Ideal candidates have a MSc degree in Physics or Mathematics. In any case they must have a strong background in physics and/or computational neuroscience and solid programming skills. Above all, they must have a strong motivation, a sense for responsibility, interest for detailed analysis, and a distinct desire to learn. Fluency in English is required (both written and spoken). If you are interested, please send your complete application by 23th October 2016 by e-mail (see detailed instructions below) to ajanssen(a)neuro.uni-bremen.de. Severely disabled applicants and women with essentially identical and personal suitability will be preferentially selected. Detailed instructions for applicants ===================== Your application must comprise: Motivation letter -------------------- Your 1-2 page essay should reply the following questions: What is your background? In which fields have you worked before and how do you think this can be useful for the present job? What attracts you to the field of neuroscience? Which problem(s) in neuroscience are you most interested in? Which kind of person are you (e.g. creative, analytic, communicative, pragmatic, etc.) and how do you approach a research problem? What are your plans for your future career? Curriculum Vitae --------------------- Send a classical tabular CV with your contact details, your date-of-birth, a current photograph, and all stages of education and employment. List of skills, awards, publications List your skills, especially proficiency in languages (including the level of proficiency), that you think might be useful for the job. Also list awards you might have got and peer-reviewed papers, in case there are some. Contact details of two academic references -------------------------------------------------------- One of the references should be your MSc advisor. Please contact the references prior to listing their names so that they are not surprised if they get contacted. Your application can be in English or German, whatever language you are more familiar with. Please send your application to ajanssen(a)neuro.uni-bremen.de by 23th October 2016! All documents must be in PDF format and must not be compressed. Combine all documents to a single PDF file or at least name the separate files appropriately. If we find your application interesting, we will let you know within two weeks and potentially ask for more documents.

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2 Available PhD Positions in Artificial Intelligence and Neuro-Cognitive Robotics, Ritsumeikan University, Japan
by Amir Aly Sept. 28, 2016

Sept. 28, 2016

**Apologies for Cross Posting ** *2 Available PhD Positions in Artificial Intelligence and Neuro-Cognitive Robotics at the Emergent Systems Laboratory, Ritsumeikan University, Japan* The Emergent Systems Laboratory [Link <http://www.em.ci.ritsumei.ac.jp/en>] at Ritsumeikan University in Japan (nearby Kyoto) announces 2 available PhD positions in artificial intelligence and neuro-cognitive robotics as a part of the new project: *"*Comparison and Fusion of Artificial Intelligence and Brain Science*"*. The successful PhD candidates will be involved in research about: *Understanding Neural Computation for Double Articulation Analysis Bridging Sensory-motor Information and Natural Language in Human Brain*, under the supervision of Tadahiro Taniguchi (Project Coordinator) [ Link <http://www.tanichu.com/profile>]. *I. Positions Description * Human brain can analyze a two-layer hierarchical structure embedded in speech signal called *double articulation structure* (i.e., speech signal is segmented into words and phonemes in a hierarchical manner). However, the computational process of double articulation analysis in human brain has not been revealed in neuroscience. In artificial intelligence and developmental robotics, we have not developed - yet - a robot that can automatically learn language from human-robot and sensorimotor real-world interactions in an unsupervised manner. This project aims to contribute to : - Understanding the neural mechanism supporting human and robot language acquisition involving double articulation analysis. - Developing unsupervised machine learning methods for building the next-generation communicative robots. - Developing deep learning and Bayesian probabilistic models integrating language, planning, and sensorimotor behaviors. - Investigating theories bridging between deep learning and Bayesian nonparametrics. Each PhD candidate is expected to contribute to a part of the project. *II. Candidate Profile* - Good mathematical background. - English communication skill for daily discussion and writing papers: IELTS 6 (TOEIC 740). - Programming skills in C++, Python, or Matlab for machine learning and intelligent robot. - Applicants are expected to be interested in natural language, language acquisition, and the human cognitive neural system of social behavior. *III. Application* Please send your application to (adm(a)em.ci.ritsumei.ac.jp) no later than *31 October 2016*, including: - List of publications. - Copies of 2 major publications. - Outline of past research (free format). - Motivation letter (free format). - Outline of prospective research (free format). - 2 Reference letters. Further details about the available positions and admission procedures are available on: *PhD Positions in Artificial Intelligence and Neuro-Cognitive Robotics <http://www.em.ci.ritsumei.ac.jp/info/call-for-phd-candidates-research-assis…>* . Ritsumeikan University is a fast growing international research environment with interdisciplinary research areas, and is the biggest private university in the west of Japan. The College of Information Science and Engineering is the biggest college in the field of Information Science in Japan, and the Graduate School is receiving a large number of KAKENHI Japanese governmental research grants. *IV. Related Papers* [1] Tadahiro Taniguchi, Shogo Nagasaka, Ryo Nakashima, Nonparametric Bayesian Double Articulation Analyzer for Direct Language Acquisition from Continuous Speech Signals, IEEE Transactions on Cognitive and Developmental Systems, Vol. PP (99) .(2016) DOI: 10.1109/TCDS.2016.2550591 [2] Tadahiro Taniguchi, Takayuki Nagai, Tomoaki Nakamura, Naoto Iwahashi, Tetsuya Ogata, and Hideki Asoh, Symbol Emergence in Robotics: A Survey, Advanced Robotics, Vol.30, (11-12) pp. 706-728 .(2016) DOI:10.1080/01691864.2016.1164622 ---------------------------------------------- Amir Aly, Ph.D. Postdoctoral Research Associate Emergent Systems Laboratory College of Information Science and Engineering - Ritsumeikan University 1-1-1 Noji Higashi, Kusatsu, Shiga 525-8577 Japan

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International Workshop on Computational Psychiatry at KAIST (Sang Wan Lee)
by Sang Wan Lee Sept. 27, 2016

Sept. 27, 2016

We are pleased to host a single day workshop on computational psychiatry, entitled "Computational approaches to understanding memory, learning, decision making, and emotion processing". The brain is an immensely complex system, making it hard to account for the brain's high-level functions, such as cognitive, emotional, and social components. The impairments of these circuits often lead to mental illness. A new approach, dubbed as computational psychiatry, combines experiments with computational modelling to provide the means to prevent psychiatric disorders. This workshop discusses recent advances in applying neuroeconomics, computational neuroscience, artificial intelligence to the study decision making, learning and memory. A deeper insight into these functions is expected to permit development of model-based diagnosis of mental disorders. * List of speakers : Benedetto de Martino (University of Cambridge, UK) Robb Rutledge (University College London, UK) Shinsuke Suzuki (Tohoku University, Japan) Sukbin Lim (New York University Shanghai, China) Sang Wan Lee (KAIST, South Korea) * Date: OCT 5 Wednesday, 2016 * Venue: Dream Hall (1st floor), CHUNG Moon Soul building (E16), KAIST * Program: http://www.aibrainlab.com/cp2016/ (free registration) - Host: Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, KAIST - Organizer: Sang Wan Lee (inquiries: Hana Park, <mailto:hnpark@kaist.ac.kr> hnpark(a)kaist.ac.kr) -- Sang Wan Lee, Ph. D Assistant Professor Laboratory for Brain and Machine Intelligence Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, KAIST 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea +82-42-350-4334 sangwan(a)kaist.ac.kr <mailto:sangwan@kaist.ac.kr> http://aibrain.kaist.ac.kr

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Two Postdoc Positions in Model-based fMRI and Machine Learning at KAIST (Sang Wan Lee)
by Sang Wan Lee Sept. 27, 2016

Sept. 27, 2016

*Postdoctoral positions in model-based fMRI and machine learning at KAIST* Two postdoctoral positions, funded through Samsung future technology foundation, are immediately available in the Laboratory for Brain and Machine Intelligence, led by Sang Wan Lee, at KAIST (http://aibrain.kaist.ac.kr/openings) The laboratory is affiliated with the department of Bio and Brain Engineering, Brain and Cognitive Engineering program, and KAIST Institute for Health Science and Technology (KIHST). The positions are initially appointed for one year, and may be extended for up to three years. We offer a competitive salary plus benefits. We also provide opportunities for working with our collaborators (refer to our website for more information). The project, AI-human coevolution engine, aims to develop a framework that boosts human learning and inference performance. It requires a combination of model-based neuroimaging techniques and a design of various learning algorithms. Research topics include model-based/model-free reinforcement learning, inductive/deductive/transitive inference, and one-shot learning. Details about the project is confidential, but the research proposal will be outlined during an interview. Qualifications (type1): - PhD in cognitive neuroscience, computational neuroscience, or physics - prior experience in (model-based) fMRI analysis is preferred. Qualifications (type2): - PhD in electrical engineering, computer science, or applied mathematics - strong quantitative background with expertise in machine learning The positions are open until filled. Interested please send a cover letter, a CV and a list of two references to sangwan(a)kaist.ac.kr. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. -- Sang Wan Lee, Ph. D Assistant Professor Laboratory for Brain and Machine Intelligence Department of Bio and Brain Engineering, KAIST 291 Daehak-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea +82-42-350-4334 sangwan(a)kaist.ac.kr <mailto:sangwan@kaist.ac.kr> http://aibrain.kaist.ac.kr

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