- Comp-neuro - lists.cnsorg.org

Organization for Computational Neurosciences - call for self-nominations to the Board of Directors
by Rubchinsky, Leonid L 28 Sep '23

28 Sep '23

Dear Colleagues, The Organization for Computational Neurosciences is inviting self-nominations for the OCNS Board of Directors election. New Directors will serve a three-year term from January 2024 through December 2026. Candidates are required to be an OCNS members for at least a year or to attend an on-site annual CNS meeting in the past. More information about the new Directors’ election can be found at https://www.cnsorg.org/election-procedures The deadline for application is October 11, 2023. Best regards, OCNS Board of Directors

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Two Computational Neuroscience Faculty Positions at UChicago
by Brent Doiron 28 Sep '23

28 Sep '23

Dear Computational Neuroscience Community The University of Chicago's Grossman Center for Quantitative Biology and Human Behavior seeks to recruit faculty in computational/theoretical neuroscience into the Department of Neurobiology within the Biological Sciences Division or the Department of Physics in the Physical Sciences Division. Appointees will be core members of the Grossman Center for Quantitative Biology and Human Behavior and will lead a ‘dry’ computational lab alongside a growing group of other computational neuroscientists. Appointments will be made in an appropriate primary department (Neurobiology or Physics) based on field and experience, with secondary appointment(s) in another unit possible. Academic rank and compensation (including a generous package of fringe benefits) are dependent upon qualifications. We especially welcome applicants who are developing computational models and analysis methods at the cellular, circuits, systems, or cognitive levels from all relevant academic disciplines including physical and biological sciences. Appointees will be expected to establish deep and extensive collaborations with the vibrant experimental neuroscience community at the University of Chicago. The University of Chicago is currently engaged in a major expansion in neuroscience, with computational neuroscience being an area of focus. The University offers a rich intellectual environment that includes a strong translational neuroscience community and affiliations with Argonne National Laboratory and the Data Science Institute. The Divisions, other academic units of the University, and the School of Medicine, are all contained within one compact campus in Chicago's Hyde Park. Appointees will have access to state-of-the-art core facilities and to outstanding colleagues and graduate students affiliated with numerous degree-granting programs within and outside the biological sciences. Prior to the start of employment, qualified applicants must have a Ph.D. or equivalent. Application Instructions: Applications must be submitted through the University of Chicago’s Academic Recruitment job site: http://apply.interfolio.com/133134. Review of applications will begin on November 1, 2023, and continue until all positions are filled. Best Brent Doiron -- Heinrich Kluver Professor of Neurobiology and Statistics Director of the Grossman Center for Quantitative Biology and Human Behavior Chair for the Committee on Computational Neuroscience University of Chicago Chicago IL https://brainmath.bsd.uchicago.edu/

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Postdoctoral Associate Position in Cardiac-Cortical Circuit Modelling at the Group for Neural Theory and LNC2, Ecole Normale Superieure, Paris.
by Boris 28 Sep '23

28 Sep '23

A three-year post-doctoral position in theoretical neuroscience is open to explore the mechanisms of interaction between interoceptive cardiac and exteroceptive tactile inputs at the cortical level. We aim to develop and validate a computational model of cardiac and of a somatosensory cortical circuit dynamics in order to determine the conditions under which interactions between exteroceptive and interoceptive inputs occur and which underlying mechanism (e.g., phase-resetting, gating, phasic arousal,..) best explain experimental data. The ideal candidate should have a doctoral degree in quantitative discipline (e.g. applied mathematics, physics, engineering) and previous experience with dynamic system approaches to neural function , modelling cortical neural circuits, excellent programming skills coupled with an interest for, and a willingness to learn about, interoception and its influences on neural dynamics, perception and cognition. The candidate will have a unique opportunity to join the project at its very inception and take a key role in the technical and conceptual development. The postdoctoral fellow will be based at the Group for Neural Theory <https://gnt.dec.ens.fr/en> at LNC2 <https://lnc2.dec.ens.fr/en> , in Boris Gutkin’s team <https://lnc2.dec.ens.fr/en/teams/mathematics-neural-circuits> with strong interactions with Catherine Tallon-Baudry’s team <https://lnc2.dec.ens.fr/en/research/teams/subjectivity-brain-and-viscera-45…>. LNC2 is located in the center of Paris within the Cognitive Science Department <https://cognition.ens.fr/en> at Ecole Normale Supérieure <https://www.ens.psl.eu/en>, with numerous opportunities to interact with the Paris scientific community at large, in a stimulating and supportive work environment. Group for Neural Theory provides a rich environment and local community for theoretical neuroscience. Lab life is in English, speaking French is not a requirement. Salary according to experience and French rules. Starting date is first semester 2024. Informal enquiries and applications (CV, motivation letter and contacts for reference) should be sent to boris.gutkin(a)ens.psl.eu <mailto:boris.gutkin@ens.psl.eu> and catherine.tallon-baudry(a)ens.psl.eu <mailto:catherine.tallon-baudry@ens.psl.eu>. Applications can be sent immediately but application evaluation will begin on Oct 25th, 2023. Applications received after Oct 25th will be evaluated on the fly, the position remaining open until filled. Boris Gutkin, PhD Research Director CNRS Group for Neural Theory LNC2, INSERM U 960 Department of Cognitive Studies Ecole Normale Superieure Paris. France boris.gutkin(a)ens.fr

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PhD student in Amsterdam on embodied decision-making
by Bernadette van Wijk 28 Sep '23

28 Sep '23

Dear colleagues, Within the Neurocontrol section at the Department of Human Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, we are looking for a PhD candidate on the topic of embodied decision-making. The candidate will work at the intersection between cognition and motor control. With clever experimental designs and a strong focus on EEG time series analysis, and neural and cognitive modelling, we aim to dig into the neural mechanisms of perceptual decision making. The 4-year project will be supervised by Dr. Bernadette van Wijk, Dr. Rob van Beers, and Prof. Jeroen Smeets. Requirements: - MSc degree in human movement sciences or a related field such as (cognitive or computational) neuroscience, psychology, or biomedical engineering - Affinity with the research topics motor control and perceptual decision-making - Prior experience with conducting behavioural experiments in human participants - Prior experience with time series analysis and statistical modelling - Comfortable with programming in Matlab and/or Python - Prior experience with conducting and analyzing EEG experiments is desired For more information and to apply, please see: https://workingat.vu.nl/ad/phd-position/d6jrlg PhD position: The neural mechanisms of Embodied decision-making - 4. Working at VU workingat.vu.nl Best, Bernadette van Wijk Assistant Professor Department of Human Movement Sciences Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam The Netherlands

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UniReps Workshop on Unifying Representations in Neural Models, NeurIPS 2023, DEADLINE 04 Oct
by Clementine Domine 27 Sep '23

27 Sep '23

We are thrilled to announce the first edition of the UniReps Workshop on Unifying Representations in Neural Models <https://unireps.org/>! To be held on Dec 15, 2023 at NeurIPS 2023 <https://nips.cc/>, New Orleans, USA. Our workshop aims to explore the emergence of similar representations from diverse neural models, both artificial and biological, when exposed to similar stimuli. We will investigate this phenomenon’s reasons, conditions, and methods and explore the potential for unifying these representations into a shared framework. Additionally, we will delve into exciting applications such as model merging, stitching, and reusing independently trained modules.*Our primary objective is to foster collaboration and idea exchange among Machine Learning, Neuroscience, and Cognitive Science researchers. We aim to create a platform for interdisciplinary discussions and collaborations by bringing together experts from diverse backgrounds. Check our **Call For Papers <https://unireps.org/call-for-papers/>** below.* *For any additional information check our **website <https://unireps.org/>* *, **Twitter profile <https://twitter.com/unireps>**, **Slack workspace <https://join.slack.com/t/unirepsunifyi-stf5976/shared_invite/zt-22vr60uon-G…>**, or contact us at **unireps.organizers(a)gmail.com**.**Call For Papers* Neural models, whether in biological or artificial systems, tend to learn similar representations when exposed to similar stimuli. This phenomenon has been observed in various scenarios, e.g., when individuals are exposed to the same stimulus or in different initializations of the same neural architecture. Similar representations occur in settings where data is acquired from multiple modalities (e.g., text and image representations of the same entity) or when observations in a single modality are acquired under different conditions (e.g., multiview learning). The emergence of these similar representations has sparked interest in the fields of Neuroscience, Artificial Intelligence, and Cognitive Science. This workshop aims to get a unified view on this topic and facilitate the exchange of ideas and insights across these fields, focusing on three key points: When: Understanding the patterns by which these similarities emerge in different neural models and developing methods to measure them. Why: Investigating the underlying causes of these similarities in neural representations, considering both artificial and biological models. What for: Exploring and showcasing applications in modular deep learning, including model merging, reuse, stitching, efficient strategies for fine-tuning, and knowledge transfer between models and across modalities. *Topics* A non-exhaustive list of the preferred topics includes: - Model merging, stitching, and reuse - Representational alignment - Identifiability in neural models - Symmetry and equivariance in NNs - Learning dynamics - Disentangled representations - Multiview representation learning - Representation similarity analysis - Linear mode connectivity - Similarity-based learning - Multimodal learning - Similarity measures in NNs *Important Dates* - Paper submission deadline: Oct 04, 2023 – Submit on OpenReview <https://openreview.net/group?id=NeurIPS.cc/2023/Workshop/UniReps> - Final decisions to authors: Oct 27, 2023 *Tracks* Submissions to the workshop are organized in two tracks, both requiring novel and unpublished results: an Extended abstract track, which will address early-stage results, insightful negative findings, opinion pieces, and a Proceedings track, which will address complete papers to be published in a dedicated workshop proceedings volume. Both tracks will be included in the workshop poster session to give an opportunity to authors to present their work, and a subset of the submissions will be selected for a spotlight talk session during the workshop.*Paper Format* The full paper submissions must be at most 9 pages long (excluding references and supplementary materials) and anonymized. We will follow the Neurips general conference submission criteria for papers - for details please see: NeurIPS Call For Papers <https://nips.cc/Conferences/2023/CallForPapers>. As a note, the reviewers will not be required to review the supplementary materials, so ensure your paper is self-contained. For the extended non-archival abstracts please use the same template but limit the submission to 4 pages, excluding references. The submission site will have an option to differentiate full papers and extended abstracts. Please make sure to use the NeurIPS LaTeX template <https://media.neurips.cc/Conferences/NeurIPS2023/Styles/neurips_2023.tex> and style file <https://media.neurips.cc/Conferences/NeurIPS2023/Styles/neurips_2023.sty>. *Clementine Domine* *Gastby Computational Neuroscience Unit Phd Student* On the behalf of the Unireps committee

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NITMB Fellows Program
by William L. Kath 27 Sep '23

27 Sep '23

Dear Colleagues and Friends, We are excited to announce the launch of the National Institute for Theory and Mathematics in Biology <https://new.nsf.gov/news/new-50-million-institute-aims-use-power-math-model>! This joint venture between Northwestern University and the University of Chicago is funded by the NSF and Simons Foundation and will form a hub for research at the interface of mathematics and biology. The NITMB <https://www.nitmb.org/> will support research projects in the Chicagoland area plus a wider network of collaborators, and will also host long programs to bring researchers from around the globe together to tackle how biological systems operate, focusing on mathematical theories, modeling, algorithms, and computational approaches. We are also excited to begin recruiting talented independent postdoctoral researchers to the NITMB, and we’d like your help spreading the word. Attached you will find our call for applications tothe NITMB Fellows <https://www.nitmb.org/nitmb-fellows> Program. These are three year positions for postdocs, who can function with a large amount of autonomy at the NITMB. We hope you’ll share this broadly. Cheers, The NITMB team ---------------------------- The newly formed NSF-Simons National Institute for Theory and Mathematics in Biology (NITMB), jointly hosted by Northwestern University and the University of Chicago, invites applications for the 2024-2027 NITMB Fellows Program. We seek remarkable early-career researchers, who will have completed a doctoral degree in Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, Engineering, Biology or related fields by September 2024. This opportunity is open to researchers who want to develop theory and computational approaches to study any area of biology. Under the mentorship of NITMB leadership, fellows will develop an independent research program aligned with the Institute’s interest in the constraints and capabilities of living systems, fostering collaborations with NITMB members or others outside the Institute. This three-year fellowship offers a competitive salary and generous research stipend. The goal of the fellowship is to empower an early-career scholar to define their research path, either independently or in close collaboration with members across various departments, including Biological Sciences, Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, and Engineering. Appointments can start as early as February 1, 2024 but no later than September 1, 2024, and will be at the internal University rank of Postdoctoral Scholar. This position is open to individuals who are less than seven years post attainment of their Ph.D. degree. NITMB Fellows will be part of a thriving intellectual community with no teaching obligations, allowing full dedication to groundbreaking research. There are opportunities to participate in NITMB-sponsored outreach programs. Candidates must apply by emailing their application documents to Nitmb_fellows(a)nitmb.org, and will be asked to provide the following documents: cover letter, curriculum vitae, list of publications and preprints, and a description of research interests to be pursued at the NITMB. In addition, at least three letters of recommendation must be received from faculty members or senior research scientists who are active in the field of study in question. These should be sent by email to nitmb_fellows(a)nitmb.org with the candidate’s last name in the subject line. The required materials and the letters of reference must be received by November 1, 2023. We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages diverse perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange. The Universities’ Statements on Diversity are at https://www.northwestern.edu/diversity/about/mission-and-vision/ and https://provost.uchicago.edu/statements-diversity. Northwestern University and the University of Chicago are Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employers and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the Universities’ Notices of Nondiscrimination. Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage. The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

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Postdoc in Barcelona
by Quian Quiroga, Rodrigo (Prof.) 27 Sep '23

27 Sep '23

***Apologies for multiple postings*** We are looking for a postdoc to study single cell recordings in humans, performed in epileptic patients for curative surgery. The position will be in the recently established group of Prof. Quian Quiroga at the Hospital del Mar Research Institute, in Barcelona (https://www.imim.es<https://www.imim.es/>). The project will investigate concept cells (a.k.a. Jennifer Aniston neurons) – that means, neurons in the hippocampus and surrounding areas that selectively fire to specific concepts, like different pictures and the written or spoken name of a particular person (e.g. Quian Quiroga et al, Nature 2005; Quian Quiroga, Cell 2019), which are involved in declarative memory functions. For more details see: https://web.archive.org/web/20220108024112/https://www2.le.ac.uk/centres/cs…<https://web.archive.org/web/20220108024112/https:/www2.le.ac.uk/centres/csn…> The successful candidate will contribute to performing recordings with patients and the analysis / modelling of the data to investigate the role of these neurons in memory. The candidate should have very good quantitative skills (data processing and programing, e.g. in Matlab) and a strong background or interest in neuroscience. Informal enquiries are welcome and should be made to Prof. Rodrigo Quian Quiroga (rquian(a)imim.es) To apply see instructions in this link: https://www.imim.es/ofertes/es_detall-oferta-temporals.html?id=2343 Review of applications will start on the 2nd October 2023, and will continue until the position is filled. Best, Rodrigo Quian Quiroga

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Tenure-track Assistant Professor Position in Quantitative Methods (Psychology) at the University of Florida
by Steve Weisberg 26 Sep '23

26 Sep '23

*Full link to job description and application: Apply Now! <https://explore.jobs.ufl.edu/en-us/job/528656/assistant-professor-in-psycho…> <https://secure.dc4.pageuppeople.com/apply/674/gateway/default.aspx?c=apply&…>* The Department of PSYCHOLOGY at the UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, invites applications for a full-time, nine-month, tenure-accruing, OPEN-AREA Assistant Professor with special emphasis in QUANTITATIVE METHODS, beginning August 16, 2024. We encourage applications from any research orientation in psychology and the position is open to candidates who employ a wide variety of methodological tools or approaches (including, but not limited to, computational modeling, statistics, artificial intelligence, structural equation modeling, multilevel modeling, network analysis, and longitudinal data analysis). Applicants will be expected to maintain an outstanding program of research with high potential for external funding, teach psychology graduate and undergraduate courses, advise students, and provide service to the institution. The Department of Psychology values interdisciplinary approaches to research and training, and strongly encourages collaboration across its five programs (behavior analysis, behavioral and cognitive neuroscience, counseling, social, and developmental psychology). An ideal candidate would bring methodological expertise that contributes to and enhances the research profile and extramural funding of one or more of these programs. For more information about our department see http://www.psych.ufl.edu and the University of Florida see https://www.ufl.edu. This search is also connected to a campus-wide effort by the University of Florida to expand the role of artificial intelligence in higher education and research (https://ai.ufl.edu) The University is home to HiPerGator, one of the most powerful high-performance computers at a US public university (https://www.rc.ufl.edu/about/hipergator/) A member of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU), the University of Florida is the state’s oldest and most comprehensive land-, sea-, and space-grant university, with an enrollment of over 50,000 students. In 2023, the University of Florida was ranked the first and sixth-best public university in the United States by *The Wall Street Journal* and *U.S. News & World Report*, respectively, with exceptional research, teaching, and a university-wide commitment to diversity. For full consideration, applications must be submitted online. Click on Apply Now at the top of this posting. A complete application includes: 1. Cover letter that includes information regarding the candidate’s experience, interest, and expertise in Quantitative Psychology (1-2 pages) 2. Curriculum vitae 3. Statement of research interests and plans (2-3 pages) 4. Statement of teaching experience, interests, and philosophy (1-2 pages) 5. Up to three reprints or pre-prints 6. Contact information for three individuals who have agreed to provide a letter of recommendation (*letters will be requested for shortlisted candidates only*) Review of applications will begin on *October 15, 2023* and will continue until the position is filled. Questions about the position may be directed to Natalie Ebner and Greg Webster, search committee co-chairs at natalie.ebner(a)ufl.edu or gdwebs(a)ufl.edu. -- --------------------------------------------- *Steven M. Weisberg, PhD * Pronouns: he/him/his Assistant Professor of Psychology University of Florida Director: SCANN Lab <http://scannlab.psych.ufl.edu>

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postdoc positions in cognitive control and brain-computer interface (UTSW Neurosurgery)
by Zhongzheng Fu 26 Sep '23

26 Sep '23

Two postdoc positions are available in the laboratory of Zhongzheng Fu in the Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. We study the neural mechanisms of cognitive control using mathematical modeling and human neurophysiology. We have several ongoing projects in the lab that include probing the network activity underlying cognitive control, the neuronal mechanisms for metacognition in decision making and artificial cognitive control. We aim to develop novel approaches to restore cognitive control in various psychiatric/neurological conditions, develop efficient brain-computer interface and ultimately enhance cognitive control in healthy individuals. Applicants who are intellectually curious and passionate about tackling challenging neuroscience problems using a combination of approaches (behavioral modelling, machine learning, intracranial recordings, neuromodulation, EEG/MEG) are encouraged to apply. Postdoctoral scientist in the lab will conduct cutting-edge research in a protected, interactive, highly collaborative, and well-funded environment, with access to state-of-the-art platforms such as intracranial recordings in various patient populations, EEG/MEG, high-performance computing sources. Qualifications for this position include Ph.D. or M.D. degree(s). Applicants who have excellent coding skills (python, MATLAB, R) and a strong background in statistics, machine learning, deep learning and signal processing are particularly encouraged to apply. Interested applicants should submit the following documents to Zhongzheng.Fu AT UTSouthwestern.edu 1. A Cover Letter describing your interest in this position. 2. A CV listing your education, training background, publications, awards, and skill sets. 3. Contact information for references For more information, please visit our lab website at https://zfu-lab.org. Zhongzheng Fu, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Department of Neurological Surgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center ________________________________ UT Southwestern Medical Center The future of medicine, today.

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Jobs at Flatiron Institute (CCN) and NYU (Center for Neural Science)
by SueYeon Chung 25 Sep '23

25 Sep '23

Dear Colleague, The Neuro-AI and Geometric Data Analysis Lab at NYU and the Flatiron Institute (PI: SueYeon Chung) are seeking postdoc fellows, grad students, and a full-time research assistant. We have multiple positions with flexible start dates. Our lab is situated in the heart of downtown New York City, operating jointly at NYU's Center for Neural Science and the Center for Computational Neuroscience at the Flatiron Institute, a research institution within the Simons Foundation dedicated to computation. The lab is also affiliated with NYU’s Center for Data Science, Minds, Brains and Machines Initiative, CILVR group, and Cognition & Perception Program. Our current research focuses on the following areas, all geared towards analytically and phenomenologically connecting various levels of abstraction and scales in information processing within biological and artificial neural networks: 1. Neural Manifolds as a Population Coding Theory: - Objective: Develop a normative theory of neural population geometry, known as neural manifolds. - Aim: Create an analytical theory that establishes a connection between the structure in high-dimensional neural data and the underlying computational processes. - Toolkits: Statistical physics (*replica method, random matrix theory*), neural network and machine learning (theory & applications), convex optimization, high-dimensional geometry, and statistics. - Applicants with backgrounds in statistical physics, machine learning theory, and theoretical neuroscience are strongly encouraged to apply. 2. Neural Manifolds as a Data Analysis Method: - Objective: Employ the theory and methods of neural manifolds for neural data analysis. - Background: We welcome applicants with backgrounds in neuroscience and cognitive science who are familiar with a wide range of experimental datasets and various model systems. An interest in collaborating with cutting-edge theory subgroups is highly encouraged. 3. Deep Learning Theory for Neuroscience: - Objective: Apply analytical insights from deep learning theory to computational approaches in systems neuroscience. - Toolkits: Statistical physics (replica method, random matrix theory), machine learning theory and applications, high-dimensional statistics. Additionally, we are exploring frontier topics, including the theory of neural manifolds for causality in large language models, the theory of multitasking and cognitive control, and the theory of semantic/categorical hierarchies and knowledge representations. If you are passionate about advancing our understanding of the structure of information in neural systems, we encourage you to apply. We welcome theorists and computational neuroscientists across a range of backgrounds, such as *machine learning* (applications and theory), *theoretical/statistical physics*, *computer science*, *computational and systems neuroscience*, and *cognitive science*. Join us in this exciting journey at the intersection of neuroscience, computation, and theory. If interested, reach out with a CV, a brief description of research interests, and a list of references to sueyeon(a)nyu.edu or schung(a)flatironinstitute.org. (Please note that official job announcements from the Flatiron Institute will be widely circulated in the upcoming weeks, but we are scheduling candidate seminars on a rolling basis.) Best, SueYeon Chung Assistant Professor Center for Neural Science, New York University Center for Computational Neuroscience, Flatiron Institute, Simons Foundation Personal Website: https://sites.google.com/site/sueyeonchung/ Lab Website: http://www.sychunglab.org/

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