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New on the VVTNS YouTube channel: Continuous representations in small, discrete circuits | Marcella Noorman University of ChicagoMarcella Noorman University of Chicago

by David Hansel

[image: VVTNS.png] > > <https://streaklinks.com/BT7ApM4NDVkoziHWhQptf9sP/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wwtns.on…> > https://www.wwtns.online > <https://streaklinks.com/A9c7PbbpKY7PxB6PaAJWGD3-/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wwtns.on…> > - on twitter: wwtns@TheoreticalWide - on Youtube > New on the VVTNS YouTube Channel https://www.wwtns.online/past-seminars-2025-2026 *Continuous representations in small, discrete circuits* lecture delivered on February 4, 2026 by Marcella Noorman University of Chicago *Abstract: *Many animals rely on persistent internal representations of continuous angular variables for working memory, motor control, and navigation. Theories have proposed that such representations are maintained by a class of recurrently connected networks called ring attractor networks. These networks rely on large numbers of neurons to maintain continuous and stable representations and to accurately integrate incoming signals. The head direction system of the fruit fly, however, seems to achieve these properties with a remarkably small network. These findings challenge our understanding of ring attractors and their putative implementation in neural circuits. In this talk, I will show analytically how small networks can overcome the constraints of their size to generate a ring attractor and are hence capable of stably maintaining an internal representation of a continuous, periodic variable. Further, I will show how ring attractors emerge in small threshold linear networks through the coordination of a discrete set of line attractors. More broadly, this work informs our understanding of the functional capabilities of small, discrete systems. *About VVTNS : Launched as the World Wide Theoretical Neuroscience Seminar (WWTNS) in November 2020 and renamed in homage to Carl van Vreeswijk in Memoriam (April 20, 2022), Speakers have the occasion to talk about theoretical aspects of their work which cannot be discussed in a setting where the majority of the audience consists of experimentalists. The seminars, **held on Wednesdays at 11 am ET,** are 45-50 min long followed by a discussion. The talks are recorded with authorization of the speaker and are available to everybody on our YouTube channel.*

Feb. 4, 2026

Konstanz School of Collective Behaviour 2026 (Deadline : March 15th, 2026)

by Ahmed El Hady

*Konstanz School of Collective Behaviour 2026* *Konstanz, Germany * *20th July 2026 – 7th August 2026 *** *Deadline to apply: March 15th, 2026* The Konstanz School of Collective Behaviour (KSCB) <https://www.exc.uni-konstanz.de/kscb/about/> will take place between 20th July – 7th August 2026 at the Cluster of Excellence Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour (CASCB) at the University of Konstanz <https://www.uni-konstanz.de/en/>. Konstanz <https://www.konstanz.de/start> is a vibrant, small city located on the border between Germany and Switzerland, on the shores of the Bodensee (Lake Constance). Over three weeks, students will delve deeply into the topic of collective behaviour with lectures, hands-on tutorials, and projects, making it a unique and unforgettable experience. The school faculty will cover collective behaviours across a variety of species from cells, worms, drosophila, fish to non – human primates and human. A set of tutorials delving into state-of-the-art quantitative methods used to study collective behaviour will complement the lectures. At the end of the school, students will work on independent projects guided by our resident faculty and tutors. The Konstanz School of Collective Behaviour is intended for graduate students, doctoral researchers, and early postdoctoral researchers. We consider applicants with strong quantitative background including but not limited to physics, computer science, mathematics and engineering. Applicants with biological and experimental background will be considered if they demonstrate in their application extensive quantitative and mathematical background as the focus of the school is quantitative study of collective behaviours. Accommodation will be provided and paid by the organizers. A limited number of travel support will be provided and a registration fee will be due (500 Euros) once the student is admitted to the Konstanz School of Collective Behaviour. The registration fee will be waived to those coming from underrepresented minorities and those in need of financial support. The submission of applications for the fourth Konstanz School of Collective Behaviour is currently open until March 15, 2026. We will inform the applicants during the month of April whether their application was successful For further information about the school and the application procedure , visit our website: _https://www.exc.uni-konstanz.de/kscb/application-procedure/ _ *KSCB 2026 faculty : * ·Anastasia Bizyaeva ( Cornell University, USA) ·Iain Couzin ( University of Konstanz / Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior) ·Einat Couzin-fuchs ( University of Konstanz ) ·David Garcia ( University of Konstanz ) ·Dan Gorbonos ( Holon Institute of Technology, Israel and Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior) ·Stefan Krapitscka ( University of Konstanz ) ·Zachary Kilpatrick ( University of Colorado Boulder, USA) ·Liang Li ( Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior) ·Yonatan Loewenstein ( Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel) ·Ran Nathan ( Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel ) ·Mor Nitzan ( Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel) ·Britta Renner ( University of Konstanz ) ·Allyson Sgro ( Janelia Farm Research Campus, Virginia, USA) ·Joshua Shaevitz ( Princeton University, USA) ·Ariana Strandburg-Peshkin ( Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior) ·Katrin Vogt ( University of Konstanz ) *In case you have any questions, please contact: **ahmed.el-hady(a)uni-konstanz.de <mailto:ahmed.el-hady@uni-konstanz.de>** * All the best regards, Ahmed El Hady On behalf of the KSCB organizational committee Dr. Ahmed El Hady Principal Investigator Cluster for Advanced Study of Collective Behavior, University of Konstanz Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior Universitätsstraße 10, 78464 Konstanz Room ZT 907 Postbox 687 Tel.: +49 7531 88-4742

Feb. 4, 2026

Master’s Thesis Project – Recruiting a Student: Information Under Fire:,POMDP Models of Information Seeking in VR Threat Environments

by Sara Ershadmanesh

*Master’s Thesis Project – Recruiting a Student:* *Information Under Fire:*** *POMDP Models of Information Seeking in VR Threat Environments* ** **Responsible co-supervisor:*Sara Ershadmanesh* Formal supervisor:*Peter Dayan* Supervising Collaborator:*Dominik Bach (Bonn)* ** The Department of Computational Neuroscience at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics focuses on building and testing theories and computational models of neural processing, with a particular emphasis on decision-making, learning, and representation. In dangerous or unpredictable environments, humans must decide whether to keep collecting rewards (e.g., food) or to seek information that helps them stay safe. In this project, you will analyse how people plan under threat and how they trade off explicit reward against information-seeking for safety. We have build a scenario in which biological agents forage for food and must stay clear of threats. We have also collected data from humans performing this task in virtual reality. The goal of the project is to develop computational models based on Partially Observable Markov Decision Processes (POMDPs). These models characterize belief formation about a threat‘s distance and speed, and how these beliefs guide planning in this situation. We will study both optimal behavior and heuristics computational strategies that may explain individual differences in this experiment. *What is available:* * Behavioral dataset from a VR experiment * Collaboration with researchers at the University of Bonn (VR expertise and behavioral analyses) * The active and rich environment at the Computational Neuroscience lab (supervised by Peter Dayan), where you are expected to participate in group activities as well as pursue your Master’s project. *Q**ualifications**/Experience:* * Strong programming skills are essential (Python or R) * Knowledge of POMDPs and experience implementing related models (more experience is a plus) *Student tasks:* * Improve and clean existing code * Extend POMDP model to generate optimal behavior * Compare model predictions to human behavior * Writethe Master thesis Remuneration is based on qualifications and professional experience. The Max Planck Society is an equal opportunity employer: Handicapped individuals are strongly encouraged to apply, and so are women in areas in which they are underrepresented. The Max Planck Society strives for gender and diversity equality. We welcome applications from all backgroundsand aim for a fair hiring process—so applicants should not include a photo in their application documents. Max-Planck-Institut für biologische Kybernetik Max-Planck-Ring 8 72076 Tübingen www.kyb.mpg.de <http://www.kyb.mpg.de/>

Feb. 4, 2026

PhD Position: Deep Learning & EEG for Mental Health Diagnostics (Fall 2026) – Univ. of North Texas

by Korani, Wael

Hello everyone, The Lab: The Korani Lab in the Department of Data Science at the University of North Texas (UNT) is recruiting two PhD students to start in Fall 2026. Our research sits at the intersection of Computational Neuroscience, Biomedical Signal Processing, and Explainable AI. We focus on developing diagnostic tools to predict and detect mental disorders (Major Depressive Disorder) and evaluate treatment outcomes (rTMS, SSRI) using high-dimensional EEG data. The Project: The successful candidate will work on building and optimizing custom CNN and RNN architectures to decode complex patterns in EEG signals. This is not just applying off-the-shelf models; we are developing novel optimization algorithms (e.g., Mother Tree Optimization) and fusion techniques to improve diagnostic accuracy and interpretability in clinical settings. We are looking for: * Background: BS/MS in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Computational Neuroscience, or a related quantitative field. * Technical Skills: Strong proficiency in Python (PyTorch/TensorFlow) and MATLAB. * Domain Knowledge: Experience with Time-Series Analysis or Signal Processing is highly desired. Prior work with EEG data is a significant plus. * Math: Comfort with linear algebra and optimization theory. Why Join? * Impact: Your code will directly contribute to tools intended for clinical use to improve mental health treatment outcomes. * Environment: UNT is a Tier 1 Research University. You will collaborate with clinical partners (including international collaborations) and have access to large-scale clinical datasets. To Apply: Please email a CV, transcripts (unofficial are fine), and a brief statement of research interests to Dr. Wael Korani ([wael.korani(a)unt.edu] Please use the subject line: "PhD Application Fall 2026 – [Your Name]". Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the two positions are filled. Dr. Wael Korani Assistant Professor Department of Data Science University of North Texas [Link to your Faculty Profile or Lab Website]

Feb. 3, 2026

Call for Papers Now Open | Submit Your Work to ISCS 2026 | June 03–05, La Rochelle, France

by MOURCHID Youssef

📢 Call for Papers – ISCS 2026 The International Conference on Complex Systems (ISCS 2026) invites researchers and practitioners to submit original contributions on all aspects of Complex Systems. Submission formats * Long Papers: up to 12 pages * Short Papers: up to 8 pages * Extended Abstracts: 3–4 pages 🗓 Submission deadline: March 2, 2026 🔗 Submit via CMT: https://cmt3.research.microsoft.com/ISCS2026/ (Please select “ISCS 2026”) 🌐 Conference website: https://iutdijon.u-bourgogne.fr/iscs/ Join us in shaping the future of Complex Systems Science and engaging with an international, interdisciplinary community. — ISCS 2026 Organizing Committee [cid:image001.png@01DC9553.F8D8E360] Youssef MOURCHID Enseignant-Chercheur UR 7527 Tel : +33 (0)7 88 33 17 65 22 B Rue du Cap Vert, 21800 Quetigny [cid:image002.png@01DC9553.F8D8E360]<https://www.facebook.com/CESIingenieurs> [cid:image003.png@01DC9553.F8D8E360]<https://www.facebook.com/CESIingenieurs> [cid:image004.png@01DC9553.F8D8E360]<https://www.youtube.com/user/groupecesi1> [cid:image005.png@01DC9553.F8D8E360]<https://www.linkedin.com/company/groupe-cesi/> [cid:image006.png@01DC9553.F8D8E360]<https://www.instagram.com/cesi_officiel/> lineact.cesi.fr<https://lineact.cesi.fr/>

Feb. 3, 2026

Postdoc in statistical/computational models of birdsong

by Peter Dayan

The Computational Neuroscience lab led by Peter Dayan of the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics and the University of Tübingen, in collaboration with the Neurobiology of Vocal Communication Lab led by Lena Veit, invites applications for a Postdoc Research Fellow (m/f/d; E13 TVöD, 100%, 2 years). This role involves developing statistical and computational models for characterizing and understanding the structure of animal vocal communication, starting with the songs of the Bengalese Finch. This position is suited for researchers who have finished or are about to finish their PhD in a relevant discipline, such as computational neuroscience, cognitive (neuro-)science, machine learning, artificial intelligence, computer science, or psychology. The ideal candidate is self-motivated, comfortable with both analytic and critical thinking, and has a strong background in computational neuroscience, machine learning, or related fields. Relevant areas of expertise include computational modelling, signal processing, machine learning, and cognitive modeling. The applicant should have excellent programming skills, experience with advanced data analysis, and a strong publication record. The candidate should have a solid knowledge of the literature in relevant areas, and ideally have experience working in close collaboration with experimentalists. The working language is English; command of the German language is not necessary. What we offer: The position, initially limited to 2 years with the possibility of an extension, is part of a newly established DFG research unit "Neural Basis of Vocal Communication" (FOR 5768), which investigates, through a collaborative approach across four research sites, how vocal communication is produced, coordinated, and learned across vertebrate species by mapping and comparing the underlying neural networks. Using behavioral studies, neurophysiological recordings, and computational modeling, we aim to uncover shared principles and species-specific adaptations of vocal communication. The position will be supervised by Peter Dayan and Lena Veit. We offer remuneration in accordance with TVöD (collective wage agreement for the Public Service of the German Federal States) in addition to all the customary benefits granted to employees working in Public Services. The position is based at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics along with the Werner Reichardt Center for Integrative Neuroscience which are both in Tübingen. There are no formal teaching duties, allowing full flexibility for conducting research. There will be opportunities to mentor and work with PhD and MSc students working on related topics. About Tübingen: Tübingen is a scenic university town on the Neckar River in South-Western Germany. The quality of life is exceptionally high, and the atmosphere is diverse, inclusive, and most locals speak English. Tübingen offers excellent research opportunities due to the University, three Max Planck institutes, the University Hospital, and Europe’s largest AI research consortium. You can find out more about Tübingen here: https://www.tuebingen.de/ How to apply: If you are interested in the position, please get in touch with Peter Dayan via email (agpd-applications(a)tue.mpg.de) enclosing your CV. For formal applications, please send a motivation letter, your CV, up to two representative publications, and the contact information of two referees as a single PDF to Susan Fischer (susan.fischer(a)tuebingen.mpg.de) The MPI for Biological Cybernetics is an equal opportunities employer. Applications of qualified women academics are especially encouraged; applications of disabled persons will be given preferential treatment to those of other candidates with equal qualifications. Preference will be given to applications received by 28th February 2026, but applications might be considered thereafter until the position is filled.

Feb. 3, 2026

EMBO Dendrites 2026: Abstract submission deadline extended to Feb. 9th

by marouso_velissariou＠imbb.forth.gr

Dear Colleagues, In response to popular demand, we have extended the deadline for abstract submission until Feb. 9th, 2026. Please register and submit your abstract online at: https://meetings.embo.org/event/26-dendrites No payment is required for abstract submission. Notifications will be provided by February 28th, 2026 Registration payment due by March 15th, 2026 Potential attendees are strongly encouraged to submit an abstract as presenters will have registration priority. For more information about the conference, please refer to our web site or send email to embo2026(a)artion.com.gr We look forward to seeing you in person at DENDRITES 2026, in Heraklion, Crete, on 19-22 May 2026! The organizers, Panayiota Poirazi, Lucy Palmer, Mark Harnett -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

Feb. 3, 2026

Doctoral and postdoctoral studies in the neuroscience of dynamic action planning and motor control

by Andrea Green

Doctoral and postdoctoral studies in the neuroscience of dynamic action planning and motor control Department of Neuroscience, University of Montreal Applications are invited for doctoral and postdoctoral studies in systems neuroscience in the laboratories of Andrea Green and Paul Cisek. Successful applicants will join a multidisciplinary research group studying how the primate brain controls real-time, natural behavior in dynamic environments. Different projects address how we specify and plan potential actions such as reaching under changing conditions as we move through our environment, decide between actions even during ongoing behavior, control and learn to execute movements in different behavioral contexts (e.g., body stationary vs. in motion) and integrate multisensory cues to estimate and keep track of our motion through space. Research in our group involves single- and multi-electrode neural recording experiments in non-human primates, human behavioral studies using techniques such as transcranial magnetic stimulation and galvanic vestibular stimulation, and computational modeling of the nervous system. New collaborative projects will combine use of sophisticated spatial motion systems and virtual reality environments to study naturalistic behavior in both humans and non-human primates and develop computational models of real-time action selection, planning and control. For more information, see: https://neurosciences.umontreal.ca/recherche/les-chercheurs/andrea-green/ and https://cisek.org/pavel/ Multiple positions are available. All students with a strong background in biological sciences, engineering, mathematics, computer science, physics or psychology and an interest in system-level study of the brain are encouraged to apply. Prior experience in neurophysiology, behavioral neuroscience and/or computational modeling of neural systems is highly desirable. Depending on the applicant's qualifications and interests, they will help to design and conduct behavioral and neurophysiological experiments, analyze data, develop theoretical models of neural systems, prepare manuscripts for publication, and participate in international conferences. Interested candidates are asked to send a curriculum vita, copies of academic transcripts, a statement of research interests and the names and contact information for two references, to Andrea Green (andrea.green(a)umontreal.ca<mailto:andrea.green@umontreal.ca>) and Paul Cisek (paul.cisek(a)umontreal.ca<mailto:paul.cisek@umontreal.ca>). Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled, but preference will be given to applications received before March 16, 2026.

Feb. 2, 2026

Fwd: [seminar.wwtns] World wide VVTNS series (6th season): Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at 11:00 am ET - Marcella Noorman, University of Chicago

by David Hansel

[image: VVTNS.png] https://www.wwtns.online <https://streaklinks.com/A9c7PbbpKY7PxB6PaAJWGD3-/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wwtns.on…> - on twitter: wwtns@TheoreticalWide You are cordially invited to the lecture Marcella Noorman University of Chicago on the topic of *Continuous representations in small, discrete circuits* The lecture will be held on zoom on February 4, 2026, at *11:00 am ET * > To receive the link: https://www.wwtns.online/register-page > *Abstract: *Many animals rely on persistent internal representations of continuous angular variables for working memory, motor control, and navigation. Theories have proposed that such representations are maintained by a class of recurrently connected networks called ring attractor networks. These networks rely on large numbers of neurons to maintain continuous and stable representations and to accurately integrate incoming signals. The head direction system of the fruit fly, however, seems to achieve these properties with a remarkably small network. These findings challenge our understanding of ring attractors and their putative implementation in neural circuits. In this talk, I will show analytically how small networks can overcome the constraints of their size to generate a ring attractor and are hence capable of stably maintaining an internal representation of a continuous, periodic variable. Further, I will show how ring attractors emerge in small threshold linear networks through the coordination of a discrete set of line attractors. More broadly, this work informs our understanding of the functional capabilities of small, discrete systems. *About VVTNS : Launched as the World Wide Theoretical Neuroscience Seminar (WWTNS) in November 2020 and renamed in homage to Carl van Vreeswijk in Memoriam (April 20, 2022), Speakers have the occasion to talk about theoretical aspects of their work which cannot be discussed in a setting where the majority of the audience consists of experimentalists. The seminars, **held on Wednesdays at 11 am ET,** are 45-50 min long followed by a discussion. The talks are recorded with authorization of the speaker and are available to everybody on our YouTube channel.*

Feb. 2, 2026

Accepting applications: The Brain Prize Course - Computational and Theoretical Neuroscience 2026

by Maria Neimark Geffen

Dear Colleagues, I’m writing as a co-director of the upcoming *CAJAL Advanced Neuroscience Training Course: The Brain Prize Course - Computational and Theoretical Neuroscience 2026*, now open for applications. This intensive course is a unique opportunity for early-career researchers interested in this field. Hosted at the *Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown*, this three-week course focuses on *bridging the gap between theoretical frameworks and experimental neuroscience*. It provides intensive training in neural coding, network dynamics, and advanced data analysis, combining high-level lectures with hands-on Python-based projects to model complex brain functions and interpret large-scale neuronal datasets. 📍 *Location:* Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Lisbon, Portugal 📅 *Dates:* 13 - 31 July 2026 ⏳ *Application Deadline:* 27 February 2026 🔗 *Apply now:* https://form.jotform.com/Cajal_training/computational-neuro2026 *Course Directors* - *Alfonso Renart* - Champalimaud Foundation, Portugal - *Julijana Gjorgjieva* - Technical University of Munich, Germany - *Maria Geffen* - University of Pennsylvania, USA - *Omri Barak* - Technion, Israel Institute of Technology *Course Themes & Topics:* - *Neural Modeling & Dynamics*: Mastering the mathematical foundations of brain function, from single-cell biophysical models like Hodgkin−Huxley to the complex behavior of excitatory-inhibitory networks. - *Neural Coding & Data Analysis*: Learning how populations of neurons represent information using advanced computational tools like dimensionality reduction to decode large-scale neural datasets. - *Cognitive & Normative Theory*: Exploring high-level functions through Bayesian inference and reinforcement learning to understand how the brain optimizes decision-making and motor control. *Speakers include:* - Larry Abbott (Columbia University, USA) - Haim Sompolinsky (Harvard University, USA & Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel) - Susanne Schreiber (Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany) - Francesca Mastrogiuseppe (SISSA – International School for Advanced Studies, Italy ) - Il Memming Park (Champalimaud Foundation, Portugal) - Jakob Macke (University of Tübingen, Germany ) - Wiktor Młynarski (LMU Munich – Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Germany ) - Laura Busse (LMU Munich – Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Germany ) - Yiota Poirazi (IMBB–FORTH, Heraklion, Greece ) - Adrienne Fairhall (University of Washington, USA) - Agostina Palmigiano (Gatsby Computational Neuroscience Unit, UCL, UK) - Joe Paton (Champalimaud Foundation, Portugal) - Dmitri Chklovskii (Flatiron Institute, Simons Foundation, USA) - Brent Doiron (University of Chicago, USA) - Gilles Laurent (Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, Germany) - Alex Cayco Gajic (École Normale Supérieure – PSL, France ) - Rafal Bogacz (MRC Brain Network Dynamics Unit, University of Oxford, UK) ________________________________ Maria Neimark Geffen, Ph.D. (she/her) Professor Co-director, Penn Computational Neuroscience Initiative Department of Otorhinolaryngology: HNS (primary) Department of Neuroscience Department of Neurology Perelman School of Medicine University of Pennsylvania 5 Ravdin 3400 Spruce St. Philadelphia PA 19104 Tel.: 215.898.0782 My zoom <https://pennmedicine.zoom.us/my/mgeffen?pwd=eWVFbUJFUGRJZ3g1eU9YZEZic2VwZz09> mgeffen(a)pennmedicine.upenn.edu http://hosting.med.upenn.edu/hearing https://bsky.app/profile/geffenlab.bsky.social

Jan. 30, 2026

Postdoctoral Position in Human Brain–Computer Interfaces

by João Barbosa

Dear all, The Neuromodulation Institute (Paris) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher position (full-time, 2-year contract with the possibility of extension) to join a human brain–computer interface project led by Philippe Domenech <http://computationalbrainteam.com/en/people> (Neuromodulation Institute, Paris) in direct collaboration with João Barbosa <http://jbarbosa.org/> (Neuromodulation Institute, Paris) and Guillaume Bellec <http://guillaume.bellec.eu/> (Technical University of Vienna). The work will be carried out in the center of Paris and the newly created Neuromodulation Institute. The position is available immediately and will remain open until filled. About the Project This position is part of an interdisciplinary collaboration involving computational neuroscientists, clinicians, and engineers. The goal is to establish model-driven, multi-site stimulation experiments in human patients and move towards novel therapies for psychiatric disorders through the control of human brain dynamics via closed-loop stimulation. As an initial step toward these broader goals, the postdoctoral researcher will work with electrophysiological data collected from epilepsy patients implanted with ~124 intracranial LFP electrodes, enabling simultaneous recording and multi-site stimulation. We already collected several datasets (open-loop) and up to 4 subjects are collected per month through a national network of clinicians. The work carried out by the successful applicant will sit at the intersection of machine learning, computational neuroscience and data analyses of human intracranial electrophysiology. The medium-term ambition is to expand this work to additional patient populations, including individuals with treatment-resistant major depression and obsessive-compulsive disorder, and to incorporate recording techniques such as large-scale multi-unit activity and sub-second neuromodulation (e.g. dopamine, serotonin, noradrenaline, etc) detection using ML-augmented voltammetry. Key responsibilities include developing data-driven state-space models of neural dynamics for optimal control policies for stimulation as well as inference pipelines for predicting network responses of intracranial recordings. The position emphasizes computational modeling, theory, and algorithmic development, rather than hands-on experimental data collection. Candidate Profile We are seeking a highly motivated candidate with strong quantitative and computational skills, and demonstrated research experience in at least one of the following areas: machine learning, simulation-based inference, reinforcement learning, generative/diffusion models and dynamical systems. Required Skills and Experience - Strong scientific programming skills in Python, in particular proficiency in PyTorch, Jax or related - Demonstrated experience in machine learning - Excellent written and spoken English. - Direct experimental experience is not required. However, the successful candidate should be enthusiastic about interacting with clinicians, neurosurgeons, and patients during experimental planning and execution. Preferred but not required - Experience working with time series data, in particular intracranial recordings (LFP, ECoG, depth electrodes) in humans or other animals. We strongly encourage applications from individuals that are underrepresented in academia. What We Offer - Opportunity to contribute to multiple ongoing projects at the forefront of human intracranial research - A highly interdisciplinary research environment spanning computational neuroscience, machine learning and cognitive neuroscience - A collaborative lab culture with close mentorship from senior investigators. - Support for career development, including opportunities to co-supervise students, present at conferences and workshops - Paris has an increasingly tight network of systems and computational neuroscience and offers many possibilities for collaborations How to apply Please send a statement of your past work and future research interests (one page each), CV and at least one manuscript demonstrating required experience to palerma(a)gmail.com with the subject “Postdoctoral Position in Human Brain–Computer Interfaces”. Joao Barbosa

Jan. 30, 2026

Special Year on Modeling Fly Vision (forwarded from Sebastian Seung)

by Reinoud Maex

Begin forwarded message: From: Sebastian Seung <sseung(a)princeton.edu<mailto:sseung@princeton.edu>> Could you post the attached announcement to the comp-neuro mailing list? Thanks in advance! You could also include a link to the announcement: https://www.ias.edu/sns/csb#special-year<https://www.ias.edu/sns/csb#special-year> Sebastian -------------- Subject: 2026-27 special year IAS program on Modeling Fly Vision During the 2026-27 academic year, the Simons Center for Systems Biology in the School of Natural Sciences at the Institute for Advanced Study will have a special program on Modeling Fly Vision co-organized by Misha Tsodyks (IAS) and Sebastian Seung (Princeton University). New kinds of brain maps are driving a renaissance of visual neuroscience, starting with the fruit fly Drosophila. The fly connectome yielded as a corollary the first wiring diagram for an entire visual system. Transcriptomics is identifying the ion channels and synaptic receptors in fly visual neurons. Using such detailed information, it is now possible to model the fly visual system with unprecedented realism. Our program will address the perception of motion, color, polarization, form, and objects, as well as complex visually guided behaviors such as navigation and courtship. The program promises to have historic impact by helping to refound theoretical and computational neuroscience on the bedrock of twenty-first century brain maps. Senior participants include Axel Borst (MPG), Dimitri Chklovskii (Flatiron), Damon Clark (Yale), Carina Curto (Brown), Tobi Delbruck (INI-UZH), Dezhe Jin (Penn State), and Shih-chii Liu (INI-UZH). The program will benefit from interactions with experimental research on fly neural circuits and connectomics at Princeton and other universities in the New York metropolitan area. We invite applications for membership in the special year program from researchers at all career levels. Post-doctoral membership is for one year with the possibility of extension. Postdocs receive full stipend support and are free to select their own research topics. Sabbatical membership can be from one term to the entire academic year, and is for researchers with faculty or equivalent independent positions. Partial stipend support may be available, depending on the amount of support being provided by the member’s home institution, or by an outside fellowship. The deadline for applications is rolling. We will begin reviewing applications on January 15 and continue until the positions are filled. Applicants should submit: * a CV that includes a list of publications, * and a research statement explaining interest in the topic of the special year. * Post-doctoral applicants should also request three letters of recommendation. All materials should be emailed to Audrey Smerkanich at audrey(a)ias.edu<mailto:audrey@ias.edu>. The subject line of the email should say “Special Year on Modeling Fly Vision.”

Jan. 30, 2026

Studies in the neuroscience of natural interactive behavior (*** TIME SENSITIVE ***)

by Paul Cisek

Studies in the neuroscience of natural interactive behavior Department of Neuroscience, University of Montreal *** NOTE: Due to the recent announcement of the Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards, which have an extremely short time window, candidates are encouraged to contact me immediately. Inquiries received before Tuesday, February 3rd, 2006, will be given special consideration. *** Applications are invited for doctoral or postdoctoral training in systems neuroscience in the laboratory of Paul Cisek at the University of Montreal. Our lab studies the neural mechanisms of decision-making and interactive behavior using a combination of computational modeling and experimental techniques in humans and non-human primates. The successful applicant will lead innovative new experiments that examine how decisions are made during naturalistic foraging behavior. This will involve wireless multi-electrode recordings in the cerebral cortex and basal ganglia in two behavioral scenarios: 1) in a controlled virtual reality setting; and 2) during unconstrained behavior in a large enclosure equipped with cameras for automated motion capture. Depending on the trainee's qualifications and interests, they will help to design and conduct behavioral and neurophysiological experiments, analyze data, develop computational models of neural systems, prepare manuscripts for publication and participate in international conferences. Prior experience in experimental and/or computational neuroscience is highly desirable, but we encourage applications from all students with a strong background in biology, psychology and/or mathematics and a passion for systems-level study of the brain. For more information, see: https://cisek.org/pavel/. Interested candidates are asked to send a curriculum vita, copies of academic transcripts, a statement of research interests and the names and contact information for two references. Please send materials by email to Paul Cisek (paul.cisek(a)umontreal.ca<mailto:paul.cisek@umontreal.ca>). Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, but preference will be given to applications received before March 6th, 2026. Paul Cisek, PhD Département de neurosciences Université de Montréal Physical: 2960 chemin de la tour, local 4117 Montréal, QC H3T 1J4 CANADA Mailing: CP 6128 Succursale centre-ville, Montréal, QC H3C 3J7 CANADA e-mail: paul.cisek(a)umontreal.ca<mailto:paul.cisek@umontreal.ca> Web: www.cisek.org/pavel<http://www.cisek.org/pavel>

Jan. 30, 2026

Fwd: Call for applications: PCN 2026 - Primate Cognitive Neuroscience Summer School 2026

by Igor Kagan

-------- Forwarded Message -------- Subject: Call for applications: PCN 2026 - Primate Cognitive Neuroscience Summer School 2026 Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2026 00:20:56 +0100 From: GTPN <GTPN(a)dpz.eu> To: GTPN <GTPN(a)dpz.eu> Dear colleagues,* * I would like to draw your attention to our Summer School for Primate Cognitive Neuroscience 2026, organized by Hans Scherberger, Alexander Gail, Igor Kagan, Raymundo Báez-Mendoza, and Stefan Treue from the German Primate Center in Göttingen, taking place July 26 - August 07, 2026, in Bad Bevensen, Germany (see: http://www.dpz.eu/pcn2026) In light of the approaching deadline for application (February 28, 2026), I would be grateful if you could distribute this information to suitable PhD students and postdocs in your reach. This Summer School is for PhD students and early postdocs from the field of primate cognitive and systems neuroscience working with non-human primates and will provide an outstanding training and networking opportunity for young researchers. Teaching will focus on cognitive processes in primate sensory and motor systems as well as on social settings and decision making, and will include important and novel results and methodologies. Topics of animal welfare, ethics, and media outreach will also be covered. A poster presentation about current research of the participant is expected. Student selection is competitive! Since this School is partially funded, only a reduced participation fee is required (1000 EUR) for this 10-day course. Also, a limited number of travel grants might be available for international participants. I would be very grateful if you could forward this information to suitable PhD students and postdocs in your lab and to other labs. With best regards, Hans Scherberger (on behalf of all organizers; sorry in case of multiple postings!) -- Dr. Igor Kagan Head of Decision and Awareness Group, German Primate Center (DPZ) Kellnerweg 4, Goettingen 37077, Germany

Jan. 29, 2026

PhD/Postdoc opportunities | Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards

by Lyle Muller

The Canada Impact+ Research Training Awards<https://sshrc-crsh.canada.ca/en/funding/opportunities/canada-impact-plus-re…> have been announced to recruit international or returning Canadian graduate students and postdoctoral researchers to Canada. Applications are invited for this program to work at the Fields Lab for Network Computation<http://www.fields.utoronto.ca/activities/fields-lab-network-computation> (Toronto, ON). Applicants can work with Lyle Muller (Department of Mathematics, Western University) or Roberto Budzinski (Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge). Research will involve collaborations analyzing neural recordings and developing theoretical approaches to computation in neural networks. In collaboration with multi-disciplinary teams, researchers will bring together tools and techniques from data science, machine learning, and applied mathematics. The project may include intermittent travel between labs to present results and facilitate collaborative work. Recent publications from the lab include: Davis Z*, Muller L*, Martinez-Trujillo J, Sejnowski TJ, Reynolds J (2020) Spontaneous traveling cortical waves gate perception. Nature 587: 432 – 436.<https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-020-2802-y> Benigno G, Budzinski RB, Davis Z, Reynolds J, Muller L (2023) Waves traveling over a map of visual space can ignite short-term predictions of sensory input. Nature Communications 14: 3409.<https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-39076-2> Busch A*, Roussy M*, … Mináč J, Sachs AJ, Palaniyappan L, Muller L*, Martinez-Trujillo JC* (2024) Neuronal activation sequences in lateral prefrontal cortex encode visuospatial working memory during virtual navigation. Nature Communications 15: 4471.<https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-48664-9> Budzinski RC*, Busch AN*, Mestern S, Martin E, Liboni LHB, Pasini FW, Mináč J, Coleman T, Inoue W, Muller L (2024) An exact mathematical description of computation with transient spatiotemporal dynamics in a complex-valued neural network. Communications Physics 7: 239.<https://www.nature.com/articles/s42005-024-01728-0> Liboni LHB*, Budzinski RC*, Busch AN*, Löwe S, Keller TA, Welling M, Muller L (2025) Image segmentation with traveling waves in an exactly solvable recurrent neural network. PNAS 122: e2321319121.<https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2321319121> Prior experience with scientific computing, signal analysis, or applied mathematics is preferred. The Universities offer an excellent research environment and support. Candidates can write to lmuller2(a)uwo.ca or roberto.budzinski(a)uleth.ca with a CV and short statement of interest. The deadline for applications to potential supervisors is 4 February 2026. -- Lyle Muller http://mullerlab.ca

Jan. 29, 2026

Transatlantic Behavioural Neuroscience School, Aug 11-22nd, Mikolajki, Poland

by Mateusz Kostecki

Hello! We are happy to announce the fifth edition of our Transatlantic Behavioural Neuroscience School! This year we are coming back to Nencki Research Station in Mikołajki. We have one: to teach young researchers everything they need to design and build their own behavioural setups, conduct complex experiments and analyze their data using open software and hardware. Our school is divided in five blocks: - *3D printing*, where you will have an opportunity to learn the theory necessary to take full advantage of this technique and how to use Autodesk Fusion software to design elements of your behavioural setup - *Electronics and Arduino*, that is intended to provide the skills necessary to understand the design of devices used in behavioural research; it will also teach how to build and program such devices - among others, optogenetics laser controllers, automated doors, stimulus delivery systems and devices used for synchronizing data streams - *Bonsai* module that aims at teaching you how to use Bonsai to track your animals, conduct closed-loop experiments with Arduino and analyze your data - *Deeplabcut* *and machine learning*, where you will gain an in-depth understanding of the DL tools used in behavioural science and learn how to apply them to extract interesting information from your data - *Project* is the module where you will apply all the knowledge gained during the course to build a 3D-printed setup for studying phototactic behaviour in Drosophila, conduct experiments and analyze the data School will be also composed of a series of lectures by researchers studying animal behaviour on different model systems and with different approaches. PhD students and early-stage researchers are especially encouraged to apply. *We provide partial or full travel grants and fee waivers for participants who cannot cover the costs. *This year,*thanks to collaboration with FENS*, European students will be also able to obtain travel grants and fee waivers. Please find more info here - https://nenckiopenlab.org/tbnss2026/. Best, Mateusz Kostecki -- --- Mateusz Kostecki PhD Student Knapska Laboratory Nencki Institute 02-093 Warsaw, Pasteura 3, Poland https://twitter.com/mtkostecki https://evolvingbehavior.blog/

Jan. 26, 2026

World wide VVTNS series (6th season): Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at 11:00 am ET - Farzan Nadim, New Jersey Institute of Technology

by David Hansel

[image: VVTNS.png] https://www.wwtns.online <https://streaklinks.com/A9c7PbbpKY7PxB6PaAJWGD3-/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wwtns.on…> - on twitter: wwtns@TheoreticalWide You are cordially invited to the lecture Farzan Nadim New Jersey Institute of Technology on the topic of *Convergent comodulation: Rules and influence on circuit output* The lecture will be held on zoom on January 28, 2026, at *11:00 am ET * > To receive the link: https://www.wwtns.online/register-page > *Abstract: *Neural circuits are continuously under the influence of multiple chemical neuromodulators. The prevalent view is that neuromodulation increases the flexibility of circuit output. However, different modulators can have overlapping cellular and subcellular targets, and thus convergence and occlusion may limit the repertoire of possible circuit states. We propose a complementary view that convergent comodulation may result in a more consistent circuit activity that, with increasing numbers of modulators, becomes less dependent on the specific identity of the modulators involved. We examine this hypothesis in the crustacean stomatogastric ganglion, where multiple excitatory neuropeptides activate the same ionic current and have similar effects on synapsesNeural circuits are continuously under the influence of multiple chemical neuromodulators. The prevalent view is that neuromodulation increases the flexibility of circuit output. However, different modulators can have overlapping cellular and subcellular targets, and thus convergence and occlusion may limit the repertoire of possible circuit states. We propose a complementary view that convergent comodulation may result in a more consistent circuit activity that, with increasing numbers of modulators, becomes less dependent on the specific identity of the modulators involved. We examine this hypothesis in the crustacean stomatogastric ganglion, where multiple excitatory neuropeptides activate the same ionic current and have similar effects on synapses. *About VVTNS : Launched as the World Wide Theoretical Neuroscience Seminar (WWTNS) in November 2020 and renamed in homage to Carl van Vreeswijk in Memoriam (April 20, 2022), Speakers have the occasion to talk about theoretical aspects of their work which cannot be discussed in a setting where the majority of the audience consists of experimentalists. The seminars, **held on Wednesdays at 11 am ET,** are 45-50 min long followed by a discussion. The talks are recorded with authorization of the speaker and are available to everybody on our YouTube channel.* ᐧ

Jan. 26, 2026

Touch Science and Engineering NEUROBRIDGE Symposium - Feb 25, 2026

by Calogero Maria Oddo

Dear Colleagues, we are pleased to announce the Symposium on Touch Science and Engineering, organized within the NEUROBRIDGE Winter School on Neurosciences and Neurotechnologies, which will take place on February 25th, 2026 (h. 9-18) at Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa, Italy (https://maps.app.goo.gl/Ny26ntUPx8ZM3vFk7) The symposium will bring together leading researchers in sensory neuroscience, bioelectronics, neuromorphic engineering, haptics, and neurotechnologies, addressing both fundamental mechanisms of touch and translational applications in robotics, prosthetics, and human-machine interaction. The scientific program includes two main sessions: * Sensory Neuroscience and Touch Engineering (h. 9-13), chaired by Silvestro Micera and Calogero Maria Oddo * Translational Applications of Touch Science and Engineering (h. 14-18), chaired by Solaiman Shokur and Mariangela Filosa Confirmed invited speakers include internationally recognized experts, such as Nitish Thakor, Johan Wessberg, Henrik Jörntell, Michela Tosetti, Maurizio Valle, Maria Cristina Dadarlat, Antonello Grippo, Alcimar Soares Barbosa, Jean Faber, Gionata Salvietti and student talks, from institutions such as Johns Hopkins University, Lund University, Purdue University, University of Gothenburg, Federal University of Uberlândia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo and leading Italian research centers and universities. Topics will range from microneurography, neuromorphic encoding, and artificial skin technologies to neural interfaces, robotic palpation, and emotional touch in human-robot interaction. The symposium aims to foster interdisciplinary discussion across neuroscience and engineering communities and to stimulate new collaborations at the interface between science, technology, clinical applications and industrial spillovers. Participation is free and open to interested researchers, students, and professionals. Please use the following link to register and indicate videoconference or in person attendance: https://forms.office.com/e/B8v16hsjaJ The symposium on Touch Science and Engineering is part of the plan of scientific and educational activities of the NEUROBRIDGE project (TNE 23-0034) on neurosciences and neurotechnologies, supported by the Italian Ministry for Universities and Research within the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, Mission 4, Component 1, Investment 3.4, Advanced university teaching and skills, Sub-measure T4 «Transnational Educational Initiatives (TNE)». We would be grateful if you could circulate this announcement within your networks. Kind regards, Calogero Maria Oddo - calogero.oddo(a)santannapisa.it Silvestro Micera - silvestro.micera(a)santannapisa.it -- Calogero M. Oddo, PhD (‪Scholar‬<https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=it&user=y1rffgkAAAAJ&view_op=list_w…>, Scopus<https://www.scopus.com/authid/detail.uri?authorId=16176089500>) Associate Professor of Bioengineering, Sant'Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa, Italy https://www.santannapisa.it/en/calogero-maria-oddo http://www.santannapisa.it/en/neuro-robotic-touch-laboratory Vice-Director, Centro Interdisciplinare Linceo Giovani https://www.lincei.it/en/oddo-calogero-maria email: calogero.oddo(a)santannapisa.it<mailto:calogero.oddo@santannapisa.it> While it suits me to email now, I do not expect a reply outside of your own working hours.

Jan. 25, 2026

AIces 2026: early registration February 3

by David Silva - IRDTA

****************************************************** 1st INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL ON THE COGNITIVE, ETHICAL AND SOCIETAL DIMENSIONS OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AIces 2026 Porto – Maia, Portugal March 30 – April 2, 2026 https://aices.irdta.eu/2026/ ****************************************************** Co-organized by: University of Maia Institute for Research Development, Training and Advice – IRDTA Luxembourg/London ****************************************************** Early registration: February 3, 2026 ****************************************************** SCOPE: AIces 2026 will be the first in a series of research training events aiming at updating participants on the most recent multidisciplinary discussions about the foundations, meaning, challenges and risks of AI. The event will have a global scope along 3 thematic lines: cognition, ethics, and society. It will cover current debates about: AI and philosophy of mind; cognitive architectures; machine learning and cognitive development; large language models and visual information; robotics and embodied cognition; neuroscience-inspired AI; algorithmic bias and fairness; transparency and explainability; accountability and responsibility; privacy and surveillance; autonomy and control; AI impact on human values and social inequalities; the future of work and automation; governance, regulation and public policies; AI, human rights and democracy; AI and global development; information and AI education. The event will consist of 10 courses, 2 keynote lectures, 3 symposia collecting short contributions from participants, and 2 individual presentations on debated topics. Renowned academics and industry pioneers will lecture and share their views with the audience. The organizers are convinced that outstanding speakers will attract the brightest and most motivated students. Face to face interaction and networking will be main ingredients of the event. It will be also possible to fully participate in vivo remotely. ADDRESSED TO: Graduate students, postgraduate students and industry practitioners will be typical profiles of participants. However, there are no formal pre-requisites for attendance in terms of academic degrees, so people less or more advanced in their career will be welcome as well. Since there will be a variety of levels, specific knowledge background may be assumed for some of the courses. Overall, AIces 2026 is addressed to students, researchers and practitioners who want to keep themselves updated about recent developments and future trends. All will surely find it fruitful to listen to and discuss with major researchers, industry leaders and innovators. VENUE: AIces 2026 will take place in Porto, the second largest city in Portugal, recognized by UNESCO in 1996 as a World Heritage Site. The venue will be: University of Maia Avenida Carlos de Oliveira Campos - Castêlo da Maia 4475-690 Maia Porto, Portugal https://www.umaia.pt/en STRUCTURE: 2 courses will run in parallel during the whole event. Participants will be able to freely choose the courses they wish to attend as well as to move from one to another. Full live online participation will be possible. The organizers highlight, however, the importance of face to face interaction and networking in this kind of research training event. All lectures will be videorecorded. Participants will be able to watch them again for 45 days after the event. KEYNOTE SPEAKERS: David Danks (University of Virginia), Trustworthy AI in an Untrustworthy World Ming Lin (University of Maryland), Socially Responsible and Trustworthy AI PROFESSORS AND COURSES: Ricardo Baeza-Yates (KTH Royal Institute of Technology & Pompeu Fabra University), [introductory] Introduction to Responsible AI Susan Brennan (Stony Brook University), [introductory/advanced] Where Are the Humans in Human-Centered AI? Thomas Breuel (Nvidia Research), [introductory] Facts and Rules in LLMs Carlos Castillo (Pompeu Fabra University), [introductory] Algorithmic Fairness in High-Risk AI Applications Alan Dix (Cardiff Metropolitan University), [introductory] AI for Social Justice Elia Formisano (Maastricht University), [introductory/intermediate] Auditory Cognition in Humans and Machines Marijn Janssen (Delft University of Technology), [introductory/advanced] Data and AI Governance - From Control to Trust Christian Lebiere (Carnegie Mellon University), [intermediate] Computational Cognitive Models of Human-AI Teaming Paul Smolensky (Johns Hopkins University), [intermediate/advanced] Symbol Processing in Transformers and Other Neural Networks Savannah Thais (City University of New York), [intermediate/advanced] Measurement for Safer AI SYMPOSIA: A symposium will collect 10-minute voluntary presentations on any of the 3 thematic areas of the event: cognition, ethics, and society. A 1-page abstract containing the title, authors, and summary of the presentation must be sent to david(a)irdta.eu by February 28, 2026. Only registered participants can contribute to symposia. INDIVIDUAL PRESENTATIONS ON DEBATED TOPICS: 50-minute individual presentations will be scheduled for any of the 3 thematic areas of the school: cognition, ethics, and society. A 2-page expression of interest including the topic to be debated must be sent to david(a)irdta.eu by December 30, 2025. Only registered participants are eligible for individual presentations. SPONSORS: Companies/institutions/organizations willing to be sponsors of the event can download the sponsorship leaflet from https://aices.irdta.eu/2026/sponsors/ ORGANIZING COMMITTEE: Samuel Anjos (Maia, social networks) Osheen Jain (London, communications) José Paulo Marques dos Santos (Maia, local chair) Carlos Martín-Vide (Tarragona, program chair) Santiago Montes (Tarragona, webpage) Sara Morales (Luxembourg) José Luís Reis (Maia) Luís Paulo Reis (Porto) David Silva (London, organization chair) REGISTRATION: It has to be done at https://aices.irdta.eu/2026/registration/ The selection of 6 courses requested in the registration template is only tentative and non-binding. For logistical reasons, it will be helpful to have an estimation of the respective demand for each course. Since the capacity of the venue is limited, registration requests will be processed on a first come first served basis. The registration period will be closed and the on-line registration tool disabled when the capacity of the venue will have got exhausted. It is highly recommended to register prior to the event. FEES: Fees comprise access to all program activities and lunches. There are several early registration deadlines. Fees depend on the registration deadline. The fees for on site and for online participation are the same. ACCOMMODATION: Accommodation suggestions will be available in due time at https://aices.irdta.eu/2026/accommodation/ CERTIFICATE: A certificate of successful participation in the event will be delivered indicating the number of hours of academic activities. This should be sufficient for those participants who plan to request ECTS recognition from their home university. QUESTIONS AND FURTHER INFORMATION: david(a)irdta.eu ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: Universidade da Maia Universidade do Porto Universitat Rovira i Virgili Institute for Research Development, Training and Advice – IRDTA, Luxembourg/London

Jan. 24, 2026

Call for Abstracts: 35th Annual Computational Neuroscience Meeting (CNS*2026), Halifax, Canada, July 11-15, 2026

by Rubchinsky, Leonid L

We are inviting abstracts for the 35th Annual Computational Neuroscience Meeting (CNS*2026), which will be in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, July 11-15, 2026. The main meeting begins on the evening of Saturday, July 11, and runs through Tuesday, July 14. It will be preceded by a day of tutorials (Saturday, July 11) and followed by workshops (Tuesday, July 14 mixed with the main meeting, and Wednesday, July 15 workshops only). Registration and abstract submission are open. Abstract submission deadline: March 11, 2026. Note that one of the authors must register as a sponsoring author for the main meeting before abstract submission. In case the abstract is not accepted for presentation, the registration fee will be refunded. Submitted abstracts are used for creating the program and for publication. Please follow the formatting guidelines on the submission site. Travel awards are available for student and postdoc members of OCNS. Please apply for support during the abstract submission, and note that an extended abstract is required when applying for a travel award or oral presentation format. Registration: https://ocns.memberclicks.net/cns-2026-registration Abstract submission for main meeting: https://www.cnsorg.org/cns-2026-abstract-submission CNS*2025 meeting information: https://www.cnsorg.org/cns-2026 Workshop proposals are being accepted at: https://www.cnsorg.org/cns-2026-call-for-workshops. Priority Deadline for proposals: February 2, 2026. Tutorial proposals are being accepted at: https://www.cnsorg.org/cns-2026-call-for-tutorials. Deadline for proposals: February 2, 2026. With kind regards, Leonid Rubchinsky OCNS Vice President, on behalf of the OCNS Board of Directors *********************** Leonid Rubchinsky, PhD Professor Department of Mathematical Sciences, Indiana University Indianapolis Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine 402 N. Blackford St Indianapolis, IN 46202-3216 lrubchin(a)iu.edu math.indianapolis.iu.edu/~lrubchin/ ***********************

Jan. 23, 2026

Bio-inspired deep learning workshop 2026

by Maximilian Eggl

Dear all, We are pleased to announce a workshop on bio-inspired deep learning led by Prof. Elisa Donati (link to her website can be seen here <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.edonati.com/__;!!D9dNQwwGXtA!XP8JYw…>) from the University of Zurich and ETHZ, Zurich and funded by the support of the Joachim Herz Foundation. The workshop will take place from the 9th to the 12th of June, 2026, near Mainz, Germany. This workshop will provide attendees with a unique opportunity to learn from one of the leading experts in the field and explore the intersection of mathematical modelling, machine learning, and data analysis to understand how the brain works. We believe this workshop will be of great interest to those wishing to learn how recent advances in bio-inspired small 'shadow networks' and feature engineering allow us interface with the nervous system. Furthermore, you will learn how these systems can be used to build closed-loop hybrid artificial and biological neural processing systems. More information on the workshop and a link to the application can be linked flyer (which can be found here <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/33cjfh72go0f78d2…>). You can also directly access the application <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd_BDJ…>here <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdbLgX…>. The deadline for the application is the 2nd of March at 12:00 (CET). Accommodation, meals, and venue are all paid for by the Joachim Herz Foundation. If you have any questions or are interested in attending this workshop, please do not hesitate to contact either Max at meggl(a)umh.es <mailto:meggl@umh.es> or Pietro at verzep(a)uni-bonn.de <mailto:verzep@uni-bonn.de>. I would also be grateful if you could forward this to anyone you think would be interested and advertise it in your institutions. We look forward to seeing you there! Sincerely, Max & Pietro ******************************************** Maximilian Eggl, PhD La Caixa Junior Leader Fellow | CSIC - Spanish National Research Council Instituto de Neurociencias, CSIC/Universidad Miguel Hernandez, Alicante, Spain Web: mfeggl.github.io ********************************************

Jan. 21, 2026

PhD in cross-species Computational Cognitive Neuroscience at Trinity College Dublin

by Konstantinos Tsetsos

TCD is inviting applications for a fully funded PhD position in cross-species Computational Cognitive Neuroscience, combining OPM-MEG experiments and anatomy-infused neural network modelling of cognition. Overview The purpose of this role is to undertake a PhD investigating “Cross-species mechanisms of evidence accumulation along prefrontal cortical gradients” in the Research Groups of Dr. Seán Froudist-Walsh (50%) and Prof. Konstantinos Tsetsos (50%). Mice and humans differ strikingly in evidence-accumulation behaviour: mice often integrate information optimally and with minimal leak, whereas humans show systematic recency biases. This project develops a mechanistic, cross-species account of these differences by examining how aspects of the stimulus presentation interact with prefrontal cortical architecture. The student will combine new human OPM-MEG experiments, anatomy-informed neuro-AI model development and comparative analyses across species. Training & Environment Based at the TCD Institute of Neuroscience, the PhD student will receive training in: • Experimental design, acquisition, and analysis of human OPM-MEG experiments • Neuroanatomy and physiology - Analysing prefrontal gradients across species • Computational modelling of behaviour and neural circuits • Neuro-AI model development integrating species-specific neuroanatomy The PhD student will also get the opportunity for research visits to the University of Oxford, where 50% of the Cognition, Anatomy & Neural Networks lab is based. Further Information & Application Full Job description and details of how to apply: https://www.tcd.ie/media/tcd/scss/pdfs/Job-Description---PhD-Studentship-in… If you're from a low socioeconomic background, and/or another underrepresented community, we'd love to hear from you. DEADLINE: 5/February/2026

Jan. 20, 2026

Open PhD position at Forschungszentrum Jülich

by Johanna Senk

PhD Position - Multi-Scale Data-Driven Model of Synaptic Function and Resilience The aim of this PhD project is to build a multi-scale model linking molecular renewal to functional properties of synapses to study the relationship between synaptic resilience and the reliability of synaptic responses. The work primarily involves mathematical modeling and numerical simulation, but also the analysis of experimental datasets for model validation. The position is offered in the team of Dr. Johanna Senk at the Institute for Advanced Simulation - Computational and Systems Neuroscience IAS-6, https://go.fzj.de/future-simulation-architectures in the context of the Collaborative Research Centre (Sonderforschungsbereich) 1286 https://www.sfb1286.de and in close collaboration with Universitätsmedizin Göttingen, Germany, and the University of Sussex, UK. There is also an opportunity for a research stay at the University of Sussex. For further details and instructions on how to apply, please visit: https://www.fz-juelich.de/en/careers/jobs/2026D-007 Informal enquiries about this opportunity are highly encouraged and can be sent to Dr. Johanna Senk (j.senk(a)fz-juelich.de) -- Dr. Johanna Senk Institute for Advanced Simulation (IAS-6) Computational and Systems Neuroscience Jülich Research Centre, Juelich, Germany --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH 52425 Jülich Sitz der Gesellschaft: Jülich Eingetragen im Handelsregister des Amtsgerichts Düren Nr. HR B 3498 Vorsitzender des Aufsichtsrats: MinDir Stefan Müller Geschäftsführung: Prof. Dr. Astrid Lambrecht (Vorsitzende), Karsten Beneke (stellv. Vorsitzender), Dr. Ir. Pieter Jansens --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jan. 20, 2026

Special Issue on Information Storage, Compression and Prediction in Deep Neural Networks

by Nicola Catenacci

Dear colleagues, We invite you to submit to the special issue on "Mathematical Understanding of Information Storage, Compression and Prediction in Neural Networks" (more details can be found here: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/59300) *- The journal(s) -* The special issue is hosted by (alternatively): - Frontiers in Computational Neuroscience (Impact Factor - 2.3, CiteScore - 5.0), or - Frontiers in Neuroinformatics (Impact Factor - 2.5, CiteScore - 5.5). *- Research Topic -* Regardless of their success, today, deep neural networks (NNs) are still used as a "black box", meaning the inner workings or detailed explanations of how they arrive at their output are not revealed. Currently, we still do not have the mathematical tools to fully understand the formal properties of these networks and their limitations. Improving our theoretical understanding of NNs is particularly important today, as these tools are being deployed in an increasing number of safety-critical scenarios, necessitating constant scrutiny of their behavior. The goal of the special issue is to investigate the mathematical frameworks that enable a better understanding of how information is learned and represented within a neuralnetwork, including the study of existing approaches that go in this direction. *- Call for Papers -* We invite researchers to present manuscripts focusing on the mathematical analysis of deep neural networks, including their information-theoretic interpretation and their statistical limits. The areas relevant to this special issue include, but are not limited to: - Theory of Deep Feed-forward and Recurrent NNs - Information-theoretic principles and interpretation of NNs - The Information Bottleneck and deep learning - Compression in Deep Neural Networks - The analysis of pattern and memory storage in NNs - Deep NNs for brain-inspired machine learning and biological modeling - Statistical Physics of deep neural networks - Dynamical Systems Modeling of NNs - Neural Network Dynamics and Stability - Generalization and Regularization in NNs - Learning Theory and Neural Networks - Mathematical Models of Learning and Plasticity - Neural Network Interpretability and Explainability - Energy-Based Models in Deep Learning - Neural Network Compression, Pruning, Sparsity and Efficient Computing - Mathematics of Self-Supervised Deep Learning - Optimization Landscapes and Loss Surface Analysis - Neural Network Generalization and Overparameterization - Mathematical Theories of Transformers and Attention Mechanisms - Theoretical Foundations of Transfer Learning and Domain Adaptation Manuscript Submission Deadline: 15 March 2026. *- Topic Editors -* Giorgio Gosti, Italian National Research Council (CNR), Italy ( giorgio.gosti(a)cnr.it) Nicola Catenacci Volpi, University of Hertfordshire, United Kingdom ( n.catenacci-volpi(a)herts.ac.uk) Nilesh Goel, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, United Arab Emirates *-----------------------------------* Dr. Nicola Catenacci Volpi, PhD Research Fellow in Information Theory for AI & Robotics Adaptive Systems Research Group The University of Hertfordshire Department of Computer Science College Lane Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL10 9AB United Kingdom E-mail: n.catenacci-volpi(a)herts.ac.uk

Jan. 20, 2026

PhD opportunities in computational & theoretical neuroscience at Bocconi (deadline 5 Feb 2026)

by Alessandro Sanzeni

Hi all, A quick reminder that applications are open for the PhD in Statistics and Computer Science at Bocconi University (Milan, Italy). The program is fully funded (4 years) and offers an interdisciplinary environment connecting statistics, computer science, and data-driven modeling. In our group/area, research in neuroscience combines theoretical modeling (physics- and ML-inspired) with the analysis of experimental data to study how the brain processes information, learns, and remembers. Ongoing projects include visual processing and learning mechanisms, in collaboration with experimental groups worldwide. Program details and application instructions: * Department of Computing Sciences<https://cs.unibocconi.eu/> * PhD program page<https://www.unibocconi.it/en/programs/phd/phd-statistics-and-computer-scien…> Application deadline: 5 February 2026. If you know strong candidates, I’d be grateful if you could forward this note. And please feel free to reach out for informal inquiries. Best, Alessandro Sanzeni Assistant Professor Department of Computing Sciences Bocconi University, Milan, Italy

Jan. 20, 2026

EMBO Workshop on Dendrites and beyond: properties, function and contributions to network processing

by marouso_velissariou＠imbb.forth.gr

DENDRITES 2026 EMBO Workshop on Dendrites and beyond: properties, function and contributions to network processing 19-22 May 2026, Heraklion, Crete, Greece https://meetings.embo.org/event/26-dendrites Dear Colleagues, We are pleased to announce the solicitation of abstracts for short oral or poster presentations at the EMBO Workshop on DENDRITES 2026, which will take place in Heraklion, Crete, on 19-22 May 2026. This is the 6th in a very successful series of meetings on the island of Crete dedicated to dendrites. The meeting will bring together scientific leaders from around the globe to present their theoretical and experimental work on dendrites. The meeting program is designed to facilitate discussions of new ideas and discoveries in a relaxed atmosphere that emphasizes interaction. Please register and submit your abstract online at: https://meetings.embo.org/event/26-dendrites No payment is required for abstract submission. Submissions of abstracts are due by February 1st, 2026 Notifications will be provided by February 28th, 2026 Registration payment due by March 15th, 2026 Potential attendees are strongly encouraged to submit an abstract as presenters will have registration priority. For more information about the conference, please refer to our web site or send email to embo2026(a)artion.com.gr We look forward to seeing you in person at DENDRITES 2026! The organizers, Panayiota Poirazi, Lucy Palmer, Mark Harnett -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

Jan. 20, 2026

[Newsletter RTAIM] 24th RTAIM Online Seminar | Call Abstract: 6th International Conference on Philosophy of Mind | 04-08 May 2025, Uni. Porto

by steven gouveia

Dear All, You are welcome to attend the 24th rTAIM Online Seminar, with the participation of MAIRA DE CINQUE (University of Canada West, Canada), 21 January 2026, 5:00pm - 6:30pm (Lisbon Time) via Microsoft Teams with the title “Linguistic Self-Correction in the Age of AI". Link available: https://ifilosofia.up.pt/activities/seminar-24-rtaim Or: * Link: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/3421342035921?p=KnbYrpwPDoDET8dCM6 * ID: 3421342035921 * Password: yS3BU9rq Moreover, the Call for Abstract for the 6th International Conference on Philosophy of Mind: Artificial Intelligence (6ICPH) 4-8 May 2026 (4-5 May, Online | 6-8 May, in-person), Faculty of Arts and Humanities, University of Porto (Portugal) is now open until the 29 March 2026. Keynotes are (confirmed): * Anil Seth (Uni. Sussex) * Diana I. Pérez (Uni Buenos Aires) * Paul Thagard (Uni. Waterloo) * Gloria Andrada (CSIC, Madrid) * Miguel Pais-Vieira (Uni. Aveiro) * Ângela Leite (Catholic Uni. Portugal) * Marina Trakas (CONICET | Uni. Lisbon) Full information here: https://ifilosofia.up.pt/activities/6-international-conference-philosophy-m… New book out: “Ethics in Artificial Intelligence: A Multidisciplinary Approach”, Ethics Press. Info: https://ethicspress.com/products/ethics-in-artificial-intelligence. Sincerely yours, RTAIM Team

Jan. 20, 2026

CAJAL Course on Quantitative Approaches to Behavior and Virtual Reality 2026

by Daniel McNamee

*CAJAL Advanced Neuroscience Training Course: Quantitative Approaches to Behavior and Virtual Reality 2026*. This intensive course is a unique opportunity for early-career researchers interested in this field. Hosted at the *Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown*, this three-week course focuses on acquiring, analyzing, and modeling *behavioral data* and integrating it with neurobiological information, using *translational methodologies* that can be applied across species—from simple model organisms to humans—to broaden experimental and research capabilities. *Location:* Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Lisbon, Portugal *Dates:* 7 - 26 June 2026 *Application Deadline:* 13 February 2026 *Apply now:* https://cajal-training.org/on-site/quantitative-approaches-to-behavior-and-… <https://cajal-training.org/on-site/quantitative-approaches-to-behaviour-and…> *Course Directors* - *Ann Kennedy* – Scripps Research, USA - *Daniel McNamee* – Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Portugal - *Giorgio Gilestro* – Imperial College London, UK *Course Themes & Topics* This course will focus on the following key frontier areas: - Behavioral data acquisition and analysis; - Modeling behavioral dynamics; - Integration with neurobiological data; - Experimental design and independent projects; - Translational and cross-species approaches. *Keynote Speakers Include:* - Andre Brown (Imperial College London, UK) - Ahmed El Hady (Max Planck Institute, Germany) - Andrew Straw (University of Freiburg, Germany) - Barbara Webb (University of Edinburgh, UK) - Ben De Bivort (Harvard University, USA) - Carlos Ribeiro (Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Portugal) - Gordon Berman (Emory College, USA) - Greg J. Stephens (OIST Graduate University, Japan) - Ian Couzin (Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Germany) - Joshua Shaevitz (Princeton University, USA) - Kim Hoke (Colorado State University, USA) - Kristin Branson (HHMI Janelia Research Campus, USA) - Nachum Ulanovsky (Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel) - R. James Cotton (Northwestern University, USA) - Sama Ahmed, University of Washington, USA - Talmo Pereira (The Salk Institute for Biological Studies, USA)

Jan. 19, 2026

Registration Open: Braitenberg 100: Computational Neuroscience - Past, Present, and Future, June 29-July 1, 2026 in Tuebingen, Germany

by Pavlovic, Maria

Dear colleagues, We are delighted to announce that registration is open for a landmark symposium on the occasion of Valentino Braitenberg's 100th birthday in our campus's <https://www.mph.tuebingen.mpg.de/en> Max Planck House, Tübingen, Germany, June 29-July 1st, 2026: <http://www.braitenberg100-theoretical-neuroscience.de/> Braitenberg 100: Computational Neuroscience - Past, Present, and Future The symposium will gather many of the world’s leading experts to celebrate past achievements, showcase current breakthroughs, and brainstorm the future of computational neuroscience. There will be keynote speeches, poster sessions, and various program events to facilitate intellectual exchanges and interactions. -------------------------------- Keynote Speakers Include: Neil Burgess • Patrick Cavanagh • Kathleen Cullen • Peter Dayan • Kenji Doya • Ivan De Araujo • Wulfram Gerstner • Michael Hasselmo • Sabine Kastner • Read Montague • Reza Shadmehr • Naoshige Uchida • Li Zhaoping -------------------------------- To facilitate interactions and discussions, we have a limited capacity of 130 seats. >> Register now at https://app2.edoobox.com/en/MPI/Braitenberg100 <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https:/app2.edoobox.com/en/MPI/Braitenberg100__…> << We look forward to welcoming you to Tübingen for Braitenberg 100—an inspiring celebration of computational neuroscience’s past, present, and future. Warm regards, The Organizing Committee, Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics -------------------------------- Please direct inquiries to <mailto:braitenberg100@tue.mpg.de%0b> braitenberg100(a)tue.mpg.de <http://www.braitenberg100-theoretical-neuroscience.de/> http://www.braitenberg100-theoretical-neuroscience.de/ --------------------------------

Jan. 19, 2026

Fwd: [seminar.wwtns] World wide VVTNS series (6th season): Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at 11:00 am ET - Adrien Peyrache, Mc Gill

by David Hansel

[image: VVTNS.png] https://www.wwtns.online <https://streaklinks.com/A9c7PbbpKY7PxB6PaAJWGD3-/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wwtns.on…> - on twitter: wwtns@TheoreticalWide You are cordially invited to the lecture Adrien Peyrache Mc Gill on the topic of *Building and Using a Cognitive Map* The lecture will be held on zoom on January 21, 2026, at *11:00 am ET * > To receive the link: https://www.wwtns.online/register-page > *Abstract: *The hippocampus is thought to build a cognitive map that supports navigation, memory, and planning, but what defines such a map and how it is used remain debated. In this talk, I will present computational models in which hippocampal-like representations emerge in recurrent neural networks trained to predict sequences of sensory observations. While spatially tuned units reliably arise, they are not sufficient to form a cognitive map. Instead, map-like representations emerge when recurrent dynamics support multi-step prediction, yielding a population-level encoding of environmental geometry. Once learned, these representations can autonomously generate offline trajectories biased by recent experience, capturing key features of hippocampal replay. I will then show how these representations guide behavior in navigation tasks. In a hippocampal–striatal model facing visual ambiguity, access to hippocampal activity enables rapid learning and flexible adaptation. Place-like coding supports self-localization, while population-level hippocampal states can be used to derive intrinsic learning signals that estimate progress toward a remembered goal, improving performance beyond full sensory observability. Together, these results suggest that cognitive maps arise from predictive recurrent dynamics and support behavior through both localization and internally generated learning signals. *About VVTNS : Launched as the World Wide Theoretical Neuroscience Seminar (WWTNS) in November 2020 and renamed in homage to Carl van Vreeswijk in Memoriam (April 20, 2022), Speakers have the occasion to talk about theoretical aspects of their work which cannot be discussed in a setting where the majority of the audience consists of experimentalists. The seminars, **held on Wednesdays at 11 am ET,** are 45-50 min long followed by a discussion. The talks are recorded with authorization of the speaker and are available to everybody on our YouTube channel.* ᐧ

Jan. 18, 2026

New Frontiers in Associative Memory workshop at ICLR 2026

by krotov.a.dmitry＠gmail.com

Dear Friends and Colleagues, ICLR 2026 will host an official workshop on New Frontiers in Associative Memory. Please consider sharing this information with your students and colleagues and submitting your best work related to Associative Memory by February 14, 2026. Workshop website: https://nfam2026.amemory.net. Submissions are open via Open Review: https://openreview.net/group?id=ICLR.cc/2026/Workshop/NFAM. Join us in Rio de Janeiro! Best wishes, Dmitry Krotov

Jan. 18, 2026

AIces 2026

by David Silva - IRDTA

AIces 2026 – International School on the Cognitive, Ethical & Societal Dimensions of AI 📍 Porto–Maia, Portugal | 🗓 March 30 – April 2, 2026 | 🌍 On-site & fully online AIces 2026 is a global, interdisciplinary research training school addressing AI cognition, ethics, and societal impact. The program features 10 advanced courses, 2 keynote lectures, and participant symposia, delivered by leading scholars and industry researchers from institutions such as CMU, Johns Hopkins, NVIDIA Research, KTH, Delft, and more. Topics include: Trustworthy & responsible AI Cognitive architectures and neuroscience-inspired AI Large language models and symbolic processing Algorithmic fairness, governance, and social justice AI, human values, democracy, and the future of work Who should attend: graduate students, researchers, and practitioners from AI, cognitive science, philosophy, ethics, social sciences, and policy. ✔ Full online participation available ✔ Lectures recorded (45-day access) ✔ Certificate of participation 🔗 Website & registration: https://aices.irdta.eu/2026/ ⏳ Early registration deadline: February 3, 2026

Jan. 17, 2026

Open PhD Position at the Institute of Machine Learning and Neural Computation, TU Graz

by Ozan Özdenizci

Dear all, We have an open PhD position in our research group at the Institute of Machine Learning and Neural Computation, Graz University of Technology, Austria. We are offering a 3-year doctoral researcher position focused on reliable and resource-efficient deep learning techniques, with an emphasis on spike-based neural computation in modern learning systems. The doctoral research will address both fundamental and applied algorithmic questions in learning methods and neural architectures. The starting date for the position is April 2026. More information on the position and how to apply: https://www.tugraz.at/institute/iml/institute/open-positions#c725665 Best regards,  Ozan Özdenizci -- Dr. Ozan Özdenizci Assistant Professor Institute of Machine Learning and Neural Computation Graz University of Technology Inffeldgasse 16b/I, 8010 Graz, Austria

Jan. 17, 2026

MODVIS 2026 - Registration and Submission Deadline

by Tim Oleskiw

MODVIS 2026: Computational and Mathematical Models in Vision, a satellite workshop to the 2026 Vision Sciences Society Annual Meeting, will be held during May 13-14 in St. Pete Beach, FL, immediately preceding the conference. Registration is now available through the VSS website:www.visionsciences.org/modvis/ <http://www.visionsciences.org/modvis/> There are three tiers of registration fees for trainees, academic members, and industry professionals: Early (Dec 19 - Feb 27): $80/$160/$200 Standard (Feb 28 - Apr 23): $100/$200/$250 Late (Apr 24 - May 14): $125/$250/$300 MODVIS is currently accepting submissions for oral presentations now through February 16th. Post-deadline submissions may be considered on a space-available basis. The program consists of contributed oral presentations, which are longer and more interactive than a regular VSS talk, and the schedule is designed to provide many opportunities for discussions during coffee breaks and a generous lunch break. The workshop will conclude on Thursday with a keynote lecture by Jonathan Victor (Weill Cornell Medical College). Please seewww.modvis.org <http://www.modvis.org> for further details. On behalf of the MODVIS organizing committee, Tim Oleskiw Assistant Professor University of Regina oleskiw(a)uregina.ca

Jan. 16, 2026

Call for applications: Gatsby Bridging Programme (maths summer school)

by Lin, I-Chun

22 June - 7 August 2026 (London, UK; in-person attendance only) www.ucl.ac.uk/life-sciences/gatsby/study-and-work/gatsby-bridging-programme The Gatsby Computational Neuroscience Unit at UCL is running an intensive, 7-week mathematics summer school "Gatsby Bridging Programme". The programme is designed for penultimate-/final-year undergraduates and Master’s students (incl. recent graduates) who wish to pursue a postgraduate research degree in theoretical neuroscience or foundational machine learning but whose degree course lacks a strong mathematical focus. Participants will attend interactive lectures and actively participate in problem-solving sessions and tutorials to develop a solid grounding in mathematics skills and intuition necessary to enter these fields. We aim to be inclusive and to increase the diversity of students entering both fields. We strongly encourage applications from students in underrepresented groups in Science, Engineering, Technology and Mathematics. A small number of bursaries are available to students who may find it difficult to participate for financial reasons. Applications open on 19 January and close on 16 February 2026 - we may need to stop accepting applications earlier if the number received exceeds our capacity to review. We are hosting an information webinar on Friday 23 January 2026 (10-11AM GMT), featuring programme instructors who will provide an overview of the programme and answer your questions live. You will learn what the programme is about, who the programme is for, what the programme does not cover, how a participant should prepare before the programme starts, etc. This webinar is the perfect opportunity to hear directly from the instructors, ask questions, and gain a deeper understanding of whether the programme is for you and how it may enrich your academic journey. Register for the webinar at https://ucl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_sx5dZdsNRLmys04d4SjXCA#/registration Please help us reach students who may benefit from this programme. Here are some ways in which you can help spread the word: * Distribute this email among colleagues and relevant students. * Share our posts on social media: - Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/gatsbyucl.bsky.social/post/3mchsokhfkk2x - Mastodon: https://neuromatch.social/@GatsbyUCL/115899632244604421 Thank you. Best, I-Chun (Scientific Programme Manager, Gatsby Unit)

Jan. 16, 2026

Second Call for Papers: RaPID-6@MENTAL.ai@LREC 2026: Palma de Mallorca, Spain

by Dim X

****************************************** *Second Call for Papers:* The 6th workshop on: "*Resources and ProcessIng of linguistic, para-linguistic and extra-linguistic Data from * * people with various forms of cognitive/psychiatric/developmental impairments*"* in collaboration with the **MENTAL.ai -consortium* *Workshop*: co-located with LREC 2026 | Palma de Mallorca, Spain | *May 12th*, 2026 RaPID-6(a)MENTAL.ai serves as an interdisciplinary platform for researchers to exchange insights, methods, and experiences related to collecting and processing data from individuals with mental, cognitive, neuropsychiatric, or neurodegenerative impairments. The workshop focuses on creating, processing, and applying such data resources from individuals at different stages and severity levels of these impairments. The ultimate goal of RaPID-6(a)MENTAL.ai is to facilitate the study of relationships among linguistic, paralinguistic, and extra-linguistic observations, with applications ranging from aiding diagnosis to enhancing monitoring and predicting individuals at higher risk, ultimately promoting multidisciplinary collaboration across clinical, language technology, computational linguistics, and computer science communities. *Submission deadline*:* Sun., 22nd of February, *2026 (anywhere on earth) *Paper submission*: https://softconf.com/lrec2026/RaPID-6/user/ *Invited speakers*: *Brian MacWhinney*, Carnegie Mellon University, USA and *Sunny X. Tang*, MD, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, USA *Website and details*: https://spraakbanken.gu.se/rapid-2026 *Contact*: Dimitrios Kokkinakis *Contact email*: dimitrios.kokkinakis(a)gu.se *Organizing committee*: - Dimitrios Kokkinakis, University of Gothenburg, Sweden - Charalambos Themistocleous, University of Oslo, Norway - Gaël Dias, University of Caen Normandie, France - Kathleen C. Fraser, University of Ottawa, Canada - Fredrik Öhman, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sweden - Sebastião Pais, University of Beira Interior, Portugal ******************************************

Jan. 14, 2026

AREADNE 2026 Abstract Submission Open

by John Pezaris

AREADNE 2026 Research in Encoding and Decoding of Neural Ensembles Eliopoulos Conference Center, Milos, Greece 23-27 June 2026 Celebrating 20 Years of AREADNE Conferences http://areadne.org info(a)areadne.org **** SECOND CALL FOR ABSTRACTS **** Abstract submissions for poster presentation at AREADNE 2026 are now open. AREADNE 2026 will bring world-wide scientific leaders to present theoretical and experimental results on the functioning of neuronal ensembles. This, our eleventh meeting, will be held at the Eliopoulos Conference Center in Milos, Greece, and will create an informal and beautiful setting for discussion of cutting-edge ideas and discoveries in an intensive but relaxed forum that emphasizes interaction. For submission details, see http://areadne.org/call-for-abstracts Abstracts for poster presentations are due by 30 January 2026; notifications will be provided by 3 March 2026. We strongly encourage potential attendees to submit an abstract as presenters have registration priority. For information about the conference, please refer to the main web page http://areadne.org or send email to us at info(a)areadne.org. We hope to see you in Milos! --- Nicholas Hatsopoulos John Pezaris AREADNE 2026 Co-Chairs

Jan. 13, 2026

[seminar.wwtns] Three NEW recordings on the VVTNS YouTube channel

by David Hansel

[image: VVTNS.png] > > <https://84454458.streak-link.com/Cu0_UBdOjjGclXV0Egvy9LEt/https%3A%2F%2Fwww…> > https://www.wwtns.online > <https://streaklinks.com/A9c7PbbpKY7PxB6PaAJWGD3-/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wwtns.on…> > - on twitter: wwtns@TheoreticalWide - on Youtube > New on the VVTNS YouTube Channel https://www.wwtns.online/past-seminars-2025-2026 *Building on cortical models* Lecture delivered on December 10, 2025 by Markus Diesmann Jülich Research Centre ----------------------------------------------------------- *Learning mechanistic models that link cells, circuits, and computations * Lecture delivered on December 17, 2025 by Jakob Macke Tubingen University ----------------------------------------------------------- *Towards using large-scale, cross-brain neuronal recordings* *to identify the brain’s internal signals* VVTNS 2026 Opening Lecture delivered on January 7, 2026 by Carlos Brody Princeton Neuroscience Institute *About VVTNS : Launched as the World Wide Theoretical Neuroscience Seminar (WWTNS) in November 2020 and renamed in homage to Carl van Vreeswijk in Memoriam (April 20, 2022), Speakers have the occasion to talk about theoretical aspects of their work which cannot be discussed in a setting where the majority of the audience consists of experimentalists. The seminars, **held on Wednesdays at 11 am ET,** are 45-50 min long followed by a discussion. The talks are recorded with authorization of the speaker and are available to everybody on our YouTube channel.* ᐧ

Jan. 13, 2026

2 PhD positions available on Whole-Brain Neural Mass Modeling and Parameter Estimation

by xkobeleva＠gmail.com

Dear subscribers, I'm happy to announce 2 PhD positions in our Computational Neurology lab located at the Institute for Neural Computation https://www.ini.rub.de/ and Bernstein Node Bochum at Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany. Our group works at the interface of clinical neuroscience (neurostimulation and neurodegenerative diseases) and computational neuroscience (whole-brain network neural mass modeling, parameter inference, control theory), with a strong focus on translational research that connects computational methods to real-world clinical data and patient-oriented questions. Our team is young, motivated, international, and genuinely interdisciplinary, bringing together expertise from medicine, neuroscience, psychology, and quantitative sciences. We invite applications for two PhD projects on network neural mass modeling and parameter inference in neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer's Disease) and in healthy participants. Details can be found here: https://www.ini.rub.de/the_institute/jobs/2_phd_positions_fmd_in_computation al_neurology/, and if you have questions regarding the positions, please reach out to me: https://computationalneurology.com Feel free to forward to anyone who might be interested. Best regards Prof. Dr. Xenia Kobeleva

Jan. 13, 2026

[PhD positions] Ten fully funded Positions on "Curiosity" in Göttingen

by Priesemann, Viola

Are you interested in the neurosciences of curiosity? In Göttingen, we established a Graduate Research and Training School on “Curiosity”, and we are hiring again about 10 PhD students, starting summer 2026. The topics range from computational neuroscience to psychology and AI. The outlines of the project are relatively short, because we do have considerable freedom to shape the together with the PhD student. If you are interested in joining a vibrant and closely interacting PhD research community in Göttingen, feel welcome to apply! https://www.uni-goettingen.de/en/681638.html _____________________ Prof. Dr. Viola Priesemann Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization & Georg-August-University Göttingen Am Fassberg 17, 37077 Göttingen viola.priesemann(a)ds.mpg.de<mailto:viola.priesemann@ds.mpg.de> https://priesemann-group.github.io<https://priesemann-group.github.io/>

Jan. 13, 2026

Multiple Research Positions Open in Computational Neuroscience at IBS, South Korea

by Sungho Hong

Dear Colleagues, Our research group at the Center for Memory and Glioscience, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), South Korea, is seeking highly motivated scientists for open positions at multiple levels, including Postdocs, Senior Researchers, and Research Assistants. Our group studies the biophysical basis of neural information processing through computational modeling, with particular emphasis on developing neuroscience-inspired machine learning/AI (neuroAI) models to analyze and model neuroscience data. We are big fans of physiological mechanisms and investigate how they collectively define the functions of neural systems underlying intelligent behavior. For more information, please see our home page: https://neuroai-ibs.github.io. We closely collaborate with experimental labs both within our Center and abroad, providing rich opportunities for integrative research. We are also located next door to top-notch experimental laboratories in our Center and have various opportunities for scientific exchange with other members of a vibrant neuroscience community in South Korea. We are stably supported internally by IBS, a South Korean government initiative for excellence in basic science research. Successful candidates will hold a PhD (for Postdocs and Senior Researchers) or a Bachelor's degree (for Research Assistants) in neuroscience or related quantitative fields (Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, etc.), with strong interest in understanding neural systems through computational approaches. We are committed to welcoming applicants of all ethnicities, genders, sexual orientations, religions, etc., as well as diverse scientific backgrounds. For further inquiries, please feel free to contact me (sunghohong(a)ibs.re.kr) Including your CV and a brief statement of research interests would be helpful. We would appreciate it if you would be willing to share this post with colleagues who may be interested. Best, Sungho — Sungho Hong Center for Memory and Glioscience Institute for Basic Science 55 Expo-ro, Yuseong-gu Daejeon 34126 South Korea

Jan. 13, 2026

Post-Doc/Engineer position. Pediatric epilepsies caused by genetic mutations

by fabrice.wendling＠inserm.fr

Dear colleagues Please find below an offer for a Post-Doc/Engineer position in our laboratory, starting winter 2026. The candidate will work on a national multidisciplinary project named Innov4epik. This is a hospital-university research project (RHU) involving 10 centers in France (more information: https://epilepsies-innov4epik.com/project/) It focuses on pediatric epilepsies caused by genetic mutations inducing alterations in transmembrane ion channels. Please feel free to circulate this offer to anyone who might be interested in a topic combining electrophysiological signal (LFPs, EEG) processing and computational modeling. Thank you in advance. Warmest regards and best wishes for this new year 2026. Fw --- Fabrice WENDLING DR Inserm LTSI, UMR1099 – Inserm - Université de Rennes Co-dir Cinetyks Team Campus de Beaulieu - 35042 Rennes Cedex - France - Tel: +33 2 23 23 56 05 / 62 20 - +33 6 58 25 75 30 Email: fabrice.wendling(a)inserm.fr https://fabricewendling.github.io/ https://www.galvani-lab.eu/ --------- Post-doc or Research Engineer position offer (ref: RHU2024-Rennes) Epilepsies caused by genetic mutations: signal processing and computational modeling Context. Developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs) are a group of severe rare diseases where the combined effect of seizures, most often drug resistant, and the non-seizures consequences of the disease etiology, often genetic, entail a debilitating encephalopathy with drastic effects on the neurodevelopmental, psychiatric, and motor abilities of the patients. DEEs due to potassium channel mutations (K-DEEs) are emblematic of this disease presentation. Rationale. The mechanisms underlying the relationship between i) the molecular effect of a gene mutation (KCNB1, KCNA2) on specific voltage gated potassium channel function, and ii) the patient-specific phenotypes observed in scalp-recorded EEG signals remain elusive. Computational models inspired from neuronal physiology is now recognized as an efficient way to bridge the gap between i) changes occurring at the level of neurons and neuronal circuits and ii) electroencephalographic (EEG) signals recorded in patients containing markers of the underlying pathology. Objective. The objective of the proposed research position is to design novel neuro-inspired models taking into account the molecular effect of a gene mutation on the specific voltage-gated potassium (K) channel function and on the specific phenotypes observed both in patients (scalp-recorded EEG signals) and genetically-modified mice (local field potentials) in which downregulation or upregulation of K channels is induced. Methods. Both microscopic models (cellular level) based on Hodgkin and Huxley's (HH) formalism and macroscopic models (whole brain based on interconnected Neural Mass Models -NMMs-) will be used. The microscopic model will describe both passive (membrane capacitance, axial resistivity, leakage conductance, and membrane time constant) and active (voltage-gated and ligand-gated ion channels) membrane properties. The channel pathogenic variants of KCNB1 (loss of function) and KCNA2 (gain of function) mutations identified in 2 other work packages (1 & 2) will be inserted in the membrane in order to study the impact of the channel mutation on the firing rate curves of neuron subtypes, specifically pyramidal neurons (PYR), somatostatin (SST), parvalbumin (PV), and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) positive interneurons. Optimization methods will be developed for identifying optimal parameters minimizing the distance between real and simulated electrophysiological signals (LFPs). Results from the detailed model will be transferred to the NMM parameters of our whole-brain model, eCoalia, to simulate patient-specific scalp EEG features. Both models will be developed in Python. Strong background is available (PMID: 33617692, PMID: 40161993, PMID: 38520800). Scientific domains. Engineering (computational, biomedical); EEG; Signal Processing; Neurophysiology; Neuroscience; Neurology; Computer Science (implementation of Python routines into an existing software application named Neocomm(detailed) and eCOALIA(whole-brain)). Scientific environment. This research will benefit from an outstanding clinical research environment, centered around the largest curated K-DEE cohorts, coordinated by the Necker reference center for rare epilepsies (Prof. Rima Nabbout), and assembling an extensive group of experts from various specializations, including clinical, electrophysiological, psychological, computational, translational research, biotechnology and pharma industry. Candidate profile. The research project is at the interface between biomathematics (neuro-inspired models) and neuroscience/neurology (epilepsy). The Post-doc/Engineer fellow (PhD level) will preferably have a strong background in computational neuroscience/systems biology or in electrical engineering with experience in bio-signal processing. Knowledge in electrophysiology and/or EEG analysis would be an asset. Contract The position will be opened February 1st, 2026 (flexible). The contract is for 2 years (flexible). The employer is the University of Rennes. The competitive salary will be according to experience (2350 Euros net, minimum). The candidate will also have access to the French system benefits. Location in the city of Rennes, France. LTSI-Inserm laboratory, University of Rennes. In addition, the hired person will have the opportunity to actively collaborate with other groups involved in the innov4epik RHU project (2024-2029), funded by the French National Research Agency (ANR). Contact (please provide resume, cover letter and email of 2 references) Pascal Benquet (Prof Univ Rennes, LTSI, France) Email: pascal.benquet(a)univ-rennes.fr Fabrice Wendling (DR Inserm, LTSI, France) Email: fabrice.wendling(a)inserm.fr

Jan. 12, 2026

9th Advanced Course on Data Science & Machine Learning - ACDL 2026 - From AI Agents to Agentic AI | June 8-12 | Riva del Sole Resort & SPA - Italy -> ⏰ Early Registration: by 23 February

by ICAS Organizing Committee

* Apologies for multiple copies. Please forward to anybody who might be interested, thanks * ACDL 2026, A Residential Course: From AI Agents to Agentic AI, June 8-12, Tuscany ⏰ Early Registration: by 23 February 📚 ACDL 2026 is a full-immersion 5-day course in Riva del Sole Resort & SPA - Tuscany on cutting-edge advances in AI, Deep Learning, LLMs, Data Sc., Generative AI, AI Agents & Agentic AI with lectures delivered by world-renowned experts. If you want to learn AI, Generative AI & AI Agents LLMs, Agentic AI, Multimodal Foundation Models, and much more then take part in ACDL 2026! ;-) Riva del Sole Resort & SPA - Tuscany, Italy, June 8-12, 2026 🔗 https://acdl2026.icas.events 📧 acdl(a)icas.cc ⏰ EARLY REGISTRATION: by February 23 (AoE) 🔗 https://acdl2026.icas.events/registration/ Oral Presentation Submission Deadline: by February 23 (AoE) 📝 LECTURERS: Each Lecturer will hold up to four lectures on one or more research topics. 🔗 https://acdl2026.icas.events/lecturers/ It follows the (partial list) of the confirmed ACDL 2026 Lecturers: Arthur Gretton, UCL, UK Katja Hofmann, Microsoft, UK Arnulf Jentzen, University of Münster, Germany Pushmeet Kohli, Google DeepMind, UK David van Dijk, Yale University, USA Jason Weston, META, USA More Lecturers TBA 📑 LECTURES: TBA 🔗 https://acdl2026.icas.events/lectures/ 📚 PAST LECTURERS: 🔗 https://acdl2026.icas.events/past-lecturers/ ✅ VENUE: 🔗 https://acdl2026.icas.events/venue/ Riva del Sole Resort & SPA Località Riva del Sole‚ Castiglione della Pescaia (Grosseto) CAP 58043‚ Tuscany‚ Italy p: +39-0564-928111 📧 booking.events(a)rivadelsole.it 🔗 https://www.rivadelsole.it/en/ PAST EDITIONS: 🔗 https://acdl2026.icas.events/past-editions/ 📚 CERTIFICATE & 8 ECTS: The 9th Advanced Course on Data Science & Machine Learning – ACDL 2026 is a full-immersion five-day Course at the Riva del Sole Resort & SPA (Castiglione della Pescaia – Grosseto – Tuscany, Italy) on cutting-edge advances in Deep Learning, Data Science and Generative AI with lectures delivered by world-renowned experts. The Course provides a stimulating environment for PhD students, Post-Docs, junior academics (only up to assistant professors), early career researchers, and industry leaders (and highly motivated, promising and brilliant Master students / BSc students). Participants will also have the chance to present their results with talks, and to interact with their colleagues, in a convivial, professional and productive environment. PhD students, PostDocs, Industry Practitioners and Junior Academics (only up to assistant professors) will be typical profiles of the ACDL attendants.The Course will involve a total of 36–40 hours of lectures, according to the academic system the final achievement will be equivalent to 8 ECTS points for the PhD Students (and some strongly motivated Master Student – BSc Student) attending the Course. Language: English. To participate in the ACDL 2026, all attendants must (1/2) register for the course (by February 23, 2026) and (2/2) book accommodation at the course venue, “Riva del Sole Resort & SPA” (by April 23, 2026); all attendants must stay at the “Riva del Sole Resort & SPA”. Booking accommodation at the Riva del Sole must be made exclusively using the accommodation form attached to the registration confirmation email. No other methods must be used (if you use other booking methods the hotel will cancel the reservation). Finally, it is not possible to extend the stay, the special accommodation rates are valid only for the period of the course, no exceptions will be made. To contact the Riva del Sole Resort & SPA (the course venue) use the following email: booking.events(a)rivadelsole.it Once accommodation has been booked at “Riva del Sole Resort & SPA“, the participant must send this information (including the Booking Number) to the ACDL organizing committee (acdl(a)icas.cc) ACDL is a residential course, so all lecturers and participants must reside in the same Hotel (Riva del Sole Resort & SPA). No exceptions are made. For privacy reasons, the Hotel can not match people. If you have someone to share the apartment with (or a double room in Hotel), please send to the Hotel ( 📧 booking.events(a)rivadelsole.it ) the name, surname and email address. Otherwise the solution is to book a hotel room in single use. Please note that only ACDL registered participants can book a room (in hotel or apartment) at the Riva del Sole Resort & SPA with the accommodation form attached in the registration email and with the ACDL Discounted Rates. The Booking Office of the Riva del Sole Resort & SPA will verify the names of the participants and the corresponding registration number to confirm the booking. Anyone interested in participating in ACDL 2026 should register as soon as possible. See you in Riva del Sole in June! ACDL 2026 Directors. ACDL 2026 Scientific & Organizing Committees. 🔗 https://acdl2026.icas.events 📧 acdl(a)icas.cc Obviously this is only a Call for Participation, to have complete and updated information we recommend you access the relevant website: 🔗 https://acdl2026.icas.events * Apologies for multiple copies. Please forward to anybody who might be interested, thanks *

Jan. 12, 2026

World wide VVTNS series (6th season): Wednesday, January 14, 2026, at 11:00 am ET - David Clark Kempner Institute at Harvard University

by David Hansel

[image: VVTNS.png] https://www.wwtns.online <https://streaklinks.com/A9c7PbbpKY7PxB6PaAJWGD3-/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wwtns.on…> - on twitter: wwtns@TheoreticalWide You are cordially invited to the lecture David Clark Kempner Institute at Harvard University on the topic of *Computation Through Neuronal-Synaptic Dynamics* The lecture will be held on zoom on January 14, 2026, at *11:00 am ET * > To receive the link: https://www.wwtns.online/register-page > *Abstract: *Computations in neural circuits are often construed as being implemented through the coordinated dynamics of neurons. In this picture, the role of synaptic connectivity is to sculpt neuronal dynamics to implement computations of interest. Of course, synapses are not static but change on a variety of timescales, including fast timescales comparable to those of neurons. Thus, a more accurate view of computation in neural circuits may involve the coupled dynamics of neurons and synapses. This form of computation is closer to what is implemented by Transformers via an equivalence between ongoing synaptic plasticity and self-attention. I will first describe a nonlinear recurrent neural-network model with ongoing Hebbian dynamics of “fast” synapses atop unstructured “slow” synapses. I will then describe two computations implemented through neuronal-synaptic dynamics, which can be studied in this model using techniques including dynamical mean-field theory and random-matrix theory. First, there exists a novel phase termed “freezable chaos” in which a stable fixed point of neuronal dynamics is continuously destabilized by synaptic dynamics. This allows for the creation of a stable fixed point at any neuronal state visited by the network by halting synaptic plasticity. Second, I will describe an effect termed “persistent oscillations” in which, following stimulation by a periodic signal, a plastic network continues to autonomously reproduce a similar signal for a duration exceeding any intrinsic timescale in the system. Thus, ongoing Hebbian plasticity can provide a dynamic form of working memory, complementing the static form provided by freezable chaos. Ongoing experimental work suggests that this effect is realized in cortical organoids. Overall, this line of work suggests that synapses should be promoted to first-class dynamical degrees of freedom in our conceptual understanding of neural-circuit function. *About VVTNS : Launched as the World Wide Theoretical Neuroscience Seminar (WWTNS) in November 2020 and renamed in homage to Carl van Vreeswijk in Memoriam (April 20, 2022), Speakers have the occasion to talk about theoretical aspects of their work which cannot be discussed in a setting where the majority of the audience consists of experimentalists. The seminars, **held on Wednesdays at 11 am ET,** are 45-50 min long followed by a discussion. The talks are recorded with authorization of the speaker and are available to everybody on our YouTube channel.* ᐧ -- *Il n'y a ni obligation ni pression à traiter ou répondre à ce mail en dehors des heures de travail* "В каждой шутке есть доля шутки" 'Life is good ..' (Carl van Vreeswijk, 1962-2022) --------------------------------------- David Hansel Directeur de Recherche au CNRS Co-Group leader Cerebral Dynamics Plasticity and Learning lab., CNRS 45 rue des Saints Peres 75270 Paris Cedex 06 Tel (Cell): +33 607508403 - Fax (33).1.49.27.90.62 *CONFIDENTIALITY AND PRIVACY NOTICE:* *This message and the documents that might be attached, are addressed exclusively to their(s) recipient(s) and may contain privileged or confidential information. The access to this information by people other than those designated is not authorized. If you are not the indicated recipient, you are notified that the use, disclosure and / or copying without authorization is prohibited under current legislation. If you have received this message in error, please kindly inform the sender immediately and proceed to its destruction.* ᐧ

Jan. 12, 2026

Fully-funded PhD in computational neuroscience, Sheffield, UK

by Hazem Toutounji

Dear all, A fully-funded PhD position in computational neuroscience is available with Dr Hazem Toutounji (University of Sheffield, UK). *Project title: *Flexible or Flawed? A Computational Neuroscience Approach to Learning Strategies and Psychiatric Traits In our complex and ever-changing world, humans are constantly faced with a flood of sensory information. To make effective and timely decisions, the brain cannot possibly process every single detail. Instead, it is thought to rely on intelligent "cognitive shortcuts" or simple strategies (heuristics) to simplify complex problems. This allows for rapid and flexible learning, but the mechanisms behind this process are not well understood. When are these shortcuts deployed? How does the brain select the right strategy for the task at hand? How does it know when a shortcut is no longer working and a new strategy is needed? And how are the selection and efficiency of those shortcuts influenced by common psychiatric traits such as anxiety and impulsivity? This 3.5-year fully-funded PhD studentship provides an exciting opportunity to work at the intersection of computational modelling, cognitive neuroscience, and computational psychiatry. The successful candidate will receive comprehensive training in all required methods. *Position available for UK students only* *Application deadline: *February 4th 2026 *PhD start date: *October 1st 2026 Further information on the project, requirements, and how to apply can be found here: http://www.findaphd.com/?pj=190228 *Please note: *Interested candidates are strongly encouraged to contact me ( h.toutounji(a)sheffield.ac.uk) to discuss your interest in and suitability for the project prior to submitting your application. Best wishes, Hazem -- *Dr. rer. nat. Hazem Toutounji (they / them) *[pronounced ḤAH-zem TUTUN-ji <https://namedrop.io/hazemtoutounji>] *PI of the Neural Dynamics and Computation Lab* Lecturer in Computational Neuroscience MSc Exams Officer, ECR Champion, Sustainability Lead School of Psychology The Neuroscience Institute Insigneo Institute for in silico Medicine University of Sheffield ICOSS Building, 4th floor, desk 5 219 Portobello, Broomhall Sheffield S1 4DP, UK *Please don't feel obliged to respond to my emails outside your own working hours* If you are a student looking for support, please see this page <https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/study/support>. *Office hours during semester weeks:* Monday 14:00-15:00 -- Please book an appointment with a brief description of the topic using this link <https://calendar.app.google/1ayXM9DqBhAkLBCp6>. Face to face meetings are at *ICOSS E04a*. To meet outside of office hours, please email me 24 working hours in advance.

Jan. 11, 2026

PhD positions in theoretical neuroscience, dynamical systems, and machine learning at UIUC

by Engelken, Rainer

Dear colleagues, I recently started a new lab in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, working at the intersection of theoretical neuroscience, dynamical systems theory, and machine learning. I am recruiting one to three fully funded PhD students for Fall 2026, with admission through ECE (Electric and Computer Engineering). Our research uses dynamical systems theory to understand the mechanisms and principles of learning and dynamics in neural circuits, bridging biological and artificial systems. We combine mathematical analysis with large-scale simulations to connect neuroscience, physics, and ML. PhD project directions include: 1. Learning dynamics and mechanistic interpretability. Understanding how brains and neural networks learn over time: how synapses change, how activity patterns evolve, and how useful internal representations emerge, with an eye toward opening the black box of both biological and artificial systems (see references [1–2]). 2. Neural dynamics, chaos, and computation. Exploring how network structure and inputs shape complex activity patterns, including chaotic regimes, and how these patterns can be harnessed for computation in both brain-inspired and artificial networks (see references [3–4]). 3. Training algorithms for spiking networks. Developing new ways to train spiking neural networks so that they are both efficient and easy to optimize, building on ideas like Gradient Flossing and fast event-based simulation methods such as SparseProp (see references [5–6]). I welcome applicants from quantitative backgrounds like physics, mathematics, computer science, or engineering, who want to apply quantitative skills to neuroscience questions. Comfort with mathematics and programming is required; you should enjoy thinking with equations and code. I value reliable, self-driven students who enjoy taking projects from idea to finished work. The lab aims for a supportive, collaborative environment that is intellectually intense and kind. We believe great science comes from working together, and we support diversity in backgrounds and ideas while prioritizing well-being and deep curiosity about neural computation. Positions are fully funded with access to exceptional computing resources through the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA). The lab is part of UIUC's Neuroinformatics cluster with ties to the Beckman Institute and Coordinated Science Laboratory. Co-advising with experimental groups is possible. For Fall 2026 entry: • ECE PhD application deadline: January 15, 2026. In your application, clearly indicate Prof. Rainer Engelken in the "faculty of interest" field and in your Statement of Purpose. Before or after applying, you are welcome to email me with a CV, transcript, and a short note about your background and interests if you think this opening is a good fit. Learn more: https://rainerengelken.github.io/ or https://ece.illinois.edu/about/directory/faculty/engelken If you have strong candidates, please forward this email. Students can also reach out to me directly at engelken(a)illinois.edu Best regards, Rainer Engelken Assistant Professor The Grainger College of Engineering Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign P.S. Students reading this directly: feel free to email me with questions. I'm especially interested in candidates with strong math/physics training looking to work on neural dynamics and learning. References [1] Engelken, R., Ingrosso, A., Khajeh, R., Goedeke, S., & Abbott, L. F. (2022). Input correlations impede suppression of chaos and learning in balanced firing-rate networks. PLOS Computational Biology, 18(12), e1010590. [2] Engelken, R., & Goedeke, S. (2022). A time-resolved theory of information encoding in recurrent neural networks. Advances in Neural Information Processing Systems, 35, 35490-35503. [3] Engelken, R., Wolf, F., & Abbott, L. F. (2023). Lyapunov spectra of chaotic recurrent neural networks. Physical Review Research, 5(4), 043044. [4] Engelken, R., Monteforte, M., & Wolf, F. (2024). Sparse chaos in cortical circuits. arXiv preprint arXiv:2412.21188. [5] Engelken, R. (2023). Gradient flossing: Improving gradient descent through dynamic control of jacobians. Advances in Neural Information Processing Systems, 36, 10412-10439. [6] Engelken, R. (2023). Sparseprop: Efficient event-based simulation and training of sparse recurrent spiking neural networks. Advances in Neural Information Processing Systems, 36, 3638-3657.

Jan. 10, 2026

Call for Outstanding Postdoctoral Candidates – NGILab, Krembil Brain Institute (Toronto)

by De Pitta, Maurizio

Dear colleagues, Please feel free to disseminate and share this announcement widely. I am seeking outstanding postdoctoral candidates to join the Neuron–Glia Interactions Laboratory (NGILab) at the Krembil Brain Institute, University Health Network (Toronto, ON, Canada). Successful candidates will be supported through one of two competitive, independent 2-year postdoctoral funding programs: > Canada Leads at University Health Network (for Canadian candidates): https://uhncanadaleads.ca/ > Canada+ Impact Research Training Awards (for international candidates): https://sshrc-crsh.canada.ca/en/funding/opportunities/canada-impact-plus-re… ***Project overview*** NGILab specializes in developing multiscale models of neuron–glial circuits, with a strong emphasis on emergent dynamics across spatial and temporal scales. Within this framework, we are building digital cell twins and virtual replicas of neuron–glial circuits to dissect pathogenic mechanisms spanning neurodegeneration to cancer. The postdoctoral fellow will lead the design, development, and implementation of digital cell twins that integrate large-scale reactomics data with anatomical and structural information. The successful candidate will work closely with NGILab members and with collaborators in Canada, the United States, and Italy. ***Position details*** > Both funding streams support a 2-year postdoctoral appointment > Salary range: CA$65,000–70,000 per year + ~16% fringe benefits > Relocation support provided, if applicable > On-site position (in-person only) > Start date: Flexible, between March 2026 and April 2027 ***Candidate profile*** Applicants should demonstrate: > Strong expertise in multiscale and/or multiphysics modeling, with applications to neuroscience and cell biology > High proficiency in object-oriented programming (Python, C, and/or C++) > Experience with particle-based simulators and/or the design, training, and implementation of foundational AI models > Excellent written and spoken English > A proven publication record as first or co-first author > Demonstrated leadership skills, including coordination and supervision of small teams (2–3 members), regular communication of progress with the PI and collaborators, and engagement in career planning discussions > A strong commitment to professional ethics, transparent communication, realistic planning of deliverables, and timely adherence to deadlines ***Application process*** Following internal evaluation, selected candidates will be invited to apply to the appropriate funding stream. The application deadlines for these programs fall approximately two weeks after preselection (see below). The selected candidate and I will work very closely throughout the proposal preparation process, with intensive feedback and support during drafting. > Canada Leads: Proposal length ~3–5 pages (including biosketch) > Canada+ Impact Research Training: Proposal length ~10 pages (excluding biosketch) ***How to apply*** Please submit a single PDF to maurizio.depitta(a)uhn.ca with the subject line: [Stream Name] FirstName LastName (where Stream Name is either "Canada Leads" or "Canada+IRT") The PDF should include: > Cover letter > Biosketch > CV (including a complete list of publications and oral presentations) > One representative publication Deadlines Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Competitive applicants will be invited for an interview. > Canada Leads: Open until the position is filled. > Canada+ Impact Research Training: >> Preselection deadline: January 26, 2026. >> Full application deadline: March 4, 2026. Sincerely, Maurizio De Pittà ----- Maurizio DE PITTA Principal Investigator Neuron-Glia Interactions Lab (NGILab) Krembil Research Institute, 4KD-509 60 Leonard Ave, Toronto, ON M5T 0S8, CA +1.416.603.5800 ext. 3290 This e-mail may contain confidential and/or privileged information for the sole use of the intended recipient. Any review or distribution by anyone other than the person for whom it was originally intended is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error, please contact the sender and delete all copies. Opinions, conclusions or other information contained in this e-mail may not be that of the organization. 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Please contact your care provider, if you do not wish to receive emails from UHN.

Jan. 10, 2026

IMPORTANT Update: Open PhD Position(s) in Perception / EEG – Application Instructions

by David Pascucci

Dear all, Apologies for multiple postings, but this is an important update regarding the PhD position(s) described below and in my previous email. *APPLICATIONS MUST NOW BE SUBMITTED VIA:* https://recrutement.chuv.ch/vacancy/phd-position-in-the-psychophysics-and-n… --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *Open PhD Position(s) in Perception/EEG – Joint Opportunity* *Locations:* Lausanne (University of Lausanne / CHUV) and Paris (ENS/CNRS) *Start Date:* Early 2026 (with some flexibility) The *Psychophysics and Neural Dynamics Lab* <https://www.chuv.ch/fr/rad/rad-home/recherche/groupes-de-recherche/psychoph…> (David Pascucci, University of Lausanne and Lausanne University Hospital, CHUV) and the *Laboratoire des Systèmes Perceptifs* <https://lsp.dec.ens.fr/en/member/647/pascal-mamassian> (Pascal Mamassian, ENS/CNRS) invite applications for a fully funded PhD position (3 years + 1) supported by the *ANR-SNSF Weave project*. Project title *Perceptual FLUCTUATions* Project summary Our 4-year project addresses a central question: *Why do individuals differ in how their perceptual judgments are shaped by temporal context?* We will address this through an integrated behavioural, computational, and neurophysiological approach, focusing on the interaction between endogenous perceptual traits and external factors. The work involves *visual psychophysics, EEG, and computational modeling*. The successful candidate will be primarily based in *Lausanne*, with research visits to *ENS/CNRS*, allowing engagement with two complementary research environments. Candidate profile Applicants should hold a *Master’s degree* in Neuroscience, Psychology, Biology, Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, or a related field. Experience in *visual psychophysics and/or EEG* is strongly valued. Preferred skills · Psychophysics software (e.g., PsychoPy, Psychtoolbox) · Programming (e.g., Python, MATLAB, C/C++) · EEG and/or signal processing, computational modeling · Statistical analysis (e.g., in R) · Dedication to data collection in task batteries We seek *dedicated, enthusiastic candidates* with strong motivation to contribute to interdisciplinary research. We welcome applications from candidates of *all backgrounds and genders*. Application material Please follow the instructions provided here: https://recrutement.chuv.ch/vacancy/phd-position-in-the-psychophysics-and-n… We value application materials that reflect your own words and *authentic, human-written motivation*. Applications are considered *on a rolling basis* until the position is filled. *Early applications are encouraged to accommodate the planned start in early 2026.* *Please note:* We are also planning to recruit *postdoctoral researchers* in the near future, so stay tuned! We look forward to hearing from you!

Jan. 8, 2026

Python Package Guru: Find Python Packages - Fast!

by Fabrizio Damicelli

Dear Community, Given that so many Python packages are used for Computational Neuroscience I'd like to share with you this new search engine for packages: Python Package Guru: https://pypkg.guru This allows you to search over PyPI packages (official index) but much faster than on pypi.org and in an interactive way. I find it especially useful to discover packages based on their capabilities (eg, try out "fast dataframe"). Give it a try! Best Regards, Fabrizio Damicelli

Jan. 8, 2026

Invitation to Attend Workshop on Generative AI & Indian Knowledge System | 30–31 Jan 2026

by PRANAV NERURKAR

Greetings fellow Academicians / Students / Researchers / Professionals, (Apologies for multiple receptions) The Department of Computer Science and Engineering, *Sardar Patel Institute of Technology (SPIT), Mumbai*, is organizing a *two-day workshop* on *“Generative Artificial Intelligence Research Projects Development Inspired from Indian Knowledge System.”* This workshop aims to explore how concepts from the *Indian Knowledge System (IKS)* can contribute to modern *Generative AI research*, and why this integration is increasingly relevant in 2025 and beyond. *Workshop Details:* 📅 *Dates:* 30th – 31th January 2026 📍 *Venue:* Sardar Patel Institute of Technology, Andheri (W), Mumbai – 400058 or Online through Google meet The sessions will be delivered by *eminent academicians and researchers* and are designed to benefit: - Students interested in AI and research - Faculty members - Researchers and academicians Participants will gain insights into interdisciplinary research ideas, emerging AI trends, and practical directions for research project development. 🔗 *Registration Link:* https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd_Me2ues6JGSuzoHLDABzNYLRPY8Qiw2b… Seats are limited. Interested participants are encouraged to register at the earliest. For any queries, feel free to contact us. Regards, *Department of Computer Science and Engineering* Sardar Patel Institute of Technology (SPIT), Mumbai Warm and Kind regards, *Pranav A. NERURKAR* Specialist - AI & Data science UTKARSH MINDS +91 961-999-77-97 pranav.nerurkar@ <amandine.deplantes(a)igonogo.io>utkarshminds.com www.utkarshminds.com Nirmala Sadan, Jaya Nagar, Kasturba cross road no. 1, Mumbai - 400066

Jan. 8, 2026

Job Advert: Postdoctoral Research Fellow at UCL

by Alex Lloyd

Dear Colleagues, I am writing to advertise a postdoctoral research fellow position at UCL working with Dr Alex Lloyd and Professor Jonathan Roiser. The postdoc will be working on a new project taking a data-driven approach to understanding how young people use social media, and how this is associated with vulnerability for mental health problems. We are looking for somebody with excellent coding abilities to collect and analyse real world social media data (e.g., those collected from data donations or Application Programming Interfaces). The role will start from April 2026 (or as close to this date as possible) until September 2028. Deadline for applications is January 16th. For more details about the role, see: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/work-at-ucl/search-ucl-jobs/details?jobId=40426&jobTi… I would be most grateful if you would be willing to share the post with colleagues who may be interested in the role. Feel free to email me with any questions at alexander.lloyd(a)ucl.ac.uk Kind regards, Alex -- Dr Alex Lloyd Research Fellow Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology University College London

Jan. 7, 2026

Info Day - International Master & PhD in Computational Neuroscience @ BCCN Berlin - 14.01.26

by GraduatePrograms

Dear Computational Neuroscientists, Please share the following event information with anyone who may be interested. We at the Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience (BCCN) Berlin will hold a hybrid "Info Day" to discuss our International Master & Doctoral Programs in Computational Neuroscience next Wednesday, January 14th, at 3pm (CET). Attendees are welcome to join in person at the BCCN Berlin or virtually via Zoom. The event will consist of talks by: * Prof. Dr. Klaus Obermayer (head of the programs) * Dr. Lisa Velenosi (teaching coordinator) * Current master and doctoral students Attendees will also have the opportunity to meet & discuss with current students and ask any questions or concerns that they may have. See our website <https://www.bccn-berlin.de/events-list/information-day-2026-international-g…> for a more detailed schedule and registration link. Best regards and happy new year, Lisa Velenosi -- Dr. Lisa Velenosi Teaching Coordinator of the SFB1315 & BCCN Berlin Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Philippstraße 13, Haus 6; 10115 Berlin; Germany Tel: +49 (0)30 2093-98503 Tuesdays - Fridays; 9:00 - 14:00

Jan. 7, 2026

Upcoming Hyperscanning Workshop to be held at Inria Paris

by sophie.etling＠inria.fr

Dear colleagues, We are pleased to announce an exciting workshop cohosted by Inria, PRAIRIE School of AI and Nirx entitled "In-Synch: A workshop on Hyperscanning", to be held on February 13th, 2026, at Inria Paris. This workshop brings together leading researchers, hands-on demonstrations with Hyperscanning technologies, and opportunities for scientific exchange around interpersonal brain dynamics, social neuro-AI, and collaborative learning. As well as keynote talks by international researchers, there will be a poster session for PhD students and postdocs to present their work. Registration is limited, so please don't wait to register. For more information, including about how to present a poster, please see the the following EventBrite site: <https://www.eventbrite.com/e/in-sync-a-hyperscanning-workshop-tickets-19772…> We would be grateful if you could share this call broadly and encourage early-career researchers working on hyperscanning and social neuroscience to submit a poster. We look forward to welcoming you in Paris. Best regards, The In-Sync Workshop Organizing Team 📧 in-sync(a)inria.fr

Jan. 6, 2026

Special session in Generative, Foundation Models for Robotics: From Language and Vision to Embodied Action, at WCCI 2026

by Alper Yegenoglu

Dear colleagues, We cordially invite you to submit your paper to the Special Session: "*Generative Foundation Models for Robotics: From Language and Vision to Embodied Action*", to be held at the *2026 IEEE World Congress on Computational Intelligence (WCCI 2026)*. *Website*: https://wccigenai2026.github.io This special session aims to bring together recent advances in generative and foundation models and their applications to robotics. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to: * Diffusion models for robot trajectory planning and control * Generative adversarial networks for robotic applications * Flow matching methods for robotic control * Language-guided robot manipulation and navigation * Meta-learning for adaptive robotic behaviors * Multi-task planning and execution * Transfer learning across robotic domains and environments * Generative imitation learning from human demonstrations * Generative design of robot morphologies * Co-evolution of robot structure and control * Curriculum learning with generative models * Constraint-aware generative planning *Organizers:* Erdal Kayacan (Paderborn University, Germany) Chen Qinyu (Leiden University, The Netherlands) Konstantinos Alexis (Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Norway) Guido de Croon (TU Delft, The Netherlands) Erdi Sayar (Paderborn University, Germany) Van Huyen Dang (Paderborn University, Germany) Alper Yegenoglu (Paderborn University, Germany) Adrian Redder (Paderborn University, Germany) *Paper Submission Deadline*: 31 January, 2026 (UTC-12) Kind regards, Alper -- Dr. *Alper Yegenoglu* Postdoctoral Researcher Automatic Control Group (RAT) University of Paderborn Warburger Str. 100 33098 Paderborn Germany *Office* P1.7.15.4 *Telephone* +49 5251 60-1898 *E-Mail* alper.yegenoglu(a)uni-paderborn.de *Web* https://en.ei.uni-paderborn.de/rat

Jan. 6, 2026

Allen Institute Modeling Software Workshop 2026 - and a brief survey

by Anton Arkhipov

Dear Colleagues, Happy New Year! It is that time of year again when we are asking for your thoughts about modeling and simulation software. Could you please help us understand what the field needs by filling out this brief survey<https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=1pxmMn9zOUuL3daVESDT_IQ…>? That will be very helpful to guide our work (and is required by the NIH). Also, consider joining us for the Allen Institute Modeling <https://alleninstitute.org/events/2026-modeling-software-workshop/> Software Workshop<https://alleninstitute.org/events/2026-modeling-software-workshop/> on July 20-22, 2026 at the Allen Institute in Seattle, WA! This hands-on workshop focuses on building and simulating complex and heterogeneous network models grounded in real biological data. Participants will learn to use BMTK, SONATA, VND, our data, and models for simulating brain circuits. Applications<https://alleninstitute.submittable.com/submit/339665/2026-allen-institute-m…> are due March 15th, 2026. Selected applicants will be notified by May 1, 2026. Limited travel funding is available. And another exciting event is happening on January 27 in Singapore: the Neuro for AI & AI for Neuro<https://neuroai-multimodal-workshop.github.io/> workshop at the AAAI 2026 conference<https://aaai.org/conference/aaai/aaai-26/>. Join us for a day of talks, posters, and discussions about cutting-edge research at the intersection of Neuro and AI. We are looking forward to hearing from you. Best regards, Anton. Anton Arkhipov Investigator, Allen Institute antona(a)alleninstitute.org<mailto:antona@alleninstitute.org> alleninstitute.org<https://alleninstitute.org> brain-map.org<https://portal.brain-map.org/>

Jan. 5, 2026

Postdoctoral positions in Brain Dynamics / Computational Neuroscience (Chile–Spain)

by Wael El Deredy

Help Shape the Future of Stroke Rehabilitation and Brain Stimulation We invite applications to join the Brain Dynamics Lab—an interdisciplinary research team at the interface of dynamical systems theory, brain network modelling, and neurostimulation-based rehabilitation. Our mission is to uncover and exploit the mechanisms of brain plasticity following stroke and neuromodulation, by combining cutting-edge modelling with real-world neurotechnology. We regard recovery not as anatomical repair, but as a problem of restoring network-level brain dynamics through non-invasive electrical stimulation (tDCS/tACS). We model the brain as a dynamical system perturbed by lesion, reconfigurable via stimulation-dependent plasticity. Paid positions according to the academic level Location: Valencia, Spain Chile [Valparaiso, Santiago, Talca, Concepción, flexible within collaborating institutions] Positions Available: • PhD studentships [2 years] • Postdoctoral research fellows • Research assistants (MSc-level support roles) Fields: Physics, Biomedical Engineering, Electronics/Telecom/Control/Informatics Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Computational Neuroscience What You’ll Work On Successful applicants will join a growing team working on projects including: • Whole-brain network modelling (Kuramoto, Wilson-Cowan, neural mass models) to simulate post-stroke disruption and plastic recovery • Computational modelling of plasticity mechanisms (Hebbian, homeostatic, STDP, resonance-tuned) across varying brain states • Control theory in brain networks, including stimulation as control input to re-establish metastability and synchrony • Analysis of electrophysiological and imaging data (EEG, TMS, lesion mapping) from healthy and clinical populations • Development of simulation-guided protocols for individualized, state-dependent stimulation These positions will support Masters or PhD theses, contribute to postdoctoral innovation, and underpin a translational pipeline from virtual lesion modelling in healthy participants to patient-specific neurorehabilitation strategies. We are looking for: We welcome candidates from a broad range of backgrounds, including: • Physicists with expertise in nonlinear dynamics or network theory • Electrical or Telecom Engineers with skills in signal processing, control theory, modelling, or brain–computer interfaces • Biomedical Engineers experienced in neuroimaging, neurorehabilitation, or neural interfaces • Applied Mathematicians or Computer Scientists with interests in simulation, control or computational neuroscience We value curiosity, collaboration, and a commitment to translational science. Programming skills in Python, Matlab or C++ are required. Prior experience with neural modelling (e.g., Kuramoto, neural masses), data analysis (EEG/fMRI), high performance computing (HPC), or brain stimulation (tDCS/tACS/TMS) is a strong plus but not required. Why join us now This is an exciting moment in the field. Advances in connectome-informed modelling, network control theory, and neuromodulation are converging to make precision neurostimulation a clinical reality. As part of our team, you’ll be at the frontier of: • Designing next-generation rehabilitation tools • Validating models with real-world clinical and experimental data • Publishing in top-tier journals (e.g., Network Neuroscience, Neuroimage, PLOS Comp Biol) • Collaborating with international partners in Spain, Portugal, Chile, and the UK How to apply Send academic CV and one page letter of motivation describing your research interests, and fit with the Brain Dynamics Lab to: Chile Alejandro.Weinstein(a)USM.cl<mailto:Alejandro.Weinstein@USM.cl> Spain Wael.Deredy(a)ValgrAI.EU<mailto:Wael.Deredy@ValgrAI.EU> Selected group publications https://arxiv.org/abs/2511.14065 https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.04.30.651283v2.abstract https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-27606-5 https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-025-14299-z https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/abstract/document/10937758/ https://doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2023.0093 https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11571-024-10093-1

Jan. 5, 2026

ICPRAI 2026: Special Session on Frontiers of Artificial Intelligence for Medical Applications: Models, Reasoning, Perception, and Interaction

by Ghazaleh Khodabandelou

Frontiers of Artificial Intelligence for Medical Applications: Models, Reasoning, Perception, and Interaction ICPRAI 2026, Montréal, Québec, Canada, June, 2026 https://icprai2026.com/ Scope Artificial intelligence has seen remarkable progress in digital healthcare across areas such as learning algorithms, knowledge representation, perception, and interaction. From deep learning advances in vision and language, to reinforcement learning for control, to symbolic and neuro-symbolic hybrids for robust reasoning, modern AI systems are increasingly capable of understanding complex data, adapting to new tasks, and interacting with humans and environments. This Special Session invites original contributions that explore foundational models, architectures, and applications spanning the AI spectrum, including but not limited to learning and representation; planning and decision-making; perception and multimodal understanding; human-AI collaboration; and trustworthy, explainable, and ethical AI. We welcome theoretical analyses, novel algorithms, system implementations, and domain-specific studies that illustrate state-of-the-art techniques and future directions in AI, with special encouragement for work in large language models, multimodal vision-language modeling, and impactful applications in healthcare and medical domains such as medical imaging, autism detection, neurodegenerative disorders (e.g., Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s), and diabetes management. Topics of Interest Topics of interest include, but are not limited to: • Large Language Models (LLMs) and foundation models • Embeddings, representation learning, and transfer learning • Generative modeling: GANs, VAEs, diffusion and beyond • Multimodal integration: vision-language, audio-visual, sensor fusion • Symbolic, neuro-symbolic, and hybrid reasoning systems • Automated planning, scheduling, and decision-theoretic frameworks • Reinforcement learning, multi-agent systems, and control • Human-AI collaboration, mixed-initiative interfaces, and personalization • Explainability, interpretability, causal analysis, and fairness • Robustness, safety, trustworthiness, and privacy-preserving AI • Healthcare and medical AI applications: imaging, diagnostics, chronic care 1 Important Dates • Full paper submission deadline: January 15, 2026 • Notification of acceptance: March 7, 2026 • Camera-ready deadline: March 13, 2026 • Early Registration deadline: until April 30, 2026 • Special Session at ICPRAI: June 15-18, 2026 Submission Guidelines Please follow the standard ICPRAI submission instructions at the conference website. When up loading your paper, select “Frontiers of Artificial Intelligence for Medical Applications: Models, Reasoning, Perception, and Interaction ” as the target session. Organizers • Prof. Ghazaleh Khodabandelou, University Paris-Est, France ghazaleh.khodabandelou(a)u-pec.fr<mailto:ghazaleh.khodabandelou@u-pec.fr> • Prof. Mounîm A. El Yacoubi, Institut Polytechnique de Paris, France mounim.el_yacoubi(a)telecom-sudparis.eu<mailto:mounim.el_yacoubi@telecom-sudparis.eu> Direct submission link (EasyChair): https://easychair.org/conferences2/submissions?a=35638543 (Please select the Special Session when submitting.)

Jan. 4, 2026

Project Research Scientist Position at IIT Ropar.

by Sukrit Gupta

Dear all, we are hiring a Project Research Scientist (Non Medical) at IIT Ropar for an ICMR project. Our lab does work with clinicians at multiple public hospitals in North India and this project is in collaboration with clinicians at PGIMER, Chandigarh. The project is funded for five years. Would prefer someone who has a computer science or AI background. Detailed advertisement at https://www.iitrpr.ac.in/downloads/sites/default/files/December/AD-01.pdf The selected candidate will be expected to enroll for a PhD at IIT Ropar. If you're interested you can drop me an email at sukrit.gupta(a)iitrpr.ac.in Deadline for application is: 10 January, 2026. Regards, Sukrit ________________ Sukrit Gupta, BEng (CS, PEC, India), PhD (CS, NTU, Singapore) Assistant Professor, Department of Biomedical Engineering, and School of Artificial Intelligence and Data Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Ropar, Punjab, India. Office: Room No. BM 28, Super Academic Block, IIT Ropar. Phone: +91 1881 232170, E: sukrit.gupta(a)iitrpr.ac.in, W: https://sites.google.com/site/sukritsite *God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.*

Jan. 4, 2026

What can you do with 1000 neurons? Task 3

by Nicolas P. Rougier (inria)

Dear all, The second task (cued decision) is still unsolved but the the challenge is still running with a new task (valued decision) as well as a new agenda. You'll find instructions at https://github.com/rougier/braincraft and the rules for the new task. Reminder: you have have 1000 neurons (leaky rate models), 100 seconds of training time and 10 runs for evaluation. The difficulty comes from the imposed constraints. Best, Nicolas Rougier. -- Nicolas P. Rougier —— www.labri.fr/perso/nrougier Institute of Neurodegenerative Diseases, Bordeaux

Jan. 4, 2026

Special Issue: Bio-Inspired Computation Based on Mathematical Modeling—Theories and Applications in Health Sciences

by Barna Iantovics

Call for papersSpecial Issue: Bio-Inspired Computation Based onMathematical Modeling—Theories and Applications in Health SciencesJournal: Mathematics (ISSN 2227-7390) Impact Factor 2.2Submission https://www.mdpi.com/journal/mathematics/special_issues/9B5062KZ98 Dear Colleague, You are kindly invited to contribute with a paper to theSpecial Issue. It is estimated that biological life that has evolved overmillions of years will be a fruitful source of inspiration for the developmentof novel computational mathematical methods in the years to come, representingimportant research directions on mathematical modeling in the field ofartificial intelligence. Diverse problems in health sciences are computationally hardand cannot be solved efficiently via actual methods. Mathematical modelingbased on bio-inspired computing applied to solve computationally hard problemsin health sciences domains is an emerging field in this area. Bio-inspiredcomputing has been proven successful for solving a large variety of problems indomains of science where other methods have not been so effective. In this context, this Special Issue invites researchers tocontribute original works regarding the development of bio-inspiredcomputational and hybrid methods for solving difficult problems in healthsciences that represent significant scientific advancements. Kind regards,Guest EditorsProf. Dr. Laszlo Barna IantovicsProf. Dr. Matthias DehmerProf. Dr. Francesco FlamminiProf. Dr. Frank Emmert-Streib

Jan. 4, 2026

Call for papers - Special Issue: Advances in Intelligent Systems, Technologies and Applications

by Barna Iantovics

Call for papersSpecial Issue: Advances inIntelligent Systems, Technologies and ApplicationsJournal: Applied Sciences (ISSN2076-3417) Impact Factor 2.5Submission https://www.mdpi.com/journal/applsci/special_issues/5IQ6DOHB42 Dear Colleague, You are kindly invited tocontribute with a paper to the Special Issue. Intelligence in nature is verydiverse; it can be discussed in terms of the intelligence of chimps, dolphins,and many other animals and even the collective intelligence of very simple lifeforms such as ants. The concept of intelligence is being adopted in manydomains of science. From practical and theoreticalperspectives, an essential current research direction that is under examinationby a very large number of scientists worldwide is the development of artificialsystems, also called agent-based systems, which can be either individual agentsor cooperative multiagent systems. These systems are embedded in theenvironment, possess a certain degree of autonomy, and are capable ofperceiving the environment and executing actions in it. Intelligence inagent-based systems can emerge through advanced problem-solving abilities. Todevelop these intelligent systems, techniques such as supervised learning andunsupervised learning play pivotal roles. Supervised learning involves trainingsystems on labeled datasets, enabling them to map inputs to outputs and improvetheir predictions or classifications over time. These methods are extensivelyused in applications such as image recognition, natural language processing,and medical diagnosis. On the other hand, unsupervised learning enables systemsto identify patterns and structures in unlabeled data, facilitating clustering,anomaly detection, and exploratory data analysis. A more recent paradigm,retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) and cache-augmented generation (CAG),combines retrieval- and cache-based methods with generative models to enhanceintelligent systems, producing highly contextualized and accurate responses oractions. These approaches are instrumental in developing advanced systems fordomains such as conversational AI, knowledge management, and decision support.Intelligent agent-based systems have many real-world applications, includingthe health sciences and industry. The number and diversity of intelligentsystems are increasing rapidly. In this context, the great challenge consistsof creating increasingly intelligent systems. Another critical challenge,approached by only a few researchers worldwide, is the development of universalmetrics, including black-box-based intelligence metrics, to measure theintelligence of these systems. Such advances could allow for the comparison ofsystems based on their intelligence. In cooperative multiagent systems,intelligence can be assessed at the system level; this is known as collectiveintelligence. Even in very simple cooperative multiagent systems, agents mayinteract nonlinearly at various decision points, resulting in emergentcomplexity and intelligence at the system level. This Special Issue aims toestablish a solid foundation for future research through a collection of papersthat advance the field by elaborating on theories, designing applications, andpresenting surveys regarding the next generation of increasingly intelligentsystems. The areas of research covered in these papers could include the studyof self-organization, emergence, hybridization, scalability, robustness,measuring machine intelligence, and the integration of advanced paradigms suchas supervised learning, unsupervised learning, retrieval-augmented generation,and cache-augmented generation. Kind regards,Guest EditorsProf. Dr. Laszlo Barna IantovicsProf. Dr. László KovácsDr. Attila Biró

Jan. 4, 2026

Fwd: [seminar.wwtns] World wide VVTNS series (6th season): Wednesday, January 7, 2025, at 11:00 am ET - Carlos Brody, Princeton Neuroscience Institute

by David Hansel

[image: VVTNS.png] https://www.wwtns.online <https://streaklinks.com/A9c7PbbpKY7PxB6PaAJWGD3-/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wwtns.on…> - on twitter: wwtns@TheoreticalWide You are cordially invited to the VVTNS 2026 opening lecture Carlos Brody Princeton Neuroscience Institute on the topic of *Towards using large-scale, cross-brain neuronal recordings * *to identify the brain’s internal signals* to identify the brain’s internal signals The lecture will be held on zoom on January 7, 2026, at *11:00 am ET * > To receive the link: https://www.wwtns.online/register-page > *Abstract: *Neural activity is often analyzed with respect to external referents, such as the onset of a sensory stimulus or an overt motor action. Simultaneous recordings allow referencing neurons’ activity to each other and thus detecting signals that are internal to the organism. Further, multi-region simultaneous recordings allow observing how these internal signals are coordinated across the brain. Following this logic in rats performing a perceptual decision-making task, we recorded simultaneously from thousands of neurons across up to 20 brain regions at once. Here we report two internal signals which we found to profoundly shape decision-related neural dynamics and brain states. First, we decoded the continuously evolving decision state separately from each region, and found surprisingly large magnitude co-fluctuations in these measures. Dimensionality analysis showed these to be dominated by a single state variable, suggesting that only a single decision-making computation, not multiple parallel computations, are being carried out during the analyzed period. Second, we found that the precise time the subject commits to a decision – a covert event that we decoded from large-scale neural activity in primary motor cortex – was accompanied by a coordinated change, across the brain, from a decision formation to a post-commitment state. The two states differ substantially in their choice-predictive neural dynamics and in their inter-region correlations. Therefore, knowing the time of this state change on single trials is needed to correctly parse fundamentally different phases of decision-making. Overall, our data suggest that internally-referenced signals and state changes, not timelocked to external events but detectable through simultaneous recordings, are major features of neural activity during cognition. *About VVTNS : Launched as the World Wide Theoretical Neuroscience Seminar (WWTNS) in November 2020 and renamed in homage to Carl van Vreeswijk in Memoriam (April 20, 2022), Speakers have the occasion to talk about theoretical aspects of their work which cannot be discussed in a setting where the majority of the audience consists of experimentalists. The seminars, **held on Wednesdays at 11 am ET,** are 45-50 min long followed by a discussion. The talks are recorded with authorization of the speaker and are available to everybody on our YouTube channel.* ᐧ

Jan. 4, 2026

Postdoctoral position in Development and Egocentric Vision.

by Bonnen, Kathryn

Postdoctoral position in Development and Egocentric Vision. The Training Program in Integrative Developmental Processes at Indiana University invites applications for a T32-funded postdoctoral fellowship in Bloomington, Indiana. We seek highly motivated individuals interested in research at the intersection of development, vision science, and computer vision. The postdoctoral fellow will join a collaborative research environment dedicated to understanding developmental processes through egocentric vision in natural tasks, using advanced computational methods and multimodal datasets to advance developmental theory. Indiana University offers a highly interdisciplinary training environment with exceptional career development and mentoring opportunities. The position will be jointly mentored by Dr. Rowan Candy, whose research integrates behavioral, optical, and neuroscientific approaches to study typical and atypical visual development; and Dr. Kathryn Bonnen, a computational neuroscientist specializing in visuomotor coordination in natural tasks. The broader research community includes faculty from Computer Science (Dr. David Crandall, Dr. Zoran Tiganj), Informatics (Dr. Justin Wood, Dr. Samantha Wood), and Psychological and Brain Sciences (Dr. Linda Smith, Dr. Joshua W. Brown, Dr. Ehren Newman). Applicants should have strong computational skills and a background in one or more of the following areas: developmental science, vision science, neuroscience, motor control, computer science, psychology, or related fields. Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents who currently hold a doctoral degree or will have met all doctoral program requirements before enrolling. Applicants should send a cover letter describing their motivation for applying and a curriculum vitae to: Dr. Rowan Candy (rcandy(a)iu.edu) Dr. Kathryn Bonnen (kbonnen(a)iu.edu) Position is available immediately and will remain open until filled. -- Kathryn Bonnen Assistant Professor, School of Optometry Indiana University kbonnen(a)iu.edu<mailto:kbonnen@iu.edu> https://bonnenlab.github.io

Jan. 3, 2026

Review of 2025 in neuroscience

by Mark Humphries (staff)

My regular review of the year in neuroscience is up on The Spike: https://medium.com/the-spike/2025-a-review-of-the-year-in-neuroscience-b062… The tenth of these, would you believe? Enjoy! Mark Professor Mark Humphries | Professor of Computational Neuroscience Office hours: Calendar<https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0?cid=a2twY2xkYXNvazVnYnA3ODM2bmFwZ2…> Lab: humphries-lab.org<https://www.humphries-lab.org/> Connect: Bluesky<https://bsky.app/profile/markdhumphries.bsky.social> / LinkedIn<https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-humphries-65a460212/> / X<https://x.com/markdhumphries> Essays on the brain and science: drmdhumphries.medium.com<https://drmdhumphries.medium.com/> Book: "The Spike: An Epic Journey Through the Brain in 2.1 Seconds" (Princeton UP) in hardback<https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691195889/the-spike?_gl=1*h…..>, paperback<https://press.princeton.edu/books/paperback/9780691241487/the-spike>, ebook<https://press.princeton.edu/books/ebook/9780691213514/the-spike-0?_gl=1*1uf…..> & audiobook<https://press.princeton.edu/books/audio/9780691224091/the-spike?_gl=1*37xz7…..> <https://press.princeton.edu/books/audio/9780691224091/the-spike?_gl=1*37xz7…..> read by Anand Jagatia This message and any attachment are intended solely for the addressee and may contain confidential information. If you have received this message in error, please contact the sender and delete the email and attachment. Any views or opinions expressed by the author of this email do not necessarily reflect the views of the University of Nottingham. Email communications with the University of Nottingham may be monitored where permitted by law.

Jan. 2, 2026

The First International Young Scholars Forum,School of AI for Science, Peking University

by Wei Fang

Dear Colleagues: The School of AI for Science, Peking University is planning to host the First International Young Scholars Forum in late January 2026, and will *provide travel grants for outstanding scholars*. This forum is particularly suitable for scholars with interdisciplinary backgrounds in neuroscience and machine learning. In addition, the School of AI for Science, Peking University is actively recruiting outstanding scholars from around the world. *You will have the opportunity to discuss with the school’s faculty and staff the possibility of joining Peking University and obtaining a faculty position during the forum.* Here are the specific details of the forum: -------------------- *The First International Young Scholars Forum* *School of AI for Science, Peking University* *1. **Forum Background* The School of AI for Science at Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School will host the first International Young Scholars Forum in late January 2026. The forum will center on core research areas in the field of AI for Science, with a focus on cutting-edge domains, including the Foundations of AI for Science, AI for Materials Science, AI for Life Sciences, and Computational Mathematics. *2. **School Introduction* In 2025, in response to the scientific revolution and industrial transformation of the intelligent era, with a forward-looking vision, Peking University established the School of AI for Science (the School) at its Shenzhen Graduate School. As the world’s first higher education platform to promote the institutionalized development of AI for Science through an independent academic unit, the School focuses on the deep integration of artificial intelligence and fundamental sciences. It will establish a dual-track mentorship system under the "AI + Science" framework, pioneer a research paradigm that closely integrates scientific principles with big data, and build an open and collaborative innovation ecosystem. By accelerating the process of scientific discovery and shaping the future industrial landscape, the School is committed to cultivating interdisciplinary talents with global perspectives and innovation capabilities. - Student Cultivation: The School has launched the Boya AI for Science (AI4S) Top-Talents Cultivation Program, which selects outstanding undergraduate students from Peking University and Tsinghua University for further studies. It is one of the few schools at the Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School that offers an undergraduate program. Meanwhile, the School is planning and developing the AI4S Teaching Platform. By building a smart, blended teaching platform that integrates online and offline components with laboratory facilities, it aims to provide teachers with a brand-new teaching experience. - Research Support: The School supports the dual-appointment of faculty members in relevant fields at the PengCheng Laboratory, granting them access to the PengCheng Cloud Brain—a world-leading large-scale intelligent computing platform. This provides robust computing power for computing-intensive research projects such as large model development and large scientific facility research, overcoming the computing power bottleneck in scientific research. In addition, the School has taken the lead in establishing the International Alliance of AI for Science, building the AI4S Lab—the world’s first one-stop digital and intelligent life science research platform—and setting up a number of industry-university joint laboratories, while also planning to construct the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Institute of AI for Science. Rooted in the innovation hub of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, the School is committed to building a closed-loop, full-chain transformation system integrating basic research, technological breakthroughs, and industrial applications through these initiatives. Collectively, these efforts have forged a comprehensive full-chain platform for faculty to conduct international academic cooperation, facilitate the industrialization of research outcomes, and carry out interdisciplinary research; they enable faculty to connect with top-tier global resources, align with real-world industrial needs, tackle core key technologies in the field of AI for Science, and accelerate the output of cutting-edge research achievements. - Excellent Talents in Collaboration: Through programs such as the National Science Fund for Excellent Young Scholars (overseas), the School has successfully gathered a group of aspiring and accomplished talented young academics. By joining the School, you will collaborate with peers in its open ecosystem, tackle core challenges, and jointly pioneer the future landscape of AI for Science. For more details, please visit the official website of the School of AI for Science at Peking University: https://ai4s.pkusz.edu.cn/en/ *Vision:* Accelerating Scientific Discovery, Defining the Future of Industry *Educational Philosophy:* Rooted in first principles, Driven by intelligence, Promoting interdisciplinarity, Shaping the future. *3. **Registration **Requirements* (1) Ph.D. degree in AI for Science, Artificial Intelligence, fundamental sciences, or a related interdisciplinary field, with a solid academic background. (2) Before April 1, 2026, generally should have obtained formal teaching or research position in an overseas university, scientific research institution, or enterprise R&D institution, and have more than 36 consecutive months of work experience. For those who have obtained a doctorate overseas and have particularly outstanding performance, the working years requirement may be relaxed appropriately. (3) Expertise in specialized fields, rigorous academic integrity, and excellent team spirit. *4. **Registration Method and Required Materials* (1) Application Deadline: 24:00 (Beijing Time), January 15, 2026 (2) Required Materials: Detailed personal resume, title, and abstract of the presentation to be delivered at the forum. (3) Submission Email: ai4s(a)pku.edu.cn Note: The School of AI for Science at Peking University will cover part of the international travel expenses for scholars invited to attend the main forum offline. *5. **Salary and Benefits* Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School is committed to offering a competitive compensation system that meets both domestic and international standards. Our scientific and reasonable salary models have predictable growth mechanisms, and provide comprehensive social security and welfare benefits. Based on the specific position, we offer competitive research start-up funds and dedicated research and office space. We also assist newly recruited faculty apply for various national, Guangdong Provincial, and Shenzhen Municipal talent programs or initiatives. Specific salary and additional benefits are negotiable based on qualifications and experience. *6. **Contact Information* (1) Contact Person: Ms. Bao (2) Email: baojy(a)pku.edu.cn *Welcome to the School of AI for Science at Peking University**—**where innovation meets intelligence!* *Join us, let’s create a new paradigm for scientific research in the era of intelligence together!* -- ----------------------- Wei Fang Postdoc, Electrical & Computer Engineering Yale University, USA

Dec. 31, 2025

Postdoc on attention in VLMs at NYU

by Grace Lindsay

I'm looking to hire a postdoc to study the attention abilities (i.e. ability to selectively process relevant sensory information) of large Vision-Language Models. The position will be based at the Center for Data Science at New York University. Interested candidates can find more information and instructions on how to apply here: https://lindsay-lab.github.io/2025/12/08/postdoc-ad.html -- Grace Lindsay Assistant Professor, Psychology & Data Science New York University gracewlindsay.com lindsay-lab.github.io *Models of the Mind: How Physics, Engineering and Mathematics Have Shaped Our Understanding of the Brain* <https://gracewlindsay.com/2021/02/10/models-of-the-mind-how-physics-enginee…>

Dec. 30, 2025

Positions for international postdocs in the Tchumatchenko lab in Bonn/Germany

by Tatjana Tchumatchenko

Dear friends and colleagues, I am looking to recruit international postdoctoral fellows to my lab. It would be great to attract scientists who didn't have yet exposure to the German neuroscience community and who would bring complementary expertise and perspectives. *Two postdoc positions (m/f/d) are available in the Tchumatchenko group.* The Tchumatchenko Group is seeking to attract two highly motivated postdoc candidates (0-5 years post PhD) to conduct research in the field of computational neuroscience. Prof. Tatjana Tchumatchenko was recently appointed a Henriette Herz scout at the Alexander von Humboldt foundation and is looking to attract two international postdocs though this funding scheme [1]. The ideal candidate will be an international, highly motivated, scientifically curious postdoctoral fellow with a strong work ethic and a PhD degree in life sciences, Neuroscience, Physics, Mathematics, Engineering or similar disciplines who looking to answer open question in computational neuroscience. Great social skills, excellent command of the English language and enthusiasm for working in a competitive interdisciplinary research team are essential. Potential scientific projects should lie either at the boundary between behavioral analysis and circuit neuroscience or at the boundary between molecular dynamics and circuit neuroscience: how is the molecular dynamics organized across the brain and what are statistical differences across cell types? How can we design computational models and conduct data analysis at the level transcriptomes and proteomes to understand the implementation of physiological and behavioral conditions across the brain? How can we relate learning at the level of synapses and circuits to behavioral changes observed in animals? Can we identify behavioral states and link them to particular circuit activity states? Please send your application together with a cover letter, a CV with contact details from one academic reference and copies of all relevant degree certificates to tatjana.tchumatchenko(a)uni-bonn.de. Please include in your subject line “AvH Application your name”. We are looking forward to your application! Duration and salary will be according to the fellowship scale of the Alexander von Humboldt foundation. Start date negotiable, preference for April to October 2026 or 2027. Tatjana Tchumatchenko Professor (W3) for Computational Neuroscience of Behavior Institute for Experimental Epileptology and Cognition Research Medical Faculty, University of Bonn Poppelsdorfer Allee 24 53115 Bonn www.tchumatchenko.de [1] https://www.humboldt-foundation.de/bewerben/foerderprogramme/henriette-herz…

Dec. 29, 2025

Fully-funded Neuroscience PhD program at Champalimaud Foundation

by Memming Park

Greetings everyone, Applications are now open for the *International Neuroscience Doctoral Programme (INDP)* at Champalimaud Foundation, Lisbon, Portugal. *Deadline for application: Jan 31, 2026* https://fchampalimaud.org/champalimaud-research/education/indp <https://protect.checkpoint.com/v2/r01/___https://fchampalimaud.org/champali…> Research program spans systems/computational/theoretical/clinical/sensory/motor neuroscience, neuroethology, intelligence, and more!! The programme includes an initial year of classes + three lab rotations. We seek talented, motivated applicants from all areas of neuroscience, as well as physics, math, stats, computer science, electrical/biomedical engineering, and related quantitative background To learn more about the culture and value of Champalimaud Research, check out: https://www.fchampalimaud.org/about-cr <https://protect.checkpoint.com/v2/r01/___https://www.fchampalimaud.org/abou…> Looking forward to your applications! (and please forward as you see fit. Thanks!) Sincerely, Memming Park Director of INDP P.S. Happy holidays! --- Group Leader, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Lisbon, Portugal Neural Dynamics = CATNIP Lab http://catniplab.github.io/

Dec. 28, 2025

PhD position and further opportunities in the group “Neural network dynamics and computation” (Raoul-Martin Memmesheimer, University of Bonn)

by Raoul-Martin Memmesheimer

PhD position and further opportunities in the group “Neural network dynamics and computation” (Raoul-Martin Memmesheimer, University of Bonn) There is a fully funded PhD position (65% E13) available in the “Neural network dynamics and computation” group at the University of Bonn lead by Raoul-Martin Memmesheimer. The scope of the research is rather open, ranging from computations and learning in precisely spiking neural networks, which is relevant for neural network modeling and neuromorphic machine learning, to investigating representational drift and its consequences by means of data acquired by our experimentally working colleagues at the University of Bonn. At an earlier career stage, you can write your Bachelor’s or Master’s thesis, or do a short-term internship to get to know research in theoretical neuroscience/neurophysics. Optimal backgrounds of applicants include physics, theoretical neuroscience, theoretical biology, computer science and mathematics. If you are interested in more information, see our website (www.nndc.group) contact Raoul-Martin Memmesheimer via email (rm.memmesheimer(a)uni-bonn.de) or, if you are in the neighborhood, come over to our offices near the botanical garden of the University of Bonn.

Dec. 23, 2025

Application Deadline EXTENDED: Nengo Summer School 2026

by Kathryn Simone

Dear colleagues, The deadline for application to the 2026 Nengo Summer School has been extended to 15 January, 2026 Anywhere On Earth. All details about this school can be found online at https://www.nengo.ai/summer-school The Centre for Theoretical Neuroscience at the University of Waterloo is excited to announce our 11th annual Nengo summer school on large-scale brain modelling and neuromorphic computing. This two-week school will teach participants to use the Nengo simulation package to build state-of-the-art cognitive and neural models to run both in simulation and on neuromorphic hardware. Summer school participants will be given on-site access to neuromorphic hardware and will learn to run high-level applications using Nengo! More generally, Nengo provides users with a versatile and powerful environment for designing cognitive and neural systems and has been used to build what is currently the world's largest functional brain model, Spaun, which includes spiking deep learning, reinforcement learning, adaptive motor control, and cognitive control networks. For a look at the last in-person summer school, check out this short video: https://youtu.be/hHwIryt053M?si=N70eVlC3Sm_2sDy5 We welcome applications from all interested graduate students, postdocs, professors, and industry professionals with a relevant background. Application Deadline EXTENDED: January 15th, 2026 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, creating models to account for 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, 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! * Participants will have the opportunity to learn how to: * interface Nengo with various kinds of neuromorphic hardware (e.g. BrainDrop, SpiNNaker) * build perceptual, motor, and sophisticated cognitive models using spiking neurons * build models to account for 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 cameras and robotic systems * implement modern nonlinear control methods in neural models * neurally implement vector symbolic architecture algorithms * and much more… Date and Location: May 31st to June 12th, 2026 at the University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Applications: Please visit http://www.nengo.ai/summer-school, 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: Madeleine Bartlett: madeleine.bartlett(a)uwaterloo.ca Kathryn Simone: kpsimone(a)uwaterloo.ca The school is partly supported by ABR, Inc. We look forward to hearing from you! Kathryn Simone, PhD Postdoctoral Fellow, Computational Neuroscience Research Group Department of Systems Design Engineering University of Waterloo

Dec. 22, 2025

Special Session "MLDL-HIC" at WCCI 2026 - Maastricht, Netherlands

by Pub Conference

Dear Colleague, We are organizing a Special Session for the International Joint Conference on Neural Networks (IJCNN 2026) entitled *“Advances in Machine Learning and Deep Learning for Hyperspectral Image Classification,”* which is part of the IEEE World Congress on Computational Intelligence (WCCI) 2026, to be held in Maastricht, the Netherlands, June 21–26, 2026. The objective of this special session is to bring together researchers and practitioners in machine learning, deep learning, and remote sensing to share novel computational approaches for hyperspectral image classification. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following: · Remote Sensing Applications of Hyperspectral Imaging · Hyperspectral Imaging for Advanced Remote Sensing Techniques · Deep Learning Architectures for Hyperspectral Image Classification · Transfer Learning for Hyperspectral Image Classification · Unsupervised and Semi-Supervised Learning Methods · Data Augmentation and Synthetic Data Generation for Hyperspectral Data · Multisource and Multimodal Data Fusion · Explainability and Interpretability in Hyperspectral Image Classification · Advanced Feature Extraction Techniques · Adversarial Attacks and Robustness in Hyperspectral Image Classification · Real-Time Hyperspectral Image Classification · Applications of Hyperspectral Image Classification · Benchmarking and Evaluation of Deep Learning Models · Hybrid and Ensemble Models for Hyperspectral Classification · Hyperparameter Tuning and Optimization Techniques · Challenges and Future Directions in Hyperspectral Image Classification Details about the session can be found here: https://sites.google.com/view/wcci2026/home Information on papers submission can be found here: https://attend.ieee.org/wcci-2026/information-for-authors/ <https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fattend.ie…> All accepted papers will be included in the WCCI 2026 proceedings, published on the IEEE Xplore Digital Library. The deadline for the submission of papers is approaching: January 31, 2026, 23:59 AoE time (no extension will be given, see Important Dates <https://attend.ieee.org/wcci-2026/important-dates-deadlines/>) For any additional inquiries, please feel free to contact us. Best regards, Nian Ashlee Zhang, University of the District of Columbia, USA Man-Fai Leung, Anglia Ruskin University, U.K. Feng Xia, RMIT University, Australia Donald C. Wunsch II, Missouri University of Science and Technology, USA

Dec. 22, 2025

Lorentz Center symposium "Brain and Organisms, Neuroscience beyond Computation"

by Francesco Battaglia

Dear all, we are still taking registrations for our Lorentz Center Symposium "Brain and Organisms, Neuroscience beyond Computation" to be held in Leiden 16 to 20 March 2026. Since the 1990s, that were designated as the “Decade of the brain” new technologies have generate a wealth of empirical data unimaginable before. Yet that era’s hopes for a new understanding of the brain that would translate into effective treatment for a number of brain disorders seem to be put on hold. The currently slow progress of brain theory, and, relatedly, of clinical innovation has, in our opinion, a key cause in reductionist, and reductive dominant paradigm which looks at “brain machinery” in isolation, without paying much attention to the link between the brain and the physiology of the whole organism, and to the social-ecological environment in which natural brains operate. The symposium will bring together mathematicians, philosophers, computer scientists, and experimental neuroscientists to identify how a broader perspective on brain-organism-environment may help formulating new conceptual tools, and novel experimental paradigms. The sessions will progress from debating to value of current computational and modeling trends, to highly conceptual and theoretical perspective of the biological brain and ending with the discussing how the brain integrates into the organism as a whole, and into a social network in individuals. We hope to formulate new ideas, which will be summarized for example in a special issue of a prominent academic journal. You can see more info, and register at https://www.lorentzcenter.nl/brain-and-organisms-neuroscience-beyond-comput… Please do not hesitate contacting me if you have any questions! All best, Francesco Prof. Dr. Francesco P. Battaglia Principal Investigator Neuronal Networks of Memory Lab Donders Centre for Neuroscience Heyendaalseweg 135 6525AJ Nijmegen - The Netherlands francesco.battaglia(a)donders.ru.nl fpbattaglia(a)gmail.com Post address: P.O. box 9010 internal Mailbox 66 6500GL Nijmegen The Netherlands September 2025- January 2026: Distinguished NIAS-Lorentz Center Fellow (on sabbatical at NIAS in Amsterdam)

Dec. 21, 2025

Konstanz School of Collective Behaviour 2026 ( Deadline : March 15th, 2026)

by Ahmed El Hady

*Konstanz School of Collective Behaviour 2026* *Konstanz, Germany * *20th July 2026 – 7th August 2026 *** *Deadline to apply: March 15th, 2026* The Konstanz School of Collective Behaviour (KSCB) <https://www.exc.uni-konstanz.de/kscb/about/> will take place between 20th July – 7th August 2026 at the Cluster of Excellence Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour (CASCB) at the University of Konstanz <https://www.uni-konstanz.de/en/>. Konstanz <https://www.konstanz.de/start> is a vibrant, small city located on the border between Germany and Switzerland, on the shores of the Bodensee (Lake Constance). Over three weeks, students will delve deeply into the topic of collective behaviour with lectures, hands-on tutorials, and projects, making it a unique and unforgettable experience. The school faculty will cover collective behaviours across a variety of species from cells, worms, drosophila, fish to non – human primates and human. A set of tutorials delving into state-of-the-art quantitative methods used to study collective behaviour will complement the lectures. At the end of the school, students will work on independent projects guided by our resident faculty and tutors. The Konstanz School of Collective Behaviour is intended for graduate students, doctoral researchers, and early postdoctoral researchers. We consider applicants with strong quantitative background including but not limited to physics, computer science, mathematics and engineering. Applicants with biological and experimental background will be considered if they demonstrate in their application extensive quantitative and mathematical background as the focus of the school is quantitative study of collective behaviours. Accommodation will be provided and paid by the organizers. A limited number of travel support will be provided and a registration fee will be due (500 Euros) once the student is admitted to the Konstanz School of Collective Behaviour. The registration fee will be waived to those coming from underrepresented minorities and those in need of financial support. The submission of applications for the fourth Konstanz School of Collective Behaviour is currently open until March 15, 2026. We will inform the applicants during the month of April whether their application was successful For further information about the school and the application procedure , visit our website: _https://www.exc.uni-konstanz.de/kscb/application-procedure/ _ *KSCB 2026 faculty : * ·Anastasia Bizyaeva ( Cornell University, USA) ·Iain Couzin ( University of Konstanz / Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior) ·Einat Couzin-fuchs ( University of Konstanz ) ·David Garcia ( University of Konstanz ) ·Dan Gorbonos ( Holon Institute of Technology, Israel and Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior) ·Stefan Krapitscka ( University of Konstanz ) ·Zachary Kilpatrick ( University of Colorado Boulder, USA) ·Liang Li ( Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior) ·Yonatan Loewenstein ( Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel) ·Ran Nathan ( Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel ) ·Mor Nitzan ( Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel) ·Britta Renner ( University of Konstanz ) ·Allyson Sgro ( Janelia Farm Research Campus, Virginia, USA) ·Joshua Shaevitz ( Princeton University, USA) ·Ariana Strandburg-Peshkin ( Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior) ·Katrin Vogt ( University of Konstanz ) *In case you have any questions, please contact: **ahmed.el-hady(a)uni-konstanz.de <mailto:ahmed.el-hady@uni-konstanz.de>** * All the best regards, Ahmed El Hady On behalf of the KSCB organizational committee Dr. Ahmed El Hady Principal Investigator Cluster for Advanced Study of Collective Behavior, University of Konstanz Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior Universitätsstraße 10, 78464 Konstanz Room ZT 907 Postbox 687 Tel.: +49 7531 88-4742

Dec. 20, 2025

Postdoctoral Position - Computational Models of Hearing

by Stevenson, Ian

The Physiological Acoustics Lab<http://escabilab.uconn.edu/> (http://escabilab.uconn.edu) at the University of Connecticut seeks applicants for a postdoctoral position in systems and computational neuroscience. DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES We are seeking highly motivated and creative applicants who can lead a project on Misophonia, a psychological and behavioral disorder in which individuals experience adverse emotional reactions to specific sounds (“auditory triggers”). The broad project goal is to develop computational models of hearing and perception that are fitted to human perceptual measurements and that can be used to characterize and diagnose misophonia. The models will also be used to develop sound processing tools to remove and de-emphasize auditory triggers (e.g., with headphones) and improve participant outcomes. The project will use a variety of approaches, including human perceptual experiments, machine learning, digital signal processing, and computational models of hearing. UConn has a vibrant neuroscience community, and there are opportunities for collaboration between departments, institutes, and Universities involved in the project. The primary appointment is in Biomedical Engineering and/or Electrical Engineering. The work will be conducted in collaboration with the Behavioral Neuroscience program in the Psychological Sciences department (Ian Stevenson), the Electrical and Computer Engineering/Biomedical Engineering departments at the University of Connecticut (Monty Escabí), and the Connecticut Institute for Brain and Cognitive Sciences. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS * A PhD in Neuroscience, Biomedical Engineering, Computational Neuroscience, or a related field is required. * Experience with experimental design, data analysis, and/or modeling. PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS * Previous experience, education, or general proven knowledge in hearing or speech and language sciences. * Interdisciplinary research experience in computational and systems neuroscience with prior research experience in human behavior, animal behavior and/or brain physiology. * A strong analytic background, particularly in modeling neural systems and analyzing large datasets. * Experience with acoustic signal processing, sound recognition, and machine learning. APPOINTMENT TERMS This is a full-time, 12-month position funded through the Misophonia Research Fund on a yearly basis. Salaries follow the post-doctoral scale and are based on experience. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT Employment of the successful candidate is contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment criminal background check. TO APPLY Please apply online at https://hr.uconn.edu/jobs, Staff Positions, Search #499299 to upload a single PDF file containing: * a resume (including past research experience and published work), * a one-page statement of prior research experience, * a one-page statement of future research interests and objectives, and * the names and contact information of at least two individuals who can provide reference letters. All employees are subject to adherence to the State Code of Ethics which may be found at https://portal.ct.gov/Ethics/Statutes-and-Regulations. All members of the University of Connecticut are expected to exhibit appreciation of, and contribute to, an inclusive, respectful, and diverse environment for the University community. The University of Connecticut aspires to create a community built on collaboration and belonging and has actively sought to create an inclusive culture within the workforce. The success of the University is dependent on the willingness of our diverse employee and student populations to share their rich perspectives and backgrounds in a respectful manner. This makes it essential for each member of our community to feel secure and welcomed and to thoroughly understand and believe that their ideas are respected by all. We strongly respect each individual employee’s unique experiences and perspectives and encourage all members of the community to do the same. All applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO Employer. Ian Stevenson Associate Professor University of Connecticut Department of Psychological Sciences stevenson.lab.uconn.edu<http://stevenson.lab.uconn.edu>

Dec. 19, 2025

Call for Application: Systems Vision Science Virtual Summer School & Symposium: July 8th – July 31st, 2026

by Pavlovic, Maria

Systems Vision Science Virtual Summer School & Symposium: July 8th - July 31st, 2026 -------------------------------- Applications are invited for a <https://summerschool.lizhaoping.org/virtual-systems-vision-science-summer-s chool-symposium-2024/> virtual edition of the Systems Vision Science Summer School and Symposium that took place in Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics in Tuebingen, Germany in August 2023 <https://summerschool.lizhaoping.org/editions-in-previous-years/> and August 2025 and virtual in 2024. This year, the virtual edition enables students to attend from afar by formal lectures via Zoom and informal and social communications via a Slack channel. Systems Vision Science combines computational, behavioral, and neuroscience methods to discover functions and algorithms for vision in various brain regions and their implementations in neural circuits. This summer school is designed for everyone interested in gaining a systems level understanding of biological vision. We plan a coherent, graduate-level, syllabus on the integration of experimental data with theory and models. The syllabus content will be very similar to the edition in 2024 <https://summerschool.lizhaoping.org/points-policies-prizes/> . Experience or knowledge in (A) computational methods, (B) visual psychophysics, and (C) vision neuroscience, is not required. However, experience in at least one of (A), (B), and (C), and a readiness to learn, is expected. The Summer School will be followed by a Systems Vision Science Virtual Symposium on July 31st. All admitted summer school students will be invited to attend this symposium and are encouraged to submit for a presentation at the symposium. The symposium will also feature two invited keynote presentations. A certificate of completion of the summer school course will be provided after the student's successful completion of the summer school. -------------------------------- Important Dates: March 28, 2026 Deadline for applications April 10, 2026 Notification of acceptance April 27, 2026 Registration fees due July 8 - Virtual Systems Vision Science Summer School takes place July 30, 2026 (formal lectures via Zoom and informal and social communications via a Slack channel) July 31, 2026 Virtual Systems Vision Science Symposium takes place (3 -7 pm German time) -------------------------------- Please click here <https://summerschool.lizhaoping.org/application-virtual-svs/> to find more details and to apply by March 28, 2026. Summer School admission will be based on interest/motivation and prior knowledge/experience of the applicants, and on how much the applicants could benefit from participation. Please direct inquiries to svs.summerschool(a)tue.mpg.de <mailto:svs.summerschool@tue.mpg.de> -------------------------------- Organizing Team Li Zhaoping Maria Pavlovic Vladislav Aksiotis Franziska Lohrmann Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics University of Tuebingen www.summerschool.lizhaoping.org

Dec. 19, 2025

Job Offer - Research Assistant - Neuroinformatics - Dynamical Systems (Prof. Dr. Gordon Pipa) - Institute of Cognitive Science

by Prof. Dr. Pipa

The Neuroinformatics research group (Prof. Dr. Gordon Pipa) of the Institute of Cognitive Science invites applications for a Research Assistant. https://www.uni-osnabrueck.de/en/university/working-at-osnabrueck-universit… The Neuroinformatics group research topics are cantered on how cognitive functions are implemented in the brain. This includes the use of models or simulations of complex or neuro-inspired artificial systems, the development of machine learning approaches and analysis of complex (neuronal) dynamical systems. The core goal is to unravel the information processing principles of neuro-inspired information processing. Experience or a strong interest is highly encouraged in the following areas: * Computational neuroscience and machine learning * Complex dynamical systems and its study concepts (e.g. bifurcation and stability analysis), e.g. spiking neuronal networks Applications with the usual documentation should be submitted by e-mail in a single PDF-file to the Director of the Institute of Cognitive Science (office-ikw(a)uni-osnabrueck.de) no later than January 4, 2026. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Professor and Chair of the Neuroinformatics Department Dr. Gordon Pipa Institute of Cognitive Science, Room 50/218 University of Osnabrueck Wachsbleiche 27, 49090 Osnabrück, Germany Associated with: Fellow at Frankurt Institute of Advanced Studies, Germany tel. +49 (0) 541-969-2277 fax (private). +49 (0) 5405- 500 80 98 home office. +49 (0) 5405- 500 90 95 e-mail: <mailto:gpipa@uos.de> gpipa(a)uos.de webpage: <https://www.ikw.uni-osnabrueck.de/en/research_groups/neuroinformatics/overvi> https://www.ikw.uni-osnabrueck.de/en/research_groups/neuroinformatics/overv… G.Scholar: <https://scholar.google.de/citations?user=joR6mgEAAAAJ&hl=en> https://scholar.google.de/citations?user=joR6mgEAAAAJ&hl=en linkedin: <https://de.linkedin.com/in/gordon-pipa-47771539> https://de.linkedin.com/in/gordon-pipa-47771539 Personal Assistent and Secretary of the Neuroinformatic lab: Christina Vidovic Tel. +49 (0)541 969-2390 Email: <mailto:christina.vidovic@uni-osnabrueck.de> christina.vidovic(a)uni-osnabrueck.de And Julia Reuter <mailto:julreuter@uni-osnabrueck.de> julreuter(a)uni-osnabrueck.de Tel: +49 (0) 541 969-2407

Dec. 19, 2025

Postdoc and PhD positions in Panzeri Lab - Hamburg

by Stefano Panzeri

I am seeking candidates for fully funded postdoctoral and PhD positions in computational neuroscience at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE). The successful candidates will conduct research in my computational laboratory (Institute for Neural Information Processing) at UKE: https://www.uke.de/english/departments-institutes/institutes/department-of-… We will investigate, by developing and using advanced machine learning methods and neural network models, how populations of neurons (and of glia) in the brain encode information and use it to produce behaviors. We offer a wide range of interdisciplinary expertise in computational neuroscience. We also offers a high-quality and well-funded research environment including a network of international experimental collaborators such as Prof. Christopher Harvey at Harvard Medical School, Prof. Tommaso Fellin at IIT Italy, and Prof. Mriganka Sur at MIT. We seek candidates with a solid computational background and a keen interest in neuroscience. They must be highly motivated and creative individuals who want to work in a dynamic, multi-disciplinary research environment and be willing to interact with both experimental and theoretical neuroscientists. The job is available starting immediately and applications will be considered as soon as they are received and until the positions are filled. Funding is available for several years (with a minimum commitment of two years expected) for postdoc candidates and for the full duration of the PhD for PhD candidates. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to email me (s.panzeri(a)uke.de or stefano.panzeri(a)gmail.com) as soon as possible, to inform me of the interest for the position and initiate a discussion about research projects. I suggest interested candidates to attach a CV when inquiring by email. For recent example publications from my lab, see: Dupret D et al (2025) Neural population activity for memory: properties, computations, and codes. Neuron: in press Safaai H et al (2025) Specialized structure of neural population codes in parietal cortex outputs. Nature Neuroscience 28, 2550–2560 Lorenz GM et al (2025) MINT: a toolbox for the analysis of multivariate neural information coding and transmission. PLOS Computational Biology 21 (4), e1012934 Kuan AT et al (2024). Synaptic wiring motifs in posterior parietal cortex support decision-making. Nature 627, 367–373 Celotto M, et al (2023) An information-theoretic quantification of the content of communication between brain regions. NeurIPS Panzeri S, et al (2022) The structures and functions of correlations in neural population codes. Nature Reviews Neuroscience 23:551-567 Koren V., Panzeri S (2022) Biologically plausible solutions for spiking networks with efficient coding. NeurIPS Curreli S, et al (2022) Complementary encoding of spatial information in hippocampal astrocytes. PLoS Biology 20(3): e3001530. Valente, M. et al (2021), Correlations enhance the behavioral readout of neural population activity in association cortex. Nature Neuroscience, 24, 975–986 Stefano Panzeri

Dec. 19, 2025

PhD position on multiscale theory of spiking neural networks for modeling human language

by Tilo Schwalger

As previously announced, a PhD position on spiking neural network theory is available in the group of Prof. Tilo Schwalger at the Technical University Berlin and the Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin (https://page.math.tu-berlin.de/~schwalge) Germany. The position is now open for applications. The position is offered in the context of the project The Role of Long-Range Brain Connectivity in Human Language Processing (ConnLingua), a collaboration between the Technical University Berlin, the Max-Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences (Leipzig), the Technical University Chemnitz, and the Czech Acedemy of Science (Prague). Within this project, we will use spiking neural network models for cortical microcircuits, models of working memory and advanced mean-field methods to develop a whole-brain model that elucidates the neural mechanisms of syntactic language operations. At the Bernstein center, we offer a structured program guiding doctoral researchers through the PhD work and plenty of opportunities for collaborations. The PhD student will also benefit from intensive scientific interactions among researchers of the different labs of the project. For more details, please see https://www.jobs.tu-berlin.de/stellenausschreibungen/200012?language=en -- Prof. Dr. Tilo Schwalger Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, Berlin Philippstr. 13, Haus 6, 10115 Berlin Room: 202, phone: 0049(0)302093 6788 Technische Universität Berlin Institute of Mathematics Straße des 17. Juni 136, 10623 Berlin Room: 784, phone: +49 (0)30 314-22698 http://page.math.tu-berlin.de/~schwalge tilo.schwalger(a)bccn-berlin.de

Dec. 18, 2025

NEST Conference 2026 – Save the date: 16-17 June 2026

by Hans Ekkehard Plesser

Dear Colleagues, The NEST Initiative is excited to invite everyone interested in Neural Simulation Technology and the NEST Simulator to the NEST Conference 2026. Save the date for the virtual conference, taking place on June 16-17, 2026! The annual NEST Conference provides an opportunity for the NEST Community to meet, exchange success stories,swap advice, learn about current developments in and around NEST spiking network simulation and its application. Weparticularly encourage young scientists to participate in the conference! Registration and abstract submission will open soon. For more information on the event please visit the conference website https://nest-simulator.org/conference We are looking forward to seeing you in June! Hans Ekkehard Plesser - on behalf of the conference organizing committee - -- Prof. Dr. Hans Ekkehard Plesser Research Committee Chair, Faculty of Science and Technology Head, Department of Data Science Department of Data Science Faculty of Science and Technology Norwegian University of Life Sciences PO Box 5003, 1432 Aas, Norway Phone +47 6723 1560 Email hans.ekkehard.plesser(a)nmbu.no<mailto:hans.ekkehard.plesser@nmbu.no> Home http://arken.nmbu.no/~plesser

Dec. 18, 2025

Postdoctoral Fellowship – AI/Data Science Competitions in Mental & Brain Health at KCNI, CAMH (Ontario, Canada)

by Sujeevini Sujanthan

Postdoctoral Fellowship – AI/Data Science Competitions in Mental & Brain Health Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics (KCNI), Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) Ontario, Canada We are recruiting a postdoctoral fellow to help design, implement and evaluate data science challenges that advance mental and brain health research. The fellow will work closely with KCNI principal investigators, clinicians, and data scientists to shape AI challenge questions, prepare multimodal datasets (clinical, sensor, imaging), develop and test models, and contribute to knowledge translation activities. Full position description and application details can be found here<https://static1.squarespace.com/static/6818e02697a72a4e24161a5f/t/689387057…>. If you are interested or have questions, please contact us at contact@bhdc-pdsc<mailto:contact@bhdc-pdsc.ca?>.ca. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, early submissions are encouraged. Many thanks, Sujeevini On behalf of the BHDC Project Team CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message. AVIS DE CONFIDENTIALITÉ : Ce message électronique, ainsi que tout fichier qui y est joint, est reserve à l'usage exclusif du destinataire visé et peut contenir des renseignements confidentiels et privilégiés. Toute lecture, utilisation, divulgation ou distribution non autorisée est interdite. Si vous n'êtes pas le destinataire visé, veuillez en aviser l'expéditeur par retour de courriel et détruire toutes les copies du message original.

Dec. 17, 2025

Postdoctoral positions in systems and circuits neurophysiology - Paris Brain Institute

by Nikolas Karalis

We invite applications for postdoctoral researchers with strong expertise in *in vivo electrophysiology* and *circuit neuroscience *to join our team Neuronal Circuits & Brain Dynamics <http://neuronaldynamics.eu/> at the Paris Brain Institute <https://institutducerveau-icm.org/en/> (ICM). Our project focuses on how neuromodulators (NE, DA, 5-HT, ACh) reshape large-scale circuit dynamics, inter-area communication, and state-dependent reconfiguration across hippocampal, prefrontal, and thalamic networks. Our experiments are designed to generate datasets that constrain mechanistic interpretations. The researcher will lead experimental work combining: - high-density extracellular electrophysiology (such as Neuropixels probes) - neuromodulator readouts (GRAB sensors, fiber photometry) - targeted perturbations (optogenetics, chemogenetics, *in vivo* genome editing) - behavioral paradigms (used to structure internal state transitions) *Required background and mindset* We are looking for an experimentalist with quantitative spirit, deep interest on underlying mechanisms, and hands-on, problem-solving mentality. - Extensive hands-on experience with *in vivo* electrophysiology in rodents (surgeries, recordings, manipulations) - Demonstrated ability to independently run complex experiments - Willingness to modify hardware, software, or analysis pipelines when needed - Comfortable preprocessing own data - Understanding spike sorting, quality control, cell-types, circuit motifs, extracellular signals, data organization, and reproducible pipelines - Data analysis is a core goal, not an afterthought - Interested in multi-region dynamics, state-dependent computation, and neuromodulation - Comfort connecting physiological observations to circuit architecture. - Ability to drive an ambitious experimental project and collaborate with theorists - Optional but valuable: experience with photometry, 1P/2P imaging, or slice electrophysiology We strongly encourage applications from individuals that have been traditionally underrepresented in the sciences. *Responsibilities:* - Design and perform multi-region electrophysiology chronic and acute experiments - Integrate Neuropixels data with simultaneous neuromodulator recordings - Design, implement, and interpret circuit perturbation experiments - Generate multi-modal datasets combining behavior, physiology, and neuromodulation - Collaborate and engage critically with theorists developing multi-level models *Research culture* Research in our lab is driven by the belief that understanding brain function requires *quantitative, mechanistic reasoning** grounded in high-quality physiological data*. We prioritize careful experimental design, deep engagement with raw signals, and an explicit connection between circuit structure, population dynamics, and computation. Lab members are expected to take ownership of their experiments and analyses end-to-end, to question assumptions, and to engage critically across disciplines. Intellectual rigor, technical independence, and clarity of thought are central to the lab’s culture. *Opportunities* As a postdoctoral researcher in our group: - You will be an integral part of shaping our research direction and team culture. You will engage in exciting and meaningful research and will have access to all the tools necessary to push the boundaries of scientific exploration, with our cutting-edge techniques and state-of-the-art facilities. - You will have ample opportunities to develop vital skills for your future academic career, such as mentoring, grant writing, presenting your work, publishing papers, and leading projects to completion. In parallel, you will gain invaluable first-hand experience in setting up and managing a young research team. - We encourage participation in conferences and workshops, where you can present your research findings to the wider scientific community. *Why join our team* - We are a young and vibrant group of scientists, fueled by curiosity and passion for understanding the brain. We work as a team and use or invent cutting-edge neurotechnologies to answer fundamental questions in neuroscience. - Our team is committed to the training, mentorship, and career development of the next generation of neuroscientists. To achieve that, we foster an inclusive and supportive environment, where we can learn and advance science while having fun in the process. - Our work is multi-disciplinary, and so is our team. Irrespective of your background and project, our research environment will expose you to a diverse range of experimental and computational aspects of systems and circuits neuroscience. - Working in our team will provide you with invaluable experience across all stages of research, and you will have the opportunity to engage in experiment design and execution, method development, software design, and data analysis, as well as publishing and communicating research results. - Our team is affiliated with Inserm <https://www.inserm.fr/> and is located in the Paris Brain Institute (ICM) <https://institutducerveau-icm.org/>, where we have access to state-of-the-art facilities and resources. - Our vibrant community at the ICM and throughout Paris promotes broad collaboration and learning opportunities. If you would like to know more, visit our website: neuronaldynamics.eu and read about our team's mission and values <https://www.neuronaldynamics.eu/team/mission-values>. *How to apply* If you are eager to join our vibrant research community and contribute to groundbreaking discoveries, we warmly welcome your application. Please send a statement of your past work and future research interests, your CV, and contact information for 1-3 references to the address: apply(a)neuronaldynamics.eu -- Nikolas Karalis Neuronal Circuits & Brain Dynamics Lab <http://neuronaldynamics.eu/> - Paris Brain Institute

Dec. 17, 2025

Postdoctoral position at University of Pittsbrugh

by Genís Prat Ortega

Hi all, We invite applications for a postdoctoral researcher at the Rehab and Neural Engineering Labs (RNEL), University of Pittsburgh. RNEL offers a highly collaborative environment where BCI and neurostimulation groups work together with the mission to improve the quality of life of individuals with neurological impairments. The postdoctoral researcher will lead a pioneering research to test the efficacy and safety of already existing neurostimulation techniques such as *spinal cord stimulation and deep brain stimulation to improve motor and cognitive function for children with Cerebral Palsy.* This role involves: - Leading first-in-human clinical trials - Human electrophysiology experiment and computational modeling of neural networks to investigate the neurostimulation mechanisms. The ideal candidate has a background in Mathematics, Physics, Computational Neuroscience, Neuroengineering or any related field motivated to work in a multidisciplinary team together with neurosurgeons, physical therapists, neurologists and neuroengineers to bring new neurostimulation therapies to children. If any of these ideas sound interesting to you, send me an email with your CV and a short motivation at gep67(a)pitt.edu. Questions are welcome—don't hesitate to reach out. The position will remain open until it is filled and we will consider all applications that arrive before February 1st. Thanks!

Dec. 15, 2025

Postdoc position at Paris Vision Institute

by ulisse ferrari

Postdoc Position in my group at the Paris Vision Institute Location: Paris Vision Institute <https://www.institut-vision.org/en>, Ulisse Ferrari’s group Duration: 2 years (with the possibility of extension) Start date: As early as February 2027, but very flexible Application deadline: Open until the position is filled We invite applications for a postdoctoral research position in the computational neuroscience of the retina and the visual system, mixing methods from machine learning, statistical physics, and information theory. The position is part of a data-driven research program focused on understanding how neurons in the retina encode and transmit sensory information, and on developing machine-learning tools for the analysis of real biological and clinical data. The position will remain open until a suitable candidate is identified; there is no fixed hiring deadline. Candidates from all backgrounds and nationalities are encouraged to apply. Applications will be evaluated solely on scientific merit and alignment with the research themes. More information available at: https://docs.google.com/document/d/12jBOghOMx9kXhOY6PjxbdgYk2_4gseNWTO_jMyJ… Best Ulisse Ferrari

Dec. 15, 2025

Follow-Up on Neuroelectrodynamics Experiments

by Dorian Aur

Dear Colleagues, Many of you have attended previous talks or participated in discussions on the* neuroelectrodynamics experiments*. I have now consolidated the experimental interpretations and underlying theoretical principles into a unified framework. To improve accessibility, I have also recorded an audio version of this material, intended for anyone who may prefer to listen while commuting or during other activities. This gentle introduction framework and interpretations are available here: https://dorianaur.gumroad.com/l/udtedn This work complements existing computational approaches by introducing additional electrodynamic considerations, and aligns with the theoretical developments presented soon in the forthcoming book: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G4NVY6DN *I welcome your thoughts and discussion.* Best, Dorian Aur, PhD [image: Mailsuite] Email tracked with Mailsuite · Opt out <https://mailtrack.io/en/privacy/opt-out/unsubscribe/8e43dfd050b3194c653057e…> 12/14/25, 02:21:48 PM

Dec. 15, 2025

Postdoc or technician position in simulator software development

by Erik De Schutter

The Computational Neuroscience unit (https://www.oist.jp/research/research-units/cnu) at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology has an opening for software developers to contribute to further expansion of our nanoscale simulation package STEPS. Initial duration is two years with option to extend. We have been spearheading the development of efficient computational tools to simulate electrophysiological, molecular and cell biology processes in neurons at the nanoscale (STEPS http://steps.sourceforge.net) The hired postdoctoral researcher or technician is expected to make valuable contributions to the STEPS project by implementing novel techniques for accurate computational modeling and contributing to software maintenance. In performing these tasks, the candidate is expected to co-author publications that are either based on theory and computational techniques, or geared more towards answering real biological questions through computational modeling. As such, the ideal candidate will have a scientific background but also possess excellent programming skills. Competences: For the postdoctoral position a recent PhD is required in a relevant discipline such as computer science, neuroscience, molecular biology, biophysics, biochemistry, and for the technician position a masters degree is required in computer science or related disciplines. For either position, we require a talented programmer with experience in C++ and Python who can work in a team. Ideally, the candidate has some experience of modeling neuronal or other biological processes computationally, but this is not essential if the candidate is motivated to move into the field. Fluent English conversation and writing skills are required. Benefits / Offer: Standard salary and relocation package are offered. Medical insurance and housing allowance are included. This an ideal position to gain experience in advanced scientific software development and take part in our international collaborations. Please contact Prof. Erik De Schutter (erik(a)oist.jp) for inquiries.

Dec. 15, 2025

Professor / Associate Professor in Biomedical Engineering at the University of Wollongong, Australia

by Manish Sreenivasa

*Professor, Biomedical Engineering* *Wollongong, NSW, Australia* *Job Description* - Permanent/Continuing, full-time appointment - Level D: $179,439 - $192,572 + 17% superannuation - Level E: $223,260 + 17% superannuation - Visa sponsorship may be available for this position *Join UOW as the Professor of Biomedical Engineering* Shape a discipline. Lead a team. Accelerate impact. Ready to build and lead a cutting‑edge Biomedical Engineering program at a globally ranked university—while living by some of Australia’s most beautiful beaches? The University of Wollongong (UOW) invites applications from exceptional, rising academic leaders for a new Professorship in Biomedical Engineering within our School of Engineering—one of Australia’s top engineering faculties (THE World Rankings by Subject 2025: 8th in Australia; top 125-150th globally). Depending on experience and expertise the appointment will be as Full Professor (Level E) or Associate Professor (Level D). *Why UOW and Wollongong?* - Live and work in a vibrant coastal city with a relaxed lifestyle, outstanding schools, a safe community, and quick access to Sydney. - Join a School renowned for research and teaching excellence across sustainable manufacturing, green power, robotics, and medical devices—offering rich opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaboration. - Leverage our strong industry partnerships and deep links with leading national and international universities and institutes to accelerate translation and secure competitive funding. *About The Opportunity* As Professor and Discipline Lead for Biomedical Engineering, you will: - Define and drive the strategic direction of Biomedical Engineering at UOW. - Build an ambitious, collaborative research ecosystem spanning fundamental discovery to clinical and industry translation. - Mentor emerging academics and HDR candidates, and shape innovative curriculum across undergraduate and postgraduate programs. - Forge partnerships with hospitals, medtech companies, and government to deliver real healthcare impact. *Focus Areas* We welcome applications from scholars whose research aligns with one or more of the following areas: - Bionics and neuroengineering - Brain–computer/machine interfaces - Rehabilitation engineering - Biosensing and instrumentation - Tissue/cell biomechanics and mechanotransduction - Artificial organs and implants - Musculoskeletal and physiological modelling - Electroceuticals - Prosthetics and orthotics - Orthopaedic engineering (especially orthopaedic biomechanics) *What We’re Looking For* - A strong, upward research trajectory with a record of high-impact publications, competitive grants, and translation or industry engagement. - Experience leading teams and shaping academic programs. - A collaborative mindset and a passion for mentoring the next generation of biomedical engineers. - Commitment to excellence in both research and teaching. *What You’ll Find Here* - A collegial, high-performance culture with outstanding facilities and technical support. - Deep connections to clinicians and industry to accelerate device development and deployment. - A platform to grow a flagship discipline and leave a lasting legacy. UOW is very committed to supporting diversity and gender balance. The Engineering & Information Sciences (EIS) Faculty at the University of Wollongong proudly offers: - Leadership mentoring for emerging women researchers and providing opportunities for them to be a part of UOW’s Leadership Program Senior Academic Women (LPSAW) - A ‘Return to work after maternity leave’ fellowship program, which provides funding to academic women returning from maternity leave to kick-start their research career - Heads of School who support staff that have a career interruption - Commitment to flexible work practices including consideration of meeting times to allow for greater staff attendance; online and face-to-face meeting options meeting recordings for staff that cannot attend; scheduling meetings with sufficient advance notice for arrangements around caregiving - An Associate Dean EDI (Equity, Diversity & Inclusion) and an EDI Champion in every School, ensuring women and other underrepresented groups are welcomed & celebrated and form a key part of our fabric & culture - University on-site childcare *Contact* To have a confidential discussion about this opportunity please contact Senior Professor Geoff Spinks at gspinks(a)uow.edu.au or +61 2 4221 3010 or Senior Professor Gursel Alici (Executive Dean) at gursel(a)uow.edu.au or +61 2 4221 4145. *How to Apply* Candidates must contact Grant Jacobs at gjacobs(a)uow.edu.au or +61 2 4239 2104 to receive a candidate information pack prior to applying. After receiving the candidate information pack, please submit a concise expression of interest (maximum 3 pages) describing your suitability for this position including reference to the selection criteria located in the position description and attach a copy of your current CV to your online application. *Closing Date: Sunday 1 February 2026, 11:59pm* At UOW, we value and acknowledge the importance of our people’s diverse experiences, talents and cultures that they bring to work with them each day. Embracing diversity and creating inclusion is a key component of attracting and retaining talent in our workforce. The creation of a diverse and inclusive workforce is central to our ability to unlock potential, enhance our success and achieving our vision of being in the Top 1% of universities globally.” *About Us* The University of Wollongong was born with a mission to transform our region: to educate and empower the people of the Illawarra. Our commitment to a better future has shaped our direction and impact since our inception. Over the years, we have grown to be a global diverse and inclusive civic university, working to solve global challenges and promoting harmony and social cohesion.We are proud to be a globally recognised and respected university, opening doors for our students, staff and partners.

Dec. 15, 2025

World wide VVTNS series (6th season): Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at 11:00 am ET - Jakob Macke Tubingen University

by David Hansel

[image: VVTNS.png] https://www.wwtns.online <https://streaklinks.com/A9c7PbbpKY7PxB6PaAJWGD3-/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wwtns.on…> - on twitter: wwtns@TheoreticalWide You are cordially invited to the lecture Jakob Macke Tubingen University on the topic of *Learning mechanistic models that link cells, circuits, and computations* The lecture will be held on zoom on December 17, 2025, at *11:00 am ET * > To receive the link: https://www.wwtns.online/register-page > *Abstract: *Modern experimental techniques now reveal the structure and function of neural circuits at unprecedented scale and resolution. How can we use this wealth of data to understand how cells and circuits implement computations underlying behaviour? Achieving this goal requires models that are consistent with biophysical mechanisms and circuit dynamics, yet flexible enough to capture behaviourally relevant computations. We develop simulation-based machine learning methods that address this challenge. I will show how these approaches—in combination with connectomic measurements—make it possible to build large-scale mechanistic models of the fruit fly visual system. Our methods generalize across systems and scales, defining a new way to study biological systems by algorithmically learning interpretable models that reveal how structure and dynamics gives rise to behaviour. *About VVTNS : Launched as the World Wide Theoretical Neuroscience Seminar (WWTNS) in November 2020 and renamed in homage to Carl van Vreeswijk in Memoriam (April 20, 2022), Speakers have the occasion to talk about theoretical aspects of their work which cannot be discussed in a setting where the majority of the audience consists of experimentalists. The seminars, **held on Wednesdays at 11 am ET,** are 45-50 min long followed by a discussion. The talks are recorded with authorization of the speaker and are available to everybody on our YouTube channel.* ᐧ

Dec. 14, 2025

PhD Position in Computational Neuroscience at Ulster University

by Bronac Flanagan

The Intelligent Systems Research Centre (ISRC) at Ulster University is advertising a funded PhD position for a project titled “Computational Modelling of Astrocytes in Brain Health and Disease”. This PhD will develop computational models of astrocyte-neuron interactions, with potential focus areas including calcium signalling, neurotransmitter dynamics, and metabolic coupling, depending on the candidate's interests and emerging research priorities. Research directions (flexible to candidate interests): • Astrocytic regulation in disease states (epilepsy, neurodegeneration) • Contributions to learning and memory • NeuroAI applications: translating astrocyte mechanisms into bio-inspired architectures The project includes collaboration with experimental groups for model validation. What's Offered • 3-year full PhD funding • Collaborative opportunities with experimental and clinical researchers • Publication and conference support • Training in computational neuroscience and NeuroAI methods More details about this position are available at https://www.ulster.ac.uk/doctoralcollege/find-a-phd/11b-intelligent-systems… For more information about the research environment at ISRC, visit https://www.ulster.ac.uk/research/topic/computer-science/intelligent-system… The PhD position is at Ulster University's Derry~Londonderry campus, one of the UK's top 10 research institutions. Recently named 'University of the Year 2024' by Times Higher Education, Ulster University is now the highest-ranked higher education institution in the UK and Ireland. The historic city of Derry, situated on the River Foyle in Northwest Northern Ireland, offers an ideal location between the Wild Atlantic Way and Causeway Coast. Its rich cultural heritage, vibrant atmosphere, and numerous family activities make it an excellent place to live. Please contact Bronac (b.flanagan(a)ulster.ac.uk) if you are interested or have questions.

Dec. 12, 2025

Pearson Fellowship in Applied Mathematics

by Eric Shea-Brown

Warmly inviting those in the comp-neuro community interested in mathematical neuroscience research and teaching broadly in applied math to apply to the Pearson Fellowship at the University of Washington, Seattle Department of Applied Mathematics, by Jan. 1! Please see more details here, and -- thank you very much!! https://apply.interfolio.com/172527 <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://apply.interfolio.com/172527__;!!K-Hz7m0…> Yours, Eric

Dec. 12, 2025

Call for tutorials and workshops at the 35th Annual Computational Neuroscience Meeting CNS*2026

by Rubchinsky, Leonid L

Dear Colleagues, We are requesting proposals for workshops and tutorials at the 35th Annual Computational Neuroscience Meeting, CNS*2026 (Halifax, Canada, 11-15 July 2026). Proposals from all levels of faculty as well as advanced postdoctoral fellows are welcome. Tutorials are to be held on the first day and workshops on the last two days of the CNS*2025 Meeting. This is an excellent opportunity to reach international audience of computational neuroscientists participating in this meeting. CALL FOR WORKSHOPS: https://www.cnsorg.org/cns-2026-call-for-workshops Priority Deadline for proposals: February 2, 2026. Contact: workshops(a)cnsorg.org CALL FOR TUTORIALS: https://www.cnsorg.org/cns-2026-call-for-tutorials Deadline for proposals: February 2, 2026. Contact: tutorials(a)cnsorg.org INFORMATION ABOUT CNS*2026: https://www.cnsorg.org/cns-2026 With kind regards, Leonid Rubchinsky OCNS Vice President, on behalf of the OCNS Board of Directors *********************** Leonid Rubchinsky, PhD Professor Department of Mathematical Sciences, Indiana University Indianapolis Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine 402 N. Blackford St Indianapolis, IN 46202-3216 lrubchin(a)iu.edu math.indianapolis.iu.edu/~lrubchin/ ***********************

Dec. 11, 2025

Fully funded Postdoc + PhD positions Simons Collaboration on Ecological Neuroscience (SCENE) and ERC ACTOR

by Constantin Rothkopf

The lab of Constantin Rothkopf (https://www.pip.tu-darmstadt.de/) at the Centre for Cognitive Science @ TU Darmstadt has several open positions at the PhD and Postdoc levels. Research in the laboratory focuses on explaining human sequential visuomotor decisions and behavior under the influence of the world's uncertainties and ambiguities through computational modeling. Using the reverse-engineering approach, we devise algorithms for inferring individuals' internal models of the world, tracking their subjective beliefs over time during behavior and learning, as well as their internal subjective costs and benefits, including effort. We investigate naturalistic sequential tasks, including navigation and object manipulation, active learning and active sensing, sequential decision-making under uncertainty, and intuitive physics. The lab has state-of-the-art equipment for eye and body tracking, VR, naturalistic task monitoring, psychophysics, and access to one of the most generous computing infrastructures in Germany. A large-scale tracking lab will be available in 2026. The Simons Collaboration on Ecological Neuroscience (SCENE) (https://www.simonsfoundation.org/neuroscience/simons-collaboration-on-ecolo…) is an exciting 10-year initiative spanning a powerful international network of labs working across species and disciplines - uniting experimental and computational cognitive science, neuroscience, machine learning, and Al to understand real-world behavior and how it shapes neural representations. The ERC ACTOR aims to utilize both human behavioral experiments and computational modeling to understand human sequential behavior in tasks, including continuous psychophysics, sensorimotor control involving intuitive physics, navigation, and food preparation, in the framework of sequential decision-making/planning/optimal control/RL. Our group is part of the Centre for Cognitive Science and the AI Center at TU Darmstadt, which are home to an internationally outstanding group of PIs and junior researchers working in the areas of computational cognitive science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. We are part of the two Excellence Clusters, “The Adaptive Mind” and “Reasonable AI”, and engage in multiple fruitful research collaborations. Our lab fosters an inclusive, supportive, and collaborative environment driven by scientific curiosity and mutual respect. We maintain close interactions with other research groups, including joint lab meetings. For informal inquiries, please reach out to constantin.rothkopf(a)tu-darmstadt.de. Please apply through the central application portal at https://www.career.tu-darmstadt.de/tu-darmstadt/jobs. The Frankfurt-Darmstadt metropolitan area is located in the heart of Europe and is one of the most international regions in Germany, with a diverse community and rich culture, repeatedly earning high rankings in worldwide surveys of quality of living. Frankfurt has recently achieved a top worldwide ranking of attractiveness according to The Economist, and Darmstadt has consistently ranked among the top innovation-driving cities in Germany. Finally, to get a better idea about some of our work, here are some publications by our group: - Kessler, F., Frankenstein, J., & Rothkopf, C. A. (2024). Human navigation strategies and their errors result from dynamic interactions of spatial uncertainties. Nature Communications, 15(1), 5677. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-024-49722-y - Straub, D., Niehues, T. F., Peters, J., & Rothkopf, C. A. (2025). Inverse decision-making using neural amortized Bayesian actors. In The Thirteenth International Conference on Learning Representations (ICLR). https://openreview.net/forum?id=zxO4WuVGns - Straub, D., Schultheis, M., Koeppl, H., & Rothkopf, C. A. (2023). Probabilistic inverse optimal control for non-linear partially observable systems disentangles perceptual uncertainty and behavioral costs. Advances in Neural Information Processing Systems 36 (NeurIPS): 7065-7092. https://proceedings.neurips.cc/paper_files/paper/2023/hash/16347f6e665376fd… - Schultheis, M., Straub, D., & Rothkopf, C. A. (2021). Inverse optimal control adapted to the noise characteristics of the human sensorimotor system. Advances in Neural Information Processing Systems 34 (NeurIPS), 9429-9442. https://proceedings.neurips.cc/paper/2021/hash/4e55139e019a58e0084f194f758f… - Straub, D., & Rothkopf, C. A. (2022). Putting perception into action with inverse optimal control for continuous psychophysics, eLife 11, e76635. https://elifesciences.org/articles/76635 - Hoppe, D., & Rothkopf, C. A. (2019). Multi-step planning of eye movements in visual search. Scientific Reports, 9(1), 1-12. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-018-37536-0 - Hoppe, D., & Rothkopf, C. A. (2016). Learning rational temporal eye movement strategies. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 113(29), 8332-8337. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1601305113 -- Prof. Constantin A. Rothkopf, PhD Technical University of Darmstadt, Alexanderstr. 10, 64283 Darmstadt phone: +49 6151 16-23367 https://tu-darmstadt.zoom-x.de/my/crothkopf Psychology of Information Processing Group https://www.pip.tu-darmstadt.de/ Centre for Cognitive Science http://www.cogsci.tu-darmstadt.de/ Hessian Center for Artificial Intelligence https://hessian.ai/ Institute of Psychology https://www.psychologie.tu-darmstadt.de/

Dec. 11, 2025

PhD opportunity in affective neuroscience and reinforcement learning at ETIS lab, CY Cergy Paris University

by Elisa MASSI

Dear comp-neuro community, as part of the Paris Region (Île-de-France) DIM C-BRAINS 2025-2026 International PhD studentship program, we are looking for excellent international candidates who would wish to work on the following topic: Stress-Based Modulation of Hippocampal Replay-Inspired Techniques in Reinforcement Learning (SMaRT-RL) Supervisors: Elisa Massi (elisa.massi [@] cyu.fr, https://www.etis-lab.fr/2024/01/11/massi-elisa/ ) and Lola Cañamero (lola.canamero [@] cyu.fr, www.etis-lab.fr/canamero-lola/ ), ETIS Lab UMR8051, CY Cergy Paris University, France Summary of the PhD project : ====================== Animals and humans process vast amounts of information but retain only the most relevant experiences, with emotions playing a key role in memory consolidation. Emotions, particularly stress, enhancing attention and arousal, influence brain regions like the hippocampus. In neuroscience, it is known that hippocampal reactivations help recall and consolidate experiences. In artificial intelligence (AI), strategies inspired by these reactivations, especially in reinforcement learning, have been shown to accelerate learning. When it comes to emotionally charged circumstances, the relationship between stress, its most prominent hormone, cortisol, and memory functions in the hippocampus, is complex. This project aims to explore the link between stress and hippocampal reactivations via a computational model, and test it in artificial agents. This bio-inspired approach could (a) reveal new insights into the generation of hippocampal replay mechanisms and (b) improve AI's learning efficiency. Keywords : stress modelling, reinforcement learning, hippocampal replay, computational modeling, cognitive and affective neuroscience For a detailed description of the project, please visit: https://dim-cbrains.fr/en/phd-program/dim-cbrains?search=lola+canamero Further information: =============== - Eligibility criteria: https://dim-cbrains.fr/api/1.0/editorjs/7c5b1e85-a681-4eff-9382-dcb70bed681… - About the DIM C-BRAIN International PhD studentship program: https://dim-cbrains.fr/api/1.0/editorjs/c035c5d8-3f2b-4745-86c2-dadf9077141… - TO APPLY: https://dim-cbrains.fr/en/platform/login Applications close on the 30th of January 2026. Best regards, -- Elisa MASSI Assistant professor ETIS Lab -- CY Cergy Paris Université, France

Dec. 10, 2025

2y postdoc in whole brain modelling of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in Paris, France

by Dmitrii Todorov

Hello everyone, We are seeking a two-year postdoc position in whole brain modelling (The Virtual Brain) of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, starting in May 2026 at The Biomedical Imaging Laboratory (LIB). The successful candidate will be based in the centre of Paris, working in collaboration with clinicians who have collected a large dataset of multimodal data from ALS patients. The Virtual Brain (TVB) models will be fitted to the data from ALS patients and controls and subsequently used for patient stratification. The project’s focus is not on the development of new parts of TVB, but rather the use of the existing tools in a new applied setting (ALS). This requires working directly with human neuroimaging data (MRI, DTI, fMRI, EEG). A high level of autonomy is expected. The main PI is an expert in computational neuroscience, and the wider supervising team will include an ALS expert in Paris and a TVB expert in Marseille. If you are interested (or know someone else who might be), the details can be found here https://sdrive.cnrs.fr/s/Lcp3L3Xb2ZQ2xpm Best regards, Dmitrii Todorov, PhD Junior Professor Chair (assistant professor) Neural Connectivity and Plasticity team Biomedical Imaging Laboratory ( INSERM U1146 / CNRS UMR 7371 / Sorbonne University ) 15 rue de l'École de Médecine 75006 Paris

Dec. 10, 2025

Assistant/Associate Professor of Data Science/Mathematics/Computer Science

by Erin Munro Krull

Dear colleagues, Our department is now doing a faculty search for someone who specializes in Data Science: "The Department of Mathematical and Computing Sciences at Ripon College is seeking qualified applicants for a full-time position as tenure-track Associate Professor or Assistant Professor, or as non-tenure-track Professor of Practice in the areas of Data Science, Mathematics, or Computer Science, with preference for specialties or strong interest in A.I. or cybersecurity. The candidate must be willing to lead the development of a Data Science major. The initial term of the position begins in August 2026.” Further information can be found at Mathjobs.org <http://mathjobs.org/>. Currently, our department has one computational neuroscientist with a background in dynamical systems and some data analysis (myself), a mathematician who specialized in discrete math and mathematics education, and a computer scientist who specialized in education but also has some background in data analysis. We would love to have applicants who can complement our offerings! Best, Erin -- Erin Munro Krull Associate Professor of Mathematics and the Mark and Janice Franzen Professor in Applied Mathematics Ripon College 300 W. Seward St. Ripon, WI 54971 (p) 920-748-8368 Visit us at ripon.edu <http://ripon.edu/>

Dec. 9, 2025

Funded PhD Studentship on motor cortex control of arm movements

by Mark Humphries (staff)

We seek applicants for a fully-funded MRC PhD studentship project "Leveraging population activity trajectories to optimise Brain-computer interfaces for arm movement" with Mark Humphries (Nottingham) and Katja Kornysheva (Birmingham) for October 2026 start This project will develop a new approach to brain-computer interfaces, by leveraging our new understanding<https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1777-23.2024> of how the neural activity in the motor cortex encodes an intended arm movement. We will test this theory in multiple datasets of cortical recordings during arm movements, and we will develop new brain-computer interfaces that directly translate the encodings of motor cortex into intended movements. Application deadline: Jan 9th 2026, midday (GMT) How to apply for this project: https://more.bham.ac.uk/mrc-aim/phd-opportunities/ Submit your application to: mrc-aim-dtp(a)nottingham.ac.uk<mailto:mrc-aim-dtp@nottingham.ac.uk> Professor Mark Humphries | Professor of Computational Neuroscience Office hours: Calendar<https://calendar.google.com/calendar/u/0?cid=a2twY2xkYXNvazVnYnA3ODM2bmFwZ2…> Lab: humphries-lab.org<https://www.humphries-lab.org/> Connect: Bluesky<https://bsky.app/profile/markdhumphries.bsky.social> / LinkedIn<https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-humphries-65a460212/> / X<https://x.com/markdhumphries> Essays on the brain and science: drmdhumphries.medium.com<https://drmdhumphries.medium.com/> Book: "The Spike: An Epic Journey Through the Brain in 2.1 Seconds" (Princeton UP) in hardback<https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691195889/the-spike?_gl=1*h…..>, paperback<https://press.princeton.edu/books/paperback/9780691241487/the-spike>, ebook<https://press.princeton.edu/books/ebook/9780691213514/the-spike-0?_gl=1*1uf…..> & audiobook<https://press.princeton.edu/books/audio/9780691224091/the-spike?_gl=1*37xz7…..> <https://press.princeton.edu/books/audio/9780691224091/the-spike?_gl=1*37xz7…..> read by Anand Jagatia This message and any attachment are intended solely for the addressee and may contain confidential information. If you have received this message in error, please contact the sender and delete the email and attachment. Any views or opinions expressed by the author of this email do not necessarily reflect the views of the University of Nottingham. Email communications with the University of Nottingham may be monitored where permitted by law.

Dec. 9, 2025

1st Call for Papers: RaPID-6@MENTAL.ai @ LREC-2026

by Dim X

************************************************************************************ The 6th workshop on: "*Resources and ProcessIng of linguistic, para-linguistic and extra-linguistic Data from **people with various forms of cognitive/psychiatric/developme**ntal impairments*" *in collaboration with the MENTAL.ai -consortium* *Workshop*: co-located with LREC 2026 | Palma de Mallorca, Spain | *May 12th, 2026* *RaPID-6(a)MENTAL.ai *serves as an interdisciplinary platform for researchers to exchange insights, methods, and experiences related to collecting and processing data from individuals with *mental, cognitive, neuropsychiatric, or neurodegenerative impairments*. The workshop focuses on creating, processing, and applying such data resources from individuals at different stages and severity levels of these impairments. The ultimate goal of RaPID-6(a)MENTAL.ai is to facilitate the study of relationships among linguistic, paralinguistic, and extra-linguistic observations, with applications ranging from aiding diagnosis to enhancing monitoring and predicting individuals at higher risk, ultimately promoting multidisciplinary collaboration across clinical/medical, language technology, computational linguistics, and computer science communities. *Workshop date: *Tue., 12th of May 2026 *Submission deadlin**e*: Sun., 22nd of February, 2026 (anywhere on earth) *Paper submission*: <SOFTCONF-TBA> *Invited Speakers: *Prof. *Brian MacWhinney*, Carnegie Mellon University, USA; and Assoc Prof, MD, *Sunny X. Tan*g, Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, Northwell Health, USA. *Website and details*: https://spraakbanken.gu.se/en/rapid-2026 *Contact*: Dimitrios Kokkinakis *Contact email*: dimitrios.kokkinakis(a)gu.se *Organizing committee*: - Dimitrios Kokkinakis, University of Gothenburg, Sweden - Charalambos Themistocleous, University of Oslo, Norway - Gaël Dias, University of Caen Normandie, France - Kathleen C. Fraser, University of Ottawa, Canada - Fredrik Öhman, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sweden - Sebastião Pais, University of Beira Interior, Portugal **************************************************************************************

Dec. 8, 2025

Postdoc Position at Inria Lyon – Computational Neuroscience / Neural Learning

by Elif Köksal

Dear all, We are hiring a post-doctoral researcher within the COPHY (Computation, Cognition & Neurophysiology) team at the Lyon Neuroscience Research Centre (CRNL), an excellent environment for scientists eager to access state-of-the-art facilities and a vibrant interdisciplinary community. The position is part of the LENGA project on Neural Gain and Adaptive Learning. *Project overview* The postdoc will develop and analyze computational models explaining how the brain rapidly adapts its learning mechanisms. This includes work with recurrent neural networks (rate-based or spiking), numerical simulations, and analysis of behavioral or electrophysiological data. *Candidate profile* • Strong background in recurrent neural networks, learning, and dynamical systems • Solid programming skills in Python and relevant scientific libraries; experience with experimental data is a plus *Conditions* • 2-year fixed-term contract starting in April 2026 • Competitive salary and benefits (subsidized meals, transport reimbursement, teleworking options, generous vacation policy) *Application deadline:* January 31, 2026 Full details and application portal: https://recrutement.inria.fr/public/classic/fr/offres/2025-09545 <https://recrutement.inria.fr/public/classic/fr/offres/2025-09545?utm_source…> Best regards, Elif Köksal-Ersöz *Elif Köksal-Ersöz* Scientific researcher https://elifkoksal.github.io/ Centre Inria de Lyon & CRNL CH Le Vinatier Bâtiment 452 95 boulevard Pinel 69500 Bron, France

Dec. 8, 2025

World wide VVTNS series (6th season): Wednesday, December 10, 2025, at 11:00 am ET - Markus Diesman | Jülich Research Center

by David Hansel

[image: VVTNS.png] https://www.wwtns.online <https://streaklinks.com/A9c7PbbpKY7PxB6PaAJWGD3-/https%3A%2F%2Fwww.wwtns.on…> - on twitter: wwtns@TheoreticalWide You are cordially invited to the lecture Markus Diesman Jülich Research Center on the topic of *Building on cortical models* The lecture will be held on zoom on December 10, 2025, at *11:00 am ET * > To receive the link: https://www.wwtns.online/register-page > > *Abstract: *Over the past decade our community has made substantial progress in the construction of anatomically detailed network models of the cortical tissue. Thanks to advances in computer hardware and simulation technology, researchers can now routinely work with these models at the natural density of neurons and synapses. Moreover, the availability of cloud services means that such investigations can be carried out without having to install either the model or the simulation software. A recent workshop analyzed the impact of a specific model of the cortical microcircuit, published ten years ago . The model has been reused in multiple contexts: for reproduction studies, validation of mean-field approaches, exploration of methods of model sharing, and as a building block for larger models. Although the model was less successful in inspiring further neuroscientific studies than the authors of the original work had hoped, it became a de facto benchmark for neuromorphic computing systems. It sparked a constructive race for ever shorter simulation times and lower energy consumption. The quantitative comparison of different platforms reveals qualitative differences between conventional and neuromorphic hardware and limits of speed-up. The structure of the model is based on light microscopy because these were the data available at the time. Guided by simulation results and physiological evidence, the original publication hypothesized a preference of excitatory neurons for inhibitory targets. Modern electron microscopy data of cortical volumes combined with AI based reconstruction techniques is capable of resolving individual synaptic connections. This advances the concept of digital twins of the cortical network to a new level of precision, and has already enabled us to confirm the assumption of target type specificity underlying earlier models. Maybe with the progress sketched here, our community is at a transition point where it becomes easier to cooperatively and incrementally work on models with a larger explanatory scope. *About VVTNS : Launched as the World Wide Theoretical Neuroscience Seminar (WWTNS) in November 2020 and renamed in homage to Carl van Vreeswijk in Memoriam (April 20, 2022), Speakers have the occasion to talk about theoretical aspects of their work which cannot be discussed in a setting where the majority of the audience consists of experimentalists. The seminars, **held on Wednesdays at 11 am ET,** are 45-50 min long followed by a discussion. The talks are recorded with authorization of the speaker and are available to everybody on our YouTube channel.* ᐧ

Dec. 7, 2025

MODVIS 2026 - Call for Papers

by Tim Oleskiw

The 2026 VSS satellite workshop on computational and mathematical models in vision (MODVIS) will be held May 13-14 in St. Pete Beach, FL, the two days immediately preceding the main meeting of the Vision Sciences Society (VSS). This year marks a departure for MODVIS: VSS will replace Purdue University in administering the workshop. MODVIS registration will be conducted through the VSS website, and the registration deadlines will align with those of VSS. The program consists of contributed oral presentations, which are longer and more interactive than a regular VSS talk, and the schedule is designed to provide many opportunities for discussions during coffee breaks and a generous lunch break. The workshop will conclude on Thursday with a keynote lecture by Jonathan Victor (Weill Cornell Medical College). As in the past, submission deadlines will be later than those for VSS, and post-deadline submissions will be accepted on a space-available basis. Abstract submissions will be made through the VSS website, with submissions opening in the coming weeks. MODVIS welcomes submissions covering the modelling of any area of vision. More information can be found on the (new) MODVIS website: https://www.modvis.org. On behalf of the MODVIS organizing committee, -Tim Oleskiw Assistant Professor University of Regina

Dec. 6, 2025

AREADNE 2026 Call for Abstracts

by John Pezaris

****** CALL FOR ABSTRACTS ****** AREADNE 2026 Research in Encoding and Decoding of Neural Ensembles 23-27 June 2026 Eliopoulos Conference Center Milos, Greece Celebrating 20 Years of AREADNE Conferences http://areadne.org info(a)areadne.org INTRODUCTION A fundamental problem in neuroscience is to understand how the activation of neuronal populations gives rise to higher order functions including learning, memory, cognition, perception, action and ultimately conscious awareness. Electrophysiological recordings have revealed considerable information about the firing patterns of single neurons, but it remains largely a mystery how collections of individual neurons interact to perform these functions. Understanding ensemble activity is critical to understanding the brain. CONFERENCE MISSION The AREADNE Conferences have been created to gather global scientific leaders who work on neural ensembles and establish a touch-point for the widely disparate and hybrid field. With a beautiful setting on Milos, the conferences have been carefully planned to foster discussion and interaction between attendees to encourage the establishment of lasting professional relationships. The meetings continue our efforts to promote systems neuroscience in Greece through creating a world-class forum for cutting-edge research. For 2026, we will be Celebrating Twenty Years of AREADNE Conferences! FORMAT AND SPEAKERS The conference will span four days, in morning and early evening sessions. Confirmed speakers include experts in the field of multi-neuron experiment, theory, and analysis (in alphabetic order): Jaideep Bains Farran Briggs Mark Cembrowski SueYeon Chung Brent Doiron Manolis Froudarakis Julijana Gjiorgjieva Michael Hauser Michele Insanally Viren Jain Mehrdad Jazayeri Sheena Josselyn Caleb Kemere Jennifer Linden Atila Losonczy Mackenzie Mathis Nina Miolane Bence Olveczky Stephanie Palmer Kanaka Rajan Jennifer Raymond CALL FOR ABSTRACTS We are currently soliciting abstracts for poster presentation. Submissions will be accepted electronically, and must be received by 30 January 2026. Automated email acknowledgment of submission will be provided, and manual verification will be made a few days after submission. Notification of acceptance will be provided by 3 March 2026. Please see our Call for Abstracts page for additional details and submission templates: http://areadne.org/call-for-abstracts ORGANIZING COMMITTEE Dora Angelaki Kenny Blum Nicholas Hatsopoulos, co-chair John Pezaris, co-chair Panayiota Poirazi Thanos Siapas Jiannis Taxidis Andreas Tolias FURTHER INFORMATION For further information on AREADNE 2026 please see the conference web site http://areadne.org or send email to info(a)areadne.org. -- Dr. J. S. Pezaris AREADNE 2026 Co-Chair Harvard Medical School Massachusetts General Hospital 55 Fruit Street Boston, MA 02114, USA john(a)areadne.org

Dec. 5, 2025