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Last Mile: ADAPTIVE 2015 || March 22 - 27, 2015 - Nice, France
by Cristina Pascual Nov. 4, 2014

Nov. 4, 2014

INVITATION: ================= Please consider to contribute to and/or forward to the appropriate groups the following opportunity to submit and publish original scientific results to ADAPTIVE 2015. The submission deadline is November 18, 2014. Authors of selected papers will be invited to submit extended article versions to one of the IARIA Journals: http://www.iariajournals.org ================= ============== ADAPTIVE 2015 | Call for Papers =============== CALL FOR PAPERS, TUTORIALS, PANELS ADAPTIVE 2015, The Seventh International Conference on Adaptive and Self-Adaptive Systems and Applications March 22 - 27, 2015 - Nice, France General page: http://www.iaria.org/conferences2015/ADAPTIVE15.html Call for Papers: http://www.iaria.org/conferences2015/CfPADAPTIVE15.html Submission page: http://www.iaria.org/conferences2015/SubmitADAPTIVE15.html Contributions: - regular papers [in the proceedings, digital library] - short papers (work in progress) [in the proceedings, digital library] - ideas: two pages [in the proceedings, digital library] - extended abstracts: two pages [in the proceedings, digital library] - posters: two pages [in the proceedings, digital library] - posters: slide only [slide-deck posted at www.iaria.org] - presentations: slide only [slide-deck posted at www.iaria.org] - demos: two pages [posted at www.iaria.org] - doctoral forum submissions: [in the proceedings, digital library] Proposals for: - mini-symposia: see http://www.iaria.org/symposium.html - workshops: see http://www.iaria.org/workshop.html - tutorials: [slide-deck posted on www.iaria.org] - panels: [slide-deck posted on www.iaria.org] Submission deadline: November 18, 2014 Sponsored by IARIA, www.iaria.org Extended versions of selected papers will be published in IARIA Journals: http://www.iariajournals.org Print proceedings will be available via Curran Associates, Inc.: http://www.proceedings.com/9769.html Articles will be archived in the free access ThinkMind Digital Library: http://www.thinkmind.org The topics suggested by the conference can be discussed in term of concepts, state of the art, research, standards, implementations, running experiments, applications, and industrial case studies. Authors are invited to submit complete unpublished papers, which are not under review in any other conference or journal in the following, but not limited to, topic areas. All tracks are open to both research and industry contributions, in terms of Regular papers, Posters, Work in progress, Technical/marketing/business presentations, Demos, Tutorials, and Panels. Before submission, please check and comply with the editorial rules: http://www.iaria.org/editorialrules.html ADAPTIVE 2015 Topics (topics and submission details: see CfP on the site) Fundamentals and design of adaptive systems Fundamentals on adaptive and self-adapting systems; Frameworks and architectures for adaptive supporting platforms; Architectures for adaptive applications; Specification of adaptive behavior; Specification of adaptive structures and topologies; Design and implementation of adaptive components; Composition of adaptive behaviors and structures; Adaptive individual and collective behavior and structures; Adaptive deterministic and non-deterministic behavior; Semantic modeling Adaptive entities Adaptive environments; Adaptive hardware configurations; Adaptive software applications; Adaptive protocols; Adaptive algorithms; Adaptive and interactive interfaces; Adaptive filters; Adaptive clock speeds; Adaptive schedulers; Adaptive load balancers Adaptive mechanisms Adaptive real-time strategies; Learning-based adaptive strategies; Adaptive mechanisms (trees, ant algorithms, fuzzy-logic, etc. ); Agent based-adaptive mechanisms; Policy- based adaptation; Feedback-based adaptive systems; Context-aware adaptation; User-aware adaptation Adaptive applications Adaptive artificial intelligence in computer wargames; Intelligent complex adaptive systems; Adaptive virtualization; Adaptive social networks; Adaptive entertainment applications; Adaptive disaster recovery systems; Anticipative adaptive systems; Fault-tolerant adaptive systems; Adaptive ad hoc networks; Application domains, e,g., building (AEC projects, simulation models, facility management), tourism, etc.; Adaptive economic applications (finance, stock exchange, regulatory decisions, etc.); Adaptive vehicular traffic Adaptivity in robot systems Adaptive robot behavior; self-organization and emergence; flexible and reconfigurable robot structures; adaptation in collective and swarm robotics Self-adaptation Theory of self-adaptation and control; Self-adaptive networks, systems, and applications; Self-adaptive services; Self-adaptive behavior and topology/structure; Specification of self-adaptive behavioral control Self-adaptation applications Self-monitoring and self-management; Self-configuration, self-healing, self-management; Self-defense, self-protection, self-diagnosis; Self-adaptation of overlay networks; Self-adaptation in ad hoc sensor networks; Context-aware self-adaptation of networks and services Computational Trust for Self-Adaptive Systems Trust models for adaptive systems; Trust models for self-organizing and autonomics systems; Agent-based trust models for cooperation; Privacy and Security in self-organizing and adaptive systems; Human and social factors involved in trust and adaptation; Applications of trust and security on adaptive systems, with a focus on web-based applications, social networks, social search; Trust models for self-organizing systems of information (wikis, forums, blogs.); Trust and personalisation for enabling adaptation; Models for learning trust and the evolution of trust; Decentralised trust models; Case studies; Theoretical trust models for self-adaptation Metrics for adaptive and self-adaptive systems Stability and convergence; Optimal (self-) adaptation; Accuracy validation of (self-) adaptation; Real-time (self-) adaptive performance Committee: http://www.iaria.org/conferences2015/ComADAPTIVE15.html ================================================

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CFP: Special Issue on Neurobiologically Inspired Robotics: Enhanced Autonomy Through Neuromorphic Cognition
by Jeff Krichmar Nov. 4, 2014

Nov. 4, 2014

Dear Comp-Neuro, I hope some of you will consider submitting to this special issue of Neural Networks. Neurobiologically inspired robotics goes by many names: brain-based devices, cognitive robots, neurorobots, and neuromorphic robots, to name a few. The field has grown into an exciting area of research and engineering. The common goal is twofold: Firstly, developing a system that demonstrates some level of cognitive ability can lead to a better understanding of the neural machinery that realizes cognitive function. The often used phrase, “understanding through building”, implies that one can get a deep understanding of a system by constructing physical artifacts that can operate in the real-world. In building and studying neurobiologically inspired robots, scientists must address theories of neuroscience that couple brain, body, and behavior. Secondly, the deep theoretical understanding of cognition, neurobiology and behavior obtained by constructing physical systems, could lead to a system that demonstrates capabilities commonly found in the animal kingdom, but rarely found in artificial systems, most notably their adaptive and flexible autonomous behavior. There have already been some successes that meet these goals. For example, navigation models based on the hippocampus are now deployed on robots that autonomously explore their environment. Machine image processing systems based on visual cortex have been used in a number of unsupervised recognition and perception applications. Robots designed to address impairments due to disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease, autism spectrum disorder, and attentional deficit disorders, are being used as therapeutic and diagnostic tools without the need for constant caretaker supervision. Despite these successes, the field is still in its infancy and basic research is needed. In particular, we are interested in papers that describe: 1) How models of cognitive functions, such as attention, decision-making, learning and memory, perception, and social cognition can be constructed on physical robots. 2) How the neuromorphic devices, which are designed to run neural algorithms with low-power, can advance the construction of autonomous robotics. 3) How the theoretical and engineering lessons learned from constructing neurobiologically inspired robots can transfer to autonomous robots carrying out practical applications. This Special Issue invites papers that address the three broad topics described above. Topics of interest • Adaptive behavior • Active sensing • Artificial empathy • Cortical computing • Developmental robotics • Embodied Cognition • Neuromorphic Engineering • On-line learning and memory systems • Prediction and planning • Socially assistive robotics Guest Editors Jeffrey Krichmar, University of California, Irvine Minoru Asada, Osaka University Jorg Conradt, Technische Universitat München Important Dates Submission due: 1 Feb 2015 Acceptance notification: 1 Aug 2015 Expected publication: 1 Nov 2015 Submission instructions Each paper for submission should be formatted according to the style and length limit of Neural Networks. Please refer complete Author Guidelines at http://www.elsevier.com/journals/neural-networks/0893-6080/guide-for-authors. Note that published papers and those currently under review by other journals or conferences are prohibited. A separate cover letter should be submitted that includes the paper title, the list of all authors and their affiliations, and information of the contact author. Each paper will be reviewed rigorously, and possibly in two rounds, i.e., minor/major revisions will undergo another round of review. Prospective authors are invited to submit their papers directly via the online submission system at http://ees.elsevier.com/neunet/. To ensure that all manuscripts are correctly included into the special issue described, it is important that all authors select “SI: Neurobiological Robotics” when they reach the "Article Type" step in the submission process. Jeff Krichmar Department of Cognitive Sciences 2328 Social & Behavioral Sciences Gateway University of California, Irvine Irvine, CA 92697-5100 jkrichma(a)uci.edu http://www.socsci.uci.edu/~jkrichma

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**Abstract submission deadline THIS FRIDAY 11/07** MURI Winter School Jan. 2015
by Santamaria, Cookie Nov. 4, 2014

Nov. 4, 2014

UCSD and the University of Chicago present: MURI WINTER SCHOOL 2015<http://biocircuits.ucsd.edu/special/winterschool2015> Dynamics of Multifunction Brain Networks Organizers: Henry Abarbanel (UCSD), Timothy Gentner (UCSD), and Daniel Margoliash (Univ. of Chicago) 15th Floor, Building 1, Village West<http://maps.ucsd.edu/mapping/viewer/default.htm?mkey=1&lc=open&km=open&rc=c…>, UC San Diego January 7-9, 2015 Registration deadline: Friday, December 5, 2014 Abstract submission deadline: Friday, November 7, 2014 Lecturers: Tim Gardner<http://people.bu.edu/timothyg/Home.html> (Boston University) – “High density neural recordings in singing birds: methods and observations” Michael Long<http://longlab.med.nyu.edu/> (New York University) – “How does the brain generate behavioral sequences?” Gabriel Mindlin<http://www.lsd.df.uba.ar/> (University of Buenos Aires) – “The biomechanics of birdsong production” and “Low dimensional dynamics systems behind birdsong production” Richard Mooney<http://www.mooneylab.com/> (Duke University) – “Neurobiology of vocal learning” and “Forward mechanisms for hearing and learning” Marc Schmidt<http://www.bio.upenn.edu/people/marc-schmidt> (University of Pennsylvania) – “Brainstem and forebrain contributions to the generation of learned motor” Ofer Tchernichovski<http://ofer.sci.ccny.cuny.edu/> (Hunter College) – “Vocal learning beyond imitation: from cultural evolution to brain dopamine” and “How a song is learned: mechanisms of template matching” ________________________________________________________________________________ This is the third annual Winter School sponsored by the U.S. Office of Naval Research as part of its UCSD/Chicago MURI program in Dynamics of Multifunction Brain Networks. This year’s School presents a series of pedagogical and research oriented talks on the use of birdsong as a model system where theory and experiment can meet productively. It includes a series of pedagogical presentations and a poster session. The School is intended for all researchers, including advanced graduate students, interested in the general area of understanding functional nervous systems. Active participation during the School's lectures is strongly encouraged. All attendees are invited to submit abstracts for poster presentations. Selected contributed posters will be highlighted in an oral session. Registration is required for attendance, but there is no fee for attending. A limited number of travel awards are available for exceptionally qualified graduate students and postdocs, who should apply and have their supervisor send a letter of reference, via email, to muri.winter.school(a)gmail.com<mailto:muri.winter.school@gmail.com>. Please visit us online to register and for details regarding the schedule and poster abstract submission: http://biocircuits.ucsd.edu/special/winterschool2015

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PhD student position in theoretical/ computational neuroscience available in Mannheim, Germany
by Seeger, Simone Nov. 4, 2014

Nov. 4, 2014

A PhD student position in theoretical/ computational neuroscience (German payscale 0.67x E13 TV-L) is available for 3 years initially, starting January 2015 or later, at the Dept. of Theoretical Neuroscience (Head: Prof. Daniel Durstewitz), Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Heidelberg-Mannheim, Central Institute of Mental Health Mannheim, Heidelberg University. The lab focuses on highly data-driven computational models of prefrontal cortical and hippocampal network dynamics underlying higher cognitive function in health and psychiatric disease. Our approach is to estimate (in statistically principled ways) single cell and network models from slice and in-vivo electrophysiological recordings generated in the lab, and then apply these for understanding network function and dysfunction in experimental data (multiple single-unit, behavior) in psychiatrically relevant genetic animal models. Applicants should have a strong mathematical background (dynamical systems and/or statistics / stochastic processes), good programming skills (Matlab, C++), and a keen interest in biological and neural systems. Please send informal inquiries and application documents (cover letter including a brief description of research interests, CV and contact details of two personal references) to Dr. loreen.hertaeg(a)zi-mannheim.de<mailto:loreen.hertaeg@zi-mannheim.de>. *** Simone Seeger, M.A. Administration Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Zentralinstitut für Seelische Gesundheit Postfach 12 21 20, 68072 Mannheim J5, 68159 Mannheim Telefon: 0621/1703-1326 oder 06221/54-8310 Fax: 0621/1703-2915 E-Mail: Simone.Seeger(a)zi-mannheim.de<mailto:Simone.Seeger@zi-mannheim.de> Internet: http://www.bccn-heidelberg-mannheim.de<http://www.bccn-heidelberg-mannheim.de/>

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CfP : TWELFTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON MULTIPLE CLASSIFIER SYSTEMS
by Dr. Schwenker Nov. 3, 2014

Nov. 3, 2014

---- PLEASE, APOLOGIZE MULTIPLE COPIES ---- ****************************************** ** MCS 2015 Preliminary Call for Papers ** ****************************************** *****Paper Submission: JANUARY 30, 2015***** ********************************************************************** TWELFTH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON MULTIPLE CLASSIFIER SYSTEMS Reisensburg Castle (Günzburg, Germany), Ulm University, June 29 - July 1, 2015 http://mcs.diee.unica.it ********************************************************************** MCS 2015 is the twelfth edition of the well-established series of meetings providing the leading international forum for the discussion of issues in multiple classifier systems and ensemble methods. The aim of the workshop is to bring together researchers from diverse communities concerned with this topic, including pattern recognition, machine learning, neural networks, data mining and statistics. MCS 2015 will be held on June 29 - July 1, 2015, at Reisensburg Castle (Günzburg, Germany) research center of the Ulm University. Updated information:http://mcs.diee.unica.it Best regards, MCS 2015 Co-Chairs Friedhelm Schwenker Joseph Kittler Fabio Roli

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PhD in “Fragmented neural processing in Parkinson's disease” at University of Manchester, Faculty of Life Sciences
by Mark Humphries Nov. 3, 2014

Nov. 3, 2014

PhD in “Fragmented neural processing in Parkinson's disease”. Applications are invited for this fully-funded PhD position (fees and salary) in the lab of Dr Mark Humphries in the Faculty of Life Science, University of Manchester Deadline: 12th December 2014 Start date: September 2015 Duration: 3 or 4 years, depending on qualifications Eligibility: Candidates must be nationals of the UK or other EU country This project will pursue the hypothesis that chronic loss of dopamine causes the fragmentation of striatal processing of cortical input. The striatum supports neural populations coding for different actions, forming the basis for action selection. Animal model data has suggested that chronic dopamine loss causes the fragmentation of these populations, mixing together previously well-defined populations (Cho et al 2002 J Comp Neurol). To test this hypothesis, the candidate will develop our existing large-scale model of the striatal network (Humphries et al, 2010, PLoS Comput Biol) and combine it with a newly-developed model of dopamine-dependent plasticity at cortical synapses onto striatal neurons (Gurney et al, PLoS Biol, in press). The project will then test aspects of the hypothesis: Does fragmentation occur via changes to network excitability or to plastic change to network inputs? Does fragmentation cause the breakdown of action selection and therefore the observed motor symptoms? And why is 80% loss of dopamine necessary for this to occur? For more details of the project please visit: http://www.ls.manchester.ac.uk/phdprogrammes/projectsavailable/project/?id=… For details of the application and interview process see: http://www.mhs.manchester.ac.uk/postgraduate/mhs-graduate-school/mrcdtp/stu… Informal enquiries: mark.humphries(a)manchester.ac.uk<mailto:mark.humphries@manchester.ac.uk> Dr Mark Humphries MRC Senior non-Clinical Research Fellow AV Hill Building Faculty of Life Sciences University of Manchester http://www.systemsneurophysiologylab.ls.manchester.ac.uk/

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Assistant or Associate Professor, Data Analytics
by Guerra, Erick J. Nov. 1, 2014

Nov. 1, 2014

Assistant or Associate Professor, Health or Biomedical Data Analytics Rowan University is a comprehensive state-designated research institution with approximately 15,000 students. Its main campus is located in Glassboro, N.J., 20-miles southeast of Philadelphia, and it has a branch campus and medical school in Camden and a second medical school in nearby Stratford. Rowan is the second university in the country to offer M.D. and D.O. medical-degree granting programs. The School of Osteopathic Medicine has a faculty practice plan that serves approximately 200,000 patients in Southern New Jersey. The institution is also home to the South Jersey Technology Park, which fosters the translation of applied research into commercial products and processes. Its business incubator also supports that mission. The University boasts seven colleges–Rohrer College of Business and colleges of Communication and Creative Arts, Education, Engineering, Humanities and Social Sciences, Performing Arts, and Science and Mathematics. The Department of Biomedical & Translational Sciences in the School of Biomedical Science & Health Professions invites applications for a tenure-track Associate or Assistant Professor position in the field of Health or Biomedical Data Analytics starting September 1, 2015. A Ph.D. in Data Analytics or related field is required. The successful candidate will assume a leadership role in the newly established Data Analytics programand is expected to develop an externally-funded research program in Health or Biomedical Data Analytics that involves undergraduate and/or graduate (MS) students. Applications are encouraged from candidates with a successful record of research in one of the following areas: medical informatics, genomic or proteomic data mining, systems biology, translational bioinformatics. Candidates with a background in industry settings are also encouraged to apply. The Department of Biomedical & Translational Sciences is the home for new interdisciplinary biomedical initiatives and welcomes its first cohort of students pursuing a BS in Translational Biomedical Sciences in Fall 2014. Many faculty-members in the Department of Biomedical & Translational Sciences have joint appointments with the College of Science and Mathematics, and there are opportunities to collaborate with both the allopathic and osteopathic medical schools at Rowan University. The College of Science & Mathematics currently offers related BS degrees in Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, Biophysics, and Bioinformatics, in addition to MS degrees in Pharmaceutical Science and Bioinformatics. The Master of Science in Data Analytics with a specialization in Health Data Analytics is housed in the College of Science & Mathematics with stakeholders spanning several colleges and schools at Rowan University. The successful candidate will develop and implement new interdisciplinary curricula in both Data Analytics and Translational Biomedical Sciences. Teaching responsibilities will include courses in Translational Biomedical Sciences, graduate courses in Data Analytics, and potentially other discipline specific courses falling under these programs. The application must be submitted through our online application system (http://rowanuniversity.hodesiq.com/jobs/assistant-associate-professor-healt…) as a single file (PDF format) containing a curriculum vitae, a detailed description of research interests and plans, a statement of teaching philosophy, and graduate transcripts (copies acceptable). Three letters of recommendation should be sent via email directly to Ms. Shelly Klink (klink(a)rowan.edu<mailto:klink@rowan.edu>). The application deadline is November 15, 2014. Rowan University values diversity and is committed to equal opportunity in employment. Candidates must demonstrate authorization to work in the United States. All positions are contingent upon budget appropriations.

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Call for Papers - Neural Networks special issue on Big Data
by Asim Roy Nov. 1, 2014

Nov. 1, 2014

Apologies for cross posting. Special Issue on Neural Network Learning in Big Data [Special Issue on Neural Network Learning in Big Data] Neural Networks Special Issue: Neural Network Learning in Big Data Big data is much more than storage of and access to data. Analytics plays an important role in making sense of that data and exploiting its value. But learning from big data has become a significant challenge and requires development of new types of algorithms. Most machine learning algorithms encounter theoretical challenges in scaling up to big data. Plus there are challenges of high dimensionality, velocity and variety for all types of machine learning algorithms. The neural network field has historically focused on algorithms that learn in an online, incremental mode without requiring in-memory access to huge amounts of data. The brain is arguably the best and most elegant big data processor and is the inspiration for neural network learning methods. Neural network type of learning is not only ideal for streaming data (as in the Industrial Internet or the Internet of Things), but could also be used for stored big data. For stored big data, neural network algorithms can learn from all of the data instead of from samples of the data. And the same is true for streaming data where not all of the data is actually stored. In general, online, incremental learning algorithms are less vulnerable to size of the data. Neural network algorithms, in particular, can take advantage of massively parallel (brain-like) computations, which use very simple processors, that other machine learning technologies cannot. Specialized neuromorphic hardware, originally meant for large-scale brain simulations, is becoming available to implement these algorithms in a massively parallel fashion. Neural network algorithms, therefore, can deliver very fast and efficient real-time learning through the use of hardware and this could be particularly useful for streaming data in the Industrial Internet. Neural network technologies thus can become significant components of big data analytics platforms and this special issue will begin that journey with big data. For this special issue of Neural Networks, we invite papers that address many of the challenges of learning from big data. In particular, we are interested in papers on efficient and innovative algorithmic approaches to analyzing big data (e.g. deep networks, nature-inspired and brain-inspired algorithms), implementations on different computing platforms (e.g. neuromorphic, GPUs, clouds, clusters) and applications of online learning to solve real-world big data problems (e.g. health care, transportation, and electric power and energy management). RECOMMENDED TOPICS: Topics of interest include, but are not limited to: 1. Autonomous, online, incremental learning - theory, algorithms and applications in big data 2. High dimensional data, feature selection, feature transformation - theory, algorithms and applications for big data 3. Scalable neural network algorithms for big data 4. Neural network learning algorithms for high-velocity streaming data 5. Deep neural network learning 6. Neuromorphic hardware for scalable neural network learning 7. Big data analytics using neural networks in healthcare/medical applications 8. Big data analytics using neural networks in electric power and energy systems 9. Big data analytics using neural networks in large sensor networks 10.Big data and neural network learning in computational biology and bioinformatics SUBMISSION PROCEDURE: Prospective authors should visit http://ees.elsevier.com/neunet/ for information on paper submission. During the submission process, there will be steps to designate the submission to this special issue. However, please indicate on the first page of the manuscript that the manuscript is intended for the Special Issue: Neural Network Learning in Big Data. Manuscripts will be peer reviewed according to Neural Networks guidelines. Manuscript submission due: December 15, 2014 First review completed: March 1, 2015 Revised manuscript due: April 1, 2015 Second review completed, final decisions to authors: April 15, 2015 Final manuscript due: April 30, 2015 GUEST EDITORS: Asim Roy, Arizona State University, USA (asim.roy(a)asu.edu<mailto:asim.roy@asu.edu>) (lead guest editor) Kumar Venayagamoorthy, Clemson University, USA (gkumar(a)ieee.org<mailto:gvenaya@clemson.edu>) Nikola Kasabov, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand (nkasabov(a)aut.ac.nz<mailto:nkasabov@aut.ac.nz>) Irwin King, Chinese University of Hong Kong, China (irwinking(a)gmail.com<mailto:irwinking@gmail.com>)

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Postdoctoral Position in Neuroscience (BRAIN Initiative project): In vivo imaging of cortical dynamics
by Patrick Kanold Oct. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2014

Dear all, A postdoctoral position utilizing in vivo 2-photon imaging is available in the laboratory of Dr. Patrick Kanold at the University of Maryland. The laboratory studies the function, development, and plasticity of the cerebral cortex (http://www.kanold.org) We are seeking highly motivated individuals that want to join exciting collaborative project, together with Dr. Dietmar Plenz (NIMH, http://www.nimh.nih.gov/labs-at-nimh/principal-investigators/dietmar-plenz.…) and Dr. Wolfgang Losert (UMd Physics), funded by the NIH BRAIN initiative. We use in vivo 2-photon imaging and stimulation technology that allows rapid imaging and stimulation in multiple focal planes and aim to develop new analysis techniques based on dynamic systems and graph theoretic measures to extract network dynamics at the single neuron and population level. We aim to identify the influence of single neurons relative to the synergistic influence of specific groups of neurons (the crowd) on network dynamics and ultimately behavior of the animal (see http://www.clfs.umd.edu/biology/kanold/Research.html) The ideal candidate will have a PhD in neuroscience, engineering, or related discipline, a background in systems neuroscience, and an ability to work in a large multidisciplinary team. Special considerations are given to applicants with training in imaging, in vivo physiology, computational approaches, and programming skills (esp. MATLAB). Qualified individuals should send a copy of curriculum vitae and names of three references to pkanold(a)umd.edu.

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Postodoctoral Position in Computational Neuroscience of Alcohol Addiction (ENS-Paris France- Indiana USA)
by GUTKIN Boris Oct. 31, 2014

Oct. 31, 2014

A postdoctoral position is available for a USA-France collaborative project on the influence of alcohol on the central dopamine system. The project combines computational and experimental techniques. The post-doc will design and analyze a biophysical computational models of the brain circuitry affected by alcohol. The position is available immediately for up to three years. The position is based at the Group for Neural Theory, Ecole Normale Superieure Paris France, with extensive research visits between two institutions: Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, and École Normale Supérieure, Paris, France. In Paris, he or she will work with Prof. Gutkin (Group of Neural Theory, ENS) and Prof. Mamelli (Institut du Fer a Moulin, INSERM) on circuit level models. In Indianapolis, the post-doc will work with Prof. Kuznetsov (Mathematics Dept.) and Prof. Lapish (Psychology Dept.) on cellular level models. Both locations provide an excellent environment for collaborative research in quantitative biosciences. Ample travel support, competitive salary and full social coverage is offered. Qualifications: Applicants should have a Ph.D. in Computational Neuroscience, Mathematics, Physics, or a quantitative field, a background in dynamical systems, programming experience and working knowledge in Computational Neuroscience. How to Apply: Send your CV, list of publications, research statement, and contact information for three references to Prof. Boris Gutkin via e-mail: boris.gutkin(a)ens.fr.

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USA-Israel Postdoctoral Position
by Jean-Marc Oct. 30, 2014

Oct. 30, 2014

*Postdoctoral Position* University of Arizona and University of Haifa The Computational and Experimental Neuroscience Laboratory is looking to fill a position for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow. The research project is geared towards understanding the role of hippocampal replay in spatial navigation and memory consolidation during sleep. The techniques used include high density electrophysiology in the behaving rat, neuropharmacology, optogenetics and computational modeling. The project is multidisciplinary and involves collaborations with research teams in the USA and France (Univ. South Florida Tampa, INSERM Lyon France, Harvard Univ MA, UCSD, UCR and Salk, California). Good communication skills are necessary. This is a joint position between the University of Haifa (Israel) and the University of Arizona (Tucson, USA). The successful candidate will be expected to spend part of his/her time in the USA and in Israel. Basic knowledge of Hebrew will be helpful. Applicants with a subset of the following skill set are strongly encouraged to apply: - Scientific expertise or interests in hippocampus and/or prefrontal-cortex - Electrophysiology (in vivo chronic behaving, or in vitro) - Behavioral Neuroscience (rat training/testing) - General laboratory skills (e.g. histology, surgery) - Matlab and/or NEURON programming and spike-data analyses Applicant should send a cover letter, CV and the names of at least 2 references to Dr. Jean-Marc Fellous (fellous at email.arizona.edu) Salary is competitive and commensurate with experience. The search is ongoing and is projected to be completed by November 30th, 2014. Information about the laboratory can be found at: http://amygdala.psychdept.arizona.edu/lab.html

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Research Associate in Neuroscience, University of Leicester
by Atkinson, Sue Oct. 29, 2014

Oct. 29, 2014

Dear Colleagues, We are recruiting for a Research Associate here at the Centre for Systems Neuroscience, University of Leicester. You will work on calcium imaging (2-photon) and electrophysiology recordings in mice as part of the research activities of the Centre for Systems Neuroscience. Research will be done in collaboration with the Department of Cell Pharmacology and Physiology (Ian Forsythe). The project aims to use a virtual navigation environment for the head restrained mice to record neuronal activity in the mouse hippocampus whilst the animal performs different tasks. The work will be performed in synergy with experiments done in humans ("concept cells") to gain a deeper understanding of perception and memory processes. You will contribute to imaging and electrophysiology data collection and analysis, as well as the design of the experiments and overall setup of the system. In particular you will work on the development and optimization of advance methods for the analysis of the data. You will have, or be close to completing, a PhD in an area related to Neuroscience or signal processing (physics, mathematics, engineering, computer sciences). You will also have good programming skills, particularly in Matlab, and ideally you have experience in neurophysiology and imaging recording. Informal enquiries are welcome and should be made to Sue Atkinson on sam45(a)le.ac.uk or 0116 252 3249. The closing date for this post is midnight on 24 November 2014. Click here and search on the reference number SEN00519 for more information and to apply. http://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/jobs/opportunities/jobsearch Sue ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Susan Atkinson Centre Manager Centre for Systems Neuroscience, University of Leicester, 9 Salisbury Road, Leicester, LE1 7QR, UK T: +44 116 252 3249 E: sam45(a)le.ac.uk<mailto:sam45@le.ac.uk> W: http://www2.le.ac.uk/centres/csn [cid:image001.jpg@01CFF1FC.B7D361D0] Elite without being elitist Follow us on Twitter<https://twitter.com/uniofleicester> or visit our Facebook<http://www.facebook.com/uniofleicester> page

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Neurocontrol Frontiers Research Topic, Call for Papers
by Ritt, Jason T Oct. 29, 2014

Oct. 29, 2014

Hello comp-neuro, Daniel Moran, ShiNung Ching and I are guest editing a Research Topic in the journal Frontiers in Neuroscience/Neuroprosthetics, titled "From Neurostimulation to Neurocontrol: Advances and Challenges in Adapting Control Theory to the Brain”: http://www.frontiersin.org/Neuroprosthetics/researchtopics/From_neurostimul… We encourage all interested in advancing the theory of control of neural systems to consider submitting an article to this Research Topic. Frontiers articles are published upon acceptance, without waiting for other submissions to finish peer review, and are available open access. To find more information on the Topic or submission process, please follow the link above, and/or email me. Cheers, Jason Ritt, Boston University, jritt(a)bu.edu with Daniel Moran, Washington University, St. Louis ShiNung Ching, Washington University, St. Louis --- Jason Ritt Assistant Professor Department of Biomedical Engineering Boston University 44 Cummington Mall Boston MA 02215 jritt(a)bu.edu 617-353-5903 (office) http://www.bu.edu/dbin/bme/people/primary/ritt.php

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2014 SFN Mtg Workshop: Portal for parallel simulations
by Ted Carnevale Oct. 28, 2014

Oct. 28, 2014

A few seats remain open for the workshop Using the Neuroscience Gateway Portal (NSG) for Parallel Simulations which will be held on the morning of Saturday, November 15, 2014, from 9 AM to Noon in Washington DC as a satellite to the SFN 2014 meeting. The NSG is being developed with suport from NSF to help neuroscientists access high performance computing resources. Several parallel simulators are already installed, including Brian, NEST, NEURON, PGENESIS, and PyNN, and more are planned for the future. Find out how the NSG makes it easy to get allocations of free CPU time, upload your model, launch and monitor jobs, and download results. The registration deadline is Friday, Oct. 31, so you'll need to act quickly. See http://www.neuron.yale.edu/neuron/static/courses/nsg2014/nsg2014.html for further details and the registration form. --Ted

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Postdoctoral Position in Neuroengineering and Cognitive Engineering at the SiNAPSE Institute, Singapore
by Justin Dauwels (Asst Prof) Oct. 27, 2014

Oct. 27, 2014

Postdoctoral Position in Neuroengineering and Cognitive Engineering at the SiNAPSE Institute, Singapore Inquiries and applications are invited from highly productive, creative and ambitious young scientists for a postdoctoral fellowship in the recently launched the SiNAPSE Institute (www.sinapseinstitute.com<http://www.sinapseinstitute.com>) - a multidisplinary research Institute devoted to research on neurotechnologies, cognitive sciences, neuroengineering, and translational and clinically motivated research at the National University of Singapore under the direction of Prof. Nitish Thakor (www.jhu.edu/nthakor<http://www.jhu.edu/nthakor>). For this project, the postdoctoral fellow is expected to interact with PIs at the SiNAPSE Institute (Profs Nitish Thakor and Anastasios Bezerianos), as well as collaborators at Nanyang Technological University (Prof. Justin Dauwels and others) and International Collaborators (Prof. Hasan Al-Nashash). Candidates with a PhD degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Neurosciences or Neuroengineering with outstanding skills and credentials are invited to apply for appropriate positions in the Institute. The main objectives of the research project are (but not limited to): 1. Cognitive science studies involving attention, vigilance, benefits of training, novel modes of cognitive enhancement and learning. 2. Mathematical modeling of brain connectome from EEG, ERP, fNIR and fMRI, 3. Principled statistical models for merging different brain imaging modalities (EEG/MEG/fMRI/DTI). The researchers will have access to impressive financial and physical resources, including noninvasive human and small animal experimental facilities, laboratory instrumentation, computing and imaging resources, and additional project-specific discretionary funding. SINAPSE will provide excellent work conditions (an environment about 20 collaborative PIs and more than 100 researchers in steady state). The salaries will be internationally competitive and commensurate with experience, and health insurance coverage as well as travel to international conferences will be included. Interested researchers and fellows should contact as soon as possible Prof. Nitish Thakor (sinapsedirector(a)gmail.com<mailto:sinapsedirector@gmail.com>) and Justin Dauwels (jdauwels(a)ntu.edu.sg<mailto:jdauwels@ntu.edu.sg>) sending a CV with two external references and a letter of accomplishments, motivation and career goals. ________________________________ CONFIDENTIALITY: This email is intended solely for the person(s) named and may be confidential and/or privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, please delete it, notify us and do not copy, use, or disclose its contents. Towards a sustainable earth: Print only when necessary. Thank you.

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PhD opportunities in Computational Neuroscience
by Clopath, Claudia Oct. 27, 2014

Oct. 27, 2014

Computational Neuroscience Laboratory Headed by Dr. Claudia Clopath Department of Bioengineering Imperial College London -----------------Requirements:----------------- The Computational Neuroscience Laboratory, headed by Dr. Claudia Clopath, is looking for a talented PhD student, interested in working in the field of computational neuroscience, specifically addressing questions of *learning and memory*. The perfect candidate has a strong mathematical, physical or engineering background (or equivalent), and a keen interest in biological and neural systems. Demonstrated programming skills are a plus. -----------------Research topic:----------------- Learning and memory are among the most fascinating topic of neuroscience, yet our understanding of it is only at the beginning. Learning is thought to change the connections between the neurons in the brain, a process called *synaptic plasticity*. Using mathematical and computational tools, it is possible to model synaptic plasticity across different time scales, which helps understand how different types of memory are formed. The PhD candidate will be working to build those models of synaptic plasticity, and study the functional role of synaptic plasticity in artificial neural networks. They will have the opportunity to collaborate with experimental laboratories, which study connectivity changes and behavioural learning. Candidates should be EU nationals. ----------------- The lab:----------------- The Computational Neuroscience Laboratory is very young and dynamic, and publishes in prestigious journals, such as Nature and Science. It is part of the Department of Bioengineering, which conducts state-of-the-art multidisciplinary research in biomechanics, neuroscience and neurotechnology. The lab is at *Imperial College London*, the 3rd ranked university in Europe, is in the top 10 worldwide, and is located in the city centre of London. More information can be found at: http://www.bg.ic.ac.uk/research/c.clopath/lab/index.html<http://www.bg.ic.ac.uk/research/c.clopath/>

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Neucomp 2015 CFP (in conjunction with DATE'15 conference)
by Jeff Krichmar Oct. 24, 2014

Oct. 24, 2014

Dear CompNeuro, This CFP may be of interest to many of you. Best regards, Jeff Krichmar Department of Cognitive Sciences 2328 Social & Behavioral Sciences Gateway University of California, Irvine Irvine, CA 92697-5100 jkrichma(a)uci.edu http://www.socsci.uci.edu/~jkrichma Begin forwarded message: > From: Philippe Coussy <philippe.coussy(a)univ-ubs.fr> > Subject: Neucomp 2015 CFP (in conjunction with DATE'15 conference) > Date: October 23, 2014 at 4:25:07 PM GMT+2 > To: Nikil Dutt <dutt(a)ics.uci.edu>, Jeff Krichmar <jkrichma(a)uci.edu>, Philippe Coussy <philippe.coussy(a)univ-ubs.fr> > > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Apologies in advance for any duplicate announcements > ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > CALL FOR POSTER ABSTRACTS > > 2nd International Workshop on Neuromorphic and Brain-Based Computing Systems (NeuComp 2015) > http://www.date-conference.com/conference/workshop-w03 > Friday March 13, 2015, Grenoble, France > > held in conjunction with DATE'15 conference > (http://www.date-conference.com) > > > **Description** > Biological neural systems are well known for their robust and power-efficient operation in highly noisy environments. Biological circuits are made up of low-precision, unreliable and massively parallel neural elements with highly reconfigurable and plastic connections. Two of the most interesting properties of the neural systems are its self-organizing capabilities and its template architecture. Recent research in biologically-plausible neural networks has demonstrated interesting principles about learning and neural computation. Understanding and applying these principles to practical problems is only possible if large-scale neural simulators or circuits can be constructed. This workshop will outline key modelling abstractions for the brain and focus on recent neural network models. Aspects of neuronal processing and computational issues related to modelling these processes will be discussed. Hardware and software solutions readily usable by neuroscientists and computer scientists and efficient enough to construct very large networks comparable to brain networks will be presented. > > > **Target Audience and Workshop Format** > NeuComp 2015 is the second edition of a DATE workshop designed to attract both newcomers to neuromorphic computing, as well as neuromorphic researchers who wish to interact with the DATE community to stimulate new ideas, topics and collaborations. Since this is a hot area but one that is probably new to a large segment of the DATE community, half of the workshop will be devoted to a comprehensive introduction to Neuromorphic and Brain-Based Computing, where the audience will be exposed to basic definitions, key concepts, abstractions, design flows, and design constraints; also some highly visible research projects will be presented as exemplars to provide an overview of existing and emerging solutions in this domain. The other half of the event will create a forum for interactive discussion and exchange of ideas and experiences between researchers through posters and demonstrations, with the goal of highlighting details on applicability, performance, and strengths of current solutions. Our aim is for attendees to learn about emerging Neuromorphic and Brain-Based computing techniques, highlight publicly available modelling and simulation tools, and view directions for longer term research. > > > **Topics of interest** > Authors are invited to submit original unpublished works on topics from a wide range of Neuromorphic and Brain-Based computing areas, including but not limited to: > - Formal models > - Hardware architectures > - Software tools > - Systems and applications > - Simulation Infrastructures > > > **Submission** > Submissions are invited in the form of 2-page extended abstract describing the novelties and advantages of the work. > Submissions must be done through Easychair at https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=neucomp2015 > All submissions will be evaluated with regard to their suitability for the workshop, originality and technical soundness. Selected submissions will be accepted for oral presentation and/or poster/interactive presentations. This workshop does not require blind submissions. Informal proceedings with accepted papers will be made available at the workshop as detailed below. > > > **Important dates** > - Submission deadline October 30th, 2014 > - Notification of acceptance November 30th, 2015 > - Final program December 15th, 2015 > > > **Informal Workshop Digest** > NeuComp 2015 will distribute an informal workshop digest to all workshop participants. NeuComp 2015 presenters are encouraged to submit papers for inclusion in this informal workshop digest. > Note that since the informal workshop digest is only distributed to workshop participants (and is not archived as part of DATE or ACM/IEEE digital libraries), authors are free to submit their work to other archival conferences and journals. > > > **Proceedings** > Selected results of the two first editions of Neucomp will be published in form of an edited book by Springer. > > > **Workshop format** > The workshop will combine oral and interactive sessions (posters and demonstrations) together with invited talks representing major neuromorphic research projects. The event will be designed to be highly interactive, with ample time for discussion and cross-disciplinary engagement. > > > **Confirmed Invited speakers** > - Romain Brette (ENS, FR) > - Kristofor Carlson (UCI, US) > - Jörg Conradt (TU Munich, DE) > - Steve Furber (Manchester Univ., UK) > - Todd Hylton (Brain Corporation, US) > - Giacomo Indiveri (ETHZ, CH) > - Anders Lansner (KTH, SW) > - Rajit Manohar (Cornell Univ., US) > > > **General Co-chairs** > Philippe Coussy Université de Bretagne-Sud/Lab-STICC, FR > Nikil Dutt University of California – Irvine, Irvine, CA USA > > > **Preliminary Technical Program Committee** > Jeff Krichmar University of California – Irvine, Irvine, USA (Program Co-Chair) > Philippe Coussy Université de Bretagne-Sud/Lab-STICC, FR (Program Co-Chair) > > Angelo Arleo Université Pierre et Marie Curie, FR > Romain Brette ENS Paris, FR > Gert Cauwenberghs UCSD, USA > Yiran Chen University of Pittsburgh, USA > Jorg Conradt TU Munich, GER > Nikil Dutt UC Irvine, USA > Steve Furber Manchester University, UK > Karlheinz Meier Heidelberg University, GER > Vijaykrishnan Narayanan Pennsylvania State University, USA > Narayan Srinivasa HRL, USA > Massimiliano Versace Boston University, USA > > > If you have any questions about the workshop, please contact philippe.coussy(a)univ-ubs.fr > > **Previous edition** > For more information about Neucomp 2013 program, see > http://www-labsticc.univ-ubs.fr/~coussy/neucomp2013/ > > > -- > ================================================ > Pr. Philippe COUSSY > > Université de Bretagne-Sud - UEB > Laboratoire Lab-STICC - CNRS, UMR 6285 > Centre de Recherche - BP 92116 > F-56321 Lorient Cedex - FRANCE > > Phone +33 (0)2 97 87 45 65 > Web http://www-labsticc.univ-ubs.fr/~coussy/ > ================================================ > > >

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Postdoc positions in neuromathematics in Brazil
by Antonio C. Roque Oct. 23, 2014

Oct. 23, 2014

Positions for postdoctoral researchers The recently established Research, Innovation and Dissemination Center for Neuromathematics (NeuroMat), hosted by the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil, and funded by FAPESP (Sao Paulo Research Foundation, http://www.fapesp.br/en/) is offering several postdoctoral fellowships for recent PhDs with outstanding research potential. We seek candidates fitting at least one of the profiles below: - A strong background in probability theory with emphasis on stochastic processes or alternatively in statistics with emphasis on statistical model selection. Previous knowledge of rigorous statistical mechanics, random graphs or stochastic modeling in biosciences will be favorably considered. - A strong background in systems neuroscience, backed by programming skills, experience of imaging and/or EEG acquisition and analysis and strong interest in interdisciplinary research. - A strong background in computer science, interested in developing algorithms, software tools or databases in close connection with the several research teams of NeuroMat. The initial appointment is for two years, with a possible extension to up to four years, conditional or research progress. Salary is competitive at international level, and fellows benefit from extra funds for travel and research expenses plus limited support for relocation expenses. Application instructions Applicants should complete and submit the application form at http://neuromat.numec.prp.usp.br/postdoc-form. The following documents and information are requested (please see the form for further details): - Summary of the CV. Please follow the FAPESP format; see www.fapesp.br/en/6351 for instructions. - List of publications, with links if available online. - Pointers to other research related output, such as software, web pages, and so forth. Candidates should be willing to send copies of publications, if requested. - A summary of your research plan for the next 2 years, up to 5 pages length. It should explicitly address its place in the framework of the Neuromat mission and research program ( http://neuromat.numec.prp.usp.br/scientific_project) - Any further information deemed relevant to the application. In addition to the above, we require *at least 2 recommendation letters*. Those should be mailed by the recommenders directly to *postdoc-appl(a)numec.prp.usp.br* <postdoc-appl(a)numec.prp.usp.br>. Candidates are encouraged to apply at their earliest convenience. Two independent evaluation rounds are planned, each one over then current applications: 1. On November 20, 2014. 2. On January 30, 2015. Appointments are expected to be effective within 2 to 6 months after evaluation date. *Remark* Candidates approved on either round will be requested to expand their five-page research plan to full two-year proposals. For the implementation of the fellowships, those proposals, together with all the application material received, will be submitted to FAPESP for final approval. -- Dr. Antonio C. Roque Professor Associado Departamento de Fisica FFCLRP, Universidade de Sao Paulo 14040-901 Ribeirao Preto-SP Brazil - Brasil E-mails: antonior(a)ffclrp.usp.br aroquesilva(a)gmail.com URL: www.sisne.org Tels: +55 16 3602-3768 (sala/office); +55 16 3602-3859 (lab) FAX: +55 16 3602-4887

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Assistant/Associate Professor position at CU Boulder
by Randall O'Reilly Oct. 22, 2014

Oct. 22, 2014

Assistant/Associate Professor Tenure track position Institute of Cognitive Science, CU-Boulder The Institute of Cognitive Science at the University Colorado Boulder is seeking to hire a tenure-track professor at the Assistant level or a tenured professor at the Associate level. Institute research is focused in three strategic areas: • Learning and Education: theories, communities, and technologies; • Language Processing: computational and technological advances; • Cognition and Cognitive Neuroscience: memory, executive function, language, affective, decision, social processes, brain-computer interaction. We are looking for candidates with a strong research track record in one or more of these areas, whose work demonstrates both computational sophistication and a commitment to interdisciplinary research. Applicants should have expertise in computational methods for the analysis and characterization of complex data sets in cognitive science, such as machine learning or network analysis (e.g., network topology, social networks, graph theory, brain or interpersonal dynamics). Cognitive scientists are at the forefront of exploiting the internet and massive data repositories (e.g., language corpora, neuroimaging collections, educational data logs) to advance understanding of learning and cognition. These data and methods for analyzing it are changing paradigms in the allied fields of cognitive science. Applicants should demonstrate a strong capacity for, and a commitment to, interdisciplinary research and education. The Institute integrates faculty and researchers from seven departments – Computer Science, Education, Integrative Physiology, Linguistics, Philosophy; Psychology & Neuroscience; and Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences – and offers a Joint PhD in Cognitive Science and an affiliated field. Ideal candidates can collaborate with faculty across these departments and teach courses in cognitive science and an allied field(s). This vanguard characteristic should be evident in the applicant’s publication history.” Applicants should have a Ph.D. in a field related to Cognitive Science. For full consideration, applications should be completed by December 1,2014 but will continue to be accepted until the position is filled. Applications should include a current curriculum vitae, three letters of recommendation, statement of teaching philosophy, statement of research philosophy, publications demonstrating the characteristics described above, and a cover letter specifically addressing the applicant’s match to the criteria described above. Applications are not considered complete until all letters of recommendation have been received. Applications will only be accepted at http://www.jobsatcu.com/postings/89482. The University of Colorado is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building a diverse workforce. We encourage applications from women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans. Alternative formats of this ad can be provided upon request for individuals with disabilities by contacting the ADA Coordinator at hr-ada(a)colorado.edu. The University of Colorado Boulder conducts background checks on all final applicants being considered for employment. For questions please contact: Donna Caccamise, Search Committee Chair donna.caccamise(a)colorado.edu

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Online course (Gerstner), starting Oct 27, Computational Neuroscience of Single Neurons
by Dane Corneil Oct. 22, 2014

Oct. 22, 2014

On behalf of Prof. Gerstner: ------ Dear all, After a first run of our Online-Course last year, we offer the course 'Neuronal Dynamics - Computational Neuroscience of Single Neurons' a second time this fall on the EdX platform, see https://www.edx.org/course/epflx/epflx-bio465-1x-neuronal-dynamics-4281 Start: Oct. 27, Duration 7 weeks. Registration possible until Nov. 9 The online course covers parts I and II of the textbook: Neuronal Dynamics - from single neurons to cognition, http://neuronaldynamics.epfl.ch/ by W. Gerstner, W.M. Kistler, R. Naud and L. Paninski Cambridge University Press 2014 Students who would like to have an introduction into the field of Neuron Modeling, (Hodgkin-Huxley, Integrate-and-Fire, Generalized Linear Model) are welcome to enroll to take the online course, either as auditors or for certificate. best regards Wulfram Gerstner -- Wulfram Gerstner Laboratory of Computational Neuroscience Professor Brain Mind Institute EPFL Computer&Communication Sciences http://lcn.epfl.ch/ Station 15 +41-21 693 6713 1015 Lausanne EPFL

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Neurocomputing special issue Call for Papers
by Zhijun Yang Oct. 22, 2014

Oct. 22, 2014

Dear Colleagues, May we draw your attention to a Neurocomputing special issue CFP: Advances on Biological Rhythmic Pattern Generation: Experiments, Algorithms and Application. The full announcement can be found in an internet link below. Please note, due to requests for extra time to allow more authors to prepare their manuscripts, we have made this final extension of submission due date to 10 December 2014. http://www.journals.elsevier.com/neurocomputing/call-for-papers/special-iss… Instructions for submission: * The submission website for Neurocomputing is located at: http://ees.elsevier.com/neucom/default.asp * To ensure that all relevant manuscripts are correctly identified for inclusion into this special issue, it is important that authors select SI: Creating Biology Rhythm when reaching the "Article Type" step in the submission process. We look forward to receiving your contributions to what promises to be an exciting special issue. Regards, Zhijun Yang Mehmet Karamanoglu Felipe M.G. França --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Please note that Middlesex University's preferred way of receiving all correspondence is via email in line with our Environmental Policy. All incoming post to Middlesex University is opened and scanned by our digital document handler, CDS, and then emailed to the recipient. If you do not want your correspondence to Middlesex University processed in this way please email the recipient directly. Parcels, couriered items and recorded delivery items will not be opened or scanned by CDS. There are items which are "exceptions" which will be opened by CDS but will not be scanned a full list of these can be obtained by contacting the University.

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DEADLINE EXTENDED: MLINI 2014 - 4th NIPS Workshop on Machine Learning and Interpretation in Neuroimaging: Beyond the Scanner
by Irina Rish Oct. 21, 2014

Oct. 21, 2014

Call for Papers MLINI 2014 - 4th NIPS Workshop on Machine Learning and Interpretation in Neuroimaging: Beyond the Scanner https://sites.google.com/site/mlininips2014/ Friday, December 12, 2014, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Submission deadline: EXTENDED to October 27th, 2014 Workshop Overview: ----------------------- MLINI workshop focuses on machine learning approaches in neuroscience, neuroimaging, with an extension to behavioral experiments and psychology. This year, our focus is specifically on "Going Beyond the Scanner", which includes making inferences about mental states of a subject from ''cheaper'' (as opposed to fMRI) behavioral data such as subject's speech and/or text, audio, video, EEG and signals collected from various wearable devices. We believe that machine learning has a prominent role in shaping how questions in neuroscience are framed, and that the machine-learning mind set is now entering modern psychology and behavioral studies. It is also equally important that practical applications in these fields motivate a rapidly evolving line or research in the machine learning community. In parallel, there is an intense interest in learning more about brain function in the context of rich naturalistic environments and scenes. Efforts to go beyond highly specific paradigms that pinpoint a single function, towards schemes for measuring the interaction with natural and more varied scene are made. In this context, many controversies and open questions exist. The goal of the workshop is to pinpoint the most pressing issues and common challenges across the fields, and to sketch future directions and open questions in the light of novel methodology. The proposed workshop is aimed at offering a forum that joins machine learning, neuroscience, and psychology community, and should facilitate formulating and discussing the issues at their interface. Motivated by the previous workshops in this series, MLINI ‘11, MLINI’12, and MLINI’13, we will center this workshop around invited talks and a panel discussion. Triggered by the discussions, this year we plan to adapt the workshop topics to a less traditional scope neuroimaging scope and investigate the role of behavioral models and psychology, including topics such as psycholinguistics. Open questions and possible topics for contribution include, but are not limited to, the following: - How can we move towards more naturalistic stimuli, tasks and paradigms in neuroimaging and neuro-signal analysis? - What kind of mental states can be inferred from cheaper and easier to collect data sources (as an alternative to fMRI), such as text, speech, audio, video, EEG, and wearable devices? - How can we leave the lab when acquiring neuroimaging data, towards exploiting mobile acquisition (EEG and NIRS)? - What type of features should be extracted from naturalistic stimuli such as text, voice, etc., to detect specific mental states and/or mental disorders? - How can we combine traditional neuroimaging with naturalistic data collected from a subject or group of subjects? - In general, can we characterize situations when multivariate predictive analysis (MVPA) and inference methods are better suited for brain imaging analysis than more traditional techniques? - Given recent advances of deep learning in image analysis and other applications, a natural question to ask is whether neuroimaging analysis can benefit from such approaches? - How well can functional networks and dynamical models capture the brain activity, and when using network and dynamics information is superior to standard task-based brain activations? Workshop Format: -------------------------- In this one-day workshop we will explore perspectives and novel methodology at the interface of Machine Learning, Inference, Neuroimaging and Neuroscience. We aim to bring researchers from machine learning and neuroscience community together, in order to discuss open questions, identify the core points for a number of the controversial issues, and eventually propose approaches to solving those issues. Each session will be opened by several invited talks, and an in depth discussion. This will be followed by original contributions. Original contributions will also be presented and discussed during a poster session. The workshop will end with a panel discussion, during which we will address specific questions, and invited speakers will open each segment with a brief presentation of their opinion. Paper Submission: -------------------------- We seek for submission of original (previously unpublished) research papers. The length of the submitted papers should not exceed 8 pages in Springer format, excluding the references (LaTeX2e style files are available on the workshop page). Submission of previously published work is possible as well, but the authors are required to mention this explicitly. Previously published work can be presented at the workshop, but will not be included into the workshop proceedings (which are considered peer-reviewed publications of novel contributions). Moreover, the authors are welcome to present their novel work but choose to opt out of the workshop proceedings in case they have alternative publication plans. Important dates: -------------------------- - October 10, 2014 - paper submission - October 24, 2014 - notification of acceptance/rejection - December 12, 2014 - Workshop at Montreal, Quebec, Canada , following the NIPS conference Organizing Committee: -------------------------- Guillermo Cecchi (IBM T.J. Watson Research Center) Kai-min Kevin Chang (Language Technologies Institute, Carnegie Mellon University) Georg Langs (Medical University of Vienna, CSAIL, MIT) Brian Murphy (Machine Learning Department, Carngie Mellon University) *Irina Rish (IBM T.J. Watson Research Center) - main contact Leila Wehbe (CMU)

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postdoctoral researcher position - Stanley lab Georgia Tech
by Ortiz, Alex D Oct. 21, 2014

Oct. 21, 2014

Project title: In-vivo intracellular electrophysiology postdoctoral researcher position Project description: We are seeking to fill one postdoctoral researcher position in the Stanley laboratory. The ideal candidate has an extensive in-vivo electrophysiology background. Our laboratory conducts research into how information about the outside world is encoded by the patterns of spiking neurons in the sensory pathways of the brain. We combine experimental and computational approaches to better understand and control aspects of the neural code. Specifically, we focus on the visual and somatosensory pathways at the junction between the sensory periphery and sensory cortex. Our experimental approaches include multi-site, mutli-electrode recording, optical imaging, behavior, and patterned stimulation. This postdoctoral researcher position is specifically focused on our Brain Initiative project, in collaboration with the lab of Craig Forest, which is aimed at developing automatic patching techniques for deep brain structures. We aim to uncover the subthreshold dynamics underlying sensory information transmission in the thalamocortical pathway. The successful candidate will be an expert in vivo electrophysiologist, preferably with experience in engineering design and implementation. Requirements: We are interested in an independent, motivated, and talented candidate with a PhD in neuroscience, neuroengineering, or an equivalent field. An excellent in vivo intracellular electrophysiology background is required. Preference will be given to candidates with experience in awake animal recordings, quantitative methods, and engineering design/implementation. Application instructions: Please send the following materials to aortiz(a)gatech.edu. Applicants with the appropriate background may be asked for additional information. • Curriculum vitae, with complete list of publications • Summary of current work • Contact information for two references Additional details: Location: Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA Start Date: Immediately Salary: Based on experience and background. For more information visit our website: stanley.gatech.edu Please forward to any interested parties. Thank you, -- Alex Ortiz, B.S. Research Associate Stanley Lab Department of Biomedical Engineering Georgia Institute of Technology

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Dual computational-experimental Postdoctoral position
by Jean-Marc Oct. 19, 2014

Oct. 19, 2014

University of Arizona (Tucson, AZ) The Computational and Experimental Neuroscience Laboratory <http://amygdala.psychdept.arizona.edu/lab.html> is looking for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow. The research project is geared towards understanding the role of awake hippocampal replay in spatial navigation. The techniques used include high density electrophysiology in the behaving rat. The project is multidisciplinary and involves collaboration with a robotics team (University of South Florida, Tampa) and a computational neuroscience team (INSERM, Lyon, France). Good communication skills are necessary. This position is also appropriate for a computational neuroscientist with some experimental background interested in branching out to experimental neuroscience. Applicants with a subset of the following skill set are strongly encouraged to apply: - Scientific expertise or interests in hippocampus and/or prefrontal-cortex - Electrophysiology (in vivo chronic behaving, or in vitro) - Behavioral Neuroscience (rat training/testing) - General laboratory skills (e.g. histology, surgery) - Matlab programming and spike-data analyses Applicant should send a cover letter, CV and the names of at least 2 references to Dr. Jean-Marc Fellous (fellous at email.arizona.edu) The search is ongoing and is projected to be completed by *October 30th, 2014*. The CENL and the University of Arizona are committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive work environment and women and minorities are encouraged to apply. The University of Arizona is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Information about the laboratory can be found at: http://emotion.psychdept.arizona.edu/lab.html

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study abroad program in Budapest: Summer 2015, Fall 2015
by Érdi Péter Oct. 19, 2014

Oct. 19, 2014

Dear All: BSCS-US announces a regular and a new study abroad program in Budapest for 2015. 1. Our regular program: BSCS - BUDAPEST SEMESTER IN COGNITIVE SCIENCE PHILOSOPHY TO NEUROSCIENCE will be held in the Fall of 2015, see http://www.bscs-us.org/ . 2. We open also a new program: ***************************************** Systems Neuroscience: a study abroad summer program Program start/end dates June 8th- Aug 7th, 2015 The BSCS Systems Neuroscience Program takes place at and academically supervised by the Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, Semmelweis University, Budapest **************************************** For details, see: http://sysneuro-semester.org/ Inquiry: Péter Érdi (SysNeuro, Director; BSCS Co-Director) perdi(a)kzoo.edu bscs(a)bscs-us.org

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Postdoctoral position in computational neuroscience at UCL
by Silver, Angus Oct. 17, 2014

Oct. 17, 2014

A postdoctoral position in computational neuroscience is available in the Silver Lab at UCL. This research position will involve studying early stage neural coding in the cerebellar cortex in Prof. Silver's laboratory in the Research Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, UCL. The research project will build on our recent work (Billings et al., Neuron 2014) by exploring how synaptic properties, inhibition and heterogeneity contribute to sparse encoding and pattern separation. The candidate will be expected to develop and analyse models of spiking neuronal networks with information theoretic and machine learning approaches. The successful candidate will have excellent mathematical skills and a PhD in theoretical neuroscience or a related field. They will also have experience of information theory and machine learning as well as the development and management of large scale network simulations. Proficiency in computer programming in at least one of the following languages: Python, Java, C is essential. Appointments will be made on the Research salary scale according to experience. For further details about the vacancy and how to apply online please go to http://www.ucl.ac.uk/hr/jobs/ and search on Reference Number 1436983 Closing Date: 24th October 2014 If you have any queries regarding the vacancy, please contact me at a.silver(a)ucl.ac.uk Best wishes Angus Silver R. Angus Silver Professor of Neuroscience and Wellcome Trust Principal Research Fellow Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology University College London Gower Street London WC1E 6BT Tel : 020 7679 7830 www.ucl.ac.uk/silverlab/

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Research Associate in Neuroscience - University of Leicester
by Quian Quiroga, Rodrigo (Prof.) Oct. 17, 2014

Oct. 17, 2014

This is a reminder about the post-doc position in our lab (see below). The deadline is on Monday! Best, Rodrigo Rodrigo Quian Quiroga Centre for Systems Neuroscience University of Leicester www.le.ac.uk/csn ________________________________________ From: comp-neuro-bounces(a)neuroinf.org [comp-neuro-bounces(a)neuroinf.org] on behalf of Atkinson, Sue [sam45(a)leicester.ac.uk] Sent: Monday, September 22, 2014 3:03 PM To: comp-neuro(a)neuroinf.org Subject: [Comp-neuro] Research Associate in Neuroscience, University of Leicester Dear Colleagues, We are recruiting for a Research Associate here at the Centre for Systems Neuroscience, University of Leicester. This position is supported by the Human Frontier Science Program and aims to investigate how the brain creates conceptual knowledge, bridging systems, cognitive and theoretical neuroscience. You will join an international research team, working alongside colleagues from Rockefeller University (Winrich Freiwald), The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (Haim Sompolinsky) and the International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA, Trieste; Mathew Diamond and Davide Zoccolan) studying cross-species (rats, monkeys and humans) comparisons of experimental data, complimented by computational modelling. You will work on the analysis and collection of multiple single neuron recordings in epileptic patients (which are implanted with intracranial electrodes for clinical reasons) performing different cognitive tasks, and contribute towards the study of concept cells (a.k.a. Jennifer Aniston neurons; see e.g. Quian Quiroga et al, Nature 2005; Quian Quiroga; Nature Reviews Neuroscience 2012). You may also contribute to related projects using non-invasive scalp EEG recordings (e.g. Navajas et al, J. Neuroscience 2013) and/or electrophysiology and 2-photon imaging recordings in mice. You should have very good quantitative skills, a strong background in neuroscience and, ideally, a good experience with neurophysiology recordings. Informal enquiries are welcome and should be made to Sue Atkinson, Research Centre Manager, sam45(a)le.ac.uk or 0116 252 3249. Click on the link below (or copy and paste into your browser) here and search on the reference number SEN00514 for more information and to apply. http://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/jobs/opportunities/jobsearch Sue ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Susan Atkinson Centre Manager Centre for Systems Neuroscience, University of Leicester, 9 Salisbury Road, Leicester, LE1 7QR, UK T: +44 116 252 3249 E: sam45(a)le.ac.uk<mailto:sam45@le.ac.uk> W: http://www2.le.ac.uk/centres/csn [cid:image001.jpg@01CFD671.58BF8A30] Elite without being elitist Follow us on Twitter<https://twitter.com/uniofleicester> or visit our Facebook<http://www.facebook.com/uniofleicester> page

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Journal of Mathematical Neuroscience - recent articles
by Stephen Coombes Oct. 17, 2014

Oct. 17, 2014

Dear all, The Journal of Mathematical Neuroscience publishes research articles on the mathematical modeling and analysis of all areas of neuroscience. The current list of journal articles is available at http://www.mathematical-neuroscience.com/ : Numerical Bifurcation Theory for High-Dimensional Neural Models Laing CR http://www.mathematical-neuroscience.com/content/4/1/13 Adaptation and Fatigue Model for Neuron Networks and Large Time Asymptotics in a Nonlinear Fragmentation Equation Pakdaman K, Perthame B and Salort D http://www.mathematical-neuroscience.com/content/4/1/14 Network Symmetry and Binocular Rivalry Experiments Diekman CO and Golubitsky M http://www.mathematical-neuroscience.com/content/4/1/12 Effects of Synaptic Plasticity on Phase and Period Locking in a Network of Two Oscillatory Neurons Akcay Z, Bose A and Nadim F http://www.mathematical-neuroscience.com/content/4/1/8 and see also the recent Special Issue on Uncertainty and the Brain http://www.mathematical-neuroscience.com/series/UB All articles are Open Access. Best regards, Steve ------------------------------------------------------- Stephen Coombes Professor of Applied Mathematics School of Mathematical Sciences Nottingham, UK Tel: 0115 846 7836 http://www.maths.nott.ac.uk/~sc/ ------------------------------------------------------- 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 send it back to me, and immediately delete it. Please do not use, copy or disclose the information contained in this message or in any attachment. Any views or opinions expressed by the author of this email do not necessarily reflect the views of the University of Nottingham. This message has been checked for viruses but the contents of an attachment may still contain software viruses which could damage your computer system, you are advised to perform your own checks. Email communications with the University of Nottingham may be monitored as permitted by UK legislation.

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Faculty positions at Imperial College London
by Hobson, Kate Oct. 17, 2014

Oct. 17, 2014

Dear Colleague, There are a number of academic positions opening in the Department of Bioengineering at Imperial College London (see below for an extract from, and link to, the departmental ad). Although the positions are general (within Bioengineering), we would like to encourage applications within the area of Neurotechnology. Of particular interest are individuals with a track record in translational neurotechnology research. Kickstarted by the award of a £10M EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Neurotechnology for Life and Health, we have recently established a new cross-disciplinary Centre for Neurotechnology integrating research across the Faculties of Engineering, Life Sciences and Medicine. The Centre will have approximately 70 4-year PhD studentships on offer over the next 5 years, making it an extremely attractive place to launch a research career in Neurotechnology (see http://www.imperial.ac.uk/neurotechnology) -- Due to rapid growth and the strategic importance of the discipline of bioengineering at Imperial College London, the Department of Bioengineering wishes to appoint up to four individuals at Lecturer (equivalent to Assistant Professor) or Senior Lecturer (equivalent to Associate Professor) grade. This is an open call in which we are looking for outstanding candidates in any field of Bioengineering. Candidates should have an advanced degree (PhD or equivalent) in an appropriate science or engineering discipline and will have demonstrated an ability to generate and execute research at an internationally-leading level. Evidence of teaching at all levels is also required. A link to the job ad can be found at http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/employment ; select "job search" and enter keyword EN20140342FH. Closing date 4th December 2014. Kate Hobson | Centre Administrator Centre for Neurotechnology | Imperial College London

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Postdoc position - kinetic modeling of receptor induced cascades underlying plasticity
by jeanette＠nada.kth.se Oct. 16, 2014

Oct. 16, 2014

Dept. Neurosci, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, currently has an opening for a postdoctoral positions in computational neuroscience / systems biology. This project is integrated in ongoing collaborations between the Karolinska Institute, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, as well as with international partners in Europe and USA. The position is focused on subcellular signaling pathways involved in synaptic plasticity, and modeling of those using a systems biology approach. The project aims specifically at understanding the subcellular mechanisms underlying reward dependent learning and action selection in the cortex - basal ganglia system. The ideal candidate has a PhD in a field such as computational biology, neuroscience or systems biology, as well as has acquired computer science and programming skills. Contacts: Prof. Jeanette Hellgren Kotaleski email: jeanette(a)csc.kth.se or jeanette.hellgren(a)ki.se More info on the position and how to apply at https://ki.mynetworkglobal.com/en/what:job/jobID:43211/where:/

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FLAIRS 2015 Special Tracks in Data Mining, Cyber Security Applications CFP
by bisant＠umbc.edu Oct. 15, 2014

Oct. 15, 2014

FLAIRS 2015 Special Track in Data Mining and Special Track in Cyber Security Applications Call for Papers Deadline: November 17, 2014 Conference Dates: May 18-20, 2015 Hollywood, Florida Submission of papers and posters for presentation at the 28th International FLAIRS Conference is now invited. The Data Mining Special Track is seeking topics in all areas of Data Mining methods or applications. The Cyber Security Applications Special Track is seeking topics related to applications of all areas in cyber security which utilize artificial intelligence. The proceedings of FLAIRS-28 will be published by the AAAI. The paper submission deadline is **November 17, 2014**. Three outstanding keynote speakers have been confirmed: Dr. Bonnie Dorr of the University of Maryland, Dr. Tom Mitchell of CMU, and Dr. Peter Stone of the University of Texas. FLAIRS-28 takes the conference to the Westin Diplomat Resort and Spa, located on the Blue Wave certified beach of the Atlantic, in the vibrant city of Hollywood, Florida. Relax amidst beachfront surf and sand while you enjoy spectacular views of the Atlantic Ocean or the Intracoastal Waterway. The resort is also ideally located providing easy access to the best of Fort Lauderdale. Detailed information about the special tracks and paper submission can be found at the conference webpage at http://www.flairs-28.info/. We look forward to receiving your submissions.

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2014 SFN Mtg Workshop: Portal for parallel simulations
by Ted Carnevale Oct. 15, 2014

Oct. 15, 2014

Space is still available for the workshop "Using the Neuroscience Gateway Portal for Parallel Simulations" which will be held from 9 AM to Noon on Saturday, November 15, 2014, at a location near the convention center in downtown Washington DC. The Portal is an NSF-supported resource that provides computational neuroscientists free and convenient access to parallel supercomputers for large modeling projects. Speakers will include A. Majumdar, S. Sivagnanam, Upi Bhalla, and Ruben Tikidzhi-Khamburyan. Only a few seats remain available, and the registration deadline is Friday, October 31, so you'll have to act quickly. For more information, see http://www.neuron.yale.edu/neuron/static/courses/nsg2014/nsg2014.html --Ted

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3rd Winter Q-Bio Mtg in HAWAII Feb. 2015 ***Registration is now open***
by Santamaria, Cookie Oct. 15, 2014

Oct. 15, 2014

***REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN*** https://www.regonline.com/qbio THE THIRD ANNUAL WINTER Q-BIO MEETING Quantitative Biology on the Hawaiian Islands February 17-20, 2015 http://w-qbio.org/ The Winter q-bio meeting brings together scientists and engineers who are interested in all areas of q-bio. The venue for 2015 is the Westin Maui<http://www.westinmaui.com/> Resort & Spa, which is located along the west coast of Maui. The resort is situated along a spectacular stretch of the famed Ka'anapali Beach. This oceanfront resort blends an endless array of activities and amenities with gracious aloha spirit, perfect for any Hawaiian meeting. Located beachfront with spectacular views of Lana'i and Moloka'i, The Westin Maui Resort & Spa is just minutes from Maui's many attractions, yet remains a world unto itself, where exclusive services, first-rate restaurants, cultured entertainment, and thrilling diversions satisfy every interest. This year we will select contributed talks from the submitted abstracts to be presented with the invited talks during the plenary sessions. Contributed talks will also be selected for parallel breakout sessions that commence in the late afternoon. 2015 CONFIRMED SPEAKERS: Uri Alon, Weizmann Institute Philip Campbell, Nature Michael Elowitz, California Institute of Technology Tim Elston, University of North Carolina Evonne Kaplan-Liss, Stony Brook University Galit Lahav, Harvard Medical School Wendell Lim, University of California, San Francisco Susan Lindquist, Whitehead Institute Jennifer Lippincott-Schwartz, National Institutes of Health Bernhard Palsson, University of California, San Diego Eva Maria Schoetz-Collins, University of California, San Diego Pamela Silver, Harvard Medical School Gurol Suel, University of California, San Diego Mary Teruel, Stanford University Olga Troyanskaya, Princeton University CONFERENCE ORGANIZERS: William Ditto, University of Hawaii at Manoa Hana El-Samad, University of California, San Francisco Jeff Hasty, University of California, San Diego Galit Lahav, Harvard University Eva-Maria Schoetz-Collins, University of California, San Diego Lev Tsimring, University of California, San Diego ***REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN *** Registration fee covers conference venue, registration reception, banquet, coffee & snacks. EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION ($600 / $475 Student) DEADLINE: Saturday, December 20, 2014 REGULAR REGISTRATION ($700 / $575 Student) DEADLINE: Saturday, January 31, 2015 LATE REGISTRATION ($775 / $650 Student) After Saturday, January 31, 2015 REGISTRATION IS AVAILABLE AT: http://w-qbio.org/ HOTEL: A block of rooms has been reserved for registered conference participants at a negotiated rate starting at $209 per night plus tax at the Westin Maui<http://www.westinmaui.com/>. The rooms will be available soon on a first-come, first-served basis, so book early! CONTRIBUTED TALKS: If you wish to present your work at the conference, either as an oral talk or a poster, you must submit an abstract through the conference website by the November 5th deadline. Abstract guidelines and submission information at: http://w-qbio.org/abstracts/ ABSTRACT DEADLINE: Wednesday, November 5, 2014 We encourage you to forward this message to any colleagues that may be interested in taking part in this exciting event. SPONSORED BY: UC San Diego BioCircuits Institute and the San Diego Center for Systems Biology The University of Hawaii at Manoa UC San Diego Divisions of Biological Sciences and Engineering The Office of Naval Research Questions should be emailed to: coordinator(a)w-qbio.org<mailto:coordinator@w-qbio.org>

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Faculty Position in Computational Neuroscience at the University of California, Irvine
by Jeff Krichmar Oct. 15, 2014

Oct. 15, 2014

Dear Computational Neuroscientists, The following job position may be of interest to many of you. ************************** University of California, Irvine Faculty Position in Computational Neuroscience The Department of Cognitive Sciences (www.cogsci.uci.edu) at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) invites applications for a faculty position at the Associate or Full Professor level. We are especially interested in candidates who use mathematical, computational, or robotics approaches to study the neural basis of cognition in any of these areas: (1) vision, hearing, and attention; (2) memory and decision-making; (3) learning and development; (4) language. Applicants whose research relates to human behavior are preferred. A strong record of publications and extramural funding is essential. Exceptional candidates at the Assistant Professor level will also be considered. The online application includes: A cover letter, CV, research and teaching statements, 3 recent publications, and contact information for 3-5 referees. Interested candidates can apply for the position at: https://recruit.ap.uci.edu/apply/JPF02452. To ensure full consideration, please complete the application by November 15, 2014. The University of California, Irvine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer committed to excellence through diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy. ************************** Best regards, Jeff Krichmar Department of Cognitive Sciences 2328 Social & Behavioral Sciences Gateway University of California, Irvine Irvine, CA 92697-5100 jkrichma(a)uci.edu http://www.socsci.uci.edu/~jkrichma

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Postdoctoral position in computational neuroscience at Numenta
by Subutai Ahmad Oct. 14, 2014

Oct. 14, 2014

*POSTDOCTORAL POSITION IN THEORETICAL NEUROSCIENCE * *AND CORTICAL MODELING* *Numenta, Inc.* *About Numenta* Numenta was founded in 2005 to be a catalyst in the emerging field of machine intelligence. Its biologically inspired technology is based on a detailed and evolving theory of the neocortex first described in co-founder Jeff Hawkins’ book, On Intelligence. The current technology can be applied to anomaly detection in servers and applications, human behavior, and geo-spatial tracking data. Numenta is focused on understanding the computational principles behind the cortex in detail, and implementing practical systems that operate on those principles. For more details, please see www.numenta.com *Job description* Numenta has an immediate opening for a Postdoctoral Researcher. This individual will be a key member of our research group. He or she will work on significant extensions of Hierarchical Temporal Memory (HTM) theory and its implementations. Our current research efforts involve understanding cortical sensorimotor inference and control, and the role of thalamocortical pathways. Our models aim to build stable invariant representations of complex environments through active exploration, and are independent of sensory modality. Our problem domains span the range from artificial constrained worlds all the way to commercially driven applications. We seek researchers who passionately desire to build intelligent machines and impact the next generation of computing. The position carries full benefits and is for a one year term. An extension or a conversion to permanent employment is possible. We are located in Silicon Valley (Redwood City, CA). *Responsibilities* - Implement extensions to HTM theory - Test algorithms on a variety of problems and datasets - Characterize algorithm performance and suggest improvements - Write and publish papers in leading conferences and journals - Attend conferences and stay up to date with the latest relevant research - Be an active member of the NuPIC community (NuPIC is Numenta's open source HTM software) - Provide technical leadership to the rest of the organization *Desired qualifications* - Strong background in theoretical or computational neuroscience - Strong background in machine learning or machine intelligence - Established track record of leading edge research in computational neuroscience - Established track record of publications in leading peer reviewed conferences and journals - Excellent programming skills (Python or C++ preferred) - Hands on experience implementing large-scale learning algorithms or computational models - Preference given to candidates who have a deep understanding of HTM algorithms, cortical principles, and/or a working knowledge of NuPIC - Excellent verbal and written communication skills - Applicants should have, or expect to receive soon, a PhD (or have equivalent research experience) in computational neuroscience, machine learning, cognitive modeling, or a related discipline *How to apply* Qualified applicants should send the following to postdoc(a)numenta.com: - Cover letter describing their specific interest in Numenta. Please include any relevant experience with HTM algorithms or NuPIC. - Resume or CV, including list of relevant courses and published papers. Numenta is an equal opportunity employer supporting workforce diversity. IMPORTANT NOTE: Numenta is unable to consider postdoc applications from international researchers unless they are US Citizens, hold a Green Card, or are currently enrolled in a US University and eligible for OPT.

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Brain-Omics NIPS workshop: Call for contributions
by Gal Chechik Oct. 14, 2014

Oct. 14, 2014

Call for contributions Workshop on *analyzing the 'omics of the brain* http://chechiklab.biu.ac.il/~gal/BrainOmics2014/ A workshop at the Twenty-Seventh Annual Conference on Neural Information Processing Systems (NIPS 2014) Montreal, QC, Canada, December 12, 2014. Important dates: * Oct 31, 2014* : Deadline for submission of extended abstracts Nov 10, 2014: Acceptance notification Dec 12, 2014: Workshop date WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION In the past few years, the field of molecular biology of the brain has been transformed from hypothesis-based experiments to high-throughput experiments. The massive growth of data, including measures of the brain transcriptome, methylome and proteome, now raises new questions in neurobiology and new challenges in analysis of these complex and vast datasets. While many of these challenges are shared with other computational biology studies, the complexity of the brain poses special challenges. Brain genomics data includes high-resolution molecular imagery, developmental time courses and most importantly, underlies complex behavioral phenotypes and psychiatric diseases. New methods are needed to address questions about the brain-wide, genome-wide and life-long genomic patterns in the brain and their relation to brain functions like plasticity and information processing. The goal of the workshop is to bring together people from the neuroscience, cognitive science and the machine learning community. It aims to ease the path for scientists to connect the wealth of genomic data to the issues of cognition and learning that are central to NIPS, with an eye to the emerging high-throughput behavioral data which many are gathering. We invite contributed talks on novel methods of analysis to brain genomics, as well as techniques to make meaningful statistical relationships to phenotypes. The target audience includes two main groups: people interested in developing machine learning approaches to neuroscience, and people from neuroscience and cognitive science interested in connecting their work to brain genomics. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS Researchers interested in contributing should upload an extended abstract of 4 pages in PDF format to the Brain-omics submission web site https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=brainomics2014 by Oct 31st, 2014, 11:59pm (time zone of your choice). No special style is required. Authors may use the NIPS style file, but are also free to use other styles as long as they use standard font size (11 pt) and margins (1 in). Relevant works that have been recently published or presented elsewhere are allowed, provided that previous publications are explicitly acknowledged. CONFIRMED INVITED SPEAKERS Nenad Sestan (Yale) Eran Mukamel (UCSD) ORGANIZERS Gal Chechik (BIU) Mark Reimers (VCU) Michael Hawrylycz (Allen institute)

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Special Issue on Cross-Frequency Coupling in Brain Networks
by Tjeerd Boonstra Oct. 14, 2014

Oct. 14, 2014

Dear colleagues, We would like to draw your attention and cordially invite you to submit a manuscript to the Special Issue on Cross-Frequency Coupling in Brain Networks: Methodological Challenges and Functional Implications in BioMed Research International. Manuscripts are due on Friday, 5 December 2014. For more information and to submit a manuscript please see: http://www.hindawi.com/journals/bmri/si/897985/cfp/. We look forward to your contributions. Tjeerd Boonstra Ali Bahramisharif Andreas Daffertshofer Sylvain Baillet Cross-Frequency Coupling in Brain Networks: Methodological Challenges and Functional Implications Synchronous activity of oscillating brain networks plays a fundamental role in cognitive functioning. Cross‐frequency coupling (CFC) has been proposed to be the mechanism for interaction of local and global processes and hence to enable the integration of neural information processing across timescales. We invite investigators to contribute original research articles as well as review articles to stimulate the continuing efforts to understand the neural correlates of CFC, the methodological and mathematical prerequisites for reliable detection of CFC in experimental data, and the functional role of CFC in organizing the temporal dynamics of neural computation.

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PhD position in neuro-computational research of modeling emotions
by Julien Vitay Oct. 12, 2014

Oct. 12, 2014

Several PhD (E 13 TV-L, 100%) positions are available at the Technical University of Chemnitz (Germany) in the Department of Computer Science. The positions are funded for three years. Among other fields of human-machine interactions, we are particularly interested in neuro-computational research of modeling emotions, particularly brain-inspired or brain-like solutions of the emotional system involving vision and audition. Please see http://crossworlds.info/jobposting/ -------------------- Prof. Dr. Fred H Hamker Artificial Intelligence & Neuro Cognitive Systems Department of Computer Science Chemnitz University of Technology Strasse der Nationen 62 D - 09107 Chemnitz Germany Tel: +49 (0)371 531-37875 Fax: +49 (0)371 531-25739 email: fred.hamker(a)informatik.tu-chemnitz.de www: http://www.tu-chemnitz.de/informatik/KI/

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Petition for European Researchers "They have chosen ignorance"
by Alessandro Torcini Oct. 11, 2014

Oct. 11, 2014

Petition for European Researchers "They have chosen ignorance" Scientists from different European countries describe in this letter that, despite marked heterogeneity in the situation of scientific research in their respective countries, there are strong similarities in the destructive policies being followed. This critical analysis, highlighted in Nature and simultaneously published in a number of newspapers across Europe, is a wake-up call to policy makers to correct their course, and to researchers and citizens to defend the essential role of science in society. This letter can be signed here. The national policymakers of an increasing number of Member States, along with European leaders, have completely lost touch with the reality of research. http://openletter.euroscience.org/ In the media Italy Repubblica http://www.repubblica.it/economia/2014/10/08/news/scienziati_europei_contro… Ansa http://www.ansa.it/scienza/notizie/rubriche/ricerca/2014/10/09/ricercatori-… Micromega http://temi.repubblica.it/micromega-online/%E2%80%9Csenza-ricerca-non-si-es… Il Fatto Quotidiano http://www.ilfattoquotidiano.it/2014/10/09/tagli-alla-ricerca-la-lettera-de… Roars http://www.roars.it/online/hanno-scelto-lignoranza/ Uninews24 http://www.uninews24.it/mondo/5301-la-lettera-dei-ricercatori-contro-i-vert… France http://www.lemonde.fr/idees/article/2014/10/09/la-recherche-est-en-peril-il… Spain http://www.elmundo.es/ciencia/2014/10/08/54356cc2e2704e1d3e8b4597.html?cid=… http://elpais.com/elpais/2014/10/08/ciencia/1412764866_249154.html http://www.elperiodico.com/es/noticias/opinion/han-elegido-ignorancia-35861… http://www.elperiodico.cat/ca/noticias/opinio/han-elegit-ignorancia-3586110 Portugal http://www.publico.pt/n1672264 Greece http://www.tovima.gr/science/article/?aid=639347 http://www.tanea.gr/news/science-technology/article/5167615/nature-oi-polit… Poland http://www.rp.pl/artykul/9129,1147605-Apel-europejskich-naukowcow.html UK http://www.theguardian.com/science/occams-corner/2014/oct/09/they-have-chos… Belgium http://www.lesoir.be/674747/article/debats/cartes-blanches/2014-10-08/victi… See also http://www.euroscientist.com/blog/2014/10/09/pan-european-coordindated-grou… http://www.euroscientist.com/blog/2014/10/06/special-issue-research-activis…

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Post-doctoral research fellowship: modelling musical preference decisions
by Marcus Pearce Oct. 11, 2014

Oct. 11, 2014

Dear All (with apologies for cross-posting), We seek to appoint a Post-doctoral Research Fellow at Queen Mary, University of London as part of an EPSRC-funded project <http://gow.epsrc.ac.uk/NGBOViewGrant.aspx?GrantRef=EP/M000702/1>on predicting musical choices using computational models of cognitive and neural processing. The goal of the project is to understand the cognitive and neural processes involved in musical preference decisions using computational modelling that incorporates the structure of the music, the psychological state and traits of the listener and the listening context. The successful candidate will be involved in the design and implementation of the models, data collection from human listeners in behavioural and EEG experiments, analysing the data to test the model predictions, and writing up the results for publication in peer-reviewed journals. Start date: 5 January 2015. Duration: 14 months (until March 5 2016). Salary: £34,283. For further information and to apply see: http://music-cognition.eecs.qmul.ac.uk/postdoc.html Marcus -- Lecturer in Sound and Music Processing Queen Mary, University of London Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK Tel: +44 (0)20 7882 6207 Web: http://webprojects.eecs.qmul.ac.uk/marcusp Lab: http://music-cognition.eecs.qmul.ac.uk/

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Method development for coupled EEG-fMRI (1x Full EPSRC studentship)
by Etienne B. Roesch Oct. 10, 2014

Oct. 10, 2014

Method development for coupled EEG-fMRI (1x Full EPSRC studentship) The goal of the project is to develop novel methods for the joint analysis of signals from electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), when they are obtained concurrently. Technological advances of the last 10 years make it possible for scientists to record both modalities concurrently, in what is now known as coupled EEG-fMRI. By simultaneously recording these two modalities, scientists can potentially say where and when neural activity is occurring, whereas previously researchers had to settle for one or the other. This engineering feat, however, has not yet been met with the ability to make use of the combination of these signals to infer more knowledge than would otherwise be gathered in separate experiments. Filling this gap is the ambition of the present project. This is a method project, which requires skills and knowledge in applied mathematics/statistics/physics and programming. One studentship is available, to join a research group in the remit of this project. Prior exposure to either/or EEG and fMRI is preferred, but training on both modalities will be provided. The emphasis of the studentship is on the development of novel analysis methods, but the successful candidate will have opportunities to join empirical work using EEG-fMRI. The student will be supervised by Dr. Etienne Roesch and receive support from Dr. Michael Lindner and Prof. Tom Johnstone, with R&D support from Brain Products. The CINN is host to a research-dedicated 3T Siemens TRIO, with a full license for sequence development, and a full suite of MR-compatible systems. Additionally, the student will be granted access to the cluster of NVIDIA Tesla GPUs and other facilities at CINN, as well as at the School of Systems Engineering. The University of Reading is ranked as one of the UK’s 20 most research-intensive universities and as one of the top 200 universities in the world (Times Higher Education 2013). Our campus was voted first in the Times Higher Education Student Experience survey and has a Green Flag Award. It is situated 25 minutes West of London. Reading University Students’ Union was voted the 6th best in the UK (National Student Survey 2012). Essentials: Commitment to academic research and personal development; Ability to work collaboratively; Effective interpersonal and communication skills, including writing to a high standard, document preparation for technical notes and journal papers; Experience of work in interdisciplinary settings; Attention to details. Desirables: Self-guided work in developing statistical designs and approaches in research; Creative approach to problem solving; Ability to work independently; Experience in giving presentations and conveying complex ideas clearly. Eligibility: Applicants should hold a minimum of a UK Honours Degree at 2:1 level or equivalent in a relevant subject. Please note that due to restrictions on the funding this studentship is for UK/EU applicants only. Funding Details: Studentship will cover Home/EU Fees, pay the Research Council minimum stipend (£13,863 in 2014/15) for up to 3 years and include funding for international conferences. How to apply: To apply for this studentship please submit an application for a PhD in Cybernetics (full time) to the University – see http://www.reading.ac.uk/Study/apply/pg-applicationform.aspx . In the section ‘Research proposal’, please upload or copy-paste your covering letter. When prompted as part of your online application, you should provide details of the funding you are applying for, quoting the reference GS14-68. Once you have submitted your application, you should receive an email to confirm receipt of your online application. Please forward this email, along with your covering letter and CV (as pdf), to Dr. Etienne B. Roesch, e.b.roesch(a)reading.ac.uk, by the application deadline. Application Deadline: Monday November 10th, 2014 (interviews on November 21st, 2014, Skype or in Reading) Further Enquiries: Please contact Dr. Etienne B. Roesch, e.b.roesch(a)reading.ac.uk. Kind regards, Etienne Save the world from email! http://emailcharter.org ––– Dr. Etienne B. Roesch Lecturer (Assistant Professor) in Cognitive Science University of Reading, UK http://doodle.com/MeetWithEtienne

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ModelDB open source code for HH model with time-depended ion concentrations
by Markus A Dahlem Oct. 10, 2014

Oct. 10, 2014

** We made our source code from two recent papers and one accepted manuscript now available on ModelDB ** *The code simulates the Hodgkin-Huxley model with time-dependent ion concentrations.* Briefly, the Hodgkin-Huxley (HH) model has 4 dynamical variables. Including Na+,K+, and Cl- extra- and intracellular ion concentrations introduces 6 further variables. Various simple reduction techniques, such as adiabatic elimination, synchronization, mass conservation, and electroneutrality have been used to reduce this extended HH formalism to again only 5 dynamical variables, while the model still retains adequate biophysical realism. For example, bursting and cortical spreading depression (SD) can be simulated. The model conserves the HH action potential dynamics. See Refs. [1,2] The accession number for the HH model with time-dependent ion concentrations is 167714. http://senselab.med.yale.edu/ModelDB/ShowModel.asp?model=167714 Moreover, the ModelDB accession number for a wild-type and mutant SD model described in paper Ref [3] is 167715. http://senselab.med.yale.edu/ModelDB/ShowModel.asp?model=167715 The model can be further reduced to only 4 dynamic variables (without Cl-). For dynamic volume control and further features, please get in contact with me, see below. This models require XPP, which is freely available from: http://www.math.pitt.edu/~bard/xpp/xpp.html Refs [1] N. Huebel, E. Schöll, and M. A. Dahlem, Bistable dynamics underlying excitability of ion homeostasis in neuron models, PLOS Comp. Biology. 10, e1003551 (2014) [2] N. Huebel and M. A. Dahlem, Dynamics from seconds to hours in Hodgkin–Huxley model with time–dependent ion concentrations and buffer reservoirs (accepted PLoS Comp Biol, arXiv 1404.3031) [3] M. A. Dahlem, J. Schumacher, and N. Huebel. Linking a genetic defect in migraine to spreading depression in a computational model, PeerJ, 2:e379 (2014). -- Dr. Markus Dahlem Web: https://sites.google.com/site/markusadahlem Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Complex Systems Department Biological Physics Nöthnitzer Straße 38 01187 Dresden Germany and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin AG NLD Cardiovascular Physics Robert-Koch-Platz 4 10115 Berlin Germany phone: +49 (0)351 871 2402 email: dahlem(a)physik.hu-berlin.de skype: markus.dahlem

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[COSYNE2015] Abstract submission is open, Workshop pre-proposals deadline on Oct 31
by Tomas Hromadka Oct. 10, 2014

Oct. 10, 2014

================================================= Computational and Systems Neuroscience (Cosyne) MAIN MEETING Mar 5 - Mar 8, 2015 Salt Lake City, Utah WORKSHOPS Mar 9 - Mar 10, 2015 Snowbird Ski Resort, Utah http://www.cosyne.org ================================================= IMPORTANT DATES: Abstract submission is now open! Abstract submission deadline: 26 Nov 2014 Workshop pre-proposal deadline: 31 Oct 2014 Workshop proposal deadline: 21 Nov 2014 The annual Cosyne meeting provides an inclusive forum for the exchange of empirical and theoretical approaches to problems in systems neuroscience, in order to understand how neural systems function. MAIN MEETING The main meeting is single-track. A set of invited talks are selected by the Executive Committee, and additional talks and posters are selected by the Program Committee, based on submitted abstracts. Cosyne topics include but are not limited to: neural coding, natural scene statistics, dendritic computation, neural basis of persistent activity, nonlinear receptive field mapping, representations of time and sequence, reward systems, decision-making, synaptic plasticity, map formation and plasticity, population coding, attention, and computation with spiking networks. This year we would like to foster increased participation from experimental groups as well as computational ones. Please circulate widely and encourage your students and postdocs to apply. Please note that the main Cosyne 2015 meeting will take place in a different venue (Hilton Salt Lake City Center) one week later than usual, see www.cosyne.org for details. WORKSHOPS The workshops feature in-depth discussion of current topics of interest, in a small group setting. The goal is to provide an informal forum for the discussion of important research questions and challenges. Controversial issues, open problems, comparisons of competing approaches, and alternative viewpoints are encouraged. PRE-PROPOSALS: In an effort to coordinate submissions, the organizers are encouraged to submit a pre-proposal by 31 Oct 2014. Pre-proposals will be shared among submitters. Pre-proposals are requested but not required. The organizers may submit the full proposal by its deadline (21 Nov 2014). The overarching goal of all workshops should be the integration of empirical and theoretical approaches, in an environment that fosters collegial discussion and debate. Preference will be given to proposals that differ substantially in content, scope, and/or approach from workshops of recent years (examples available at www.cosyne.org) Relevant topics include, but are not limited to: sensory processing; motor planning and control; functional neural circuits; motivation, reward and decision making; learning and memory; adaptation and plasticity; neural coding; neural circuitry and network models; and methods in computational or systems neuroscience. For details on submitting (pre-)proposals please visit www.cosyne.org (Workshops). CONFIRMED SPEAKERS: Amy Bastian (Johns Hopkins) Matteo Carandini (UCL) Sophie Deneve (ENS) Florian Engert (Harvard) Marla Feller (UC Berkeley) Wulfram Gerstner (EPFL) Shawn Lockery (U Oregon) Liam Paninski (Columbia) Nicole Rust (U Penn) Tatyana Sharpee (Salk) Mariano Sigman (UBA) Emo Todorov (U Washington) When preparing an abstract, authors should be aware that not all abstracts can be accepted for the meeting, due to space constraints. Abstracts will be selected based on the clarity with which they convey the substance, significance, and originality of the work to be presented. ORGANIZING COMMITTEE: General Chairs: Michael Long (NYU) and Stephanie Palmer (U Chicago) Program Chairs: Maria Geffen (U Penn) and Konrad Kording (Northwestern) Workshop Chairs: Robert Froemke (NYU) and Claudia Clopath (Imperial College) Publicity Chair: Xaq Pitkow (Rice) EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Anne Churchland (CSHL) Zachary Mainen (Champalimaud) Alexandre Pouget (U Geneva) Anthony Zador (CSHL) CONTACT cosyne.meeting [at] gmail.com

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Postdoctoral / Research Specialist position in Drosophila visual neurophysiology
by Reiser, Michael Oct. 10, 2014

Oct. 10, 2014

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Faculty position in Computational Neuroscience / Cognitive Science, Cambridge
by Máté Lengyel Oct. 9, 2014

Oct. 9, 2014

Faculty position in Computational Neuroscience / Cognitive Science Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, UK Applications are invited for a University Lectureship / Senior Lectureship (~ US Assistant / Associate Professor equivalent) in the broad area of Computational Neuroscience, including Computational Cognitive Science in the Computational and Biological Learning Lab (cbl.eng.cam.ac.uk). CBL combines expertise in computational neuroscience and cognitive science (Daniel Wolpert, Mate Lengyel, Rich Turner) and machine learning (Zoubin Ghahramani, Carl Rasmussen). We particularly encourage applicants who would complement our current research activities. The successful applicant’s research should use computational or theoretical approaches, and may combine these approaches with behavioural experiments. Informal enquiries are welcome to: Daniel Wolpert (wolpert(a)eng.cam.ac.uk) Mate Lengyel (m.lengyel(a)eng.cam.ac.uk) Richard Turner (ret26(a)cam.ac.uk) Timeline: - Closing date of applications: Friday November 28th - Interviews: February, 2015 Further information and details of the application process can be found at http://cbl.eng.cam.ac.uk/Public/VacancyFaculty2014

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PostDoc Openings - New techniques for vision-assisted speech processing
by Chiara Bartolozzi Oct. 9, 2014

Oct. 9, 2014

Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (http://www.iit.it<http://www.iit.it/undefined/>) is a private Foundation with the objective of promoting Italy's technological development and higher education in science and technology. Research at IIT is carried out in highly innovative scientific fields with state-of-the-art technology. http://www.iit.it/ iCub Facility (http://www.iit.it/icub) and Robotics, Brain and Cognitive Sciences (http://www.iit.it/rbcs) Departments are looking for 2 post-docs to be involved in the H2020 project EcoMode funded by the European Commission under the H2020-ICT-2014-1 call (topic ICT-22-2014 - Multimodal and natural computer interaction). Job Description: Robust automatic speech recognition in realistic environments for human-robot interaction, where speech is noisy and distant, is still a challenging task. Vision can be used to increase speech recognition robustness by adding complementary speech-production related information. In this project visual information will be provided by an event-driven (ED) camera. ED vision sensors transmit information as soon as a change occurs in their visual field, achieving incredibly high temporal resolution, coupled with extremely low data rate and automatic segmentation of significant events. In an audio-visual speech recognition setting ED vision can not only provide new additional visual information to the speech recognizer, but also drive the temporal processing of speech by locating (in the temporal dimension) visual events related to speech production landmarks. The goal of the proposed research is the exploitation of highly dynamical information from ED vision sensors for robust speech processing. The temporal information provided by EDC sensors will allow to experiment with new models of speech temporal dynamics based on events as opposed to the typical fixed-length segments (i.e. frames). In this context, we are looking for 2 highly motivated Post-docs, respectively tackling vision (Research Challenge 1) and speech processing (Research Challenge 2), as oulined herebelow: Research Challenge 1 (vision @ iCub facility - BC 69721): the post-doc will mostly work on the detection of features from event-driven cameras instrumental for improving speech recognition (e.g. lips closure, protrusion, shape, etc…). The temporal features extracted from the visual signal will be used for crossmodal event-driven speech segmentation that will drive the processing of speech. In the attempt to increase the robustness to acoustic noise and atypical speech, acoustic and visual features will be combined to recover phonetic gestures of the inner vocal tract (articulatory features). Research Challenge 2 (speech processing @ RBCS - BC 69724): the post-doc will mainly develop a novel speech recognition system based on visual, acoustic and (recovered) articulatory features, that will be targeted for users with mild speech impairments. The temporal information provided by EDC sensors will allow to experiment with new strategies to model the temporal dynamics of normal and atypical speech. The main outcome of the project will be an audio-visual speech recognition system that robustly recognizes the most relevant commands (key phrases) delivered by users to devices in real-word usage scenarios. The resulting methods for improving speech recognition will be exploited for the implementation of a tablet with robust speech processing. Given the automatic adaptation of the speech processing to the speech production rhythm, the speech recognition system will target speakers with mild speech impairments, specifically subjects with atypical speech flow and rhythm, typical of some disabilities and of the ageing population. The same approach will then be applied to the humanoid robot iCub to improve its interaction with humans in cooperative tasks. Skills: We are looking for highly motivated people and inquisitive minds with the curiosity to use a new and challenging technology that requires a rethinking of visual and speech processing to achieve a high payoff in terms of speed, efficiency and robustness. The candidates we are looking for should also have the following additional skills: * PhD in Computer Science, Robotics, Engineering (or equivalent) with a background in machine learning, signal processing or related areas; * ability to analyze, improve and propose new algorithms; * Good knowledge of C, C++ programming languages with proven experience. Team-work, PhD tutoring and general lab-related activities are expected An internationally competitive salary depending on experience will be offered. Please note that these positions are pending the signature of the grant agreement with the European Commission (expected start date in early 2015) How to apply: Challenge 1: Send applications and informal enquires to jobpost.69721(a)icub.iit.it<mailto:jobpost.69721@icub.iit.it> Challenge 2: Send applications and informal enquires to jobpost.69724(a)rbcs.iit.it<mailto:jobpost.69724@rbcs.iit.it> The application should include a curriculum vitae listing all publications and pdf files of the most representative publications (maximum 2) If possible, please also indicate three independent reference persons. Presumed Starting Date: Challenge 1: January 2015 (but later starts are also possible). Challenge 2: June 2015 (but later starts are also possible). Evaluation of the candidates starts immediately and officially closes on November 10th, 2014. References: Lichtsteiner, P., Posch, C., & Delbruck, T. (2008). A 128×128 120 dB 15 μs latency asynchronous temporal contrast vision sensor. Solid-State Circuits, IEEE Journal of, 43(2), 566-576. Rea, F., Metta, G., & Bartolozzi, C. (2013). Event-driven visual attention for the humanoid robot iCub. Frontiers in neuroscience, 7. Benosman, R.; Clercq, C.; Lagorce, X.; Sio-Hoi Ieng; Bartolozzi, C., "Event-Based Visual Flow," Neural Networks and Learning Systems, IEEE Transactions on , vol.25, no.2, pp.407,417, Feb. 2014, doi: 10.1109/TNNLS.2013.2273537 Potamianos, G. Neti, C. Gravier, G. Garg, A. and Senior, A.W. (2003) “Recent Advances in the Automatic Recognition of Audiovisual Speech” in Proceedings of the IEEE Vol. 91 pp. 1306-1326 Glass, J. (2003)“A probabilistic framework for segment-based speech recognition”, Computer Speech and Language, vol. 17, pp. 137-152. Badino, L., Canevari, C., Fadiga, L., Metta, G. "Deep-Level Acoustic-to-Articulatory Mapping for DBN-HMM Based Phone Recognition", in IEEE SLT 2012, Miami, Florida, 2012 In order to comply with Italian law (art. 23 of Privacy Law of the Italian Legislative Decree n. 196/03), the candidate is kindly asked to give his/her consent to allow IIT to process his/her personal data. We inform you that the information you provide will be solely used for the purpose of assessing your professional profile to meet the requirements of IIT. Your data will be processed by IIT, with its headquarters in Genoa, Via Morego, 30, acting as the Data Holder, using computer and paper-based means, observing the rules on the protection of personal data, including those relating to the security of data. Please also note that, pursuant to art. 7 of Legislative Decree 196/2003, you may exercise your rights at any time as a party concerned by contacting the Data Manager. Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia is an Equal Opportunity Employer that actively seeks diversity in the workforce. Chiara Bartolozzi Researcher Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Via Morego, 30 16163 Genoa, Italy Ph: +39 010 7178-1474

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Physics of Neural Systems focus topic at the 2015 American Physical Society March Meeting, March 2-6, San Antonio, TX
by Ilya Nemenman Oct. 8, 2014

Oct. 8, 2014

Dear Colleagues: The 2015 American Physical Society (APS) March meeting (March 2-6, 2015; San Antonio, TX) will emphasize “Physics of Neural Systems” as one of the focus topics supported by the Division of Biological Physics. We expect multiple sessions resulting from this focus topic, addressing recent advances in understanding of the structure and the dynamics of neural circuits responsible for sensing, memory, and motor output. Arguably, in the last few years, we have found out more about the dynamics of neural circuits than we have in all of the previous decades combined. Thus we solicit submissions of contributed presentations to the March meeting, focusing on a broad range of topics on the intersection of physics and neuroscience, such as quantitative experimental protocols, modeling of neural dynamics, analysis of collective computation in neural circuits, and others. The neural focus at the meeting will be anchored by talks by Tatyana Sharpee (Salk Institute) and Christopher Fang-Yen (University of Pennsylvania), among others. March meeting abstract submission website: http://www.aps.org/meetings/march/scientific/index.cfm Abstract submission deadline: November 14, 2014, 5:00pm EST While the actual timing of the neuro sessions at the meeting will not be known until December and will depend on the number of qualified submissions, the sessions will be scheduled not to conflict with other computational neuroscience meetings, such as COSYNE. APS March meeting is the largest physics meeting in the world, attracting about 10,000 physicists. At the meeting, the APS Division of Biological Physics supports one of the largest and scientifically diverse programs on the interface of physics and biology, from molecular and cellular biophysics, to computational neuroscience and population dynamics, featuring typically more than 500 talks every year. We are looking forward to receiving your abstracts. If you have any questions about neuroscience at the March Meeting, please don’t hesitate to contact Ilya Nemenman (ilya.nemenman(a)emory.edu) Sincerely, Ilya Nemenman Associate Professor of Physics and Biology Emory University, Atlanta, GA and Vice-Chair, Division of Biological Physics (DBIO) American Physical Society (APS) http://nemenmanlab.org Biophysicist? Join APS/DBIO and come to the March Meeting! Ilya Nemenman Associate Professor of Physics and Biology Emory University, Atlanta, GA and Vice-Chair, Division of Biological Physics (DBIO) American Physical Society (APS) http://nemenmanlab.org Biophysicist? Join APS/DBIO and come to the March Meeting!

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Open Access Journal with a free publication - Call for papers
by subbotin Oct. 7, 2014

Oct. 7, 2014

Dear Сolleagues, I invite you to send your articles to the journal "Radio Electronics, Computer Science, Control", published by Zaporizhzhya National Technical University (Zaporizhzhya, Ukraine) since 1999. The articles are published and peer-reviewed free of charge. The journal provides free on-line access to full text publications. The articles given a unique digital object identifier (DOI). The journal is abstracted in leading international and national abstractig journals and scientometric databases, and also placed to the digital archives and libraries with free on-line access (INSPEC, DOI, ISSN, EBSCO, eLibrary.ru, Іndex Copernicus, Ulrich’s Periodical Directory, WorldCat, Google Scholar, DOAJ, Academic Keys, ADAT, DRJI, JournalTOCs, MIAR, SHERPA/RoMEO, BASE, CiteFactor, EZB, Impactfactor.pl, Journalindex.net, OAIster, OAJI, Research Bible, SIS, UIF, ZDB, VINITI, Ukrainica Naukova, Djerelo, URAN et al.). The journal is included in the list of the scientific specialized periodicals of Ukraine where the results of dissertations for Ph. D and D. Sc. in Technical Sciences, Physics and Mathematics сan be published. Printed versions of of the journal are distributed among leading libraries, as well as by subscription. The formatting rules and templates of articles, as well as accompanying documents to them are presented on the journal website http://ric.zntu.edu.ua/. Sincerely yours, Sergey Subbotin, Deputy Chief Editor, Dr. hab. Sc., Professor of Department of software tools of Zaporizhzhya National Technical University. E-mail: subbotin(a)zntu.edu.ua, subbotin.csit(a)gmail.com

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Postdoctoral position in machine learning and computer vision for biomedical data analysis
by Diego Sona Oct. 7, 2014

Oct. 7, 2014

The Pattern Analysis and Computer Vision department (PAVIS - http://www.iit.it/pavis.html) at Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia is looking for a highly qualified researcher in the field of Computer Vision, Pattern Recognition, Machine Learning, Image Analysis with applications to Biomedical Data Analysis The position is available immediately and until filled. Evidence of top quality research on the specified areas in the form of published papers is mandatory. The salary will be commensurate to qualification and experience and in line to that of the research institutes in the rest of Europe. Further info can be found at http://iit.it/en/openings/research-departments/pattern-analysis-a-computer-… --------------------------------------------------------- Dr. Diego Sona Pattern Analysis & Computer Vision (PAVIS) Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) Via Morego 30, 16163, Genova, Italy Phone: +39 010 71781 819 E-mail: diego.sona(a)iit.it www.iit.it/pavis.html ---------------------------------------------------------

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Workshop on Networks
by Ermentrout, G Bard Oct. 6, 2014

Oct. 6, 2014

Dear Colleagues, It is our pleasure to call your attention to a workshop "Advances in Discrete Networks" that we have organized, to be held at the University of Pittsburgh on December 12-14, 2014. This three-day workshop will provide a forum for the exchange of ideas relating to quantitative research about networks, pursued with a variety of perspectives and approaches. The event will bring together leading researchers in the field, with backgrounds in areas such as applied mathematics, mathematical biology, statistical physics, and computational methods, along with a diverse pool of graduate students, postdocs, and other scientists who are early in their careers. Indeed, one of the goals of the meeting is to promote the development and continuation of interdisciplinary collaborations in these areas, as well as the exchange of ideas between participants from a variety of backgrounds and career stages. More information about the meeting, including a list of speakers, is available at: http://www.math.pitt.edu/~lewicka/Semester_DiscrNetw_14/adv_disc_netw_works…<http://www.math.pitt.edu/%7Elewicka/Semester_DiscrNetw_14/adv_disc_netw_wor…> The meeting will include a poster session, and funds are available (under the NSF grant DMS-1446452) to support student and postdoc travel. If you or someone from your group is interested in attending, as we hope you will be, then please complete an application form, available at the above website or at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/11lUhx_sWxe4F135goptKkh-Qu3ioEJwktfSU32M35J… Space is limited, so we encourage early applications. Thanks for your attention, Brent Doiron (brent.doiron(a)gmail.com<mailto:brent.doiron@gmail.com>) Bard Ermentrout (bard(a)pitt.edu<mailto:bard@pitt.edu>) Marta Lewicka (lewicka(a)pitt.edu<mailto:lewicka@pitt.edu>) Jon Rubin (jonrubin(a)pitt.edu<mailto:jonrubin@pitt.edu>)

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Postdoctoral position in theoretical neuroscience at the Hebrew University
by Yoram Burak Oct. 6, 2014

Oct. 6, 2014

Yoram Burak's research group at the Hebrew University is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral research fellow in theoretical neuroscience. The initial appointment will be for one year, with a possibility of extension. The group has a broad range of interests in theoretical and computational neuroscience, including: - Dynamics of short term memory in stochastic neural networks. - Sequence generation and learning in the brain. - Invariant perception in sensory processing. - Grid cells in the entorhinal cortex: spatial computation and coding in the brain. - Plasticity in neural networks. The group is part of the Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences (ELSC), and of the Racah Institute of Physics. Both are located in the beautiful Safra campus of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem. The Hebrew University is ranked first among Israel's research universities in the Shanghai ranking of world universities (the ARWU ranking), 70th in the world, and 47th in the natural sciences. Research at ELSC offers a vibrant scientific environment and excellent opportunities for interaction with researchers interested in systems and computational neuroscience. For more information, see: http://elsc.huji.ac.il. An international graduate program in computational neuroscience at ELSC (formerly the ICNC program) is entering its 23rd year this fall. Applicants must have an excellent research record in theoretical neuroscience, theoretical physics, mathematics, or a related field, and a keen interest in computational neuroscience. *To apply*: please send a CV and list of publications, a brief statement of research interests, and the names of three references to yoram.burak(a)elsc.huji.ac.il. Please ask your references to send letters of recommendation to the same email address. For full consideration please apply by November 15, 2014. Regards, Yoram Burak -- Senior Lecturer (Assistant Professor) Racah Institute of Physics Hebrew University of Jerusalem Safra Campus, Givat Ram Jerusalem 91904 http://elsc.huji.ac.il/burak

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New release of NeuroML 2 and LEMS and two recent publications
by Padraig Gleeson Oct. 6, 2014

Oct. 6, 2014

Dear colleagues, We are happy to announce a new stable release (version 2, beta 3) of the NeuroML language for model specification in computational neuroscience. http://www.neuroml.org/getneuroml NeuroML allows specification of models of systems from integrate and fire cells up to complex 3D networks of multicompartmental neurons. NeuroML version 2 has been extensively redesigned to be built on a new language, LEMS, which allows machine readable definitions of model structure and dynamics. This facilitates model transparency, portability and code generation. LEMS and NeuroML 2 are described in detail in: Robert C. Cannon, Padraig Gleeson, Sharon Crook, Gautham Ganapathy, Boris Marin, Eugenio Piasini and R. Angus Silver, *LEMS: A language for expressing complex biological models in concise and hierarchical form and its use in underpinning NeuroML 2*, Frontiers in Neuroinformatics 2014, doi: 10.3389/fninf.2014.00079 There are libraries for reading, writing and simulating NeuroML models in Java (https://github.com/NeuroML/jNeuroML) and Python. The Python APIs for NeuroML and LEMS have recently been described in: Michael Vella, Robert C. Cannon, Sharon Crook, Andrew P. Davison, Gautham Ganapathy, Hugh P. C. Robinson, R. Angus Silver and Padraig Gleeson, *libNeuroML and PyLEMS: using Python to combine procedural and declarative modeling approaches in computational neuroscience*, Frontiers in Neuroinformatics 2014, doi: 10.3389/fninf.2014.00038 The growing number (30+) of tools, libraries and databases supporting NeuroML v1 and/or NeuroML v2 are listed here: http://www.neuroml.org/tool_support Open Source Brain is a repository of models in computational neuroscience which actively supports open, collaborative development of models, as well as conversion to simulator independent formats including NeuroML (over 500 valid NeuroML 2 cells/channels/synapses on OSB at last count). An overview of the models currently present and the formats/simulators supported can be found here: http://www.opensourcebrain.org/status Regards, The NeuroML development community ----------------------------------------------------- Padraig Gleeson Room 321, Anatomy Building Department of Neuroscience, Physiology& Pharmacology University College London Gower Street London WC1E 6BT United Kingdom +44 207 679 3214 p.gleeson(a)ucl.ac.uk -----------------------------------------------------

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3 year postdoc in London, modelling bee brains
by Lars Chittka Oct. 6, 2014

Oct. 6, 2014

Hello, We have a 3-year postdoc position (HFSP funded) to work on a project entitled: "A neural circuit approach to cognition and its limits in microbrains". The postdoctoral fellow will focus on building computational models of the bee visual system and higher-level brain centres. See here: http://www.jobs.qmul.ac.uk/5111 Informal inquiries can be sent to l.chittka(a)qmul.ac.uk Thank you and best wishes, Lars -- Lars Chittka, PhD, MSc Professor in Sensory & Behavioural Ecology School of Biological & Chemical Sciences Fogg Building Queen Mary, University of London Mile End Road London E1 4NS UK Email: l.chittka(a)qmul.ac.uk Tel: *44 (0) 20 7882 3043 Fax: *44 (0) 20 7882 7732 http://chittkalab.sbcs.qmul.ac.uk/ Room 2.13 via 2.10 -- Lars Chittka, PhD, MSc Professor in Sensory & Behavioural Ecology School of Biological & Chemical Sciences Fogg Building Queen Mary, University of London Mile End Road London E1 4NS UK Email: l.chittka(a)qmul.ac.uk Tel: *44 (0) 20 7882 3043 Fax: *44 (0) 20 7882 7732 http://chittkalab.sbcs.qmul.ac.uk/ Room 2.13 via 2.10

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Multi-faculty hiring initiative in Computational and Theoretical Neuroscience, The University of Texas at Austin
by Ila Fiete Oct. 6, 2014

Oct. 6, 2014

The University of Texas at Austin announces two faculty positions in Computational and Theoretical Neuroscience, as part of a multi-faculty hiring initiative. The search is open at all levels, from Assistant Tenure-track to Tenured Full Professor. Please see the advertisements below. *Full|Associate|Assistant Professor in Computational and Theoretical Neuroscience, Departments of Neuroscience and Mathematics at the University of Texas at Austin * The Department of Neuroscience at the University of Texas at Austin seeks exceptional researchers in the field of computational and theoretical neuroscience for appointment at the levels of Full Professor to Assistant Professor. The position will be joint with the Department of Mathematics, thus we especially encourage applications from leaders in computational and theoretical neuroscience whose work intersects with mathematical approaches including, but not limited to: dynamical systems, partial differential equations, algebraic geometry, statistics, information theory, stochastic processes, and applied and computational topology. This search is part of a multi-faculty hiring initiative in Computational and Theoretical Neuroscience at UT Austin -- including a position in Psychology and a joint position between Neuroscience and Computer Science, with the aim of building on existing strengths to create a Computational and Theoretical Neuroscience center. The successful candidate(s) will orchestrate an outstanding program of independent research and contribute to an environment of diversity in higher education through research, teaching, and service. The position will include full access to the Texas Advanced Computing Center supercomputers, and the option to join various multi-disciplinary advanced computing and neuroscience centers on campus. Austin is a vibrant university town with a large high-tech center, a legendary live-music culture, and has consistently ranked amongst the top five towns to live in the United States in various surveys. Qualified applicants with a Ph.D. or equivalent, appropriate post-graduate experience, and an exceptional research record will be considered for appointment. Applications are being reviewed from September 2014 onwards, until the position is filled. Please submit applications through academicjobsonline (https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/4726) A complete application will include: 1. Statement of research interests. 2. Curriculum vita. 3. Letters of reference from at least 3 individuals (Assistant Professor) or 6 individuals (Associate or Full Professor). 4. A statement of teaching philosophy and experience, with evidence of teaching excellence (Assistant Professor). UT Austin is an equal opportunity employer committed to excellence through diversity. We strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals including women and minorities. UT Austin is responsive to the needs of dual career couples and is dedicated to work-life balance through an array of family-friendly policies (http://www.utexas.edu/provost/policies/family/) For further inquires related to this search, please email Kathleen Pantalion (kpantalion(a)mail.clm.utexas.edu <mailto:kpantalion@mail.clm.utexas.edu>). **Full|Associate|Assistant Professor *in Computational and Theoretical Neuroscience, Departments of Neuroscience and Computer Science at the University of Texas at Austin * The Department of Neuroscience at the University of Texas at Austin seeks exceptional researchers in the field of computational and theoretical neuroscience for appointment at the levels of Full Professor to Assistant Professor. The position will be joint with the Department of Computer Science, thus we especially encourage applications from leaders in computational and theoretical neuroscience whose work intersects with computer science approaches including, but not limited to, information and complexity theory, computational modeling, computational geometry, statistics, machine learning, robotics, graphical models, stochastic processes, coding theory, and data mining. This search is part of a multi-faculty hiring initiative in Computational and Theoretical Neuroscience at UT Austin -- including a position in Psychology and a joint position between Neuroscience and Mathematics, with the aim of building on existing strengths to create a Computational and Theoretical Neuroscience center. The successful candidate(s) will orchestrate an outstanding program of independent research and contribute to an environment of diversity in higher education through research, teaching, and service. The position will include full access to the Texas Advanced Computing Center supercomputers, and the option to join various multi-disciplinary advanced computing and neuroscience centers on campus. Austin is a vibrant university town with a large high-tech center, a legendary live-music culture, and has consistently ranked amongst the top five towns to live in the United States in various surveys. Qualified applicants with a Ph.D. or equivalent, appropriate post-graduate experience if relevant, and an exceptional research record will be considered for appointment. The department prefers to receive applications online, beginning September 2014, onwards. To submit your application, please review the Checklist (http://services.cs.utexas.edu/recruit/faculty/frontmatter/checklist.html) and then go to My Application (http://services.cs.utexas.edu/recruit/faculty/applicant/) A complete application will include: 1. Statement of research interests. 2. Curriculum vita. 3. Letters of reference from at least 3 individuals (Assistant Professor) or 6 individuals (Associate or Full Professor). 4. For appointment as Assistant Professor, a statement of teaching philosophy and experience, with evidence of teaching excellence. UT Austin is an equal opportunity employer committed to excellence through diversity. We strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals including women and minorities. UT Austin is responsive to the needs of dual career couples and is dedicated to work-life balance through an array of family-friendly policies (http://www.utexas.edu/provost/policies/family/) For further inquires related to this search, please email Kathleen Pantalion (kpantalion(a)mail.clm.utexas.edu <mailto:kpantalion@mail.clm.utexas.edu>).

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CFP: IEEE Computational Intelligence Magazine (CIM) Special Issue: “Computational Intelligence for Changing Environments"
by Dr Amir Hussain Oct. 2, 2014

Oct. 2, 2014

CALL FOR PAPERS IEEE COMPUTATIONAL INTELLIGENCE MAGAZINE SPECIAL ISSUE ON "Computational Intelligence for Changing Environments" AIMS AND SCOPE: Over the past decade or so, computational intelligence techniques have been highly successful for solving big data challenges in changing environments. In particular, there has been growing interest in so called biologically inspired learning (BIL), which refers to a wide range of learning techniques, motivated by biology, that try to mimic specific biological functions or behaviors. Examples include the hierarchy of the brain neocortex and neural circuits, which have resulted in biologically-inspired features for encoding, deep neural networks for classification, and spiking neural networks for general modelling. To ensure that these models are generalizable to unseen data, it is common to assume that the training and test data are independently sampled from an identical distribution, known as the sample i.i.d. assumption. In dynamic and non- stationary environments, the distribution of data changes over time, resulting in the phenomenon of ‘concept drift’ (also known as population drift or concept shift), which is a generalization of covariance shift in statistics. Over the last five years, transfer learning and multitask learning have been used to tackle this problem. Fundamental analyses using probably approximately correct (PAC) and Rademacher complexity frameworks have explained why appropriate incorporation of context and concept drift can improve generalizability in changing environments. It is possible to use human-level processing power to tackle concept drift in changing environments. Concept drift is a real-world problem, usually associated with online and concept learning, where the relationships between input data and target variables dynamically change over time. Traditional learning schemes do not adequately address this issue, either because they are offline or because they avoid dynamic learning. However, BIL seems to possess properties that would be helpful for solving concept drift problems in changing environments. Intuitively, the human capacity to deal with concept drift is innate to cognitive processes, and the learning problems susceptible to concept drift seem to share some of the dynamic demands placed on plastic neural areas in the brain. Using improved biological models in neural networks can provide insight into cognitive computational phenomena. However, a main outstanding issue in using computational intelligence for changing environments and domain adaptation is how to build complex networks, or how networks should be connected to the features, samples, and distribution drifts. Manual design and building of these networks are beyond current human capabilities. Recently, computational intelligence methods has been used to address concept drift in changing environments, with promising results. A Hebbian learning model has been used to handle random, as well as correlated, concept drift. Neural networks have been used for concept drift detection, and the influence of latent variables on concept drift in a neural network has been studied. In another study, a timing-dependent synapse model has been applied to concept drift. These works mainly apply biologically-plausible computational models to concept drift problems. Although these results are still in their infancy, they open up new possibilities to achieve brain-like intelligence for solving concept drift problems in changing environments. Taking the current state of research in computational intelligence for changing environments into account, the objective of this special issue is to collate this research to help unify the concepts and terminology of computational intelligence in changing environments, and to survey state-of-the-art computational intelligence methodologies and the key techniques investigated to date. Therefore, this special issue invites submissions on the most recent developments in computational intelligence for changing environments, algorithms and architectures, theoretical foundations, and representations, & their application to real-world problems. We also welcome timely surveys & review papers. TOPICS OF INTEREST include (but are not limited to): • Computational intelligence methodologies and implementation for changing environments •Transfer learning, Multitask learning, Domain adaption •Incremental Learning architectures, Unsupervised and semi-supervised learning architectures •Incremental Knowledge augmentation, Representation learning and disentangling •Incremental Adaptive Neuro-fuzzy systems •Incremental and single-pass data mining •Incremental Neural Clustering & Regression •Incremental Adaptive decision systems •Incremental Feature selection and reduction •Incremental Constructive Learning •Novelty detection in Incremental learning SUBMISSION PROCESS The maximum length for the manuscript is typically 25 pages in single column format with double-spacing, including figures and references. Authors should specify in the first page of their manuscripts the corresponding author’s contact and up to 5 keywords. Submission should be made via: https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=ieee-cim-cice2015 IMPORTANT DATES (for August 2015 Issue) 15th November, 2014: Submission of Manuscripts 15th January, 2015: Notification of Review Results 15th February, 2015: Submission of Revised Manuscripts 15th March, 2015: Submission of Final Manuscripts GUEST EDITORS Professor Amir Hussain, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, Scotland, UK Email: ahu(a)cs.stir.ac.uk http://cs.stir.ac.uk/~ahu/ Professor Dacheng Tao, University of Technology, Sydney, 235 Jones Street, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia Email: dacheng.tao(a)uts.edu.au Professor Jonathan Wu University of Windsor, 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, ON, Canada Email: jwu(a)uwindsor.ca Professor Dongbin Zhao Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China E-mail: dongbin.zhao(a)gmail.com ----- A PDF copy of the CFP is attached with this email for forwarding to interested colleagues. It is also available for download from: http://www.cs.stir.ac.uk/~ahu/IEEE-CIM-CICE2015.pdf For more information on the IEEE CIM, see: http://cis.ieee.org/ieee-computational-intelligence-magazine.html -- The University of Stirling has been ranked in the top 12 of UK universities for graduate employment*. 94% of our 2012 graduates were in work and/or further study within six months of graduation. *The Telegraph The University of Stirling is a charity registered in Scotland, number SC 011159.

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Postdoctoral Researcher and Engineer Positions in Multi-scale Neural Modeling, OIST
by Kenji Doya Oct. 2, 2014

Oct. 2, 2014

Postdoctoral Researcher and Engineer Positions in Multi-scale Neural Modeling Neural Computation Unit Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology The Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology started a new project “Brain/MINDS” that aims to create structural and anatomical maps of the marmoset brain using innovative technologies. Within this project, the group lead by Prof. Kenji Doya at Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) will develop computational frameworks for constructing multi-scale neural models that link cellular and network dynamics to behavioral and cognitive functions by utilizing large-scale anatomical and physiological data sets. Positions are available for postdoctoral researchers and engineers to work on one or more of the following subtopics: 1) Estimation of cellular and synaptic parameters from connectome, imaging, and electrode recording data. 2) Automated reduction of conductance-based models to integrate-and-fire models, and spiking neural network models to population firing rate models. 3) Application and validation of the above methods with the data being produced by the project. Candidates should have Ph.D. or masters degree in mathematics, computer science or relevant areas and must have strong skills in programming, data analysis, and simulation. Experience in statistical machine learning and/or computational neuroscience is desired. OIST offers an excellent interdisciplinary research environment, including high-performance computing, in its campus overlooking beautiful coastline and coral reefs. Researchers will have opportunities to closely collaborate with leading neuroscientists participating in the project. Initial appointment will be from October 2014 to March 2015, with a possibility of renewal till March 2017. Competitive salary is offered based on the candidate’s experience. OIST is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer and provides strong support for its staff and family members coming from abroad. Applicants should send a CV, publication list, statement of research, and contact information of three referees to Prof. Kenji Doya <doya(a)oist.jp>. ---- Kenji Doya <doya(a)oist.jp> Neural Computation Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology 1919-1 Tancha, Onna, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan Phone: +81-98-966-8594; Fax: +81-98-966-2891 https://groups.oist.jp/ncu

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Postdoctoral Position at NIH
by Carson C. Chow Oct. 2, 2014

Oct. 2, 2014

NIH Postdoctoral Fellowship: Mathematical Modeling of Food Intake, Food Reward and Habit Formation Position Type: Postdoctoral Position at the NIH Position Title: Mathematical Modeling of Food Intake, Food Reward and Habit Formation Position Description: The successful candidate will develop mathematical models of the neurobiology underlying the regulation of food intake, food reward and habit formation in collaboration with Dr. Kevin Hall and Dr. Carson Chow in the Laboratory of Biological Modeling, NIDDK, NIH. Applicants should possess a Ph.D. degree in Computational Neuroscience, Applied Mathematics, Engineering, Physics, or a related field. The successful candidate will have strong quantitative and mathematical abilities and an interest in studying the regulation of food intake, with a specific emphasis on food reward and habit formation. Salary will be commensurate with experience according to NIH guidelines. Please send your CV and a list of 3 references to: Kevin Hall, Ph. D. Laboratory of Biological Modeling National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases National Institutes of Health 12A South Drive, Room 4007 Bethesda, MD 20892-5621 Email: kevinh(a)niddk.nih.gov Employer Name: Laboratory of Biological Modeling at the National Institute of Diabetes & Digestive & Kidney Diseases Position Location: Bethesda, Maryland. The NIH is dedicated to building a diverse community in its training and employment programs.

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MIT - BCS/PILM Tenure-Track Faculty Search
by Kate White Oct. 1, 2014

Oct. 1, 2014

[s2_r_g] [cid:image002.png@01CFDBBF.FDE34440] [cid:image003.png@01CFDBBF.FDE34440] The Department of Brain & Cognitive Sciences (BCS) (http://bcs.mit.edu) and The Picower Institute for Learning & Memory at MIT (http://picower.mit.edu/) are looking to hire up to three (3) tenure-track faculty at the assistant professor level who work in one or more of the following three (3) areas: i) Computational approaches to intelligence, cognition or neuroscience; an experimental component to the candidate's research would be viewed as a positive but is not necessary. An affiliation with Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), or other allied departments is possible. ii) Molecular & cellular: The Picower Institute is searching for a candidate studying development, function or plasticity of neuronal circuits at the cellular, circuit, and/or systems levels using a multi-faceted approach combining different methodologies and levels of analysis. Candidates with strong cellular/molecular training who are studying development of brain circuits or using stem cell technologies are particularly encouraged to apply. iii) Human cognition and/or cognitive neuroscience using behavioral methods, especially in the areas of language and/or cognitive development OR using fMRI/neuroscience methods. Successful applicants are expected to develop and lead independent, internationally competitive research programs and to share in our commitment to excellence in undergraduate and graduate education by teaching courses and mentoring graduate and undergraduate research. PhD must be completed by start day of employment and some postdoctoral training is preferred. Please submit application materials - cover letter, CV, statement of research and teaching interests and representative reprints - online at https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/4202. Please state research area in cover letter. To help direct the application, applicants should indicate which of the three areas listed above is their main research area by answering the mandatory questions included in the application. In addition, please arrange to have three letters of recommendation submitted online. Review of applications will begin on November 1, 2014. MIT is an affirmative action employer, and we encourage applications from women and underrepresented minorities.

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RLDM2015: The 2nd Multidisciplinary Conference on Reinforcement Learning and Decision Making
by Yael Niv Oct. 1, 2014

Oct. 1, 2014

====================================================== The 2nd Multidisciplinary Conference on Reinforcement Learning and Decision Making (RLDM 2015) www.rldm.org June 7-10, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada ====================================================== Over the last few decades, reinforcement learning and decision making have been the focus of an incredible wealth of research spanning a wide variety of fields including psychology, artificial intelligence, machine learning, operations research, control theory, animal and human neuroscience, economics and ethology. Key to many developments in the field has been interdisciplinary sharing of ideas and findings. The goal of RLDM is to provide a platform for communication among all researchers interested in "learning and decision making over time to achieve a goal". The meeting is characterized by the multidisciplinarity of the presenters and attendees, with cross-disciplinary conversations and teaching and learning being central objectives along with the dissemination of novel theoretical and experimental results. The first meeting, RLDM2013, was a huge success, with over 300 attendees. The second meeting will be single-track, and will consist of a mixture of invited and contributed talks, tutorials, and poster sessions. See below for a list of confirmed speakers. Submissions of 1-4 page extended abstracts describing original research, coming from any discipline or disciplines, describing empirical results from human, animal, robot or artificial agent experiments, and/or theoretical work, simulations and modeling will be peer-reviewed for quality and interdisciplinary communication. This is an abstract-based meeting, with no published conference proceedings. As such, work that is intended for, or has been submitted to, other conferences or journals is also welcome, provided that the intent of communication to other disciplines is clear. More information will be posted at www.rldm.org Important dates: Meeting: 7-10 June 2015 (tutorials on 7th, meeting proper 8-10th) Submissions open: 15 December 2014 Submissions close: 7 February 2015, midnight EST Notification of acceptance: 21 March, 2015 (foreigners needing to request visas can fast-track poster acceptance by request to program chairs) Early registration: 21 April 2015 To ensure that you receive future announcements about RLDM2015 please join our mailing list at http://tinyurl.com/RLDMlist (you must log in to google to see the "join list" button, and choose 'all emails' in the options). Please circulate widely and encourage your students and postdocs to attend. CONFIRMED SPEAKERS: Timothy Behrens Emma Brunskill Alison Gopnik Ann Graybiel Charles Isbell Sridhar Mahadevan David Parkes Elizabeth Phelps Alexandre Pouget Peter Stone Peter Thall Andrea Thomaz Claire Tomlin Ben Van Roy Ilana Witten PROGRAM CHAIRS Joelle Pineau Peter Dayan LOCAL CHAIR Richard Sutton GENERAL CHAIR Yael Niv EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Peter Dayan (UCL) Susan Murphy (U Michigan) Yael Niv (Princeton) Nicholas Roy (MIT) Satinder Singh (U Michigan) Richard Sutton (Alberta)

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CogModel notes: ICCM15/CogSci14 Proc/Mooc on AI/confs/Jobs
by Frank Ritter Sept. 30, 2014

Sept. 30, 2014

This is the third emailing for ICCM 2015 in April 2015. Please forward if appropriate to your members, and put appropriate links onto your web site, and so on. There are a lot of jobs going. The ICCM 2015 announcement drives this email (it will be in Gronigen, NL, 8-11 April 2015, on its regular (15/18 month) schedule). There are several timely (or late) announcements that indicate new publication outlets, resources, and jobs in Cog Sci and in cognitive modeling. I have also included two unusual items, a Mooc and video for a book! Now in order: meetings, resources, jobs. If you would like to be removed, please just let me know. I maintain it by hand to keep it small. I take some announcements from the Soar group, the ACT-R group, and http://listserv.acm.org/SCRIPTS/WA-ACMLPX.CGI?LIST=CHI-JOBS http://www.neuroinf.org/mailman/listinfo/comp-neuro [Hypertext version available at http://acs.ist.psu.edu/iccm2015/iccm-mailing-sep2014.html] cheers, Frank Ritter frank.e.ritter(a)gmail.com http://www.frankritter.com **************************************************************** 1. International Conf. on Cognitive Modeling, 9-11 Apr 15, Gronigen, NL http://www.iccm2015.org/, submissions due 8 dec 2014 2. International Conf. on Cognitive Modeling, tutorial call, due 8 Dec 2014 http://www.iccm2015.org/submissions/tutorials/ ;;;; OTHER RESOURCES 3. Video (!) summary of Foundations for User-centered Design (HCI) book http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ER0EyHQM6e8 4. Cognitive Science 2014 Proceedings available https://mindmodeling.org/cogsci2014/ 5. MOOC on Developmental Artificial Intelligence http://liris.cnrs.fr/ideal/mooc (starts Oct 2014) 6. Survey on HCI education :::: OTHER CONFERENCES, WORKSHOPS 7. AAAI 2015 special track on Cognitive Systems http://www.aaai.org/Conferences/AAAI/2015/aaai15cognitive.php 8. 2014 Annual International Conference on Biologically Inspired Cognitive Architectures (BICA 2014) 7-9 Nov 14 http://bicasociety.org/meetings/ 9. iConference 2015, 24-27 March 2015, various due dates https://www.conftool.com/iConference2015/ 10. Scientific Discovery in the Social Sciences, papers due 1 oct 14 http://homepages.stca.herts.ac.uk/~comqpcl 11. Call for Papers: IEEE Computational Intelligence Magazine (CIM) Special Issue: "Computational Intelligence for Changing Environments" http://www.cs.stir.ac.uk/~ahu/IEEE-CIM-CICE2015.pdf 12. CALL FOR PROPOSALS: AISB Workshop Series http://aisb.org.uk/media/files/AISBWorkshops.pdf 13. AI Career Network Conference during AAAI-15 in Jan 2015 http://sigai.acm.org/cnc/cfp.html, due: 6 Oct 2014 ;;;; POSITIONS 14. Henry Rutgers Term Chair in Computer and Data Science (due 1 nov 14) 15. Full Professor of Applied CS (Ubiquitous Computing), Vienna U. of Tech. http://www.informatik.tuwien.ac.at (due 20 oct 14) 16. Tenure Track Asst. Prof of Cog Psy, UC/Riverside (due 10 oct 14) https://aprecruit.ucr.edu/apply/JPF00159 17. Faculty Position in Computational Neuroscience at UC/Irvine (due 15 Nov 14) https://recruit.ap.uci.edu/apply/JPF02452 18. Research Lectureship in HCI, U. of St Andrews, Scotland (due 3 Oct 14) http://bit.ly/sachi_lectureship 19. Lecturer in HCI, U. of Birmingham (UK), Closes 5 Oct 14 http://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/AJJ517/lecturer-in-human-computer-interaction-hci/ 20. Faculty position in system dynamics, MIT Sloan School of Management https://sloanfacultysearches.mit.edu/sd/ 21. Asst. Prof - Embodied Cognitive Science, Cog Sci Program, Indiana https://indiana.peopleadmin.com/postings/1006 (due 1 nov 14) 22. Open Rank Faculty Position, Indiana, School of Informatics & Computing http://indiana.peopleadmin.com/postings/971 due 1 Dec 2014 23. Full Prof for Applied Cog Psych, U of Ulm (due: 3 Oct 2014) 24. Faculty positions in Computer Science at American U http://apply.interfolio.com/25813 (due 3 Nov 2014) 25. Faculty Position in Comp Games & Virt Worlds @Concordia U. (due 1 dec 14) https://www.concordia.ca/encs/about/jobs/strategic-hire-computer-games-virt… 26. NIH-Wide Stadtman Tenure-Track Recruitment (30 sep 2015, annual?) http://irp.nih.gov/careers/faculty-level-scientific-careers/stadtman-tenure… 27. Junior professorship to work in Germany, due 1 sep 14 and 1 sep 15? http://www.humboldt-foundation.de/skp_en 28. Post-doctoral fellow in computational cognitive modeling, Wright State http://jobs.wright.edu/postings/8101 (reviewed from 22 sep 14) 29. 3 year postdoc in London, modelling bee brains http://www.jobs.qmul.ac.uk/5111 (due 9 oct 14) 30. Junior position in Cognitive Science research group at ETS (ongoing) 31. Research Scientist Computational Neuroscience Position in Toronto (due 19 Oct 14) 32. PhD position in computational modelling at Max Planck/Leipzig http://www.o-brain-project.de (until filled) 33. KTP associate post-doc in workload for rail control http://jobs.nottingham.ac.uk/Vacancy.aspx?id=2328&forced=1 34. Web Developer for Databrary.org [until filled] http://Databrary.org 35. Cognitive Robotics Job, Army Res. Lab (until filled) **************************************************************** 1. International Conf. on Cognitive Modeling, 9-11 Apr 15, Gronigen, NL http://www.iccm2015.org/, submissions due 8 dec 2014 The International Conference on Cognitive Modeling will take place in 9-11 April 2015 at RU/Gronigen, the Netherlands. All paper, poster, symposium, and tutorial submissions are due on 8 Dec 2014, 11.59pm CEST [Central European Standard Time, +1GMT]. They should be submitted via our online submission system, which will be available closer to the deadline. There are three types of regular submissions: Papers: refereed papers of up to 6 pages. If a submission is accepted to be published as a paper, the paper will be presented at the conference either as a talk or as a poster. Posters: refereed poster abstracts of up to 2 pages. If accepted, the corresponding poster will be presented at the conference in a dedicated poster session. Symposia: refereed symposia abstracts of up to 2 pages. If accepted, the conference committee will contact the authors to help organize and schedule the symposium. The website has further details, and will have more as the conference approaches **************************************************************** 2. International Conf. on Cognitive Modeling, tutorial call, due 8 Dec 2014 http://www.iccm2015.org/submissions/tutorials/ The day before the conference (8 apr 15) will be devoted to tutorials on various cognitive modelling techniques and approaches. If you are interested in submitting a proposal for a tutorial, please see the tutorial page for more information. Tutorial proposals will be evaluated by the organising committee on the basis of their estimated benefit for prospective participants and on their fit within the tutorials program as a whole. If you are interested in organising a tutorial, please send us an email at info(a)iccm2015.org by 8 Dec 2014 with the following information: - a 150 word description of the tutorial - duration (half-day or full-day) - who the tutors will be - any pre-requisites that participants need to follow the tutorial We will notify you of acceptance or rejection by 1 Feb 2015. **************************************************************** 3. Video (!) summary of Foundations for User-centered Design (HCI) book http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ER0EyHQM6e8 Our HCI book (http://www.frankritter.com/fducs) now has a video summary, which seems, ahh, interesting. For your education, edification, and amusement. I think it was automatically created: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ER0EyHQM6e8 **************************************************************** 4. Cognitive Science 2014 Proceedings available https://mindmodeling.org/cogsci2014/ The Cognitive Science Conference proceedings are now available: https://mindmodeling.org/cogsci2014/ **************************************************************** 5. MOOC on Developmental Artificial Intelligence http://liris.cnrs.fr/ideal/mooc (starts Oct 2014) I was going to write to you to announce our MOOC on Developmental Artificial Intelligence: The teaser: http://youtu.be/kQPz9InhHjk The web page: http://liris.cnrs.fr/ideal/mooc The course will begin in Oct but participants may register already and start meeting the community. Please share this announcement widely! We are not only looking for participants but also for partners to provide inputs and collaborate on this occasion. I am also looking for suggestions of mailing lists or any idea to share this announcement. Olivier.Georgeon(a)gmail.com **************************************************************** 6. Survey on HCI education [perhaps dated and in HCI, but modeling is used in HCI] As part of our research focused on the international HCI curriculum, one of our PhD students, Ann Austin, is investigating the cognitive style of HCI students. In order to provide her with a benchmark against which to compare them, she is asking HCI professionals, both practitioners and educators, to complete the following survey. The survey should take around 20 minutes to complete: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dDFuWHRla0dWSDdjUEpLR0… If you have other colleagues that would also be prepared to participate in this survey, please do pass on the URL of the link. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact her: Ann.Austin(a)uwl.ac.uk Many Thanks! Jose Abdelnour Nocera, PhD Assoc Prof in Sociotechnical Design Inst for Practice and Interdisciplinary Research (INSPIRE) Head of Sociotechnical Centre for Innovation and User Experience U of West London St Mary's Road, Ealing - London W5 5RF https://soc.uwl.ac.uk/~jabdelno **************************************************************** 7. AAAI 2015 special track on Cognitive Systems http://www.aaai.org/Conferences/AAAI/2015/aaai15cognitive.php [This is an annual thing, and you might be interested in it next year] As you may know, AAAI 2015 will be held in January, with submissions due in September. This year it includes a Special Track on Cognitive Systems that is being co-chaired by Ken Forbus and Paul Rosenbloom. The blurb for the track is below, and the official webpage is http://www.aaai.org/Conferences/AAAI/2015/aaai15cognitive.php. We're looking for great papers on a variety of topics likely to be relevance to the Soar community. In an attempt to return to the original goals of artificial intelligence and cognitive science, this special track invites papers in human-level intelligence, integrated cognition, cognitive architectures, and related areas that aim to explain intelligence in computational terms and reproduce a range of human cognitive abilities in computational artifacts. Critically, the track will focus on cognitive capabilities "in the context of complete artificial cognitive systems," hence papers on individual component algorithms will only be accepted if they discuss these algorithms and their functions in conjunction with the rest of the integrated artificial cognitive system. Possible topics include the following, as well as other related integrated cognitive functions and issues: * memory storage and retrieval * motivation and emotion * social cognition and interaction * learning and knowledge capture * introspection and meta-cognition * methods of integration * conceptual inference and reasoning * problem solving and decision making * perception, imagery and motor control * natural language understanding and dialogue * efficiency and real-time performance (i.e., reaching the ~50 ms cog cycle time) Papers will be reviewed by qualified reviewers drawn from a special track committee, with general expertise in artificial cognitive systems and specific expertise in at least one of the above areas. We encourage authors to clearly explain how their paper fits into the Special Track on Cognitive Systems and how it answers the call for papers. In cases where a submitted paper is not deemed relevant, it may be considered for review for another special track or the general technical papers track at the discretion of the tracks and conference cochairs. **************************************************************** 8. 2014 Annual International Conference on Biologically Inspired Cognitive Architectures (BICA 2014) 7-9 Nov 14 http://bicasociety.org/meetings/ Fifth Annual Meeting of the BICA Society 7-9 Nov 14 (F-S): MIT http://bicasociety.org/meetings/2014/ http://bicasociety.org/meetings/2014/cfp/bica2014cfp.pdf PoC: Paul Robertson (paulr(a)dollabs.com) and Alexei Samsonovich (alexei(a)bicasociety.org Fifth Annual Meeting of the BICA Society Biologically Inspired Cognitive Architectures (BICA) are computational frameworks for building intelligent agents that are inspired from biological intelligence. Biological intelligent systems, notably animals such as humans, have many qualities that are often lacking in artificially designed systems including robustness, flexibility and adaptability to environments. At a point in time where visibility into naturally intelligent systems is exploding, thanks to modern brain imaging and recording techniques allowing us to map brain structures and functions, our ability to learn lessons from nature and to build biologically inspired intelligent systems has never been greater. At the same time, the growth in computer science and technology has unleashed enough computational power at sufficiently low prices, that an explosion of intelligent applications from driverless vehicles, to augmented reality, to ubiquitous robots, is now almost certain. The growth in these fields challenges the computational replication of all essential aspects of the human mind (the BICA Challenge), an endeavor which is interdisciplinary in nature and promises to yield bi-directional flow of understanding between all involved disciplines. Scope With the scope of BICA 2014 covering all areas of BICA-related research listed below, the major thrusts will be Perception, Attention, and Language. Here the key questions are: * What can we learn from biological systems about how perception, attention, decision making, and action work together to produce intelligent behavior that is robust in natural environments? * What have we learned about information flow in biological systems that can aid us in building better artificial systems that combine perception, action, language, learning, and decision making in robots and intelligent agents? * What have we learned recently about information flow in the brain that can lead to better cognitive models that combine perception, attention, decision making, action, language, and learning? * What role is played by emotions in perception, attention, decision making, language, and learning? * How have we, or can we incorporate into cognitive architectures new evolving understandings about flow of information in biological cognitive systems? * What mathematical foundations are emerging today that can support perception and learning? In addition to these focus topic areas of BICA 2014, we encourage submission of papers in all areas of BICA research, especially in the following areas. Format and Agenda The format of the conference is a 3-day meeting including paper presentations, panel discussions, invited talks, and demonstration showcases. Symposia and other mini-events (special sessions, breakout groups, brainstorms, think-tanks, socials, contests, and more) as part of the conference will be added as needed (proposals are solicited). In addition, BICA 2014 will host a special track "Doctorial Consortium" for which a "best student paper" award will be presented. We will also host technology demonstrations, for which we solicit proposals, and a poster session. We solicit additionally proposals for panel topics. The working language is English. As a part of our rich social and cultural program included in the registration, we are planning a Welcome Reception and a boat trip into the Atlantic on Saturday night, with a banquet on the boat. Detailed program is not available yet. Please see our separate pages for Confirmed symposia planned as part of BICA 2014 (we are asking for additional proposals) http://bicasociety.org/meetings/2014/symposia/. Conference Venues: The conference will be held on the MIT campus in the Stata Building on Saturday and Sunday, 8-9 Nov; however, on F, 7 Nov 14, sessions will be held in the nearby Boston Marriott Cambridge hotel (2 Cambridge Center, 50 Broadway, Cambridge MA; 617-494-6600), which is also an official site of BICA 2014, in addition to the MIT campus. Submission and Publication Venues: Publication venues include: (1) the Elsevier journal BICA, http://www.journals.elsevier.com/biologically-inspired-cognitive-architectu…, papers may be distributed among several journal issues; and (2) a volume of _Procedia Computer Science, http://www.journals.elsevier.com/procedia-computer-science, indexed by Web of Science and Scopus. One EasyChair submission site will be used for all categories of submissions, including (1), (2) and also (3): stand-alone abstracts that will be included in the conference program brochure, without being published. All submissions will undergo one round of peer-reviews. The category may be changed based on reviews. All conference materials (including papers and abstracts) will be together made available locally for conference participants (included in the registration package) via USB and/or the Internet. Invited speakers are not required, but are encouraged to submit papers or abstracts. Other participants can have presentations accepted based on an abstract only, without a paper submission. Core Organizing Committee General Chair, Paul Robertson (DOLL, Inc.), http://www.dollabs.com/drpaulrobertson.htm Co-Chairs Patrick H. Winston (CSAIL/MIT), http://people.csail.mit.edu/phw Howard Shrobe (CSAIL/MIT), http://www.csail.mit.edu/user/796 Alexei Samsonovich (GMU), http://mason.gmu.edu/%7Easamsono/ PC Chair Antonio Chella: OC Member Christian Lebiere: OC Member Kamilla R. Johannsdottir: OC Member Michele Ferrante, mferr133(a)gmail.com, (BU): OC Member Submission Preparation: please see this separate page http://bicasociety.org/meetings/2014/submission/ Important Dates *Proposals and ideas for special features and mini-events:** *Doctoral Consortium / Special Student & Young Faculty Track -- send now Paper and Abstract Submission: Submission is OPEN! http://bicasociety.org/meetings/2014/submission Late-breaking stand-alone abstracts due-- contact Alexis Registration and Conference: Registration is OPEN! http://bicasociety.org/meetings/2014/registration Guest and non-presenting attendee online registration due -- 1 Oct 14 Sessions of the conference BICA 2014: November 7-9 **************************************************************** 9. iConference 2015, 24-27 March 2015, various due dates https://www.conftool.com/iConference2015/ *Now Accepting Submissions* 24-27 Mar 2015 Newport Beach, CA USA http://ischools.org/the-iconference/ We are now accepting submissions for iConference 2015. Submissions may be made on our secure submissions site at https://www.conftool.com/iConference2015/ The iConference is an international gathering of scholars and researchers concerned with critical information issues in contemporary society. The following submissions are invited: *Submission Type* *Deadline* *Notification* Papers http://ischools.org/the-iconference/program/papers/ Fri 5 Sep 14, midnight PDT mid-Nov Posters http://ischools.org/the-iconference/program/posters/ F 10 Oct 14, midnight PDT mid-Nov Workshops http://ischools.org/the-iconference/program/workshops/ F 26 Sep 14, midnight PDT Mon 27 Oct 14 Interactive Sessions http://ischools.org/the-iconference/program/sessions-for-interaction-and-en… F 10 Oct 14, midnight PDT mid-Nov Doctoral Colloquium http://ischools.org/the-iconference/program/doctoral-colloquium/ F 12 Sep 14, midnight PDT F 24 Oct 14 Social Media Expo http://ischools.org/the-iconference/program/social-media-expo/ Participation commitment letter due 14 Oct 14 submissions due 15 Dec 14 Th 15 Jan 15 Dissertation Award http://ischools.org/the-iconference/program/dissertation-award/ W 15 Oct 14, midnight PDT Th 15 Jan 15 iConference 2015 http://ischools.org/the-iconference/ takes place March 24-27 in Newport Beach, CA. It is presented by the iSchools organization http://ischools.org and hosted by The Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences at UC/Irvine. All information researchers and scholars are welcome. Sample topics of past iConferences include the following: ? human-computer interaction ? digital humanities ? digital curation and preservation ? digital youth ? knowledge infrastructures ? information retrieval ? data, text and knowledge mining ? social computing ? computational social science ? data science ? network science ? information policy ? information economics ? information work and workers ? user experience and design ? information systems ? computer-supported cooperative work ? bibliometrics and scholarly communication ? social, cultural, health and community informatics ? information and communication technology for development Gary M. Olson Dept of Informatics Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences UC, Irvine 949-824-0077 / gary.olson(a)uci.edu **************************************************************** 10. Scientific Discovery in the Social Sciences, papers due 1 oct 14 http://homepages.stca.herts.ac.uk/~comqpcl Conference on Scientific Discovery in the Social Sciences, London School of Economics, London, UK, January 30-31 2015 Abstracts for paper and poster presentations are invited. Submission deadline is 1 Oct 2014. TOPICS OF INTEREST This interdisciplinary conference explores issues arising from scientific discovery in the social sciences. Keynote talks will be given by speakers from philosophy, psychology and computer science. Submissions are invited from a range of disciplines including the behavioural and social sciences, computer science, philosophy and statistics. Papers and posters covering all relevant techniques and approaches within this broad area are welcome. It is hoped that selected papers will appear in extended form as an edited volume. Examples of suitable topics are: - Computational methods for extracting information from data, including pattern recognition, with applications to scientific discovery in social science - Novel methods for automating the generation and refinement of social science theories and models - Computational simulation of and assistance with aspects of scientific discovery in social science such as induction, insight, creativity and theory formation - The extent to which computational methods of theory development challenge the idea that the construction of social science theories is an exclusively human activity - The degree to which methods of scientific discovery in social science suggest new philosophical perspectives about the difference between social and natural science, and the distinguishing characteristics of social science - Philosophical relationships in social science between scientific discovery, causation, explanation, inference and probability - The extent to which scientific discovery contributes to the interpretation and application of complex models in social science including the identification of model error - Experiments or case study analyses shedding light on the psychological mechanisms underpinning scientific discovery - Analyses reflecting on the history and sociology of scientific discovery HOW TO SUBMIT Submissions should be abstracts of up to 500 words. Please send your paper by email to: sdss(a)generating-theories.peterlane.info, no later than 23.59 GMT on Wednesday 1 October 2014. IMPORTANT DATES 1 Oct 2014: Deadline for submission of papers 1 Nov 2014: Notification of acceptance 30-31 January 2015: Conference ADDITIONAL INFORMATION If your abstract is accepted, at least 1 author must register and attend the conference. It is hoped that selected authors will be invited to submit full papers for an edited volume. Conference website: http://generating-theories.peterlane.info/sdss.html All queries to: sdss(a)generating-theories.peterlane.info PROGRAMME COMMITTEE Prof. Mark Addis, Birmingham City U. Prof. Fernand Gobet, Liverpool U. Dr. Peter Lane, U. of Hertfordshire Dr. Peter Sozou, Liverpool U. **************************************************************** 11. Call for Papers: IEEE Computational Intelligence Magazine (CIM) Special Issue: "Computational Intelligence for Changing Environments" http://www.cs.stir.ac.uk/~ahu/IEEE-CIM-CICE2015.pdf Call for Papers: IEEE Computational Intelligence Magazine (CIM) (http://cis.ieee.org/ieee-computational-intelligence-magazine.html) Special Issue on "Computational Intelligence for Changing Environments" (Submission Deadline: 15 Nov 2014) (http://www.cs.stir.ac.uk/~ahu/IEEE-CIM-CICE2015.pdf) Guest Editors: Amir Hussain, Dacheng Tao, Jonathan Wu and Dongbin Zhao Aims and Scope: Over the past decade or so, computational intelligence techniques have been highly successful for solving big data challenges in changing environments. In particular, there has been growing interest in so called biologically inspired learning (BIL), which refers to a wide range of learning techniques, motivated by biology, that try to mimic specific biological functions or behaviors. Examples include the hierarchy of the brain neocortex and neural circuits, which have resulted in biologically-inspired features for encoding, deep neural networks for classification, and spiking neural networks for general modelling. To ensure these models are generalizable to unseen data, it is common to assume that the training and test data are independently sampled from an identical distribution, known as the sample i.i.d. assumption. In dynamic and non-stationary environments, the distribution of data changes over time, resulting in the phenomenon of 'concept drift' (also known as population drift or concept shift), which is a generalization of covariance shift in statistics. Over the last five years, transfer learning and multitask learning have been used to tackle this problem. Fundamental analyses using probably approximately correct (PAC) and Rademacher complexity frameworks have explained why appropriate incorporation of context and concept drift can improve generalizability in changing environments. It is possible to use human-level processing power to tackle concept drift in changing environments. Concept drift is a real-world problem, usually associated with online and concept learning, where the relationships between input data and target variables dynamically change over time. Traditional learning schemes do not adequately address this issue, either because they are offline or because they avoid dynamic learning. However, BIL seems to possess properties that would be helpful for solving concept drift problems in changing environments. Intuitively, the human capacity to deal with concept drift is innate to cognitive processes, and the learning problems susceptible to concept drift seem to share some of the dynamic demands placed on plastic neural areas in the brain. Using improved biological models in neural networks can provide insight into cognitive computational phenomena. However, a main outstanding issue in using computational intelligence for changing environments and domain adaptation is how to build complex networks, or how networks should be connected to the features, samples, and distribution drifts. Manual design and building of these networks are beyond current human capabilities. Recently, computational intelligence methods has been used to address concept drift in changing environments, with promising results. A Hebbian learning model has been used to handle random, as well as correlated, concept drift. Neural networks have been used for concept drift detection, and the influence of latent variables on concept drift in a neural network has been studied. In another study, a timing-dependent synapse model has been applied to concept drift. These works mainly apply biologically-plausible computational models to concept drift problems. Although these results are still in their infancy, they open up new possibilities to achieve brain-like intelligence for solving concept drift problems in changing environments. Taking the current state of research in computational intelligence for changing environments into account, the objective of this special issue is to collate this research to help unify the concepts and terminology of computational intelligence in changing environments, and to survey state-of-the-art computational intelligence methodologies and the key techniques investigated to date. Therefore, this special issue invites submissions on the most recent developments in computational intelligence for changing environments algorithms and architectures, theoretical foundations, and representations, & their application to real world problems. We also welcome timely surveys & review papers. Topics of Interest include (but are not limited to): ? Computational intelligence methodologies and implementation for changing environments ? Transfer learning, Multitask learning, Domain adaption ? Incremental Learning architectures, Unsupervised and semi-supervised learning architectures ? Incremental Knowledge augmentation, Representation learning and disentangling ? Incremental Adaptive Neuro-fuzzy systems ? Incremental and single-pass data mining ? Incremental Neural Clustering & Regression ? Incremental Adaptive decision systems ? Incremental Feature selection and reduction ? Incremental Constructive Learning ? Novelty detection in Incremental learning Submission Process The maximum length for the manuscript is typically 25 pages in single column format with double-spacing, including figures and references. Authors should specify in the first page of their manuscripts the corresponding author's contact and up to 5 keywords. Submission should be made via: https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=ieee-cim-cice2015 Important Dates (for August 2015 Issue) 15 Nov 2014: Submission of Manuscripts 15 Jan 2015: Notification of Review Results 15 Feb 2015: Submission of Revised Manuscripts 15 Mar 2015: Submission of Final Manuscripts Guest Editors Prof Amir Hussain ahu(a)cs.stir.ac.uk http://cs.stir.ac.uk/~ahu/ U of Stirling Stirling FK9 4LA, Scotland UK Prof Dacheng Tao U. of Technology, Sydney dacheng.tao(a)uts.edu.au Prof Jonathan Wu U of Windsor, Canada jwu(a)uwindsor.ca Prof Dongbin Zhao dongbin.zhao(a)gmail.com Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences **************************************************************** 12. CALL FOR PROPOSALS: AISB Workshop Series http://aisb.org.uk/media/files/AISBWorkshops.pdf The Society for the Study of Artificial Intelligence and the Simulation of Behaviour (AISB) is the largest Artificial Intelligence Society in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1964, the society has an international membership drawn from both academia and industry and is a member of the European Coordinating Committee for Artificial Intelligence. Since September 2012, the AISB has been hosting a series of one or two day workshops across the country. The 5th workshop will take place at the U of Birmingham between 18th - 19th August 2014, with the theme "Figurative language: its patterns and meanings in domain-specific discourse". A number of publications have already arisen from these events, the most recent of which was a Symposium Issue of of the Journal of Consciousness Studies. If you are interested in hosting one of these events, you will find information on what you will need to do on this page: http://www.aisb.org.uk/events/members-workshop-series Please note that the events are abstract-only and free for all AISB members. Light refreshments are funded by the AISB. Current non-members would be able to host or attend these any of these workshops for the cost of AISB membership (which start at ?15 for concessionary fees and ?40 for UK members per year). The first two workshops were both held at Goldsmiths, the third was hosted at St Mary's U, while the most recent workshop was held in Bournemouth U. Further information about these previous events can be found on the AISB workshop pages listed above. To propose a workshop, you will need to complete a brief application with the following details: 1. Workshop title 2. Workshop abstract (200-400 words approx.) 3. Organiser(s) and main contact (include details of expertise in proposed topic) 4. Host Institution details (name, address) 5. Planned dates for event (please also include proposed deadlines for the following): Abstract Submission, Notification of Decision, Registration, Workshop 6.Possible speakers (e.g. do you plan to invite speakers?) 7.Where you would advertise (e.g. could you create a page on your institution website?) Details for hosting the workshops: http://aisb.org.uk/media/files/AISBWorkshops.pdf For more information, or to submit an application, please contact me directly at the following address (by removing the gaps): yj.erden @ smuc.ac.uk **************************************************************** 13. AI Career Network Conference during AAAI-15 in Jan 2015 http://sigai.acm.org/cnc/cfp.html, due: 6 Oct 2014 SIGAI, ACM's Special Interest Group in Artificial Intelligence, is launching its Early Career Network with a Career Network Conference in Austin during AAAI-15 in January. Details are at http://sigai.acm.org/cnc/cfp.html Preliminary Call for Abstracts and Participation ACM's Special Interest Group in AI (SIGAI) announces the launch of the SIGAI Career Network Conference (SIGAI CNC), a meeting that supports early-career scientists in their transition to independent research in academia, industry, or government. Participation is open to (and encouraged from!) researchers in AI, including vision, robotics, NLP, learning, etc. CNC will include: Research presentations from early career researchers to potential mentors and employers A career fair that showcases diverse career opportunities in academia, government, the non-profit sector, and industry Mentoring opportunities in small groups Brokered events that match researcher interests and expertise with career paths and potential employers The first SIGAI Career Network Conference will be held in Austin, TX, on 26 Jan 2015 the day before the start of the AAAI main conference, also in Austin. SIGAI CNC will be complemented by a Career Network website that serves as a community for support, information sharing, and networking among early-career AI researchers. One of the goals of the conference and the website is to coordinate the job matching process and improve the flow of information in the broader AI job market. Therefore, the website will provide facilities for both job seekers and potential employers, including the ability to view each others' profiles both before and after the conference. Attendees on both sides of the market are encouraged to reach out to each other both before the conference as well as after learning about each other during the conference. Call for abstracts and applications from students and postdocs (Deadline: 6 Oct 14) We welcome submissions from both PhD students who will complete their dissertations in Spring or Summer 2015 as well as postdocs who defended their dissertations in 2010 or later. In order to apply, please submit: An abstract (similar to a research statement) of up to three pages plus one page of references (see formatting instructions available on the website). A short description of your career interests and aspirations. An up-to-date academic CV. A letter of recommendation from your PhD or postdoctoral advisor. If accepted, only the abstract will be published in the proceedings. Detailed submission instructions will be available at sigai.acm.org/cnc/submit Your research abstract should be a description of the main thrust of your research, not a single paper. It should reference your publications and working papers, and put your research in context for a broad AI audience. We welcome submissions from any topic relevant to artificial intelligence, broadly defined. This includes, but is not limited to: Machine Learning Multi-Agent Systems Planning and Scheduling Robotics Interface of AI and Economics AI and the Web Natural Language Processing Computer Vision Interface of AI and Cognitive Science Knowledge Representation and Reasoning Search, Constraint Satisfaction, and Optimization In particular, we would like to emphasize that one of the goals of CNC is to bring together researchers from all areas of AI, including those who consider a conference other than AAAI or IJCAI their primary outlet. Call for job opening presentations Organizations (academic, government, industry) who seek to hire AI researchers may apply to advertise specific job openings and career paths at their institution. Selected organizations will also be invited to give a lightning talk at the conference. Booths will be available for organizations to advertise and interact with conference participants. The SIGAI Career Network site will also make the job opportunities listings and other materials available online. Call for participation We encourage anyone who wants to learn about research at the cutting edge of AI, as well as representatives of academic departments, companies, government agencies, and others interested in recruiting PhD level researchers, to join us at CNC. We also strongly encourage current students and postdocs who plan to be on the job market in future years to attend in order to learn about potential career paths and network with employers. Our collocation with AAAI makes this meeting both economical and convenient. Applications for travel support SIGAI will provide travel support for a significant number of participants with accepted abstracts. Requests for travel support should be included with the research abstract submission. Organizations (academic, government, industry) who seek to hire AI researchers may apply to advertise specific job openings and career paths at their institution. Selected organizations will also be invited to give a lightning talk at the conference. Booths will be available for organizations to advertise and interact with conference participants. **************************************************************** 14. Henry Rutgers Term Chair in Computer and Data Science (due 1 nov 14) Rutgers University - Newark (RU-N) seeks outstanding candidates to serve as Henry Rutgers Term Chair in Computer and Data Science, with a specific focus on computational methods in machine learning, or statistical modeling of complex data sets in the sciences, engineering, business, or medical fields. Recruitment is at the associate professor level; however, exceptional candidates qualifying for the full professor rank may be considered. This recruitment is part of the Rutgers U Strategic Plan to strengthen Rutgers leadership in burgeoning fields, and part of the new transdisciplinary research Institute for Data Science, Learning, and Applications (I-DSLA). I-DSLA brings together computer scientists, cognitive scientists, philosophers, and domain experts in neuroscience, environmental science, chemistry, medicine, business, and other professions. The new hire will be poised to leverage these experts as well as a new high performance computing cluster on the RU-N campus, to advance knowledge about learning from data. Applicants should hold a PhD in CS, Computational Statistics, or a related field and have a record of excellent scholarship, as demonstrated by significant publications and funding. They should be open to collaborative research within the RU-N community and will be expected to help build a group of faculty in areas related to I-DSLA, maintain an active externally-funded research program, teach undergraduate and graduate courses, and mentor PhD students. Applicants should apply no later than 1 Nov 2014. To receive detailed instructions on how to apply, please email hrsearch(a)rutgers.edu with the subject line 'How to apply'. --- Bart Krekelberg, PhD bart(a)vision.rutgers.edu Associate Director, Center for Molecular and Behavioral and Neuroscience Associate Director, Rutgers Brain Imaging Center Associate Prof, Rutgers U Newark, NJ (973) 353-3602 http://vision.rutgers.edu **************************************************************** 15. Full Professor of Applied CS (Ubiquitous Computing), Vienna U. of Tech. http://www.informatik.tuwien.ac.at (due 20 oct 14) Full Professor of Applied Computer Science (Ubiquitous Computing) Vienna U. of Technology The Vienna U. of Technology invites applications for a Full Professor position at the Faculty of Informatics. The open position is affiliated to the Institute of Design and Assessment of Technology. The successful candidate will have an outstanding research record in the field of Ubiquitous Computing and focuses on next generation ubiquitous computing systems and their application in authentic real world settings. Particular research topics of interest include sensor-rich environments; interactive and smart spaces; new interaction paradigms; Internet of Things; mobile and context-aware computing; awareness and privacy; and tangible, situated and embodied interaction. Besides research, the duties of a full professor at the Vienna U of Technology include graduate and undergraduate teaching (in English or German) as well as contributing to usual management and faculty service tasks. The Vienna U of Technology announces a tenured Full Professor position. The appointment will follow a two step procedure: The initial appointment will be for 5 years. The appointment will then be made permanent following a positive evaluation not earlier than the third year. The Vienna U of Technology is among the most successful technical universities in Europe, and is Austria's largest scientific-technical research and educational institution. The Faculty of Informatics, one of the eight faculties at the Vienna U of Technology, has an excellent reputation and plays an active role in national and international research. The main areas of research include Computational Intelligence, Computer Engineering, Distributed and Parallel Systems, Media Informatics and Visual Computing, as well as Business Informatics. Applicants are expected to have the following qualifications: Essential - PhD or doctoral degree. - Post-doctoral experience at a university or other research institution. - An outstanding research and publication record. - An excellent reputation as an active member of the international scientific community. - Teaching skills. Desirable - Experience in raising funds and in managing scientific research projects. - Leadership abilities. - Experience in university teaching. THE FACULTY OF INFORMATICS OFFERS - Excellent working conditions in an attractive research environment. - An attractive salary, including additional contributions to a pension fund. - Additional financial research support during the first few years (equipment etc.). - Support for relocating to Vienna. - A position in a city with an exceptional quality of life (e.g. ranked #1 in the Mercer Quality of Living Survey 2014) GENERAL INFORMATION For information about - the Faculty of Informatics, go to: http://www.informatik.tuwien.ac.at - the 5 main research areas of the Faculty of Informatics, go to: http://www.informatik.tuwien.ac.at/research - the Vienna U of Technology, go to: http://www.tuwien.ac.at - the Institute of Design and Assessment of Technologies http://www.informatik.tuwien.ac.at/faculty/institutes/e187 APPLICATION The Vienna U of Technology is committed to increasing female employment in leading scientific positions. Female applicants are explicitly encouraged to apply. Preference will be given when equally qualified. People with special needs are equally encouraged to apply. Applications have to include - A detailed curriculum vitae. - A list of publications. - Copies of the applicant's five most important publications related to the position together with an explanation of their relevance. - A positioning statement, describing the applicant's vision 1) on the interplay between use, real world application, technology and theory; 2) on how to position and advance the field within the Faculty of Informatics in the areas of research and teaching, in particular in connection with the 5 main research areas of the Faculty of Informatics. The actual salary will be agreed between the successful applicant and the university, commensurate with qualifications and relevant experience. In accordance with the Austrian Collective Agreement for U Staff full professors receive a minimum salary of currently EUR 65.8k pa. Applications (in English) should be sent to the Dean of the Faculty of Informatics, Prof. Dr. Gerald Steinhardt, in digital form (a single pdf file to: dekan(a)informatik.tuwien.ac.at) Deadline: 20 Oct 14. **************************************************************** 16. Tenure Track Asst. Prof of Cog Psy, UC/Riverside (due 10 oct 14) https://aprecruit.ucr.edu/apply/JPF00159 The Department of Psychology, UC/Riverside, invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Cognitive Psychology, beginning July 1, 2015. We seek applicants whose research examines language learning, at any time scale, and/or bilingualism. The ideal candidate will contribute to our emerging emphasis in experience- dependent change. Applicants should demonstrate a record of research excellence using methodological approaches involving human behavior, neuroimaging, and/or computational modeling. Applicants should be committed to excellence in undergraduate and graduate education. The PhD degree is required at time of hire. Salary will be commensurate with education and experience. Review of completed applications begins 10 Oct 2014 and continues until the position is filled. Interested candidates should send a cover letter describing research and teaching interests, their curriculum vitae, reprints and preprints, and arrange to have three letters of recommendation provided, all using the following link: https://aprecruit.ucr.edu/apply/JPF00159. Questions about the position should be directed to Professor Christine Chiarello, Chair, Cognitive Area Search Committee, at christine.chiarello(a)ucr.edu. The Riverside campus of the U of California is growing rapidly and has an excellent psychology department with a strong record of success in research, teaching and extramural funding. For information on the Department of Psychology, see our web site at: http://www.psych.ucr.edu. The campus is centrally located in Southern California, about 50 miles east of Los Angeles and less than an hour's drive from the area's mountains, deserts and beaches. ---- Aaron Seitz, PhD Professor Dept. of Psy (951) 827-6422 aseitz(a)ucr.edu UC/Riverside Riverside, CA http://faculty.ucr.edu/~aseitz/ **************************************************************** 17. Faculty Position in Computational Neuroscience at UC/Irvine (due 15 Nov 14) https://recruit.ap.uci.edu/apply/JPF02452 UC/Irvine Faculty Position in Computational Neuroscience The Department of Cognitive Sciences (www.cogsci.uci.edu) at the UC/Irvine (UCI) invites applications for a faculty position at the Associate or Full Professor level. We are especially interested in candidates who use mathematical, computational, or robotics approaches to study the neural basis of cognition in any of these areas: (1) vision, hearing, and attention; (2) memory and decision-making; (3) learning and development; (4) language. Applicants whose research relates to human behavior are preferred. A strong record of publications and extramural funding is essential. Exceptional candidates at the Assistant Professor level will also be considered. The online application includes: A cover letter, CV, research and teaching statements, 3 recent publications, and contact information for 3-5 referees. Interested candidates can apply for the position at: https://recruit.ap.uci.edu/apply/JPF02452. To ensure full consideration, please complete the application by 15 Nov 2014. ---- Best regards, Jeff Krichmar jkrichma(a)uci.edu Dept. of Cognitive Sciences UC/Irvine http://www.socsci.uci.edu/~jkrichma **************************************************************** 18. Research Lectureship in HCI, U. of St Andrews, Scotland (due 3 Oct 14) http://bit.ly/sachi_lectureship https://www.vacancies.st-andrews.ac.uk/ViewVacancy.aspx?enc=mEgrBL4XQK0+ld8… We seek a colleague to join SACHI (http://sachi.cs.st-andrews.ac.uk/) at the School of Computer Science, U of St Andrews. This is a full academic career track position, with research and teaching duties. The School of Computer Science provides a research-supportive environment, excellent facilities, great opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, integration with the larger excellence network of CS research in Scotland (SICSA), and access to the brightest students in the UK and internationally. This year the School was ranked 1st in the UK by the Guardian's University guide. We are interested in top early career researchers in any of the topics below (although we will consider top-researchers in other areas related to HCI and Data Science): - Input and Interaction methods - Information Visualisation or other techniques relevant to Data Science (e.g. machine learning) - Ubiquitous Computing or Systems - Digital Humanities Join one of the top CS departments in the UK, and the third oldest university in the English-speaking world. The University is integrated within the town of St Andrews on the East coast of Scotland: home of golf, and rich in history. The town offers a family-friendly environment at just over an hour from Edinburgh, Scotland's capital, and with easy access to all services and good public transport connections. See more information in the official vacancy announcement: http://bit.ly/sachi_lectureship (the Further Particulars document at the bottom will be particularly useful). For informal inquiries and questions, feel free to also e-mail Prof. Aaron Quigley (aquigley(a)st-andrews.ac.uk) or Miguel Nacenta (mans(a)st-andrews.ac.uk) Miguel Nacenta Lecturer, U of St Andrews mans(a)st-andrews.ac.uk http://nacenta.com @miguelnacenta **************************************************************** 19. Lecturer in HCI, U. of Birmingham (UK), Closes 5 Oct 14 http://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/AJJ517/lecturer-in-human-computer-interaction-hci/ Lecturer in Human Computer Interaction (HCI) School of Computer Science U of Birmingham - College of Engineering and Physical Sciences Location: Birmingham Salary: ?38,511 to ?45,954 with potential progression once in post to ?51k pa. Placed on: 12 Aug 14 Closes: 5 Oct 14 Job Ref:52252 The U of Birmingham has made a strategic investment in the area of Human-Computer Interaction (HCI). A centre for HCI has recently been created, and now contains leading academics undertaking a wide range of research into HCI theories and applications. The successful applicant will become a key member of the HCI Research Centre. The vision for the Centre is based on a people-centred perspective on interaction and technology: it attempts to understand and create the future that we will inhabit and interact with digitally. Our approach to HCI is based on a rigorous scientific quantitative approach coupled with experimental validation. The role also offers a 2.5 year window to allow the post holder to focus on their research, with a reduced teaching load. It therefore offers an outstanding opportunity for leading international quality researchers to accelerate their research activity. After these 2.5 years, the candidate will transition to a standard lectureship and teaching load. Applicants should have an outstanding track record of international quality research in human-computer interaction. The ideal candidates will have a PhD in a discipline relevant to HCI, and will be able to demonstrate a multi-disciplinary approach to their research. They should be able to demonstrate an excellent and accelerating record of publications in journals and conferences, engagement with the HCI community nationally and internationally, and the ability to attract grant funding. We are also interested in nurturing and developing future stars who may not yet have established their reputation. Applicants who have recently achieved their PhD may also be considered, though a substantial publication record will still be required. Research areas that match, or strongly relate to, the areas identified in the job description are preferred, though we are willing to consider any recognised area of HCI. Informal enquiries may be made to Professor Russell Beale (R.Beale(a)cs.bham.ac.uk) +44 (0) 121 414 3729. Come and join us! - Russell Beale, Andrew Howes, Alan Dix, Chris Baber, Mirco Musolesi, Bob Hendley and all the researchers and PhDs in the HCI Centre. **************************************************************** 20. Faculty position in system dynamics, MIT Sloan School of Management https://sloanfacultysearches.mit.edu/sd/ The MIT Sloan School of Management invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in system dynamics, to begin July 2015 (or thereafter). Candidates should have excellent knowledge of the system dynamics simulation technique and/or related modeling methodologies, such as nonlinear dynamics, control theory, computer simulation or agent-based modeling, as well as research interests relevant to the management and/or behavioral sciences. Duties will include research and teaching at the graduate and undergraduate levels. System dynamics at Sloan is closely affiliated with both the management sciences and organization studies. Applicants whose substantive research interests are interdisciplinary are particularly invited to apply, including applicants whose research involves the social and behavioral sciences. We especially want to identify qualified female and minority candidates for consideration in this position. Applicants should possess or be close to completion of a PhD in system dynamics or a relevant field by the start date of employment. Applicants must submit: 1) an up-to-date CV; 2) up to three representative publications; 3) a brief statement of objectives and aspirations in research and education; 4) an official graduate transcript; 5) information about teaching experience and performance evaluations; and 6) three letters of recommendation by 21 Oct 14. Submissions must be submitted via https://sloanfacultysearches.mit.edu/sd/ **************************************************************** 21. Asst. Prof - Embodied Cognitive Science, Cog Sci Program, Indiana https://indiana.peopleadmin.com/postings/1006 (due 1 nov 14) The Cognitive Science Program at Indiana U seeks a tenure track junior level appointment in the area of embodied cognitive science. Successful applicants will take a leadership role in the ongoing development of embodied cognition as a research and teaching focus of the program. Indiana U has a strong history in this area, ranging from theoretical foundations to computational and robotics modeling, to experimental approaches in developmental psychology and neuroscience. Although the emphasis of the position is on computational and/or robotic modeling approaches to problems in embodied cognition, candidates are expected to engage with the breadth of experimental programs and philosophical discussion that make up this interdisciplinary research area. Applicants should have a PhD in Cognitive Science, Computer Science or a closely related field and will join the faculty of a department or school on the Bloomington campus appropriate to their specific background. Applicants are expected to have a record that demonstrates an excellent potential in the areas of research and teaching. Interested candidates should review the application requirements and submit their applications at https://indiana.peopleadmin.com/postings/1006. Questions regarding the position or application process can be directed to Randall Beer, Cognitive Science Search Committee, 819 Eigenmann, 1900 E. 10th St., Indiana U, Bloomington, IN 47406-7512 orcogsrch(a)indiana.edu. Review of applications will begin on 1 Nov 14 and will continue until the position is filled. Information about the program and the university is available at http://www.cogs.indiana.edu/. -- Olaf Sporns -- @spornslab Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences Programs in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science Indiana U Bloomington, IN 47405 **************************************************************** 22. Open Rank Faculty Position, Indiana, School of Informatics & Computing http://indiana.peopleadmin.com/postings/971 due 1 Dec 2014 [I think these are different jobs, both at Indiana U.] Indiana U School of Informatics and Computing Bloomington Open Rank Faculty Position The School of Informatics and Computing at Indiana U, Bloomington, invites applications for a position beginning in Fall 2015 in the Department of Information and Library Science (all subareas). This position is open at all levels (assistant, associate, or full professor). Applications from senior leaders are especially encouraged. The Department of Information and Library Science (ILS), formerly the School of Library and Information Science, has a long, successful history, having graduated over 8,000 students since it opened its doors in 1946. In 2013, U.S. News & World Report ranked the Bloomington Information and Library Science program http://grad-schools.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-graduate-schools/top… eighth nationally. The School of Informatics and Computing is the first of its kind and among the largest in the country, with unsurpassed breadth. Its mission is to excel and lead in education, research, and outreach spanning and integrating computing and information technologies. In addition to ILS, the School includes the Department of Computer Science and Informatics and has a total of over 85 faculty, 900 graduate students, and 1,100 undergraduate majors on the Bloomington campus. Faculty research areas include bibliometrics; big data; computer-mediated communication; data science; digital libraries; information organization, retrieval, and visualization; science studies; semantic web, social informatics; text mining; web science; and more. Graduate degrees offered in the School include Master's degrees in Bioinformatics, Computer Science, Human Computer Interaction Design, Information Science, Library Science, and Security Informatics, and PhD degrees in Computer Science, Informatics, and Information Science. The School is also known for its strong undergraduate programs. Basic qualifications: Applicants should have a PhD in a relevant area (or for junior level, expected before Aug 2015) and an established record (senior level) or demonstrable potential for excellence in research and teaching (junior level). Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae, statements of research and teaching, and names of three references (junior level), or six references (senior level) using the University's online system below (preferred): http://indiana.peopleadmin.com/postings/971 or to Faculty Search, SoIC, 919 E 10th Street, Bloomington, IN 47408. For full consideration, completed applications must be received by 1 Dec 2014. Informal and confidential inquiries may be sent to the ILS Chair, Pnina Fichman, fichman(a)indiana.edu) or to any of the members of the search committee: Katy Borner (katy(a)indiana.edu) Susan Herring (herring(a)indiana.edu) Howard Rosenbaum (hrosenbau(a)indiana.edu) To: CHI-JOBS(a)LISTSERV.ACM.ORG **************************************************************** 23. Full Prof for Applied Cog Psych, U of Ulm (due: 3 Oct 2014) The Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science is seeking a Full Professor for Applied Cognitive Psychology (W3 mit Leitungsfunktion) for an immediate start. The successful candidate is expected to represent the field of applied cognitive psychology through research and teaching. This topic is closely connected to other themes currently present at the university and will help to further strengthen the interdisciplinary nature and applied orientation of the Institute of Psychology and Education within the Faculty of Engineering, Computer Science and Psychology. The candidate should have a profound research history concerning human information- processing aspects (attention, decision making, planning, deductive reasoning) in the context of human-technology interaction using an experimental and quantitative research approach. He or she should further be open to incorporating cognitive modelling in her or his empirical research and thus support the interdisciplinary research topic of the faculty "cognitive systems and human-machine interaction". Possibilities for cooperation are especially foreseen with the SFB/Transregio 62 project "a companion-technology for cognitive technical systems" or the research cluster for cooperative, highly-automated driver assistance and driving functions (f3) - both are located within the faculty. Teaching shall cover the whole range of Applied Cognitive Psychology topics and provide links to other disciplines, especially computer science. Contribution to the international and English study program "cognitive systems" (master level) is central for this position. Requirements We are looking for candidates who meet the following requirements: * A publication record in international peer reviewed journals, * Experience in successfully applying for funding (industrially sponsored projects as well as research grants), * Interest in promoting and further developing the study programs in psychology (bachelor- and master level) and cognitive systems and contribution to related university administrative processes. Conditions for appointment are a completed course of studies at a university, pedagogical aptitude, doctorate and additional academic achievements (? 47 LHG). The U of Ulm is committed to increase the share of women in research and teaching positions and therefore explicitly encourages female candidates to apply. You may apply for this position before 3 Oct 2014 by sending the usual documents all within one pdf-document via E-Mail to the faculty's dean: in.dekanat(a)uni-ulm.de. Please use the number 70 as the E-Mail subject line. Please also fill out and include the following questionnaire in your documents: http://www.uni-ulm.de/in/psy-paed/stellenangebote.html Physically disabled applicants receive favourable consideration when equally qualified. **************************************************************** 24. Faculty positions in Computer Science at American U http://apply.interfolio.com/25813 (due 3 Nov 2014) American U, College of Arts & Sciences, Department of Computer Science Computer Science (Assistant, Associate or Full Professor) The Department of Computer Science in the College of Arts and Sciences at American U in Washington, DC invites applications for up to 3 tenure-track or tenured Assistant/Associate/Full Professors to form a collaborating research team. We seek either a group of researchers who will be hired together, or a senior individual with a vision for filling the other positions. The team's research expertise may be in any area of computer science. Following the department's strong recent hires in the interdisciplinary areas of computational neuroscience and persuasive gaming, the university seeks to build computer science's core program areas, which may include algorithms and data structures, architecture, robotics, databases and information retrieval, human-computer interactions, numerical and symbolic computation, operating systems, programming languages, or software methodology and engineering. Preference will be given to teams or visions that contribute to more than one of the core program areas, and that contribute to the university's capacity in the area of big data. The Computer Science Department is currently in a period of expansion, and is poised to become a leader in the university's technology an innovation sectors. To support this trajectory, the department will soon be moving to a new building that is designed to promote inspiration, collaboration, creation and cultivation. QUALIFICATIONS All applicants should have a strong record of (or potential for) externally sponsored research. We are especially eager to recruit candidates with established research partnerships (or the ability to form such partnerships) in the Washington, DC area. Candidates should also have a record of excellence in teaching and mentoring students. Teaching responsibilities will include core courses in computer science and more advanced courses in the applicant's area of specialty. The PhD in Computer Science or a closely related field is required; post-doctoral or industry experience is preferred. At least one appointment will be at a senior level with tenure. Preference will be given to senior candidates who are able and willing to lead the department, including (but not limited to) the development of a PhD granting program. APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS Applicants should include a statement (a joint statement for team applications) of research outlining the research focus (or foci) and future plans for developing a nationally competitive, externally funded research program at American U. In addition to a (joint, if applicable) research statement, each applicant should include statements of individual research and teaching experience, a CV, and the names of three references not in the proposed team. Please submit applications via: http://apply.interfolio.com/25813. Review of applications will begin 3 Nov and continue until the position is filled. http://www.neuroinf.org/mailman/listinfo/comp-neuro From: Mark Laubach <mark.laubach(a)american.edu> **************************************************************** 25. Faculty Position in Comp Games & Virt Worlds @Concordia U. (due 1 dec 14) https://www.concordia.ca/encs/about/jobs/strategic-hire-computer-games-virt… Concordia U. Computer Science and Software Eng Tenure Track Position in Computer Games and Virtual Worlds The Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science (ENCS) at Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec, invites applications for a tenure-track strategic hire position in the area of Computer Games and Virtual Worlds for appointment in the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering (CSE). The CSE department has an active research group in 3D Graphics in addition to a highly popular Computer Games degree option at the undergraduate level. The goal of the strategic hire program is to augment existing research capacity in the department through high profile interdisciplinary research in collaboration with members of Concordia,s Technoculture, Art and Games Research Centre (TAG). The successful candidate will receive an attractive research support and teaching package. For additional information about ENCS, CSE and TAG see www.encs.concordia.ca, www.cse.concordia.ca and www.tag.hexagram.ca. Applicants must have a PhD in computer science, software engineering or computer engineering or a related area and also possess research and development expertise in the area of computer games, 3D graphics and virtual worlds. A successful candidate is expected to provide academic leadership, establish a strong externally funded research program, demonstrated abilities to work in collaborative multidisciplinary settings and teach/develop both undergraduate and graduate courses. Strong commitment to the supervision of graduate student research and to excellence in teaching are essential. Relevant industrial experience is an asset. Excellent communication skills are required. Membership or eligibility for membership in a Canadian professional engineering association, preferably in the province of Quebec, is required. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and Permanent Residents will be given priority. Concordia is strongly committed to employment equity within its community, and to recruiting a diverse faculty and staff. Applications should consist of a detailed curriculum vitae, a statement concerning teaching and research interests, and the names of at least three referees. This appointment is expected to commence in the summer of 2015. Review of the applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. Only short-listed applicants will be notified. Electronic applications are preferred and should be sent no later than 1 Dec 2014 to: Dr. Sudhir Mudur, Chair Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering mudur(a)cse.concordia.ca **************************************************************** 26. NIH-Wide Stadtman Tenure-Track Recruitment (30 sep 2015, annual?) http://irp.nih.gov/careers/faculty-level-scientific-careers/stadtman-tenure… The National Institutes of Health is now accepting applications for tenure-track positions through the Earl Stadtman recruitment mechanism. Details are available here: http://irp.nih.gov/careers/faculty-level-scientific-careers/stadtman-tenure… Sean Davis <sdavis2(a)mail.nih.gov> **************************************************************** 27. Junior professorship to work in Germany, due 1 sep 14 and 1 sep 15? http://www.humboldt-foundation.de/skp_en [date has passed, but appears to be annual] Submit an application if you are a successful top-rank junior researcher from abroad, only completed your doctorate with distinction in the last six years, and have published work in prestigious international journals or publishing houses. The Sofja Kovalevskaja Award allows you to spend five years building up a working group and working on a high-profile, innovative research project of your own choice at a research institution of your own choice in Germany. Scientists and scholars from all disciplines may apply directly to the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. The Humboldt Foundation plans to grant up to eight Sofja Kovalevskaja Awards. The award is valued at up to 1.65 million EUR. The application submission deadline is 1 sep 14. The selection is scheduled for March 2015. ---- Dear Sir or Madam, With the Sofja Kovalevskaja Award, the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation is offering promising young researchers from all over the world attractive career prospects in Germany. Junior research talents of all disciplines from abroad are given the opportunity to establish working groups of their own at German research institutions. The Sofja Kovalevskaja Award recognises outstanding talent and creative research approaches with exceptional conditions: With an award amount of up to 1.65 million EUR each winner receives valuable starting capital to spend five years pursuing an innovative research project at a research institute of his or her choice - untroubled by administrative constraints. In addition, the establishment of their own junior research team enables the award winners to lay an important foundation for a promising academic career at a very early stage. Eight awards are expected to be granted. The programme is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research. Outstandingly qualified junior academics of all disciplines from abroad who completed their doctorate less than six years ago are eligible to apply for the Sofja Kovalevskaja Award. It is also possible to submit applications immediately after finishing one's doctoral studies. Applications must be submitted by 1 Sep 2014. We should be grateful if you could support us in looking for suitable international research talents by disseminating this announcement at your institution. Also, we should very much appreciate if you could request further colleagues to draw the attention of suitably talented junior researchers to this academic award. Details of the application procedure for the Sofja Kovalevskaja Award can be found on our website at: http://www.humboldt-foundation.de/skp_en . For individual questions, you are also welcome to contact info(a)avh.de. Thank you very much in advance for your support. Sincerely yours, Georg Scholl Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Department Strategy and External Relations Division Press, Communications and Marketing Head of division **************************************************************** 28. Post-doctoral fellow in computational cognitive modeling, Wright State http://jobs.wright.edu/postings/8101 (reviewed from 22 sep 14) The Department of Psychology at Wright State U seeks applicants for a position of Postdoctoral Fellow in computational cognitive modeling to begin on Oct 1st 2014 or soon thereafter. Candidates must have a PhD in Cognitive Science, Computer Science, or a related discipline with training in computational cognitive modeling. Candidates must be actively engaged in a research program that uses computational cognitive modeling as its core methodology. Preference will be given to candidates who are conversant in at least one of the major cognitive architectures (e.g., ACT-R, Soar, EPIC). The post-doctoral fellow will be involved in a research project funded by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research aiming to develop a comprehensive theory of trust dynamics. The fellow will be part of a research team including the Principal Investigator, Dr. Ion Juvina, graduate students, and researchers at the Air Force Research Laboratory. The Department of Psychology is housed in the College of Science and Mathematics, offers a PhD in Human Factors and I/O Psychology, and has 3 undergraduate concentration areas: (1) Cognition and Perception, (2) Industrial/ Organizational, and (3) Behavioral Neuroscience. Wright State U was recently ranked among the "Best in the Midwest" universities by The Princeton Review, listed among 260 Best National Universities in the annual "America's Best Colleges" rankings by U.S. News and World Report, and ranked fourth nationally among universities with limited numbers of doctoral programs in the Faculty Scholarly Productivity Index. For more information on this position contact Prof. Ion Juvina at ion.juvina(a)wright.edu. Applicants should visit the following link to upload CV and statement of research: http://jobs.wright.edu/postings/8101. In addition, please have three letters of reference sent directly to Ion Juvina, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, 313G Fawcett Hall, 3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy, Wright State U, Dayton, OH 45435. Review of complete applications will begin 22 Sep 14, and continue until the position is filled. **************************************************************** 29. 3 year postdoc in London, modelling bee brains http://www.jobs.qmul.ac.uk/5111 (due 9 oct 14) We have a 3-year postdoc position (HFSP funded) to work on a project entitled: "A neural circuit approach to cognition and its limits in microbrains". The postdoctoral fellow will focus on building computational models of the bee visual system and higher-level brain centres. See here: http://www.jobs.qmul.ac.uk/5111 Informal inquiries can be sent to l.chittka(a)qmul.ac.uk Lars Chittka, PhD, MSc Professor in Sensory & Behavioural Ecology *44 (0) 20 7882 3043 School of Biological & Chemical Sciences Queen Mary, U of London, UK http://chittkalab.sbcs.qmul.ac.uk/ **************************************************************** 30. Junior position in Cognitive Science research group at ETS (ongoing) [this process is fairly far along, but shows an application and ongoing location for cognitive modeling] I'm currently recruiting for a junior position in the Cognitive Science research group at ETS - someone about 0-2 years post-PhD. I'm particularly interested in folks with good cognitive task analysis and cognitive modeling skills, who are interested in issues of student learning and assessment. Programming skills, especially prototyping, are a strong plus. Please see the job description at http://bit.ly/ETS2014-Cognitive-Scientist for more information. Irvin R. Katz, PhD ikatz(a)ETS.ORG 609-734-5150 Director, Cognitive Sciences Group Educational Testing Service Princeton, NJ 08541 **************************************************************** 31. Research Scientist Computational Neuroscience Position in Toronto (due 19 Oct 14) The Toronto Western Research Institute of the University Health Network invites applicants to apply for a Scientist position in the area of Computational Neuroscience. The ideal candidate will have a PhD in a relevant field, have research experience and expertise in mathematical and computational modeling techniques, and research interests that complement those of the Institute in "Degenerative Disorders of Aging". Candidates whose research interests encompass modeling at multiple levels (molecular, cellular, network, systems), and who have experimental and/or collaborative experimental experience are especially encouraged. The successful candidate will have the ability to establish an independent, well-funded program and will be eligible for appointment at the appropriate level within the U of Toronto. Applications must be emailed by 19 Oct 2014 and should include: 1) CV, 2) Statement of research interests, and 3) Contact information (including email) for 3 referees Reply, by email only, and in confidence to: TWRIrecruitment(a)uhnresearch.ca with subject line: CompNeuro University Health Network thanks all applicants, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. [this is a lamentable practice that appears to arise when resources are not available] Frances Skinner, PhD frances.skinner(a)gmail.com TWRI/UHN and Univ Toronto http://www.skinnerlab.org **************************************************************** 32. PhD position in computational modelling at Max Planck/Leipzig http://www.o-brain-project.de (until filled) The Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences Leipzig and the Collaborative Research Center (CRC) 1052 "Obesity mechanisms" at the Leipzig U Hospital are offering a PhD studentship in computational modelling. Within the project, computational modelling is used to investigate leaning and decision-making in humans. The project is aimed at the multi-modal integration of available and newly acquired behavioral, structural/functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), PET and genetic data towards comprehensive computational and neurocognitive models of cognitive control over behavior. Work will be carried out at the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences Leipzig under the supervision of Dr Jane Neumann and Dr Annette Horstmann. Both Leipzig's long tradition in conducting neuroscientific research and the ultra-modern equipment at the Max Planck Institute provide an environment that offers new perspectives in neuroimaging research. Further, the position will be part of the CRCs Integrated Research Training Group. This graduate program offers interdisciplinary qualification in various research methods and transferable skills, and provides support in career planning and in establishing an own scientific network. Applicants should hold a Master's degree (or equivalent) in one of the following disciplines: computational or cognitive neuroscience, computer science, maths, psychology, biology, cognitive science or related. Prior experience in the fields of computational neuroscience and/or neuroimaging are of great advantage. Sound knowledge of statistics and excellent programming skills are essential. A good command of written and spoken English is requested of all applicants. Please send your application as a single pdf-file to neumann(a)cbs.mpg.de referring to 'Modelling SFB 1052'. Complete applications include cover letter, CV, letter(s) of recommendation, and copies of university degrees and additional certificates. Informal enquiries should be made to Dr Jane Neumann (+49 (0) 341 99 40 26 21). For meeting Dr. Neumann and Dr. Horstmann at OHBM 2014, please send an email to neumann(a)cbs.mpg.de or horstmann(a)cbs.mpg.de including days and times when you are available during the conference. The salary is based on the German E 13 TV-L salary scale. In order to increase the proportion of female staff members, applications from female scientists are particularly encouraged. Disabled applicants are preferred if qualification is equal. Deadline for application: until position is filled Further details about the project can also be found at http://www.o-brain-project.de **************************************************************** 33. KTP associate post-doc in workload for rail control http://jobs.nottingham.ac.uk/Vacancy.aspx?id=2328&forced=1 I would like to bring your attention to a post-doc position in workload modelling. This is a TSB KTP associate position, between the U of Nottingham and TRE (The Railway Engineering company). The post will be based in Bradford on Avon, near Bath. We are looking for post-docs with knowledge of cognitive psychology / human factors / HCI in a topic such as workload, SA, vigilance etc. and ideally with some experience of a control domain - it could be rail, but could be ATC, process control, power etc. If you are aware of people who have recently completed, or are in the process of finishing up, we would be happy to receive an application. I would also be happy to answer any informal queries. Further details and application process is available at http://jobs.nottingham.ac.uk/Vacancy.aspx?id=2328&forced=1. (NB the location is Bradford on Avon, not Nottingham as currently stated on the vacancy listing). Dr David Golightly CPsychol David.Golightly(a)nottingham.ac.uk Senior Researcher in Human Factors Human Factors Research Group Faculty of Engineering U of Nottingham, England ******************************************************** 34. Web Developer for Databrary.org [until filled] http://Databrary.org About Databrary Databrary is a first-of-its-kind web-based data library where scientists who collect and analyze video can store and share their data openly with other researchers. The project is based at New York University (NYU) and Penn State. It has grant support from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The overall goal is to accelerate the pace of discovery, improve scientific transparency and accountability, and transform research practices in psychology and developmental science. We are growing a team to design and build new open source solutions for science using the latest technologies. Web Developer position description The Databrary project seeks a motivated and flexible developer to help build a unique web-based data library. You will work with users and a small group of developers to design and build the front end UI and back end tools to enable behavioral researchers to collaborate, store, explore, and access research datasets in ways not possible with any existing tool. The ideal candidate will relish the challenge of building a uniquely powerful set of research tools while working on a small team in a diverse and intellectually stimulating academic environment. Responsibilities - Implement dynamic, modular, and responsive web interfaces to organize, present, and manipulate research materials. - Design, implement, test, and validate JavaScript across browsers and platforms. - Integrate feedback from UI experts and researchers (users) to identify and prioritize new features. - Learn, understand, and reorganize research data as needed for better integration with the site. Qualifications - Background in CS or other relevant field and 3+ years programming experience. - Knowledge of AngularJS or other modern web application frameworks. - Extensive experience with jQuery, JSON, HTML5, and CSS3. - Familiarity with standard UNIX development tools such as git. - Understanding of security and ethical concerns around sensitive data. Preferred - History of contributions to open source projects. - Comfortable with discussing and addressing UX/UI design issues. - Experience using RESTful interfaces for structured data. - Sensitive to performance considerations building big data interfaces. - Basic understanding of scientific practices and research tools, such as Matlab, SPSS, or R. To apply send the following to jobs(a)databrary.org: - One page cover letter (PDF). - Resume (PDF). - Links to your open source contributions or other samples of your work It will stay open until the position is filled. **************************************************************** 35. Cognitive Robotics Job, Army Res. Lab (until filled) We have an opportunity here to bring a new employee in to work directly on my Cognitive Robotics Program (SS-RICS) and with our network science team as a contractor here at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. We are looking for someone that has a strong C++, C# programming experience as well as a background in the use of cognitive architectures. The timeline is very tight. We are interviewing people over the next few weeks and will make a decision probably in the next month. This is a contractor position (DCS incorporated) and the job is located here at Aberdeen MD. The job is for a U.S. Citizen and requires a secret clearance. Already having a secret clearance would be a big plus. Troy D. Kelley Note new email: troy.d.kelley6.civ(a)mail.mil Cognitive Robotics and Modeling Team Leader Human Research and Engineering Directorate US Army Research Laboratory Aberdeen, MD Phone 410-278-5869 or 410-278-6748 **************************************************************** Footnote: all employment ads had diversity statements **************************************************************** -30-

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Two postdoctoral/research associate positions in computational neuroscience at Drexel University College of Medicine.
by Ilya Rybak Sept. 30, 2014

Sept. 30, 2014

Two postdoctoral/research associate positions in computational neuroscience at Drexel University College of Medicine Two postdoctoral/research associate positions in computational neuroscience for the duration of up to three years are available at Drexel University College of Medicine (Theoretical and Computational Neuroscience Lab by Dr. Ilya A. Rybak) to participate in externally funded projects. One position is for computational modeling of neural control mechanisms, involving interactions between basal ganglia, thalamus, cerebellum, cortex and spinal cord in connection with simulation of pathological changes in motor control during Huntington’s disease. The other position involves modeling of spinal cord circuits, including the circuits of locomotor CPG, in close interactive collaboration with several world leading laboratories performing experimental studies in the isolated rodent spinal cord. Applicants must have a PhD degree in Applied Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, Neuroscience, or related discipline and have excellent C++ programming skills. Previous experience in computational modeling of biological neurons and neural networks is a plus. Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Dr. Rybak (rybak(a)drexel.edu) by email. To apply, please send an email along with (1) curriculum vitae; (2) a cover letter describing previous research experience and interests; (3) the names and names and contact information of three references. ================================= Ilya A. Rybak, Ph.D. Professor Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy Drexel University College of Medicine 2900 Queen Lane Philadelphia, PA 19129 USA Tel.: (215) 991-8596 FAX: (215) 843-9082 E-mail: rybak(a)drexel.edu http://neurobio.drexelmed.edu/rybakweb/rybak.html http://www.drexelmed.edu/Home/AboutOurFaculty/IlyaARybak.aspx https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ilya_Rybak/publications/ http://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=SnA068QAAAAJ http://www.pubfacts.com/author/Ilya+A+Rybak

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Book on "modern methods of analysis in auditory cortex"
by Didier Depireux Sept. 30, 2014

Sept. 30, 2014

Dear colleagues, if you are interested in recently developed techniques to extract and analyze auditory cortical data, consider the book "Handbook of Modern Techniques in Auditory Cortex", D.A.Depireux & M.Elhilali, eds. It can be acquired via Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Handbook-Modern-Techniques-Auditory-Cortex/dp/1628088… or directly from the publisher at https://www.novapublishers.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=45166 A host of new broadband methods have recently been developed in the study and modelling of the auditory pathway. These methods have allowed us to better understand how complex sounds are encoded along the auditory pathway in a noise-robust fashion, and the resulting cortical models have been used in a variety of problems, such speech recognition, speaker identification and noise reduction with great success. These techniques were developed and refined over the last 20 years, and as a result, the published literature offers a scattered, sometimes seemingly contradictory, account. This book is the first to present, in a single volume, the different broadband methods, their different philosophies, their relative advantages and disadvantages, and a methodology that will help the would-be-practitioner get started, navigate the literature, and chose the method most appropriate to her needs. Thank you, Didier Depireux & Mounya Elhilali Didier A Depireux depireux(a)gmail.com Inst. for Systems Research http://theearlab.org School of Engineering Ph: 410-925-6546 U Md College Park MD 20742 USA Adjunct, BioEngineering

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Postdoc: Experimental Retinal Prosthetics lab, Tuebingen, Germany
by Daniel Rathbun Sept. 30, 2014

Sept. 30, 2014

Postdoc Advertisement: For visual prosthetics research through electrophysiological experiments in the retina. *Duration*: 22 months, starting around January 1 2015, with potential to continue through the end of the project in 2019. *Location*: scenic Tübingen, Germany *Supervisors*: Dr. Daniel L. Rathbun and Prof. Eberhart Zrenner – Experimental Retinal Prosthetics Group – Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, Institute for Ophthalmic Research, University Eye Hospital *Project Description*: *SysRetPro* – Systems Neuroscience in Service of the Next-Generation Retinal Prosthesis. Our primary goal is to connect prosthesis-mediated visual responses in the blind mouse retina and normal visual responses in the healthy mouse retina through a unifying theoretical framework that encompasses both existing computational models and empirical data. The ultimate goal of this research program is to create innovations for human implants. The postdoc will be focused on data collection for the project. *Skills*: Strong background in experimental extracellular neurophysiology using either MEAs, tetrodes, or single electrodes - patch clamp a bonus. Extensive knowledge in vertebrate visual processing at the cellular, network, and systems level. Programming experience – preferably MATLAB Fluency in English, German fluency appreciated. An interest in computational modeling is preferred but not necessary. *Duties*: Experimental design within the framework of the project. Oversee and execute a program of experiments. Process and analyze MEA data corresponding to visual and electrical responses. Participate in the computational modeling of experimental data. Coordinate your activities with the PIs and bachelors, masters, and doctoral students. Active participation in development and writing of manuscripts from the lab. Work with Dr. Rathbun & Prof. Zrenner to secure funding to extend your position for the second phase of the 60-month project. *Contact*: daniel.rathbun(a)uni-tuebingen.de

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Neuroinformatics, Computational Neuroscience PhD and MSc at Edinburgh
by Matthias Hennig Sept. 28, 2014

Sept. 28, 2014

PhD/MSc IN NEUROINFORMATICS, COMPUTATIONAL NEUROSCIENCE, UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH. We invite applications for the PhD and MSc programme in Neuroinformatics and Computational Neuroscience at the University of Edinburgh. The MSc programme is a one year course introducing key concepts and applications through courses and a research project. It serves as preparation for a PhD or work in industry for students from quantitative disciplines with little or no previous exposure to neuroscience. A wide range of courses are available, including computational neuroscience, bioinformatics, machine learning, robotics and computer vision. This programme is self-funded. The PhD is a 3 year funded programme with a strongly interdisciplinary character and is ideal for students who want to apply their computational and analytical skills to problems in neuroscience and related fields. Often PhD projects are done in collaboration with one of the many affiliated departments and institutes, which includes experimental neuroscience groups in Edinburgh and beyond. The programme it fully funded and provides a stipend and fees. The PhD programme includes the following themes, where Edinburgh has a strong research community: - computational and mathematical studies of neural information processing - spiking computation and neurorobotics - advanced experimental data analysis - neural simulation and modelling PhD applications can be prepared in conjunction with one of the PhD supervisors in these research areas: - Douglas Armstrong - James Bednar - Matthias Hennig - Michael Herrmann - Peggy Series - Mark van Rossum - Ian Simpson - Barbara Webb For more information on faculty, visit: http://www.anc.ed.ac.uk/neuroscience Examples of ongoing projects are listed here: http://www.anc.ed.ac.uk/dtc/index.php?option=com_projects&completed=0 Students with a strong background in either computer science, mathematics, physics or engineering are particularly welcome to apply. Motivated students with other backgrounds will also be considered. This programme cannot normally consider non-EU applicants unless own funding such as an external studentship is available. Edinburgh has been voted as 'best place to live in Britain', and has many exciting cultural and student activities. Recruitment is a rolling process that ends on 13 March 2015, but for full consideration apply by 12 December 2014. To apply, visit: http://www.ed.ac.uk/studying/postgraduate/degrees?r=site/view&id=489&cw_xml= -- The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, with registration number SC005336.

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Postdoc: color neurophysiology, modeling and visual prosthesis, SUNY, New York City
by Youping Xiao Sept. 27, 2014

Sept. 27, 2014

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Want to build a fly brain?
by Aurel A. Lazar Sept. 27, 2014

Sept. 27, 2014

Join us in an open-source collaborative effort aimed at (i) building in silico fruit fly brain circuits, and (ii) in vivo validation of these circuits. Neurokernel: An open source platform for emulating fruit fly brains on GPUs http://neurokernel.github.io Neurokernel Requests for Comments (RFCs): http://neurokernel.github.io/docs.html Aurel A. Lazar http://www.bionet.ee.columbia.edu

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December10-13th : Workshop and Course on "Neural Information Dynamics, Causality and Computation close to Criticality"
by Michael Wibral Sept. 26, 2014

Sept. 26, 2014

Dear colleagues, please find below an invitation to a joint workshop by LOEWE-NeFF and the Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies (FIAS). Best Regards, Michael Wibral Matthias Kaschube ----------------------- LOEWE-NeFF and the Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies (FIAS) jointly invite you to a “Workshop on Neural Information Dynamics, Causality and Computation near Criticality” December 12-13th, 2014 The workshop is preceded by a “Software course on Neural Information Dynamics with TRENTOOL, the Java Information Dynamics Toolkit and MuTE” December 10-11th, 2014 Venue: Workshop and student course will be held at the Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies (FIAS, www.fias.uni-frankfurt.de) Ruth-Moufang-Straße 1, 60438 Frankfurt, Germany The workshop addresses the analysis of neural computation in large neural systems and covers three tightly related topics in the field of modern analysis of neural data: Causality The analysis of causal interactions yields important insights into the biophysical substrate of neural dynamics that enable emergent computation. It is one of the goals of the workshop to discuss the link between causal analysis and the analyses of information processing proper, in order to clarify the dividing line and the mutual benefit of these two types of analyses. Neural information dynamics Information theoretic quantities separate and measure key elements of distributed computation in neural systems, such as the storage, transfer, and modification of information. These concepts can help to better understand the computational algorithms implemented by the dynamics of a neural system, providing the link between these algorithms and their biophysical implementation. Large scale organisation and criticality Neural systems orchestrate the activity of a large number of interacting neurons to achieve their computational capabilities. Recent advances in recording technology make it possible to reveal the activity patterns of hundreds of neurons distributed across the brain. This offers the unique opportunity to identify the large-scale organising principles of neural activity, such as operation near a critical point, that support computation in the system. Confirmed speakers: Adam Barrett Demian Battaglia Sakyasingha Dasgupta Luca Faes Esther Florin Moritz Grosse-Wentrup Andreea Lazar Anna Levina Daniele Marinazzo Oliver Obst Gordon Pipa Alberto Porta Viola Priesemann Karin Schiecke Raul Vicente The supporting software course addresses young scientists who intend to apply information theoretic measures for neuroscience hands on, and that would like to contribute code to one of the open source toolboxes on the topic. Some minimal experience with MATLAB or GNU-Octave is necessary for participation. Some prior knowledge in information theory is a plus. Applications for the student course should include a brief statement of motivation. Student course faculty: Alessandro Montalto (MuTE) Michael Wibral (TRENTOOL, Java Information Dynamics Toolkit) Patricia Wollstadt (TRENTOOL) ---------------------------------------------------------- Please apply/register by email before October 24th to wibral(a)em.uni-frankfurt.de as places for course and workshop are limited. Registration fees Student course: 50,00 EUR Workshop: 75,00 EUR Course+Workshop: 100,00 EUR Upon successful registration please wire the registration fees to: Account holder: Universitätsklinikum Account: 37 99 99, BLZ: 50050201 IBAN: DE 32 500 502 01 0000 37 9999 SWIFT-Code: HELADEF 1822 Reference: 21000521

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ICCM 2015
by ICCM 2015 Sept. 26, 2014

Sept. 26, 2014

############################# Call for papers ICCM 2015 April 9 - 11, 2015 Tutorials: April 8, 2015 Groningen, The Netherlands ############################# We would like to invite you to the 13th International Conference on Cognitive Modeling: the premier conference for research on computational models and computation-based theories of human cognition. ICCM is a forum for presenting and discussing the complete spectrum of cognitive modeling approaches, including connectionism, symbolic modeling, dynamical systems, Bayesian modeling, and cognitive architectures. Research topics can range from low-level perception to high-level reasoning. In 2015 we specifically welcome contributions that use computational models to better understand neuroscientific data. We are pleased to announce three world-class invited speakers: Pieter Roelfsema (Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience), Mark Steyvers (University of California, Irvine), and John Anderson (Carnegie Mellon University). All types of submissions (full papers, poster abstracts, symposia, and pre-conference tutorials) are due on December 8, 2014, 11.59pm CEST. More information can be found on our website: http://www.iccm2015.org We hope to see you in Groningen! Niels Taatgen Marieke van Vugt Jelmer Borst Katja Mehlhorn #############################

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Invitation - 4th International Conference " Aspects of Neuroscience" Warsaw, Poland, November 14th to 16th 2014
by Daniel Borek Sept. 25, 2014

Sept. 25, 2014

Dear Friend, On behalf of the Board of the Student Neurobiology Society operating at the Faculty of Biology of the University of Warsaw (Poland) we would like to invite you to *the 4**th** International Conference " Aspects of Neuroscience"* that will be held in Warsaw, Poland, *from November 14**th** to 16**th** 2014* at the Faculty of Biology of the University of Warsaw. As in the following years, this time the Conference also consists of poster and report symposia*. *November symposia will be devoted to*: Neurobiology, Cognitive Neuroscience, Clinical Neuroscience, Neuroinformatics and Neuroscience Borderlines*. Each of the thematic symposium will be preceded by a lecture delivered by one of the guests, a specialist of a given domain. The IV edition of Aspects of Neuroscience Conference will be opened by *prof. Krzysztof Palczewski *from Department of Pharmacology (Case Western Reserve University, Ohio, USA) with the lecture entitled "Chemistry of vision and inherited retinal disease". The closing lecture will be delivered by *prof. Wiesław Nowiński* from the Agency for Science, Technology and Research <http://pl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agency_for_Science,_Technology_and_Research> who is a *creator of 3D human brain atlase.* Among our special guests are *dr Bruce Graham* from University of Stirling in Scotland (Neuroinformatics session), *prof. Leszek Kaczmarek* from Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences (Neurobiology session), *dr Valeria Gazzolla* from the Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience in Amsterdam, assistant professor at the University of Groningen in Netherlands (Cognitive neuroscience session) and *prof. Semir Zeki – *the Head of the Wellcome Laboratory of Neurobiology (Vislab) at the University of College London (Borderlines of neuroscience session). The student lectures will take place simultaneously in two rooms, in *basic* version *and* in *extended version*. Language of conference is *English*. The event is intended for students, doctoral students and research workers related to neuroscience, but also for people who do not have any experience in this field of knowledge. *Registration for the conference is already open! * http://www.neuronauka.org/eng/?page_id=69 More information about conference and the whole Project: www.neuronauka.org/eng. Find us on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AspectsOfNeuroscience?fref=ts Yours sincerely, Student Neurobiology Society at the University of Warsaw Organizing Committee of the International Conference of Students and Young Scientists "The Aspects of Neuroscience"

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POSTDOCTORAL POSITIONS IN COMPUTATIONAL NEUROSCIENCE AT BROWN UNIVERSITY
by Wilson Truccolo Sept. 24, 2014

Sept. 24, 2014

POSTDOCTORAL POSITIONS IN COMPUTATIONAL NEUROSCIENCE AT BROWN UNIVERSITY: Applications for NIH-funded post-doctoral positions are invited for the Laboratory of Dr. Wilson Truccolo in the Department of Neuroscience at Brown University, Providence, RI, USA. The positions are for the development of data-driven stochastic and biophysical models of multiscale neural dynamics in human epilepsy. Data consist of simultaneous intracortical microelectrode array recordings of ensembles of single neurons and local field potentials, as well as ECoGs, during seizure and non-seizure states in individuals with intractable epilepsy. The project involves a collaboration between the labs of Dr. Truccolo and Dr. Sydney Cash (Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston). The ideal candidate will have a strong background in computational/theoretical neuroscience and modeling of stochastic neural dynamics. Related recent publications can be found on the Truccolo lab website ( http://www.truccololab.com/ <http://dl.dropbox.com/u/983891/Truccolo_home.htm>). Inquiries should be addressed to Dr. Truccolo (wilson_truccolo(a)brown.edu) Applications including a CV, statement of research interests, and the names and full contact details of three referees should be sent to wilson_truccolo(a)brown.edu. -- Wilson Truccolo, Ph.D. Pablo J. Salame '88 Goldman Sachs Assistant Professor of Computational Neuroscience Institute for Brain Science & Department of Neuroscience, Brown University Lab website: http://www.truccololab.com/

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PhD position in systems neuroscience at the Queensland Brain Institute (Australia).
by Allen Cheung Sept. 23, 2014

Sept. 23, 2014

Dear Colleagues, We are seeking a suitable PhD candidate to investigate the computational underpinnings of spatial representations in the rodent hippocampus. The candidate will use in vivo electrophysiology and new wireless recording technologies to record from individual neurons in behaving rodents. The work will be carried out in state-of-the-art facilities at the Queensland Brain Institute in Brisbane, Australia. Further information about the PhD project and the Queensland Brain Institute can be found at: http://jobs.uq.edu.au/caw/en/job/496483/phd-position-in-systems-neuroscienc… Allen ________________________________________________ Dr Allen Cheung Group Leader | Computational Neuroscience | Spatial Navigation Queensland Brain Institute | The University of Queensland Email: a.cheung(a)uq.edu.au ________________________________

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Recruitment: Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour
by Peter Dayan Sept. 23, 2014

Sept. 23, 2014

Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour Under the Directorship of Professor John O’Keefe, the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre for Neural Circuits and Behaviour at UCL will commence operations in early 2015 bringing together world-leading scientists to investigate how brain circuits process information to create neural representations and guide behaviour. The Centre has been created through substantial investment from the Gatsby Charitable Foundation and the Wellcome Trust, and is being structured to foster a culture of innovation, collaboration, enquiry and excellence. The Centre will be accommodated in a new, purpose-designed, seven-storey building located in Central London and offering an outstanding and unparalleled research environment through its provision of state-of-the-art research laboratories with integral biological services capability, cutting-edge scientific equipment, technologically-advanced prototyping and fabrication laboratories, significant in-house high-performance computing facilities and extensive data storage systems to support both experimental analysis and theoretical modelling. Neuroscientists working in the Centre will use the latest advanced molecular and cellular biology, imaging, electrophysiology and behavioural techniques. The Gatsby Computational Neuroscience Unit will be located at the heart of the Centre, facilitating broad and deep collaborations in data analysis and computational modelling. The full complement of scientists in the Centre is expected to reach 150 together with around 50 dedicated support staff. Scientists joining the Centre will become part of UCL Neuroscience which brings together over 450 principal investigators located primarily within the UCL School of Life and Medical Sciences and offers extensive opportunities for interaction and collaboration. Neuroscience is a strategic priority for UCL as it positions itself to become the world’s leading neuroscience institution. The Centre will offer additional opportunities for collaboration, networking and intellectual stimulation through its visitor programme, regular seminar series and the hosting of world-class scientific conferences and workshops. Formal teaching commitments will be minimal allowing scientists to focus on their research. The Centre is recruiting high-achieving, highly-motivated collaborative scientists with backgrounds in neuroscience as well as related physical and biological sciences, at all career levels. We invite applications from outstanding, innovative scientists who can evidence the highest levels of academic excellence through substantial peer-reviewed publications and significant scientific achievement. Given the technologically- advanced research proposed for the Centre, we are particularly interested in scientists wishing to extend the boundaries of technological development in areas such as high-density electrophysiological probes, telemetry, optical recording, molecular and genetic tools, new anatomical mapping techniques, and the use of virtual reality and other novel behavioural approaches such as video image analysis. Recruitment will take place on a continuing ad hoc basis and at dedicated residential recruitment workshops. The first recruitment workshop has been scheduled for 3-4 November 2014 with a focus on Fellowship applications. Senior scientist interviews will be scheduled from November onwards. Competitive salaries, tailored research space and generous relocation and recruitment packages, including research support, will be offered. For further details about vacancies and how to apply online, please visit: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/swc/opportunities

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Tenure-track faculty position in computational cognitive neuroscience at Dartmouth
by James V. Haxby Sept. 23, 2014

Sept. 23, 2014

********** Assistant Professor, Computational Cognitive Neuroscience: The Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Dartmouth College expects to make a tenure-track appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor (entry-level or advanced) in Computational Cognitive Neuroscience effective July 1, 2015. We seek an individual who is able to provide high-quality teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels and who has exhibited excellence in independent research. We are interested in applicants who investigate how information is encoded in neural activity and who develop and use methods for decoding information from population responses and neural circuits. Our department has particular strength in Cognitive Neuroscience, Social Neuroscience, and Behavioral/Systems Neuroscience. We are particularly interested in applicants whose work focuses on high-level cognitive functions, such as, but not limited to, high-level vision and audition, attention, working memory, social cognition, and decision making. The department is housed in a state-of-the-art research and teaching facility that includes a dedicated 3T MRI scanner for brain imaging research and animal research facilities. Dartmouth also is home to the Neukom Institute for Computational Science, the Geisel School of Medicine, and the Thayer School of Engineering, which provide further opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaborations. With an even distribution of male and female students and over a third of the undergraduate student population from minority groups, Dartmouth is committed to diversity and encourages applications from women, minorities, veterans, and people with disabilities. Please submit an application including curriculum vita, a statement of research interests, pdf files of representative journal reprints or manuscripts, and contact information for three references. Applications should be submitted via http://apply.interfolio.com/25762. Questions can be addressed to James Haxby, Chair, Computational Cognitive Neuroscience Search Committee, by email (preferred; james.v.haxby(a)dartmouth.edu<mailto:james.v.haxby@dartmouth.edu>) or regular mail (Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, 6207 Moore Hall, Hanover, NH 03755). Review of applications will begin in November and continue until the position is filled. ----------------------- James Haxby Director, Center for Cognitive Neuroscience Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences 6207 Moore Hall Dartmouth College Hanover, NH 03755 Professor Center for Mind/Brain Sciences - CIMeC University of Trento, Italy email: james.v.haxby(a)dartmouth.edu<mailto:james.v.haxby@dartmouth.edu>

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CFP: Special Issue on "Information Theoretic Incentives for Cognitive Systems"
by Keyan Ghazi-Zahedi Sept. 23, 2014

Sept. 23, 2014

Dear Colleagues, we would like to draw your attention to the forthcoming special issue on "Information Theoretic Incentives for Cognitive Systems <http://www.mdpi.com/journal/entropy/special_issues/information-theoretic>" in the open access journal Entropy and invite you to contribute -- deadline February 28th, 2015. In recent years, ideas such as "life is information processing" or "information holds the key to understanding life" have become more common. However, how can information, or more formally Information Theory, increase our understanding of life, or life-like systems? Information Theory not only has a profound mathematical basis, but also typically provides an intuitive understanding of processes, such as learning, behavior and evolution terms of information processing. In this special issue, we are interested in both: a.) the information-theoretic formalization and quantification of different aspects of life, such as driving forces of learning and behavior generation, information flows between neurons, swarm members and social agents, and information theoretic aspects of evolution and adaptation and b.) the simulation and creation of life-like systems with previously identified principles and incentives. Topics with relation to artificial and natural systems: information theoretic intrinsic motivations information theoretic quantification of behavior information theoretic guidance of artificial evolution information theoretic guidance of self-organization information theoretic driving forces behind learning information theoretic driving forces behind behavior information theory in swarms information theory in social behavior information theory in evolution information theory in the brain information theory in system-environment distinction information theory in the perception action loop information theoretic definitions of life Christoph Salge Georg Martius Keyan Ghazi-Zahedi Daniel Polani - Guest Editors - Further Information: http://www.mdpi.com/journal/entropy/special_issues/information-theoretic With best wishes, Keyan Ghazi-Zahedi -- Keyan Ghazi-Zahedi, Dr. rer. nat. Information Theory of Cognitive Systems Max Planck Institute for Mathematics in the Sciences phone: (+49) 341 9959 545, fax: (+49) 341 9959 555, office A11

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job openings at Tufts university
by sepideh sadeghi Sept. 22, 2014

Sept. 22, 2014

There are two tenure-stream faculty openings (research area: ML) at Tufts, department of Computer Science for Sep 15. There is also another opening for an interdisciplinary professorship (Computer Science, Psychology, Philosophy), intended to bridge research and education across departments and schools. More information can be found at http://www.cs.tufts.edu/Jobs/employment-opportunities.html. *Full Time Faculty* *Faculty Positions in Computer Science* The Department of Computer Science in the School of Engineering at Tufts University invites applications for two tenure-stream faculty appointments to begin in September 2015. We are looking for engaged and engaging researchers with a strong vision who can build and maintain a high-quality funded research program at Tufts. We are seeking candidates at the rank of Associate Professor or full Professor, although exceptional candidates at the rank of Assistant Professor will also be considered. We are particularly interested in researchers in the areas of machine learning and data mining broadly interpreted to include related fields where data and its analysis are central. These include, for example, adaptive systems in robotics, computational linguistics, computational sustainability, and visual analytics, as well as research involving interdisciplinary collaborations and applications in science, engineering and the humanities. Senior-level applicants should have an internationally renowned research program and a strong track record of outside funding. Junior-level applicants must hold a PhD in Computer Science or closely related field at time of appointment, and are expected to develop a high-quality funded research program. At all levels, candidates must have a strong commitment to undergraduate and graduate teaching and mentoring. The Department of Computer Science has grown tremendously in the past decade in faculty and student size and in research expenditures. Located in the Boston area, the department benefits from outstanding undergraduate and graduate students, collaborative faculty, and cross-disciplinary research opportunities. Tufts University is one of the smallest universities ranked as a Research 1 university, and it offers the best of a liberal arts college atmosphere, coupled with the intellectual and technological resources of a major research university. Tufts University supports and encourages a culture of interdisciplinary research and there are numerous such opportunities within the School of Engineering, the School of Arts and Sciences, and through graduate and professional schools. Tufts' School of Engineering distinguishes itself by the interdisciplinary focus and integrative nature of its engineering education within the intellectually rich environment of a research university. Located only six miles from historic downtown Boston, faculty members on the Tufts Medford/Somerville campus have extensive opportunities for academic and industrial collaboration as well as participation in the rich intellectual life of the area. The School of Engineering is in the midst of a period of exciting growth that has seen recruitment of outstanding new faculty, a quadrupling of funded research over the last ten years, addition of new laboratory space, an emphasis on building diversity in engineering, and major curricular initiatives at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. We request that applications include the following materials: (a) a curriculum vitae, (b) a statement describing current and planned research, (c) a statement of teaching philosophy, (d) names and affiliations of three to five potential references, and (e) a sample of scholarly work. All these should be submitted online through Academic Jobs Online <https://academicjobsonline.org/ajo/jobs/4533> (AJO). Reference letters will be solicited only with the candidate's explicit approval. Applicants have the option of providing such approval and asking for their letters to be submitted through AJO. Review of applications will begin December 8, 2014 and will continue until the positions are filled. For more information about the department, the positions, and the application procedure please visit http://www.cs.tufts.edu/. Inquiries should be emailed to cssearch(a)cs.tufts.edu . Tufts University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer. We are committed to increasing the diversity of our faculty. Members of underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply. *Senior Faculty Position in Computer Science, Philosophy, and Psychology* The Departments of Computer Science <http://www.cs.tufts.edu/>, Philosophy <http://ase.tufts.edu/philosophy/>, and Psychology <http://ase.tufts.edu/psychology/> at Tufts University will make an appointment at the level of Associate or Full Professor as part of the Cognitive Science Ph.D. Program <http://cogsci.tufts.edu/>. This interdisciplinary professorship is the first of its kind at Tufts, intended to bridge research and education across departments and schools. We are looking for applications from well-established scholars who could contribute to the ongoing research and teaching mission of the Cognitive Science Ph.D. Program, while expanding the intellectual output and visibility of at least two participating departments. Teaching and service obligations will be shared between the host departments most fitting to the successful candidate. The successful candidate will have achieved international stature in a subfield in cognitive science, and would ideally have an established track record of obtaining external funding and advising Ph.D. students. Any research area in cognitive science that combines some aspects of computer science, philosophy, linguistics, and psychology will be considered, for instance, cognitive or agent-based modeling and simulation, computational pragmatics, and situated embodied cognition. Applications should include a curriculum vitae, a statement describing current and planned research, a statement of teaching philosophy, a writing sample, the names and affiliations of three to five potential references, and an e-mail address and phone number at which the candidate may be reached. Evidence of teaching experience and expertise is also welcome. All application materials should be submitted online throughInterfolio <http://apply.interfolio.com/24625>. Letters of recommendation will be solicited only with the candidate's explicit approval. Review of applications will begin in Spring 2014 and will continue until the position is filled. The Cognitive Science Ph.D. Program at Tufts was started in 2011 and currently enrolls over 20 students for joint degrees in cognitive science and one of the following Ph.D. granting departments: Child Development <http://ase.tufts.edu/epcd/>, Computer Science, or Psychology. The undergraduate major inCognitive and Brain Sciences <http://ase.tufts.edu/psychology/undergradConcCognitive.htm> was started in 2008; currently there are 62 majors. This bridge professorship is intended to enhance interdisciplinary research and collaboration in cognitive science at Tufts; the successful candidate will have the opportunity to engage research activity broadly at Tufts and to shape the future of both the graduate and the undergraduate programs. For more information about the programs, please visit the Cognitive Science <http://cogsci.tufts.edu/> departmental page. Inquiries about the position should be emailed to cogsci-search(a)tufts.edu . Tufts University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer. We are committed to increasing the diversity of our faculty. Members of under-represented groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

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Research Associate in Neuroscience, University of Leicester
by Atkinson, Sue Sept. 22, 2014

Sept. 22, 2014

Dear Colleagues, We are recruiting for a Research Associate here at the Centre for Systems Neuroscience, University of Leicester. This position is supported by the Human Frontier Science Program and aims to investigate how the brain creates conceptual knowledge, bridging systems, cognitive and theoretical neuroscience. You will join an international research team, working alongside colleagues from Rockefeller University (Winrich Freiwald), The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (Haim Sompolinsky) and the International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA, Trieste; Mathew Diamond and Davide Zoccolan) studying cross-species (rats, monkeys and humans) comparisons of experimental data, complimented by computational modelling. You will work on the analysis and collection of multiple single neuron recordings in epileptic patients (which are implanted with intracranial electrodes for clinical reasons) performing different cognitive tasks, and contribute towards the study of concept cells (a.k.a. Jennifer Aniston neurons; see e.g. Quian Quiroga et al, Nature 2005; Quian Quiroga; Nature Reviews Neuroscience 2012). You may also contribute to related projects using non-invasive scalp EEG recordings (e.g. Navajas et al, J. Neuroscience 2013) and/or electrophysiology and 2-photon imaging recordings in mice. You should have very good quantitative skills, a strong background in neuroscience and, ideally, a good experience with neurophysiology recordings. Informal enquiries are welcome and should be made to Sue Atkinson, Research Centre Manager, sam45(a)le.ac.uk or 0116 252 3249. Click on the link below (or copy and paste into your browser) here and search on the reference number SEN00514 for more information and to apply. http://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/jobs/opportunities/jobsearch Sue ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Susan Atkinson Centre Manager Centre for Systems Neuroscience, University of Leicester, 9 Salisbury Road, Leicester, LE1 7QR, UK T: +44 116 252 3249 E: sam45(a)le.ac.uk<mailto:sam45@le.ac.uk> W: http://www2.le.ac.uk/centres/csn [cid:image001.jpg@01CFD671.58BF8A30] Elite without being elitist Follow us on Twitter<https://twitter.com/uniofleicester> or visit our Facebook<http://www.facebook.com/uniofleicester> page

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on behalf of Wulfram Gerstner: New Textbook: Neuronal Dynamics - neurons, networks, cognition
by Reinoud Maex Sept. 20, 2014

Sept. 20, 2014

Dear colleagues and students, we would like to announce the publication of a new textbook Neuronal Dynamics - from single neurons to networks and models of cognition Cambridge Univ. Press 2014 by W. Gerstner, W.K. Kistler, R. Naud and L. Paninski This text covers classical topics of computational neuroscience (Hodgkin-Huxley model, Integrate-and-fire model, Hopfield model, Competitive networks) together with modern developments in the field (Generalized Linear Models, Generalized Integrate-and-Fire models, Network dynamics, Neural fields, Decision Theory, STDP). For students: Worked-out examples and exercises are available for each chapter - plus a series of video lectures For lecturers: Teaching material in pdf or pptx format more info on: http://neuronaldynamics.epfl.ch/ We hope you will enjoy reading! best regards Wulfram Gerstner, Werner Kistler Liam Paninski, Richard Naud

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Two PhD positions in computational neuroscience at the Institute of Vision in Paris, France
by Angelo ARLEO Sept. 19, 2014

Sept. 19, 2014

Two fully-funded PhD positions in Computational Neuroscience at the Institute of Vision in Paris, France Job description Applications are invited for two PhD positions in the Aging in Vision and Action laboratory at the Institute of Vision (INSERM-CNRS-University Pierre & Marie Curie) Paris, France. The gradual impairment of vision-dependent functions with age is at the core of our research. The main goal is to characterize how healthy visual aging shapes perceptual and cognitive functions in humans. PhD project n.1 The first PhD fellow will model age-related changes of low-level processing, coding and perception in the visual system.This project will be carried out under the supervision of Tim Masquelier & Angelo Arleo (Institute of Vision, Paris, France) and Simon Thorpe (Brain & Cognition Research Center, Toulouse, France). We will design a biologically detailed spiking neural network model of the primate early visual system. The model will have to process natural images and videos, and have self-learning capabilities. We will use this model to study the impact of healthy aging on visual processing and perception. The PhD student will work hand-in-hand with experimentalists in our Aging in Vision and Action lab performing visual psychophysics with elderly humans. We expect this project to bridge the gap between observations at the neuronal level (e.g. spontaneous activity increases, spike timing precision decreases with aging), and observations at the behavioral level (e.g. perceptual thresholds increase). PhD project n.2 The second PhD student will model age-related consequences on visual-based spatial cognition. This project will be carried under the supervision of Denis Sheynikhovich & Angelo Arleo (Institute of Vision, Paris, France) and Ricardo Chavarriaga (EPFL, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne, Switzerland). We will build a spatial learning model based on spiking neural networks accounting for existing knowledge on the neural substrates of spatial memory and navigation in animals and humans. We will use this model to study the impact of healthy visual aging on neural coding and adaptation mechanisms mediating spatial orientation and navigation. The PhD student will work hand-in-hand with experimentalists in our Aging in Vision and Action lab studying spatial orientation and navigation in elderly humans. Again, this project aims at cross-linking findings at multiple organisation levels. Requirements Applicants should have a strong quantitative background (physics, engineering, computer science, applied mathematics), and a keen interest in reverse-engineering the brain. Knowledge on computational neuroscience, machine learning, image processing and programming languages (Matlab, C or Python) are a plus, although not mandatory. Proficiency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of French is not mandatory. Successful candidates are expected to work in an interdisciplinary environment with collaborations with biologists, theoreticians and clinicians. They will be awarded a 3-year PhD fellowship from the University Pierre and Marie Curie Paris. Working environment and laboratory The Institute of Vision is one of the top international centers for integrated research on vision and eye diseases. It is located at the heart of Paris, on the campus of the National Hospital Center for Ophthalmology. The Institute of Vision includes multidisciplinary research groups, which share state-of-the-art platforms for human and animal experimentation. It also harbors a clinical investigation center, which fosters truly translational research activity. More information can be found online (http://www.institut-vision.org) The Institute of Vision and Essilor International, world leader in ophthalmic optics, have recently supported the creation of the laboratory of Aging in Vision and Action. This new laboratory aims at evaluating and understanding the functional aspects of the degeneration mechanisms related to visual aging. This research has the potential to produce fundamental knowledge suited for opening to assistive technological developments and rehabilitation solutions. The faculty members of the Aging in Vision and Action laboratory, led by Angelo Arleo, are specialized in visual psychophysics, neurobiology of spatial orientation, neural coding, neurocomputational modeling, and preclinical evaluation. The group has access to a wide range of state-of-the-art platforms including eye trackers, motion capture rooms, virtual reality environments, brain imaging, artificial street labs and home labs (http://www.streetlab-vision.com/en/) How to apply Candidates should send a single pdf file containing a motivation letter, a full CV, and names and contact information of at least two referees, to angelo.arleo(a)inserm.fr. Short listed candidates will be contacted for an interview (either face-to-face or via videoconference). For further inquiries, please contact Angelo Arleo, angelo.arleo(a)inserm.fr, phone: +33 (0)1 53 46 26 52. Angelo ARLEO Institute of Vision, Aging in Vision and Action Lab, CNRS - INSERM - University Pierre&Marie Curie, 17, rue Moreau F-75012 Paris, France Phone: +33 (0)1 53 46 26 52 Mobile: +33 (0)6 89 89 07 23 email: angelo.arleo(a)inserm.fr; angelo.arleo(a)upmc.fr

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Educational video available
by Geoffrey Goodhill Sept. 19, 2014

Sept. 19, 2014

Dear Computational Neuroscientists, Although it didn't win anything from the Society for Neuroscience, you might be interested in this entry for SFN's Brain Awareness Video contest, entitled "What has Maths got to do with the Brain?". It's a stop motion animation of dolls (representing high school students) discussing what subjects they should study next year: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bEU1J-CN-U This was a collaboration between myself (scriptwriter) and my daughter (everything else, plus some script editing). Geoff Professor Geoffrey J Goodhill Queensland Brain Institute and School of Mathematics & Physics University of Queensland St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia Phone: +61 7 3346 6431 Fax: +61 7 3346 6301 Email: g.goodhill(a)uq.edu.au<mailto:g.goodhill@uq.edu.au> http://www.qbi.uq.edu.au/professor-geoffrey-goodhill

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New tools for integrating biomarkers in NBT.
by Simon-Shlomo Poil Sept. 18, 2014

Sept. 18, 2014

Dear comp-neuro List. We are happy to announce that a new version of the Neurophysiological Biomarker Toolbox (NBT-v0.5.0-alpha) is available. This version includes new tools for integrating multiple biomarkers. Please see more details here: http://l.nbtwiki.net/1uI628a The NBT toolbox (http://www.nbtwiki.net) is an open-source Matlab toolbox, which integrates easily with other toolboxes such as EEGlab and Fieldtrip. NBT provides a data processing pipeline, from raw data to final statistical analysis and visualization of M/EEG biomarkers combined with biomarkers from other modalities. The pipeline enables fast processing and the NBT data structure provides an intuitive and predictable interface for programming of advanced statistical analysis. Best regards, Simon-Shlomo Poil

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COSYNE2015: Meeting Announcement and Call for Abstracts
by Tomas Hromadka Sept. 18, 2014

Sept. 18, 2014

================================================================== Computational and Systems Neuroscience (Cosyne) MAIN MEETING WORKSHOPS Mar 5 - Mar 8, 2015 Mar 9 - Mar 10, 2015 Salt Lake City, Utah Snowbird Ski Resort, Utah http://www.cosyne.org ================================================================== The annual Cosyne meeting provides an inclusive forum for the exchange of empirical and theoretical approaches to problems in systems neuroscience, in order to understand how neural systems function. The MAIN MEETING is single-track. A set of invited talks are selected by the Executive Committee, and additional talks and posters are selected by the Program Committee, based on submitted abstracts. The WORKSHOPS feature in-depth discussion of current topics of interest, in a small group setting. Cosyne topics include but are not limited to: neural coding, natural scene statistics, dendritic computation, neural basis of persistent activity, nonlinear receptive field mapping, representations of time and sequence, reward systems, decision-making, synaptic plasticity, map formation and plasticity, population coding, attention, and computation with spiking networks. This year we would like to foster increased participation from experimental groups as well as computational ones. Please circulate widely and encourage your students and postdocs to apply. Please note that the main Cosyne 2015 meeting will take place in a different venue (Hilton Salt Lake City Center) one week later than usual, see www.cosyne.org for details. IMPORTANT DATES: Abstract submission opens: 29 Sep 2014 Abstract submission deadline: 26 Nov 2014 CONFIRMED SPEAKERS: Amy Bastian (Johns Hopkins) Matteo Carandini (UCL) Sophie Deneve (ENS) Florian Engert (Harvard) Marla Feller (UC Berkeley) Wulfram Gerstner (EPFL) Shawn Lockery (U Oregon) Liam Paninski (Columbia) Nicole Rust (U Penn) Tatyana Sharpee (Salk) Mariano Sigman (UBA) Emo Todorov (U Washington) When preparing an abstract, authors should be aware that not all abstracts can be accepted for the meeting, due to space constraints. Abstracts will be selected based on the clarity with which they convey the substance, significance, and originality of the work to be presented. ORGANIZING COMMITTEE: General Chairs: Michael Long (NYU) and Stephanie Palmer (U Chicago) Program Chairs: Maria Geffen (U Penn) and Konrad Körding (Northwestern) Workshop Chairs: Robert Froemke (NYU) and Claudia Clopath (Imperial College) Publicity Chair: Xaq Pitkow (Rice) EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Anne Churchland (CSHL) Zachary Mainen (Champalimaud) Alexandre Pouget (U Geneva) Anthony Zador (CSHL) CONTACT cosyne.meeting [at] gmail.com

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Postdoc opportunity at Stanford in Reward Processing and Reinforcement Learning
by Wei Wu Sept. 17, 2014

Sept. 17, 2014

Postdoc opportunity at Stanford in Reward Processing and Reinforcement Learning (with application to TMS investigations and Transdiagnostic Imaging of Psychiatric Disorders) The Laboratory of Amit Etkin, MD PhD at Stanford University is currently accepting applications for a postdoctoral research fellowship focused on reward processing and reinforcement learning using computational modeling and fMRI in healthy individuals and patients with a range of psychiatric disorders. The focus of this position is on understanding application of these methods to the study of emotional disorders, manipulation of relevant circuitry using TMS, and development of new approaches for understanding the mechanisms of emotion regulation in health and disease. The successful applicant will have a PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience, Neurophysiology, Psychology, Computer Science, Statistics or related fields. Experience with reward or reinforcement learning paradigms using fMRI or EEG, as well as computational modeling is strongly encouraged. Additional programming experience is a plus. A US Citizenship is also required. Duties will also include manuscript preparation, presentation of findings at conferences, management of research assistants and contribution to the preparation of grants. Laboratory and Stanford resources include research-dedicated 3T and 7T MRI scanners, concurrent TMS/fMRI setups and concurrent TMS/EEG setups. Salary commensurate with experience. More information about our ongoing studies can be found at: http://etkinlab.stanford.edu. To apply, please send a curriculum vitae, a statement describing research interests and relevant background and three letters of recommendations, as well as relevant reprints/preprints of research articles to: Amit Etkin, MD, PhD Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Stanford University amitetkin(a)stanford.edu

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Postdoctoral fellow in multimodal neuroimaging of decision making
by Marios Philiastides Sept. 17, 2014

Sept. 17, 2014

We are looking to appoint one postdoctoral fellow to make a leading contribution to an ESRC funded project on the neurobiology of human decision making using multimodal neuroimaging. The post will be based at the Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology (INP) at the University of Glasgow (ranked 2nd in the UK by the Guardian), which benefits from on-site access to the Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging (CCNi). The CCNi is a research-dedicated facility within the INP and it is equipped with state-of-the art brain imaging facilities comprising a 3T fMRI scanner (Siemens Trio), an MEG system, and several TMS and EEG systems, including MR-compatible recording options. Our group uses multimodal neuroimaging coupled with mathematical modelling to characterise the spatiotemporal dynamics and the computational principles of the brain networks underlying human decision making. Our analysis methods are heavily inspired by machine learning and statistical pattern recognition and are designed to exploit trial-to-trial variability in electrophysiologically-derived measures that can be used in conjunction with simultaneously acquired fMRI to tease apart the cascade of constituent cortical and subcortical processes involved in decision making. The primary focus of the project will be to unravel the neural correlates of learning and confidence during decision making, which will form the basis for further development of brain computer interfaces (BCI) for human-machine interaction. The latter will take place in close collaboration with Prof. Paul Sajda’s team at Columbia University in New York with whom the selected candidate will have the opportunity to interact regularly. Candidates must have a PhD (or equivalent) in neuroscience, psychology, cognitive science or in a related discipline. Candidates must have previous practical experience and working knowledge of human neuroimaging (including both EEG and fMRI) as evident by a strong track record of publications in international journals. The post holder must also have working knowledge of multivariate data analysis techniques, excellent programming skills in Matlab and previous experience in using either fSL or SPM analysis software. Previous experience in simultaneous EEG/fMRI experiments and computational modelling is desirable. This post will be available from 5th January 2015 or as soon as possible thereafter for three years. Salary: Grade 7 £33,242 – £37,394 per annum. Informal enquiries may be addressed to Dr. Marios Philiastides at marios.philiastides(a)glasgow.ac.uk. Please note that applications sent directly to this email address will not be accepted. For more details on our research interests visit http://decision.ccni.gla.ac.uk. Apply online at www.glasgow.ac.uk/jobs (Ref: 009415) Closing date: 19 October 2014 -- Marios G. Philiastides, Ph.D. Associate Professor Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology Centre for Cognitive Neuroimaging University of Glasgow Glasgow, G12 8QB Web: http://decision.ccni.gla.ac.uk/ Email: marios.philiastides(a)glasgow.ac.uk

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CFP 5th International Conference on Cloud Computing and Services Science - CLOSER 2015
by calendarsites＠insticc.org Sept. 17, 2014

Sept. 17, 2014

CALL FOR PAPERS 5th International Conference on Cloud Computing and Services Science - CLOSER 2015 Website: www.closer.scitevents.org May 20 22, 2015 Lisbon, Portugal Regular Papers Paper Submission: December 16, 2014 Authors Notification: March 11, 2015 Camera Ready and Registration: March 25, 2015 Position Papers Paper Submission: February 3, 2015 Authors Notification: March 12, 2015 Camera Ready and Registration: March 25, 2015 Workshops Workshop Proposal: January 8, 2015 Doctoral Consortium Paper Submission: March 13, 2015 Authors Notification: March 26, 2015 Camera Ready and Registration: April 8, 2015 Special Sessions Special Session Proposal: January 21, 2015 Tutorials, Demos and Panel Proposals March 20, 2015 Sponsored by: INSTICC Institute for Systems and Technologies of Information, Control and Communication INSTICC is Member of: WfMC Workflow Management Coalition OMG Object Management Group Logistics Partner: SCITEVENTS Science and Technology Events The 5th International Conference on Cloud Computing and Services Science, CLOSER 2015, focuses on the emerging area of Cloud Computing, inspired by some latest advances that concern the infrastructure, operations, and available services through the global network. Further, the conference considers as essential the link to Services Science, acknowledging the service-orientation in most current IT-driven collaborations. The conference is nevertheless not about the union of these two (already broad) fields, but about Cloud Computing where we are also interested in how Services Science can provide theory, methods and techniques to design, analyze, manage, market and study various aspects of Cloud Computing. KEYNOTE SPEAKERS CLOSER 2015 will have several invited keynote speakers, who are internationally recognized experts in their areas. Their names are not yet confirmed. PUBLICATIONS All accepted papers will be published in the conference proceedings, under an ISBN reference, on paper and on CD-ROM support. SCITEPRESS is a member of CrossRef (http://www.crossref.org/) and every paper is given a DOI (Digital Object Identifier). All papers presented at the conference venue will be available at the SCITEPRESS Digital Library. It is planned to publish a short list of revised and extended versions of presented papers with Springer in a CCIS Series book (final approval pending). The proceedings will be submitted for indexation by Thomson Reuters Conference Proceedings Citation Index (ISI), INSPEC, DBLP, EI (Elsevier Index) and Scopus. AWARDS The awards will be announced and bestowed at the conference closing session. Please check the website for further information: closer.scitevents.org/BestPaperAward.aspx CONFERENCE CHAIR Markus Helfert, Dublin City University, Ireland PROGRAM CO-CHAIRS Víctor Méndez Muñoz, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, UAB, Spain Donald Ferguson, Dell, United States CONFERENCE AREAS: Each of these topic areas is expanded below but the sub-topics list is not exhaustive. Papers may address one or more of the listed sub-topics, although authors should not feel limited by them. Unlisted but related sub-topics are also acceptable, provided they fit in one of the following main topic areas: 1. CLOUD COMPUTING FUNDAMENTALS 2. SERVICES SCIENCE FOUNDATION FOR CLOUD COMPUTING 3. CLOUD COMPUTING PLATFORMS AND APPLICATIONS 4. CLOUD COMPUTING ENABLING TECHNOLOGY 5. MOBILE CLOUD COMPUTING AND SERVICES AREA 1: CLOUD COMPUTING FUNDAMENTALS · Cloud Application Portability · Cloud Computing Architecture · Cloud Delivery Models · Cloud Deployment Models: Public/Private/Hybrid Cloud · Cloud Education · Cloud Interoperability · Cloud Risk, Challenges, and Governance · Cloud Scenarios · Cloud Standards · QoS for applications on clouds · Energy Management · Resource Management · Privacy, Security and Trust AREA 2: SERVICES SCIENCE FOUNDATION FOR CLOUD COMPUTING · Business Process Management and Web Services · Business Services Realized by IT Services · Cloud Brokering · Cloud Cost Analysis · Cloud Governance · Enterprise Architectures and Services · Federated Cloud · Human Beings in Service Systems · Industrial Applications of Services Science · Information and Service Economy · Internet of Services · Model-Driven Web Service Engineering · Semantic Web Technologies · Service Brokering · Service Composition and Mashups · Service Discovery · Service Innovation · Service Marketing and Management · Service Modeling and Specification · Service Monitoring and Control · Service Strategy · Service-Oriented Architecture · Services Security and Reliability · Web Services AREA 3: CLOUD COMPUTING PLATFORMS AND APPLICATIONS · Access Control · Application Data Migration · Big Data Cloud Services · Cloud Application Architectures · Cloud Application Scalability and Availability · Cloud Applications Performance and Monitoring · Cloud Economics · Cloud Middleware Frameworks · Cloudsourcing · Development Methods for Cloud Applications · XaaS · Cloud Services AREA 4: CLOUD COMPUTING ENABLING TECHNOLOGY · API Management · Cloud Abstraction of Composite IT Systems · Cloud Composition, Federation, Bridging, and Bursting · Cloud Ilities (Scalability, Availability,Reliability) · Cloud Optimization and Automation · Cloud Resource Virtualization and Composition · Virtual Infrastructure Management · VM Live Migration · Cloud Workload Profiling and Deployment Control · Distributed Management of Clouds · High Performance Cloud Computing · Metering, pricing, and software licensing · Monitoring of Services, Quality of Service, Service Level Agreements · Performance Development and Management · Programming Models, Systems, and Fault-Tolerant Computing · Security, Privacy, and Compliance Management · Troubleshooting and Best Practices · Virtualization Technologies AREA 5: MOBILE CLOUD COMPUTING AND SERVICES · Cloud-based mobile media systems and social networks · Engineering Mobile Clouds and Mobile-Based Systems · Location-based mobile cloud applications and services · Mobile cloud computing models, infrastructures, and approaches · Mobile Clouds for E-Commerce Services · Mobile multimedia content delivery, transferring, and migration · Mobile Reliability, Availability, Scalability and Performance · Pervasive Environments · Quality of service on mobile clouds and applications · Security Issues in Mobile Systems Software and Hardware · Smart mobile computing SaaS on clouds PROGRAM COMMITTEE http://closer.scitevents.org/ProgramCommittee.aspx Please check further details at the conference website closer.scitevents.org --- This email is free from viruses and malware because avast! Antivirus protection is active. http://www.avast.com

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MURI Winter School Jan. 2015 **Abstract submission deadline NOV. 7, 2014**
by Santamaria, Cookie Sept. 16, 2014

Sept. 16, 2014

UCSD and the University of Chicago present: MURI WINTER SCHOOL 2015<http://biocircuits.ucsd.edu/special/winterschool2015> Dynamics of Multifunction Brain Networks Organizers: Henry Abarbanel (UCSD), Timothy Gentner (UCSD), and Daniel Margoliash (Univ. of Chicago) 15th Floor, Building 1, Village West<http://maps.ucsd.edu/mapping/viewer/default.htm?mkey=1&lc=open&km=open&rc=c…>, UC San Diego January 7-9, 2015 Registration deadline: Friday, December 5, 2014 Abstract submission deadline: Friday, November 7, 2014 Lecturers: Tim Gardner<http://www.bu.edu/biology/people/faculty/gardner/> (Boston University) – “TBA” Michael Long<http://longlab.med.nyu.edu/> (New York University) – “How does the brain generate behavioral sequences?” Gabriel Mindlin<http://www.lsd.df.uba.ar/> (University of Buenos Aires) – “The biomechanics of birdsong production” and “Low dimensional dynamics systems behind birdsong production” Richard Mooney<http://www.mooneylab.com/> (Duke University) – “Neurobiology of vocal learning” and “Forward mechanisms for hearing and learning” Marc Schmidt<http://www.bio.upenn.edu/people/marc-schmidt> (University of Pennsylvania) – “Brainstem and forebrain contributions to the generation of learned motor” Ofer Tchernichovski<http://ofer.sci.ccny.cuny.edu/> (Hunter College) – “Vocal learning beyond imitation: from cultural evolution to brain dopamine” and “How a song is learned: mechanisms of template matching” ________________________________________________________________________________ This is the third annual Winter School sponsored by the U.S. Office of Naval Research as part of its UCSD/Chicago MURI program in Dynamics of Multifunction Brain Networks. This year’s School presents a series of pedagogical and research oriented talks on the use of birdsong as a model system where theory and experiment can meet productively. It includes a series of pedagogical presentations and a poster session. The School is intended for all researchers, including advanced graduate students, interested in the general area of understanding functional nervous systems. Active participation during the School's lectures is strongly encouraged. All attendees are invited to submit abstracts for poster presentations. Selected contributed posters will be highlighted in an oral session. Registration is required for attendance, but there is no fee for attending. A limited number of travel awards are available for exceptionally qualified graduate students and postdocs, who should apply and have their supervisor send a letter of reference, via email, to muri.winter.school(a)gmail.com<mailto:muri.winter.school@gmail.com>. Please visit us online to register and for details regarding the schedule and poster abstract submission: http://biocircuits.ucsd.edu/special/winterschool2015

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Graduate student position in computational cognitive neuroscience
by Sebastien Helie Sept. 15, 2014

Sept. 15, 2014

Dear Modelers, Dr. Sebastien Helie is looking for new graduate students interested in the Mathematical and Computational Cognitive Science (MCCS) program to join the Purdue Laboratory for Computational Cognitive Neuroscience in Fall 2015. The Purdue Laboratory for Computational Cognitive Neuroscience is affiliated with the Department of Psychological Sciences at Purdue University, which is consistently ranked among the top 50 in the US. The Purdue Laboratory for Computational Cognitive Neuroscience uses different methodologies from cognitive psychology, neuroimaging, and computational modeling to study the relation between the brain and cognitive processing. The goal of the Purdue Laboratory for Computational Cognitive Neuroscience is to use empirical and computational methods to better understand categorization, automaticity, rule learning, sequence learning, skill acquisition, and intuition in decision-making. You can find more information about the Department of Psychological Sciences @ Purdue University here: http://www.purdue.edu/hhs/psy/ You can find more information about the Mathematical and Computational Cognitive Science (MCCS) program here: http://www.purdue.edu/hhs/psy/graduate/research_training_areas/mathematical… You can find more information about The Purdue Laboratory for Computational Cognitive Neuroscience program here: http://ccn.psych.purdue.edu/index.html Interested students should contact Dr. Helie at shelie(a)purdue.edu. -- ----------------------------------- Sebastien Helie, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Department of Psychological Sciences Purdue University 703 Third Street West Lafayette, IN 47907-2081 -- Office: Peirce Hall, Room 359 Phone: (765) 496-2692 E-mail: shelie(a)purdue.edu Website: http://ccn.psych.purdue.edu/ ------------------------------------

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Faculty Position in Neuroscience, NYU-Shanghai
by Echo Wang Sept. 15, 2014

Sept. 15, 2014

*FACULTY POSITION* *Neuroscience**NYU Shanghai* Shanghai New York University (NYU Shanghai) invites applications for several assistant (tenure-track), associate (tenured), and full professor (tenured) positions from candidates with research programs in systems, computational, and cognitive neuroscience. The recruited faculty will also become members of a new neuroscience research institute, with the primary goal of understanding the mechanisms by which neural circuits in the brain generate cognition and flexible behavior. Neuroscientists at NYU Shanghai will also have the opportunity to interact and collaborate with researchers in Economics, Mathematics, Data Science and Engineering. Candidates must have completed a Ph.D. or equivalent by the time of application. The successful candidates will be expected to develop an independent, extramurally-funded research program, play a key role in the growth of the new Neuroscience Institute, and to teach in NYU Shanghai. Applications should be submitted by January 1, 2014 for appointments to begin as early as July 2014. NYU Shanghai is the first Sino-US higher education joint venture to grant a degree that is accredited in the US as well as in China. A research university with liberal arts and sciences at its core, NYU Shanghai resides in one of the world's great cities, which is also a vibrant intellectual community (http://shanghai.nyu.edu/) New York University has established itself as a Global Network University, with three degree granting campuses - New York, Shanghai, and Abu Dhabi - complemented by 12 additional academic centers across five continents. NYU Shanghai faculty may spend time at NYU New York and other sites of NYU’s global network engaging in both research and teaching. NYU Shanghai faculty will also have the opportunity to be affiliated with the Center for Neural Science, the Neuroscience Institute of the NYU School of Medicine, the Department of Psychology, and/or with other suitable academic units at NYU New York. The terms of employment in NYU Shanghai are comparable to U.S. institutions in terms of research startup funds and compensation, and include housing and educational subsidies for children. Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae, a statement of research and teaching interests, electronic copies of up to three recent relevant publications, and the names and addresses of three or more individuals willing to provide letters of reference. Please visit our website at http://shanghai.nyu.edu/about/open-positions for instructions and other information on how to apply. If you have any questions, please e-mail shanghai.faculty.recruitment(a)nyu.edu . NYU-Shanghai is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.

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Faculty Position in Computational Neuroscience at the University of California, Irvine
by Jeff Krichmar Sept. 14, 2014

Sept. 14, 2014

Dear Computational Neuroscientists, The following job position may be of interest to many of you. ************************** University of California, Irvine Faculty Position in Computational Neuroscience The Department of Cognitive Sciences (www.cogsci.uci.edu) at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) invites applications for a faculty position at the Associate or Full Professor level. We are especially interested in candidates who use mathematical, computational, or robotics approaches to study the neural basis of cognition in any of these areas: (1) vision, hearing, and attention; (2) memory and decision-making; (3) learning and development; (4) language. Applicants whose research relates to human behavior are preferred. A strong record of publications and extramural funding is essential. Exceptional candidates at the Assistant Professor level will also be considered. The online application includes: A cover letter, CV, research and teaching statements, 3 recent publications, and contact information for 3-5 referees. Interested candidates can apply for the position at: https://recruit.ap.uci.edu/apply/JPF02452. To ensure full consideration, please complete the application by November 15, 2014. The University of California, Irvine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer committed to excellence through diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy. ************************** Best regards, Jeff Krichmar Department of Cognitive Sciences 2328 Social & Behavioral Sciences Gateway University of California, Irvine Irvine, CA 92697-5100 jkrichma(a)uci.edu http://www.socsci.uci.edu/~jkrichma

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postdoctoral position in Systems Neuroscience at the University of Pennsylvania
by Maria Geffen Sept. 12, 2014

Sept. 12, 2014

POSTDOCTORAL POSITION IN SYSTEMS NEUROSCIENCE University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia PA A postdoctoral position is available in the Laboratory of Auditory Coding under direction of Dr. Maria Neimark Geffen at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine to study the neural mechanisms of hearing and emotional learning in the auditory cortex of awake rodents. We invite applications from talented, energetic and enthusiastic candidates with (or expecting) a Ph.D. in life sciences. The techniques include electrophysiological recordings, imaging and optogenetics in awake behaving rodents. Experience in either electrophysiology, imaging or behavioral studies is required. Computational skills are a plus. Please visit http://www.med.upenn.edu/hearing for more information. Our laboratory is part of the Hearing Sciences Center a at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Department of Neuroscience and the Mahoney Institute of Neurological Sciences. University of Pennsylvania has a very interactive and diverse systems neuroscience community. The University of Pennsylvania is within walking distance of the downtown of Philadelphia, which provides for a vibrant cultural urban environment. Please submit your application, including a CV, a brief statement of past and future research interests, links to recent publications, and recommendation letters (a letter from Ph.D. advisor is required) to Dr. Maria Neimark Geffen at mgeffen(a)med.upenn.edu .

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Henry Rutgers Term Chair in Computer and Data Science
by Bart Krekelberg Sept. 11, 2014

Sept. 11, 2014

Rutgers University - Newark (RU-N) seeks outstanding candidates to serve as Henry Rutgers Term Chair in Computer and Data Science, with a specific focus on computational methods in machine learning, or statistical modeling of complex data sets in the sciences, engineering, business, or medical fields. Recruitment is at the associate professor level; however, exceptional candidates qualifying for the full professor rank may be considered. This recruitment is part of the Rutgers University Strategic Plan to strengthen Rutgers leadership in burgeoning fields, and part of the new transdisciplinary research Institute for Data Science, Learning, and Applications (I-DSLA). I-DSLA brings together computer scientists, cognitive scientists, philosophers, and domain experts in neuroscience, environmental science, chemistry, medicine, business, and other professions. The new hire will be poised to leverage these experts as well as a new high performance computing cluster on the RU-N campus, to advance knowledge about learning from data. Applicants should hold a Ph.D. in Computer Science, Computational Statistics, or a related field and have a record of excellent scholarship, as demonstrated by significant publications and funding. They should be open to collaborative research within the RU-N community and will be expected to help build a group of faculty in areas related to I-DSLA, maintain an active externally-funded research program, teach undergraduate and graduate courses, and mentor Ph.D. students. Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is a leading national public research university and the state's preeminent, comprehensive public institution of higher education. Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, military service or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we value diversity of background and opinion, and prohibit discrimination or harassment on the basis of any legally protected class in the areas of hiring, recruitment, promotion, transfer, demotion, training, compensation, pay, fringe benefits, layoff, termination or any other terms and conditions of employment. Applicants should apply no later than November 1st, 2014. To receive detailed instructions on how to apply, please email hrsearch(a)rutgers.edu with the subject line 'How to apply'. --- Bart Krekelberg, PhD Associate Director, Center for Molecular and Behavioral and Neuroscience Associate Director, Rutgers Brain Imaging Center Associate Professor, Rutgers University Newark, NJ 07102 USA T: 973 353 3602 W: vision.rutgers.edu E: bart(a)vision.rutgers.edu

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Postdoctoral position available in the Niv Lab at Princeton
by Yael Niv Sept. 10, 2014

Sept. 10, 2014

A postdoctoral position is available in the lab of Dr. Yael Niv in the Princeton Neuroscience Institute and the Department of Psychology at Princeton University (http://www.princeton.edu/~nivlab) for a collaborative project with the lab of Geoffrey Schoenbaum at NIDA. Research in the Niv lab focuses on computational modeling of learning and decision making at the systems level (reinforcement learning, Bayesian inference), and model-driven behavioral and functional imaging experiments of human learning and decision making. Research in the Schoenbaum lab utilizes rodent models to study learning and decision making, as well as addiction. We seek an exceptionally talented candidate who is intensely interested in understanding decision making and addiction, has proven experience in empirical investigations of learning and decision making (and corresponding task design), has expertise in computer programming and modeling, and has a keen interest in reinforcement learning and normative models of behavior. Background in studies of addiction, functional imaging and/or rodent work is an advantage. Anticipated start date is January 2015 though there is considerable flexibility. This is a one-year position with the possibility of renewal, pending satisfactory performance. Essential Qualifications: PhD in psychology, neuroscience or equivalent. Proven experience with computer programming. Preferred Qualifications: The ideal candidate will have robust experience with fMRI (event related designs and model-based analysis techniques) or with studies of rodent decision making (Pavlovian and instrumental conditioning), will be proficient in programming (Matlab or equivalent), and will have experience with computational modeling (machine learning, reinforcement learning, Bayesian models). To apply, please visit the website https://jobs.princeton.edu (requisition # 1400567) and create an online application. Applicants must submit a cover letter stating background and research interests and citations of at least two representative publications, a CV, and contact information for at least two references. Princeton University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. This position is subject to the University’s background check policy.

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Joint Neuroscience-Math tenure-track faculty position at UT Austin
by Ila Fiete Sept. 10, 2014

Sept. 10, 2014

Dear Colleagues, UT Austin is initiating a multi-faculty (cluster) search for tenure-track faculty in computational and theoretical neuroscience, to build on existing efforts here in that direction. I request that you pass on word of this search to exceptional senior postdocs who bridge math and neuroscience and are ready to start junior faculty positions. Attached below is the text of the search advertisement, and details on how to apply. Best regards, Ila --------------- The Departments of Neuroscience and Mathematics at the University of Texas at Austin are seeking a leader in the field of mathematical neuroscience or mathematics applied to neuroscience, for appointment as a tenure-track assistant professor. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to, the intersection of neuroscience with dynamical systems, partial differential equations, algebraic geometry, statistics, information theory, stochastic processes, and applied and computational topology. This search is part of a multi-faculty hiring initiative in Computational and Theoretical Neuroscience at UT Austin -- including a position in Psychology and a joint position between Neuroscience and Computer Science, with the aim of building on existing strengths in the field to create a Computational and Theoretical Neuroscience center. The successful candidate will orchestrate an outstanding program of independent research and contribute to an environment of diversity in higher education through research, teaching, and service. She or he will have joint membership in both departments and teach one course in each department. The position will include full access to the Texas Advanced Computing Center supercomputers, and the option to join various multi-disciplinary advanced computing and neuroscience centers on campus. Qualified applicants with a Ph.D. or equivalent and two or more years of post-graduate experience will be considered for appointment. Applications will be reviewed starting September 5, 2014, until the position is filled. Please submit applications through the MathJobs website: https://www.mathjobs.org/jobs/jobs/6059 <https://www.mathjobs.org/jobs>. A complete application will include: 1. Statement of research interests. 2. Curriculum vita. 3. Letters of reference from at least 3 individuals. 4. Statement of teaching philosophy and experience, with evidence of teaching excellence. UT Austin is an equal opportunity employer committed to excellence through diversity. We strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals including women and minorities. UT Austin is responsive to the needs of dual career couples and is dedicated to work-life balance through an array of family-friendly policies (http://www.utexas.edu/provost/policies/family/) For further inquires related to this search, please email Kathleen Pantalion (kpantalion(a)mail.clm.utexas.edu <mailto:kpantalion@mail.clm.utexas.edu>). -- ________________________________ Ila Fiete Associate Professor Center for Learning and Memory The University of Texas at Austin Phone: 512.232.8439

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Job Posting: Neuroscience Image Processing Scientist at Northwestern University
by Xue Wang Sept. 9, 2014

Sept. 9, 2014

The Department of Radiology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine is seeking a full-time Neuroscience Image Processing Scientist. Under the direction of the Medical Director of the Neurological Testing Center and the Director of Neuroimaging Research, the Neuroscience Image Processing Scientist will be responsible for coordinating imaging for use in epilepsy surgery and other functional neurosurgical procedures. Assignments will require close interaction with neuroradiology and neuroimaging collaborators to develop and implement more advanced functional imaging techniques. The primary effort will be focused on the development and implementation of clinical tools; however, there is dedicated time for independent research. Northwestern has very active clinical and research programs in Neurology and Neuroimaging. Imaging resources include 10 clinical and 4 dedicated research high field MRI systems, a PET/CT system, high density EEG and TMS. There is a very active and rapidly expanding Neurosurgery group with strong collaborations with BrainLab, and a supportive clinical environment for research. Candidates should have an MD or PhD in neuroscience, medicine, physics, psychology or a related field, and excellent communication skills. Experience with analysis of structural, diffusion, fMRI including resting state, MEG, PET, SPECT, and EEG data is required. The ability to co-register multi-modality diagnostic (EEG, MEG) studies with SISCOM, MRI, fMRI, DTI and PET studies is a must. Experience in planning stereo EEG electrode placement, surgical guidance, and proficiency with PRISM software, CURRY Neuroimaging Suite, and BrainLab surgical navigation systems, is desired. The position is funded for an initial two-year time period, with a high likelihood of long term employment. Salary is based on the NIH scale and benefits are highly competitive. Position is available on July 1, 2014, and applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Applicants should send curriculum vitae, references and cover letter to: Todd B. Parrish, Ph.D. Department of Radiology 737 N. Michigan Ave, 16th Floor Chicago, IL 60611 toddp(a)northwestern.edu Northwestern University is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer of all protected classes, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. Hiring is contingent upon eligibility to work in the United States

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2014 SFN Meeting Workshop: NSG Portal for parallel simulations
by Ted Carnevale Sept. 9, 2014

Sept. 9, 2014

What: Using the Neuroscience Gateway Portal for Parallel Simulations A Satellite Symposium at the 2014 Society for Neuroscience Meeting Where: Location to be announced in downtown Washington, DC When: 9 AM - Noon on Saturday, November 15, 2014 Speakers to include: A. Majumdar, S. Sivagnanam, and T. Carnevale Registration deadline: Friday, October 31, 2014 Do you have a large scale modeling project that exceeds the speed or capacity of your local hardware? Have you tried to use high performance computing (HPC) resources at your own institution, but found the process too difficult because of administrative or technical barriers? If yes, this workshop is for you. In a single morning session, you will learn how to use the Neuroscience Gateway Portal (NSG) http://www.nsgportal.org/ which is designed for neuroscientists who need to use HPC resources for large modeling projects. It simplifies every aspect of the process, from getting allocations of free CPU time to uploading your model, launching and monitoring jobs, and downloading results. The NSG already has several parallel simulators installed, including Brian, NEST, NEURON, PGENESIS and PyNN. Space is limited, so sign up quickly. See http://www.neuron.yale.edu/neuron/static/courses/nsg2014/nsg2014.html for further details and the registration form. Support: The NSG project is supported by a grant from the National Science Foundation. NSG provides its users free allocations of CPU time on HPC resources under the auspices of XSEDE (Extreme Science and Engineering Discovery Environment), which is also supported by NSF.

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PhD position in Neurocomputational modeling of language processing
by Hartmut Fitz Sept. 8, 2014

Sept. 8, 2014

A PhD position is available at the Max-Planck Institute for Psycholinguistics in Nijmegen, the Netherlands, within the 'Language in Interaction' consortium. The PhD candidate will participate in a team effort to understand the neurobiology underlying language processing by building computer models for sentence processing based on recurrent networks of spiking neurons. The goal is to develop a model with processing memory based on vector representations of words which are incrementally interpreted in terms of thematic roles ("who did what to whom"). A core objective will be to investigate the computational role of different neuronal models, connectivity types, neurobiologically motivated adaptation mechanisms, and different methods for calibrating the model's read-out units. Closing date: 30 September 2014 For more information see: https://www.languageininteraction.nl/jobs/phd-positions.html https://www.languageininteraction.nl/jobs/id-2nd-phd-call-general.html

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Postdoc opportunity at Stanford in Causal Brain Network Analysis
by Wei Wu Sept. 5, 2014

Sept. 5, 2014

Dear fellow researchers, The Etkin Lab at Stanford University is currently seeking to fill a postdoc position for causal brain network analysis. Please find below the job requirement and contact info. Thank you for your attention! Postdoc opportunity at Stanford in Causal Network Analysis – from Concurrent TMS/fMRI to Transdiagnostic Imaging of Psychiatric Disorders The Laboratory of Amit Etkin, MD PhD at Stanford University is currently accepting applications for a postdoctoral research fellowship focused on causal network analyses using fMRI in healthy individuals and patients with a range of psychiatric disorders. The focus of this position is on application of network analysis tools (e.g. graph theory, network-based statistics, etc) to fMRI data, including both causal circuit mapping experiments with concurrent transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and fMRI, as well as resting-state data from patients across the mood, anxiety and stress disorders represented, and across the lifespan. The successful applicant will have a PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience, Neurophysiology, Psychology, Computer Science, Statistics or related fields. Experience with analysis of fMRI data or with causal network analysis tools is required. Additional programming experience is a plus. Duties will also include manuscript preparation, presentation of findings at conferences, management of research assistants and contribution to the preparation of grants. Laboratory and Stanford resources include research-dedicated 3T and 7T MRI scanners, concurrent TMS/fMRI setups and concurrent TMS/EEG setups. Salary commensurate with experience. More information about our ongoing studies can be found at: http://etkinlab.stanford.edu. To apply, please send a curriculum vitae, a statement describing research interests and relevant background and three letters of recommendations, as well as relevant reprints/preprints of research articles to: Amit Etkin, MD, PhD Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Stanford University amitetkin(a)stanford.edu

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New software for neuronal model fitting
by Szabolcs Káli Sept. 5, 2014

Sept. 5, 2014

Dear Colleagues, We are pleased to announce the availability of the first public (beta) version of Optimizer, an interactive software tool for fitting the parameters of neuronal models. Optimizer was developed in Python, and has the following main features: - efficiently fits the free parameters of arbitrary neural (or other) models using advanced nonlinear optimization algorithms - all aspects of the optimization problem (including the model, its free parameters, the target data, the simulation and recording protocol, the error function) and the fitting process itself can be conveniently controlled from a graphical user interface (GUI) - full internal support for models implemented in the Neuron simulator (while other models can be also optimized using a "black box" approach) - choice of 7 different (tunable) optimization algorithms, including a customized evolutionary (genetic) algorithm, differential evolution, simulated annealing, the basinhopping algorithm, random search, and two local search methods - choice of 11 different error functions for the comparison of simulated and experimental (target) data, including generic ones as well as several feature-based ones which are appropriate for the comparison of membrane potential traces containing action potentials; error functions can be combined with arbitrary weights - the software is easily extensible in various ways to support novel scenarios A paper describing the software, several use cases, and comparisons with other model fitting tools, has been recently published in Frontiers in Neuroinformatics (the abstract and citation details are included at the end of this message): http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fninf.2014.00063/abstract The software can be downloaded using git from https://github.com/vellamike/optimizer where you can also find instructions for installing the software and its dependencies. The current version of Optimizer has been verified to work under several recent Linux distributions. Alternatively, a compressed archive containing the software and various examples can be downloaded from https://github.com/vellamike/optimizer/releases/tag/v2.0-beta The documentation of the software is available at http://optimizer.readthedocs.org/en/latest/ Finally, we wish to encourage everyone interested in fitting neuronal models to try the software and provide feedback. If you find that your favorite optimization algorithm or error function is not currently included in Optimizer, it can probably be added with relatively little effort, especially given an existing implementation of the algorithm or function itself, and we would be very interested in collaborating on such an extension. We are also interested in learning about the model fitting problems encountered by potential users; we would be happy to advise users on whether and how Optimizer may be used to solve particular problems; in addition, future development of the software will be guided by the feedback that we receive. Best regards, Szabolcs Káli and Péter Friedrich Friedrich P, Vella M, Gulyás AI, Freund TF and Káli S (2014) A flexible, interactive software tool for fitting the parameters of neuronal models. Front. Neuroinform . 8 :63. doi: 10.3389/fninf.2014.00063 Abstract: The construction of biologically relevant neuronal models as well as model-based analysis of experimental data often requires the simultaneous fitting of multiple model parameters, so that the behavior of the model in a certain paradigm matches (as closely as possible) the corresponding output of a real neuron according to some predefined criterion. Although the task of model optimization is often computationally hard, and the quality of the results depends heavily on technical issues such as the appropriate choice (and implementation) of cost functions and optimization algorithms, no existing program provides access to the best available methods while also guiding the user through the process effectively. Our software, called Optimizer, implements a modular and extensible framework for the optimization of neuronal models, and also features a graphical interface which makes it easy for even non-expert users to handle many commonly occurring scenarios. Meanwhile, educated users can extend the capabilities of the program and customize it according to their needs with relatively little effort. Optimizer has been developed in Python, takes advantage of open-source Python modules for nonlinear optimization, and interfaces directly with the NEURON simulator to run the models. Other simulators are supported through an external interface. We have tested the program on several different types of problems of varying complexity, using different model classes. As targets, we used simulated traces from the same or a more complex model class, as well as experimental data. We successfully used Optimizer to determine passive parameters and conductance densities in compartmental models, and to fit simple (adaptive exponential integrate-and-fire) neuronal models to complex biological data. Our detailed comparisons show that Optimizer can handle a wider range of problems, and delivers equally good or better performance than any other existing neuronal model fitting tool.

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Job/Fellowship Opportunity: Big Data IT Management and Automation in NeuroMorpho.Org
by Rubén Armañanzas Sept. 4, 2014

Sept. 4, 2014

George Mason University, Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study in Fairfax, VA (USA), invites applications for a full-time doctoral student graduate research assistant position available immediately in the Center for Neural Informatics, Structures, and Plasticity (krasnow1.gmu.edu/cn3) headed by Prof. Giorgio Ascoli. To be considered for this position, applicants must apply to the PhD program in Bioengineering at George Mason University (http://volgenau.gmu.edu/doctoral-degrees) following the instructions below. The successful applicant will join a collaborative multidisciplinary team at the cutting edge of the development and dissemination of digital tools and resources for neuroscience. The Ascoli Lab is funded by the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the Office of Naval Research, the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity, and Keck. This position is particularly suited for computationally minded researchers seeking exposure to the burgeoning field of big data in neuroinformatics. The candidate will join the NeuroMorpho.Org project -- a free, public, centralized repository of neuronal digital reconstructions. NeuroMorpho.Org has firmly established itself as a powerful resource for the neuroscience community, with millions of downloads and data usage in over 200 publications by other labs since its 2006 public release. Its version 5.7 contains over 148,000 internal data files pertaining to more than 11,000 neuronal reconstructions contributed by 144 laboratories worldwide from 24 species and 95 brain regions. The pre-doctoral fellow will work within the CN3 research group and will be tasked with a variety of activities including design of new Information Technology (IT) solutions to enhance the performance of existing software and hardware infrastructure. Due to the growing pace of the field, the recipient will be also responsible for tuning and implementing the next generation support for Big Data handling of digital neuronal reconstructions. Desired qualifications include: 1. proficiency in C/C++, Java and Python; 2. experience in Unix/Linux server administration; MySQL design and administration; web technologies and API web services; content management systems; and 3. a BS/MS in Computer Science, Information/Systems/Software Engineering or a similar field. Knowledge in task analysis automation and interest in neuroscience are a plus. The position includes a $22,000/year 12 months-stipend (20 hours/week during academic year, 40 hours/week during summer) in addition to health insurance and up to 18 credits per year of tuition coverage in the Volgenau school of Engineering. To apply, please follow the PhD application instructions (http://volgenau.gmu.edu/how-to-apply) Include the wording "/Neuroinformatics fellowship in Prof. Giorgio Ascoli's lab/" in both your research/interest statement and cover letter. After submitting the application material, please also forward a copy of your resume, research/interest statement, and cover letter directly to ascoli(a)gmu.edu <mailto:ascoli@gmu.edu> with subject "Bioengineering PhD candidate". Beyond the frontiers of neuronal types

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Postdoctoral position at the University of Pittsburgh
by Brent Doiron Sept. 3, 2014

Sept. 3, 2014

Applications are invited for a Simons foundation funded postdoctoral position(s) in the Mathematics and Neuroscience departments of the University of Pittsburgh. The project will involve the collection, analysis, and modeling of large-scale multi-unit recordings from cortex, with an emphasis on understanding how visual attention modulates neural response. Of specific interest is elucidating the neural mechanisms that underlie the control of neural variability, as well as its consequences on neural function. Successful candidates will either be members of the working group of Dr. Brent Doiron and will be in tight collaboration with the Dr. Marlene Cohen, or vice versa, depending on the fit of the applicant. Theoretical candidates should expect to be members of the Doiron group, while candidates with an experimental focus would be in the Cohen group. Please visit www.math.pitt.edu/~bdoiron and www.cohenlab.com for a list of recent work from the Doiron and Cohen groups. The successful candidate(s) will be integrated into the Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition (http://www.cnbc.cmu.edu) a large and vibrant community of neuroscientists spanning many departments across the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University. The position is funded for several years, with an initial one-year appointment and an expectation of extension to at least three years, given satisfactory performance. The salary is competitive, and the start date is negotiable (January 2015 is optimal). Applicants with a PhD in Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Neuroscience, Statistics, Biology, Psychology or a related discipline, and ideally with experience in computing, computational neuroscience, statistical analysis, or in vivo recording should send a CV including a list of publications, a research statement, and reference contact information to bdoiron(a)pitt.edu The University of Pittsburgh is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer, and women and members of minority groups under-represented in academia are especially encouraged to apply. -- Associate Professor of Mathematics Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition University of Pittsburgh 301 Thackeray Hall Pittsburgh, PA, 15260 www.math.pitt.edu/~bdoiron

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Tenure Track Faculty Position in Neuroscience at Rutgers University - Newark
by Bart Krekelberg Sept. 3, 2014

Sept. 3, 2014

The Center for Molecular & Behavioral Neuroscience (CMBN) at Rutgers University seeks outstanding candidates for a tenure track Assistant Professor position in NEUROSCIENCE. Applicants should hold a Ph.D. degree in Neuroscience or a related field and have completed at least two years of post-doctoral training. The ideal candidate for this position asks fundamental hypothesis-driven questions about brain structure and function and is open to establishing collaborative research efforts within the Rutgers neuroscience community. Research areas of particular interest are executive control, sensory-motor integration, learning and memory, and emotional regulation. The successful applicant will likely use a broad range of experimental approaches in non-human primates, humans, and/or rodents, and methods including electrophysiology, optogenetics, and functional imaging. The assistant professor will be expected to maintain an active externally-funded research program, to teach undergraduate and graduate courses in neuroscience, and to mentor Ph.D. students in the Behavioral and Neural Sciences program. Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is a leading national public research university and the state's preeminent, comprehensive public institution of higher education. Rutgers is dedicated to conducting research that breaks new ground; to teaching that meets the highest standards of excellence; and to providing services, solutions, and clinical care that help individuals and the local, national, and global communities where they live. CMBN is located in Newark NJ, a short drive from New York City. CMBN is part of a large community of neuroscientists at Rutgers Newark, with additional researchers in the Departments of Biological Sciences and Psychology as well as in the Rutgers University New Jersey Medical School. Collectively, these researchers represent all levels of analysis in neuroscience (http://www.neuroscience.newark.rutgers.edu) Applicants should apply as soon as possible, but no later than 10/20/2014. Rutgers is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and has a strong commitment to diversity. Women and members of underrepresented minorities are especially encouraged to apply. Rutgers-Newark is noted for its exceptionally diverse student population. To receive detailed instructions on how to apply, please send an email to search(a)cmbn.rutgers.edu with the subject line 'How to apply'. --- Bart Krekelberg, PhD Associate Director, Center for Molecular and Behavioral and Neuroscience Associate Director, Rutgers Brain Imaging Center Associate Professor, Rutgers University Newark, NJ 07102 USA T: 973 353 3602 W: vision.rutgers.edu E: bart(a)vision.rutgers.edu

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IWSYP’14 - I International Workshop on Synaptic Plasticity
by Thiago Matos Pinto Sept. 3, 2014

Sept. 3, 2014

Dear colleagues, Please see the information below about an upcoming workshop on synaptic plasticity. Best wishes, Thiago *** I International Workshop on Synaptic Plasticity - IWSYP’14 *** University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo State, Brazil Workshop dates: September 8th - 9th 2014 Organizers: Thiago Matos Pinto and Antonio Roque Participation is free of charge! This workshop is a satellite event of the XXXVIII Annual Meeting of the Brazilian Society for Neuroscience and Behavior (SBNeC), which will be held on September 10-13 in Búzios, Rio de Janeiro. The SBNeC meeting will also feature big names in Neuroscience, and will be a preparatory event for the 9th World Congress of the International Brain Research Organization (IBRO), which will take place in Rio de Janeiro in 2015. Confirmed speakers: Chris De Zeeuw (Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands & Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands) Freek Hoebeek (Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands) Reinoud Maex (École Normale Supérieure, Paris, France) Ricardo Leão (University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil) Thiago Matos Pinto (University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil) Gabriela Antunes (University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil) Giseli de Sousa (Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil) Cleiton Lopes Aguiar (University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil) Renan Oliveira Shimoura (University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil) Bruna Lanzillotta de Mattos (Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil) Luana Chagas (Fluminense Federal University, Niterói, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil) Querusche Zanona (Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil) Fabiana Santana (Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil) We look forward to seeing you in Ribeirão Preto. With best wishes, Thiago Matos Pinto, IWSYP'14 Organizer

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Faculty positions in Computer Science at American University
by Mark Laubach Sept. 2, 2014

Sept. 2, 2014

American University, College of Arts & Sciences, Department of Computer Science Computer Science (Assistant, Associate or Full Professor) The Department of Computer Science in the College of Arts and Sciences at American University in Washington, DC invites applications for up to three tenure-track or tenured Assistant/Associate/Full Professors to form a collaborating research team. We seek either a group of researchers who will be hired together, or a senior individual with a vision for filling the other positions. The team’s research expertise may be in any area of computer science. Following the department’s strong recent hires in the interdisciplinary areas of computational neuroscience and persuasive gaming, the university seeks to build computer science’s core program areas, which may include algorithms and data structures, architecture, robotics, databases and information retrieval, human-computer interactions, numerical and symbolic computation, operating systems, programming languages, or software methodology and engineering. Preference will be given to teams or visions that contribute to more than one of the core program areas, and that contribute to the university’s capacity in the area of big data. The Computer Science Department is currently in a period of expansion, and is poised to become a leader in the university’s technology an innovation sectors. To support this trajectory, the department will soon be moving to a new building that is designed to promote inspiration, collaboration, creation and cultivation. QUALIFICATIONS All applicants should have a strong record of (or potential for) externally sponsored research. We are especially eager to recruit candidates with established research partnerships (or the ability to form such partnerships) in the Washington, DC area. Candidates should also have a record of excellence in teaching and mentoring students. Teaching responsibilities will include core courses in computer science and more advanced courses in the applicant’s area of specialty. The Ph.D. in Computer Science or a closely related field is required; post-doctoral or industry experience is preferred. At least one appointment will be at a senior level with tenure. Preference will be given to senior candidates who are able and willing to lead the department, including (but not limited to) the development of a Ph.D. granting program. APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS Applicants should include a statement (a joint statement for team applications) of research outlining the research focus (or foci) and future plans for developing a nationally competitive, externally funded research program at American University. In addition to a (joint, if applicable) research statement, each applicant should include statements of individual research and teaching experience, a CV, and the names of three references not in the proposed team. Please submit applications via: http://apply.interfolio.com/25813. Review of applications will begin November 3 and continue until the position is filled.

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Postdoc position available
by Olaf Sporns Sept. 2, 2014

Sept. 2, 2014

*Computational Cognitive Neuroscience Lab - Indiana University* *Postdoctoral Fellowship* Applications are invited for an open position as postdoctoral fellow in the Computational Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University Bloomington. The core research focus of the lab is in the area of brain networks and connectomics. The lab works on anatomical and functional data sets from a number of species, with a strong emphasis on human brain connectivity and connectome data. Ongoing projects in the lab involve applications of models and tools from network science, graph theory, complex dynamics and information theory to basic and clinical/translational neurobiological questions. A description of the lab and current research areas can be found at www.indiana.edu/~cortex <http://www.indiana.edu/%7Ecortex> . Applicants should (a) have (or be in the final stages of obtaining) a PhD or equivalent degree in a field relevant to the research focus of the lab (e.g. neuroscience, neuroimaging, applied mathematics, computer science or bioengineering); (b) have a strong background in computational methods and programming (including advanced skills in Matlab); and (c) have strong enthusiasm for using computational approaches to understand neurobiological problems. Candidates with background in networks or graph theory, experience in processing and analyzing neuroimaging or electrophysiological recordings, exposure to "big data" approaches relevant to brain function, and a strong record of publication are especially encouraged to apply. The postdoctoral fellow will join a very active and interdisciplinary research group, and will be expected to engage and interact with a growing number of network and complex systems scientists at Indiana University and beyond. The lab maintains close ties and collaborations with scientists in the IU Imaging Research Facility (housing a 3T Siemens MR scanner), the Center for Complex Networks and Systems at the School of Informatics and Computing, the Medical School campus, and at other institutions nationally and internationally. All lab members have access to excellent computational facilities. The potential start date is negotiable, and the position is initially offered for a 1-year term which is renewable upon mutual agreement.Salary levels will follow NIH guidelines. Please email application materials (cover letter, a full CV with a list of publications, and 3 letters of reference) to Olaf Sporns at osporns(a)indiana.edu <mailto:osporns@indiana.edu> . -- Olaf Sporns -- @spornslab Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences Programs in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science Indiana University Bloomington, IN 47405

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NIPS 2014 - Final Call for Demonstrations
by Hugo Larochelle Sept. 2, 2014

Sept. 2, 2014

The Neural Information Processing Systems Conference 2014 http://nips.cc/Conferences/2014/ has a Demonstration Track running in parallel with some of the evening Poster Sessions, December 8-11, 2014, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Demonstration Proposal Deadline: Monday September 15, 2014, 11pm Universal Time (4pm Pacific Daylight Time). http://nips.cc/Conferences/2014/CallForDemonstrations Demonstrations offer a unique opportunity to showcase: - Hardware technology - Software systems - Neuromorphic and biologically-inspired systems - Robotics or other systems, which are relevant to the technical areas covered by NIPS (see Call for Papers http://nips.cc/Conferences/2014/CallForPapers) Demonstrations must show novel technology and must be run live, preferably with some interactive parts. Unlike poster presentations or slide shows, live action and interaction with the audience are critical elements. Submissions: Submission of demo proposals at the following URL: https://nips.cc/Demonstrators/ You will be asked to fill a questionnaire and describe clearly: - the technology demonstrated - the elements of novelty - the live action part - the interactive part - the equipment brought by the demonstrator - the equipment required at the place of the demo Evaluation Criteria: Submissions will be refereed on the basis of technical quality, novelty, live action, and potential for interaction. Demonstration chair: Hugo Larochelle <demonstration-ch...(a)lists.nips.cc<http://lists.nips.cc>> http://nips.cc/Conferences/2014/CallForDemonstrations

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Open Postdoc Position in Brain-Computer Interfaces
by Michael Tangermann Sept. 2, 2014

Sept. 2, 2014

Dear colleagues, may I ask you to please circulate the following job offer in your labs and email lists? Thanks a lot and best greetings from Freiburg, Michael OPEN POSITION FOR A POSTDOCTORAL FELLOW: ======================================== Type: Postdoc Position Topic: Brain-Computer Interfaces in Cognitive Rehabilitation after Stroke (speech & attention deficits) Where: BrainStateDecoding lab of Dr. Michael Tangermann (Computer Science Dept., University of Freiburg, Germany) When: ideal start before November 2014; duration: 12 months+ Further information: http://www.bsdlab.uni-freiburg.de/jobs (Please apologize for cross-posting) --- Dr. Michael Tangermann Phone: +49.(0)761.2038423 Fax : +49.(0)761.2038417 University of Freiburg BrainLinks-BrainTools Excellence Cluster Brain State Decoding Lab Albertstr. 23, Room 0.003 79104 Freiburg, Germany http://www.bsdlab.uni-freiburg.de

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Fwd: Register Today for the IPEG-Meeting
by Martijn Arns Sept. 2, 2014

Sept. 2, 2014

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Multiple job listings in Brain-Inspired Computing at IBM Research - Almaden
by John Arthur Sept. 2, 2014

Sept. 2, 2014

IBM’s Brain-Inspired Computing team at IBM Research - Almaden is building a first-of-a-kind modular, scalable, non-von Neumann, ultra-low power, cognitive computing architecture and associated end-to-end ecosystem. We are building state-of-the-art digital spiking neuromorphic Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) and systems (large-scale and mobile) to solve real-time sensory problems. We have a number of positions in hardware, software, and other technical areas. http://modha.org/blog/2014/08/jobs_braininspired_computing.html To receive full consideration, please apply using the links below to ensure your resume/CV will be directed to the appropriate hiring manager. RES-0683225 Research Staff Member-ASIC and System Design https://jobs3.netmedia1.com/cp/faces/job_summary?job_id=RES-0683225 RES-0683232 Research Staff Member-Software and Applications https://jobs3.netmedia1.com/cp/faces/job_summary?job_id=RES-0683232 RES-0683057 Research Staff Member-Software and Applications https://jobs3.netmedia1.com/cp/faces/job_summary?job_id=RES-0683057 RES-0683578 Research Staff Member-Scalable Systems / Supercomputing Architect https://jobs3.netmedia1.com/cp/faces/job_summary?job_id=RES-0683578 RES-0683223 Hardware and Systems Engineer https://jobs3.netmedia1.com/cp/faces/job_summary?job_id=RES-0683223 RES-0683215 Systems Software Engineer https://jobs3.netmedia1.com/cp/faces/job_summary?job_id=RES-0683215 RES-0683211 Systems Software Engineer https://jobs3.netmedia1.com/cp/faces/job_summary?job_id=RES-0683211 RES-0683583 Software Engineer: Tools and Programming Languages https://jobs3.netmedia1.com/cp/faces/job_summary?job_id=RES-0683583 RES-0683592 Development & Delivery Engineer https://jobs3.netmedia1.com/cp/faces/job_summary?job_id=RES-0683592 RES-0683593 Software Trainer / Coach https://jobs3.netmedia1.com/cp/faces/job_summary?job_id=RES-0683593 RES-0683227 Technical Writer/Archivist https://jobs3.netmedia1.com/cp/faces/job_summary?job_id=RES-0683227

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3 open PhD psoitions at the Neuroinformatics Lab at the Institute of Cognitive Science, University of Osnabrück, Germany [Reminder]
by Gordon Pipa Sept. 1, 2014

Sept. 1, 2014

The Neuroinformatics Research Group (Prof. Dr. Gordon Pipa) of the Institute of Cognitive Science invites applications for 3 Research Assistants (PhD student level), (Salary level E 13 TV-L 50%) to be filled as soon as possible for a period of three years. The position allows for further scientific qualification. We invite applicants that are interested in research in Neuroinformatics, with an emphasis on dynamical systems, machine learning, virtual reality, computational linguistics and electrophysiology. Candidates will participate in a highly international PhD program on cognitive science (with >40 currently enrolled students) and interdisciplinary research projects that can involve cooperation with other disciplines of our institute. Candidates should be highly motivated to understand the structure of neuronal coding and neuronal representations. To study this, we involve different research strategies that range from the development of highly sophisticated data analysis strategies, to modelling of neuronal processes on the level of recurrent networks. The qualification profile of the candidates can range from a purely mathematical neuroscientist, a dynamical systems researcher to interdisciplinary candidates that share interest in performing experiments with the virtual reality combined with EEG and sophisticated machine learning-based analysis of recorded activity (at http://ikw.uni-osnabrueck.de/en/ni/publications you find an overview of recent research topics). Description of Responsibilities: The successful candidate will be involved in several research projects that range from BSc to MSc projects. The position also involves teaching Cognitive Science courses at BSc and MSc level (2 hours/week). Required Qualifications: Candidates are expected to have an excellent academic degree (Master/diploma). Applicants should have an excellent knowledge in the field of machine learning, i.e. generalized linear and state space models, kernel methods, reservoir computing and deep learning. Experience or a strong interest in the fields of complex systems, computational neurosciences, dynamical systems theory and the concepts to study these, i.e. bifurcation and stability analysis, and delay- coupled differential equations, measurements of complexity, are encouraged. Experience or a strong interest in experimental methods such as EEG, and virtual reality are highly welcome. In addition, a strong interest or experience in the estimation of causal interactions from time series is welcome. As a certified family-friendly institution, Osnabrück University is committed to furthering the compatibility between work/studies and family life. As an employer, Osnabrück University is particularly concerned with creating equal opportunities for women and men. Women with relevant qualifications are therefore strongly encouraged to apply for the position. Preference will be given to women with equal qualifications. Furthermore, qualified applicants with disabilities will be favored. Applications with the usual documentation, including two letters of recommendation, should be submitted by e-mail in a single PDF file to the Director of the Institute of Cognitive Science (office(a)ikw.uni-osnabrueck.de) no later than 08.09.2014. An electronic copy should be sent to Prof. Dr. Gordon Pipa (gpipa(a)uni-osnabrueck.de) who can also be contacted for further information. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --- Professor and Chair of the Neuroinformatics Department Dr. rer. nat. Gordon Pipa Institute of Cognitive Science, Room 31/404 University of Osnabrueck Albrechtstr. 28, 49069 Osnabrueck, 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: gpipa(a)uos.de webpage: http://www.ni.uos.de <http://www.ni.uos.de/> Projects: http://www.pipa.biz/Projects_and_Lectures/projects_and_lectures.html research gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Gordon_Pipa/?ev=prf_act google scholar: http://scholar.google.de/citations?user=joR6mgEAAAAJ Personal Assistent and Secretary of the Neuroinformatics lab: Anna Jungeilges Tel. +49 (0)541 969-2390 Fax +49 (0)541 969-2246 Email: anna.jungeilges(a)uni-osnabrueck.de visit us on http://www.facebook.com/CognitiveScienceOsnabruck https://twitter.com/#!/CogSciUOS <https://twitter.com/>

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Tenure Track Assistant Professot in Theoretical and Computational Neuroscience
by Liu, Robert C Sept. 1, 2014

Sept. 1, 2014

Tenure Track Assistant Professor in Theoretical and Computational Neuroscience. The Department of Biology in the Emory College of Arts and Science is seeking applications for a tenure-track position in theoretical and computational neuroscience. Current computational neuroscience research at Emory is anchored in the Department of Biology (http://www.biology.emory.edu<http://http/www.biology.emory.edu/>) and is grounded in experimental preparations and neurobiological questions (http://compneurosci.college.emory.edu) The ideal candidate would be a theorist who bridges into experimental data analysis in systems neuroscience. Innovative approaches to understanding principles of neural coding, neural dynamics, learning, memory, and behavior are of particular interest. The successful candidate is anticipated to have a PhD and postdoctoral experience in a quantitative science, and is expected to contribute to the Biology Department's teaching mission in the context of programs in quantitative theory and methods (http://quantitative.emory.edu) and neuroscience (http://www.nbb.emory.edu) Interactions with experimentalists and other theorists within Emory's rich, collaborative neuroscience community are encouraged. Emory has more than 120 laboratories participating in graduate programs in Neuroscience (http://biomed.emory.edu/PROGRAM_SITES/NS/) and Biomedical Engineering (http://www.bme.emory.edu) and spanning Emory College (Biology, Psychology, Physics, Anthropology), School of Medicine, Yerkes National Primate Research Center and Georgia Institute of Technology. Applications should include a curriculum vitae, a research statement, a teaching statement and three confidential reference letters. Applications and reference letters must be electronically uploaded through Interfolio at http://apply.interfolio.com/25348<http://go.toutapp.com/ecca7f39a80cf3c11e>. The deadline for applying is December 1, 2014; applications received after this date are not guaranteed full consideration. Emory University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Disability/Veteran employer. Women, minorities, persons with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply. Robert C. Liu Associate Professor Winship Distinguished Research Professor Emory University Department of Biology Rollins Research Center 1510 Clifton Road NE, Room 2131 Atlanta, GA 30322 Phone: (404) 727-5274 Fax: (404) 727-2880 Email: robert.liu at emory.edu Website: http://www.biology.emory.edu/research/Liu/html/index.php This e-mail message (including any attachments) is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this message (including any attachments) is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please contact the sender by reply e-mail message and destroy all copies of the original message (including attachments).

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BRAIN-FETs 2014: 1st Clustering Workshop on Future Emerging NeuroTechnologies, 16-17 Oct 2014, Genova (Italy)
by Giugliano Michele Sept. 1, 2014

Sept. 1, 2014

APOLOGIES FOR CROSS-POSTING Dear Colleagues, Michele Giugliano (U Antwerpen) and Luca Berdondini (Italian Institute of Technology) are organising the 1st Clustering Workshop on Future Emerging NeuroTechnologies<http://www.brainfet.eu>, to be held on 16th-17th October 2014, in Genova (Italy)<http://www.brainfet.eu/travel-info/venue.html>. This workshop aims at clustering a relatively small subset of the European FET community, particularly active on Brain inspired ICT, Neurotechnologies, novel materials, and computational approaches. It is a unique opportunity to learn about ongoing research and to critically contribute in designing next steps in FETs, successfully facing the many challenges that await. The cluster of EC-funded projects who organize the event (see the workshop flyer<http://ec.europa.eu/information_society/newsroom/cf/dae/document.cfm?doc_id…> for the list), is characterized by common efforts, integrating innovative developments on future emerging technologies applied to Neuroscience, and qualified by a synergy among diverse experimental, computational, and engineering approaches. The format of the workshop consists in a two-days event and in a networking evening. Participants from EC-funded Projects are welcome to present their research in a poster session and to meet colleagues with a heterogeneous background and from all over Europe. Interested? Register as soon as possible by filling and submitting the online application form<http://www.brainfet.eu/registration.html>. Admission will be limited to the first 150 participants. The conference registration fee, covering coffee breaks, lunches and the social dinner is: 100 EUR/person. Thanks for your attention, -- Michele Giugliano, PhD Dept. of Biomedical Sciences University of Antwerp Campus Drie Eiken (CDE) - D.T.657 Universiteitsplein 1, B-2610 Wilrijk (Belgium) url: http://www.ua.ac.be/michele.giugliano

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Postdoctoral position studying neurovascular coupling
by Patrick Drew Sept. 1, 2014

Sept. 1, 2014

A postdoctoral fellowship studying the neural circuits involved in neurovascular coupling is available in the laboratory of Patrick Drew. We are looking for an independent, highly motivated scientist to use a combination of optical (two-photon microscopy and intrinsic imaging), optogenetic, and electrophysiological techniques to study neurovascular coupling in awake, behaving mice. The successful applicant will have Ph.D. in neuroscience, biomedical engineering, physiology or a related field, and at least one first author publication. The candidate should have excellent English communication skills, experience with in vivo electrophysiology, optogenetics and/or optical imaging techniques. Strong data analysis and quantitative skills are required. The position is for one year, with possibility of extension up to two additional years contingent on funding. Applications will be reviewed upon receipt and will be accepted until the position is filled. Apply to job #52876 at http://apptrkr.com/504686 More information about the lab can be found at - http://www.esm.psu.edu/~patrick/Drew_Lab/Drew_Lab.html. Applications must be submitted electronically and include a statement of research interests, CV and contact details of three letters of reference to Dr. Patrick Drew: pjd17(a)psu.edu _________________________________ Patrick J. Drew Assistant Professor Center for Neural Engineering Dept. Engineering Science and Mechanics & Dept. Neurosurgery The Pennsylvania State University W-317 Millennium Science Complex University Park, PA 16802 (814) 863-1473 http://www.esm.psu.edu/~patrick/Drew_Lab/

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Call for Papers - Neural Networks special issue on Big Data
by Asim Roy Sept. 1, 2014

Sept. 1, 2014

Apologies for cross posting. Special Issue on Neural Network Learning in Big Data [Special Issue on Neural Network Learning in Big Data] Neural Networks Special Issue: Neural Network Learning in Big Data Big data is much more than storage of and access to data. Analytics plays an important role in making sense of that data and exploiting its value. But learning from big data has become a significant challenge and requires development of new types of algorithms. Most machine learning algorithms encounter theoretical challenges in scaling up to big data. Plus there are challenges of high dimensionality, velocity and variety for all types of machine learning algorithms. The neural network field has historically focused on algorithms that learn in an online, incremental mode without requiring in-memory access to huge amounts of data. The brain is arguably the best and most elegant big data processor and is the inspiration for neural network learning methods. Neural network type of learning is not only ideal for streaming data (as in the Industrial Internet or the Internet of Things), but could also be used for stored big data. For stored big data, neural network algorithms can learn from all of the data instead of from samples of the data. And the same is true for streaming data where not all of the data is actually stored. In general, online, incremental learning algorithms are less vulnerable to size of the data. Neural network algorithms, in particular, can take advantage of massively parallel (brain-like) computations, which use very simple processors, that other machine learning technologies cannot. Specialized neuromorphic hardware, originally meant for large-scale brain simulations, is becoming available to implement these algorithms in a massively parallel fashion. Neural network algorithms, therefore, can deliver very fast and efficient real-time learning through the use of hardware and this could be particularly useful for streaming data in the Industrial Internet. Neural network technologies thus can become significant components of big data analytics platforms and this special issue will begin that journey with big data. For this special issue of Neural Networks, we invite papers that address many of the challenges of learning from big data. In particular, we are interested in papers on efficient and innovative algorithmic approaches to analyzing big data (e.g. deep networks, nature-inspired and brain-inspired algorithms), implementations on different computing platforms (e.g. neuromorphic, GPUs, clouds, clusters) and applications of online learning to solve real-world big data problems (e.g. health care, transportation, and electric power and energy management). RECOMMENDED TOPICS: Topics of interest include, but are not limited to: 1. Autonomous, online, incremental learning - theory, algorithms and applications in big data 2. High dimensional data, feature selection, feature transformation - theory, algorithms and applications for big data 3. Scalable neural network algorithms for big data 4. Neural network learning algorithms for high-velocity streaming data 5. Deep neural network learning 6. Neuromorphic hardware for scalable neural network learning 7. Big data analytics using neural networks in healthcare/medical applications 8. Big data analytics using neural networks in electric power and energy systems 9. Big data analytics using neural networks in large sensor networks 10.Big data and neural network learning in computational biology and bioinformatics SUBMISSION PROCEDURE: Prospective authors should visit http://ees.elsevier.com/neunet/ for information on paper submission. During the submission process, there will be steps to designate the submission to this special issue. However, please indicate on the first page of the manuscript that the manuscript is intended for the Special Issue: Neural Network Learning in Big Data. Manuscripts will be peer reviewed according to Neural Networks guidelines. Manuscript submission due: December 15, 2014 First review completed: March 1, 2015 Revised manuscript due: April 1, 2015 Second review completed, final decisions to authors: April 15, 2015 Final manuscript due: April 30, 2015 GUEST EDITORS: Asim Roy, Arizona State University, USA (asim.roy(a)asu.edu<mailto:asim.roy@asu.edu>) (lead guest editor) Kumar Venayagamoorthy, Clemson University, USA (gkumar(a)ieee.org<mailto:gvenaya@clemson.edu>) Nikola Kasabov, Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand (nkasabov(a)aut.ac.nz<mailto:nkasabov@aut.ac.nz>) Irwin King, Chinese University of Hong Kong, China (irwinking(a)gmail.com<mailto:irwinking@gmail.com>)

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PhD top-ups and full scholarships in Computational Neuroscience of Alertness
by Svetlana Postnova Sept. 1, 2014

Sept. 1, 2014

*PhD top-ups and full scholarships in Computational Neuroscience of Alertness* Multiple PhD opportunities are available at the University of Sydney node of the Cooperative Research Centre for Alertness, Safety, and Productivity. *Supervisors: *Dr Svetlana Postnova, Dr Jong Won Kim*, *Prof. Peter Robinson. For the group website see http://sydney.edu.au/science/physics/research/complex-systems/brain-dynamic… *Projects* We focus on understanding the biological system controlling alertness and on developing quantitative models and tools to predict alertness in variety of situations and develop interventions to improve it. All projects involve quantitative modelling on the level of interacting brain nuclei and neurotransmitter systems with the effects manifested on the behavioural level. Project 1: Effects of light wavelength on the circadian system and alertness. Project 2: Individual variability in sleep-wake dynamics and vulnerability to shiftwork. Project 3: Real-time prediction of alertness using data fusion and modelling techniques. These opportunities are affiliated with the Cooperative Research Centre for Alertness Safety and Productivity which involves modellers, experimentalists, and industry partners from universities and industries across Australia and worldwide. Successful candidates will be located at the School of Physics of the University of Sydney and collaborating with sleep and chronobiology experimentalists across the University of Sydney, Monash University, and Harvard. All PhD projects provide an opportunity for up to 6 months placements with industrial partners. *Process and deadlines* For questions and to apply send an e-mail with CV to Dr Svetlana Postnova ( postnova(a)physics.usyd.edu.au) Full stipends ($25,392) from the Alertness CRC Ltd are available. High achieving applicants will be encouraged to apply for the prestigious APA/UPA (Australian) or IPRS/USYDIS (international) postgraduate scholarships. Successful candidates will be provided with additional top-up scholarships of $5000-$10.000 per year depending on merit. Applications for Alertness CRC Ltd stipends will be considered until the positions are filled. Applications for APA/UPA national scholarships close on the *31st of October 2014* to start in January 2015*. * http://sydney.edu.au/scholarships/research/postgraduate_awards.shtml#APAUPA Applications for IPRS/USYDIS international scholarships close on the *15th of December 2014 * to start in July 2015*.* http://sydney.edu.au/scholarships/prospective/international_postgraduate_sc… Best wishes Sveta -- Dr Svetlana Postnova CRC for Alertness Safety and Productivity & Complex Systems Group School of Physics, University of Sydney Physics Annex, A29, NSW 2006, Australia Phone: +61 2 9036 7971

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Donders Discussions 2014: by PhDs, for PhDs
by Charl Aug. 31, 2014

Aug. 31, 2014

Dear all, We are pleased to announce the Donders Discussions 2014, a two-day conference for PhD students in neuroscience and cognition. This year, the conference will take place on Oct 30th and 31st in Nijmegen, The Netherlands. The aim of the Donders Discussions is to bring PhD students together in an informal, interdisciplinary atmosphere. Last year we welcomed more than 160 participants from 14 countries. We invite you to join us and make this year's edition an even bigger success! Our exciting programme features many interesting topics including visual perception, fear regulation, social neuroscience, and predictive coding among others. We also offer interactive workshops on networking and visibility, statistics issues in neuroimaging, and the art of presenting science. We warmly invite all participants to submit a poster abstract. The deadline is September 15, but registration may close earlier if the maximum number of participants has been reached. For more information on the programme and registration, please visit our website: http://www.ru.nl/dondersdiscussions. The registration fee is 50 euro. We look forward to seeing you in Nijmegen! The Donders Discussions Organizing Committee 2014

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POSTDOCTORAL POSITIONS IN COMPUTATIONAL NEUROSCIENCE AT BROWN UNIVERSITY
by Wilson Truccolo Aug. 31, 2014

Aug. 31, 2014

POSTDOCTORAL POSITIONS IN COMPUTATIONAL NEUROSCIENCE AT BROWN UNIVERSITY: Applications for NIH-funded post-doctoral positions are invited for the Laboratory of Dr. Wilson Truccolo in the Department of Neuroscience at Brown University, Providence, RI, USA. The positions are for the development of data-driven stochastic and biophysical models of multiscale neural dynamics in human epilepsy. Data consist of simultaneous intracortical microelectrode array recordings of ensembles of single neurons and local field potentials, as well as ECoGs, during seizure and non-seizure states in individuals with intractable epilepsy. The project involves a collaboration between the labs of Dr. Truccolo and Dr. Sydney Cash (Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston). The ideal candidate will have a strong background in computational/theoretical neuroscience and stochastic modeling of neural dynamics. Related recent publications can be found on the Truccolo lab website ( http://dl.dropbox.com/u/983891/Truccolo_home.htm) Inquiries should be addressed to Dr. Truccolo (wilson_truccolo(a)brown.edu) Applications including a CV, statement of research interests, and the names and full contact details of three referees should be sent to wilson_truccolo(a)brown.edu. -- Wilson Truccolo, Ph.D. Pablo J. Salame '88 Goldman Sachs Assistant Professor of Computational Neuroscience Institute for Brain Science and Department of Neuroscience, Brown University S.E. Frank Hall, 185 Meeting Street, Office 552 Providence – RI – 02912

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Two Postdoctoral Positions in Computational Modeling of Primate Motor Control
by Ilya Rybak Aug. 31, 2014

Aug. 31, 2014

=============== Two postdoctoral/research associate positions in computational neuroscience for the duration of up to three years are available in the externally funded project focusing on multiscale computational modeling of motor control mechanisms, involving interactions between basal ganglia, thalamus, cerebellum, cortex, and spinal cord in connection with realistic simulation of pathological changes in motor control during Huntington’s disease. This collaborative project is performed jointly by the groups of Drs. Ilya Rybak (Dept. of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA) and Yaroslav Molkov (Dept. of Mathematical Science, Indiana University – Purdue University, Indianapolis, IN, USA). Applicants must have a PhD degree in Neuroscience, Applied Mathematics, Physics, or a related discipline and have excellent C++ programming skills. Previous experience in computational neuronal modeling is a plus. Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Dr. Rybak (rybak(a)drexel.edu) or Dr. Molkov (ymolkov(a)iupui.edu) by email. To apply, please send an email along with (1) curriculum vitae; (2) a cover letter describing previous research experience and interests; (3) the names and contact information of three references. ================================= Ilya A. Rybak, Ph.D. Professor Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy Drexel University College of Medicine 2900 Queen Lane Philadelphia, PA 19129 USA Tel.: (215) 991-8596 FAX: (215) 843-9082 E-mail: rybak(a)drexel.edu http://neurobio.drexelmed.edu/rybakweb/rybak.html http://www.drexelmed.edu/Home/AboutOurFaculty/IlyaARybak.aspx https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ilya_Rybak/publications/ http://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=SnA068QAAAAJ http://www.pubfacts.com/author/Ilya+A+Rybak Yaroslav Molkov, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis Department of Mathematical Sciences 402 N. Blackford St, LD 270, Indianapolis, IN 46202 Office: LD 224U Phone: (317) 274-6934 Fax: (317) 274-3460 Email: ymolkov(a)iupui.edu

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Post-Doctoral Position; Indianapolis, USA – Paris, France
by Alexey Kuznetsov Aug. 30, 2014

Aug. 30, 2014

Post-Doctoral Position in Computational Neuroscience; Indianapolis, USA – Paris, France A post-doctoral position is available for a USA-France collaborative project on the influence of alcohol on the central dopamine system. The project combines computational and experimental techniques. The post-doc will design a biophysical model of the brain circuitry affected by alcohol. The position is available immediately, September 2014, for up to three years. The time will be divided between two institutions: Indiana University-Purdue University at Indianapolis, USA, and École Normale Supérieure, Paris, France. In Indianapolis, the post-doc will work with Prof. Kuznetsov (Mathematics Dept.) and Prof. Lapish (Psycology Dept.). In Paris, he or she will work with Prof. Gutkin (Group of Neural Theory, ENS) and Prof. Mamelli (Institut du Fer a Moulin, INSERM). Both locations provide an excellent environment for collaborative research in quantitative biosciences. Applicants should have a Ph.D in Mathematics, Physics, or a related field, a background in Dynamical Systems, programming skills and working experience in Computational Neuroscience. An experience with stochastic processes is also a plus. To apply, please send your CV, list of publications, research statement, and contact information for three references to Prof. Alexey Kuznetsov via e-mail: askuznet(a)iupui.edu, or by regular mail: 402 N. Blackford Street, LD 270, Indianapolis, IN 46202. IUPUI is an EEO/AA Employer, M/F/D. -- Alexey Kuznetsov Associate Professor Dept. of Mathematical Sciences, IUPUI Science Building, LD 270, 402 N. Blackford St., Indianapolis, IN

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PhD position in Visual Psychophysics at the Institute of Vision in Paris, France
by Angelo ARLEO Aug. 29, 2014

Aug. 29, 2014

One fully-funded PhD position in Visual Psychophysics at the Institute of Vision in Paris, France Job description Applications are invited for one PhD position in the Aging in Vision and Action laboratory at the Institute of Vision (INSERM-CNRS-University Pierre & Marie Curie) Paris, France. The gradual impairment of vision-dependent functions in the elderly is at the core of the research carried out in the Aging in Vision and Action laboratory. The main goal is to characterize how healthy aging shapes perceptual and cognitive aspects of vision. This PhD project will focus on the impact of healthy aging on low-level visual perception and visual processing functions. Requirements Applicants’ background should be in cognitive neuroscience/psychology. Previous experience with visual psychophysics, eye-movement analysis, visual space perception, or aging is welcome. Computer programming skills are also a plus. Proficiency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of French is not mandatory. Successful candidates are expected to work in an interdisciplinary environment with collaborations with biologists, theoreticians and clinicians. They will be awarded a 3-year PhD fellowship from the University Pierre and Marie Curie Paris. Working environment and laboratory The Institute of Vision is one of the top international centers for integrated research on vision and eye diseases. It is located at the heart of Paris, on the campus of the National Hospital Center for Ophthalmology. The Institute of Vision includes multidisciplinary research groups, which share state-of-the-art platforms for human and animal experimentation. It also harbors a clinical investigation center, which fosters truly translational research activity. More information can be found online (http://www.institut-vision.org) The Institute of Vision and Essilor International, world leader in ophthalmic optics, have recently supported the creation of the laboratory of Aging in Vision and Action. This new laboratory aims at evaluating and understanding the functional aspects of the degeneration mechanisms related to visual aging. This research has the potential to produce fundamental knowledge suited for opening to assistive technological developments and rehabilitation solutions. The faculty members of the Aging in Vision and Action laboratory, led by Angelo Arleo, are specialized in visual psychophysics, neurobiology of spatial orientation, neural coding, neurocomputational modeling, and preclinical evaluation. The group has access to a wide range of state-of-the-art platforms including eye trackers, motion capture rooms, virtual reality environments, brain imaging, artificial street labs and home labs (http://www.streetlab-vision.com/en/) How to apply Candidates should send a single pdf file containing a motivation letter, a full CV, and names and contact information of at least two referees, to angelo.arleo(a)inserm.fr. Short listed candidates will be contacted for an interview (either face-to-face or via videoconference). For further inquiries, please contact Angelo Arleo, angelo.arleo(a)inserm.fr, phone: +33 (0)1 53 46 26 52. Angelo ARLEO Institute of Vision, Aging in Vision and Action Lab, CNRS - INSERM - University Pierre&Marie Curie, 17, rue Moreau F-75012 Paris, France Phone: +33 (0)1 53 46 26 52 Mobile: +33 (0)6 89 89 07 23 email: angelo.arleo(a)inserm.fr; angelo.arleo(a)upmc.fr

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PhD Studentship in Computer Science: Understanding and modelling emergent functionality in small biological neural systems
by Peter Andras Aug. 29, 2014

Aug. 29, 2014

PhD Studentship in Computer Science Understanding and modelling emergent functionality in small biological neural systems Reference Number: EPSAM2014-1 Application Deadline: 15th September 2014 Supervisor: Professor Peter Andras, School of Computing and Mathematics, Keele University Project description: The functionality of biological neural systems emerges through the interaction of neurons. Recent technological advances allow the recording and analysis of many neurons individually, making possible the understanding and modelling the emergence of system level functionality in biological neural circuits. This project will use as model system the stomatogastric ganglion (STG) of brown crabs. The focus will be on the understanding how the roles of neurons may change in response to neuromodulation in the context of changing functional behaviour of the pyloric rhythm neural circuit within the STG. We will use fast voltage-sensitive dye imaging to collect the data about the activity of neurons and computational modelling of these neurons and the impact of neuromodulators on them in order to model and explain the observed activity of the STG. We aim to analyse the roles of apparently functionally equivalent neurons (e.g. two PD neurons, five PY neurons) and model computationally the changes in their functional roles in response to neuromodulation. The successful candidate will be expected to learn the relevant biological experimental techniques, perform biological experiments, learn the relevant computational modelling techniques, and build and analyse computational models of neurons and neural circuits. The stipend is £13,863 (2014/15) per year. The studentship is not available for candidates from outside of the EU. Person specification: You should have either a First class honours degree in Computing Science, Mathematics, Physics, Biology or other relevant science or engineering subject, or a or 2.1 in Computing Science, Mathematics, Physics, Biology or other relevant science or engineering subject and a distinction level Masters degree in a related subject. Equivalent experience will also be considered. Application procedure: You must apply through the Universitys online postgraduate application website (http://www.keele.ac.uk/pgresearch/howtoapply/) specifying the reference number EPSAM2014-1 and selecting PhD in Computer Science, as the programme of study. Only mandatory fields need to be completed and a personal statement, CV and (if English is not your first language) a copy of your English language qualifications must be attached. The personal statement must state the title of the studentship, quote the reference number EPSAM2014-1 and describe how your research interests fit with the topic of the research projected outlined in the advertisement (max. 2 pages). If you already have published research papers a list of these providing bibliographic details should be included in the covering letter. You should also send your personal statement and CV by e-mail to Professor Peter Andras, ( <mailto:p.andras@keele.ac.uk> p.andras(a)keele.ac.uk) Further information: For further details, please contact Professor Peter Andras ( <mailto:%20p.andras@keele.ac.uk> p.andras(a)keele.ac.uk) 01782 733412 For general enquiries contact: http://www.keele.ac.uk/pgresearch/howtoapply --- Professor Peter Andras Professor of Computer Science and Informatics Head of Computing Division School of Computing and Mathematics Keele University Keele, Staffordshire ST5 5BG UK Tel. +44-1782-733412 Fax. +44-1782-734268 E-mail: p.andras(a)keele.ac.uk Web: www.scm.keele.ac.uk/staff/p_andras/

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New book: Growing Adaptive Machines
by Nicolas Bredeche Aug. 29, 2014

Aug. 29, 2014

<We are sorry if you have received multiple copies of this email> Dear all, Some of you will be interested in our recent book, Growing Adaptive Machines: Combining Development and Learning in Artificial Neural Networks. The topic is the generation of low-level neural network architectures using bio-inspired models and simulations. By emulating the biological process of development, we can incorporate desirable characteristics of natural neural systems into engineered designs and thus move closer towards the creation of brain-like systems. The book includes two broad reviews, summaries of research portfolios from established researchers, and new research contributions. We believe it will form a valuable reference for advanced students and practitioners. See below for the table of contents. http://www.springer.com/engineering/computational+intelligence+and+complexi… http://www.amazon.com/Growing-Adaptive-Machines-Computational-Intelligence/… Best regards, Taras Kowaliw, Nicolas Bredeche, René Doursat (Editors) =-=-=-=-= Table of Contents Artificial Neurogenesis: An Introduction and Selective Review. T. Kowaliw, N. Bredeche, S. Chevallier and R. Doursat A Brief Introduction to Probabilistic Machine Learning and Its Relation to Neuroscience. T. Trappenberg Evolving Culture Versus Local Minima. Y. Bengio Learning Sparse Features with an Auto-Associator. S. Rebecchi, H. Paugam-Moisy and M. Sebag HyperNEAT: The First Five Years. D. D’Ambrosio, J. Gauci and K. Stanley Using the Genetic Regulatory Evolving Artificial Networks (GReaNs) Platform for Signal Processing, Animat Control, and Artificial Multicellular Development. B. Wróbel and M. Joachimczak Constructing Complex Systems Via Activity-Driven Unsupervised Hebbian Self-Organization J. Bednar Neuro-Centric and Holocentric Approaches to the Evolution of Developmental Neural Networks. J. Miller Artificial Evolution of Plastic Neural Networks: A Few Key Concepts. J.-B. Mouret and P. Tonelli

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Director of Robotics Institute at HKUST
by Bert Shi Aug. 28, 2014

Aug. 28, 2014

Professor Position cum Director of Robotics Institute Applications and nominations are invited for the joint faculty position as Professor cum Director of Robotics Institute in the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. The successful candidate will hold a joint appointment as a full Professor in two or more of the following departments: Electronic and Computer Engineering, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Industrial Engineering and Logistics Management, and Mathematics. HKUST Robotics Institute is a newly established research institute. Its mission is to (i) conduct fundamental and cutting-edge research in the area of robotics, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), manufacturing automation, autonomous systems, and medical robotics; (ii) provide a world class educational platform for robotics teaching and learning; (iii) transfer knowledge related to robotic technology to the community, industry and government; and (iv) create an entrepreneurial environment for students and faculty. Major stakeholders of the Institute include faculty, staff and students of various departments. Applicants/nominees for the position should have a PhD degree, demonstrated leadership abilities, extensive teaching and research experience as well as an ability to interact effectively with students, faculty, industry and the Government. Salary will be highly competitive with generous fringe benefits. Appointment of professorship will be made on substantive terms of service. Fringe benefits including housing, annual leave, medical and dental benefits will be provided where applicable. HKUST is committed to increasing the diversity of its faculty and has a range of family-friendly policies in place. More information about the School of Engineering is available at: www.seng.ust.hk<http://www.seng.ust.hk/> Applications/Nominations, together with a full curriculum vitae, list of publications, names and contacts of five referees, should be addressed to Professor Amine Bermak, Chair of the Search Committee by email to: drisearch(a)ust.hk<mailto:drisearch@ust.hk> on or before 15 November 2014<x-apple-data-detectors://2>. Review of applications/nominations will start immediately, and will continue until the position is filled. (Information provided by applicants will be used for recruitment and other employment-related purposes.)

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PhD position in computational neuroimaging
by Igor Yakushev Aug. 27, 2014

Aug. 27, 2014

A PhD position is open in the research group Multimodal Imaging in Normal and Pathological Cognition (Head: Dr. Igor Yakushev) at the Department of Nuclear Medicine, Technische Universität München (TUM), Munich, Germany. The project is dedicated to modeling/reconstruction of cerebral networks on the basis of brain images, as obtained using PET, DTI, and fMRI. Disease-related changes in patterns of cerebral connectivity should be quantified in patients with cognitive impairment and subjects at risk. The research group is integrated into the TUM Neuroimaging Center, which possesses a broad methodological and thematic expertise: http://www.tumnic.mri.tum.de/tumnic/index.html The PhD student will be enrolled at the TUM graduate school, which offers a structured curriculum of courses and seminars (in English) and supports participation in conferences and international exchange: http://www.gs.tum.de/en/home/ The Dept. of Nuclear Medicine offers exciting opportunities for neuroimaging research, in an interdisciplinary environment consisting of medical physicists, radiopharmacists and clinicians, and access to state-of-the-art technology including a hybrid PET/MR scanner (Siemens Biograph mMR). Eligible candidates should have a background in applied mathematics, computer science, image analysis or related disciplines. Prior experience with image analysis, Matlab programming and good statistical skills are required. A co-authorship in a scientific paper (at least in submission) is advantageous. The student will be co-supervised by a partner department of the TUM (e.g., Informatics), depending on his/her academic background. The salary/stipend is 1500-2000 EUR net / month, depending on performance of the student and availability of funds. There is no tuition fee at the TUM. The position can commence immediately, by 1.2015 at the latest. Interested researchers should submit their applications including CV, two recommendation letters (or names and contact details of personal references), and a brief letter of motivation to Dr. Yakushev at igor.yakushev(a)lrz.tum.de Applications will be considered until the position has been filled.

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AES Seizure Prediction Challenge
by Levin Kuhlmann Aug. 27, 2014

Aug. 27, 2014

Posted by Levin Kuhlmann on behalf of Ben Brinkmann Dear Colleagues, We had a phenomenal response to the Seizure Detection challenge (hosted through Kaggle.com<http://kaggle.com/>), which closed last week with 205 teams participating. We would like to call to your attention the AES Seizure Prediction challenge on Kaggle, which is now open to competitors at https://www.kaggle.com/c/seizure-prediction/. There is $USD 20,000 in prize money up for grabs! Sincerely, Ben =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Benjamin H. Brinkmann, PhD Mayo Systems Electrophysiology Lab Alfred 9-441C, SMH 1216 Second St. SW Rochester, MN 55902 (507)538-5719 http://scholar.google.com/citations?user=ax95gtwAAAAJ&hl=en ________________________________

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A mailing list for Computational Glioscience
by Hugues Berry Aug. 26, 2014

Aug. 26, 2014

Dear colleagues, A spinoff of the recent OCNS workshop on the modelling of glia-neuron interactions, we have started a new mailing list. It is intended to share items of interest (new results, papers, events, trainings, jobs...) to the computational glioscience community, i.e. researchers implicated in the modelling and simulation of glial cells at large (astrocytes, microglia, oligodendrocytes, Schwann cells...) and their interactions with neurons. To subscribe, send an email to : sympa(a)inria.fr with the following Subject: subscribe comput-gliosci your_name Sincerely yours Maurizio De Pitta' Hugues Berry -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maurizio De Pitta' - https://sites.google.com/site/mauriziodepitta Hugues Berry - http://www.inrialpes.fr/Berry -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Project-Team BEAGLE INRIA Rhone-Alpes Université de Lyon LIRIS UMR5205 Antenne INRIA de La Doua Batiment CEI-1 66 Blvd Niels Bohr CS 52132 69603 Villeurbanne cedex France

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Neural Circuits and Behavior Faculty Position
by Olaf Sporns Aug. 26, 2014

Aug. 26, 2014

NEURAL CIRCUITS AND BEHAVIOR FACULTY POSITION, INDIANA UNIVERSITY: The Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at Indiana University -- Bloomington seeks to fill a faculty position at the level of Assistant Professor (tenure-track) to begin August 2015. Applicants for this position must have a doctorate, a strong record of publication, and the potential for research funding. The applicant's research should focus on using innovative experimental techniques in animal models to understand mechanisms and causal relationships between neural circuit activity and ethologically relevant behavior. We seek cutting-edge integration between new and emerging capabilities for large scale recording and/or manipulation of circuits combined with sophisticated analysis of large-scale data. Examples of behaviors of interest include those related to learning and memory, perception, decision making, reward, timing, pain, adaptation to stress, and developmental processes. Experimental techniques include various methods for recording and manipulating neural circuits at single-cell resolution, including multi-electrode recordings, imaging of circuit activity, and optogenetics. Candidates using circuit-based approaches to study preclinical models of schizophrenia, autism, and other difficult to treat psychiatric diseases are encouraged to apply. The successful candidate is expected to assemble a vibrant, externally-funded research program and to achieve excellence in both undergraduate and graduate education. Indiana University is in the midst of a multi-year initiative to build excellence in network science, and it is anticipated that the candidate's research will both benefit from, and contribute to the initiative's computational neuroscience components. To apply, please include a curriculum vita, copies of representative publications, statements of research and teaching interests, and three (3) letters of recommendation. Interested candidates should review the application requirements and submit their application at: https://indiana.peopleadmin.com. Questions regarding the position or application process can be directed to: William P. Hetrick, Ph.D., Professor and Chair, Department of Psychology and Brain Sciences, 1101 E. 10th St., Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405 or via email at whetrick(a)indiana.edu <mailto:whetrick@indiana.edu>. Review of all applications will begin on November 1, 2014 and will continue until the position is filled. Indiana University is an equal opportunity employment and affirmative action employer and a provider of ADA services. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ethnicity, color, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status. Information about the department and the university is available at *http://psych.indiana.edu/faculty/opportunities.asp * * * -- Olaf Sporns -- @spornslab Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences Programs in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science Indiana University Bloomington, IN 47405

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CFP: MLINI 2014 - 4th NIPS Workshop on Machine Learning and Interpretation in Neuroimaging: Beyond the Scanner
by Irina Rish Aug. 25, 2014

Aug. 25, 2014

Call for Papers MLINI 2014 - 4th NIPS Workshop on Machine Learning and Interpretation in Neuroimaging: Beyond the Scanner https://sites.google.com/site/mlininips2014/ Friday, December 12, 2014, Montreal, Quebec, Canada Submission deadline: October 10th, 2014 Workshop Overview: ----------------------- MLINI workshop focuses on machine learning approaches in neuroscience, neuroimaging, with an extension to behavioral experiments and psychology. This year, our focus is specifically on "Going Beyond the Scanner", which includes making inferences about mental states of a subject from ''cheaper'' (as opposed to fMRI) behavioral data such as subject's speech and/or text, audio, video, EEG and signals collected from various wearable devices. We believe that machine learning has a prominent role in shaping how questions in neuroscience are framed, and that the machine-learning mind set is now entering modern psychology and behavioral studies. It is also equally important that practical applications in these fields motivate a rapidly evolving line or research in the machine learning community. In parallel, there is an intense interest in learning more about brain function in the context of rich naturalistic environments and scenes. Efforts to go beyond highly specific paradigms that pinpoint a single function, towards schemes for measuring the interaction with natural and more varied scene are made. In this context, many controversies and open questions exist. The goal of the workshop is to pinpoint the most pressing issues and common challenges across the fields, and to sketch future directions and open questions in the light of novel methodology. The proposed workshop is aimed at offering a forum that joins machine learning, neuroscience, and psychology community, and should facilitate formulating and discussing the issues at their interface. Motivated by the previous workshops in this series, MLINI ‘11, MLINI’12, and MLINI’13, we will center this workshop around invited talks and a panel discussion. Triggered by the discussions, this year we plan to adapt the workshop topics to a less traditional scope neuroimaging scope and investigate the role of behavioral models and psychology, including topics such as psycholinguistics. Open questions and possible topics for contribution include, but are not limited to, the following: - How can we move towards more naturalistic stimuli, tasks and paradigms in neuroimaging and neuro-signal analysis? - What kind of mental states can be inferred from cheaper and easier to collect data sources (as an alternative to fMRI), such as text, speech, audio, video, EEG, and wearable devices? - How can we leave the lab when acquiring neuroimaging data, towards exploiting mobile acquisition (EEG and NIRS)? - What type of features should be extracted from naturalistic stimuli such as text, voice, etc., to detect specific mental states and/or mental disorders? - How can we combine traditional neuroimaging with naturalistic data collected from a subject or group of subjects? - In general, can we characterize situations when multivariate predictive analysis (MVPA) and inference methods are better suited for brain imaging analysis than more traditional techniques? - Given recent advances of deep learning in image analysis and other applications, a natural question to ask is whether neuroimaging analysis can benefit from such approaches? - How well can functional networks and dynamical models capture the brain activity, and when using network and dynamics information is superior to standard task-based brain activations? Workshop Format: -------------------------- In this one-day workshop we will explore perspectives and novel methodology at the interface of Machine Learning, Inference, Neuroimaging and Neuroscience. We aim to bring researchers from machine learning and neuroscience community together, in order to discuss open questions, identify the core points for a number of the controversial issues, and eventually propose approaches to solving those issues. Each session will be opened by several invited talks, and an in depth discussion. This will be followed by original contributions. Original contributions will also be presented and discussed during a poster session. The workshop will end with a panel discussion, during which we will address specific questions, and invited speakers will open each segment with a brief presentation of their opinion. Paper Submission: -------------------------- We seek for submission of original (previously unpublished) research papers. The length of the submitted papers should not exceed 8 pages in Springer format, excluding the references (LaTeX2e style files are available on the workshop page). Submission of previously published work is possible as well, but the authors are required to mention this explicitly. Previously published work can be presented at the workshop, but will not be included into the workshop proceedings (which are considered peer-reviewed publications of novel contributions). Moreover, the authors are welcome to present their novel work but choose to opt out of the workshop proceedings in case they have alternative publication plans. Important dates: -------------------------- - October 10, 2014 - paper submission - October 24, 2014 - notification of acceptance/rejection - December 12, 2014 - Workshop at Montreal, Quebec, Canada , following the NIPS conference Organizing Committee: -------------------------- Guillermo Cecchi (IBM T.J. Watson Research Center) Kai-min Kevin Chang (Language Technologies Institute, Carnegie Mellon University) Georg Langs (Medical University of Vienna, CSAIL, MIT) Brian Murphy (Machine Learning Department, Carngie Mellon University) *Irina Rish (IBM T.J. Watson Research Center) - main contact Leila Wehbe (CMU)

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First release of VERTEX cortical tissue LFP simulator
by Marcus Kaiser Aug. 25, 2014

Aug. 25, 2014

Dear colleagues, Many of you may be interested the first release of our VERTEX simulator for biologically realistic models of *primate* cortical tissue. The Virtual Electrode Recording Tool for EXtracellular potentials (VERTEX) is a Matlab tool for simulating extracellular potential recordings in spiking neural network (SNN) models. As a first application, our model allows us to reproduce temporal and spatial gamma oscillation features of in vitro MEA recordings of macaque cortex using more than 100,000 model neurons. However, adapting the code to other species or tissue types is also possible in the future (see FAQ on our website). VERTEX 1.0 Release Features - VERTEX simulator allows large simulations (> 100 000 neurons) on single computers - *In silico* neuronal network model of an *in vitro* brain slice recording - Realistic local field potential recording with “virtual electrodes” at any 3D point - Direct comparisons between simulated and experimentally observed tissue Software, a two-minute introductory video, tutorials, manuals, and a FAQ can be found at: http://www.vertexsimulator.org/ This release is in conjunction with our publication: Tomsett RJ, Ainsworth M, Thiele A, Sanayei M, Chen X, Gieselmann A, Whittington MA, Cunningham MO, Kaiser M. Virtual Electrode Recording Tool for EXtracellular potentials (VERTEX): Comparing multi-electrode recordings from simulated and biological mammalian cortical tissue. Brain Structure and Function (in press) http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00429–014–0793-x <http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00429-014-0793-x> Best, Marcus -- Marcus Kaiser, Ph.D. Associate Professor (Reader) in Neuroinformatics School of Computing Science Newcastle University Claremont Tower Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK Lab website: http://www.dynamic-connectome.org/ Neuroinformatics@Newcastle: http://neuroinformatics.ncl.ac.uk/ -- Best, Marcus -- Marcus Kaiser, Ph.D. Associate Professor (Reader) in Neuroinformatics School of Computing Science Newcastle University Claremont Tower Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UK Lab website: http://www. <http://www.biological-networks.org/>dynamic-connectome.org <http://www.dynamic-connectome.org/> Neuroinformatics@Newcastle: http://neuroinformatics.ncl.ac.uk/

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Research Scientist Computational Neuroscience Position in Toronto
by Frances Skinner Aug. 23, 2014

Aug. 23, 2014

Computational Neuroscience Research Scientist Position The Toronto Western Research Institute of the University Health Network invites applicants to apply for a Scientist position in the area of Computational Neuroscience. The ideal candidate will have a PhD in a relevant field, have research experience and expertise in mathematical and computational modeling techniques, and research interests that complement those of the Institute in “Degenerative Disorders of Aging”. Candidates whose research interests encompass modeling at multiple levels (molecular, cellular, network, systems), and who have experimental and/or collaborative experimental experience are especially encouraged. The successful candidate will have the ability to establish an independent, well-funded program and will be eligible for appointment at the appropriate level within the University of Toronto. Applications must be emailed by October 19th, 2014 and should include: 1) CV, 2) Statement of research interests, and 3) Contact information (including email) for three referees Reply, by email only, and in confidence to: TWRIrecruitment(a)uhnresearch.ca with subject line: CompNeuro University Health Network thanks all applicants, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. -- Frances Skinner, PhD TWRI/UHN and Univ Toronto www.skinnerlab.org

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JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE NEUROSCIENCE
by Roman Poznanski Aug. 23, 2014

Aug. 23, 2014

JOURNAL OF INTEGRATIVE NEUROSCIENCE Volume 13, No.3, September 2014 http://www.worldscinet.com/jin 1. Theoretical predications of the effects of temperature on simulated adaptive processes in human motor nerve axons at 20°C–42°C D. I. Stephanova<http://www.worldscientific.com/action/doSearch?Contrib=Stephanova%2C+D+I>, M. Daskalova<http://www.worldscientific.com/action/doSearch?Contrib=Daskalova%2C+M> DOI: 10.1142/S0219635214500162 2. Motor afferents from the cerebellum, zona incerta and substantia nigra to the mediodorsal thalamic nucleus in the rat Safiye Çavdar<http://www.worldscientific.com/action/doSearch?Contrib=%C3%87avdar%2C+S>, Merve Özgür<http://www.worldscientific.com/action/doSearch?Contrib=%C3%96zg%C3%BCr%2C+M>, Sanem Pınar Uysal<http://www.worldscientific.com/action/doSearch?Contrib=Uysal%2C+S+P>, Özge Ceren Amuk<http://www.worldscientific.com/action/doSearch?Contrib=Amuk%2C+%C3%96+C> DOI: 10.1142/S0219635214500198 3. An ERP study of simple addition: The semantics and syntax of arithmetic operation signs Shelley Shaul<http://www.worldscientific.com/action/doSearch?Contrib=Shaul%2C+S>, Pearla Nesher<http://www.worldscientific.com/action/doSearch?Contrib=Nesher%2C+P> DOI: 10.1142/S0219635214500186 4. The role of featural processing in other-race face classification advantage: An ERP study Zhenhua Liu<http://www.worldscientific.com/action/doSearch?Contrib=Liu%2C+Z>, Qinghua Zhang<http://www.worldscientific.com/action/doSearch?Contrib=Zhang%2C+Q>, Yan Li<http://www.worldscientific.com/action/doSearch?Contrib=Li%2C+Y>, Yifeng Du<http://www.worldscientific.com/action/doSearch?Contrib=Du%2C+Y>, Wei Dong<http://www.worldscientific.com/action/doSearch?Contrib=Dong%2C+W>, Lun Zhao<http://www.worldscientific.com/action/doSearch?Contrib=Zhao%2C+L> DOI: 10.1142/S0219635214500125 5. fMRI evidence for dissociation between priming and conscious recognition M. S. Korsnes<http://www.worldscientific.com/action/doSearch?Contrib=Korsnes%2C+M+S>, S. J. Magnussen<http://www.worldscientific.com/action/doSearch?Contrib=Magnussen%2C+S+J> DOI: 10.1142/S0219635214500149 6. Visual MMN elicited by orientation changes of faces Wei Wang<http://www.worldscientific.com/action/doSearch?Contrib=Wang%2C+W>, Danmin Miao<http://www.worldscientific.com/action/doSearch?Contrib=Miao%2C+D>, Lun Zhao<http://www.worldscientific.com/action/doSearch?Contrib=Zhao%2C+L> DOI: 10.1142/S0219635214500137 7. MEG localization of spike sources in human patients with brain tumors T. Birbilis<http://www.worldscientific.com/action/doSearch?Contrib=Birbilis%2C+T>, P. Anninos<http://www.worldscientific.com/action/doSearch?Contrib=Anninos%2C+P>, I. Seimenis<http://www.worldscientific.com/action/doSearch?Contrib=Seimenis%2C+I>, A. Adamopoulos<http://www.worldscientific.com/action/doSearch?Contrib=Adamopoulos%2C+A>, A. Kotini<http://www.worldscientific.com/action/doSearch?Contrib=Kotini%2C+A> DOI: 10.1142/S0219635214500150 8. Effects of temperature on simulated electrotonic potentials and their current kinetics of human motor axons at 20°C–42°C D. I. Stephanova<http://www.worldscientific.com/action/doSearch?Contrib=Stephanova%2C+D+I>, M. Daskalova<http://www.worldscientific.com/action/doSearch?Contrib=Daskalova%2C+M> DOI: 10.1142/S0219635214500095 9. Color properties of the motion detectors projecting to the goldfish tectum: I. A color matching study Vadim Maximov<http://www.worldscientific.com/action/doSearch?Contrib=Maximov%2C+V>, Elena Maximova<http://www.worldscientific.com/action/doSearch?Contrib=Maximova%2C+E>, Ilija Damjanović<http://www.worldscientific.com/action/doSearch?Contrib=Damjanovi%C4%87%2C+I>, Paul Maximov<http://www.worldscientific.com/action/doSearch?Contrib=Maximov%2C+P> DOI: 10.1142/S0219635214500113 10. Neural mechanisms underlying conflict monitoring over risky decision alternatives: Evidence from ERP in a Go/Nogo task Shuzhen Wang<http://www.worldscientific.com/action/doSearch?Contrib=Wang%2C+S>, Ning Hui<http://www.worldscientific.com/action/doSearch?Contrib=Hui%2C+N>, Xinsheng Zhou<http://www.worldscientific.com/action/doSearch?Contrib=Zhou%2C+X>, Kaifeng He<http://www.worldscientific.com/action/doSearch?Contrib=He%2C+K>, Yuanyuan Yu<http://www.worldscientific.com/action/doSearch?Contrib=Yu%2C+Y>, Jing Shuai<http://www.worldscientific.com/action/doSearch?Contrib=Shuai%2C+J> DOI: 10.1142/S0219635214500101 "The only journal that combines mathematical neuroscience and experimental brain research for the advancement of a well-grounded theoretical neuroscience." --Gilbert A. Chauvet, Chief Editor, Journal of Integrative Neuroscience, 2002-2007 Indexed in: Index Medicus MEDLINE PubMed Biosis Previews Biological Abstracts INSPEC Science Citation Index Expanded ------- Roman R. Poznanski Professor Laboratory of Biological Modeling The Rockefeller University 1230 York Avenue New York, NY 10065-6399 Office: (212) 327-7646 E-mail: rpoznanski(a)rockefeller.edu http://romanpoznanski.blogspot.com and Chief-Editor, Journal of Integrative Neuroscience http://www.worldscinet.com/jin/mkt/editorial.shtml

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MSc program in Neural Systems and Computation - University of Zurich and ETH Zurich
by Michael Pfeiffer Aug. 22, 2014

Aug. 22, 2014

We are inviting applications for the MSc program in Neural Systems and Computation, an interdisciplinary program offered as a Joint Master Program by the University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Switzerland. The program offers a theoretical and laboratory training in neural computation and systems neuroscience. It offers hands-on knowledge of data gathering, analysis and scientific presentation. Students join an international and interdisciplinary research community with expertise in neuroinformatics, advanced experimental techniques and neuromorphic engineering. Further information can be found on our homepage http://www.nsc.uzh.ch. We offer a specialized full-time Masters program open to students with a Bachelor’s degree in the following disciplines: neurosciences, information technology, electrical engineering, biology, physics, computer sciences, chemistry, mathematics, and mechanical/chemical/control engineering. The core courses (all offered in English) provide a common foundation for students with different educational backgrounds, and cover the following: 1. Systems Neurosciences 2. Neural Computation and Theoretical Neuroscience 3. Neurotechnologies and Neuromorphic Engineering The application deadline for students starting in Spring Semester 2015 is *September 15th 2014*. Details about the application process and required documents can be found here: http://www.nsc.uzh.ch/?page_id=10 The program is affiliated with the Mathematics and Natural Sciences Faculty (MNF) at the University of Zurich (UZH) and the Information Technology and Electrical Engineering Department (D-ITET) of the ETH Zurich. All applications are handled by the University of Zurich. Application documents should be sent to nsc(a)ini.uzh.ch. Michael Pfeiffer -- ========================================= Dr. Michael Pfeiffer Postdoc, Director of Studies NSC Institute of Neuroinformatics University of Zurich and ETH Zurich Winterthurerstrasse 190 CH-8057 Zurich, Switzerland Tel. +41 44 635 30 45 Fax +41 44 635 30 53 pfeiffer (at) ini.phys.ethz.ch http://www.ini.uzh.ch/~pfeiffer/ =========================================

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PhD position available at VU University Medical Center in Amsterdam
by Andre Marquand Aug. 21, 2014

Aug. 21, 2014

Please see below for a PhD Vacancy at the VU University Medical Centre in Amsterdam for employing pattern recognition methods for neuroimaging data analysis. ----------------------------------------------------------- The project The focus of the proposed PhD project is two-fold; First, the PhD student will will employ advanced computational and statistical methods to evaluate the prognostic value of neuroimaging modalities, biomarker, genetic, environmental and clinical characteristics and their combination to classify the course of depression and anxiety. A second part of the project focuses on employing these methods to disentangle phenotypic heterogeneity of depression by identifying different subtypes based on a rich set of neuroimaging and clinical data and biological protein information, and by exploring the genetic basis of different subtypes and their association with course of depression and treatment response. For these purposes, you will work with data from the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety (www.nesda.nl) in which an extensive battery of detailed longitudinal clinical, biomarker, neuroimaging and genetic data have been collected in a large cohort. You will also work with similar data from other international cohorts, and with data from the MOTAR study (www.motar.nl) in which the effects of antidepressant and running treatments are examined. This project will integrate across these data-sources using a variety of methods, including the application of supervised and unsupervised machine learning techniques. You will be involved in the processing of neuroimaging data (structural MRI, functional MRI), associating these data with biomarker, clinical and genetics information and using machine learning methods to classify the patients. You will be working in a multidisciplinary team with young and enthusiastic researchers, who have expertise in psychiatry, genetics, neuroimaging, statistics/engineering and epidemiology. Your challenge As a PhD Student your main tasks and responsibilites are: • Help examine predictors of the naturalistic course and treatment response in depression and anxiety; • Identifying subtypes of depression and anxiety based on multimodal data sources; • Apply unsupervised and supervised machine learning methods, such as Support Vector Machine and/or probabilistic methods, to genetic, multi-modal neuroimaging, clinical and environmental data from the NESDA study, the MOTAR study and other international cohorts; • Write various scientific papers on the above topics, and complete your research with a PhD thesis. Your profile We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic researcher with a strong interest in psychopathology who has the following background and experience: • A strong numerate background (i.e. a Master's degree in computer science, mathematics, engineering, medical image analysis or related discipline), preferably with emphasis on machine learning, pattern classification, and/or multivariate image analysis; • Experience with neuroimage analysis or with (bio) statistics is desirable; • You have excellent statistical and strong computer programming skills (good command of LINUX, scripting, and Matlab); • You have excellent communications skills in English, both written and verbal; • Having experience in writing (international) publication(s) is a plus. Benefits Salary Scale: OIO (EUR 2.200 in the first year that increases to EUR 2.818 gross per month in the fourth year, based on 36 hours per week). We also offer a set 8.3% end-of-year bonus and 8% holiday pay. For more information about our fringe benefits, please visit http://www.werkenbijvumc.nl/vumc/arbeidsvoorwaarden/ (Dutch version). The PhD position is for four years, you will start with a contract for 12 months. Additional information The Department of Psychiatry of the VU University Medical Center (VUMC) and GGZ inGeest collaborately conduct research, education and academic patient care. The main focus is on depression and anxiety disorders, two common psychiatric disorders with high public health impact. Psychiatric research is embedded in two VU research institutes: EMGO+ and Neuroscience Campus Amsterdam. In this research area more than 150 persons from different disciplines (e.g. psychiatry, psychology, health science) collaborate. Interested? For more information you can contact dr. Lianne Schmaal, via telephone number: +31(0)20 – 788 4592. For more information about the application procedure you can contact mr. Wessel Haytink, recruiter, via telephone number: +31(0)6 – 1066 7718. Please submit your candidacy by latest September 7, 2014 with reference number D2.2014.00077WH via the following link: http://bit.ly/PhDMachineLearning

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Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Computational Brain Modeling and Neural Engineering
by Mark Kramer Aug. 20, 2014

Aug. 20, 2014

A multi-year postdoctoral researcher position in computational neuroscience is available immediately through a collaboration of Massachusetts General Hospital and Boston University. The fellow will be tasked to build neural models capable of simulating and predicting human neural dynamics within and among a network of cortical and subcortical areas. These models will inform the design of adaptive “closed loop” stimulation to treat psychiatric disorders. The researcher will work with an interdisciplinary team of clinical and computational researchers at Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, and Boston University to focus on three central aims: 1) Develop a mean-field computational model of human cortical and subcortical regions, 2) Simulate the impact of electrical stimulation on the model dynamics, 3) Implement data assimilation procedures to link in vivo brain voltage recordings from individual patients to the computational model variables and parameters. Experience in statistics (e.g., parameter estimation, Kalman filtering, particle filtering) and computer programming in MATLAB and C-like languages are required. Knowledge of neuroscience and models of neural population activity are preferred, and we will preferentially interview candidates with prior work in neural simulation or experimental neuroscience. This opportunity is available immediately, and candidates currently available to begin work will be preferred. However, we are happy to negotiate start terms for outstanding candidates. To apply, or for more information about the position, please send an email to Drs. Mark Kramer (mak(a)bu.edu) and Alik Widge (awidge(a)partners.org) Please include an updated CV, names and contact information of three references, and a brief statement of your interest in the position and relevant qualifications. Applications from women and representatives of minority groups are encouraged. See also: http://www.nature.com/naturejobs/science/jobs/446865-postdoctoral-research-… -------- Mark A. Kramer Prof. Math & Stats, BU http://math.bu.edu/people/mak/

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[COSYNE2015] Call for workshop proposals
by Tomas Hromadka Aug. 20, 2014

Aug. 20, 2014

================================================================== Computational and Systems Neuroscience (Cosyne) 2015 MAIN MEETING WORKSHOPS Mar 5 - Mar 8, 2015 Mar 9 - Mar 10, 2015 Salt Lake City, Utah Snowbird Ski Resort, Utah http://www.cosyne.org ================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------ CALL FOR WORKSHOP PROPOSALS ------------------------------------------------------------------ PROPOSAL DEADLINE: November 21, 2014. PRE-PROPOSALS: In an effort to coordinate submissions, the organizers are encouraged to submit a pre-proposal by October 31, 2014. Pre-proposals will be shared among submitters. Pre-proposals are requested but not required. The organizers may submit the full proposal by its deadline. A series of workshops will be held after the main Cosyne meeting (http://www.cosyne.org) The goal is to provide an informal forum for the discussion of important research questions and challenges. Controversial issues, open problems, comparisons of competing approaches, and alternative viewpoints are encouraged. The overarching goal of all workshops should be the integration of empirical and theoretical approaches, in an environment that fosters collegial discussion and debate. Preference will be given to proposals that differ substantially in content, scope, and/or approach from workshops of recent years (examples available at http://www.cosyne.org/c/index.php?title=Workshops) Relevant topics include, but are not limited to: sensory processing; motor planning and control; functional neural circuits; motivation, reward and decision making; learning and memory; adaptation and plasticity; neural coding; neural circuitry and network models; and methods in computational or systems neuroscience. Please note that in an effort to enhance the distinctions between workshops, speakers will be asked to commit to only 1-2 workshops. If need be, workshop chairs will work with overcommitted speakers prior to final workshop acceptances to reduce overlap. WORKSHOP DETAILS: - There will be 4-8 workshops/day, running in parallel. - Each workshop is expected to draw between 15 and 80 people. - The workshops will be split into morning (8:00-11:00 AM) and afternoon (4:30-7:30 PM) sessions. - Workshops will be held at Snowbird, a ski resort located 30 miles (typically less than an hour) from the Salt Lake City airport. Buses from the main conference will be provided. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS: Deadline for pre-proposals: October 31, 2014 Deadline for proposals: November 21, 2014 Format: plain text only -- please no attachments, email to: cosyne15workshops(a)googlegroups.com (Claudia Clopath, Robert Froemke) PRE-PROPOSALS should include: - Name(s) and email address(es) of the organizers (no more than 2 organizers per session, please). A primary contact should be designated. - A title. - A brief description of 1) what the workshop will address and accomplish, 2) why the topic is of interest, 3) who is the targeted group of participants. - Names of potential invitees, with indication of confirmed speakers. Preference will be given to workshops with the largest fraction of confirmed speakers. - Proposed workshop length (1 or 2 days). Most workshops will be limited to a single day. If you think your workshop needs 2 days, please explain why. - A brief resume of the workshop organizer along with a short list of workshop-relevant publications (about half a page total). PROPOSALS should include the list of confirmed speakers in addition to components required for a pre-proposal. Workshop organizer responsibilities include coordinating workshop participation and content, scheduling all speakers and submitting a final schedule for the workshop program, and moderating the discussion. Organizers can be speakers but need not speak depending on scheduling constraints. SUGGESTIONS: Experience has shown that the best discussions during a workshop are those that arise spontaneously. A good way to foster these is to have short talks and long question periods (e.g. 30+15 minutes), and have plenty of breaks. We recommend fewer than 10 talks. WORKSHOP COSTS: Detailed registration costs, etc., will be available at cosyne.org. Please note: Cosyne does NOT provide travel funding for workshop speakers. All workshop speakers are expected to pay for workshop registration fees. Participants are encouraged to register early, in order to qualify for discounted registration rates. One complementary (free) organizer registration is provided per workshop. For workshops with 2 organizers, the free registration can be given to one of the organizers or split evenly between them. COSYNE 2015 WORKSHOP CHAIRS: Claudia Clopath (Imperial College London) and Robert Froemke (New York University). QUESTIONS: email: cosyne15workshops(a)googlegroups.com

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Postdoc Position in Sleep and Cognition Lab
by Sara C. Mednick Aug. 20, 2014

Aug. 20, 2014

The Sleep and Cognition (SaC) Lab of the Department of Psychology at the University of California, Riverside has an open position for a postdoc researcher. This researcher will be investigating mechanisms of memory encoding, consolidation, and retrieval by using event-related potential (ERP/EEG) during waking and sleep. Successful candidates should have experience in memory research and EEG methodologies, as well as programming skills. Experience in sleep research is not essential. Position is available immediately. Researchers must possess a doctoral degree. The University of California offers excellent benefits. Salary is based on research experience. The initial appointment is for 1 year with a possibility of extension. Please send your CV, statement of research interests and the names of three references or make inquires to Sara C. Mednick smednick(a)ucr.edu. -- Assistant Professor University of California, Riverside Department of Psychology Sleep and Cognition (SaC) Lab www.saramednick.com www.sleepandcognitionlab.org TEDx Talk <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MklZJprP5F0> Amandla awethu!

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[meetings] Australasian Conference on Artificial Life and Computational Intelligence (ACALCI 2015)
by Stephan Chalup Aug. 19, 2014

Aug. 19, 2014

CfP: Australasian Conference on Artificial Life and Computational Intelligence (ACALCI 2015), 5-7 February 2015, The University of Newcastle, Australia http://www.newcastle.edu.au/ACALCI2015<http://newcastle.edu.au/ACALCI2015> PAPER DEADLINE: 12 September 2014 (extended) NOTIFICATION OF ACCEPTANCE: 15 October 2014 PAPER FORMAT: 6-14 pages in Springer LNAI style PUBLICATION: Springer-Verlag LNAI are indexed by Scopus, Zentralblatt MATH, IO-Port, MathSciNet, ACM Digital Library, dblp, EI Engineering Index (Compendex and Inspec databases), and the ISI Conference Proceedings Citation Index - Science (CPCI-S), included in ISI Web of Science. A special issue in the journal Connection Science will invite authors of some of the best papers to submit extended versions of their articles. CONFERENCE TOPICS: ACALCI 2015 will be organised in broad technical sessions that bring together experts from many different fields related to Artificial Life and Computational Intelligence. The forum also encourages associated applied research in domains as diverse as health, the creative arts and finance (to name a few). In this context ACALCI encourages presentations, demonstrations, performances and discussions on innovative research and interdisciplinary projects. WORKSHOPS, TUTORIALS and PERFORMANCES: If you would like to organise a workshop, tutorial or performance in connection with ACALCI2015 please contact the organisers as soon as possible. CONFERENCE WEBPAGE: http://www.newcastle.edu.au/ACALCI2015<http://newcastle.edu.au/ACALCI2015> ----------------------- Stephan Chalup, PhD http://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/stephan-chalup

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Databrary.org seeks web developer for open source data sharing project
by Rick Gilmore Aug. 19, 2014

Aug. 19, 2014

** Web Developer for Databrary.org ** About Databrary Databrary is a first-of-its-kind web-based data library where scientists who collect and analyze video can store and share their data openly with other researchers. The project is based at New York University (NYU) and Penn State. It has grant support from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The overall goal is to accelerate the pace of discovery, improve scientific transparency and accountability, and transform research practices in psychology and developmental science. We are growing a team to design and build new open source solutions for science using the latest technologies. Web Developer position description The Databrary project seeks a motivated and flexible developer to help build a unique web-based data library. You will work with users and a small group of developers to design and build the front end UI and back end tools to enable behavioral researchers to collaborate, store, explore, and access research datasets in ways not possible with any existing tool. The ideal candidate will relish the challenge of building a uniquely powerful set of research tools while working on a small team in a diverse and intellectually stimulating academic environment. Responsibilities - Implement dynamic, modular, and responsive web interfaces to organize, present, and manipulate research materials. - Design, implement, test, and validate JavaScript across browsers and platforms. - Integrate feedback from UI experts and researchers (users) to identify and prioritize new features. - Learn, understand, and reorganize research data as needed for better integration with the site. Qualifications - Background in CS or other relevant field and 3+ years programming experience. - Knowledge of AngularJS or other modern web application frameworks. - Extensive experience with jQuery, JSON, HTML5, and CSS3. - Familiarity with standard UNIX development tools such as git. - Understanding of security and ethical concerns around sensitive data. Preferred - History of contributions to open source projects. - Comfortable with discussing and addressing UX/UI design issues. - Experience using RESTful interfaces for structured data. - Sensitive to performance considerations building big data interfaces. - Basic understanding of scientific practices and research tools, such as Matlab, SPSS, or R. To apply - Send the following to jobs(a)databrary.org: - One page cover letter (PDF). - Resume (PDF). - Links to your open source contributions or other samples of your work.

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IU Cognitive Science Faculty Search
by Olaf Sporns Aug. 19, 2014

Aug. 19, 2014

Assistant Professor - Embodied Cognitive Science Cognitive Science Program Indiana University The Cognitive Science Program at Indiana University seeks a tenure track junior level appointment in the area of embodied cognitive science. Successful applicants will take a leadership role in the ongoing development of embodied cognition as a research and teaching focus of the program. Indiana University has a strong history in this area, ranging from theoretical foundations to computational and robotics modeling, to experimental approaches in developmental psychology and neuroscience. Although the emphasis of the position is on computational and/or robotic modeling approaches to problems in embodied cognition, candidates are expected to engage with the breadth of experimental programs and philosophical discussion that make up this interdisciplinary research area. Applicants should have a Ph.D. in Cognitive Science, Computer Science or a closely related field and will join the faculty of a department or school on the Bloomington campus appropriate to their specific background. Applicants are expected to have a record that demonstrates an excellent potential in the areas of research and teaching. Interested candidates should review the application requirements and submit their applications athttps://indiana.peopleadmin.com/postings/1006. Questions regarding the position or application process can be directed to Randall Beer, Cognitive Science Search Committee, 819 Eigenmann, 1900 E. 10th St., Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47406-7512 orcogsrch(a)indiana.edu. Review of applications will begin on November 1, 2014 and will continue until the position is filled. Indiana University is an equal employment and affirmative action employer and a provider of ADA services. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ethnicity, color, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation or identity, national origin, disability status or protected veteran status. Applications from women and minority group members are especially encouraged. Information about the program and the university is available athttp://www.cogs.indiana.edu/. -- Olaf Sporns -- @spornslab Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences Programs in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science Indiana University Bloomington, IN 47405

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Tenure-track faculty position in computational neuroscience
by Adam Kohn Aug. 19, 2014

Aug. 19, 2014

The Albert Einstein College of Medicine, one of the leading medical schools in New York City, is seeking to fill multiple tenure track faculty positions in the newly formed Department of Systems and Computational Biology. Established in April 2008, the main goal of the new department is to advance our understanding of living systems by developing theoretical, computational and experimental approaches to study complex biological systems. The Albert Einstein College of Medicine, has 750 medical students, 325 graduate students and 360 post-doctoral fellows in training and boasts a strong research faculty covering broad areas of experimental biology, offering outstanding opportunities for collaborative interactions. The 200,000 square foot Price Center for Genetic and Translational Medicine at Einstein, which opened in late 2007, locates computational, systems, and experimental scientists in physical proximity to foster interdisciplinary communication and collaboration. Highly competitive start-up packages are available. We seek outstanding scientists with broad experience and demonstrated collaborative interactions with experimental or clinical investigators. Candidates should have strength in a physical, mathematical or computational field at the Ph.D. or equivalent level. Experience applying these skills to a biological or biomedical area (demonstrated through publications or support) is also required. Areas of interest that would be advantageous, but not required, are: Systems and Computational Neuroscience — visual processing, cortical computation, or population coding; Systems Evolutionary Biology; and Mathematical and Computational Modeling of Complex Traits. Applicants should send a letter of interest, C.V., statement of research and teaching interests, and names of three referees, in electronic format to: Systems and Computational Biology Search Committee Albert Einstein College of Medicine Jack and Pearl Resnick Campus 1300 Morris Park Ave. Price Center, Rm. 153 Bronx, New York 10461 E-mail Address: sysbio(a)einstein.yu.edu Subject line should be: SCB Faculty Search Yeshiva University is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring minorities, women, individuals with disabilities and protected veterans.

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2nd Call for Abstracts for the 7th Int'l Workshop on Guided Self-Organisation (Freiburg, Dec 16-18, 2014)
by Joschka Boedecker Aug. 19, 2014

Aug. 19, 2014

<apologies for possible cross-posting> Dear colleagues, This is the 2nd Call for Abstracts for the Seventh International Workshop on Guided Self-Organisation (GSO-2014) to be held from December 16-18, 2014 in Freiburg, Germany. http://ml.informatik.uni-freiburg.de/events/gso14/index The workshop will bring together researchers from a richly diverse background who share interest in understanding and designing self-organising systems. Of particular interest are well-founded, but general methods for characterizing such systems in a principled way with the view of ultimately allowing them to be guided toward prespecified goals. Information theory, nonlinear dynamics and graph theory are core to many of these methods, and quantifying complexity and its sources is a common theme. This year, the workshop is organised in collaboration with the BrainLinks-BrainTools cluster of excellence at University of Freiburg ( https://www.brainlinks-braintools.uni-freiburg.de/ ), and one focus theme will be guided self-organisation in neural systems. Submissions to the workshop are extended abstracts (one-two pages). If interested in participating, send an extended abstract (by September 7th, 2014) by email to: jboedeck at informatik dot uni-freiburg dot de The notifications are expected by September 21st, 2014. Authors of accepted submissions will present the content to the workshop (scheduled 30 minutes presentation). It is expected that post-workshop publication of selected papers will follow in a special journal issue (as has been the case for previous GSO workshops). Please consult the website above and also http://guided-self.org/ for more information. Best wishes, Joschka Boedecker Mikhail Prokopenko Martin Riedmiller

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PhD Positions Combining Robotics and Neuroscience at the Queensland University of Technology
by Michael Milford Aug. 19, 2014

Aug. 19, 2014

Several PhD positions are available to work on a challenging interdisciplinary research project spanning neuroscience, robotics and computer vision. Project summary: Current robotic and personal navigation systems leave much to be desired; GPS only works in open outdoor areas, lasers are expensive and cameras are highly sensitive to changing environmental conditions. In contrast, nature has evolved superb navigation systems. This project will solve the challenging problem of place recognition, a key component of navigation, by modelling the visual recognition skills of humans and the rodent spatial memory system. This approach combines the best understood and most capable components of place recognition in nature to create a whole more capable than its parts. The project will produce advances in robotic and personal navigation technology and lead to breakthroughs in our understanding of the brain. This project is a strongly interdisciplinary one spanning neuroscience, robotics and computer vision and candidates will require experience or a skill set that facilitates this interdisciplinary approach - such as a strong background in computer science with an interest in neuroscience, or a neuroscientist / biologist with strong math and coding skills. PhD candidates will have the very challenging but rewarding task of achieving research breakthroughs that impact multiple disciplines simultaneously, as well as producing innovative technologies based on these breakthroughs. Project Collaborators and Support The project will involve collaboration with leading neuroscientists, roboticists, biologists and computer vision researchers at top international universities including Harvard University and Boston University, as well as local collaborators including The University of Queensland. PhD candidates will pursue an independent interdisciplinary research agenda but will have access to researchers from several major robotics and computer vision initiatives based at QUT, including the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Robotic Vision. How to Apply To apply please go to: https://wiki.qut.edu.au/display/cyphy/Applications+Milford. Scholarships and top-ups are available for high quality applicants. Or contact: Dr Michael Milford: https://wiki.qut.edu.au/display/cyphy/Michael+Milford School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Queensland University of Technology Phone: +61 7 3138 9969 | E-mail: michael DOT milford(a)qut.edu.au Michael Milford |ARC Future Fellow | Microsoft Faculty Fellow | Senior Lecturer | Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Science and Engineering Faculty | Queensland University of Technology S Block, Room S1110, Gardens Point Campus ph 3138 9969 | email michael.milford(a)qut.edu.au<mailto:c.degroot@qut.edu.au> CRICOS No 00213J * Recent Publications * * Visual Place Recognition Under Extreme Perceptual Change - "SeqSLAM: Visual route-based navigation for sunny summer days and stormy winter nights", International Conference on Robotics and Automation, link http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpls/abs_all.jsp?arnumber=6224623 * Navigating without GPS, using only a web camera - "Mapping a Suburb with a Single Camera using a Biologically Inspired SLAM System", IEEE Transactions on Robotics, link http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpls/abs_all.jsp?arnumber=4627450 * Continual mapping and navigation over a 2 week office delivery robot experiment - "Persistent Navigation and Mapping using a Biologically Inspired SLAM System", International Journal of Robotics Research, http://ijr.sagepub.com/content/29/9/1131.abstract * Combining robotics, neuroscience and animal navigation to manage uncertainty when navigating - "Solving Navigational Uncertainty Using Grid Cells on Robots", PLoS Computational Biology, http://www.ploscompbiol.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pcbi.1000995 More information available at: https://wiki.qut.edu.au/display/cyphy/Michael+Milford Google Scholar Profile: http://scholar.google.com/citations?user=TDSmCKgAAAAJ&hl=en

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Neurocomputing special issue CFP
by Zhijun Yang Aug. 16, 2014

Aug. 16, 2014

Dear Colleagues, Sorry for any possible cross communications. May we draw your attention to a Neurocomputing special issue CFP: Advances on Biological Rhythmic Pattern Generation: Experiments, Algorithms and Application. The full announcement can be found as an internet link below. http://www.journals.elsevier.com/neurocomputing/call-for-papers/special-iss… Instructions for submission: • The submission website for Neurocomputing is located at: http://ees.elsevier.com/neucom/default.asp • To ensure that all relevant manuscripts are correctly identified for inclusion into this special issue, it is important that authors select SI: Creating Biology Rhythm when reaching the “Article Type” step in the submission process. We look forward to receiving your contributions to what promises to be an exciting special issue. Best regards, Zhijun Yang -- Zhijun Yang, BEng, MSc, PhD, Lecturer in Design Engineering Department of Design Engineering and Mathematics School of Science and Technology Middlesex University, London NW4 4BT, UK Voice: +44 (0)7882681333

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Bernstein Conference 2014 - online registration ends August 24
by Kerstin Mosch Aug. 14, 2014

Aug. 14, 2014

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Graduate studies in the neuroscience of decision-making
by Paul Cisek Aug. 13, 2014

Aug. 13, 2014

Graduate studies in the neuroscience of decision-making Department of neuroscience, laboratory of Paul Cisek Applications are invited for a master's or doctoral studentship in cognitive neuroscience. The successful applicant will join a research group studying the neural mechanisms of decision-making in humans and non-human primates using a combination of computational and experimental techniques. Research in our laboratory involves computational models of the nervous system as well as behavioral experiments, transcranial magnetic stimulation, functional magnetic resonance imaging, and multi-electrode recording from the cerebral cortex and subcortical regions. 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. See www.cisek.org/pavel for information on current projects and a list of sample publications. While students with a strong background in mathematics, computer science, or biological sciences are particularly encouraged to apply, all motivated students with an interest in understanding the brain will be considered. The successful applicant will receive a competitive salary in accordance with university guidelines. For further information, please contact Dr. Paul Cisek (paul.cisek(a)umontreal.ca) Applicants are asked to submit a cover letter, curriculum vita, copies of academic transcripts, and the names and contact information of 2 references, to: Dr. Paul Cisek Department of neuroscience University of Montréal C.P. 6128 Succursale Centre-ville Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, CANADA Phone: 514-343-6111 x4355 Web: www.cisek.org/pavel email: paul.cisek(a)umontreal.ca Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, but preference will be given to applications received before August 31, 2014. Interviews may be possible at the Bernstein conference (Göttingen, Sept 2-5, 2014, http://www.bernstein-conference.de/) the INT neuroscience conference (Marseille, Oct 2-3, 2014, http://www.int.univ-amu.fr/2nd-colloque-de-l-INT) or the Society for Neuroscience meeting (Washington DC, November 15-19, 2014, http://www.sfn.org/annual-meeting/neuroscience-2014) Montréal is consistently rated as one of the world's most livable cities and has been called "Canada's Cultural Capital". It has the highest number of university students per capita in the continent, with more than 17,000 foreign students from 150 countries and among the lowest tuition fees in North America. Montréal's vibrant neuroscience community spans four major universities (University of Montréal, McGill University, Concordia University, and the University of Québec at Montréal) and the Montréal Neurological Institute. The University of Montréal is the largest university in Québec and the second largest in Canada, with over 55,000 students and 10,000 employees. Deeply rooted in Montréal and dedicated to its international mission, the Université de Montréal is one of the top universities in the French-speaking world. The University of Montréal is a French-speaking institution, and most coursework is in French. However, the master's or PhD thesis can be written in French or English. ----------------------------------------------- Paul Cisek, Ph.D. Groupe de recherche sur le système nerveux central Département de neuroscience, local 4117 Université de Montréal C.P. 6128 Succursale Centre-ville Montréal QC H3C 3J7 Canada Tél: 514-343-6111 x4355 Fax: 514-343-2111 e-mail: paul.cisek(a)umontreal.ca -----------------------------------------------

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3 open PhD psoitions at the Neuroinformatics Lab at the Institute of Cognitive Science, University of Osnabrück, Germany
by Prof. Dr. Gordon Pipa Aug. 13, 2014

Aug. 13, 2014

The Neuroinformatics Research Group (Prof. Dr. Gordon Pipa) of the Institute of Cognitive Science invites applications for 3 Research Assistants (PhD student level), (Salary level E 13 TV-L 50%) to be filled as soon as possible for a period of three years. The position allows for further scientific qualification. We invite applicants that are interested in research in Neuroinformatics, with an emphasis on dynamical systems, machine learning, virtual reality, computational linguistics and electrophysiology. Candidates will participate in a highly international PhD program on cognitive science (with >40 currently enrolled students) and interdisciplinary research projects that can involve cooperation with other disciplines of our institute. Candidates should be highly motivated to understand the structure of neuronal coding and neuronal representations. To study this, we involve different research strategies that range from the development of highly sophisticated data analysis strategies, to modelling of neuronal processes on the level of recurrent networks. The qualification profile of the candidates can range from a purely mathematical neuroscientist, a dynamical systems researcher to interdisciplinary candidates that share interest in performing experiments with the virtual reality combined with EEG and sophisticated machine learning-based analysis of recorded activity (at http://ikw.uni-osnabrueck.de/en/ni/publications you find an overview of recent research topics). Description of Responsibilities: The successful candidate will be involved in several research projects that range from BSc to MSc projects. The position also involves teaching Cognitive Science courses at BSc and MSc level (2 hours/week). Required Qualifications: Candidates are expected to have an excellent academic degree (Master/diploma). Applicants should have an excellent knowledge in the field of machine learning, i.e. generalized linear and state space models, kernel methods, reservoir computing and deep learning. Experience or a strong interest in the fields of complex systems, computational neurosciences, dynamical systems theory and the concepts to study these, i.e. bifurcation and stability analysis, and delay- coupled differential equations, measurements of complexity, are encouraged. Experience or a strong interest in experimental methods such as EEG, and virtual reality are highly welcome. In addition, a strong interest or experience in the estimation of causal interactions from time series is welcome. As a certified family-friendly institution, Osnabrück University is committed to furthering the compatibility between work/studies and family life. As an employer, Osnabrück University is particularly concerned with creating equal opportunities for women and men. Women with relevant qualifications are therefore strongly encouraged to apply for the position. Preference will be given to women with equal qualifications. Furthermore, qualified applicants with disabilities will be favored. Applications with the usual documentation, including two letters of recommendation, should be submitted by e-mail in a single PDF file to the Director of the Institute of Cognitive Science (office(a)ikw.uni-osnabrueck.de) no later than 08.09.2014. An electronic copy should be sent to Prof. Dr. Gordon Pipa (gpipa(a)uni-osnabrueck.de) who can also be contacted for further information. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --- Professor and Chair of the Neuroinformatics Department Dr. rer. nat. Gordon Pipa Institute of Cognitive Science, Room 31/404 University of Osnabrueck Albrechtstr. 28, 49069 Osnabrueck, 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: <http://www.ni.uos.de/> http://www.ni.uos.de research gate: <https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Gordon_Pipa/?ev=prf_act> https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Gordon_Pipa/?ev=prf_act google scholar: <http://scholar.google.de/citations?user=joR6mgEAAAAJ> http://scholar.google.de/citations?user=joR6mgEAAAAJ Personal Assistent and Secretary of the Neuroinformatics lab: Anna Jungeilges Tel. +49 (0)541 969-2390 Fax +49 (0)541 969-2246 Email: <mailto:anna.jungeilges@uni-osnabrueck.de> anna.jungeilges(a)uni-osnabrueck.de visit us on <http://www.facebook.com/CognitiveScienceOsnabruck> http://www.facebook.com/CognitiveScienceOsnabruck <https://twitter.com/#!/CogSciUOS> https://twitter.com/#!/CogSciUOS

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Workshop on Stochastic Neural Computation in Paris
by Wolfgang Maass Aug. 13, 2014

Aug. 13, 2014

I am organizing a Workshop on Stochastic Neural Computation on Nov.27 and 28, 2014 in Paris, at the European Institute for Theoretical Neuroscience. You are welcome to attend, and present a poster (if it fits into the context of this workshop). This will be a very informal "working" workshop, where we want to bring together experts from neuroscience, cognitive science, theory, and neuromorphic hardware, that are working on different angles of stochastic neural computation with biological or artificial spiking neurons. The talks will focus on new results. We will also have plenty of time to discuss open problems and challenges that arise. Possibly this meeting could mark the beginning of some loose research network around this exciting research topic. You can find a preliminary program at https://flagship.kip.uni-heidelberg.de/jss/Ag?eMAt=38&showAgenda=x&eKn=SCom… Information on the venue and hotel information is available at https://flagship.kip.uni-heidelberg.de/jss/Ag?eMAt=38&SiD=x&eKn=SComNo27 The participation is free, but prior registration by October 1 is required on https://flagship.kip.uni-heidelberg.de/jss/Ag?eMAt=38&eKrn=SComNo27 Under "Registration type" on the registration page you can indicate whether you want to present a poster (please send title and abstract to me per email). There will be no registration fee. best regards Wolfgang Maass -- Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Maass Institut fuer Grundlagen der Informationsverarbeitung Technische Universitaet Graz Inffeldgasse 16b , A-8010 Graz, Austria Tel.: ++43/316/873-5822 Fax ++43/316/873-5805 http://www.igi.tugraz.at/maass/Welcome.html

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Neural plasticity for rich and uncertain robotic information streams, abstract deadline extended 12th September.
by f.vandervelde＠utwente.nl Aug. 13, 2014

Aug. 13, 2014

Dear All, We extended the abstract submission deadline for the research topic “Neural plasticity for rich and uncertain information streams”, hosted by Frontiers in Neurorobotics, due to requests. The new deadline is 12th of September. Note that the paper submission deadline remains unchanged (Jan 12, 2015). Description: Models of adaptation and neural plasticity are often demonstrated in robotic scenarios with heavily pre-processed and regulated information streams to provide learning algorithms with appropriate, well timed, and meaningful data to match the assumptions of learning rules. On the contrary, natural scenarios are often rich of raw, asynchronous, overlapping and uncertain inputs and outputs whose relationships and meaning are progressively acquired, disambiguated, and used for further learning. Therefore, recent research efforts focus on neural embodied systems that rely less on well timed and pre-processed inputs, but rather extract autonomously relationships and features in time and space. In particular, realistic and more complete models of plasticity must account for delayed rewards, noisy and ambiguous data, emerging and novel input features during online learning. Such approaches model the progressive acquisition of knowledge into neural systems through experience in environments that may be affected by ambiguities, uncertain signals, delays, or novel features. This research topic promises to unveil fundamental properties and dynamics of neural learning system that are naturally immersed in a rich information flow. We invite papers describing advances in robotic neural learning systems that model adaptation or plasticity with a rich and realistic stream of information. Abstract Submission Deadline (extended): Sep 12, 2014, Article Submission Deadline: Jan 12, 2015 Topic Editor(s): Andrea Soltoggio, Frank van der Velde Frontiers, a Swiss open-access publisher, recently partnered with Nature Publishing Group to expand its researcher-driven Open Science platform. Frontiers articles are rigorously peer-reviewed, can be disseminated freely and are widely read by your colleagues and by the broader scientific and medical research communities. The idea behind a research topic is to create an organized, comprehensive collection of several contributions, as well as a forum for discussion and debate. Contributions can be articles describing original research, methods, hypothesis & theory, opinions, etc. We have created a homepage on the Frontiers website (Frontiers in Neurorobotics) where all articles will appear after peer-review and where participants in the topic will be able to hold relevant discussions: http://www.frontiersin.org/Neurorobotics/researchtopics/Neural_plasticity_f…. Frontiers will also compile an e-book, as soon as all contributing articles are published, that can be used in classes, be sent to foundations that fund your research, to journalists and press agencies, or to any number of other organizations. As such, a manuscript accepted for publication incurs a publishing fee, which varies depending on the article type. Research Topic manuscripts receive a significant discount on publishing fees. Please take a look at this fee table: http://www.frontiersin.org/about/PublishingFees. Once published, your articles will remain free to access for all readers, and will be indexed in PubMed and other academic archives. As an author in Frontiers, you retain the copyright to your own papers and figures. Should you choose to participate, please confirm by sending me a quick email and then your abstract no later than Sep 12, 2014 using the following link:http://www.frontiersin.org/Neurorobotics/researchtopics/Neural_plastic… With best regards, Frank van der Velde and Andrea Soltoggio Guest Associate Editors, Frontiers in Neurorobotics www.frontiersin.org

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Seeking community input for Neurodata Without Borders
by Jeff Teeters Aug. 13, 2014

Aug. 13, 2014

Dear Colleague, The Neurodata Without Borders (NWB) project has just started. The project goal is to build a common data format for neurophysiology data from Allen Brain Institute, Janelia Farm and two labs from NYU and Caltech. Although focusing on a limited set of use cases, the project also aims to develop products that will serve the broader community. At this point we would like to solicit community input about ideas/approaches for designing a generalizable neurophysiology data format. If you are interested in contributing to this project, please review the project description at: https://crcns.org/NWB and fill out the questionnaire: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1CNTd4M-8kQ_WhEZc7n7WxpTa0LOupt_q3z21E1fRxj… On the basis of the questionnaire responses and ensuing communication, we will organize the first hackathon meeting of the project, to be held November 20 – 22, 2014 (just after SfN) at Janelia Farm, in Ashburn, Virginia. At this hackathon we will discuss in detail the requirements for a common format based on the project use cases and also discuss, compare and evaluate alternative techniques for implementing the common format. More information about the project is available in a recent press release: http://www.kavlifoundation.org/kavli-news/prominent-us-research-institution… Please forward this email to anyone you know with relevant expertise who may be interested in contributing to this project. Thank you, Fritz Sommer and Jeff Teeters Redwood Center for Theoretical Neuroscience UC Berkeley

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DEADLINE EXTENDED: 8th International Conference on Bio-inspired Information and Communications Technologies (BICT 2014, formerly BIONETICS)
by Jun Suzuki Aug. 12, 2014

Aug. 12, 2014

CFP: 8th International Conference on Bio-inspired Information and Communications Technologies (BICT 2014, formerly BIONETICS) http://www.bionetics.org/ Paper submission deadline extended: September 1, 2014 December 1 (Mon) - December 3, 2014 (Wed) Boston, MA, USA In-corporation with ACM BICT 2014 aims to provide a world-leading and multidisciplinary venue for researchers and practitioners in diverse disciplines that seek the understanding of key principles, processes and mechanisms in biological systems and leverage those understandings to develop novel information and communications technologies (ICT). BICT 2014 targets two thrusts: THRUST 1: Indirect/Weak Bioinspiration (ICT designed after biological principles, processes and mechanisms). Examples include evolutionary computation, artificial gene regulatory networks, neural computation, swarm intelligence, cellular automata, artificial immune systems, artificial life, artificial chemistry, reaction-diffusion computing, simulated annealing, self-organization and network science. THRUST 2: Direct/Strong Bioinspiration (ICT utilizing biological materials and systems). Examples include cellular computing, molecular computing/communication, membrane computing, DNA computing and memory, bacterial computing, Physarum computing and quantum computing. Expected, but not exclusive, topics are: * Signal/information processing and communication for bio-inspired ICT * Algorithms and their applications for bio-inspired ICT * Formal models and methods for bio-inspired ICT * Bio-inspired software and hardware systems * Modeling, simulations and empirical experiments of bio-inspired ICT * Self-* and stability properties in bio-inspired ICT * Security, robustness and resilience in bio-inspired ICT * Design, configuration and management issues in bio-inspired ICT * Software engineering and performance engineering in bio-inspired ICT * Tools, testbeds and deployment aspects in bio-inspired ICT * Applications, experiences and standardization of bio-inspired ICT * Socially-aware, game theoretic and other metaphor-assisted interdisciplinary research Application domains include, but not limited to, autonomic computing, bioinformatics, biomedical engineering, computer networks, computer vision, data mining, e-health, green computing and networking, grid/cloud computing, intelligent agents, mechanical engineering, molecular communication, nano-scale computing and networking, optimization, pervasive computing, robotics, security, social networks, software engineering and systems engineering. IMPORTANT DATES: Regular paper submission due: September 1 Short and poster/demo paper submission due: September 22 Notification for regular papers: September 22 Notification for short and poster/demo papers: October 6 Camera ready due: October 13 SPECIAL TRACKS: In addition to the regular track that covers general/mainstream topics, BICT 2014 features the following special tracks that focus on specific, emerging or underrepresented topics. * Artificial, Biological and Bio-Inspired Intelligence (ABBII) * Artificial Intelligence and Software Engineering (AISE) * Body Area Soft Computing (BASC) * Biologically-Inspired Process Calculi (BIPC) * Bio-Inspired Machine Vision (BIMV) * Bio-inspired/Biomimetic Microsystems & Microdevices (BMM) * Bio-inspired Wireless Network Security (BWNS) * Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) * Engineering Applications from Molecular and Gene Regulatory Networks (EMNET) * Molecular Communication and Networking (MCN) * Morphogenetic Collective Systems (MCS) * Modularization for Practical Software Engineering (MPSE) * Resilient Networks (RN) * Swarm and Modular Robotics (SAMR) * Smart Body Area Networks (SBAN) * Security and Privacy in Bio-inspired Networks (SPBN) PAPER SUBMISSION: Authors are invited to submit regular papers (up to 8 pages each), short papers (up to 4 pages each) or poster/demo papers (up to 2 pages each) in ACM's paper template. Up to two extra pages are allowed for each paper with extra page charges. See http://bionetics.org/2014/show/initial-submission for more details. PUBLICATION: All accepted paper will be published through ACM Digital Library and submitted for indexing by SI, EI Compendex, Scopus, ACM Library, Google Scholar and many more. Selected papers will be considered for publication in leading journals including: * ACM/Springer Mobile Networks and Applications * Elsevier Information Sciences * Elsevier Nano Communication Networks Journal * Int'l Journal of Software Engineering and Knowledge Engineering * Cloud-integrated Cyber-Physical Systems (Springer book) KEYNOTE SPEAKERS: * Andrew Adamatzky, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK * Gabriel Ciobanu, Romanian Academy, ICS, Iasi, Romania * Andrew Eckford, York University, Canada * Valeriy Perminov, BioTeckFarm, Ltd., Russia * Hiroki Sayama, SUNY Binghamton, USA * Theresa Schubert, Bauhaus-Universität Weimar, Germany * Jon Timmis, University of York, UK * Honggang Wang, University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth, USA * Justin Werfel, Harvard University, USA GENERAL CHAIR: Jun Suzuki, University of Massachusetts, Boston, USA PC CHAIR: Tadashi Nakano, Osaka University, Japan PC VICE CHAIRS: Andrew Adamatzky, University of the West of England, UK Gabriel Ciobanu, Romanian Academy, Institute of Computer Science, Romania Douglas Dow, Wentworth Institute of Technology, USA Hiroaki Fukuda, Shibaura Institute of Technology, Japan Tyler Garaas, Mitsubishi Electric Research Laboratories, USA Preetam Ghosh, Virginia Commonwealth University, USA Isao Hayashi, Kansai University, Japan Yu-Hsiang Hsu, National Taiwan University, Taiwan Saori Iwanaga, Japan Coast Guard Academy, Japan Masao Kubo, National Defense Academy, Japan Paul Leger, Universidad Católica del Norte, Chile Shih-Hsi "Alex" Liu, California State University, Fresno, USA Michael L. Mayo, US Army Engineer Research and Development Center, USA Parisa Memarmoshrefi, University of Goettingen, Germany Marjan Mernik, University of Maribor, Slovenia Alan Millard, University of York, UK Michael Moore, USA Marc Pomplun, University of Massachusetts Boston, USA Florian Raudies, Boston University, USA Hiroshi Sato, National Defense Academy, Japan Hiroki Sayama, SUNY Binghamton, USA Tomohiro Shirakawa, National Defense Academy of Japan, Japan Jon Timmis, University of York, UK Athanasios Vasilakos, University of Western Macedonia, Greece Honggang Wang, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, USA Jun Zhou, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, China

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Parallel computing workshop at SFN 2014 meeting
by Ted Carnevale Aug. 12, 2014

Aug. 12, 2014

What: Using the Neuroscience Gateway Portal for Parallel Simulations A Satellite Symposium at the 2014 Society for Neuroscience Meeting Where: Location to be announced in downtown Washington, DC When: 9 AM - Noon on Saturday, November 15, 2014 Speakers to include: A. Majumdar, S. Sivagnanam, and T. Carnevale Registration deadline: Friday, October 31, 2014 This workshop is for neuroscientists who need to use parallel supercomputers for large modeling projects. With support from NSF, we have been developing the Neuroscience Gateway Portal (NSG) http://www.nsgportal.org/, which * provides free CPU time on NSF-supported high performance computing resources * has a browser-based interface that simplifies the tasks of uploading models, specifying job parameters, monitoring job status, and storing and retrieving output data * already has many widely-used simulatiors optimally installed and configured, including Brian, GENESIS3, NEST, NEURON, and PyNN The workshop will combine didactic presentations by NSG's developers, discussions with experienced users, and hands on instruction in how to use the portal. Come find out how the NSG can be useful in your own research! For more information and the online registration form see http://www.neuron.yale.edu/neuron/static/courses/nsg2014/nsg2014.html --Ted

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postdoctoral position, Deep Brain Stimulation in Parkinson's disease, IUPUI and Purdue University
by Leonid Rubchinsky Aug. 12, 2014

Aug. 12, 2014

Postdoctoral opening in computational neuroscience The Department of Mathematical Sciences at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) invites applications for a postdoctoral position in the area of mathematical and computational neuroscience. The position is with a collaborative group of scholars from the Department of Mathematical Sciences at IUPUI, Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering at Purdue University and the Department of Neurosurgery of the Indiana University School of Medicine. The current research project is aimed at the development of adaptive deep brain stimulators for Parkinson's disease. Part of the duties may also include some teaching in the Mathematical Sciences. The position offers excellent interdisciplinary training possibilities in mathematical biology and computational neuroscience. Qualifications: Applicants are expected to have a Ph.D. in mathematics, physics, neuroscience, biomedical engineering, computer science or other related field. Applicants should have strong quantitative skills in data analysis and modeling and a strong interest in neuroscience applications. Experience in nonlinear dynamics/control theory/neurophysiology is a plus. How to apply: Send your CV with a list of publications, research statement, and arrange two-three recommendation letters to be sent to Dr. Leonid Rubchinsky via e-mail: leo(a)math.iupui.edu. Address all your inquiries to the same e-mail. Alternatively send your application by regular mail to: Dr. Leonid Rubchinsky, Department of Mathematical Sciences, IUPUI, 402 N. Blackford Street, LD 270, Indianapolis, IN 46202. Screening of applications will continue until position is filled. IUPUI is an EEO/AA Employer, M/F/D. *********************** Leonid Rubchinsky, PhD Associate Professor Department of Mathematical Sciences, Indiana University - Purdue University, Indianapolis Stark Neurosciences Research Institute, Indiana University School of Medicine 402 N. Blackford St Indianapolis, IN 46202 leo(a)math.iupui.edu http://www.math.iupui.edu/~leo 317-274-9745 317-274-3460 (fax) ***********************

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Job offer: PhD student position
by Seeger, Simone Aug. 12, 2014

Aug. 12, 2014

The Department of Theoretical Neuroscience (Head: Prof. Daniel Durstewitz) at the Central Institute of Mental Health (Mannheim) invites applications for a PhD student position (E 13 TV-L) (50% of the fulltime weekly hours) in the newly founded research group Data-driven network models of higher cognitive functions (Head: Dr. Joachim Hass) to be filled as soon as possible. The position is initially limited for 3 years. The research group develops biologically realistic computational neural network models of the neocortical structures such as the prefrontal cortex and the motor cortex. These models closely adhere to physiological data from both in vitro and in vivo experiments and are used to study higher cognitive functions such as time perception and working memory. The successful candidate will work in the project "The human mirror neuron system - measurement and beyond" funded by the Heidelberg Academy for Sciences and Humanities. The joint project of the Departments of Theoretical Neuroscience and Clinical Psychology of the Central Institute of Mental Health aims at a deeper understanding of the mirror neuron system in humans, which is thought to play a crucial role in social cognition by representing the emotions and intentions of others in the motor cortex. The project combines multimodal measurements (involving fMRI, EEG, transcranial magnetic stimulation and genotyping) with computational modeling. The Central Institute of Mental Health is an internationally renowned research institute for psychiatry and neuroscience as well as a clinic for psychiatry, psychotherapy and psychosomatics (part of the medical faculty of the University of Heidelberg). The research group closely interacts with neurobiologists and psychologists at the institute. The Department of Theoretical Neuroscience is focused on computational modeling and statistical data analysis of prefrontal cortex and hippocampus functions. It is one of the core research units of the Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience (BCCN) Heidelberg-Mannheim. Access to high-performance computing facilities is provided. Tasks: The project involves the development of a rate-based, brain-scale model as well as the further development of an existing spiking network model of the motor cortex. The resulting twostage model is then being adapted to the multimodal experimental data using stochastic optimization techniques. In particular, the effects of the transcranial magnetic stimulation and different levels of dopamine and oxytocin are to be implemented in the model and directly compared with the experimental data. Participation in the project organization and publication writing is also expected. It is also possible to participate in the analysis of the fMRI data. Requirements: The candidate should have a university degree (master or equivalent) in physics, mathematics, computer science, computational neuroscience or similar, a strong interest in neurobiological research and very good programming skills (ideally in MATLAB and C). Good communication skills in English as well as knowledge in nonlinear dynamics, numerical optimization or neural modeling are also required. Knowledge in neuroscience or experimental psychology is beneficial. Applicants should sent their application documents (cover letter including a brief description of personal qualifications and future research interests, CV and contact details of two personal references) to joachim.hass(a)zi-mannheim.de<mailto:joachim.hass@zi-mannheim.de>. Questions and informal discussions about the position are also welcome under this email address. The call is open until the position is filled. *** Simone Seeger, M.A. Administration Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Zentralinstitut für Seelische Gesundheit Postfach 12 21 20, 68072 Mannheim J5, 68159 Mannheim Telefon: 0621/1703-1326 oder 06221/54-8310 Fax: 0621/1703-2915 E-Mail: Simone.Seeger(a)zi-mannheim.de<mailto:Simone.Seeger@zi-mannheim.de> Internet: http://www.bccn-heidelberg-mannheim.de<http://www.bccn-heidelberg-mannheim.de/> *** Simone Seeger, M.A. Administration Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Zentralinstitut für Seelische Gesundheit Postfach 12 21 20, 68072 Mannheim J5, 68159 Mannheim Telefon: 0621/1703-1326 oder 06221/54-8310 Fax: 0621/1703-2915 E-Mail: Simone.Seeger(a)zi-mannheim.de<mailto:Simone.Seeger@zi-mannheim.de> Internet: http://www.bccn-heidelberg-mannheim.de<http://www.bccn-heidelberg-mannheim.de/>

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Call for Papers: IEEE Computational Intelligence Magazine (CIM) Special Issue: "Computational Intelligence for Changing Environments"
by Dr Amir Hussain Aug. 11, 2014

Aug. 11, 2014

Call for Papers (Please also forward to any interested colleagues - with advance apologies for any cross-postings!) IEEE Computational Intelligence Magazine (CIM) (http://cis.ieee.org/ieee-computational-intelligence-magazine.html) Special Issue on "Computational Intelligence for Changing Environments" (Submission Deadline: 15 Nov 2014) (http://www.cs.stir.ac.uk/~ahu/IEEE-CIM-CICE2015.pdf) Guest Editors: Amir Hussain, Dacheng Tao, Jonathan Wu and Dongbin Zhao Aims and Scope: Over the past decade or so, computational intelligence techniques have been highly successful for solving big data challenges in changing environments. In particular, there has been growing interest in so called biologically inspired learning (BIL), which refers to a wide range of learning techniques, motivated by biology, that try to mimic specific biological functions or behaviors. Examples include the hierarchy of the brain neocortex and neural circuits, which have resulted in biologically-inspired features for encoding, deep neural networks for classification, and spiking neural networks for general modelling. To ensure these models are generalizable to unseen data, it is common to assume that the training and test data are independently sampled from an identical distribution, known as the sample i.i.d. assumption. In dynamic and non-stationary environments, the distribution of data changes over time, resulting in the phenomenon of ‘concept drift’ (also known as population drift or concept shift), which is a generalization of covariance shift in statistics. Over the last five years, transfer learning and multitask learning have been used to tackle this problem. Fundamental analyses using probably approximately correct (PAC) and Rademacher complexity frameworks have explained why appropriate incorporation of context and concept drift can improve generalizability in changing environments. It is possible to use human-level processing power to tackle concept drift in changing environments. Concept drift is a real-world problem, usually associated with online and concept learning, where the relationships between input data and target variables dynamically change over time. Traditional learning schemes do not adequately address this issue, either because they are offline or because they avoid dynamic learning. However, BIL seems to possess properties that would be helpful for solving concept drift problems in changing environments. Intuitively, the human capacity to deal with concept drift is innate to cognitive processes, and the learning problems susceptible to concept drift seem to share some of the dynamic demands placed on plastic neural areas in the brain. Using improved biological models in neural networks can provide insight into cognitive computational phenomena. However, a main outstanding issue in using computational intelligence for changing environments and domain adaptation is how to build complex networks, or how networks should be connected to the features, samples, and distribution drifts. Manual design and building of these networks are beyond current human capabilities. Recently, computational intelligence methods has been used to address concept drift in changing environments, with promising results. A Hebbian learning model has been used to handle random, as well as correlated, concept drift. Neural networks have been used for concept drift detection, and the influence of latent variables on concept drift in a neural network has been studied. In another study, a timing-dependent synapse model has been applied to concept drift. These works mainly apply biologically-plausible computational models to concept drift problems. Although these results are still in their infancy, they open up new possibilities to achieve brain-like intelligence for solving concept drift problems in changing environments. Taking the current state of research in computational intelligence for changing environments into account, the objective of this special issue is to collate this research to help unify the concepts and terminology of computational intelligence in changing environments, and to survey state-of-the-art computational intelligence methodologies and the key techniques investigated to date. Therefore, this special issue invites submissions on the most recent developments in computational intelligence for changing environments algorithms and architectures, theoretical foundations, and representations, & their application to real world problems. We also welcome timely surveys & review papers. Topics of Interest include (but are not limited to): • Computational intelligence methodologies and implementation for changing environments • Transfer learning, Multitask learning, Domain adaption • Incremental Learning architectures, Unsupervised and semi-supervised learning architectures • Incremental Knowledge augmentation, Representation learning and disentangling • Incremental Adaptive Neuro-fuzzy systems • Incremental and single-pass data mining • Incremental Neural Clustering & Regression • Incremental Adaptive decision systems • Incremental Feature selection and reduction • Incremental Constructive Learning • Novelty detection in Incremental learning Submission Process The maximum length for the manuscript is typically 25 pages in single column format with double-spacing, including figures and references. Authors should specify in the first page of their manuscripts the corresponding author’s contact and up to 5 keywords. Submission should be made via: https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=ieee-cim-cice2015 Important Dates (for August 2015 Issue) 15th November, 2014: Submission of Manuscripts 15th January, 2015: Notification of Review Results 15th February, 2015: Submission of Revised Manuscripts 15th March, 2015: Submission of Final Manuscripts Guest Editors Professor Amir Hussain, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, Scotland UK Email: ahu(a)cs.stir.ac.uk http://cs.stir.ac.uk/~ahu/ Professor Dacheng Tao, University of Technology, Sydney, 235 Jones Street, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia Email: dacheng.tao(a)uts.edu.au Professor Jonathan Wu University of Windsor 401 Sunset Avenue, Windsor, ON, Canada Email: jwu(a)uwindsor.ca Professor Dongbin Zhao Institute of Automation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100190, China E-mail: dongbin.zhao(a)gmail.com -- The University of Stirling has been ranked in the top 12 of UK universities for graduate employment*. 94% of our 2012 graduates were in work and/or further study within six months of graduation. *The Telegraph The University of Stirling is a charity registered in Scotland, number SC 011159.

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FW: PhD/Researcher positions in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science or Biomedical Engineering
by Morgado Dias Aug. 9, 2014

Aug. 9, 2014

Dear Members, Positions 3 and 4 might be interesting for the community. Best regards, Morgado ------------------------------------------------------ PhD/Researcher positions in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science or Biomedical Engineering The research group of Prof. Morgado Dias (Madeira Interactive Technologies Institute - Partner of the Carnegie Mellon University - Portugal program) is looking for PhD students and researchers for: (1) Monitoring and Fault detection in Photovoltaic parks (funded project-1year-possible follow-up with a PhD) (2) 3D Image Processing (funded project-1year- possible follow-up with a PhD) (3) Hardware for Artificial Neural Networks, with emphasis on emerging architectures (PhD, but needs to be externally funded) (4) FPGA prototype for detecting sleep APNEA disorders (PhD – needs to apply to a specific program in Portugal for funding if required) Information about the Institute, University and Region: Madeira Interactive Technologies Institute - Partner of the Carnegie Mellon University - Portugal program, is an innovation institute established as an associated independent non-profit R&D organization whose founding members are the University of Madeira, Madeira Tecnopolo S. A. and Carnegie Mellon University. Recently awarded a 2,4M€ funding, Madeira-ITI operates in the interdisciplinary domain of human-computer interaction encapsulating contributions from computer science, psychology and design in order to address/engage in important scientific and technological challenges that are both relevant to society and have significant economic impact (www.m-iti.org <http://www.m-iti.org> ). The University of Madeira is an active public university integrated in Portuguese Higher Education System and the European Community. Madeira is a small island with paradisiac living conditions and warm people. Recently elected as the Best European Island, you will find in a small place a diversity of landscapes that go from the beach to the mountain with low living costs and almost no crime. Prof. Morgado Dias research expertise includes Artificial Neural Networks, FPGAs and Renewable Energy. More information can be found at: http://www.cee.uma.pt/morgado/ Profile for candidates: (1) A master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering or Computer Engineering (preferred) or an undergraduate degree in the same areas, completed before arrival. (2) Good oral and spoken English as well as good communication skills. TOEFL or IELTS scores are encouraged. At least the English proficiency that fulfills the requirements of CSC applications is necessary. (3) Teamwork spirit. (4) Self-motivation and independent working ability. (5) Knowledge of and research experience related to the above fields are strongly preferred. (6) Previous published work and interest in pursuing a PhD is preferred. Application: If you are interested, please address your motivation letter (with a brief description of yourself, research ability & interest) and CV to: morgadoatuma.pt <mailto:morgado@uma.pt> --- Este email está livre de vírus e malware porque a proteção avast! Antivirus está ativa. http://www.avast.com

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PhD opportunities at the Queensland Brain Institute
by Geoffrey Goodhill Aug. 8, 2014

Aug. 8, 2014

PhD Positions at the Queensland Brain Institute (QBI), The University of Queensland Application deadline Oct 1st 2014 The Queensland Brain Institute (www.qbi.uq.edu.au) is seeking exceptional and highly motivated PhD candidates to undertake neuroscience research at its state-of-the-art building located at The University of Queensland’s (UQ) St Lucia campus, Brisbane, Australia. UQ has 45,000 students (12,000 postgraduate) and is ranked in the top 100 universities in the world. QBI is one of UQ’s flagship research institutes, with researchers working to understand the fundamental mechanisms of brain function, and applying such research to the development of new therapeutics to combat diseases where brain function is compromised. The Institute’s multidisciplinary environment is home to more than 400 staff and students. Key areas of interest include: • Ageing Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease • Cognition and Behaviour • Computation and Neuronal Circuits • Neurogenesis and Neuronal Survival • Genetics and Epigenetics • Neuronal Development and Connectivity • Sensory Systems • Synaptic Function Since establishment in 2003 QBI researchers have published >1200 papers in the world’s foremost journals, including 460 in the past 2 years. QBI is 100 metres from UQ's Centre for Advanced imaging (www.cai.uq.edu.au) which houses 7T human and 16.4T animal MRI scanners. Scholarships and Remuneration QBI offers full-time PhD scholarships for outstanding Australian and International students (living allowance AU$25,392 per annum, indexed annually, tax exempt) for 3 years with a possible 6 month extension. In addition, QBI supports high quality domestic and international applicants in their nomination to The University of Queensland’s competitive scholarship rounds (three rounds per year). A QBI top-up scholarship of $5,000 per annum may also be available to successful candidates. Candidates should have a First Class Honours degree (or equivalent) in neuroscience, molecular biology, bioscience, psychology, genetics, physical sciences, engineering, mathematics or a related discipline. Strong academic performance, the commitment to conduct high quality neuroscience research, and published output are highly desirable. For further information on the Basis of Admission to a UQ research higher degree, please visit http://www.uq.edu.au/grad-school/our-research-degrees. Successful applicants must accept and commence within 6 months of receiving an award. Enquiries and Applications Please review the research interests of QBI Group Leaders at http://www.qbi.uq.edu.au/group-leaders and make direct contact with a Group Leader working in an area of greatest interest to you, providing your detailed academic resume and complete academic records (including GPA scores/grades, and grading scale details). The Group Leader will work with you to develop your application for submission to QBI. Applications close on 1 October, 2014 Professor Geoffrey J Goodhill Queensland Brain Institute and School of Mathematics & Physics University of Queensland St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia Email: g.goodhill(a)uq.edu.au http://www.qbi.uq.edu.au/professor-geoffrey-goodhill

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PhD Studentship in Neural Fields and Movement Control, University of Reading, UK
by Ingo Bojak Aug. 7, 2014

Aug. 7, 2014

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Fellowships in Neural Engineering at the University of Washington
by Adrienne Fairhall Aug. 6, 2014

Aug. 6, 2014

We invite applications for the Washington Research Foundation Innovation Fellowships in Neuroengineering at the University of Washington in Seattle. These fellowships will be offered through the recently established UW Institute for Neuroengineering, which aims to aims to solve some of today’s greatest scientific challenges about neural system function by linking advances in biology, computing, devices, data science, and computational neuroscience. These highly selective fellowships will fund research in computational and engineering approaches to neuroscience; joint mentoring between faculty in different disciplines (CS, engineering, mathematics, neurobiology) is strongly encouraged. Applications are due September 1, 2014. Please see http://uwin.washington.edu/post-docs/ for more details of the application procedure.

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IWSP7: Epilepsy Mechanisms, Models, Prediction & Control
by Levin Kuhlmann Aug. 6, 2014

Aug. 6, 2014

Dear Colleagues, It is with unbridled excitement that we announce the date of the 7th International Workshop on Seizure Prediction: IWSP7: Epilepsy Mechanisms, Models, Prediction & Control Date: 3-6 August 2015 Location: Melbourne, Australia Website: www.iwsp7.org<http://www.iwsp7.org> The IWSP series of conferences bring together researchers across multiple disciplines to focus on epilepsy research. This conference will centre on the engineering and science of epilepsy from basic mechanisms and imaging, to computational modelling for analysis and prediction, through to feedback control of epilepsy. Invited Speakers: Samuel Berkovic, University of Melbourne, Australia (Genetics and individual-specific nature of epilepsy) Bin He, University of Minnesota, USA (EEG-based imaging to localise seizure and high frequency activity) Louis Lemieux, University College London, UK (Multi-modal imaging of human epileptic zone and networks) Martha Morrell, Stanford University, Neuropace, USA (Responsive seizure control and clinical implications) John Terry, University of Exeter, UK (Modelling multiscale brain networks: seizure initiation, evolution and prediction) Gregory Worrell, Mayo Clinic, USA (Forecasting epileptic seizures in dogs) Please forward this notice to anyone that you think might be interested. We look forward to seeing you at the meeting! On behalf of the local organizing committee Levin Kuhlmann, PhD David B. Grayden, PhD Mark J. Cook, MD Dean R. Freestone, PhD Alan Lai, PhD Elma O'Sullivan-Greene, PhD Andre Petersen, BSc(hons) Email: organizingcommittee(a)iwsp7.org<mailto:organizingcommittee@iwsp7.org>

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Wanted: neurotheory postdoc, to catch fireflies
by Xaq Pitkow Aug. 6, 2014

Aug. 6, 2014

POSITION: Xaq Pitkow's Computational Neuroscience group jointly at Rice University and the Baylor College of Medicine, in Houston, Texas, is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher who will develop theory and analyses of dynamic neural representations in animal brains. This is for a newly funded project to test how neural computations enable animals to catch fireflies in a virtual reality environment. The project will require multiple interlocking theoretical components and hands-on engagement with neural data analysis. We aim to understand the interplay between vision, spatial navigation, and decision-making in the face of uncertainty during a naturalistic, continuous-time task. LAB ENVIRONMENT: Our research focuses on computational functions of neural networks, especially how they compute properties of the world using ambiguous sensory evidence. A few related topics include: distributed neural representations, biological algorithms for statistical inference, and computation by nonlinear recurrent networks. This project is a close collaboration with the labs of Dora Angelaki, Greg DeAngelis, and Paul Schrater, all highly quantitative researchers in behavioral and cognitive neuroscience. QUALIFICATIONS: Important selection criteria include strong mathematical skills, practical knowledge of machine learning tools, and past research accomplishments. Applicants must have a Ph.D. in a relevant quantitative discipline, e.g. physics, math, machine learning, or statistics. Previous experience with neurobiology is advantageous but not essential. APPLYING: Applicants should email a letter of research interests and CV to Xaq Pitkow (xaq(a)rice.edu) The position is available immediately, and we look forward to reviewing applications as they arrive.

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Postdoc position in machine/biological vision – Serre lab, Brown University (Providence, RI)
by Thomas Serre Aug. 5, 2014

Aug. 5, 2014

The computational vision research group, headed by Dr. Thomas Serre at Brown University, has an opening for a postdoctoral fellow to work at the interface between computational neuroscience and computer vision. In particular, we are looking for computer scientists interested in the development of novel machine learning / computer vision algorithms derived from high-fidelity representations of cortical microcircuits to achieve human-like performance on complex information processing tasks. Candidates are expected to have a solid background in modern computer vision and machine learning methods and in particular, strong expertise in optimization techniques and deep learning methods. An interest in biological vision and applications of computer vision to the biological sciences would also be a strong plus. The initial appointment is for 12 months, renewable for another year, and potentially longer depending on funding. The start date is negotiable though an early start is strongly preferred. Salary is commensurate with experience and is competitive. Representative recent work related to the project: D. Reichert & T. Serre. Neuronal synchrony in complex-valued deep networks. International Conference on Learning Representations, 2014 T. Serre and T. Poggio. Reverse-engineering the brain. In: the Communications of the Association for Computing Machinery (CACM), 53(10), pp. 54-61, Oct 2010 Research group: Our research group is located within the Department of Cognitive Linguistic & Psychological sciences at Brown University. We maintain strong ties with the neuroscience, computer science, engineering and applied math departments as part of the Brain Institute. Through Brown’s Center for Computation and Visualization (https://www.ccv.brown.edu) our group has access to a state-of-the-art computing facility with includes over 300K GPU cores and over 500 Teraflops of GPU computing power. Information about Dr. Serre and his research group can be found at http://serre-lab.clps.brown.edu . Requirements: Applicants are expected to have finished, or be about to finish their Ph.D. degrees. They must have a strong background in computer vision and/or machine learning, with a track record of relevant publications at top venues (such as NIPS, CVPR, ICCV, ICML or ECCV). Excellent programming skills are required (C/C++/Matlab/Python). Programming experience in CUDA and/or parallel computing would be a strong plus. Application: Please send your applications by email to serre-admin(a)correct_university_name.edu where correct_university_name should be replaced by brown. Please include a brief statement of interests, a curriculum vita, a list of publications and contact details for 2-3 letters of reference (no letters required at this stage).

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Two Postdoctoral Positions in Computational Modeling of Primate Motor Control
by Ilya Rybak Aug. 4, 2014

Aug. 4, 2014

=============== Two postdoctoral/research associate positions in computational neuroscience for the duration of up to three years are available in the externally funded project focusing on multiscale computational modeling of motor control mechanisms, involving interactions between basal ganglia, thalamus, cerebellum, cortex, and spinal cord in connection with realistic simulation of pathological changes in motor control during Huntington’s disease. This collaborative project is performed jointly by the groups of Drs. Ilya Rybak (Dept. of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA) and Yaroslav Molkov (Dept. of Mathematical Science, Indiana University – Purdue University, Indianapolis, IN, USA). Applicants must have a PhD degree in Neuroscience, Applied Mathematics, Physics, or a related discipline and have excellent C++ programming skills. Previous experience in computational neuronal modeling is a plus. Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Dr. Rybak (rybak(a)drexel.edu) or Dr. Molkov (ymolkov(a)iupui.edu) by email. To apply, please send an email along with (1) curriculum vitae; (2) a cover letter describing previous research experience and interests; (3) the names and contact information of three references. ================================= Ilya A. Rybak, Ph.D. Professor Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy Drexel University College of Medicine 2900 Queen Lane Philadelphia, PA 19129 USA Tel.: (215) 991-8596 FAX: (215) 843-9082 E-mail: rybak(a)drexel.edu http://neurobio.drexelmed.edu/rybakweb/rybak.html http://www.drexelmed.edu/Home/AboutOurFaculty/IlyaARybak.aspx https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Ilya_Rybak/publications/ http://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=SnA068QAAAAJ http://www.pubfacts.com/author/Ilya+A+Rybak Yaroslav Molkov, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis Department of Mathematical Sciences 402 N. Blackford St, LD 270, Indianapolis, IN 46202 Office: LD 224U Phone: (317) 274-6934 Fax: (317) 274-3460 Email: ymolkov(a)iupui.edu

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Tenure Track Assistant Professor of Cognitive Psychology
by Aaron Seitz Aug. 4, 2014

Aug. 4, 2014

The Department of Psychology,University of California, Riverside, invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Cognitive Psychology, beginning July 1, 2015. We seek applicants whose research examines language learning, at any time scale, and/or bilingualism. The ideal candidate will contribute to our emerging emphasis in experience- dependent change. Applicants should demonstrate a record of research excellence using methodological approaches involving human behavior, neuroimaging, and/or computational modeling. Applicants should be committed to excellence in undergraduate and graduate education. The Ph.D. degree is required at time of hire. Salary will be commensurate with education and experience. Review of completed applications begins October 10, 2014 and continues until the position is filled. Interested candidates should send a cover letter describing research and teaching interests, their curriculum vitae, reprints and preprints, and arrange to have three letters of recommendation provided, all using the following link: https://aprecruit.ucr.edu/apply/JPF00159. Questions about the position should be directed to Professor Christine Chiarello, Chair, Cognitive Area Search Committee, at christine.chiarello(a)ucr.edu. The Riverside campus of the University of California is growing rapidly and has an excellent psychology department with a strong record of success in research, teaching and extramural funding. For information on the Department of Psychology, see our web site at: http://www.psych.ucr.edu. The campus is centrally located in Southern California, about 50 miles east of Los Angeles and less than an hour's drive from the area's mountains, deserts and beaches. The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. *Note Applicants who use Interfolio may utilize a feature provided by the Interfolio Service to allow Interfolio to upload their letters directly into AP Recruit without bothering the letter writer. Applicants can input an Interfolio-generated email address in place of their letter writer¹s email address. Interfolio refers to this as online application deliveries. The following link on the Interfolio website shows how to set this up: http://help.interfolio.com/entries/24062742-Uploading-Letters-to-an-Online- application-System ************************************************** Aaron Seitz, Ph.D. Professor Department of Psychology University of California, Riverside 900 University Ave. Riverside, CA 92521 Ph: (951) 827-6422 Fax: (951) 827-3985 Email: aseitz(a)ucr.edu Web: http://faculty.ucr.edu/~aseitz/ **************************************************

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Call for Papers: Tha ICIISCT2015 Conference in India
by Grace Allas Aug. 2, 2014

Aug. 2, 2014

[My apology for receiving multiple copies] ----------------------------------------------------------------- http://sdiwc.net/conferences/iciisct2015/ *International Conference on Innovations in Intelligent Systems and Computing Technologies (ICIISCT2015)* September 18-20, 2015 Rajasthan Vidyapeeth (D) University, India Udaipur, Rajasthan, India All registered papers will be included in SDIWC Digital Library. ============================================================== The conference aims to enable researchers build connections between different digital applications. The event will be held over three days, with presentations delivered by researchers from the international community, including presentations from keynote speakers and state-of-the-art lectures. RESEARCH TOPICS ARE NOT LIMITED TO: - Information and Data Management - Social Networks - Data Compression - Information Content Security - E-Technology - Mobile, Ad Hoc and Sensor Network Management - E-Government - Web Services Architecture, Modelling and Design - E-Learning - Semantic Web, Ontologies - Wireless Communications - Web Services Security - Mobile Networking, Mobility and Nomadicity - Quality of Service, Scalability and Performance - Ubiquitous Computing, Services and Applications - Self-Organizing Networks and Networked Systems - Data Mining - Data Management in Mobile Peer-to-Peer Networks - Computational Intelligence - Data Stream Processing in Mobile/Sensor Networks - Biometrics Technologies - Indexing and Query Processing for Moving Objects - Forensics, Recognition Technologies and Applications - Cryptography and Data Protection - Information Ethics - User Interfaces and Usability Issues form Mobile Applications - Fuzzy and Neural Network Systems - Mobile Social Networks - Signal Processing, Pattern Recognition and Applications - Peer-to-Peer Social Networks -Image Processing - Sensor Networks and Social Sensing - Distributed and parallel applications - Social Search - Internet Modeling - Embedded Systems and Software - User Interfaces,Visualization and Modeling - Real-Time Systems - XML-Based Languages - Multimedia Computing - Network Security - Software Engineering - Remote Sensing Researchers are encouraged to submit their work electronically. All papers will be fully refereed by a minimum of two specialized referees. Before final acceptance, all referees comments must be considered. Paper Submission: http://sdiwc.net/conferences/iciisct2015/openconf/openconf.php IMPORTANT DATES: Submission Deadline : open from now until August 18, 2015 Notification of Acceptance : 2 - 4 weeks from the submission date Camera Ready Submission : September 05, 2015 Registration Date : September 05, 2015 Conference Dates : September 18-20, 2015 Contact email: : iciisct2015(a)sdiwc.net

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PhD position
by Lendasse, Amaury Aug. 1, 2014

Aug. 1, 2014

One PhD student position available (Research Assistant and Teaching Assistant) Topic: Machine Learning for Big Data Where: Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, The University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA (http://www.engineering.uiowa.edu/mie) Starting date: January 15th 2015 Requirements: Applicants should have a keen interest in Machine Learning and hold a Master or equivalent degree in a relevant field such as Computer Science, Industrial Engineering, or Mathematics. The candidate should have excellent programming skills (e.g. Matlab, Python, C/C++) and good analytic skills. Experience with Big Data in Machine Learning (e.g., Hadoop, MapReduce, GPU computing,...), Data Mining and Data Analysis (time series analysis, visualization,...) are a plus. Minimum TOEFL Score Requirements: a score of 600 or higher on the paper-based (PBT) version of the test, or a score of 100 or higher on the Internet-based version of the test (iBT). The selected candidate will then apply officially to the UIOWA: http://www.engineering.uiowa.edu/mie/graduate-program/industrial-engineerin… Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Associate Prof. Lendasse (amaury-lendasse(a)uiowa.edu) by email. To apply, please send an email (subject: PhD Position MIE IOWA) along with a SINGLE PDF file including: (1) a cover letter describing previous experiences and interests (maximum 1 page) (2) Curriculum Vitae (maximum 2 pages) (3) academic transcripts (4) the names and contact information of two or three references (maximum 1 page) (5) Skype Name Application Deadline: August 17th 2014 Amaury Lendasse, Associate Professor Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering 2403 Seamans Center for the Engineering Arts and Sciences The University of Iowa Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, USA email: amaury-lendasse(a)uiowa.edu WWW: http://www.engineering.uiowa.edu/mie/faculty-staff/amaury-lendasse

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Kind Reminder:: CFP:: 3rd ICIEIS2014- Poland
by The Third International Conference on Informatics Engineering and Information Science (ICIEIS2014) Aug. 1, 2014

Aug. 1, 2014

| Please accept our apology for multiple posting. THANK YOU | +-----------------------------------------------------------+ The Third International Conference on Informatics Engineering and Information Science (ICIEIS2014) Lodz University of Technology, Lodz, Poland September 22-24, 2014 http://sdiwc.net/conferences/2014/icieis2014/ ============================================================================ The proposed conference will be held at Lodz University of Technology Lodz, Poland from September 22-24, 2014 which aims to enable researchers to build connections between different digital applications. The conference welcomes papers on the following (but not limited to) research topics: - Real-Time Systems - Software Engineering - Biometrics Technologies - Mobile Social Networks - Information Ethics - Information Content Security - Information and Data Management - Network Security - Social Networks - Wireless Communications - Information Propagation on Social Networks Researchers are encouraged to submit their work electronically. All papers will be fully refereed by a minimum of two specialized referees. Before final acceptance, all referees comments must be considered. Important Dates ============================================================================ Submission Date : Open from now until August 20, 2014 Notification of acceptance: 2-3 weeks from the submission date Camera Ready submission : Sept. 12, 2014 Registration : Sept. 12, 2014 Conference dates : Sept. 22-24, 2014

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Open Position: Software Developer in Neuroinformatics at LMU Munich
by Thomas Wachtler July 31, 2014

July 31, 2014

At the German Neuroinformatics Node (G-Node, http://www.g-node.org) Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, a full-time position is available to join the G-Node team in developing neuroinformatics solutions for data management in neurophysiology. Variety and complexity of data in this field bring the challenge of large-scale data access, consistent storage and efficient data analysis. G-Node is interacting closely with research labs to address these challenges with state of the art neuroinformatics methods. Current developments include a data sharing platform and tools for metadata management and data annotation. G-Node is part of the Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience (http://nncn.de) is collaborating with the International Neuroinformatics Coordination Facility (INCF, http://incf.org) Secretariat and other INCF National Nodes, and is involved in teaching and training activities. The position involves working in a small team of developers within a lively neuroscience environment, with ample opportunities for bridging between neuroscience research and neuroinformatics. Tasks will include contributing to the development and enhancement of G-Node tools and services (http://www.g-node.org/tools-and-services) working closely with neuroscience laboratories that use, or plan to use, neuroinformatics solutions. Candidates should have excellent programming skills, preferably in Python and C++ or Java, knowledge about relational databases, the ability to work in a team, and a strong interest in the development of novel open-source solutions for neuroscience. Experience in further fields of relevance, such as web development (Javascript, HTML/CSS, web frameworks), semantic web technologies, scientific software and analysis, experimental or computational neuroscience, would be beneficial. The position is available immediately, salary level is according to TV-L, duration is one year with possibility of extension. Severely disabled applicants will be given preference in case of equal qualification. Applications by women are specifically encouraged. Applications should include CV, statement of experience and motivation, and names of referees. Informal inquiries prior to application are welcome. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. Applications should be sent, preferably as pdf file by email, to Thomas Wachtler <wachtler(a)bio.lmu.de> -- Dr. Thomas Wachtler <wachtler(a)bio.lmu.de> Scientific Director German Neuroinformatics Node Department Biology II Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München Grosshaderner Str. 2 82152 Planegg-Martinsried Germany

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Postdoctoral Position in Computational Motor Control
by Jon Sensinger July 31, 2014

July 31, 2014

A postdoctoral position in computational motor control is available to apply optimal control and computational motor control methods to improve the control, sensory feedback, and outcome measures used in prosthetics. The successful applicant will join an interdisciplinary team at the University of New Brunswick’s Institute of Biomedical Engineering that includes scientists, clinicians, and engineers focused on improving clinically viable prostheses and exoskeleton design and control. He or she will be expected to leverage research from the broader neuroscience research community to develop computational approaches for addressing real-world problems, and will have the opportunity to interact on a daily basis with patients. This collaborative project is performed jointly by the groups of Drs. Jon Sensinger (Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of New Brunswick, Canada) Levi Hargrove (Center for Bionic Medicine, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, USA), and Konrad Kording (Northwestern University, Chicago USA). A layman’s overview of the project is video-scribed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEzbuiJi0T0 Applicants must have a PhD degree in Neuroscience, Applied Mathematics, Physics, or a related discipline and have excellent Matlab programming skills. Previous experience in computational motor control or optimal control is a plus. Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Dr. Sensinger (j.sensinger(a)unb.ca<mailto:j.sensinger@unb.ca>) by email. To apply, please send an email along with (1) curriculum vitae; (2) a cover letter describing previous research experience and interests; (3) the names and contact information of three references. Dr. Sensinger will be available to answer questions and discuss this job opportunity with potential candidates at the EMBC 2014 meeting in Chicago, USA (August 27-30). Jon Sensinger, PhD Associate Director, Institute of Biomedical Engineering Associate Professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering University of New Brunswick http://www.ece.unb.ca/jsensing Twitter: @jsensinger LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/pub/jon-sensinger/9a/1b2/a09

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[meetings] ICANN 2014 - Final Program and Call for Participation
by Stefan Wermter July 31, 2014

July 31, 2014

------------------------------------------------------------------- Call for Participation and Conference Program ICANN 2014: 24th Annual Conference on Artificial Neural Networks 15 - 19 September 2014, University of Hamburg, Germany http://icann2014.org/ =================================================================== We invite you to attend the 2014 International Conference on Artificial Neural Networks (ICANN), which is the annual flagship conference of the European Neural Network Society (ENNS). In 2014 the University of Hamburg will organize the 24th ICANN Conference from 15th to 19th September 2014 in Hamburg, Germany. CONFERENCE PROGRAM: The main conference program is now available. The program includes 72 oral presentations, 33 posters and 2 live Demonstrations. http://icann2014.org/program/ REGISTRATION: The ICANN 2014 registration is open. The full registration costs 490 € and 390 € for students. ENNS members pay a reduced rate of 440 €, and 340 € for students. The registration includes access to scientific sessions and plenary talks, coffee breaks during the main conference, welcome event, conference dinner, one copy of the proceedings (USB), one conference bag. Additional tickets for the conference dinner can be purchased for 70 €. http://icann2014.org/registration/ VENUE AND TRANSPORTATION: Hamburg is the second-largest city in Germany, home to over 1.8 million people. Situated at the river Elbe, the port of Hamburg is the second-largest port in Europe. The University of Hamburg is the largest institution for research and education in the north of Germany. The venue of the conference is the ESA building of the University of Hamburg, situated at Edmund-Siemers-Allee near the city centre and easily reachable from Dammtor Railway Station. Hamburg Airport can be reached easily via public transport. ACCOMMODATION: For the accomodation we arranged guaranteed rates for a couple of hotels in Hamburg for ICANN 2014. http://icann2014.org/accommodation/ CHAIRS and ORGANISATION: General Chair: Stefan Wermter (Hamburg, Germany) Program co-Chairs Alessandro E.P. Villa (Lausanne, Switzerland, ENNS President) Wlodzislaw Duch (Torun, Poland, ENNS Past-President) Timo Honkela (Helsinki, Finland) Petia Koprinkova-Hristova (Sofia, Bulgaria) Günther Palm (Ulm, Germany) Cornelius Weber (Hamburg, Germany) Local Organizing Committee Chairs: Sven Magg, Johannes Bauer, Jorge Chacon, Stefan Heinrich, Doreen Jirak, Katja Koesters, Erik Strahl KEYNOTE SPEAKERS: Christopher M. Bishop (Microsoft Research, Cambridge, UK) Jun Tani (KAIST, Daejeon, Republic of Korea) Paul Verschure (Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain) Yann LeCun (New York University, NY, USA) Barbara Hammer (Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany) Kevin Gurney (University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK) CONFERENCE TOPICS: ICANN 2014 will feature the main tracks Brain Inspired Computing and Machine Learning research, with strong cross-disciplinary interactions and applications. All research fields dealing with Neural Networks will be present at the conference. A non-exhaustive list of topics includes: Brain Inspired Computing: Cognitive models, Computational Neuroscience, Self-organization, Reinforcement Learning, Neural Control and Planning, Hybrid Neural-Symbolic Architectures, Neural Dynamics, Recurrent Networks, Deep Learning. Machine Learning: Neural Network Theory, Neural Network Models, Graphical Models, Bayesian Networks, Kernel Methods, Generative Models, Information Theoretic Learning, Reinforcement Learning, Relational Learning, Dynamical Models. Neural Applications for: Intelligent Robotics, Neurorobotics, Language Processing, Image Processing, Sensor Fusion, Pattern Recognition, Data Mining, Neural Agents, Brain-Computer Interaction, Neural Hardware, Evolutionary Neural Networks. CONFERENCE WEBSITE: http://www.icann2014.org *********************************************** Professor Dr. Stefan Wermter Chair of Knowledge Technology Department of Computer Science University of Hamburg Vogt Koelln Str. 30 22527 Hamburg, Germany http://www.informatik.uni-hamburg.de/~wermter/ http://www.informatik.uni-hamburg.de/WTM/ ***********************************************

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FINAL CALL for Goettingen's 12th annual comp-neuro summer course. DEADLINE: Aug. 6th.
by Maximilian Puelma Touzel July 29, 2014

July 29, 2014

Final call for applicants to apply to the 12th summer course on COMPUTATIONAL NEUROSCIENCE in Göttingen, Germany September 08th - 12th, 2014 Organized by Agostina Palmigiano, Joscha Liedtke and Maximilian Puelma-Touzel Sponsored by -the Bernstein Centre for Computation Neuroscience, Göttingen -the International Max Planck Research School for the Physics of Biological and Complex Systems -the Goettingen Graduate School for Neurosciences, Biophysics, and Molecular Biosciences ______________________________ The course is intended to provide graduate students and young researchers from within and outside of neuroscience with working knowledge of theory and analysis methods used in the field and to acquaint them with recent developments therein. The focus of this year's course is modelling and theory of neuronal ensembles. The course includes tutorials and lectures from the following researchers: * Carl Van Vreesijk, Universite Rene Descartes, Paris, France * Claudia Clopath, Imperial College London, London, England * Srdjan Ostojic, École Normale Supérieure, Paris, France * Gasper Tkacik, Institute of Science and Technology, Vienna, Austria * Alfonso Renart, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Lisbon, Portugal The course takes place at the Department of Nonlinear Dynamics of the Max-Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization, Göttingen. A course fee of 100 Euro includes participation in the tutorials, study materials, and part of the social events. The number of participants is limited to 30. Course language is English. To apply please fill out the application form at: http://www.bccn-goettingen.de/events/cns-course by *August 6, 2014* Best wishes and looking forward to seeing you in Göttingen, Max Puelma Touzel (on behalf of the organizers) Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization Fassberg 17, 37077 Goettingen, Germany +49 551 5176 444 Office +49 (0)176 6 876 2821 Mobile mptouzel(a)nld.ds.mpg.de www.nld.ds.mpg.de

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Postdoc in computational neuroscience
by Joaquín Navajas July 29, 2014

July 29, 2014

Post doc in computational neuroscience (Centre for Systems Neuroscience - University of Leicester, UK) Spike sorting is the classification of single neurons from extra cellular recordings based on their spike shapes. The main focus of your research will be the study and implementation of optimal spike detection and sorting techniques. For this you will study different techniques to improve the spike detection and sorting results and will then implement these advances in a graphic user interphase and in batch codes to run in matlab. Link for more details: http://www.le.ac.uk/jobs/external/SEN00493_Job_Summary.pdf <https://email.le.ac.uk/owa/redir.aspx?C=6xLmoEDA8kadrrcI2z0-IpKjtXikftEISUM…> Informal enquiries are welcome and should be made to Sue Atkinson, Research Centre Manager, sam45(a)le.ac.uk <https://email.le.ac.uk/owa/redir.aspx?C=RXnrNoZO4k-7v7qrCHbb4FuwAk44fdEIFNi…> or 0116 252 3249

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CNS workshop
by Jonathan Rubin July 28, 2014

July 28, 2014

Dear Comp-Neuro members who are attending the CNS*2014 meeting, We are happy to invite you attend the workshop “Dynamics of Disease States” that will take place on Wednesday, July 30th at the CNS*2014 meeting in Quebec. The workshop will be held in room 2104A and the full program is available at: http://wwwhome.math.utwente.nl/~gilssa/cns2014/?page=program best regards, Stephan van Gils and Jon Rubin

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Columbia+Janelia postdoc positions: zebrafish computational neuroscience and machine learning
by Liam Paninski July 28, 2014

July 28, 2014

Colleagues, Will you please circulate this postdoc ad amongst your students or anyone else who might be interested: http://grossmancenter.columbia.edu/zebrafish.html? Thank you. Liam Paninski ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Postdoctoral position in large-scale computational neuroscience A full-time postdoctoral position is available immediately, jointly between Columbia University's Grossman Center for the Statistics of Mind and HHMI's Janelia Research Campus. The aim is to understand whole-brain activity at the cellular level using large-scale computational methods. The position is co-supervised by Liam Paninski, John Cunningham and Larry Abbott (at Columbia) and Jeremy Freeman and Misha Ahrens (at Janelia Research Campus) and is centered around understanding the dynamics of all neurons in the brain of behaving larval zebrafish. We use light-sheet imaging to record simultaneously from most of the ~10^5 neurons during behavior, and use large-scale cluster computing and machine learning, statistics, and modeling to gain insight into how brain-wide network dynamics underlies behavior. The position will be based at Columbia University and HHMI Janelia Research Campus, and we will encourage applicants to spend time at both campuses. Requirements: Qualifications include primarily a strong research portfolio in computational neuroscience, statistical neuroscience, machine learning, or a related field. Backgrounds in analyzing large neural datasets, modeling complex neural systems, and in cutting-edge machine learning will be particularly valuable. These positions are highly quantitative and highly interdisciplinary; applicants should have a PhD in Electrical Engineering, Statistics, Machine Learning, Physics, Applied Mathematics, or Computational Neuroscience. Appointment: The initial appointments will be for one year, and are renewable. Salaries will be set based on experience and skills. Applicants should send an email to zebrafish.computation(a)gmail.com providing: 1. a one-page description of past research experience 2. a one-page description of future research interests and goals 3. a resume of educational and research experience, including publications 4. names of three people who could provide letters of reference All materials should be in pdf or plain text. Applications will be reviewed as they arrive until the positions are filled; interested candidates are encouraged to express their interest early. Due to demand, we may not be able to reply to all applications.

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ONLY FOR STUDENTS - 2 weeks mini computational neuroscience freelance project for students from home
by Robert Schindle July 28, 2014

July 28, 2014

Hello All, We are currently working on a project in the field of computational neuroscience which requires some help with analyzing data and documenting the research within the next 2 weeks. We are looking for someone with good c++ and Python skills. You will be compensated accordingly. If you are interested please contact us immediately so that we can discuss other details and start the work immediately. Thanks a lot, Robert Schindle.

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Postdoctoral Position- Arizona
by Jean-Marc July 26, 2014

July 26, 2014

The Computational and Experimental Neuroscience Laboratory is looking to fill a position for a Postdoctoral Research Fellow. The research project is geared towards understanding the role of awake hippocampal replay in spatial navigation. The techniques used include high density electrophysiology in the behaving rat. The project is multidisciplinary and involves collaboration with a robotics team (University of Florida, Tampa) and a computational neuroscience team (INSERM, Lyon, France). Good communication skills are necessary. This position is appropriate for a computational neuroscientist with some experimental background interested in branching out to experimental neuroscience. Applicants with a subset of the following skill set are strongly encouraged to apply: - Scientific expertise or interests in hippocampus and/or prefrontal-cortex - Electrophysiology (in vivo chronic behaving or in vitro) - Behavioral Neuroscience (rat training/testing) - General laboratory skills (e.g. histology, surgery) - Matlab programming and spike-data analyses Applicant should send a cover letter, CV and the names of at least 2 references to Dr. Jean-Marc Fellous (fellous(a)email.arizona.edu) The search is ongoing and is projected to be completed by October 30th, 2014. Information about the laboratory can be found at: http://amygdala.psychdept.arizona.edu/lab.html The CENL and the University of Arizona are committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive work environment and women and minorities are encouraged to apply. The University of Arizona is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer.

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Postdoctoral positions: Memory, motor, & learning dynamics
by Mark Goldman July 25, 2014

July 25, 2014

Two theoretical postdoctoral positions and 1-2 collaborative experiment-theory positions are available in the laboratory of Dr. Mark Goldman at the University of California at Davis.The lab works on a broad range of problems in computational neuroscience ranging from neural coding to dynamics and plasticity of single neurons and networks. Immediate funding is available for a range of projects related to working memory, neural integration, motor learning, and synaptic plasticity as described below.The postdoctoral candidate also would have flexibility to work on a range of issues of his or her choosing.Candidates are expected to have strong training in an analytically rigorous discipline such as theoretical neuroscience, physics, mathematics, computer science, or engineering.The postdoctoral candidate will have ample opportunity to interact within the vibrant computational and systems neuroscience communities at UC Davis and the greater San Francisco Bay Area. Candidates should send a CV, brief statement of previous research and future research interests, and contact information for three references to: Mark Goldman, msgoldman(a)ucdavis.edu. Specific positions with funding include: 1) *Theoretical positions:Dynamics of memory and motor-related neural activity* /Challenging the attractor picture of working memory/.In the traditional attractor picture of working memory, memory storage results from positive feedback processes that lead to the formation of self-sustained attractors.In one project, we are exploring how functionally feedforward, rather than feedback, network architectures can generate flexible codes for storing memories and producing a broad range of input-output transformations.In a second project, we are utilizing methods from engineering control theory to show how balanced cortical networks can utilize negative feedback to stabilize persistent patterns of neural activity. /Multi-scale modeling of neural integration./The oculomotor neural integrator, which transforms eye-velocity encoding motor commands into eye-position encoding commands, is a model system for understanding the mathematical integration of inputs and the maintenance of memory-storing activity.We seek to determine the respective roles of cellular and circuit mechanisms of memory storage in this system.Multi-scale models, from ion channels to behavior, will be generated based upon electrophysiological and optical imaging recordings and optogenetic manipulations performed in our experimental collaborators' laboratories. /Context-dependent memory storage./Recent experiments suggest that the oculomotor neural integrator functions in a context-dependent manner, producing spatially distinct activity patterns depending upon whether eye movements are being made in the context of rapid changes in gaze (saccades) versus smooth tracking of moving objects.We seek to determine the circuit mechanisms underlying this context-dependent activity and to propose general frameworks, applicable to both oculomotor and cortical memory systems, for how multiple context-dependent inputs can be separately stored in a single network. /Role of the granule cell layer in cerebellar motor learning./The eye movement system provides a highly tractable setting for studying motor learning because it is well-characterized experimentally and has fewer degrees of freedom than more complicated movement systems.In collaboration with whole-circuit optical imaging and optogenetic perturbation experiments in the Aksay laboratory at Cornell Medical University and genetic manipulations, electrophysiological recording, and optogenetic perturbations in Jennifer Raymond's laboratory at Stanford University, we are modeling the neural dynamics and coding of cerebellar granule neurons and their relation to Purkinje cell firing and the plasticity of eye movement behaviors. 2) *Experimental positions:* *Development, dynamics, and plasticity of neural networks: *In collaboration with Kim McAllister (kmcallister(a)ucdavis.edu <mailto:kmcallister@ucdavis.edu>), we are seeking to understand the learning rules underlying development and learning in neural networks. We will use cutting-edge technology in patterned substrates, optogenetics, and uncaging in a novel long-term imaging assay for synapse dynamics that allows recording and single synapse or single cell manipulation of neuronal and network activity. These cultured networks will be used to directly test central tenets of Hebbian, spike-timing dependent, and homeostatic learning over development. The applicant will perform these imaging experiments as well as apply theoretical models to better understand and predict our results. *Dynamics of memory and motor-related neural activity:*There are also possibilities for joint experimental-theoretical work with Emre Aksay's laboratory at Weill Medical College of Cornell University (in New York City) on either oculomotor memory storage or cerebellar motor learning, using /in vivo/ two-photon optical recording and stimulation to dissect circuit function and plasticity.Interested candidates should contact Dr. Aksay at ema2004(a)med.cornell.edu <mailto:ema2004@med.cornell.edu>.

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PhD Position in Brain-Inspired Computing (Theory)
by Mihai A. Petrovici July 25, 2014

July 25, 2014

The Kirchhoff-Institut für Physik at the Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg (Germany) has an immediate opening for a * PhD Position in Brain-Inspired Computing (Theory)* The position is located in the Electronic Vision(s) Lab of Prof. Karlheinz Meier. The group develops large-scale hardware for brain-inspired computing and investigates novel theoretical paradigms of neural computation. The Heidelberg group works on the development of brain-inspired electronic circuits, so-called neuromorphic systems. These systems implement physical models of neurons and synapses in-silico, with fully configurable parameters and connectivity. Throughout a series of international projects, the hardware systems have evolved from single chips to wafer-scale devices with hundreds of thousands of neurons (Schemmel et al., 2010) and are planned to be further scaled up in the framework of the EU Human Brain project (HBP). The configurability of these systems fosters their use as general-purpose emulation devices for neuroscientific research (Pfeil et al., 2013). Their intrinsic parallelism, low power consumption and high acceleration sets them apart from conventional computing architectures. The heterogeneity of neuromorphic substrates requires novel theoretical approaches (Petrovici et al., 2014). The Heidelberg group is also involved in theoretical research and modeling of spike-based computational principles. In particular, the use of stochasticity for Bayesian inference is a major focus. These models provide useful architectures for machine learning, while at the same time advancing the study of possible computational paradigms in the mammalian neocortex (Petrovici et al., 2013). The successful candidate will join the theory and modeling section of the group in developing new stochastic models that exploit the heterogeneity of the hardware substrate, thereby benefitting from its significant speed advantage over conventional simulators. ------------------------------------------ Candidates are expected to hold a Masters degree or equivalent in Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science or a related discipline. Knowledge in neuroscience is not required but would be an advantage. The candidates should have a deep interest in theoretical and computational neuroscience, as well as excellent mathematical abilities. An important part of their work will consist in acquiring new skills from various fields of neuroscience, as required by the interdisciplinary nature of the research topic. The successful candidates will use complex simulation software and are therefore required to have very good programming skills. ------------------------------------------ Applications should addressed to Prof. Karlheinz Meier (meierk(a)kip.uni-heidelberg.de) and Mihai Petrovici (mpedro(a)kip.uni-heidelberg.de) including the following information in a single pdf-file : - Statement of research - CV - Two names (with email addresses) of suggested referees - Copies of university degrees and additional certificates - URLs of master /diploma) thesis and related publications

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CNS*14 Tutorial on Neuronal Model Parameter Search Techniques
by Cengiz Günay July 24, 2014

July 24, 2014

Dear colleagues, You are invited to attend our shortly upcoming full-day tutorial session at CNS*2014 in Quebec City. *Where:* Organization for Computational Neurosciences (OCNS) Conference, Quebec City Conference Center, Room 2105 *When:* Saturday July 26, 2014 between 9am - 4:30pm *T9: Neuronal Model Parameter Search Techniques* Parameter tuning of model neurons to mimic biologically realistic activity is a non‐trivial task. Multiple models may exhibit similar dynamics that match experimental data – i.e., there is no single “correct” model. To address this issue, the ensemble modeling technique proposes to represent properties of living neurons with a set of neuronal models. Several approaches to ensemble modeling have been proposed over the years, but the two most prevalent parameter tuning methods are systematic “brute‐force” searches [1, 2] and various evolutionary algorithms‐based techniques [3, 4, 5, 6]. Both approaches relay on traversing a very large parameter space (with thousands to millions of model instances), but utilize diametrically different ways to accomplish that. In both cases, however, entire collections of biologically realistic models are generated, whose neural activity characteristics can then be cataloged and studied using a database [1, 2]. The tutorial covers “tips and tricks,” as well as various pitfalls in all stages of model construction, large‐scale simulations on high performance computing clusters [S2], database construction and analysis of neural data, along with a discussion about the strengths and weaknesses of the two parameter search techniques. We will review software implementations for each technique: PANDORA Matlab Toolbox [7][S1] for the brute force method and NeRvolver (i.e., evolver of nerve cells) for evolutionary algorithms. PANDORA was used in recent projects for tuning models of rat globus pallidus neurons [2][M1], lobster pyloric network calcium sensors [8][M2], leech heart interneurons [9][M3,S3] and hippocampal O‐LM interneurons (Skinner Lab, TWRI/UHN and Univ. Toronto). NeRvolver is a prototype of a computational intelligence‐based system for automated construction, tuning, and analysis of neuronal models, which is currently under development in the Computational Intelligence and Bio (logical) informatics Laboratory at Delaware State University [10]. Through the utilization of computational intelligence methods (i.e., Multi‐Objective Evolutionary Algorithms and Fuzzy Logic), the NeRvolver system generates classification rules describing biological phenomena discovered during the process of model creation or tuning. Thus in addition to producing neuronal models, NeRvolver provides–via such rules–insights into the functioning of the biological neurons being modeled. In the tutorial, we will present basic functionalities of the system and demonstrate how to analyze the results returned by the software. We will allocate enough time for Q&A and if participants bring a laptop pre‐loaded with Matlab, they can follow some of our examples. *Lecturers/Organizers:* Cengiz Günay, Anca Doloc-Mihu (Emory University, USA) Vladislav Sekulić (University of Toronto, Canada), Tomasz G. Smolinski (Delaware State University, USA) *References * [1] Astrid A. Prinz, Cyrus P. Billimoria, and Eve Marder. Alternative to hand‐tuning conductance‐based models: Construction and analysis of databases of model neurons. J Neurophysiol, 90:3998–4015, 2003. [2] Cengiz Günay, Jeremy R. Edgerton, and Dieter Jaeger. Channel density distributions explain spiking variability in the globus pallidus: A combined physiology and computer simulation database approach. J. Neurosci., 28(30):7476–91, July 2008. [3] Pablo Achard and Erik De Schutter. Complex parameter landscape for a complex neuron model. PLoS Comput Biol, 2(7):794–804, Jul 2006. [4] Tomasz G. Smolinski and Astrid A. Prinz. Computational intelligence in modeling of biological neurons: A case study of an invertebrate pacemaker neuron. In Proceedings of the International Joint Conference on Neural Networks, pages 2964–2970, Atlanta, GA, 2009. [5] Tomasz G. Smolinski and Astrid A. Prinz. Multi‐objective evolutionary algorithms for model neuron parameter value selection matching biological behavior under different simulation scenarios. BMC Neuroscience, 10(Suppl 1):P260, 2009. [6] Damon G. Lamb and Ronald L. Calabrese. Correlated conductance parameters in leech heart motor neurons contribute to motor pattern formation. PLoS One, 8(11):e79267, 2013. [7] Cengiz Günay, Jeremy R. Edgerton, Su Li, Thomas Sangrey, Astrid A. Prinz, and Dieter Jaeger. Database analysis of simulated and recorded electrophysiological datasets with PANDORA’s Toolbox. Neuroinformatics, 7(2):93–111, 2009. [8] Cengiz Günay and Astrid A. Prinz. Model calcium sensors for network homeostasis: Sensor and readout parameter analysis from a database of model neuronal networks. J Neurosci, 30:1686–1698, Feb 2010. NIHMS176368,PMC2851246. [9] Anca Doloc‐Mihu and Ronald L. Calabrese. A database of computational models of a half‐center oscillator for analyzing how neuronal parameters influence network activity. J Biol Phys, 37(3):263–283, Jun 2011. [10] Emlyne Forren, Myles Johnson‐Gray, Parth Patel, and Tomasz G. Smolinski. Nervolver: a computational intelligence‐based system for automated construction, tuning, and analysis of neuronal models. BMC Neuroscience, 13(Suppl 1):P36, 2012. -Cengiz -- Cengiz Gunay Postdoctoral Fellow, Dept. of Biology Visiting Faculty, Dept. of Math & CS Emory University cgunay(a)emory.edu http://www.biology.emory.edu/research/Prinz/Cengiz/

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Announcement: GENESIS 2.4 beta tutorial at CNS
by Hugo Cornelis July 23, 2014

July 23, 2014

This is a public announcement of the GENESIS-2.4 tutorial at the Computational Neuroscience meeting (CNS) in Quebec City and the official public beta release of GENESIS 2.4. This new release includes support for spike-timing dependent plasticity in large networks of multicompartmental cells, bug fixes, comes with new python utilities and tutorial materials. The "Ultimate GENESIS Tutorial Distribution", included in this release, contains updated course materials for the tutorial Constructing biologically realistic neuron and network models with GENESIS. The tutorial brings together material that is available as separate downloads from the GENESIS web site and through the GENESIS Users Group. It includes several simulator-independent tutorials on biologically realistic neural modeling, as well as both tutorial and research simulations that have been implemented with GENESIS. The latest version of this GENESIS tutorial distribution will be available at http://genesis-sim.org/GENESIS/UGTD.html. The GENESIS tutorial at the CNS meeting is introductory and aimed at people who are new to or have only elementary knowledge about the GENESIS-2 simulator, as well as those who have used GENESIS in the past and would like to learn of new developments in cortical network modeling with GENESIS. * introduction and overview ** Why are we doing this? ** resources ** installation and configuration overview * single neuron modeling and visualization * debugging model and script * fast simulations with hsolve * network modeling * spike-timing dependent plasticity During the last hour of the tutorial, I will show in detail how to technically debug models, scripts and source code, at various levels of implementation. The latest news can always be found at http://genesis-sim.org/GENESIS/ -- Hugo -- Hugo Cornelis Ph.D. GENESIS-3 -- lead architect http://www.genesis-sim.org/ Neurospaces Project Architect http://www.neurospaces.org/

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Brian tutorial at CNS meeting in Québec City
by Marcel Stimberg July 23, 2014

July 23, 2014

**Brian tutorial at CNS meeting in Québec City** Everyone interested in simulating spiking neural networks is invited to join us for a tutorial on the "Brian simulator": 9am-4.30pm, Saturday, 26th July 2014 in Québec City The tutorial is part of the OCNS meeting's tutorials (http://www.cnsorg.org/cns-2014-tutorials) and takes place in room 2101 of the Québec City Conference Center. It will demonstrate the use of Brian 2, a major update of the Brian simulator which further improves its flexibility and adds exciting new code generation abilities. We will provide an introduction to Brian in the morning (no prior knowledge of Brian necessary) and discuss more advanced topics (including the new code generation features) in the afternoon. We recommend participants to install the current version of Brian 2 beforehand; installation instructions, the schedule and additional material can be found here: http://briansimulator.org/brian-tutorial-at-cns-2014/ Best regards, Marcel Stimberg

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Faculty Position in Computational Neuroscience at the University of California, Irvine
by Jeff Krichmar July 22, 2014

July 22, 2014

Dear Computational Neuroscientists, The following job position may be of interest to many of you. ************************** University of California, Irvine Faculty Position in Computational Neuroscience The Department of Cognitive Sciences (www.cogsci.uci.edu) at the University of California, Irvine (UCI) invites applications for a faculty position at the Associate or Full Professor level. We are especially interested in candidates who use mathematical, computational, or robotics approaches to study the neural basis of cognition in any of these areas: (1) vision, hearing, and attention; (2) memory and decision-making; (3) learning and development; (4) language. Applicants whose research relates to human behavior are preferred. A strong record of publications and extramural funding is essential. Exceptional candidates at the Assistant Professor level will also be considered. The online application includes: A cover letter, CV, research and teaching statements, 3 recent publications, and contact information for 3-5 referees. Interested candidates can apply for the position at: https://recruit.ap.uci.edu/apply/JPF02452. To ensure full consideration, please complete the application by November 15, 2014. The University of California, Irvine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer committed to excellence through diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected categories covered by the UC nondiscrimination policy. ************************** Best regards, Jeff Krichmar Department of Cognitive Sciences 2328 Social & Behavioral Sciences Gateway University of California, Irvine Irvine, CA 92697-5100 jkrichma(a)uci.edu http://www.socsci.uci.edu/~jkrichma

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GENESIS 2.4 beta release and modeling tutorials
by Dave Beeman July 22, 2014

July 22, 2014

There is now a stable public beta release of GENESIS 2.4 available on the web site for the GENESIS neural simulator. Although there have been development releases of GENESIS 3, this is the first new release of GENESIS 2 since the March 2006 release of GENESIS 2.3. This new release was made necessary by the many improvements and user contributions over the past few years, and the incorporation of new objects for efficiently modeling synaptic plasticity in large networks of realistic multicompartmental cells. The final release will be in November 2014. There is also a new July 2014 version of the "Ultimate GENESIS Tutorial Distribution", a complete self-paced GENESIS modeling course, combined with GENESIS binary and source distributions and installation instructions. It provides an easy way to get everything by downloading a single package. This was prepared as course materials for the tutorial "Constructing biologically realistic neuron and network models with GENESIS" to be given on July 26th at CNS 2014. These may be downloaded from the GENESIS 2 home page at http://genesis-sim.org/GENESIS/ Those who wish to follow or contribute to the development of the final release can get the latest versions at the github repository: https://github.com/dbeeman/genesis-2.4beta-files Dave Beeman ------------------------------------------------------------ Prof. David Beeman, GENESIS Users Group Dept. of Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering University of Colorado, Boulder, CO 80309 email: genesis(a)genesis-sim.org - dbeeman(a)colorado.edu GENESIS 2 WWW site: http://genesis-sim.org/GENESIS/ ------------------------------------------------------------

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CNS-2014 - Workshop on Cortical Oscillations: Computational Models and Dynamic Mechanisms
by Horacio G. Rotstein July 22, 2014

July 22, 2014

Dear colleague, We would like to bring to your attention the forthcoming Workshop on "Cortical Oscillations: Computational Models and Dynamics Mechanisms" as part of the Computational Neuroscience Meeting, Juy 26 - 31, Quebec City, Canada. The detailed program including the list of speaker and talk titles can be found in the following link: http://web.njit.edu/~horacio/CNS-2014/CNS-2014_WorkshopCorticalOscillations… Sincerely, Mark Kramer and Horacio Rotstein -- Horacio, NY/NJ area. "Az di bobe volt gehat beytsim volt zi geven mayn zeide" (Yiddish expression) Horacio G. Rotstein Associate Professor Department of Mathematical Sciences New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark, NJ, 07102, USA. Graduate Faculty Behavioral Neuroscience Program Rutgers University (NWK) and Federated Department of Biological Sciences Rutgers / NJIT tel: (1-973) 596-5306 e-mail: horacio(a)njit.edu horacior(a)andromeda.rutgers.edu <horacio(a)njit.edu> http://web.njit.edu/~horacio

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Videos online: Workshop on Cortical Spreading Depression (CSD) and Related Neurological Phenomena
by Markus A Dahlem July 22, 2014

July 22, 2014

*18 VIDEOS online available: * *Workshop on Cortical Spreading Depression (CSD) and Related Neurological Phenomena* http://www.fields.utoronto.ca/video-archive/event/294/2014 Organizers: K. C. Brennan (Neurology,U Utah), Markus A. Dahlem (Physics, Humboldt U, Berlin), Huaxiong Huang (Math. & Statistics, York U), Robert M. Miura (Math. Sci. and Biomedical Eng, NJIT) This workshop brought together a group of researchers from the areas of mathematical modeling and clinicians and experimentalists in neuroscience to address some of the fundamental issues related to neurovascular coupling and cortical spreading depression (CSD) and related neurological phenomenon. 1. Bernice Grafstein: Spreading depression as a holistic process: A historical perspective 2. Cenk Ayata: Spreading depression and the biological heterogeneity of cerebral blood flow response: clues for modeling 3. Huaxiong Huang: Modeling cortical spreading depression and related phenomena 4. Steven Schiff: Unification in the Observation and Control of Spikes, Seizures, and Spreading Depression 5. Jessica Seidel: Cerebral Venous Potassium Efflux During Spreading Depression 6. David Terman: Blocking spreading depolarizations in a neuron/astrocyte network model 7. Jed Hartings: Spreading depolarizations in acute brain injury: mathematical dynamic instability of cerebral cortex? 8. Béla Joós: The Nav coupled left shift model of axon damage: how minor damage can cause major grief 9. Ghanim Ullah: Towards a model-based control of neuronal systems 10. Jorge Manuel Mendez: In vivo cellular dynamics in cortical spreading depression 11. Ernest Barreto: Ion Concentration Dynamics and its Effects on Neuronal Excitability and Bursting 12. Bas-Jan Zandt: Dynamics of single neurons and populations during spreading depolarization 13. Niklas Hübel: Dynamics from seconds to hours in HodgkinHuxley model with time- dependent ion concentrations and buffer reservoirs 14. Markus A. Dahlem: Ghost behavior: Transient localized patterns of CSD in the gyrified human cortex 15. K.C. Brennan: Minimum conditions for the induction of CSD 16. Edward Dudek: Perinatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy: electrographic seizures vs background supression 17. David Andrew: Spreading depolarization strength during ischemia determines higher brain susceptibility and lower brain resistance to acute injury 18. Yoichiro Mori: Modeling ionic electrodiffusion and osmosis in spreading depression If you are interested in updates and upcoming events on this topic, please sent an email to dahlem(a)physik.hu-berlin.de -- Dr. Markus A. Dahlem Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin AG NLD Cardiovascular Physics Robert-Koch-Platz 4 10115 Berlin Germany phone: +49 (0)30 2093 99185 email: dahlem(a)physik.hu-berlin.de skype: markus.dahlem web: https://sites.google.com/site/markusadahlem

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OCNS Workshop on Modeling of Neuron-Glia Interactions, Quebec City, July 30-31.
by Maurizio De Pittà July 22, 2014

July 22, 2014

Dear Sirs, I would kindly ask you to please forward the following message to the comp-neuro mailing list, and further encouraging you to share it with your colleagues. Thanks in advance for your consideration of the matter. Sincerely, Maurizio De Pitta' -------------------------------------------------------------- Dear colleague, we would like to bring at your attention the forthcoming OCNS workshop on "Computational Methods and Modeling of Astrocyte Physiology and Neuron-Glia Interactions". The workshop will take place in Quebec City (Canada) on July 30th-31st, following the main OCNS meeting. The workshop brings together a representative pool of theoreticians involved in modeling of several aspects of astrocyte physiology and neuron-glia interactions, aiming at providing a rare and original occasion to familiarize with the current state of research on the challenging topic of the functional role of neuron-glia interactions. Topics covered by this workshop include: 1. -- Calcium signaling in astrocytes (from subcellular/compartmentalized to network levels); 2. -- Neuron-glia interactions, regulation of synaptic transmission, plasticity and neuronal responses by astrocytes; 3. -- Astrocyte role in homeostasis and neurotrasmitter clearance; 4. -- Information processing by astrocytes. For the detailed program and the list of speakers, you are kindly invited to visit the workshop homepage: https://team.inria.fr/beagle/ocns-2014-workshop/ We encourage you to share this mail with your colleagues and whoever could be interested to attend our workshop. Thanks for your attention. Kind regards, Maurizio De Pitta' Hugues Berry -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Maurizio De Pitta' - https://sites.google.com/site/mauriziodepitta Hugues Berry - http://www.inrialpes.fr/Berry -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Project-Team BEAGLE INRIA Rhone-Alpes Université de Lyon LIRIS UMR5205 Antenne INRIA de La Doua Batiment CEI-1 66 Blvd Niels Bohr CS 52132 69603 Villeurbanne cedex France

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Journal of Mathematical Neuroscience - recent articles
by Stephen Coombes July 18, 2014

July 18, 2014

Dear all, The Journal of Mathematical Neuroscience publishes research articles on the mathematical modeling and analysis of all areas of neuroscience. The current list of journal articles is available at http://www.mathematical-neuroscience.com/ : Frequency Preference Response to Oscillatory Inputs in Two-dimensional Neural Models: A Geometric Approach to Subthreshold Amplitude and Phase Resonance Rotstein HG http://www.mathematical-neuroscience.com/content/4/1/11 Network Symmetry and Binocular Rivalry Experiments Diekman CO and Golubitsky M http://www.mathematical-neuroscience.com/content/4/1/12 Effects of Synaptic Plasticity on Phase and Period Locking in a Network of Two Oscillatory Neurons Akcay Z, Bose A and Nadim F http://www.mathematical-neuroscience.com/content/4/1/8 Approximate, not Perfect Synchrony Maximizes the Downstream Effectiveness of Excitatory Neuronal Ensembles Börgers C, Li J and Kopell N http://www.mathematical-neuroscience.com/content/4/1/10 Identification of Criticality in Neuronal Avalanches: II. A Theoretical and Empirical Investigation of the Driven Case Hartley C, Taylor TJ, Kiss IZ, Farmer SF and Berthouze L http://www.mathematical-neuroscience.com/content/4/1/9 All articles are Open Access. Best regards, Steve ------------------------------------------------------- Stephen Coombes Professor of Applied Mathematics School of Mathematical Sciences Nottingham, UK Tel: 0115 846 7836 http://www.maths.nott.ac.uk/~sc/ ------------------------------------------------------- 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 send it back to me, and immediately delete it. Please do not use, copy or disclose the information contained in this message or in any attachment. Any views or opinions expressed by the author of this email do not necessarily reflect the views of the University of Nottingham. This message has been checked for viruses but the contents of an attachment may still contain software viruses which could damage your computer system, you are advised to perform your own checks. Email communications with the University of Nottingham may be monitored as permitted by UK legislation.

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Post-doc openings for theoretical neuroscience at UCSF and UCB
by Friedrich Sommer July 18, 2014

July 18, 2014

Post-doctoral fellow in computational/theoretical neuroscience The Chang Lab at UCSF and the Sommer Lab at UCB are jointly seeking two (2) post-doctoral fellows in computational/theoretical neuroscience. Our groups are developing and applying novel computational methods to understand population neural data. The positions have the specific focus on understanding the dynamics of neural population data collected directly from the cortical surface of humans during the perception and production of speech at multiple temporal resolutions. These positions are fully funded as part a collaborative effort between University of California San Francisco, University of California Berkeley, and Lawrence-Berkeley National Laboratory. This Bay Area collaboration combines UCSF's strong clinical and experimental neuroscience experience with in vivo cortical electrophysiology, UCB's expertise in theoretical neuroscience, statistical learning and data analysis, and LBNL's supercomputing and applied mathematics together with electronics and microfabrication. Successful applicants will have access to the full range of facilities and expertise uniquely allowed by this collaboration. Applicants should have a Ph.D. (or equivalent degree) in a quantitative field such as computer science, electrical engineering, physics, or applied mathematics/statistics with a strong publication record. Expertise in theoretical/computational neuroscience or the analysis/modeling of complex dynamical systems is recommended; experience in analyzing the dynamics of population neural recordings is preferred. Applicants must be able to work in a collaborative, multi-disciplinary environment and exhibit good communication skills. Experience with scientific programing languages (e.g. C/C++, python, Matlab) is required. Expertise in speech/language and/or high-performance computing is not required, but is beneficial. To apply, please submit a CV and three letters of reference to: changed(a)neurosurgery.ucsf.edu fsommer(a)berkeley.edu ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Friedrich T. Sommer, Ph.D, Adjunct Professor Redwood Center for Theoretical Neuroscience & Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute UC Berkeley 575A Evans Hall, MC #3198 Berkeley, CA 94720-3198 http://redwood.berkeley.edu/wiki/Fritz_Sommer -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Neurocomputing special issue CFP
by Zhijun Yang July 17, 2014

July 17, 2014

Dear Colleagues, May we draw your attention to a Neurocomputing special issue CFP: Advances on Biological Rhythmic Pattern Generation: Experiments, Algorithms and Application. The full announcement can be found as an internet link below. http://www.journals.elsevier.com/neurocomputing/call-for-papers/special-iss… Instructions for submission: • The submission website for Neurocomputing is located at: http://ees.elsevier.com/neucom/default.asp • To ensure that all relevant manuscripts are correctly identified for inclusion into this special issue, it is important that authors select SI: Creating Biology Rhythm when reaching the “Article Type” step in the submission process. We look forward to receiving your contributions to what promises to be an exciting special issue. Best regards, Zhijun Yang -- Zhijun Yang, BEng, MSc, PhD, Lecturer in Design Engineering Department of Design Engineering and Mathematics School of Science and Technology Middlesex University, London NW4 4BT, UK Voice: +44 (0)7882681333 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Please note that Middlesex University's preferred way of receiving all correspondence is via email in line with our Environmental Policy. All incoming post to Middlesex University is opened and scanned by our digital document handler, CDS, and then emailed to the recipient. If you do not want your correspondence to Middlesex University processed in this way please email the recipient directly. Parcels, couriered items and recorded delivery items will not be opened or scanned by CDS. There are items which are "exceptions" which will be opened by CDS but will not be scanned a full list of these can be obtained by contacting the University.

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Postdoc position in neural inspired computation
by Aimone, James Bradley July 17, 2014

July 17, 2014

A postdoctoral research position is available for research on neural algorithm development for a neural-inspired computing hardware project within the cognitive modeling group at Sandia National Laboratories. The successful applicant will join a broad interdisciplinary team that includes computational neuroscientists, computer scientists, and electrical engineers focused on developing methods for hardware acceleration of neural algorithms. He or she will be expected to leverage research from the broader neuroscience research community to develop computational approaches for addressing real-world problems. Previous experience both in neuroscience research and in data analytics / machine learning domains is ideal. For more information, please contact Dr. Brad Aimone (technical contact, jbaimon(a)sandia.gov<mailto:jbaimon@sandia.gov> ) or Dr. John Wagner (department manager, jswagne(a)sandia.gov<mailto:jswagne@sandia.gov>). For the full posting, necessary qualifications and application information, go to careers.sandia.gov and search for posting ID 646640 -------------------------- James Bradley Aimone, Ph.D. Senior Member of Technical Staff Cognitive Modeling Department Sandia National Laboratories Phone: (505) 284-3147 Fax: (505) 844-4728

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Research Specialist position at Princeton University
by Francisco Pereira July 16, 2014

July 16, 2014

A Research Specialist position is available in Matthew Botvinick's lab in the Princeton Neuroscience Institute, in collaboration with Francisco Pereira at Siemens Corporate Technology. This is a position within a team participating in the IARPA Knowledge Representation in Neural Systems program. The goal of the program is to develop models of how the brain represents conceptual knowledge, and how that knowledge is used when carrying out tasks like reading a sentence. These models will be tested using brain imaging data. The main role in this position is as a programmer writing the code needed to build such models, while also being involved in experiment design and data analysis. Examples of tasks you might be asked to do: - prepare text corpora for use in developing models - implement evaluation tasks that the models developed will be benchmarked with - collect material from online resources and behavioral experiments - prepare stimuli for brain imaging experiments or model building - help in designing and carrying out brain imaging and behavioral experiments - analyze behavioral and brain imaging experimental data It is an unusual position in that you will be gaining experience in both machine learning and cognitive neuroscience. In addition to the core research goals, we will also be delivering a concrete system to the funding agency, and hence this will be a fast-paced project. You will be working directly with the PIs and also graduate students and research scientists in the team. Essential qualifications are experience developing software in MATLAB or Python (Perl is also useful), as well as an undergraduate degree in computer science, biomedical engineering, cognitive neuroscience or a related field. Preferred qualifications are knowledge in natural language processing, machine learning, and collection, preprocessing and analysis of brain imaging data (e.g. SPM, FSL or AFNI). The final candidate will be required to pass a background check successfully. This is a 1 year position, starting as soon as possible, with an additional year possible contingent on funding availability and performance. To apply, please go to https://jobs.princeton.edu/applicants/jsp/shared/Welcome_css.jsp and use “Search Open Positions” with requisition number 1400452. Please email francisco.pereira(a)gmail.com with any pre-application inquiries.

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1st Call for Abstracts for the 7th Int'l Workshop on Guided Self-Organisation (Freiburg, Dec 16-18, 2014)
by Joschka Boedecker July 16, 2014

July 16, 2014

<apologies for possible cross-posting> Dear colleagues, This is an announcement and Call for Abstracts for the Seventh International Workshop on Guided Self-Organisation (GSO-2014) to be held from December 16-18, 2014 in Freiburg, Germany. http://ml.informatik.uni-freiburg.de/events/gso14/index The workshop will bring together researchers from a richly diverse background who share interest in understanding and designing self-organising systems. Of particular interest are well-founded, but general methods for characterizing such systems in a principled way with the view of ultimately allowing them to be guided toward prespecified goals. Information theory, nonlinear dynamics and graph theory are core to many of these methods, and quantifying complexity and its sources is a common theme. This year, the workshop is organised in collaboration with the BrainLinks-BrainTools cluster of excellence at University of Freiburg ( https://www.brainlinks-braintools.uni-freiburg.de/ ), and one focus theme will be guided self-organisation in neural systems. Submissions to the workshop are extended abstracts (one-two pages). If interested in participating, send an extended abstract (by September 7th, 2014) by email to: jboedeck at informatik dot uni-freiburg dot de The notifications are expected by September 21st, 2014. Authors of accepted submissions will present the content to the workshop (scheduled 30 minutes presentation). It is expected that post-workshop publication of selected papers will follow in a special journal issue (as has been the case for previous GSO workshops). Please consult the website above and also http://guided-self.org/ for more information. Best wishes, Joschka Boedecker Mikhail Prokopenko Martin Riedmiller

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Two Postdoctoral Positions in Computational Modeling of Primate Motor Control
by Yaroslav Molkov July 15, 2014

July 15, 2014

Two postdoctoral/research associate positions in computational neuroscience for the duration of up to three years are available in the externally funded project focusing on multiscale computational modeling of motor control mechanisms, involving interactions between basal ganglia, thalamus, cerebellum, cortex, and spinal cord in connection with realistic simulation of pathological changes in motor control during Huntington’s disease. This collaborative project is performed jointly by the groups of Drs. Ilya Rybak (Dept. of Neurobiology and Anatomy, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA, USA) and Yaroslav Molkov (Dept. of Mathematical Science, Indiana University – Purdue University, Indianapolis, IN, USA). Applicants must have a PhD degree in Neuroscience, Applied Mathematics, Physics, or a related discipline and have excellent C++ programming skills. Previous experience in computational neuronal modeling is a plus. Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Dr. Rybak (rybak(a)drexel.edu) or Dr. Molkov (ymolkov(a)iupui.edu) by email. To apply, please send an email along with (1) curriculum vitae; (2) a cover letter describing previous research experience and interests; (3) the names and contact information of three references. Drs. Rybak and Molkov will be available to answer questions and discuss this job opportunity with potential candidates at the CNS’2014 meeting in Quebec City, Canada (July 26-31). ================================= Ilya A. Rybak, Ph.D. Professor Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy Drexel University College of Medicine 2900 Queen Lane Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA Tel.: (215) 991-8596 FAX: (215) 843-9082 E-mail: rybak(a)drexel.edu Yaroslav Molkov, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Indiana University - Purdue University Indianapolis Department of Mathematical Sciences 402 N. Blackford St, LD 270, Indianapolis, IN 46202 Office: LD 224U Phone: (317) 274-6934 Fax: (317) 274-3460 Email: ymolkov(a)iupui.edu

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Linking Brain Models and Data: An Invitation from James Bonaiuto and Michael A. Arbib
by James Bonaiuto July 15, 2014

July 15, 2014

The USC Brain Project has just released a new version of their neuroinformatics tool, the Brain Operation DataBase (BODB) v4.0. BODB is a tool for modelers and experimentalists to document computational models of the brain and their linkages to summaries of experimental data. Models can be compared in terms of these relations, and experimental data summaries can be visualized in a variety of ways. Groups of users can build collaboratory workspaces which allow them to share groups of models and data and work together to develop new models. This latest version of BODB includes many new features: - Improved search functionality: users can now search federated databases such as CoCoMac (macaque neural connectivity) and Brede (human brain imaging) directly as well as use boolean combinations of search terms - Users can now maintain a list of their favorite entries outside any workspace - Model and BOP diagrams: users can generate clickable and zoomable graphs showing the relationships between brain operating principles (BOPs) and between models and summaries of empirical data (SEDs) - ERP SED visualization: users can view the locations of ERP components on a standard electrode placement system - Improved workspaces: workspaces now include an activity stream, discussion board, and bookmarks. Workspaces administrators can send invitations to other users to join the workspace. - ModelDB import: users can search ModelDB for models and import them to BODB for documentation of their linkage to SEDs - New Documentation System: the new system is far more extensive, is linked from pages on BODB, and users can now search the documentation - Web API: it is now possible to return BODB entries in JSON aand XML format through a simple URL protocol An overview of our general methodology for the neuroinformatics of brain modeling can be found at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24234915. It is just one paper from a special issue of Neuroinformatics (Volume 12, Number 1, January 2014) on “Action, Language and Neuroinformatics” (Michael Arbib, Guest Editor). The Manual for BODB can be found at http://bodb.usc.edu/media/BODB_Manual.pdf. We invite you to register for a free account on BODB and add your own models and experimental data: http://bodb.usc.edu ------------------------------------------------------ James Bonaiuto, PhD Research Associate Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders UCL Institute of Neurology 33 Queen Square, London WC1N3BG, United Kingdom

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2014 SFN Meeting Workshop: NSG Portal for parallel simulations
by Ted Carnevale July 14, 2014

July 14, 2014

What: Using the Neuroscience Gateway Portal for Parallel Simulations A Satellite Symposium at the 2014 Society for Neuroscience Meeting Where: Lodation to be announced in downtown Washington, DC When: 9 AM - Noon on Saturday, November 15, 2014 Speakers to include: A. Majumdar, S. Sivagnanam, and T. Carnevale Registration deadline: Friday, October 31, 2014 This workshop is intended for neuroscientists who are already using, or would like to use, the Neuroscience Gateway Portal (NSG http://www.nsgportal.org/) for parallel simulations. The NSG portal eliminates most administrative and technical barriers that face neuroscientists who need to use high performance computing resources for large modeling projects. Its web-based interface simplifies the tasks of uploading models, specifying job parameters, monitoring job status, and storing and retrieving output data. Simulators currently installed include Brian, MOOSE, GENESIS3, NEST, NEURON, and PyNN. The workshop will combine didactic presentations by NSG's developers, discussions with experienced users, and hands on instruction in how to use the portal. For more information and the online registration form see http://www.neuron.yale.edu/neuron/static/courses/nsg2014/nsg2014.html --Ted

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NEURON course at 2014 SFN Meeting
by Ted Carnevale July 14, 2014

July 14, 2014

Using NEURON to Model Cells and Networks Satellite Symposium, Society for Neuroscience Meeting 9 AM - 5 PM on Friday, November 14, 2014 Speakers include Ted Carnevale, Bill Lytton, and Gordon Shepherd This course emphasizes practical issues that are key to the most productive use of NEURON, an advanced simulation environment for realistic modeling of biological neurons and neural circuits. Through lectures and live computer demonstrations, we will address topics that include the following: Partial list of topics that will be covered: * Efficient design and implementation of models of neurons and networks. * Constructing and managing models with NEURON's GUI, hoc, and Python. * Using the built-in variable-order variable-timestep integrator for improved speed and accuracy. * Parallelizing models of cells and networks to take advantage of multicore PCs and Macs, workstation clusters, and parallel supercomputers. * Expanding NEURON's repertoire of biophysical mechanisms, including an introduction to using the new RxD feature to implement models that involve reactive diffusion. * Databases for empirically-based modeling. Each registrant will receive a comprehensive set of notes. Registration is limited to 25 individuals on a first-come, first-serve basis. The registration deadline is Friday, October 31, 2014. NO on-site registration will be accepted. For more information and the online registration form, see http://www.neuron.yale.edu/neuron/static/courses/dc2014/dc2014.html --Ted

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PhD open positions on event-driven robotics
by Chiara Bartolozzi July 14, 2014

July 14, 2014

There are few PhD positions with scholarship for developing event-driven sensors and computation for the humanoid robot iCub at the Italian Institute of Technology. The call, application form and tips on the documentation to send are at the following link: http://www.iit.it/en/openings/phd-calls/2030-phd-course-topic-information.h… 1. Event-driven vision sensors for humanoid robots Tutors: Chiara Bartolozzi Department: iCub Facility (Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia) http://www.iit.it/en/research/departments/icub-facility.html Description: Carrying out real-world tasks robustly and efficiently is one of the major challenges of robotics. Biology clearly outperforms artificial computing and robotic systems in terms of appropriateness of the behavioural response, robustness to interference and noise, adaptation to ever changing environmental conditions, or energy efficiency. All these properties arise from the characteristics of the radically different style of sensing and computation used by the biological brain. In conventional robots, sensory information is available in a sequence of static frames and high dynamics can be sensed only by increasing the sampling rate. Unfortunately the available bandwidth limits the amount of information that can be transmitted forcing a compromise between resolution and speed. The goal of the proposed theme is the development of bio-inspired event-driven artificial vision sensors that will be mounted and validated on the humanoid robot iCub. The goal is to convey to the robot the most informative signal that it can use to robustly interact with the world. The research will focus on the design of mixed-mode analog/digital circuits for photo-transduction and focal-plane processing. Different architectures and circuits will be considered for the pixel design, evaluating the trade-off between complexity (and fill-in factor) and sensor pre-processing capabilities. Additionally, ad hoc digital asynchronous logic circuits and interfaces based on the "Address Event Representation" protocol will be developed for optimally interfacing the sensor with the robot. Requirements: degree in Electronic Engineering, Physics (or equivalent) and background in Analog and/or Digital Circuit Design, possibly on FPGA programming (VHDL, Verilog). High motivation to work on a robotic platform. Reference: C. Posch, D. Matolin, and R. Wohlgenannt, "A QVGA 143 dB Dynamic Range Frame-Free PWM Image Sensor With Lossless Pixel-Level Video Compression and Time-Domain CDS," IEEE J Solid-State Circuits, vol. 46, no. 1, pp. 259-275, Jan. 2011 Contacts: chiara.bartolozzi(a)iit.it<mailto:chiara.bartolozzi@iit.it> 2. Building the neuromorphic iCub Tutors: Chiara Bartolozzi Department: iCub Facility (Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia) http://www.iit.it/en/research/departments/icub-facility.html Description: Carrying out real-world tasks robustly and efficiently is one of the major challenges of robotics. Biology clearly outperforms artificial computing and robotic systems in terms of appropriateness of the behavioural response, robustness to interference and noise, adaptation to ever changing environmental conditions, or energy efficiency. All these properties arise from the characteristics of the radically different style of sensing and computation used by the biological brain. In conventional robots, sensory information is available in a sequence of static snapshots and high dynamics can be sensed only by increasing the sampling rate. Unfortunately the available bandwidth limits the amount of information that can be transmitted forcing a compromise between resolution and speed. The goal of the proposed theme is the integration of event-driven sensors and computing platforms on the humanoid robot iCub. The goal is to convey to the robot the most informative signal that it can use to robustly interact with the world and provide adequate computing platforms such as the SpiNNaker system. The research will focus on the development of the infrastructure for optimally interfacing event-driven hardware modules based on the Address Event Representation protocol on the iCub. Requirements: degree in Electronic Engineering, Physics (or equivalent) and background on FPGA programming (VHDL, Verilog). High motivation to work on a robotic platform. Reference: C. Bartolozzi, F. Rea, C. Clercq, M. Hofstätter, D. B. Fasnacht, G. Indiveri, and G. Metta, "Embedded neuromorphic vision for humanoid robots," in IEEE Computer Society Conference on Computer Vision and Pattern Recognition Workshops (CVPRW), 2011, pp. 129-135 Contacts: chiara.bartolozzi(a)iit.it<mailto:chiara.bartolozzi@iit.it> 3. Event-driven vision for the iCub Tutors: Chiara Bartolozzi, Lorenzo Natale Department: iCub Facility (Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia) http://www.iit.it/en/research/departments/icub-facility.html Description: Interacting with a dynamical environment is one of the major challenges of robotics. Biology clearly outperforms robotic systems when acting in real scenarios in terms of appropriateness of the behavioural response, robustness to interference and noise, adaptation to ever changing environmental conditions, and energy efficiency. All these properties arise from the characteristics of the radically different style of sensing and computation used by the biological brain. In conventional robots, sensory information is available in a sequence of static snapshots and high dynamics can be sensed only by increasing the sampling rate. However the available bandwidth limits the amount of information that can be transmitted forcing a compromise between resolution and speed. Event-driven vision sensors transmit information as soon as a change occurs in their visual field, achieving incredibly high temporal resolution, coupled with extremely low data rate and automatic segmentation of significant events. The proposed theme aims at the exploitation of highly dynamical information from event-driven sensors for robust interaction of the humanoid robot iCub with moving objects. The goal is to develop new techniques for the recognition and prediction of trajectories of moving targets including humans and objects and plan for precise reaching movements, by exploiting the high temporal resolution and compressive signal encoding of event-driven vision sensors mounted on the iCub. The research will focus on the development of the infrastructure for handling event-driven sensory data and of event-driven vision algorithms for motion estimation as well as algorithms for trajectory prediction. Real time behaviour will be achieved by using compressive event driven computation and on-board processing on FPGA. Requirements: degree in Computer Science or Engineering (or equivalent) and background in Computer Vision and/or Machine Learning. High motivation to work on a robotic platform and good computer and FPGA programming skills Reference: Benosman, R.; Clercq, C.; Lagorce, X.; Sio-Hoi Ieng; Bartolozzi, C., "Event-Based Visual Flow," Neural Networks and Learning Systems, IEEE Transactions on , vol.25, no.2, pp.407,417, Feb. 2014, doi: 10.1109/TNNLS.2013.2273537 Contacts: chiara.bartolozzi(a)iit.it<mailto:chiara.bartolozzi@iit.it> , lorenzo.natale(a)iit.it<mailto:lorenzo.natale@iit.it> 4. New techniques for vision-assisted speech processing for the iCub Tutors: Chiara Bartolozzi, Leonardo Badino Department: iCub Facility (Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia) http://www.iit.it/en/research/departments/icub-facility.html Description: Robust speech detection in realistic environments for human robot interaction is still a challenging task. Vision is currently used for improving speech recognition in noisy acoustic environments, however, the temporal content of the visual information is severely limited by the temporal discretization of the frame-based acquisition. Event-driven vision sensors transmit information as soon as a change occurs in their visual field, achieving incredibly high temporal resolution, coupled with extremely low data rate and automatic segmentation of significant events. The goal of the proposed theme is the exploitation of highly dynamical information from event-driven vision sensors for robust speech processing for the humanoid robot iCub. The goal is to extract visual features and cues from the stream of visual events that are related to speech production landmarks and exploit them for further improving speech recognition. The research will focus on the development of the infrastructure for handling event-driven sensory data and of novel algorithms for extraction of visual features from event-driven cameras. Requirements: degree in Computer Science or Engineering (or equivalent) and background in Auditory Processing and/or Machine Learning. High motivation to work on a robotic platform and good computer and FPGA programming skills. Reference: G. Potamianos, C. Neti, G. Gravier, A. Garg, and A.W.Senior in Proceedings of the IEEE Vol. 91 No. 9 September 2003 pp. 1306-1326 Benosman, R.; Clercq, C.; Lagorce, X.; Sio-Hoi Ieng; Bartolozzi, C., "Event-Based Visual Flow," Neural Networks and Learning Systems, IEEE Transactions on , vol.25, no.2, pp.407,417, Feb. 2014, doi: 10.1109/TNNLS.2013.2273537 Contacts: chiara.bartolozzi(a)iit.it<mailto:chiara.bartolozzi@iit.it> , leonardo.badino(a)iit.it<mailto:leonardo.badino@iit.it> Chiara Bartolozzi Researcher Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Via Morego, 30 16163 Genoa, Italy Ph: +39 010 7178-1474

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Job offer in Juelich, Germany - IT-Solutions Architect (f/m)
by Martina Reske July 11, 2014

July 11, 2014

The Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM) investigates the structure and function of the brain. The department INM-6 is conducting research in the field of Computational and Systems Neuroscience with currently four work groups and one Helmholtz Young Investigator Group (www.csn.fz-juelich.de<http://www.csn.fz-juelich.de>). The Ju?lich Supercomputing Centre (JSC) as part of the Institute for Advanced Simulation (IAS) offers high performance computing resources for scientific and technical applications which are among the most powerful in Europe and worldwide. The Simulation Lab Neuroscience at JSC is dedicated to enabling and supporting the Computational Neuroscience community in leveraging these resources for their research. These institutes are jointly looking for an IT-Solutions Architect (f/m) Your Job: * Design and development of web solutions * Implementation of web sites on the basis of open source solutions (e.g., WordPress/MediaWiki) * Integration of own and third-party components into the web sites * Writing of scripts/programs (e.g. in Python) in a neuroscience environment * Interaction with scientists to find the optimal solution for different situations * Proactive updates and creation of content for web sites in the field of neuroscientific simulation software * Creation of documentation of simulation of software in collaboration with scientists * The successful candidate will work half-time for INM-6 and the Simulation Lab Neuroscience at JSC, respectively. Your Profile: * Completed training in mathematical-technical software development or Bachelor in the area of Computer Science or comparable qualification * Very good knowledge of the relevant web technologies: PHP, MySQL, (X)HTML, JavaScript, CSS * Experience with the administration of web servers under Linux (LAMP) Experience with a common content management system (e.g., WordPress, MediaWiki, Typo3) * Good knowledge of shell and scripting languages like bash and Python * Fluently spoken and written English * Background in neuroscience or another natural science would be a plus * Interest in working with an interdisciplinary team of researchers with highest scientific standards Our Offer: * A diverse range of activities in a creative, interdisciplinary, international team * Forschungszentrum Jülich offers an excellent scientific research infrastructure on a green campus close to Cologne, Düsseldorf and Aachen * Salary and social benefits in conformity with the provisions of the Collective Agreement for the Civil Service (TVöD). Forschungszentrum Jülich aims to employ more women in this area and therefore particulary welcomes applications from women. We also welcome applications from disabled persons. We look forward to receiving your application, preferably online via our online recruitment system (see here: http://www.fz-juelich.de/SharedDocs/Stellenangebote/_common/dna/2014-115-EN…) quoting the reference number 2014-115. Martina Reske -- Dr. Martina Reske Scientific Coordinator Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-6) Computational and Systems Neuroscience & Institute for Advanced Simulation (IAS-6) Theoretical Neuroscience Jülich Research Centre and JARA Jülich, Germany Work +49.2461.611916 Work Cell +49.151.26156918 Fax +49.2461.619460 www.csn.fz-juelich.de<http://www.csn.fz-juelich.de> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH 52425 Juelich Sitz der Gesellschaft: Juelich Eingetragen im Handelsregister des Amtsgerichts Dueren Nr. HR B 3498 Vorsitzender des Aufsichtsrats: MinDir Dr. Karl Eugen Huthmacher Geschaeftsfuehrung: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Wolfgang Marquardt (Vorsitzender), Karsten Beneke (stellv. Vorsitzender), Prof. Dr.-Ing. Harald Bolt, Prof. Dr. Sebastian M. Schmidt ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Job announcement
by Quel July 10, 2014

July 10, 2014

[sorry for cross-posting] On the behalf of Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, *Open position for Professor of Neurosciences in Sao Paulo, Brazil.* A full time endowed position for “Professor of Neurosciences” is available at the Brain Institute at the Albert Einstein Institute for Research and Education (InCe – IIEPAE), São Paulo, Brazil. We seek an outstanding senior researcher as a professor of the Institute. Job description The main goals include the development of research in neuroscience involving ageing processes in the brain and methods to promote healthy ageing. Additional focus includes study of neurodegenerative diseases. The position requires a record of scientific excellence and management experience, as well as vision and motivation to lead and shape a team of researchers. The candidate is expected to lead a strong, internationally competitive research programme, attract external funding and promote an interactive and synergistic research environment in order to develop clinical neuroscience into a center of excellence in biological aspects of ageing. Good communication skills are required to interact with a multidisciplinary team of experienced neurologists, neurosurgeons, scientists, engineers, physicists and psychologists. *Required skills/Qualifications* • Senior researcher with PhD • Experience working as a leading researcher • A strong track record of publications, ideally h-index > 20 Desired skills/Qualifications • MD title • Portuguese speaking *Salary* Salary is provided by a donation (equivalent to a top salary for a physician in Brazil USD120,000.00 – 180,000.00 per year). The position is renewable. The appointment is for 24 months at first. *About Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein* Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein ranks number one in Latin America, was the first hospital outside of USA accredited by the Joint Commission International and possesses a number of ISO certifications. The Brain Institute-IIEPAE has a state-of-the art whole body 3T MR system equipped with 32 channel head coil with protected time for research, integrated with a 64 channel EEG-fMRI system. The facilities also include an fMRI eye-tracking system, TMS and in house stimulus delivery systems for advanced applications. Radiopharmacy laboratories for basic research and clinical application, an experimental core facility with a cell culture laboratory and genome sequencing and an AAALAC certified experimental facility are also available. The institution also holds a postgraduate programme in health sciences, recognized by the Brazilian Federal Agency for Support and Evaluation of Graduate Education (CAPES), giving the opportunity to supervise postdoc, PhD and master students. *Apply for position:* The position is open until 31st of July. The top 20 CV will be selected and evaluated by a committee. Please e-mail CV, NIH Biosketch, statement of research interests and contact information of references to: ince(a)einstein.br with “Professor of Neurosciences” in the subject line Brain Institute - Albert Einstein Jewish Institute for Education and Research Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein – www.einstein.br Phone: +55 11 2151-3727 Best regards, Anna *Anna Ringheim Cadete* Coordinator - Brain Institute - IIEP SBIB Hospital Albert Einstein

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Job opening: 7 PhD positions in Dutch research consortium "Language in Interaction"
by Lorenz, C.M. July 10, 2014

July 10, 2014

Seven PhD Positions in the Dutch Research Consortium 'Language in Interaction' Closing date: 30 September 2014 For more information: http://www.languageininteraction.nl/jobs/id-2nd-phd-call-general.html We are looking for highly motivated PhD candidates to enrich a unique consortium of researchers that aims to unravel the neurocognitive mechanisms of language at multiple levels. The goal is to understand both the universality and the variability of the human language faculty from genes to behaviour. The Netherlands has an outstanding track record in the language sciences. This research consortium sponsored by a large grant from the Netherlands Organization for Scientific research (NWO) brings together many of the excellent research groups in the Netherlands with a research programme on the foundations of language. The research team consists of 43 Principal Investigators. In addition to the excellence in the domain of language and related relevant fields of cognition, our consortium provides state-of-the-art research facilities and a research team with ample experience in the complex research methods that will be invoked to address the scientific questions at the highest level of methodological sophistication. These include methods from genetics, neuroimaging, computational modelling, and patient-related research. This consortium realizes both quality and critical mass for studying human language at a scale not easily found anywhere else. Currently, the consortium advertises seven PhD positions for a period of 4 years. Depending on the PhD position applied for, candidates will be appointed at one of the home institutions of the consortium. These positions provide the opportunity for conducting world-class research as a member of an interdisciplinary team. Click for more information on the PhD positions and how to apply: http://www.languageininteraction.nl/jobs/id-2nd-phd-call-general.html

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Multiscale analysis of neural spike trains
by Reza Ramezan July 9, 2014

July 9, 2014

Dear Colleagues, I would like to highlight the following paper from our group published in Statistics in Medicine (not a mainstream neuroscience journal). Interested people can receive a free (electronic) copy upon request. Kindest Regards, Reza Ramezan ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ *Multiscale analysis of neural spike trains* <http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/sim.5923/abstract> Ramezan R, Marriott P, Chenouri S (2014) *Summary:* This paper studies the multiscale analysis of neural spike trains, through both graphical and Poisson process approaches. We introduce the interspike interval plot, which simultaneously visualizes characteristics of neural spiking activity at different time scales. Using an inhomogeneous Poisson process framework, we discuss multiscale estimates of the intensity functions of spike trains. We also introduce the windowing effect for two multiscale methods. Using quasi-likelihood, we develop bootstrap confidence intervals for the multiscale intensity function. We provide a cross-validation scheme, to choose the tuning parameters, and study its unbiasedness. Studying the relationship between the spike rate and the stimulus signal, we observe that adjusting for the first spike latency is important in cross-validation. We show, through examples, that the correlation between spike trains and spike count variability can be multiscale phenomena. Furthermore, we address the modeling of the periodicity of the spike trains caused by a stimulus signal or by brain rhythms. Within the multiscale framework, we introduce intensity functions for spike trains with multiplicative and additive periodic components. Analyzing a dataset from the retinogeniculate synapse, we compare the fit of these models with the Bayesian adaptive regression splines method and discuss the limitations of the methodology. Computational efficiency, which is usually a challenge in the analysis of spike trains, is one of the highlights of these new models. In an example, we show that the reconstruction quality of a complex intensity function demonstrates the ability of the multiscale methodology to crack the neural code. *Keywords: *inhomogeneous Poisson process; multiscale analysis; periodogram; almost periodic intensity function; retinogeniculate synapse; spike train -- Reza Ramezan Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science University of Waterloo Waterloo, Ontario N2L 3G1 Canada Office: M3 3018 Phone: (519) 888-4567, ext. 39358 E-mail: rramezan(a)uwaterloo.ca Web: http://www.neuroinformatics.ca

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2 PhD positions in Computational Neuroscience in Juelich, Germany
by Martina Reske July 9, 2014

July 9, 2014

Dear community, we are seeking two PhD candidates to support our team! Project 1: In the framework of the Klinische Forschergruppe (KFO) 219 "Basal ganglia-cortex loops: Mechanisms of pathologic interactions and their therapeutic modulation" we have an open PhD student position in work package 9: "Mathematical modeling of development and suppression of pathological activation in basal ganglia – cortex loops“. This project focuses on the generation of pathological beta band oscillations in basal ganglia and their susceptibility to suppression by means of pharmacological challenges or deep brain stimulation. Specifically, this projects aims to model dynamics in basal ganglia – thalamus – cortex loops drawing on computational neuroscience approaches and data deriving from other work packages within the research consortium. We are seeking for a candidate with a master’s degree in physics, mathematics or computer science. The candidate will develop microscopic network models and will be supervised by the projects leaders, particularly by a postdoctoral fellow supervising the entire work package as well as Prof. Morrison. Programming expertise is appreciated. The candidate will be primarily based at the Jülich Research Center to foster interactions with theoretical neuroscientists. In addition, the candidate is expected to work jointly with project partners at the University Clinic of Cologne. We offer a position in a creative and international team, themes ranging from computational neuroscience to simulation technology. The Jülich Research Center is one of the largest research centers in Germany, with excellent scientific equipment, located on a green campus, and near the cultural centers Köln, Düsseldorf, and Aachen. The PhD position is available for 3 years, starting as soon as possible. Applications, including a motivation letter, CV, publication list, copies of university certificates, and one reference letter should be sent as a single PDF email attachment (max. 10MB) mentioning the internal reference code KFO219-TP9 to should be sent to: Dr. Martina Reske (m.reske(a)fz-juelich.de) – Scientific Coordinator The call is open until the position has been filled. Project 2: Project title: Neural circuit mechanisms of reinforcement learning Project description: Reinforcement learning is considered to play a major role in decision-making, and impairments in RL have been associated with various neuropsychiatric disorders including addiction and depression. Since it was found that the activity of midbrain dopamine (DA) neurons appears to represent the reward prediction error, various brain regions in the cerebral cortex and the basal ganglia have been shown to represent several variables appeared in mathematical formulations of RL algorithms. However, underlying mechanisms at the cellular and circuit levels within and between each of those regions remain largely unknown. In this project, we address this issue by developing and study neuronal network models of learning from reward and punishment in the brain's basal ganglia network. The project will be carried out by the group Functional Neural Circuits at the Institute for Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-6) and Institute for Advanced Simulation (IAS-6) led by Prof. Abigail Morrison, together with our Japanese collegues (Kenji Morita, University of Tokyo). The project is supported by German Ministry of Science (BMBF) in the framework of the German-Japan cooperation in Computational Neuroscience. The project incorporates tools and methods from different fields, ranging from neuroscience to physics and mathematical modeling to build large scale simulations of neural networks. Supervision is provided by Prof. Abigail Morrison and Dr. Jenia Jitsev, both having considerable experience in neural network modeling, with focus on plasticity and learning. We seek a highly motivated candidate with curiosity and persistence. A preferable candidate will have background and strong Master degree in either in neuroscience, physics, mathematics, biology, computer science or a related field of natural science. The candidate should have experience in basic software engineering techniques (minimal requirement is ability to write clear well-structured code in either C++ or Python). Furthermore, a solid basis in mathematical modelling (handling differential equations, basics of stability analysis) is essential. The most important requirement is the ability to learn new things and to find ways to solve novel problems. The PhD position is available for 3 years, starting as soon as possible. During the PhD, you will also have opportunity to visit conferences, workshops, summer schools and labs of our partners in Tokyo and benefit from their experience, too. You will be a part of a creative and young team, rich with inspiration for the different state-of-the art topics in experimental and theoretical neuroscience, and have the opportunity to take part at the forefront of current neuroscientific research. Research Center Jülich, Germany, is located on a green campus and hosts excellent facilities, including the Jülich Supercomputing Center, and is part of newly starting EU Human Brain Project, the largest neuroscientific initiative to study the brain funded in Europe. Jülich is close to large urban centers like Cologne, Aachen and Düsseldorf and offers thus a rich cultural environment to spend time in. Applications, including a motivation letter, a CV, copies of university certificates, and one letter of reference should be sent as a single PDF email attachment (max. 10MB) mentioning the internal reference code BRDJ-PhD to: Dr. Martina Reske (m.reske(a)fz-juelich.de) – Scientific Coordinator The call is open until the position has been filled. -- Dr. Martina Reske Scientific Coordinator Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-6) Computational and Systems Neuroscience & Institute for Advanced Simulation (IAS-6) Theoretical Neuroscience Jülich Research Centre and JARA Jülich, Germany Work +49.2461.611916 Work Cell +49.151.26156918 Fax +49.2461.619460 www.csn.fz-juelich.de ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH 52425 Juelich Sitz der Gesellschaft: Juelich Eingetragen im Handelsregister des Amtsgerichts Dueren Nr. HR B 3498 Vorsitzender des Aufsichtsrats: MinDir Dr. Karl Eugen Huthmacher Geschaeftsfuehrung: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Wolfgang Marquardt (Vorsitzender), Karsten Beneke (stellv. Vorsitzender), Prof. Dr.-Ing. Harald Bolt, Prof. Dr. Sebastian M. Schmidt ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Call for Nominations: TANG Prize for Achievements in Psychology
by Christopher Honey July 8, 2014

July 8, 2014

APPLICATIONS INVITED FOR INAUGURAL TANG PRIZE FOR ACHIEVEMENTS IN PSYCHOLOGY – CALL FOR NOMINATIONS The Department of Psychology at the University of Toronto is pleased to announce the call for nominations for the 2014 inaugural TANG Prize for Achievements in Psychology. As a Department at a public university, we believe in furthering the science of Psychology in service of enhancing human wellbeing. Applications are encouraged from internationally-recognized scholars in Psychology or a closely-related field who have shown creativity, and rigour in their approach and whose record of achievement has left an indelible mark on the field. This award has been made possible through generous support from the TANG Foundation. The TANG Foundation is a charitable institution with the mandate to raise awareness of the importance of psychological wellbeing in the world. The recipient of the TANG Prize for Achievements in Psychology will be awarded a cash prize of $100,000 CAD at a ceremony held on the University of Toronto campus on November 12, 2014. During the campus visit, the recipient will be asked to meet with University of Toronto students and to hold a public lecture. Applicants should outline in no more than two pages the ways in which they have a major impact on the progress of psychology, anywhere in the world, particularly in its application to the psychological wellbeing of humanity. This application letter should highlight how the applicant has contributed to the science, practice, or application of Psychology as it pertains to the understanding, promotion, restoration, or application of psychological methods, research, and techniques in addressing challenges related to wellbeing at the individual or community level. In addition to this application letter, applications should also include a current CV. Nomination packages (application letter and CV) should be submitted electronically in one email by August 15, 2014 to tangprize(a)psych.utoronto.ca. Applicants should also ask three referees, who must be internationally acknowledged experts in the field, to send reference letters directly to the Department via email to tangprize(a)psych.utoronto.ca by August 30, 2014. Up to three additional supporting letters of endorsement from individuals who have been directly impacted by the applicant’s scholarly work and/or who have knowledge of the direct impact of the applicant’s scholarly work can be sent to the same email address by August 30, 2014. For more information on this award, about the Department of Psychology at the University of Toronto, and the TANG Foundation, please visit www.psych.utoronto.ca/tangprize.

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