- Comp-neuro - lists.cnsorg.org

high performance computing with the Neuroscience Gateway Portal

by Ted Carnevale

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

Oct. 6, 2016

Postdoctoral Fellowship in System Neuroscience

by Majid Mohajerani

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

Oct. 5, 2016

POSTDOCTORAL POSITIONS IN COMPUTATIONAL NEUROSCIENCE AT BROWN UNIVERSITY

by Wilson Truccolo

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

Oct. 4, 2016

Two PhD Positions for Neural Network Research Using High-density Microelectrode Arrays

by Felix Franke

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

Oct. 4, 2016

Deadline extended for Brains and Bits NIPS Workshop

by Konrad Kording

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

Sept. 29, 2016

Open PhD Position in Neuroscience at the University of Bremen, Germany

by David Rotermund

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

Sept. 29, 2016

2 Available PhD Positions in Artificial Intelligence and Neuro-Cognitive Robotics, Ritsumeikan University, Japan

by Amir Aly

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

Sept. 28, 2016

International Workshop on Computational Psychiatry at KAIST (Sang Wan Lee)

by Sang Wan Lee

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

Sept. 27, 2016

Two Postdoc Positions in Model-based fMRI and Machine Learning at KAIST (Sang Wan Lee)

by Sang Wan Lee

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

Sept. 27, 2016

Faculty Positions in Applied Mathematics at Northwestern University

by William L. Kath

The Department of Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics at Northwestern University (http://www.mccormick.northwestern.edu/applied-math/) invites applications for two full-time, tenure-track faculty positions. Hiring will be focused on the assistant professor level, although exceptional applicants at a more senior level will be considered. Requirements include a Ph.D. and demonstrated ability to conduct high-impact interdisciplinary research in applied mathematics. Candidates in all areas are encouraged to apply. We are seeking candidates with strong connections to applications who can enhance the breadth of research activities of the department. Duties involve teaching and research. The application package should include a curriculum vita, a statement of research accomplishments and interests, and a statement of teaching experience and philosophy. Send applications to https://facultysearch.mccormick.northwestern.edu/apply/index/ODg In addition, the applicant should arrange for at least three, but no more than four letters of recommendation. Recommendation letters will be automatically solicited from the letter writers by email after the names are entered in the online application system. Questions may be sent to esam-facultysearch(a)northwestern.edu (Subject line: 2017 Faculty Search). Review of applications will begin November 15, 2016, and will continue until the positions are filled. For further information, see: http://www.mccormick.northwestern.edu/applied-math/. 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. -- William L. Kath, Professor Engineering Sciences and Applied Mathematics McCormick School of Engineering, Northwestern University 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208-3125 Phone: 847-491-8784 Fax: 847-491-2178

Sept. 26, 2016