- Comp-neuro - lists.cnsorg.org

Several funded PhD positions - in Computational Cognition at the interface of Machine Learning, Computational Neuroscience, and AI.
by Prof. Pipa March 15, 2021

March 15, 2021

We offer in total 8 funded PhD positions associated with the graduate school on "Computational Cognition" (https://www.comco-cms.uni-osnabrueck.de/en/open_positions.html) , at the interface between Cognitive Science, Machine learning, Computational Neuroscience, and AI. The RTG Computational Cognition aims at reintegrating Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence. PhD students of the RTG will be educated in both subjects in order to combine the findings of these fields and thus to get a better understanding of human and machine intelligence. Research fields involved in the RTG are Neuroinformatics, NeuroBioPsychology, Bio-Inspired Computer Vision, Knowledge-Based Systems, Cognitive Natural Language Processing & Communication, Cognitive Modeling, Artificial Intelligence, Psycho/Neurolinguistics, Computational Linguistics and Cognitive Computing. The RTG focuses on the integration of two research fields. Further information on the RTG is available at www.comco.uni-osnabrueck.de. Detailed information on the core areas of the offered PhD projects can be obtained from the spokesmen of the RTG, Prof. Dr. Gordon Pipa (gpipa(a)uni-osnabrueck.de) and Prof. Dr. Peter König (pkoenig(a)uni-osnabrueck.de) The RTG is incorporated into the Cognitive Science PhD program founded in 2002. PhD students of the RTG will take advantage of an interdisciplinary environment, which nevertheless focuses on a common research topic and offers a broad range of methodological synergies between the projects. Required Qualifications: Applicants are expected to have an academic degree (Master/Diploma), experience in at least one of the domains listed above, proven experience in interdisciplinary work as well as a good command of the English language. Osnabrück University is committed to helping working/studying parents balance their family and working lives. Osnabrück University seeks to guarantee equality of opportunity for women and men and strives to correct any gender imbalance in its schools and departments. If two candidates are equally qualified, preference will be given to the candidate with disability status. Applications with the usual documentation should be submitted by e-mail in a single PDF file to the director of the Institute of Cognitive Science, Prof. Dr. Gunther Heidemann (gheidema(a)uni-osnabrueck.de) with a cc to office(a)ikw.uni-osnabrueck.de no later than April 19, 2021. To inquire additional information on for example specific research projects you can contact the coordinator Gabriela Pipa (gapipa(a)uos.de) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------- Professor and Chair of the Neuroinformatics Department Dr. rer. nat. Gordon Pipa Institute of Cognitive Science, Room 50/218 University of Osnabrueck Wachsbleiche 27, 49090 Osnabrück, 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 research gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Gordon_Pipa/?ev=prf_act linkedin: https://de.linkedin.com/in/gordon-pipa-47771539 Personal Assistent and Secretary of the Neuroinformatic 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

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Modellers Workshop for the Brain Dynamics Toolbox, Final Call
by Stewart Heitmann March 15, 2021

March 15, 2021

Modellers Workshop for the Brain Dynamics Toolbox, Final Call Final Announcement. The Modeller’s Workshop is an online course for simulating custom dynamical models using the Brain Dynamics Toolbox (bdtoolbox.org<http://bdtoolbox.org>). Participants learn the art of programming differential equations in Matlab and how to use the toolbox to solve those equations interactively. Topics include Ordinary Differential Equations (ODEs), Partial Differential Equations (PDEs), Delay Differential Equations (DDEs), Stochastic Differential Equations (SDEs), Auxiliary Plot Functions and command-line tools. Example code is provided in all cases. Course Website https://bdtoolbox.org/p/modellers-workshop/ Important Dates Enrolments close Saturday 20th March 2021. Stewart Heitmann | Computational Scientist Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute | Lowy Packer Building | 405 Liverpool St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010 Australia E: s.heitmann(a)victorchang.edu.au<mailto:s.heitmann@victorchang.edu.au> | @VictorChangInst Disclaimer The information contained in this communication from the sender is confidential. It is intended solely for use by the recipient and others authorized to receive it. If you are not the recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or taking action in relation of the contents of this information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. This email has been scanned for viruses and malware, and may have been automatically archived by Mimecast Ltd, an innovator in Software as a Service (SaaS) for business. Providing a safer and more useful place for your human generated data. Specializing in; Security, archiving and compliance. To find out more visit the Mimecast website.

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Faculty Positions at Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University
by Kenji Doya March 14, 2021

March 14, 2021

Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (https://www.oist.jp) invites applications for new faculty positions as part of its planned expansion. Applications are invited in, but not limited to, the targeted areas including artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, and smart machines. Excellent scholarship and creativity are the main criteria for appointment. Successful candidates are expected to establish an active and independent research program, supervise Ph.D. students, teach graduate courses, and perform university services as required. Appointments will be Tenure-Track or Tenured. The starting date is negotiable. The application deadline is April 30, 2021. Please refer to application information: https://groups.oist.jp/facultypositions OIST offers a world-class research environment with an international research community and opportunities for interdisciplinary research, with currently 81 Research Units and no departmental boundaries (https://www.oist.jp/research-units) Each faculty will run an independent Research Unit with generous internal funding, including funds for several research staff. OIST provides cutting-edge core research facilities, including imaging, sequencing, instrumentation, nanofabrication, and high-performance computing, with dedicated support staff. Research and teaching are conducted in English. The campus is situated in a beautiful subtropical setting in Okinawa, Japan. Please see the video: https://www.oist.jp/news-center/videos/university-future The University strongly encourages applications from women and other underrepresented groups. Inquiries: Dr. Milind Purohit Dean of Faculty Affairs faculty-recruiting(a)oist.jp ---- Kenji Doya <doya(a)oist.jp> Neural Computation Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University 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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Postdoc positions in the cognitive computational neuroscience of decision making
by Ollie Hulme March 12, 2021

March 12, 2021

We are searching for two researchers to contribute to an ambitious experiment addressing how risky decisions are made & why. Candidates to be at a postdoc level, though those without a PhD can be considered. One position is based at the London Mathematical Laboratory <https://lml.org.uk/>(behavior & theory focus), the other is based in Copenhagen at the Danish Research Centre for Magnetic Resonance <https://www.drcmr.dk/>(neuroimaging focus). There will be substantive opportunities for exchange visits between sites, and (COVID-permitting) summer school training in Italy. Interdisciplinary training will be central to both positions. For more details on the London position see here <https://lml.org.uk/research/economics/research-positions-in-ergodicity-econ… > and for the Copenhagen position see here <https://drcmr.dk/vacancies/item/1114-postdoc-researcher-position-neuroecono…> . Twitter thread here <https://twitter.com/hulme_oliver/status/1369677808872603652?s=20>. -- Ollie Hulme Senior Researcher at the Danish Research Centre for Magnetic Resonance <https://www.drcmr.dk/> Group leader: Computational neuroscience of reward group <https://www.drcmr.dk/reward-and-homeostasis> External Fellow at the London Mathematical Laboratory <https://lml.org.uk/> (+45) 2339 1399

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Laboratory research coordinator position in systems/cognitive neuroscience
by Ella Striem-Amit March 11, 2021

March 11, 2021

*Laboratory research coordinator position in systems/cognitive neuroscience* The Sensory and Motor Plasticity lab (SAMP Lab, PI: Ella Striem-Amit) at Georgetown University is looking for a full-time laboratory research coordinator. We examine the balance between innate brain organization and experience-dependent plasticity by studying people with sensory and motor deprivation (e.g., blindness, dysmelia) using behavioral and neuroimaging techniques. The Laboratory Research Coordinator will work on projects involving behavioral and fMRI testing of sensorimotor and visual processing, as well as perform administrative duties. The position is particularly suited for a recent graduate from a Neuroscience, Psychology, Cognitive Science, Computer Science or related undergraduate program who is seeking to work in an innovative research environment in preparation for graduate school. The primary duties and responsibilities of this position include: · Running Experiments for the lab: Recruit and interact with study participants and run experiments in the lab (behavioral, fMRI), as well as online behavioral experiments (e.g. Amazon Mechanical Turk). Administrative responsibilities associated with these experiments, including maintaining lab records, participant reimbursements, uploading and organizing data, and managing IRB documentation and reviews. · Maintaining Infrastructure: Responsibility for purchasing and maintaining lab equipment and managing data storage, including fMRI equipment, lab computers, and lab accounts on software and storage services. · Research Projects: Responsibility for carrying out independent research projects and assistance with the research projects of students and postdocs. These projects will involve a combination of behavior and fMRI of actions in healthy and special populations. The laboratory research coordinator will be expected to participate in all aspects of experiment design, analysis, and communication, including creating stimuli and experimental protocols, collecting and analyzing data, writing up results for publication, and presenting findings at conferences. · Additional administrative duties: Interaction with outside vendors, maintenance of laboratory records, assistance with coordinating lab meetings, conference trips and visits. Position duration: *At least two years of commitment is required. * Start time: Flexible, preferably May to August 2021 Requirements: BA/BS in Neuroscience, Psychology, Cognitive Science, Computer Science or related scientific field Experience with scientific computing (Matlab, Python, or R) An ability to solve technical problems independently Strong organizational skills Ability to work well with others Some prior research experience (experience with fMRI analyses an advantage) *To learn more or apply for this position, please email your CV to Ella Striem-Amit (**striemamit(a)fas.harvard.edu* <striemamit(a)fas.harvard.edu>*) with the subject line: **Lab research coordinator **position.* Georgetown University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer fully dedicated to achieving a diverse faculty and staff. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. -- *Ella Striem-Amit (she/her)* Sensory and Motor Plasticity (SAMP) Lab Edwin H. Richard and Elisabeth Richard Assistant Professor Department of Neuroscience Georgetown University Medical Center 3970 Reservoir Rd., NW Washington, DC 20007 http://samp-lab.facultysite.georgetown.edu/

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Postdoctoral positions in systems neuroscience at the University of Pennsylvania
by Maria Geffen March 11, 2021

March 11, 2021

The Geffen laboratory <http://hosting.med.upenn.edu/hearing> at the University of Pennsylvania <http://www.upenn.edu/> has multiple postdoctoral positions open in systems neuroscience with the broad goal of understanding the neuronal circuits for auditory perception and memory. We are looking for energetic and talented scientists interested in studying the function of the brain. The postdoctoral fellow will have the opportunity to learn and apply a host of systems neuroscience techniques, including two-photon imaging of population activity, optogenetic manipulations, large-scale electrophysiology and behavior in mice. Prior experience with some of these methods is preferred, but not required. Depending on the candidate's interests, all projects provide an opportunity to learn and apply advanced computational methods, including dynamic systems analysis of neuronal population activity; Bayesian approaches for understanding the relation between neuronal activity and behavior; machine learning methods to understand large-scale neuronal activity. We currently have openings for postdoctoral fellows for three projects: (1) Neuronal mechanisms for predictive coding: Auditory perception relies on predicting statistics of incoming signals, be it identifying the speech of a conversation partner in a crowded room or recognizing the sound of a babbling brook in a forest. The human brain detects statistical regularities in sounds as a fundamental aspect of prediction, evidenced by reduced responses to repeated sound patterns and enhanced responses to unexpected sounds. Multiple studies demonstrate that the neuronal responses to regular signals are reduced through adaptation, which can contribute to prediction. However, adaptation alone is not sufficient to account for prediction and studies at cellular and neuronal population levels in animals thus far lend only partial support to existing theories of predictive coding. The goal of the project is to close this gap in knowledge and to determine the circuits that predict signals and detect statistical regularity and its violation in auditory behavior. Funded by NIH NIDCD. (2) Neuronal circuits for learning-driven changes in auditory perception: Everyday auditory behavior depends critically on learning-driven changes in auditory perception that rely on neuronal plasticity within the auditory pathway. By combining state-of-the-art optogenetic, electrophysiological, behavioral and computational approaches, the project seeks to identify the function of specific circuit elements in auditory learning. Funded by NIH NIDCD. (3) Neuronal mechanisms for hearing under uncertainty: In everyday life, because both sensory signals and neuronal responses are noisy, important cognitive tasks, such as auditory categorization, are based on uncertain information. To overcome this limitation, listeners incorporate other types of signals, such as the statistics of sounds over short and long time scales and signals from other sensory modalities into their categorization decision processes. This project will identify the contribution of specific cell types to categorization and the neuronal mechanisms for how contextual signals bias auditory categorization. In collaboration with Dr. Yale Cohen <https://auditoryresearchlaboratory.weebly.com/> and Dr. Konrad Kording <http://kordinglab.com/>, funded by NIH BRAIN Initiative. Our laboratory is a close community of fun-loving scientists, striving to help each other while exploring the mysteries of the brain. Our trainees have won numerous awards and have been awarded government and private foundation grants. We value diversity and promote equity in the scientific community and beyond <https://hosting.med.upenn.edu/hearing/philosophy/>. The systems neuroscience community at the University of Pennsylvania is top-notch and highly collaborative, and postdoctoral fellows will have opportunities to engage in interdepartmental initiatives, including MindCore <https://mindcore.sas.upenn.edu/>, MINS <https://www.med.upenn.edu/ins/> and CNI <https://www.cni.upenn.edu/>. Penn has a gorgeous campus and offers many cultural activities. Philadelphia is a beautiful city with world-class music, food and entertainment. To apply, please email Dr. Geffen at mgeffen(a)pennmedicine.upenn.edu <mailto:mgeffen@pennmedicine.upenn.edu> : a cover letter (summarize your prior research experience, why you are interested in the position, and your future plans) and your CV. __________________________ Maria N. Geffen, Ph.D. (she/her) Associate Professor Department of Otorhinolaryngology Department of Neuroscience Department of Neurology Stemmler Hall G14 3450 Hamilton Walk Philadelphia PA 19104 (215)898-0782 mgeffen(a)pennmedicine.upenn.edu http://hosting.med.upenn.edu/hearing Twitter: @neimarkgeffen

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Towards a standard organization for animal electrophysiology: a new BIDS Extension Proposal
by Sylvain Takerkart March 11, 2021

March 11, 2021

(apologies for cross-postings) Dear everyone, With this email, we would like to introduce a new BIDS Extension Proposal (BEP) dedicated to electrophysiological data recorded in animals (BIDS-animal-ephys). The BEP document is available here <https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oG-C8T-dWPqfVzL2W8HO3elWK8NIh2cOCPssRGv…> and we are now seeking feedback (e.g comments directly in the document, or posts in our discussion forum <https://github.com/INCF/neuroscience-data-structure/issues>) from the community at large to make sure this suits the largestpossible array ofneeds in animal electrophysiology. A bit of context and history. BIDS <https://bids.neuroimaging.io/> is a simple and intuitive way to organize and describe neuroscientific data in a standardized manner, originally developed for human neuroimaging data (see the first paper on MRI-BIDS <https://doi.org/10.1038%2Fsdata.2016.44>), and widely extended since its original introduction to other data modalities (see e.g EEG-BIDS <https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-019-0104-8>, or MEG-BIDS <https://doi.org/10.1038/sdata.2018.110>). A good number of exchanges have already taken place with electrophysiologists, with initial debates on whether adapting the hierarchical organization offered (and imposed) by BIDS (for other data modalities and recorded in human subjects) could suit the needs of the community of researchers working with animal models. Of course, it will change the habits of some, but a consensus has emerged that sticking to what BIDS suggests could suit the needs of a vast majority and that the long term benefits of such a standardization could be worth changing some habits. These observations have led to the formalization of this BIDS-animal-ephys Extension Proposal (BEP). For info, this BEP has been drafted by members of the INCF Working Group on Standardized Data Structures <https://incf.org/sig/incf-working-group-standardized-data>, that was initiated in 2020 to attempt standardizing the handling of neuroscientific data recorded in animal models. Note that at the present time (early 2021), the discussions in this Working Group are split to tackle two different issues: - How to handle animal data in a generic manner (i.e across data modalities, for both in vitro and in vivo data etc.)? The specific discussion about this topic is centralized here <https://github.com/INCF/neuroscience-data-structure/issues/9>. - How to handle electrophysiological data recorded in animals, and how to standardize the associated metadata? This is the main objective of the present BEP. Please consider joining this working group if you would like to contribute to this effort (either directly on these topics, or for other questions / data modalities). You can also reach the moderators of the present BEP through our main discussion forum <https://github.com/INCF/neuroscience-data-structure/issues>. Also, please do not hesitate to forward this message around you so that we reach as many electrophysiologists as possible! Thanks in advance for your feedback and contributions! -- Sylvain Takerkart Institut des Neurosciences de la Timone (INT) UMR 7289 CNRS-AMU Marseille, France tél: +33 (0)4 91 324 007 http://www.int.univ-amu.fr/_TAKERKART-Sylvain_?lang=en

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2 PhD positions in Sensory Neurotechnology in the Reichenbach lab
by Tobias Reichenbach March 10, 2021

March 10, 2021

2 PhD positions in Sensory Neurotechnology in the Reichenbach lab, Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nuremberg, Germany The newly founded Chair for Sensory Neuroengineering, headed by Tobias Reichenbach, at the new Department Artificial Intelligence in Biomedical Engineering is looking for two PhD students. In close collaboration with clinical and industrial partners, the lab researches on the neural foundations of hearing, as well as on new technology for better treatments of hearing impairment. The PhD students will develop and apply AI methods to analyse neurological data on human speech processing. They will also develop AI methods to construct audiovisual speech signals for better speech comprehension. FAU is the most innovative university in Germany and ranks second among the most innovative European universities. It is located in one of the most attractive regions in Germany. Erlangen is a bicycle-friendly city with 100,000 inhabitants, former home of the Huguenots as well as a key location for Siemens. It is close to Nuremberg, a city with a population of half a million and a metropolitan flair. The mixture of academia, innovative companies, art and culture makes the region the perfect place for creative minds, keen athletes and nature lovers. More information is available here: https://www.jobs.fau.de/jobs/2-phd-studentships-in-sensory-neurotechnology-… <https://www.jobs.fau.de/jobs/2-phd-studentships-in-sensory-neurotechnology-…> ------------------------------------------- Prof. Dr. Tobias Reichenbach Department Artificial Intelligence in Biomedical Engineering (AIBE) Friedrich-Alexander-University (FAU) Erlangen-Nuremberg Henkestrasse 91 91052 Erlangen http://www.bg.ic.ac.uk/research/reichenbach/

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Postdoc position in Theoretical/Computational Neuroscience at Washington University in St. Louis
by Tavoni, Gaia March 9, 2021

March 9, 2021

POSTDOC POSITION IN THE TAVONI LAB Applications for a postdoc position at the interface between physics and neuroscience are open at the newly set up Theoretical and Computational Neuroscience lab at Washington University in St. Louis. The selected candidate will work on one or more computational problems, involving models of plasticity and learning, memory and decision-making. A brief description of the projects can be found at http://neurosci.wustl.edu/People/Faculty/Gaia-Tavoni. <http://neurosci.wustl.edu/People/Faculty/Gaia-Tavoni>The underlying research theme in the lab is the search for optimal principles of information representation and processing in the brain that underpin the flexibility of animal behavior. A range of approaches are used, including methods from statistical physics, information theory and dynamical systems. Washington University in St. Louis is ranked in the top 10 globally for Neuroscience and Behavior, and offers an outstanding intellectual environment for neuroscience research. This includes a strong interest in computational neuroscience (see https://sites.wustl.edu/compneuro) The lab is based at the Medical School in the Department of Neuroscience and the Institute for Informatics, and expects to develop strong links with the Departments of Engineering, Physics and Mathematics. Job Requirements: Candidates with backgrounds in physics, mathematics, engineering or computer science, good programming skills, familiarity with neuroscience topics or a keen interest in computational neuroscience, proficiency in English, intellectual curiosity and drive are welcome to apply. How to Apply: For further information and applications please contact Dr Gaia Tavoni (gaia.tavoni(a)wustl.edu) including a detailed CV, a brief statement of research experience and interests (max 2 pages), names and email addresses of 2 references. Please indicate "Post-doc application" as the subject of your email. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until position is filled. Gaia Tavoni Assistant Professor Department of Neuroscience Washington University School of Medicine East McDonnell Medical Sciences, 312B St. Louis, MO 63110 email: gaia.tavoni(a)wustl.edu

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Postdoc (3 yrs) in dynamical reconfigurations of neural populations during movement
by Mark Humphries March 9, 2021

March 9, 2021

A 3 year postdoc post is available in the lab of Prof Mark Humphries, at the University of Nottingham (UK) In this project, our aim is to test the overarching hypothesis that movement transitions are encoded by the same neural population reconfiguring its joint activity, for both rhythmic and discrete movements. We will tackle this question by developing new computational algorithms for dynamic systems, and applying them to newly-available population recordings during rhythmic movement transitions in Aplysia and discrete arm movement transitions in monkeys, The Humphries’ group researches fundamental insights into how the joint activity of neurons encodes information about and actions in the world. For more see: https://www.humphries-lab.org Queries: mark.humphries(a)nottingham.ac.uk Deadline: 10th January 2020 Full details, and to apply: https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/jobs/currentvacancies/ref/SCI182819X1 Professor Mark Humphries | MRC Senior non-Clinical Fellow | Chair in Computational Neuroscience Lab: humphries-lab.org<https://www.humphries-lab.org/> Twitter: @markdhumphries Public blog: https://medium.com/the-spike This message and any attachment are intended solely for the addressee and may contain confidential information. If you have received this message in error, please contact the sender and delete the email and attachment. Any views or opinions expressed by the author of this email do not necessarily reflect the views of the University of Nottingham. Email communications with the University of Nottingham may be monitored where permitted by law.

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