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[ICANN 2017] DEADLINE EXTENSION -- 26th International Conference on Artificial Neural Networks, Alghero, Sardinia, Italy
by ENNS Secretary March 13, 2017

March 13, 2017

Second Announcement and Call For Papers // DEADLINE EXTENSION [Apologies for cross-postings] #ICANN2017ENNS =========================================================== www.icann2017.org ICANN 2017 26th International Conference on Artificial Neural Networks Alghero, Sardinia, Italy 11th - 15th September 2017 =========================================================== The International Conference on Artificial Neural Networks (ICANN) is the annual flagship conference of the European Neural Network Society (ENNS). In 2017, the 26th ICANN will be organised from the 11th to the 15th of September 2017 in Alghero, Sardinia, Italy. Conference proceedings will be published in Springer-Verlag Lecture Notes in Computer Science (LNCS) series. IMPORTANT DATES Submission of abstracts and papers: Extended to 3 April 2017 Notification of acceptance: 15 May 2017 Camera-ready paper and registration: 28 May 2017 Conference dates: 11 - 15 September 2017 CONFIRMED PLENARY SPEAKERS Moshe Abeles (Bar-Ilan University) Elisabeth André (Universität Augsburg) Michele Giugliano (University of Antwerp) Marco Gori (Università degli Studi di Siena) David Ríos Insua (ICMAT-Institute of Mathematical Sciences, Madrid) CONFERENCE TOPICS ICANN 2017 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 OBJECTIVES - To bring together researchers from two worlds: Information Sciences and Neurosciences - To keep a wide scope, ranging from Machine Learning Algorithms to models of real nervous systems - To facilitate discussions and interactions in the effort towards developing more intelligent computational systems and increasing our understanding of neural and cognitive processes in the brain. - To help researchers to meet, mingle and network with colleagues from all over the world. - To be the meeting point between research and business. - To be a global interdisciplinary meeting encompassing Machine Learning and Neural Computation. - To help young researchers on the job market meet and mingle with potential labs and research groups in an informal setting. BENEFITS OF ATTENDING THE CONFERENCE - A solid cutting-edge scientific programme including talks from the world experts in the field of artificial neural networks. - A conference schedule tailored to encourage interaction between the attendees, with time for networking and discussion. - The publication of all accepted contributions in the peer-reviewed book of conference proceedings, in the Springer-Verlag Lecture Notes in Computer Science (LNCS) series. - The opportunity to vote and to be considered for the best paper awards, presented during the final ceremony of ICANN. - A top-level conference in the field with a reasonable registration fee, thanks to the not-for-profit policy of the ENNS organisation. Students can apply for ENNS funded travel grants to attend. - An overly attractive conference location in the beautiful setting of the Sardinian coast, with social events to explore the area. http://www.alghero-turismo.it/en/ CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FEES Early registration fees have been kept particularly low for this kind of event because ENNS and ICANN aim at full implementation of the academic not-for-profit policy. Early registration fees: Undergraduate students (Bachelor and Master level): 100 EUR PhD Students: 240 EUR Regular delegates: 290 EUR ENNS members have a reduction of 40 EUR Students can apply for ENNS funded travel grants to attend (see the conference website for details). CALL FOR CONTRIBUTED SCIENTIFIC COMMUNICATIONS All scientific communications presented at ICANN 2017 will be reviewed and scientifically evaluated by a panel of experts. The conference will feature three categories of communications: - oral communications (15'+5') - poster communications (on permanent display and 2 hours presentation) - demonstrations Authors willing to present original contributions for any category must submit a manuscript of maximum 8 pages length that will be refereed to international standards by at least three referees. Accepted papers of contributing authors will be published in Springer-Verlag Lecture Notes in Computer Science (LNCS) series. Selected papers will be invited after the conference for a full journal paper submission. Authors willing to present a contribution for oral communications and posters without submitting a full manuscript must submit a 1-page abstract that will also be refereed by at least three referees. The abstracts will be published all together in a proceedings section without an author index. In case of program constraints the priority will be given to original contributions accompanied by a full paper submission. CALL FOR WORKSHOPS AND SPECIAL SESSIONS ICANN 2017 invites proposals for workshops and special sessions to be held as satellite events of the conference. For more information, please refer to the website and/or contact the general chair. BEST PAPER AWARDS ENNS will sponsor several best paper awards, in the Brain Inspired Computing track and in the Machine Learning research track. All awardees will be presented during the final ceremony. ORGANISATION General Chair: Alessandro E.P. Villa General Co-chairs: Alessandra Lintas, Věra Kůrková, Stefano Rovetta, Paul F.M.J. Verschure Local Co-chairs: Eugenio Lintas, Anna Mura Program and Workshop Committee: Cesare Alippi, Jérémie Cabessa, Barbara Hammer, Petia Koprinkova-Hristova, Jaako Peltonen, Antonio J. Pons, Yifat Prut, Stefano Rovetta, Igor V. Tetko, Paul F.M.J. Verschure, Alessandro E.P. Villa, Francisco Zamora-Martinéz Communications Chair: Paolo Masulli Organisation Università degli Studi di Sassari, Italy University of Lausanne, Switzerland Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Spain European Neural Network Society, Switzerland

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Postdoctoral Research Position in Comp-Neuro of Spatial Memory, Sheffield, UK
by Tony Prescott March 12, 2017

March 12, 2017

POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCH POST IN COMPUTATIONAL NEUROSCIENCE We are seeking a post-doctoral research associate in computational neuroscience of episodic and spatial memory. This is a full-time post at the University of Sheffield Department of Psychology, the post will be located in Sheffield Robotics <http://www.sheffieldrobotics.ac.uk/>. The role will be to develop models of the mammalian hippocampal system as networks of rate-coded or spiking model neurons and to test these within a wider systems architecture controlling exploration and navigation in simulated or physical mobile robots. The post is supported by the European Union Flagship Human Brain Project <https://www.humanbrainproject.eu/en_GB> and within the sub-field of systems neuroscience and computational modelling. Though initially till the end of March 2018, it is expected that the position will be extended beyond that date. Applicants should hold a PhD equivalent in a numerate discipline and have experience of computational neuroscience modelling. For further information and to apply go to http://www.sheffield.ac.uk/jobs and enter the job code: UOS015616, deadline is the 11th of April. Feel free to contact me directly for informal enquiries. Regards, Tony Prescott p.s. apologies for cross-posting. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Tony J Prescott <http://www.shef.ac.uk/psychology/staff/academic/tony-prescott>, Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Sheffield Director of Sheffield Robotics <http://www.sheffieldrobotics.ac.uk/>; Editor-in-Chief, Connection Science <http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/ccos20> mail: t.j.prescott(a)sheffield.ac.uk, twitter: tonyjprescott <https://twitter.com/tonyjprescott?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7C…> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Frontiers in Serotonin Research Symposium
by Wong-Lin, Kongfatt March 12, 2017

March 12, 2017

We are very pleased to announce an upcoming neuroscience symposium titled Frontiers in Serotonin Research – Crossing Scales and Boundaries. The symposium will be held in Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China, on the 28th and 29th June this year. Serotonin is an important chemical in the brain. It modulates neuronal and neuronal circuit activities and regulates mood, cognition and behavior. Dysfunctions of the serotonergic system are associated with various brain disorders. Recent research using advanced technologies have revealed additional levels of heterogeneity and complexity in the serotonergic system, hence presenting new challenges to research and therapy. This symposium aims to bring together experimental and computational researchers that work across different scales of the serotonergic system to address these challenges. Confirmed speakers include Trevor Sharp (University of Oxford,UK), Minmin Luo (NIBS, China), Francesc Aartigas (IDIBAPS, Spain), Kae Nakamura (Kansai Medical University,Japan), Yousheng Shu (BNU, China), Katsuhiko Miyazaki (OIST, Japan), Xuechu Zhen (Soochow University,China), Giuseppe Di Giovanni (University of Malta; University of Cardiff), and Albert Compte (IDIBAPS, Spain). If you are interested in attending the symposium or have any enquiry, please contact Prof. Da-Hui Wang (wangdh(a)bnu.edu.cn<mailto:wangdh@bnu.edu.cn>). Best, Prof. Da-Hui Wang (Beijing Normal University, China) and Dr. KongFatt Wong-Lin (Ulster University, UK) ------------------ Further information: Beijing is the capital of China, and has a long history with many attractions. The latter include the Forbidden City, Summer Palace, Great Wall, etc. (e.g. see http://www.china.org.cn/travel/beijingguide/node_7044548.htm) The weather in Beijing toward the end of June can be warm and has an average high temperature of about 30 °C. Beijing Normal University (BNU) is one of the top universities in China (http://english.bnu.edu.cn/about_bnu/general_information/index.htm) Its faculty and staff conduct highly competitive research in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. The State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning (http://brain.bnu.edu.cn/en/Home/) at BNU consists of leading laboratories on cognitive neuroscience research in China. The School of Systems Science at BNU is another prominent research institute which focuses on the science and applications of complexity, which includes neural systems, complex networks, socioeconomic system and multi agent systems. The most convenient way to travel from Beijing Capital International Airport to Beijing Normal University campus is by taxi. The taxi fare is about 100 RMB one way, and the journey takes about 40 minutes. There is a hotel named Jing Shi Da Sha located on campus (http://www.ciae.bnu.edu.cn/english/index.html) This email and any attachments are confidential and intended solely for the use of the addressee and may contain information which is covered by legal, professional or other privilege. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager at postmaster(a)ulster.ac.uk and delete this email immediately. Any views or opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Ulster University. The University's computer systems may be monitored and communications carried out on them may be recorded to secure the effective operation of the system and for other lawful purposes. Ulster University does not guarantee that this email or any attachments are free from viruses or 100% secure. Unless expressly stated in the body of a separate attachment, the text of email is not intended to form a binding contract. Correspondence to and from the University may be subject to requests for disclosure by 3rd parties under relevant legislation. The Ulster University was founded by Royal Charter in 1984 and is registered with company number RC000726 and VAT registered number GB672390524.The primary contact address for Ulster University in Northern Ireland is Cromore Road, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry BT52 1SA

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Workshop on Brain Dynamics and Neurocontrol Engineering, (St. Louis, USA) June 26-27, 2017
by ShiNung Ching March 9, 2017

March 9, 2017

Workshop on Brain Dynamics and Neurocontrol Engineering, (St. Louis, USA) June 26-27, 2017 We are pleased to invite participants to the Workshop on Brain Dynamics and Neurocontrol Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis (St. Louis, MO, USA), to be held this summer (June 26-27, 2017). ** Travel awards (including meals, housing) are available for students, postdocs and junior faculty. ** The goal of this workshop is to provide a focused forum for the discussion of research synergy between the dynamical systems, control and neuroscience communities. An emphasis will be placed on bringing together experts from each of these domain areas, in an effort to discuss current formulations and future challenges. Topics include: Inferring dynamics in neural circuits, Linking control-theoretic analysis of neural circuits to function, and Optimizing extrinsic manipulation of neural activity. For full information, including speaker list, award and registration details, please visit: http://sites.wustl.edu/brain Please direct questions to: braindynamics(a)wustl.edu

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Call for Papers Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology
by Reinoud Maex March 9, 2017

March 9, 2017

Call for Papers Special issue of the Journal of Integrative Neuroscience http://www.iospress.nl/journal/journal-of-integrative-neuroscience on Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology Guest Editors: R.J. Martis, H. Lin, E. Barakova and Y. Zeng Brain-inspired intelligence technology aims to showcase the principles and mechanisms of human intelligence through development of brain-inspired intelligent systems. It is an effort to extract, integrate and analyse these principles and mechanisms across scale from quantum neuroscience to cognitive science research in pioneering the next wave of sentient technologies. The special issue is unprecedented, showcasing brain-inspired technology beyond 2020. Deadline for submission:25 November 2017 How to Submit: Authors are requested to submit their manuscript via the submission system available at http://msTracker.com/submit1.php?jc=jin In the “Cover Letter” box please indicate you are submitting your paper to the special issue on Brain-Inspired Intelligence Technology Topics of relevance include: * Biophysical neural networks * Brain-inspired cognitive models * Wetware design * Neurophotonics * Elemental conscious constructs * Quantum entanglement in agents * Cognitive technology supporting brain-inspired intelligence * Brain connectome based on optical nanoscopy technology * Observer-independent intelligence * Pico-scale resolution patch-clamping * Brain-inspired super and general artificial intelligence * New deep neural networks for brain-inspired learning * Brain-inspired intelligent hardware infrastructures * Cognitive neurorobotics For more information contact: Yi Zeng, Ph.D Deputy Director Research Center for Brain-inspired Intelligence Institute of Automation Chinese Academy of Sciences Beijing, China, 100190 Email: yi.zeng(a)ia.ac.cn

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Postdoctoral research associate in machine learning (curiosity-based learning, probabilistic theories of deep learning)
by Răzvan Valentin Florian March 9, 2017

March 9, 2017

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postdoc position in computational neuroscience/brain physics in Oslo Norway
by Gaute Einevoll March 7, 2017

March 7, 2017

Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Computational Neuroscience/Brain Physics in Oslo, Norway Applications are invited for a post-doctoral position in computational neuroscience/brain physics at the Department of Physics at the University of Oslo. The position is funded by the Research Council of Norway as part of the FRINATEK project "COmputing BRAin signals (COBRA): Biophysical computations of electrical and magnetic brain signals". The position is for 2 years and expected start date is in the Spring/Summer of 2017. Job/project description: The successful candidate will develop and apply physics-based computational methods to model electrical and magnetic brain signals measured inside (local field potential; LFP) and outside (EEG, MEG) cortex. For a review of this biophysical modeling approach, see Einevoll et al., Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 2013. In COBRA this modeling work will be compared with corresponding in-house experimental recordings from mouse visual cortex done in the laboratory of Marianne Fyhn at Department of Biosciences at UiO. The project thus also involves the development of a network model for mouse visual cortex. The candidate will work in the cross-disciplinary environment CINPLA (cinpla.org) a research center set up by the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. Presently, CINPLA includes about twenty biologists, physicists, and computer scientists co-localised in the building of Department of Biosciences at UiO. The candidate will develop and use state-of-the-art computer simulation packages and national supercomputer resources. Requirements: Applicants must hold a master's degree in physics and have a PhD in either computational neuroscience or theoretical physics with a significant computational component. The candidate must have demonstrated strong skills in developing codes for scientific computing. Previous experience in neuroscience is considered advantageous, but not required. For more information, including on how to apply, see: https://www.jobbnorge.no/en/available-jobs/job/135223/postdoctoral-research… Deadline for application: April 2nd 2017 For questions, please contact professor Gaute T. Einevoll, gaute.einevoll(a)fys.uio.no. ********************************************** Gaute T. Einevoll Faculty of Science and Technology Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 1432 Aas, Norway; Department of Physics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway Ph. +47-64965433, Mobile: +47-95124536 email: Gaute.Einevoll(a)nmbu.no, web: compneuro.nmbu.no, cinpla.org

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Swartz Fellowship in Theoretical Neuroscience at the University of Washington
by Eric Shea-Brown March 6, 2017

March 6, 2017

The Swartz Center for Theoretical Neuroscience at the University of Washington in Seattle is seeking applications for a Swartz Postdoctoral Fellow. The Fellow should have a strong analytical or computational background and will be free to work on projects with the extensive and vibrant UW theoretical and experimental neuroscience community, http://compneuro.washington.edu/ <http://compneuro.washington.edu/>. Possibilities also exist for collaborations with the Allen Institute for Brain Science. The Fellowship is available immediately although start date is negotiable, and applications will be considered until the position is filled. Please send a one-page statement of interests and CV with contact information for references. Please send applications to fairhall(a)u.washington.edu <mailto:fairhall@u.washington.edu> and etsb(a)u.washington.edu <mailto:etsb@u.washington.edu>.

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1st Conference of the Timing Research Forum - Call for Abstracts
by teki March 5, 2017

March 5, 2017

Dear list members, The call for abstracts and symposium proposals for the 1st Conference of the Timing Research Forum <http://timingforum.org/> (TRF1) is now open. TRF1 is the first international conference dedicated to multidisciplinary research on timing and time perception and will be held in *Strasbourg, France from October 23-25, 2017*. The deadline to submit both abstracts and symposium proposals is *May 1, 2017*. During the submission process, please indicate if you wish to present an oral or poster presentation, and express your interest for student travel awards. All selected abstracts will be published in the journal, Timing and Time Perception Reviews <http://www.brill.com/node/37536>. We are pleased to announce three impressive Keynote Speakers - *Warren Meck* <https://psychandneuro.duke.edu/people/warren-h-meck>: Professor, Duke University *Lera Boroditsky* <http://lera.ucsd.edu/>: Associate Professor, University of California San Diego *Sofia Soares* <http://www.neuro.fchampalimaud.org/en/person/175/>: PhD Candidate, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown Sofia will present her paper <http://science.sciencemag.org/content/354/6317/1273.long> - Soares, S., Atallah, B. V. & Paton, J. J. (2016) *Midbrain dopamine neurons control judgment of time*. *Science* 354, 1273–1277, that was selected by the TRF Committee <http://timingforum.org/committee-members/> as the 'Best Timing Paper of 2016'. We thank our current sponsors - Wellcome Trust, INSERM, CNRS, Neuropole Strasbourg, FMTS and the University of Strasbourg and look forward to further proposals of sponsorship. Our sponsorship booklet is available here <https://trf-strasbourg.sciencesconf.org/resource/page/id/8>. Anyone interested in *joining the Timing Research Forum* can do so by following the instructions at this link <http://timingforum.org/membership> . For further details about submission guidelines, conference program, registration, accommodation etc., please visit the conference website - *https://trf-strasbourg.sciencesconf.org* <https://trf-strasbourg.sciencesconf.org/>. We look forward to seeing you in Strasbourg! Anne Giersch & Jenny Coull Conference Co-Chairs trf.strasbourg(a)orange.fr & Sundeep Teki & Argiro Vatakis (On behalf of Timing Research Forum) timingforum.org --- Sundeep Teki PhD Sir Henry Wellcome Fellow Auditory Neuroscience Group Department of Physiology, Anatomy & Genetics University of Oxford Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3PT sundeepteki.org | @sundeepteki <https://twitter.com/sundeepteki>

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CNS*2017 Abstract Deadline Extension
by Sharon Crook March 3, 2017

March 3, 2017

Abstract Deadline Extended to March 12 CNS*2017 Call for Abstracts Organization for Computational Neurosciences (OCNS) 26th Annual Meeting Antwerp, Belgium July 15-20, 2017 The main meeting (July 16-18) will be preceded by a day of tutorials (July 15) and followed by two days of workshops (July 19-20). Invited Keynote Speakers: Erik De Schutter, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, Japan Panayiota Poirazi, IMBB-Forth, Greece Karl Friston, University College London, UK Sue Denham, University of Plymouth, UK A preliminary program for the workshops is available at: http://www.cnsorg.org/cns-2017-workshops Registration and abstract submission are open. Abstract submission deadline: Extended to March 12, 2017 Travel Award Application deadline: Extended to March 12, 2017 Note that one of the authors must register as sponsoring author for the main meeting before abstract submission is possible. In case the abstract is not accepted for presentation, the registration fee will be refunded. Latest safe date for Member applications before abstract submission extended to March 8. For up-to-date conference information, please visit: http://www.cnsorg.org/meetings

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DEADLINE EXTENDED: MBL Methods in Computational Neuroscience Course applications due March 7
by Mark Steven Goldman March 3, 2017

March 3, 2017

The application deadline for the Methods in Computational Neuroscience course at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, MA has been extended to March 20. The full advertisement is included below: Applications are open for the Methods in Computational Neuroscience course at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, MA. The course will run from July 30 to August 24, 2017, and the online application form can be found at: https://ws2.mbl.edu/studentapp/studentapp.asp?courseid=MCN The course application deadline is *March 20*. The course covers a range of topics in computational neuroscience including neuronal biophysics, neural coding & information processing, circuit dynamics, learning & memory, motor control, and cognitive processing & disease. In addition, numerous tutorials and problem sets will cover a broad range of computational and mathematical modeling methods. The course strongly emphasizes the collaboration between theory and experiment in solving neuroscience problems, and lectures will be given by a mixture of theorists and experimentalists. The final weeks of the course are primarily reserved for work on projects that students design in collaboration with the resident faculty. Further information can be found on the MCN website: http://www.mbl.edu/mcn/ 2017 Course Directors: Michale Fee, MIT Mark Goldman, UC Davis 2017 Confirmed Faculty: Larry Abbott, Columbia University Steve Baccus, Stanford University Joshua Berke, UCSF Carlos Brody, Princeton University Emery Brown, MIT Dmitri Chklovskii, Simons Foundation Sophie Deneve, Ecole Normale Superieure Uri Eden, Boston University Bard Ermentrout, University of Pittsburgh Adrienne Fairhall, University of Washington Ila Fiete, UT Austin Loren Frank, UCSF Stefano Fusi, Columbia University Jack Gallant, UC Berkeley Surya Ganguli, Stanford University Nancy Kopell, Boston University Eve Marder, Brandeis University Bartlett Mel, University of Southern California Jonathan Pillow, Princeton University Cristina Savin, NYU Terry Sejnowski, Salk Institute Sara Solla, Northwestern University Haim Sompolinsky, Hebrew University Josh Tenenbaum, MIT Xiao-Jing Wang, NYU

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[ADSAA-BIOMED2017] Adaptive Analysis Applied to Biomedical Data (no publication charges)
by Leonardo Abdala Elias March 3, 2017

March 3, 2017

Dear colleague, Does your research involve adaptive data analysis? We invite you to submit an experimental, theoretical or review paper to ADSAA-BIOMED2017 - Adaptive Analysis Applied to Biomedical Data, a special issue of the journal Advances in Data Science and Adaptive Analysis (http://www.worldscientific.com/worldscinet/adsaa) More information available @ https://easychair.org/cfp/ADSAA-BIOMED2017 Submissions are open @ https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=adsaabiomed2017 Submission deadline: October 31, 2017 No publication charges. Journal listed in SJR. Impact factor 0.92. Experimental, Theoretical and Review papers are accepted. Suggested topics (not limited to): • Empirical Mode Decomposition, Bayesian methods, Kalman filtering, machine learning techniques; • Adaptive analysis applied to biomedical data (e.g., biological signals, such as EMG, ECG, EEG, neural activity, medical images, biomechanical data); • Adaptive analysis in thematic areas such as burgeoning datasets (Big Data) emerging as a result of wearable wireless systems. Contact: adsaabiomed2017(a)easychair.org (mailto:adsaabiomed2017@easychair.org) This special issue is led by the ADSAA-BIOMED2017 team. ADSAA Editor-in-Chief • Prof. Samuel S.P. Shen (http://shen.sdsu.edu/) Department of Mathematics and Statistics, San Diego State University, San Diego, USA (Sam.shen(a)sdsu.edu (mailto:Sam.shen@sdsu.edu)) Leading Guest Editors • Prof. Adriano O. Andrade (http://lattes.cnpq.br/1229329519982110) Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, Brazil (adriano(a)ufu.br (mailto:adriano@ufu.br)) • Prof. Slawomir J. Nasuto (https://www.reading.ac.uk/biologicalsciences/bme/about/staff/s-j-nasuto.aspx) University of Reading, Reading, UK (s.j.nasuto(a)reading.ac.uk (mailto:s.j.nasuto@reading.ac.uk)) Associated Guest Editors • • Dr. Catherine M. Sweeney-Reed (http://www.kneu.ovgu.de/kneu/en/Research/Research+Groups/Workgroups/Neurocy…) Otto von Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany (catherine.sweeney-reed(a)med.ovgu.de (mailto:catherine.sweeney-reed@med.ovgu.de)) • Dr. Nicoletta Nicolaou (https://sites.google.com/site/nicolaounikki/home) University of Reading, Reading, UK (n.nicolaou(a)reading.ac.uk (mailto:n.nicolaou@reading.ac.uk)) • Prof. Marcus Fraga Vieira (http://lattes.cnpq.br/4153462617460766) Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Brazil (marcus(a)ufg.br (mailto:marcus@ufg.br)) • Prof. Teodiano Freire Bastos (http://lattes.cnpq.br/3761585497791105) Federal University of Espírito Santo, Vitória, Brazil (teodiano.bastos(a)ufes.br (mailto:teodiano.bastos@ufes.br)) • Dr. Sri Krishnan (http://www.ee.ryerson.ca/people/Krishnan.html) Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada (krishnan(a)ryerson.ca (mailto:krishnan@ryerson.ca)) • Dr. Leonardo Abdala Elias (http://lattes.cnpq.br/5429275286295501) University of Campinas, Campinas, Brazil (leoelias(a)fee.unicamp.br (mailto:leoelias@fee.unicamp.br)) • Dr. Steffen Walter (https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Steffen_Walter) University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany (steffen.walter(a)uni-ulm.de (mailto:steffen.walter@uni-ulm.de)) We look forward to receiving your contribution. The ADSAA-BIOMED2017 team Unsubscribe (http://dmanalytics2.com/delivery-unsubscribe?d=CHvgFcXeRP6yA1wqiBnL2g&e=com…) [Image: Direct Mail for Mac] (http://dmanalytics2.com/about-dm?utm_source=fr-ftr&utm_medium=email&utm_con…) This email is powered by Direct Mail for Mac. Learn More (http://dmanalytics2.com/about-dm?utm_source=fr-ftr&utm_medium=email&utm_con…) • Report Spam (http://dmanalytics2.com/report-spam?d=CHvgFcXeRP6yA1wqiBnL2g&e=comp-neuro@n…)

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Computational & Cognitive Neuroscience Summer School, in Shanghai (deadline March 15)
by Murray, John March 3, 2017

March 3, 2017

We are pleased to announce the 7th Computational and Cognitive Neuroscience (CCN) Summer School which will take place July 6-29, 2017, on the campus of NYU-Shanghai in Shanghai, China. Designed to emphasize higher cognitive functions and their underlying neural circuit mechanisms, the course aims at training talented and highly motivated students and postdoctoral fellows from Asia and other countries in the world. Applicants with quantitative (including Physics, Mathematics, Engineering and Computer Science) or experimental background are welcomed. The lectures will introduce the basic concepts and methods, as well as cutting-edge research on higher brain functions such as decision-making, attention, learning and memory. Modeling will be taught at multiple levels, ranging from single neuron computation, microcircuits and large-scale systems, to normative theoretical approach. Python-based programming labs coordinated with the lectures will provide practical training in important computational methods. Course information is available on the CCN official website: http://www.ccnss.org Applications are being accepted now through the NYU-Shanghai website: https://research.shanghai.nyu.edu/centers-and-institutes/brain/ccnss-2017-a… The application deadline is March 15, 2017. Organizers: - Xiao-Jing Wang (New York University) - Zach Mainen (Champalimaud Neuroscience Program) - Si Wu (Beijing Normal University) - John D. Murray (Yale University) - Eric DeWitt (Champalimaud Neuroscience Program) 2017 Lecturers: - Daphne Bavelier (University of Geneva) - Timothy Behrens (University of Oxford) - Matthew Botvinick (Google DeepMind) - Michael Breakspear (University of Queensland) - Robert Desimone (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) - Jeff Erlich (NYU Shanghai) - Stefano Fusi (Columbia University) - Surya Ganguli (Stanford University) - Michael Hausser (University College London) - Nikolaus Kriegeskorte (MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit) - Yann LeCun (New York University & Facebook AI Research) - Sukbin Lim (NYU Shanghai) - Alex Pouget (University of Geneva) - Matthew Rushworth (University of Oxford) Feel free to direct any questions to: john.murray(a)yale.edu John D. Murray ----------------------------------------------- Assistant Professor Department of Psychiatry Yale University School of Medicine murraylab.yale.edu -----------------------------------------------

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RESEARCH FELLOW IN DEEP BRAIN STIMULATION FOR EPILEPSY AND SEIZURE PREDICTION (2 POSITIONS)
by Levin Kuhlmann March 2, 2017

March 2, 2017

Exciting med-tech opportunity at the interface between academia and industry. We are seeking talented research scientists to join a team conducting a clinical trial of a fully implantable system for seizure forecasting and control with epilepsy patients. Requires experience in electrophysiology and neural signal analysis. There are two Research Fellow positions available in our epilepsy research group for a new NHMRC research project titled Critical Slowing in Epilepsy. The research will quantify how the brain changes around times where it is susceptible to seizures. Seizure susceptibility will be studied using a new deep brain stimulation and recording system in a first in man clinical trial in partnership with the medical device company, Medtronic. There are also opportunities to study seizure susceptibility using the one-of-a-kind long-term continuous intracranial electroencephalography database obtained from the clinical trial of the Neurovista Seizure Advisory System. At least one of the Research Fellows will be involved in all aspects of the Medtronic trial, from testing with patients to data analysis and reporting. Testing will involve measuring the interaction between the brain's response to very small electrical stimuli and epilepsy-related changes. Close date: 12 Mar 2017 Contact both Dr Levin Kuhlmann (levink(a)unimelb.edu.au) and Dr Dean Freestone (deanrf(a)unimelb.edu.au) for details. For a position description, selection criteria and to apply visit: http://jobs.unimelb.edu.au/caw/en/job/890173/research-fellow-in-deep-brain-…

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Global Scholar Awards for New Investigators
by Zylberberg, Joel L March 1, 2017

March 1, 2017

Hi All, I want to draw your attention to a new investigator award that is open to faculty working anywhere in the world (and of any nationality). The CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholar Awards<http://www.cifar.ca/global-scholars/> provide $100K (CAD) in unrestricted funds over a 2 year period. In addition to the research funding, the global scholars are appointed as members of the CIFAR research programs that most closely match their work. For the comp-neuro community, I'm guessing that would be either Learning in Machines and Brains<https://www.cifar.ca/research/learning-in-machine-and-brains/>, or Brain, Mind, and Consciousness<https://www.cifar.ca/research/brain-mind-consciousness/>. The programs have small workshop-style meetings for their ~30-40 members a few times per year. Because of the strength of the CIFAR program members (for example, the LMB group is listed here<https://www.cifar.ca/research/learning-in-machine-and-brains/>), these meetings are an extremely valuable opportunity. If you have any colleagues who might be interested in this opportunity, please forward this information on to them. Cheers, __ Joel Zylberberg, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Department of Physiology and Biophysics University of Colorado School of Medicine www.jzlab.org<http://www.jzlab.org> CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholar, Learning in Machines and Brains program ~the neuroscience is theoretical, but the fun is real

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Call for Workshops - Bernstein Conference 2017, extended deadline: 15.03.2017
by Zrinka Gattin March 1, 2017

March 1, 2017

The Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience and the Bernstein Center Göttingen invite proposals for Satellite Workshops. Satellite Workshops will directly precede the Bernstein Conference 2017 in Göttingen. ************************************************************** *Important Dates:* _Workshops:_ September 12 - 13, 2017 _Main Bernstein Conference:_ September 13 - 15, 2017 _Deadline for proposal submission:_ *March 15, 2017* _Notification of workshop acceptance:_ April 10, 2017 ************************************************************** Since 2013, the Bernstein Conference hosts pre-conference workshops. They provide a stage to discuss topical research questions, novel scientific approaches and challenges in Computational Neuroscience and related fields. Workshops addressing controversial issues, open problems, and comparisons of competing approaches are encouraged. Workshop formats should be designed to foster debate beyond a mere series of talks. The Bernstein Conference started out as the annual meeting of the Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience and has become the largest annual single-track Computational Neuroscience conference in Europe in recent years. _Workshop time frame:_ September 12, 2017, 13:00 - 18:00 September 13, 2017, 9:00 - 12:30 Workshop proposals are welcome for either half-day or full-day workshops. Workshop costs: NEW THIS YEAR – FINANCIAL SUPPORT: For all accepted workshops the registration is free of charge for organizers and speakers. Organizers will also receive a waiver for the main conference fee. New this year: From the accepted workshops a maximum of ten workshops will be selected to each receive financial support of up to 1.500,00 €. For further information about the conference, please visit the conference website http://www.bernstein-conference.de. INSTRUCTIONS FOR WORKSHOP PROPOSALS PREPARATION Workshop proposals must contain: 1) Workshop Title 2) Concise description of workshop topic 3) List of potential speakers indicating speaker commitment Please use the Workshop Proposal Form that can be downloaded here: http://www.nncn.de/de/bernstein-conference/2017/satellite-workshops *Deadline for submission of Workshop proposals:**March 15, 2017* Accommodation and Hotel Reservation: We strongly recommend early room booking. The number of available accommodation is limited due to several concurrent events. We arranged for room contingents in a variety of hotels that you may book by yourself by email or phone. Please follow the instructions at our Accommodations Web-site (http://www.nncn.de/de/bernstein-conference/2017/venue/accommodation) We would like to emphasize that these room contingents will be held open up to different expiration dates depending on the hotel (or until they are filled). The earliest expiration date is already end of May 2017 whereas the majority of offers expire at the 12th of July 2017. We strongly encourage participants to share rooms and to book rooms as a group. Groups of three or four are possible if you book a suite. The room contingent contains a set of suits and apartments. We emphasize that it will be very difficult to book accommodation beyond the expiration dates. Please find a list of the hotels at our Accommodations Web-site. CONTACT: contact(a)bccn-goettingen.de We are looking forward to seeing you in Göttingen! WORKSHOP SELECTION COMMITTEE: Florentin Wörgötter (Chair) Marion Silies (co-Chair) Christian Tetzlaff (co-Chair) Matthias Bethge Laura Busse Claudia Clopath Julia Fischer Alexander Gail Richard Hahnloser Claus Hilgetag Peter Jonas Siegrid Löwel Michael Platt Viola Priesemann Nicole Rust Fred Wolf (Conference Chair) -- Dr Zrinka Gattin Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience (BCCN) Goettingen Bernstein Focus Neurotechnology (BFNT) Goettingen PhD Program in Theoretical and Computational Neuroscience Am Fassberg 17 D-37077 Goettingen Phone: +49 (0)551 5176 418 Fax: +49 (0)551 5176 14418 E-Mail:zrinka@nld.ds.mpg.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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Open position - High resolution fMRI of bistable perception
by Tomas Knapen March 1, 2017

March 1, 2017

Open position - High resolution fMRI of bistable perception Our lab at the *Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam* <http://vu.nl/> has an opening to be filled by either a PhD student (4 years) or junior PostDoc (2-3 years), financed by an NWO-CAS grant <http://www.nwo.nl/en/news-and-events/news/2016/nihc/1-5-million-for-sino-du…> . *Outline of research project* In this project, we will study the interplay between top-down and bottom-up processing in perceptual bistability using functional imaging of cortical laminae at 7T. This project will answer cognitive neuroscience questions from a systems neuroscience perspective. The project involves mathematical modelling of behaviour, detailed psychophysics and eye tracking, as well as the development of state-of-the-art analysis techniques for submillimeter resolution functional imaging. Therefore, the successful applicant will have a background in computation, be a fluent programmer and preferably have experience with high-resolution functional imaging. The project is a collaboration with the Zhang lab at the Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing and the He lab at the University of Minnesota, and will involve regular travel between these labs. *Information & Application* Feel free to contact Tomas Knapen <tknapen(a)gmail.com> for informal inquiries. More information on bistable perception can be found in our soon-to-appear review of the topic on the Annual Reviews of Psychology website <http://www.annualreviews.org/doi/10.1146/annurev-psych-010417-085944>. The lab website can be found at tknapen.github.io, and we are part of the cognitive psychology group <http://vupsy.nl/> in the department of Behavioural and Movement Sciences at the VU. A formal application should contain a CV, two-page statement of interest and two names of persons that can provide letters of recommendation, and be sent to Barbara Goudriaan <http://127.0.0.1:4000/2017/03/01/barbara.goudriaan@vu.nl>, with reference number 00034515 in the subject line of the application email. We will entertain applications continuously from now. *Further particulars * The salary will be in accordance with university regulations for academic personnel. As an indication, this is a minimum of €2191 gross per month for a PhD position, and €2717 for a PostDoc position, depending on experience. The appointment will be initially for 1 year. After satisfactory evaluation of the initial appointment, it will be extended. You can find information about benefits of employment at www.workingatvu.nl <http://127.0.0.1:4000/2017/03/01/www.workingatvu.nl> Thanks, Tomas TK Signature *Tomas Knapen* Assistant Professor *@* Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam - Cognitive Psychology <http://www.vupsy.nl/> *Contact* tknapen(a)gmail.com || +31 6 34091812 *Web* Lab website <http://tknapen.net/tknapen/> || GitHub profile <https://github.com/tknapen>

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2x PostDocs in Gazeinformatics @ Imperial College London
by Faisal, Aldo A March 1, 2017

March 1, 2017

Dear All, we are looking to hire 2 PostDocs in Gazeinformatics at the interface of eye movement research, machine learning and computational neuroscience. Below is the ad, feel free to give me a shout for details, best wishes Aldo --- --- Dr Aldo Faisal Director Behaviour Analytics Lab Data Science Institute & Associate Prof in Neurotechnology Department of Bioengineering & Department of Computing Imperial College London London, SW7 2AZ www.FaisalLab.org http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/people/a.faisal The Brain & Behaviour Lab of Dr Aldo Faisal is seeking to hire two 2-year Postdoctoral Fellows in Gazeinformatics to work at the interface of eye movement research, machine learning/computational neuroscience and robotics. Fostering interdisciplinary research is core to the lab’s vision and profile sought. The focus area of the project is: 1. To study hierarchical representations for perception-action in a data-driven manner to develop methods for eye movement analysis and prediction of motor actions in complex real-world tasks. 2. To automatically decode action intentions from eye movements and act them out using dextrous robotic interfaces. The technology is meant to restore the ability of paralysed people to interact with the world again. You should have or expect shortly to hold a PhD (or equivalent) in Robot Vision, Robotics, Computer Vision, Neural Engineering, Computational Neuroscience, Computational Eye Movement research or very strong quantitative and programming (e.g. Physics). Research work will involve translational evaluation of the developed technologies with paralysed end-users and industrial partners. You will need to have a thorough understanding of quantitative methods and experience supervising projects, as well as strong analytical and programming skills (e.g. MATLAB, Python, ROS, and/or C/C++). You will have experience in the field/s of; 1. Human robotics or human robotic interaction; 2. Computer vision or robot vision; 3. Neural/ behavioral/ eye-tracking data analysis and modelling; 4. Experimental eye movement research, 5. Computational neuroscience modelling, 6. Data science analysis of human neural or behavioural data, 7. Biomedical engineering or neural engineering development. You must have excellent communication skills and be able to organise your own work and prioritise work to meet deadlines. All applicants must be fluent in spoken and written English. Research Associates will work in the Brain & Behaviour Lab Research group and the Data Science Institute’s Behaviour Analytics Lab (both directed by Dr Aldo Faisal) at the South Kensington Campus.

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On the existence of a purely abstract cognitive system in the brain that is based on single cells
by Asim Roy Feb. 28, 2017

Feb. 28, 2017

The following paper was published recently in Frontiers in Psychology, Cognition: “The theory of localist representation and of a purely abstract cognitive system: The evidence from cortical columns, category cells and multisensory neurons” http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00186/full On the extensive use of abstract multisensory neurons in the brain There is now substantial neurophysiological evidence for a purely abstract cognitive system in the brain that is based on single cells. The evidence primarily comes from abstract category cells and multisensory neurons. Multisensory neurons provide a remarkable insight to the brain. Ghazanfar & Schroeder (2006) claim that multisensory integration extend into early sensory processing areas of the brain and that neocortex is essentially multisensory. Saleem, Ayaz, Jeffery, Harris & Carandini, M. (2013) report finding nearly half of V1 neurons in mice to be multimodal integrating visual motion and locomotion during navigation. And Klemen & Chambers (2012) notes that there is now “broad consensus that most, if not all, higher, as well as lower level neural processes are in some form multisensory.” So abstractions are used extensively in the brain. And these abstraction are layered, sometimes integrating information from two modalities, sometimes three and so on. Much more evidence is discussed in the paper. On the absence of evidence for distributed representation It is also argued in the paper that there is no evidence for distributed representation in the brain, since, as per McClelland, the dense form (not the sparse form) is the only form that counts. And there is absolutely no evidence for the dense form (Panzeri et al. 2015). On the compatibility of grounded cognition and an abstract cognitive system It is also argued in the paper that such an abstract cognitive system is fully compatible with grounded and embodied cognition. And Barsalou’s (2008, p. 618) statement is very consistent with the claims made in this paper: “From the perspective of grounded cognition, it is unlikely that the brain contains amodal symbols; if it does, they work together with modal representations to create cognition.” One of Barsalou’s questions was (p. 631): “Can empirical evidence be found for the amodal symbols still believed by many to lie at the heart of cognition?” I think there is extensive evidence now that there indeed are amodal symbols in the brain and in the brains of many species. The discovery of this purely abstract cognitive system in the brain has the potential to resolve deep theoretical conflicts in cognitive science that’s almost four decades old. Asim Roy Professor, Information Systems Arizona State University www.lifeboat.com/ex/bios.asim.roy<http://www.lifeboat.com/ex/bios.asim.roy>

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Final Program of the Columbia Workshop on Brain Circuits, Memory and Computation, March 13-14, 2017
by Aurel A. Lazar Feb. 28, 2017

Feb. 28, 2017

fruitflybrain.org/workshops.html <https://t.co/mY9aARlYrB> Aurel http://www.bionet.ee.columbia.edu

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Immediate Postdoc and Asst. Prof. openings in the lab of Dr. Kevin Tracey at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research
by Platt, Jo Ann Feb. 27, 2017

Feb. 27, 2017

Job description Postdoctoral and Assistant Professor opportunities are available immediately in the laboratory of Dr. Kevin J. Tracey at the Center for Biomedical Sciences at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Manhasset, NY. We are seeking driven individuals to join a newly funded research program on investigating the role of ascending and descending neural pathways in the control of adaptive immune function. The research focus of the lab is in the field of Bioelectronic Medicine to develop nerve-stimulating technologies to regulate the molecular targets underlying disease. The fellow will interact with a wide range of researchers in a dynamic and productive environment, bridging basic science with clinical research. Interested applicants should send a brief description of research interests and curriculum vitae, including contact information for three references to Jo Jo Platt, Center for Bioelectronic Medicine japlatt(a)northwell.edu Desired skills and experience The successful candidate will hold a Ph.D. or M.D./Ph.D. with electrophysiology skills including electrical and optogenetic modulation of peripheral neural circuitry, neuroanatomical mapping, and single cell neuronal recording. The candidate is expected to have strong skills in major biochemistry and cell biology techniques, animal handling, primary cultures and quantitative data analysis. A strong immunology background, experience with animal models including cre-lox models, animal surgery, molecular biology, and microscopy would be an asset. The information contained in this electronic e-mail transmission and any attachments are intended only for the use of the individual or entity to whom or to which it is addressed, and may contain information that is privileged, confidential and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. If the reader of this communication is not the intended recipient, or the employee or agent responsible for delivering this communication to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution, copying or disclosure of this communication and any attachment is strictly prohibited. If you have received this transmission in error, please notify the sender immediately by telephone and electronic mail, and delete the original communication and any attachment from any computer, server or other electronic recording or storage device or medium. Receipt by anyone other than the intended recipient is not a waiver of any attorney-client, physician-patient or other privilege.

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Reminder: CNS*2017 Abstract Deadline March 5
by Sharon Crook Feb. 27, 2017

Feb. 27, 2017

CNS*2017 Call for Abstracts Organization for Computational Neurosciences (OCNS) 26th Annual Meeting Antwerp, Belgium July 15-20, 2017 The main meeting (July 16-18) will be preceded by a day of tutorials (July 15) and followed by two days of workshops (July 19-20). Invited Keynote Speakers: Erik De Schutter, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, Japan Panayiota Poirazi, IMBB-Forth, Greece Karl Friston, University College London, UK Sue Denham, University of Plymouth, UK A preliminary program for the workshops is available at: http://www.cnsorg.org/cns-2017-workshops Registration and abstract submission are open. Abstract submission deadline: March 5th, 2017 Note that one of the authors must register as sponsoring author for the main meeting before abstract submission is possible. In case the abstract is not accepted for presentation, the registration fee will be refunded. For up-to-date conference information, please visit: http://www.cnsorg.org/meetings

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PhD position in multimodal neuroimaging in Munich
by Igor Yakushev Feb. 25, 2017

Feb. 25, 2017

A PhD position is available at the Department of Nuclear Medicine (Head of Neuroimaging: Dr. Igor Yakushev), Technical University of Munich (TUM), Germany. The project will investigate neuronal substrates of training-induced cognitive improvement in middle-aged healthy subjects at the level of large-scale brain connectivity. The study involves acquisition and analysis of PET and DTI data. This three-year PhD position is funded by a grant of the German Research Foundation (DFG; pay scale TV-L 13 65%), with starting date May 2017. The Dept. of Nuclear Medicine offers exciting opportunities for neuroimaging research in an interdisciplinary environment consisting of computational scientists, medical physicists, and clinicians, and access to state-of-the-art technology including a hybrid PET/MR scanner. 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 a TUM graduate school that offers a structured curriculum of courses and seminars and supports participation in conferences and international exchange: http://www.gs.tum.de/en/home/ There is no tuition fee at the TUM. Prior experience with image analysis, programming and good statistical skills are required. 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)tum.de Applications will be considered until the position has been filled.

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MBL Methods in Computational Neuroscience Course: Applications due March 7
by Mark Steven Goldman Feb. 25, 2017

Feb. 25, 2017

Applications are open for the Methods in Computational Neuroscience course at the Marine Biology Laboratory in Woods Hole, MA. The course will run from July 30 to August 24, 2017, and the online application form can be found at: https://ws2.mbl.edu/studentapp/studentapp.asp?courseid=MCN The course application deadline is *March 7*. The course covers a range of topics in computational neuroscience including neuronal biophysics, neural coding & information processing, circuit dynamics, learning & memory, motor control, and cognitive processing & disease. In addition, numerous tutorials and problem sets will cover a broad range of computational and mathematical modeling methods. The course strongly emphasizes the collaboration between theory and experiment in solving neuroscience problems, and lectures will be given by a mixture of theorists and experimentalists. The final weeks of the course are primarily reserved for work on projects that students design in collaboration with the resident faculty. Further information can be found on the MCN website: http://www.mbl.edu/mcn/ 2017 Course Directors: Michale Fee, MIT Mark Goldman, UC Davis 2017 Confirmed Faculty: Larry Abbott, Columbia University Steve Baccus, Stanford University Carlos Brody, Princeton University Emery Brown, MIT Dmitri Chklovskii, Simons Foundation Uri Eden, Boston University Bard Ermentrout, University of Pittsburgh Adrienne Fairhall, University of Washington Ila Fiete, UT Austin Loren Frank, UCSF Stefano Fusi, Columbia University Jack Gallant, UC Berkeley Surya Ganguli, Stanford University Nancy Kopell, Boston University Eve Marder, Brandeis University Bartlett Mel, University of Southern California Jonathan Pillow, Princeton University Cristina Savin, NYU Terry Sejnowski, Salk Institute Sara Solla, Northwestern University Haim Sompolinsky, Hebrew University Josh Tenenbaum, MIT Xiao-Jing Wang, NYU

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Funded PhD studentship in computational cognitive neuroscience
by Srivas Chennu Feb. 24, 2017

Feb. 24, 2017

Applications are invited for a funded PhD studentship with Dr Srivas Chennu in the School of Computing at the University of Kent (UK) to be based in our Medway Campus, to begin in September 2017 or shortly thereafter. The PhD project will focus on the research topics below, spanning computational and translational neuroscience. ==Neurodynamics of consciousness== Understanding how neural dynamics generate human consciousness is a grand challenge for neuroscience. We develop computational frameworks that use neuroscientific data (EEG/MEG/fMRI) to study the brain network correlates of consciousness during normal wakefulness, and in altered states like sleep, sedation and meditation. We also apply this science to build computational tools for improving diagnostics and prognostics during emergence from coma, and in prolonged disorders of consciousness (including the so-called vegetative and minimally conscious states). These tools could eventually be deployed right at the patients' bedside to visualise, quantify and track how their brains are recovering after injury. ==Deep neural network models of cognition== The idea that the brain is a hierarchical neural network designed for predictive cognition is persuasive one. In this view, the cortex implements Bayesian inference to maintain a successively complex hierarchy of predictive models of sensory causation. Alongside, deep learning can enable us to build dense neural networks based on complex neuroimaging datasets. We combine EEG/MEG with these modelling frameworks to describe how recurrent neural information processing realises predictive cognition in the brain. The successful applicant will be able to capitalise on Dr. Chennu’s strong research links with empirical and clinical collaborators at the Universities of Cambridge, Birmingham, Liége (Belgium), and Western Ontario (Canada). They will be embedded within the Data Science research group within the school, which brings together academics with expertise in signal processing, brain-computer interfacing, machine learning and computational intelligence. More information is available is available at Dr Chennu’s academic website: www.cs.kent.ac.uk/people/staff/sc785/ ==The School of Computing, University of Kent== The School of Computing has a reputation for high-quality research, with over 40 current PhD students. Our research activity is wide ranging and takes place within focused Research Groups which provide a vibrant research community for all members, staff or student. The School of Computing was ranked highly in the recent government run Research Excellence Framework (REF) exercise. Our research intensity was ranked 12th out of 89, with superb impact – 100% of our research impact ranked world leading or internationally excellent. The University of Kent is a leading university with a commitment to excellence in teaching and research. As the UK's European university, it is committed to creating a global student and staff community that advances knowledge and stimulates intellectual creativity, and performs at the highest levels. Kent is ranked 21st in the Times Higher Education (THE) ‘Table of Tables’ 2017 and it has twice been awarded the highly prestigious Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education. The School is committed to the Athena Swan Scheme. This is a national scheme whereby Universities commit to advancing and promoting the careers of female scientists. Details can be seen on our website at http://www.kent.ac.uk/human-resources/athenaswan/. Kent’s Medway campus in Chatham Maritime is a 45-minute journey south-east from London’s St. Pancras International station. ==Funding== A scholarship award will cover the successful applicant’s fees at the home/EU rate (£4,121 in 2016/17) plus a maintenance bursary (£14,296 in 2016/17). The award will be for three years, subject to satisfactory progression through each year of study. They are awarded on a competitive basis and interview performance will be taken into account. Support for research students includes regular supervision meetings, a research training programme, computer equipment, a desk in an office and funds for conference travel. ==Applicant Qualifications== You should: Essential- Hold a good undergraduate degree (UK First or 2:1 or equivalent) in a numerate discipline (computing, engineering, physics, etc.). Students with a background in biology and psychology are also welcome to apply, as long as they have the requisite technical and quantitative skills. Be able to program independently in high-level scientific programming languages like MATLAB, Python and R. Desirable- Have prior experience or evidenced interest in computational neuroscience. Able to work with complex time-series data, including EEG. ==How to Apply== Please get in touch with Dr Chennu by email (sc785(a)kent.ac.uk) in the first instance, with a Curriculum Vitae and a brief outline of your research proposal. Applications need to be submitted by Monday 3 April 2017.

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