- Comp-neuro - lists.cnsorg.org

postdoc position in reinforcement learning & sleep
by Benoît Girard March 3, 2016

March 3, 2016

Position description The goal of the post-doc will be to investigate the bridges to be established between the alternation of online & offline processes in reinforcement learning, and the replay processes observed in sleep and resting conditions of animals. The developed models will aim at simulating behavioral and neurophysiological data. We are looking for highly motivated candidates with a strong academic record. A background in computational neuroscience or machine learning is required. We specifically seek candidates with significant experience in reinforcement learning. Programming skills in modern C++ and python are expected. Context The DREAM European project (http://www.robotsthatdream.eu/) is focused on thebootstrap of a developmental process allowing a robot to learn about its environment and the objects it contains. DREAM is a project of the FET call (Future and Emerging Technologies) on « Knowing, doing, being: cognition beyond problem solving ». The position proposed here contributes to the DREAM workpackage dedicated to cross fertilization with neuroscience. Thanks to active collaborations with experimentalists, there will be access to fresh animal data. The position will be located in the Institute of Intelligent Systems and Robotics (ISIR, http://www.isir.upmc.fr) Paris, France. ISIR belongs to the UPMC-Sorbonne Universités which is among the top ranked French universities. ISIR is located in the center of Paris, at walking distance from other academic institutions (Ecole Normale Supérieure, La Sorbonne, Collège de France, etc.), and from famous monuments (Notre Dame, Le Panthéon, etc.). Speaking or understanding french is not required. To apply Applicants should send a CV, letter of motivation (max 2 pages), and 2-3 letters of reference via e-mail to benoit.girard(a)upmc.fr, with [DREAM post-doc] in the subject of the mail. Review of applicants will begin immediately, and will continue until the position is filled. The earliest start date is July 2016. Fiche_poste_post-doc_WP5.pages

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Open positions in research, data science, and machine learning at Spotify
by Zachary Nichols March 2, 2016

March 2, 2016

Spotify is seeking talented researchers and engineers to work on a variety of questions in an open, collaborative environment. Positions include data scientists and engineers with strong software skills, as well as individuals with some software ability who are strong at research design, statistical hypothesis testing, or who have strong domain expertise in relevant areas (such as the psychophysics of audio perception or behavioral modeling). Your work will involve novel research in areas like content recommendation, personalization, optimization, predictive user modeling, and large-scale experiments. You will work with a diverse team to bring research ideas from initial hypotheses, to well-designed experiments, to implementations that can scale to millions of people and billions of data points. Above all, your work will impact the way the world experiences music. The open positions span this process, including: *Research Lead* (New York, NY) *Data Scientist* (New York, NY and Stockholm, Sweden) *Machine Learning Engineer* (New York, NY and Boston, MA) *Data Engineer* (New York, NY and Boston, MA) We also have summer internships available in New York and Boston for undergraduate or graduate students. For more information, or to apply, please see www.spotify.com/jobs/ We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

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Post-Doc Position Bioinformatics in Marseille, France: Large-scale brain modeling and machine learning Neurodegenerative Diseases
by OTTEN Lisa March 2, 2016

March 2, 2016

Bioinformatician Neurodegenerative diseases post-Doc position Large-scale brain modeling and machine learning A rare 2-year postdoc position opportunity for a creative & innovative Bioinformatician with a desire to play a key role in the exciting field of neurodegenerative diseases and aging. The Bioinformatician will be based in Marseille (Timone University Hospital Campus) and will have the exciting challenge of combining data mining & modelling algorithms that will direct the future of neurodegenerative disorders treatments. This is a role operating on the forefront of science that will reward the individual through job satisfaction, both career & personal development opportunities. The position is for 1 year starting now, renewable for another year and with a salary commensurate with experience. Working with a multidisciplinary team of clinicians, imaging specialists, biologists, engineers, physicists and software engineers, the Bioinformatician will work on parameter inference for connectome-based large-scale brain network models (see The Virtual Brain http://www.thevirtualbrain.org<http://www.thevirtualbrain.org/>) (leader V Jirsa) applied to clinical brain imaging data (EEG, MEG, fMRI) (leader M Guye) and systems biology (leader C Nguyen). In particular, the project will involve the application and evaluation of common Bayesian estimation techniques such as Markov-Chain Monte-Carlo and variational schemes to high-dimensional time-series models of brain activity. Finally, the on-site high-performance cluster will be used to evaluate models on large datasets comprising groups of patients. Minimum Qualifications & Experience: Doctoral degree in the field of computer science, physics, engineering or related fields, ideally with specialization in bio-informatics or computational neuroscience. Good communication skills in English, both oral and written. In particular candidates should be capable of presenting technical information and data to non-experts in a clear and concise manner Desirable Qualifications & Experience: Candidates should be comfortable working with machine learning techniques and programming in a data-friendly language such as MATLAB, Python, R, Julia etc. Experience with nonlinear dynamical systems and signal processing, which play a large role in model construction and preprocessing, are valued but not required. The project is proposed by the Federation Hospitalo-Universitaire DHUNE and funded by Aix-Marseille University A*MIDEX. To learn more about this fascinating role send your CV and covering letter to: Prof Olivier Blin, DHUNE Coordination, Clinical Pharmacology, Timone Hospital, 13385 Marseille Cedex 5. Email: olivier.blin(a)ap-hm.fr Kind regards, Lisa Otten

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Call for Submissions: Doctoral Symposium on Foundations and Applications of Self-* Systems (FAS*W)
by Jan-Philipp Steghöfer March 1, 2016

March 1, 2016

**************************************************************************** FAS*W 2016 (SASO and ICCAC) Call For Doctoral Symposium Submissions Doctoral Symposium on Foundations and Applications of Self-* Systems (FAS*W) Augsburg, Germany, September 12 & 16, 2016 http://fasstar2016.informatik.uni-augsburg.de/ http://iccac2016.se.rit.edu/ http://uni-augsburg.de/saso2016 @SASO2016Conf **************************************************************************** Foundations and Applications of Self* Systems (FAS*) is the umbrella for two closely related but independent conferences, the International Conference on Self-Adaptive and Self-Organizing Systems (SASO) and the International Conference on Cloud and Autonomic Computing (ICCAC). The FAS* Doctoral Symposium provides an international forum for PhD Students working in research areas addressed by FAS*. In this forum, PhD students will get unique opportunities to subject their research to the scrutiny of external experts, gain experience in the presentation of research, connect to peers and experts addressing similar problems, and get advice from a panel of internationally leading researchers. Different from the technical tracks of the conference, the FAS* Doctoral Symposium focuses on the specific needs of young researchers at the beginning of their career. As such, particular emphasis will be placed on a critical and constructive feedback that shall help participants to successfully conclude their PhD studies. PhD students working in any area addressed by the FAS* conferences are invited to submit a Doctoral Symposium paper in which they describe the key motivation and objectives of their research project, and reflect on the methodology as well as the current status of their PhD studies. Complementing the thematic focus of FAS*, we particularly solicit contributions in the following areas: * Engineering of self-organizing and self-adaptive systems We solicit theoretical and applied works addressing fundamental principles underlying self-organizing systems, as well as methods that allow to quantify, model and reproduce the self-* characteristics of complex systems in biological, social, physical and technical systems. Examples include mechanisms underlying distributed decision- making and collective intelligence, software engineering challenges in self-adaptive systems, as well as general application of self-* principles in the engineering of technical systems. * Complex Cyber-physical and socio-technical systems We welcome contributions that apply self-* principles to address challenges in the design of complex cyber- physical and socio-technical systems. Particular examples include smart grid infrastructures, sensor networks, opportunistic networking scenarios, as well as large-scale social information systems. Works addressing challenges such as the security, privacy and anonymity of users, or mechanisms to prevent censorship, manipulation or unfairness in socio-technical systems are especially welcome. We further solicit works on socio- technical and socio-economic challenges in P2P systems, such as the design of incentive, trust and reputation mechanisms. * Self-* approaches in Massive-Scale Decentralized Systems Works in this area use self-* approaches to address challenges in the design and operation of massive scale decentralized systems. Examples include Peer-to-Peer technologies, as well as overlay topology management schemes. We are further interested in decentralized data mining and machine learning approaches, as well as decentralized approaches to monitor, model and adapt distributed systems. Works using self-* principles to address the inherent challenges in the design of massive-scale systems with unreliable and heterogeneous are of particular interest. * Autonomic Computing Systems Here we are interested in all works addressing the self-configuration, self-optimization and self-adaptation of cloud computing services, data centers and general distributed computing systems. Examples for questions addressed in this area include the monitoring and modeling of cloud services, the design of efficient resource allocation mechanisms, the application of data mining and machine learning techniques to analyze and predict the behavior of technical systems, as well as the characterization of distributed computing workloads. * Application of Self-* in Robotics and Spatial Computing Finally, we welcome contributions using self-* principles in the areas of robotics, swarm robotics and spatial computing. Here, examples for works of interest include environmental modeling and perception, machine vision, and self-adaptation mechanisms in robotics, distributed coordination and collective intelligence in multi- robot systems, as well as novel paradigms for the programming of autonomous, spatially distributed entities. --------------------------- Submission Instructions --------------------------- Submissions should have a length of max. six pages and be formatted according to the IEEE Computer Society Press proceedings style guide. Authors should submit their papers using the EasyChair installation of the main conference, which is available at: https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=saso2016 Please note that only single-author submissions are accepted, which focus on the topic of the doctoral work. The name of the supervisor (« supervised by ... ») should be clearly marked below the author’s name in the paper. Submissions should further adhere to the following structure: * Motivation: motivate the open problem that you want to address and briefly summarize existing approaches along with their deficiencies. * Objectives: describe the key objectives of your PhD project and argue how achieving them will solve the open problem outlined in the motivation. * Methodology: outline what methodology you will adopt to meet the objectives of your project. Clearly state on what existing works your work will build. * Research Plan: describe what preliminary results – if any – you have already achieved and summarize your plans for future work. Please add a rough schedule that allows to judge whether your research plan is feasible. Authors of accepted papers shall prepare a final, camera ready version of the paper, taking into account all feedback from reviewers, and formatted according to the IEEE Computer Society Press proceedings style guide. Doctoral Symposium papers will be advertised in the final program, and will be submitted to IEEE Xplore as part of the SASO proceedings. Papers will also be made available in the IEEE Digital Library. -------------------- Review Process -------------------- Each submission will be reviewed by at least two Doctoral Symposium experts (see list below) that cover the different areas of interest of the conference. Submissions will be evaluated based on their relevance to FAS*, the motivation and quality of the proposed research, as well as the suitability of the chosen methodology. Authors of accepted papers will have different opportunities to present their project at the conference. Besides a full presentation during the PhD Symposium session, an “Elevator Pitch Session” will be organized during the main conference, where authors get the chance to briefly showcase their research. In addition, the Best Doctoral Symposium paper will be selected and the award will be presented during the main conference. Finally, selected authors will have the additional chance to present their work via a poster in the poster session of the main conference. --------------------------- Invited Talk --------------------------- To be announced --------------------------- Doctoral Symposium Experts --------------------------- * Ozalp Babaoglu – University of Bologna, IT * Jacob Beal – BBN Technologies, USA * Kurt Geihs – Universitaet Kassel, DE * Tom Holvoet – KU Leuven, BE * Manish Parashar – Rutgers University, USA * Jeremy Pitt – Imperial College London, UK * Mark Jelasity – University of Szeged, HU * Burkhard Stiller – University of Zurich, CH * Giuseppe Valetto – Fondazione Bruno Kessler, Trento, IT * Salim Hariri – University of Arizona, USA * Simon Dobson – University of St Andrews, Scotland, UK * Antonio Bucchiarone - Fondazione Bruno Kessler, Trento, IT To be completed --------------------------- Important Dates --------------------------- Abstract Submission due: May 29, 2016 Paper Submission due: June 12, 2016 Notifications due: July 10, 2016 Camera ready version due: July 24, 2016 Conference date: September 12-16, 2016 --------------------------- Contact Information --------------------------- For any further information, please contact the Doctoral Symposium chairs: Pradeep Murukannaiah Department of Computer Scienc North Carolina State University Raleigh, NC, 27606, USA pmuruka(a)ncsu.edu http://www4.ncsu.edu/~pmuruka/ Dr. Ingo Scholtes Chair of Systems Design ETH Zurich CH-8092 Zurich Switzerland ischoltes(a)ethz.ch http://www.ingoscholtes.net

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SSBSS 2016 Call for Oral Presentations/Posters: 8-14 July 2016, Volterra (Pisa) Tuscany, Italy - 3rd Int. Synthetic & Systems Biology Summer School - Application DEADLINE: March 31, 2016
by Giuseppe Nicosia March 1, 2016

March 1, 2016

* Our sincere apologies if you receive multiple copies of this announcement * Please help us distributing in your circles (emails, blogs, and social networks) the call for participation and call for oral talks/posters for SSBSS 2016. Together we will make SSBSS a great event! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3rd International Synthetic and Systems Biology Summer School - SSBSS 2016, 8-14 July 2016, Volterra (Pisa) - Tuscany, Italy ssbss.school(a)gmail.com http://www.taosciences.it/ssbss/ https://www.facebook.com/ssbss.school/ https://twitter.com/SchoolSsbss The Synthetic and Systems Biology Summer School (SSBSS) is a full-immersion five-day residential summer school at the Volterra Learning Center (Pisa - Tuscany, Italy) on cutting-edge advances in systems and synthetic biology with lectures delivered by world-renowned experts. The school provides a stimulating environment for students (from Master students to PhD students), Post-Docs, early career researches, academics and industry leaders. Participants will also have the chance to present their results (with Oral Talks and Posters), and to interact with their peers, in a friendly and constructive environment. SSBSS 2016 DEADLINES: Application: March 31, 2016 Notification Acceptance: April 10, 2016 Oral Presentation/Poster Submission: March 31, 2016 Notification of Decision for Oral/Poster Presentation: April 10, 2016 http://www.taosciences.it/ssbss/#application-form SPEAKERS * Yaakov (Kobi) Benenson, Synthetic Biology Group@Department of Biosystems Science and Engineering, ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland Lecture 1: The practice of mammalian synthetic biology Lecture 2: Mammalian cell classifiers * Leonidas Bleris, Bioengineering Department, The University of Texas at Dallas, USA Lecture 1: Genome Editing Technologies and Therapeutic Modalities Lecture 2: Benchmark Circuits and Topological Properties * Domitilla Del Vecchio, Department of Mechanical Engineering, MIT, USA Lecture 1: Modularity in genetic circuits: Dream versus Reality Lecture 2: Engineering Modularity in Genetic Circuits * Diego Di Bernardo, Dept of Chemical Materials and Industrial Production Engineering University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy Lecture 1: "Engineering and Control of Biological Circuits in Yeast" Lecture 2: "Engineering and Control of Biological Circuits in Mammalian Cells * Barbara Di Ventura, Synthetic Biology Group, BioQuant/DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany Lecture 1: Using blue light to control protein localization in living mammalian cells Lecture 2: Using split inteins for protein engineering in living cells * J. Gootenberg, Feng Zhang's Group, Department of Systems Biology, Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, USA Lectures: TBA * Markus Herrgard, Technical University of Denmark - Biosustain, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Denmark Lecture 1: "Developing an Integrated Cell Factory Design Tool" Lecture 2: "Using Automated Laboratory Evolution to Optimize Cell Factories” * Shalev Itzkovitz, Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel Lecture 1: "Single Molecule Approaches for Studying Gene Expression in Intact Mammalian Tissues" Lecture 2: "Systems Biology of Stem Cell-Maintained Tissues” * Francesco Ricci, Dipartimento di Scienze e Tecnologie Chimiche, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy Lecture 1: "DNA Nanotechnology Tools and Reactions for Synthetic Biology" Lecture 2: "Nature-inspired DNA-based Nanodevices More speakers will be announced soon! INDUSTRIAL PANEL * Speakers TBA Next Generation Sequencing Workshop – Afternoon July 12th, 2016 * “How fast can we align sequences?” Mario Guarracino, CNR, Italy * “Advanced Bioinformatics tools for NGS” – TBC Luca Zammataro, Yale University, USA Tutorials: * “Detection and analysis of contaminating sequences in NGS sequencing data” Ilaria Granata, CNR, Italy * “Detection and interpretation of circular RNAs in RNA-seq experiments” Parijat Tripathi, CNR, Italy Scientific Committee Jole Costanza, Italian Institute of Technology, Italy Diego Di Bernardo, TeleThon Institute of Genetics & Medicine - TIGEM and University of Napoli "Federico II", Italy Barbara Di Camillo, University of Padova, Italy Simone Furini, University of Siena, Italy Emanuele Domenico Giordano, University of Bologna, Italy Massimo Gulisano, University of Catania, Italy Mario Guarracino, ICAR-CNR, Italy Markus Herrgard, Novo Nordisk Foundation Center for Biosustainability, Technical University of Denmark, Denmark Paolo Magni, University of Pavia, Italy Giuseppe Narzisi, New York Genome Center, USA Giuseppe Nicosia, University of Catania, Italy Wieslaw Nowak, Nicholas Copernicus University, Poland Danilo Porro, University of Milano Bicocca, Italy Francesco Ricci, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Italy Gianna Maria Toffolo, University of Padova, Italy Renato Umeton, MIT, USA Luca Zammataro, Yale University, USA School Directors Diego Di Bernardo, TeleThon Institute of Genetics & Medicine - TIGEM and University of Napoli "Federico II", Italy Giuseppe Nicosia, University of Catania, Italy Luca Zammataro, Yale University, USA See you in Tuscany in July! The Organizing Committee. ssbss.school(a)gmail.com http://www.taosciences.it/ssbss/ https://www.facebook.com/ssbss.school/ https://twitter.com/SchoolSsbss * Apologies for multiple copies. Please forward to anybody who might be interested * * Other Events in Tuscany: * 2nd International Workshop on Machine learning, Optimization and big Data - MOD 2016 An Interdisciplinary Workshop: Machine Learning, Optimization and Data Science without Borders, Volterra (Pisa) -Tuscany, August 26-29, 2016 http://www.taosciences.it/mod/ modworkshop2016(a)gmail.com CALL FOR PAPERS Paper submission deadline: March 31, 2016 http://www.taosciences.it/mod/call-for-papers/ https://easychair.org/conferences/?conf=mod2016 KEYNOTE SPEAKERS + Nello Cristianini, Bristol University, UK + George Michailidis, University of Florida, USA + Stephen H. Muggleton, Imperial College London, UK + Panos Pardalos, University of Florida, USA Other Keynote Speakers will be announced soon POST-PROCEEDINGS by Lecture Notes in Computer Science - Springer JOURNAL SPECIAL ISSUE Computational Optimization and Applications Journal - Springer -- Giuseppe Nicosia, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Computer Engineering Dept of Mathematics & Computer Science University of Catania Viale A. Doria, 6 - 95125 Catania, Italy P +39 095 7383048 nicosia(a)dmi.unict.it http://www.dmi.unict.it/nicosia ================================================================== 3rd International Synthetic & Systems Biology Summer School - SSBSS 2016 * Biology meets Computer Science & Engineering * July 8-14, 2016 - Volterra (Pisa), Tuscany, Italy http://www.taosciences.it/ssbss/ ================================================================== 2nd International Workshop on Machine learning, Optimization & big Data - MOD 2016 August 26-29, 2016 - Volterra (Pisa), Tuscany, Italy http://www.taosciences.it/mod/ ==================================================================

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PhD position in computational neuroscience at Frankfurt University
by Claudius Gros Feb. 29, 2016

Feb. 29, 2016

I would like to brink your attention our PhD-program in Computational Neurosciences / Complex Dynamical Systems At the Institute of Theoretical Physics, University of Frankfurt am Main, Field(s): computational neurosciences, complex systems, theory neural networks, simulated robotics, dynamical systems. Application deadline: April 22, 2016 Contact: Prof. Claudius Gros E-mail: cgr[(a)]itp.uni-frankfurt.de Address: Institute for Theoretical Physics, J.W. Goethe University Frankfurt, We are developing new models and generative principles for the brain using a range of toolsets from dynamical systems theory and computational neurosciences. Examples are new objective functions and generating functionals for the sensory-motor loop, transient state dynamics and self-limiting Hebbian plasticity rules. Several subjects are available for the announced PhD thesis including the generation of attractor metadynamics through short-term synaptic plasticity and/or the generation of motor primitives through self-organized embodiment within the sensory-motor loop. The work will include analytical investigations and numerical simulations of neural networks and/or of simulated robots, using the toolset of dynamical systems theory. The candidate should have a Diploma/Master in physics with an excellent academic track record and good computational skills. Experience or strong interest in the fields of complex systems, computational neurosciences, dynamical systems theory and/or artificial or biological cognitive systems is expected. The degree of scientific research experience is expected to be on the level of a German Diploma/Master. The appointment will start summer 2016, for up to three years. Interested applicants should submit a curriculum vitae and a list of publications, and arrange for letters of reference to be sent to the address above Claudius Gros http://www.itp.uni-frankfurt.de/~gros ***************************************** *** Prof. Dr. Claudius Gros *** *** +49 (0)69 798 47818 *** *** http://itp.uni-frankfurt.de/~gros *** ***************************************** ----------------------------------------------------------- --- Complex and Adaptive Dynamical Systems, A Primer --- --- A graduate-level textbook, Springer (2008/10/13/15) --- -----------------------------------------------------------

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High performance environment for collaborative neuroscience research
by Ted Carnevale Feb. 28, 2016

Feb. 28, 2016

Please accept our apologies if you have already received a similar message from another source-- Dear colleague: We are trying to gauge the interest among the neuroscience community in a collaborative environment that provides secure data storage and sharing, combined with high performance computing resources like those offered by NSG*. We would greatly appreciate your participation in this survey https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1vY7xXaeXFDb63EbgmgvQ7ZbUNpIopvh6UuTpwYeDmz… which will take about 10 minutes to complete. Please feel free to bring this to the attention of your collaborators or students who might also be interested. Ted Carnevale, Neuroscience Department, Yale University Amit Majumdar, San Diego Supercomputer Center, UCSD *--NSG is the Neuroscience Gateway https://www.nsgportal.org which provides free supercomputing cycles to neuroscientists for using tools such as NEURON, Brian, GENESIS, MOOSE, NEST, PyNN, and FreeSurfer.

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ICANN 2016 Barcelona - EXTENSION of the Last Call for contributions
by Antonio Javier Pons Rivero Feb. 28, 2016

Feb. 28, 2016

*EXTENSION of t**he **Last Call**for Oral Presentation, Poster Presentation and/or Full **P**aper Contribution* *www.icann2016.org* *ICANN 2016 * 25th Annual Conference on Artificial Neural Networks BarcelonaTech (UPC), Barcelona, Spain 6 - 9 September 2016* Special event*: ENNS 25th Anniversary ============================================================ /The International Conference on Artificial Neural Networks (ICANN) is the annual flagship conference of the European Neural Network Society (ENNS). In 2016 the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (BarcelonaTech) will organis//e the 25th ICANN Conference from //the //6th to //the //9th //of //September 2016 in Barcelona, Spain, in collaboration with the Universit//at//Pompeu Fabra (UPF)./ *INVITED KEYNOTE SPEAKERS* 1. *Wlodek Duch *(Nicolaus Copernicus University, Torun, Poland) 2. *Erkki Oja *(Aalto University, Helsinki, Finland) 3. *Joaquin Fuster *(University of California at Los Angeles, USA) 4. *Murray Shanahan* (Imperial College London, UK) 5. *Günther Palm*(University of Ulm, Germany) 6. *Stephen Coombes *(University of Nottingham, UK) 7. *Etienne Koechlin*(Pierre and Marie Curie University, France) *IMPORTANT DATES* */EXTENDED Submission of abstracts and papers: /**1 April 2016 **//EXTENDED /Submission of /**/d/**/emonstration proposals: /**1 April 2016 */Notification of acceptance:/8 May 2016 /Camera-ready paper and registration: /15 May 2016 /Conference dates:/6-9 September 2016 *CONFERENCE TOPICS* ICANN 2016 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-organisation, 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 REGISTRATION FEE**S* Early registration fees have been kept particularly low for this kind of event because ENNS and ICANN aim to fully implement the academicnot-for-profit policy. Undergraduate students (Bachelor and Master level): 90 EUR PhD Students: 200 EUR Regular delegates: 250 EUR *ENNS members have a reduction of 40 EUR* Students can apply for ENNS funded travel grants to attend (see the conference website). *CALL FOR CONTRIBUTED SCIENTIFIC COMMUNICATIONS* All scientific communications presented at ICANN 2016 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 with a 2-hour presentation) - demonstrations Authors willing to present original contributions for any category must submit a manuscript of a maximum length of 8 pages.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. The abstracts will be published all together in a proceedings section without an author index. In case of programme constraints the priority will be given to original contributions accompanied by a full paper submission. Submission of communications will be online. More details are available on the conference website (http://icann2016.org/index.php/contributors/submission) *BEST PAPER AWARDS* ENNS will sponsor a maximum of four best paper awards, two in the Brain Inspired Computing track (one poster and one oral communication) and, analogously, two in the Machine Learning Research track. All awardees will be presented during the final ceremony. *ORGANISATION** General Chair:*/ Antonio J. Pons Rivero/(UPC Barcelona, Spain)* Local**co-Chairs:* /Jordi Garcia-Ojalvo/(UPF Barcelona, Spain), /Paul Verschure/(UPF Barcelona, Spain) *Organising Committee Chairs:*/ Daniel Malagarriga/(UPC Barcelona, Spain), /Lara Escuain/(UPC Barcelona, Spain), /Caroline Kleinheny/(ENNS Lausanne, Switzerland) *Honorary Chair: *Alessandro E. P. Villa * Communication* *Chair:*/ Paolo Masulli/(ENNS Lausanne, Switzerland) *********************************************** Antonio J. Pons Rivero General Chair of ICANN 2016 Terrassa School of Industrial and Aeronautical Engineering (ETSEIAT) Nonlinear dynamics, nonlinear optics and lasers Group BarcelonaTech (UPC) Edifici GAIA Rbla. Sant Nebridi, 22 08222 Terrassa, Spain Caroline Kleinheny Secretary of the European Neural Network Society University of Lausanne Internef 137k, Quartier UNIL Dorigny 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland ***********************************************

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CNS*2016 Abstract Deadline extension to March 6, 2016
by Tam, Nicoladie Feb. 27, 2016

Feb. 27, 2016

Abstract Deadline extension to March 6, 2016 This is one and only extension of the abstract submission CNS*2016 Call for Abstracts Organization for Computational Neurosciences (OCNS) 25th Annual Meeting Jeju, South Korea July 2-7, 2016 The main meeting (July 3-5) will be preceded by a day of tutorials (July 2) and followed by two days of workshops (July 6-7). Invited Keynote Speakers: * Nicolas Brunel, University of Chicago, USA * Alain Destexhe, CNRS, France * Mitsuo Kawato, Advanced Telecommunications Research Institute (ATR), Japan * Tatyana Sharpee, Salk Institute, USA Abstract submission<https://ocns.memberclicks.net/cns-2016-abstract-submission> deadline extension: March 6, 2016, 11 pm, Pacific Time, USA Travel award<http://www.cnsorg.org/cns-2016-travel-awards> application deadline extension: March 6, 2016 Apply for membership<http://www.cnsorg.org/join-ocns> by March 1, 2016 to ensure the member registration rate for your abstract submission Workshop proposals<http://www.cnsorg.org/cns-2016-call-for-workshops> are now being accepted. Note that one of the authors has to 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/cns-2016

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Postdoctoral position in Multisensory perception and action at New York University Abu Dhabi
by Robert Volcic Feb. 26, 2016

Feb. 26, 2016

The Psychology Department at New York University Abu Dhabi is inviting applications for a fully funded postdoctoral associate position in the area of Psychology with interests in human perceptual and motor systems. The postdoctoral associate will work under the supervision of Dr. Robert Volcic (http://volcic.github.io) and will carry out behavioral studies on human multisensory perception (mainly vision and touch) and action (reaching and grasping). The lab will be equipped with a state of the art system for 3D visualization, a head tracking system, and a motion capture system for monitoring reaching and grasping movements. Moreover, the postdoctoral associate will have access to an eye movement tracker, and to fMRI and EEG facilities. Applicants must hold (or be close to completing) a Ph.D. in Psychology, Cognitive Science, Neuroscience, Biology, or related fields. Prior experience in vision/haptic/motor research is important as is programming efficiency. Applications will be accepted immediately and will be considered on a rolling basis. Please visit our website at http://nyuad.nyu.edu/about/careers/faculty-positions.html for instructions and information on how to apply. To be considered, all applicants must submit a cover letter, a curriculum vitae with full publication list, a statement of research interests, representative publications, expected date of availability, and names of two referees, all in PDF format. If you have any questions, please e-mail robert.volcic(a)nyu.edu. The preferred start date is September 1st, 2016. A later start date is possible based on the needs of the applicant. The duration of employment is for two years with the possibility to renew. This position is based in Abu Dhabi (U.A.E.). The terms of employment are competitive and include housing and other benefits. About NYUAD: New York University has established itself as a Global Network University, a multi-site, organically connected network encompassing key global cities and idea capitals. The network has three foundational degree-granting campuses: New York, Abu Dhabi, and Shanghai, complimented by a network of eleven research and study-away sites across five continents. Faculty and students will circulate within this global network in pursuit of common research interests and the promotion of cross-cultural and interdisciplinary solutions for problems both local and global. Entering its sixth year, NYU Abu Dhabi has recruited a cohort of faculty who are at once distinguished in their research and teaching. Our students are drawn from around the world and surpass all traditional recruitment benchmarks, both US and global. NYU Abu Dhabi’s highly selective liberal arts enterprise is complimented by an institute for advanced research, sponsoring cutting-edge projects across the Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Sciences, and Engineering. EOE/Minorities/Females/Vet/Disabled

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CoSMo 2016 registration open
by Gunnar Blohm Feb. 26, 2016

Feb. 26, 2016

*Sixth Annual Computational Sensory-Motor Neuroscience Summer School (CoSMo 2016)* University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA July 31 - August 14, 2016 We would like to invite you to join us for the sixth annual Computational Sensory-Motor Neuroscience Summer School. The course is about experimental, computational and medical aspects of sensory-motor neuroscience with a focus on active learning. Covered topics include multi-sensory integration, motor learning & control, computational methods, sensory-motor transformations and neural coding / decoding. An important focus is on doing research as opposed to just hearing about it. Each teaching module will take up two days with morning lecture sessions. Afternoon sessions involve hands-on Matlab programming, simulation and data-analysis. Newly acquired computational tools can also be applied in 2-week evening group research projects. The course is aimed at students and post-doctoral fellows from diverse backgrounds including Life Sciences, Psychology, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics and Engineering. Basic knowledge in calculus, linear algebra and Matlab is expected. Enrollment will be limited to 40 trainees. *Application deadline: Apr 11, 2016* For more information and to apply, please go to <http://www.compneurosci.com/CoSMo/>http://www.compneurosci.com/CoSMo/ Scholarship information and the application form can be found here: http://www.compneurosci.com/CoSMo/application.html The school is co-organized by Drs Gunnar Blohm, Paul Schrater, and Konrad Körding. This year, it receives funding from the NIH through a Brain Initiative R25 grant and from The Brain Canada Foundation. -- ------------------------------------------------------- Dr. Gunnar BLOHM Associate Professor in Computational Neuroscience Association for Canadian Neuroinformatics and Computational Neuroscience (CNCN) Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Departments of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Mathematics & Statistics, and Psychology, School of Computing, and Canadian Action and Perception Network (CAPnet) Queen’s University 18, Stuart Street Kingston, Ontario, Canada, K7L 3N6 Tel: (613) 533-3385 Fax: (613) 533-6840 Email: Gunnar.Blohm(a)QueensU.ca Web: http://www.compneurosci.com/

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Neuroimaging Data Analyst Position at the University of Illinois at Chicago (Summer/Fall 2016)
by Sylvia Morelli Feb. 25, 2016

Feb. 25, 2016

Drs. Sylvia Morelli and K. Luan Phan are considering applications for a neuroimaging data analyst to work jointly in the Empathy and Social Connection Lab (http://www.morellilab.com/ <http://www.morellilab.com/>) and the Mood and Anxiety Disorders Research Program (http://www.psych.uic.edu/research/mood-and-anxiety-disorders-research-progr… <http://www.psych.uic.edu/research/mood-and-anxiety-disorders-research-progr…>) at University of Illinois at Chicago. The data analyst will have the opportunity to analyze several data sets related to social cognitive affective neuroscience (e.g., empathy, social networks, reward learning, decision-making, emotional processing and regulation, fear learning and extinction) in healthy and psychiatric populations (e.g., anxiety and depression), as well as pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy treatment response. The analyst will implement the latest approaches developing in the field of imaging neuroscience — including but not limited to pattern classification, prospective prediction, machine learning, effective connectivity, connectomics/graph theory, computational modeling – and train others (faculty, postdocs, graduate students) on conventional and new analysis techniques. The position will involve analyzing data across multiple modalities including self-report, behavior, psychophysiology (SCR, startle), EEG/ERP, DTI, structural MRI and functional MRI – at single-unit and integrated levels. The data analyst will work amongst diverse investigators across disciplines (e.g., neuroscience, psychology, psychiatry). Successful applicants will have a Masters- or PhD-level degree in neuroscience, psychology, computer science, statistics/biostatistics or mathematics and/or a record of extensive experience in analyzing structural and functional MRI data. Applicants should also be fluent in SPM (or AFNI/BrainVoyager), statistical packages (e.g., Matlab and R), and programming languages (e.g., Unix). Excellent communication (verbal and written) and organizational skills are required. The position will be fully funded for at least 2 years with the potential for a longer-term position. We will review applications beginning March 1, until the position is filled. Applicants should send a CV, a statement describing their qualifications for the position and relevant experience, and the names of 2-3 references that may be contacted for a recommendation to Dr. Morelli (smorelli(a)uic.edu <mailto:smorelli@uic.edu>) and Dr. Phan (klphan(a)psych.uic.edu <mailto:klphan@psych.uic.edu>).

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2 Postdoc positions in modeling dendritic integration and synaptic plasticity
by Walter Senn Feb. 25, 2016

Feb. 25, 2016

Dear Colleagues, dear all, We are inviting applications for 2 postdoc positions (for at least 2 years, earliest start April 1, 2016) in computational neuroscience at the University of Bern, Switzerland. Our research is devoted to models of synaptic plasticity and dendritic integration that serve as a computational paradigm for learning in neuronal networks. We have recently suggested to consider “Learning by the dendritic prediction of somatic spiking” (Neuron 2014) that assigns an intrinsic computational task to neurons and dendrites. This concept will be extended by including dendritic nonlinearities and considering networks of such neuronal prediction elements. The 2 positions are: 1) Postdoc for modeling dendritic integration. We have shown how the error-backpropagation algorithm translates to a dendritic tree that displays NMDA-spikes in individual dendritic branches (PLoS Comp Biol 2016). Along these ideas a biophysical model of dendritic integration will be worked out that makes also contact to Bayesian integration. 2) Postdoc for modeling synaptic plasticity and learning in networks. The neurons as intrinsic prediction elements will be connected to form a network that mimics various learning tasks and that is particularly suited for imitation learning. You will profit from generous travel funding and from collaborations in- and outside the Human Brain Project, and you will also enjoy the beautiful city and surrounding of Switzerland’s capital. Ideal candidates have a strong background in computational neuroscience and machine learning. Please send CV, letter of motivation, and publication list by March 11 to Walter Senn (senn(a)pyl.unibe.ch) and Sabine Herzog (herzog(a)pyl.unibe.ch) With best wishes Walter Senn PS: For recent work of our group see http://www.physio.unibe.ch/~senn/neuroscience.aspx

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Call for Applications: Paul J. Salem Postdoctoral Scholars in Computational Brain Science – Brown Institute for Brain Science
by Michael J Frank Feb. 25, 2016

Feb. 25, 2016

The Brown Institute for Brain Science Initiative for Computation in Brain and Mind <http://compneuro.clps.brown.edu> is seeking applicants for the Paul J. Salem Postdoctoral Scholarships in Brain Science. The postdoctoral scholars will lead an exciting new project at the interface between machine learning and neuroscience. In particular, we are looking for computational neuroscientists interested in the application and development of novel machine learning methods for the analysis of neural recordings. Candidates are expected to have a solid background in modern machine learning and signal processing as well as demonstrated interest in experimental neuroscience. In addition, to conducting primary research with large neural data sets, candidates will be involved in the mentoring of students, and the organization of workshops. Candidates are expected to interact closely with the Neurotechnology group within the Brain Institute. The initial appointment is for 12 months with the potential to renew. The salary is competitive. The start date is negotiable although funding is available now. Research group: *The Initiative for Computation in Brain and Mind (ICBM;* <http://compneuro.clps.brown.edu>http://compneuro.clps.brown.edu) which began Fall 2013 within the Brown Institute for Brain Science, creates an exciting intellectual environment that fosters synergistic collaborations across departments. Groups affiliated with the initiative work on two core levels of computation. The first level focuses on theoretical neuroscience, including computational perception, control over action and learning, and fundamental questions in neuronal networks (synaptic plasticity, circuits, networks, oscillations). The second level focuses on applications and neurotechnology, including brain-machine interfaces, advanced neural data analysis, computer vision, computational psychiatry, and robotics. ICBM has 16 core computational faculty (http://compneuro.clps.brown.edu/people/) spanning six departments, and many more faculty who incorporate computation for theory development, analysis, or both. Computational neuroscience tools at Brown have been applied in projects including brain-machine control of robotic arms in paralyzed humans; models of visual systems in biological organisms and their innovative application for classifying animal behavioral patterns; predicting and quantifying effects of genetics, disease, medications, and brain stimulation on motor and cognitive function; identification of the source of neural rhythms and their roles in sensorimotor function; development of fundamental theories of brain plasticity, and learning; state-of-the art models of machine learning and reinforcement learning in computer science. The Brown Institute for Brain Science (BIBS) advances multidisciplinary research, technology development, and training in the brain sciences. BIBS unites more than 100 faculty from departments across Brown, spanning basic and clinical departments, and physical and biological sciences. BIBS creates opportunities and essential support to advance interdisciplinary research efforts among these groups including training funds to support interdisciplinary scholarship and research. Requirements: Candidates must have received their PhDs within 3 years of the application deadline, and will work under the supervision of faculty members at Brown University who are affiliated with the Initiative for Computation in Brain and Mind. They must have a strong background in computational neuroscience and machine learning, with a track record of relevant publications at top venues (such as NIPS or ICML). Excellent programming skills are required (C/C++/Matlab/Python). Application: Please send your applications by email to cbm-info(a)brown.edu. Please include a brief statement of interests, a curriculum vitae, a list of publications and 2-3 letters of reference (addressed directly to cbm-info(a)brown.edu) There is no deadline for the application but applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as the position will be filled as soon as a suitable applicant is found. ------------------------------ Michael J Frank, PhD, Professor Laboratory for Neural Computation and Cognition Brown University http://ski.clps.brown.edu (401)-863-6872

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[IEEE ICCI*CC'16:] RE: IEEE ICCI*CC'16 Update
by Yingxu Wang Feb. 24, 2016

Feb. 24, 2016

Dear Colleague, The 15th IEEE International Conference on Cognitive Informatics and Cognitive Computing (ICCI*CC'16) will be held at Stanford University, CA, USA during Aug. 22-23, 2016 (http://www.ucalgary.ca/icci_cc/iccicc-16) The IEEE ICCI*CC series is a flagship conference of its field sponsored by IEEE Computer, Computational Intelligence, and SMC Societies. It forms a transdisciplinary field that studies the internal information processing mechanisms of the brain, the underlying abstract intelligence (aI) theories and denotational mathematics, and their engineering applications in cognitive computing, computational intelligence, and cognitive systems. Paper submission is via Easy Chair at: https://www.easychair.org/conferences/?conf=iccicc2016. Submission deadline is approaching on Feb. 29, 2016. Special session papers may get a grace period by coordination of the session chairs. The conference will be featured by a number of keynote speeches that highlight the cutting-edge theories and novel technologies for cognitive systems and computational intelligence inspired by the brain such as: a) Natural Language Understanding vs. Natural Language Precisiation Prof. Lotfi A. Zadeh, UC Berkeley, USA b) Hebbian Learning and the LMS Algorithm Prof. Bernard Widrow, Stanford \university, USA c) Deep Learning and Deep Thinking by Cognitive Robots and Computational Intelligent Systems Prof. Yingxu Wang, University of Calgary, Canada You are welcome to submit a paper to IEEE ICCI*CC'16 or to organize a special session related to the theme of the conference. The Proceedings of ICCI*CC'16 will be published by IEEE CS Press and indexed by EI, DBLP, and IEEE eXplore. Selected papers from the proceedings will be published in leading international journals and IEEE transactions. We look forward to having an opportunity to meet you at IEEE ICCI*CC'16. Best regards, Prof. Yingxu Wang IEEE ICCI*CC'16 Co-Chair _______________________________________________ This message was sent to all subscribers of ieeeicci13-L To unsubscribe, see instructions at: http://www.ucalgary.ca/it/email/mailman E-mail: ieeeicci13-L(a)mailman.ucalgary.ca Homepage: http://mailman.ucalgary.ca/mailman/listinfo/ieeeicci13-l

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1st Call for Abstracts: the 8th Int'l Workshop on Guided Self-Organization (GSO-2016, Cancun, Mexico, 7 July 2016)
by Joseph Lizier Feb. 24, 2016

Feb. 24, 2016

Dear All, This is an announcement and Call for Abstracts for the Eighth International Workshop on Guided Self-Organization (GSO-2016) to be held on July 7, 2016 at ALIFE XV in Cancun, Mexico: http://guided-self.org/gso8/ The GSO Workshop will bring together invited experts and researchers in self-organizing systems, with particular emphasis on the information- and network-theoretic foundations of GSO and the information dynamics of complex systems. The following topics are of special interest: information-theoretic measures of complexity, nonlinear dynamics, complex networks, information-driven self-organization (IDSO), applications of GSO to complex networks, distributed computation, machine learning, swarm intelligence, bio-inspired systems, computational neuroscience, systems biology, cooperative and modular robotics, etc. Submissions to the workshop are extended abstracts (one page). If interested in participating, please send an extended abstract (by May 29, 2016) by email to: prokopenko.mikhail(a)gmail.com The notifications are expected by June 10, 2016. Authors of accepted submissions will present the content to the workshop. We expect that selected papers of GSO-2016 will be published in a special issue (research topic) of Frontiers of Robotics and AI, or Artificial Life journals. Please consult above website for more information. Best wishes, Mikhail Prokopenko Carlos Gershenson Daniel Polani <apologies for possible cross-posting>

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Postdoc in Bordeaux, France. Application deadline 01/04/2016.
by Nicolas P. Rougier Feb. 24, 2016

Feb. 24, 2016

Postdoc in Bordeaux, France at the Neurodegenerative Diseases Institute <http://www.imn-bordeaux.org/en/> Application deadline 01/04/2016. Details & application at INRIA website <http://www.inria.fr/en/institute/recruitment/offers/post-doctoral-research-…>. Actor–critic models of the basal ganglia We developed a model of the basal ganglia (Piron et al., 2016) that introduces an action selection mechanism that is based upon the competition between a positive feedback through the direct pathway and a negative feedback through the hyperdirect pathway. The model also exploits the parallel organization of circuits between the basal ganglia and the cortex using segregated loops: one loop allows to choose the cue and one loop allows to make the actual motor selection. Learning occurs between the cognitive cortex and the cognitive striatum using a simple reinforcement learning where the values of the different cues are updated after each decision. As in most computational models of the basal ganglia, this model relies on an actor-critic architecture where the dopamine signal is used to encode the temporal difference prediction error signal in the critic (Joel et al., 2002; Khamassi et al., 2005). However, this algorithm is not very elaborated and its implementation is not biologically plausible since values are stored outside the model. The objectives of this postdoc is thus to review and to re-implement (Python) main actor-critic models of the literature in order to compare them on a common set of decision tasks (two-arm bandit task for example) in terms of biological plausibility and performances. Special attention will be given to the "Primary Value and Learned Value Pavlovian Learning Algorithm" model (O'Reilly, 2007) and the AGREL model (Roefselma et al. 2005). From these replications (that will be published in ReScience <http://rescience.github.io/>), the most plausible and compatible mechanisms will be implemented in our own model of the basal ganglia in order to replace the current reinforcement learning algorithm (Guthrie et al., 2013, Piron et al. 2016). Profiles PhD in computational neuroscience or computer science (machine learning) with strong experience in Python & the scientific Python stack (numpy, scipy, matplotlib, git/github). References • Joel, D., Niv, Y., & Ruppin, E. (2002). Actor–critic models of the basal ganglia: New anatomical and computational perspectives. Neural Networks, 15(4-6), 535–547. • Khamassi, M., Lachèze, L., Girard, B., Berthoz, A., Guillot, A. (2005). Actor-critic models of reinforcement learning in the basal ganglia: From natural to artificial rats. Adaptive Behavior, 13 (2). • Guthrie, M., Leblois, A., Garenne, A., & Boraud, T. (2013). Interaction between cognitive and motor cortico-basal ganglia loops during decision making: a computational study. Journal of Neurophysiology, 109(12). • C. Piron, D. Kase, M. Topalidou, M. Goillandeau, H. Orignac, T. N'Guyen, N.P. Rougier, T. Boraud, The globus pallidus pars interna in goal oriented and habitual behavior. Resolving an old standing paradox, Movement Disorders, (2016), to appear. • O'Reilly, R. C., Frank, M. J., Hazy, T. E., & Watz, B. (2007). PVLV: The Primary Value and Learned Value Pavlovian Learning Algorithm. Behavioral Neuroscience, 121(1). • Roelfsema, P.R., van Ooyen A. (2005). Attention-gated reinforcement learning of internal representations for classification. Neural Computation. Nicolas P. Rougier

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Postdoc and PhD positions and further opportunities in the Bernstein group “Neural network dynamics and computation” (Raoul-Martin Memmesheimer)
by Memmesheimer, Raoul M. Feb. 23, 2016

Feb. 23, 2016

Postdoc and PhD positions and further opportunities in the Bernstein group “Neural network dynamics and computation” (Raoul-Martin Memmesheimer) There are fully funded positions available at the PhD and at the postdoctoral researcher level in my future group at FIAS Frankfurt, with an envisaged starting date of July 2016. At an earlier career stage, you can write your Bachelor’s or Master’s thesis, or do a short-term internship to get to know research in theoretical neuroscience/neurophysics. Depending on the project and the need, financial support is available. Optimal backgrounds of applicants include theoretical neuroscience and/or theoretical physics, computer science, mathematics, quantitative biology. Under the overarching topic “Bridging the scales: Spiking in artificial and biological neural computation”, we aim to develop spiking networks for the solution of artificial intelligence problems and we aim to understand healthy and pathological spike patterns. Your theoretical work in the group may delineate principles underlying effective computations with spiking neurons, investigate the origins of pathological dynamics in the hippocampus, or explore the impact of coupling nonlinearities found in this brain region. Some of the planned projects are directly guided by recent experimental results and aim at explanations that have been requested by experimentally working collaborative partners. Others have a higher level of abstraction and explore rather principal questions. For the different projects, collaborative partnerships have been arranged with experimentally working scientists at Heidelberg University (group of A. Draguhn) and Bonn University (group of H. Beck), and with theoretically working groups at Columbia University (group of L. Abbott), Radboud Unversity (group of H.J. Kappen) and FIAS Frankfurt (group of Jochen Triesch). Of course I am also happy to discuss your own ideas for your future research in the group. If you are interested in more information, see my website (www.memmesheimer.net) contact me via email (rm3354(a)cumc.columbia.edu) at CoSyne 2016, or, if you are in the neighborhood, drop by at my office at Columbia University. -- Raoul-Martin Memmesheimer Center for Theoretical Neuroscience, Columbia University, New York, USA Web: www.memmesheimer.net Phone: +1 (646) 774 7329 Email: rm3354(a)cumc.columbia.edu<mailto:rm3354@cumc.columbia.edu>

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2016 Summer workshop on the dynamic brain: applications open
by Adrienne Fairhall Feb. 23, 2016

Feb. 23, 2016

View online Announcing the Summer Workshop on the Dynamic Brain, co-hosted by the Allen Institute for Brain Science and the Computational Neuroscience Program at the University of Washington and directed by Drs. Christof Koch and Adrienne Fairhall. This intensive, two-week, projects-based, interdisciplinary course aims to give advanced students in neuroscience, biology, physics, engineering and computer science a rapid introduction to the current state of understanding of the neurobiology of sensory processing, including anatomy, physiology and neural coding. The workshop will include data analyses, Python and other software boot-camps, and lectures, taught by faculty from the University of Washington and the Allen Institute for Brain Science, on topics focused on the mammalian cortex and closely associated satellite structures. Subscribe | Unsubscribe | Feedback | Privacy Policy Copyright ©2016. Allen Institute for Brain Science. All Rights Reserved.

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Post-doctoral Research Fellow - Computational Modelling of Deep brain Stimulation for Parkinson's disease
by Olga Grant Feb. 23, 2016

Feb. 23, 2016

Post-doctoral Research Fellow - Computational Modelling of Deep brain Stimulation for Parkinson's disease Highly motivated candidates are invited to join an exciting new project to develop multiscale models of the neuromuscular system for closed-loop deep brain stimulation (DBS). We are seeking a post-doctoral research fellow to develop models of the electric field around the implanted electrode during deep brain stimulation and its interaction with surrounding neurons. Despite the success of DBS, the mechanisms by which it works are not yet understood. This project aims to address this question and to design closed-loop control strategies for DBS through a combination of computational modelling and experimentation. The project represents an exciting opportunity for enthusiastic candidates to work on a new multidisciplinary research project funded by the European Research Council (ERC). The Neuromuscular Systems and Neural Engineering Lab is a multidisciplinary research group led by Prof. Madeleine Lowery in the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at University College Dublin. Our research involves applying engineering principles, in particular mathematical modelling, signal analysis and experimentation, to understand how the nervous system controls muscle in healthy and diseased states. Through this research we aim to improve our understanding of the neuromuscular system to address fundamental questions in the control of human movement and to develop improved therapeutic and rehabilitation strategies. Candidates should hold a PhD in Biomedical Engineering, Electrical/Electronic Engineering or a related discipline, with prior experience in electromagnetic finite element analysis and/or computational neural modelling. Excellent communication, analytical and programming skills are required. Full details of the position and the application process are available through the UCD Human Resources website ( <https://www.ucd.ie/hr/jobvacancies/> https://www.ucd.ie/hr/jobvacancies/) . Informal enquiries may be made to Prof. Madeleine Lowery UCD School of electrical Electronic & Communications Engineering University College Dublin Belfield Dublin 4 Ireland madeleine.lowery(a)ucd.ie Tel. +353 1 716 1911 ____________________________________ Dr Olga M Grant Research Project Manager School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering Tel +353 (1) 7161778

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Postdoctoral position in computational neuroscience (sensory processing & decision-making)
by Ralf Haefner Feb. 23, 2016

Feb. 23, 2016

A postdoctoral position is available in the computational neuroscience group of Ralf Haefner in the department for Brain & Cognitive Sciences at the University of Rochester (NY). The focus of our group is on understanding the neural basis of perceptual decision-making. Based on the assumption that the brain performs probabilistic inference using an internal model of the world, we ask questions such as: What is the nature of the internal model? How is it learnt? How are posterior beliefs represented by spiking responses of populations of neurons? What algorithm does the brain use to compute its beliefs? How do cognitive priors influence sensory processing? What is the role of attention in a probabilistic inference framework? What is the role of feedback connections to sensory areas more generally? In order to answer these questions, we perform studies ranging from purely theoretical at the interface of neuroscience and machine learning, to neural data analysis, to psychophysics. Our collaborations with electrophysiology labs inside our department (Greg DeAngelis, Jude Mitchell) and externally (e.g. Born lab at Harvard Medical School, Cumming lab at NIH) allow for the testing of theoretical models using state-of-the-art cortical population recordings in behaving animals and, if desired, the opportunity to record your own data. We also collaborate with the theoretical groups of Jakob Macke (Caesar Institute, Bonn) and Stefano Panzeri (IIT in Trieste). For past work indicative of future directions see... Haefner et al. NatNeuro 2013: http://www.nature.com/neuro/journal/v16/n2/full/nn.3309.html Smolyanskaya et al. Neuron 2015: http://www.cell.com/neuron/abstract/S0896-6273(15)00561-9 Haefner et al. Neuron 2016 (accepted): http://arxiv.org/abs/1409.0257 …and our presentations at the upcoming COSYNE 2016: Poster II-17 (Main Meeting, Fri): Chicharro et. al at Poster III-1 (Main Meeting, Sat): Lange et al. at Talk in “choice-related feedback” Workshop (Tue), Haefner et al. We’re looking for a motivated candidate with strong mathematical and programming skills. The ideal candidate would also be familiar with (or quick to pick up) machine learning techniques, especially relating to inference in probabilistic models, and/or any relevant neuroscience background. The successful candidate with join a highly collaborative department with a strong tradition in probabilistic modeling across a wide range from sensory processing to linguistics (https://www.bcs.rochester.edu/research/index.html <https://www.bcs.rochester.edu/research/index.html> ). The city of Rochester is located on the shore of Lake Ontario in upstate New York on the edge of the finger lakes region, and has a high quality of life (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rochester,_New_York <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rochester,_New_York> ). Start date and duration are flexible. Please send applications including a brief research statement, a CV and names of 2-3 references by email. I'll be at COSYNE for both conference and workshops and available to meet there in person. Ralf Haefner Assistant Professor Brain & Cognitive Sciences University of Rochester (NY) rhaefner(a)bcs.rochester.edu <mailto:rhaefner@bcs.rochester.edu>

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Postdoc positions: computational modeling of neurodegenerative disease
by Christina M. Weaver Feb. 23, 2016

Feb. 23, 2016

Two postdoctoral positions, one empirical and one computational, are available in the interdisciplinary research group of Drs. Jennifer Luebke (Boston University School of Medicine, Boston MA) and Christina Weaver (Franklin & Marshall College, Lancaster PA) starting as early as April 2016. The research project involves the assessment of the detailed structure and function of cortical and striatal neurons in mouse models of Huntington’s disease, and computational modeling of these neurons. Experimental approaches will make extensive use of in vitro slice electrophysiology (whole-cell patch-clamp recordings) and cellular imaging techniques (primarily confocal fluorescence microscopy). Computational modeling of the empirically characterized neurons will use parameter optimization algorithms developed in the Weaver lab, and will eventually be incorporated into local microcircuits and larger cortico-striatal networks. For an overview of our interdisciplinary approach, see our joint publications including Luebke et al., *Cerebral Cortex* (2015), PMID 24323499 and Coskren et al., *J. Comput. Neuro*. (2015), PMID 25527184. Applicants should have a strong background in neuroscience and/or modeling, and have a keen interest in imaging, biophysical, and computational approaches in neuroscience research. Review of applications will begin March 10, 2016, and will continue until the positions are filled. Interested applicants should send their CV, a brief statement of current and future research interests, and the contact information of three references to christina.weaver(a)fandm.edu or jluebke(a)bu.edu. Required Skills * For Empirical position (Boston, MA): Experience with electrophysiology and/or confocal imaging is preferred. Additional background or strong interest in computational neuroscience is a plus. * For Modeling position (based in Lancaster, PA with occasional travel to Boston): Experience with NEURON compartmental modeling software and/or automated parameter optimization is preferred. * Excellent written and verbal communication skills * Ph.D., M.D. or equivalent from an accredited institution * We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. Job Location Boston, Massachusetts and Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States Position Type Full-Time/Regular Salary Conditions and remuneration will be according to the regulations of the National Institutes of Health for postdoctoral trainees. Bottom of Form Christina M. Weaver, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Mathematics Department of Mathematics and Computer Science Franklin & Marshall College P.O. Box 3003 Lancaster, PA 17604-3003 Phone: (717) 291-3872 Fax: (717) 358-4507 Email: christina.weaver(a)fandm.edu

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2nd call for illusion submissions: the 12th Best Illusion of the Year Contest
by Susana Martinez-Conde Feb. 23, 2016

Feb. 23, 2016

****2nd CALL FOR ILLUSION SUBMISSIONS: THE WORLD'S 12TH ANNUAL BEST ILLUSION OF THE YEARSM CONTEST**** <http://illusionoftheyear.com> http://illusionoftheyear.com We are happy to announce the 12th edition of world's Best Illusion of the YearSM Contest!! Submissions are now welcome! In 2015, the Best Illusion of the YearSM Contest became an annual online event, with the goal of bringing the creativity of the illusion creator community all around the world. Anybody with an internet connection can now participate! No matter where you live, you can be a contestant, and/or vote for the Top 3 winners! Contestants are invited to submit 1-minute videos, in mp4 format, featuring novel illusions (unpublished, or published no earlier than 2015) of all sensory modalities (visual, auditory, etc.) and/or cognitive nature. The content of the 1-minute video presenting your illusion is solely up to you, and the only requirement is that it wows all viewers! Some examples include, but are not limited to: * -A slide presentation, or succession of images, with a voice over (and/or written text, if you prefer) * -A video of yourself describing your illusion * -A video animation/enactment of your illusion An international panel of impartial judges will rate all the videos and narrow them down to the Top 10. Then, online voters around the world will choose their favorite illusions from the Top 10 finalists. All Top 10 finalists will receive a commemorative plaque. In addition, the Top 3 winners will receive cash prizes: $3,000 USD for first place; $2,000 USD for second place, and $1,000 USD for third place. The Judge Panel will rate illusions according to: * -Significance to our understanding of the human mind and brain * -Simplicity of the description * -Sheer beauty * -Counterintuitive quality * -Spectacularity Submissions will be held in strict confidence by the Judge Panel. Only the Top 10 illusions will be posted online, to allow worldwide voting. Participation in the Best Illusion of the YearSM Contest does not preclude you from also submitting your work for publication elsewhere. By participating in the Best Illusion of the YearSM Contest you agree to have your illusion posted on the Contest website, if selected among the Top 10, and included in press releases and other promotional materials/fundraising initiatives for the Contest. You (and your co-authors, if appropriate) will retain the full copyright of your illusion, and receive full credit as illusion creator(s). Illusions submitted to previous editions of the contest can be re-submitted to the 2016 Contest, as long as they meet the above requirements and were not among the Top 10 finalists in previous years. You can send your 1-minute video to Susana Martinez-Conde via email ( <mailto:smart@neuralcorrelate.com> smart(a)neuralcorrelate.com) until April 15, 2016. On behalf of the Executive Board of the Neural Correlate Society: Jose-Manuel Alonso, Stephen Macknik, Susana Martinez-Conde, Luis Martinez, Xoana Troncoso, Peter Tse ----------------------------------- Susana Martinez-Conde, PhD Professor of Ophthalmology, Neurology, and Physiology & Pharmacology Empire Innovator Scholar Director, Laboratory of Integrative Neuroscience State University of New York (SUNY) Downstate Medical Center 450 Clarkson Ave, Brooklyn NY 11203, USA Email: smart(a)neuralcorrelate.com <mailto:smart@neuralcorrelate.com> Phone: +1 718-270-4520 http://smc.neuralcorrelate.com <http://smc.neuralcorrelate.com/>

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2nd announcement: 4th Baltic-Nordic Summer School on Neuroinformatics (BNNI 2016)
by Daniel Wójcik Feb. 22, 2016

Feb. 22, 2016

4th Baltic-Nordic Summer School on Neuroinformatics (BNNI 2016) Understanding neurons, cognition and behavior through neuroinformatics Place: Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, and Faculty of Physics, University of Warsaw Warsaw, Poland Time: June 15-18, 2016 More information and applications at http://bit.do/bnni2016 Important dates: 28 February 2016 Application deadline [EXTENDED] 13 March 2016 Acceptance notification 15-18 June 2016 Summer School We invite advanced master students, doctoral students, and postdoctoral researchers to participate in the BNNI 2016 to be held at the Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology and the Faculty of Physics of the University of Warsaw. The course is interdisciplinary and covers modeling at different levels of organization of the brain, analysis of neural data, brain atlases, and other aspects of neuroinformatics. The course combines lectures, tutorials and computer exercises. This summer school is the fourth in the series of the Baltic-Nordic Courses on Neuroinformatics (BNNI 2013 in Kaunas, BNNI 2014 in Tampere, BNNI 2015 in Tartu). The target audience of the course will be advanced master students, doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers in natural and life sciences, from physics, chemistry, mathematics, computer science, informatics and information technology, to biology, medicine, and psychology, who would like to get an introduction to neuroinformatics and computational neuroscience. Some experience with programming and quantitative reasoning as well as strong interest in computational and mathematical modeling of the brain are required to benefit from the school. Faculty includes Piotr Durka, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland Gaute Einevoll, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Aas, Norway Bruce Graham, University of Stirling, United Kingdom Marja-Leena Linne, Tampere University of Technology, Finland Szymon Łęski, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland Arnd Roth, University College London, UK Ausra Saudargiene, Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas, Lithuania Eleni Vasilaki, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom Daniel Wójcik, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, Warsaw, Poland Jarosław Żygierewicz, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland Venue The lectures will be held at the Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology of the Polish Academy of Sciences and the computer classes in the Faculty of Physics of the University of Warsaw. The two buildings are next to each other, they are located at the center of Ochota campus, encompassing a number of university departments and research institutes. Practical arrangements There is a small tuition fee of 100 euros. The organizers will provide teaching, meals and coffee during the course. The participants are expected to cover their travel and health insurance expenses as well as lodging. Small financial support is available for those without funding. Inexpensive lodging for all the students will be organized. The course is supported by the IBRO-PERC committee, University of Warsaw, and the Nencki Institute We are looking forward to welcome you at the BNNI 2016 in Warsaw, Poland! -- Prof. Daniel K. Wojcik Laboratory of Neuroinformatics, Head PhD Studies, Head Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology 3 Pasteur St, 02-093 Warsaw, Poland tel: (+48 22) 5892348 fax: (+48 22) 8225342 skype: danek8317 http://dwojcik.pl/ http://neuroinflab.wordpress.com/ http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0812-9872

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Final Program of the Columbia Workshop on Brain Circuits, Memory and Computation
by Aurel A. Lazar Feb. 22, 2016

Feb. 22, 2016

Columbia Workshop on Brain Circuits, Memory and Computation Friday and Saturday, March 18-19, 2016 | 501 NWC Building Organizer and Program Chair: Aurel A. Lazar (Columbia University) The goal of the workshop is to bring together researchers interested in developing executable models of neural computa- tion/processing of the brain of model organisms. Of interest are models of computation that consist of elementary units of processing using brain circuits and memory elements. Elementary units of computation/processing include population encod- ing/decoding circuits with biophysically-grounded neuron models, non-linear dendritic processors for motion detection/direction selectivity, spike processing and pattern recognition neural circuits, movement control and decision-making circuits, etc. Memory units include models of spatio-temporal memory circuits, circuit models for memory access and storage, etc. A major aim of the workshop is to explore the integration of various sensory and control circuits in higher brain centers. Program Overview Friday 09:00 AM - 05:30 PM 09:00 AM - 09:45 AM Alexander Borst (MPI Neurobiology), Functional Characterization of the Input Elements to the Drosophila Motion Detector 09:45 AM - 10:30 AM Michael B. Reiser (HHMI Janelia), The Circuit Basis of Directional Selectivity in the Drosophila Visual System 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM Coee Break 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM Thomas R. Clandinin (Stanford), How Does Contrast Selectivity Emerge in Motion Processing Pathways 11:45 AM - 12:30 PM Chung-Chuan Lo (National Tsing Hua University), The Virtual Fly Brain { from Bench-Top to Cyberspace 12:30 PM - 02:00 PM Lunch Break (On your own, see a list of restaurants in the area on the back) 02:00 PM - 02:45 PM J. Douglas Armstrong (University of Edinburgh), VirtualFlyBrain.org - An Integration Hub for Drosophila Neuroscience 02:45 PM - 03:30 PM Michael Hawrylycz (Allen Institute for Brain Science), Multiscale Gene Expression Signatures in the Mammalian Brain 03:30 PM - 04:00 PM Afternoon Break 04:00 PM - 04:45 PM Gaby Maimon (Rockefeller University), Probing the Neurophysiological Basis of Cognitive Operations in Behaving Drosophila 04:45 PM - 05:30 PM Stanley Heinze (Lund University), Merging Information about Direction and Distance - the Bee Central Complex as the Potential Neural Substrate for Path Integration Saturday 09:00 AM - 05:30 PM 09:00 AM - 09:45 AM Glenn C. Turner (HHMI Janelia), The Mushroom Body and Learning - Flexibly Assigning Valence to Odors 09:45 AM - 10:30 AM Vanessa Ruta (Rockefeller University), Circuit Mechanisms for Flexible Sensory Processing in Drosophila 10:30 AM - 11:00 AM Coee Break 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM Marta Zlatic (HHMI Janelia), Circuits Principles of Memory-Based Behavioral Choice 11:45 AM - 12:30 PM Friedrich T. Sommer (UC Berkeley), Interplay of Structural and Weight Plasticity: Eects on Memory Capacity and Connections to Cognitive Phenomena 12:30 PM - 02:00 PM Lunch Break (On your own, see a list of restaurants in the area on the back) 02:00 PM - 02:45 PM Mala Murthy (Princeton University), Neural Mechanisms for Dynamic Acoustic Communication in Flies 02:45 PM - 03:30 PM Matthieu Louis (Center for Genomic Regulation, Barcelona), Bayesian Maggots: Multisensory Integration in the Drosophila Larva 03:30 PM - 04:00 PM Afternoon Break 04:00 PM - 04:45 PM Kwabena Boahen (Stanford University), Neuromorphic Chips: Combining Analog Computation with Digital Communication 04:45 PM - 05:30 PM Panel Discussion: The Logic of NeuroInformation Processing of the Fruit Fly Brain Registration is free but all participants have to register at: https://bcmc16.eventbrite.com/ Workshop Website: http://www.bionet.ee.columbia.edu/workshops/bcmc/2016 Aurel http://www.bionet.ee.columbia.edu

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