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Quantification of the Function of Criticality: Call for Contributions

by Nergis Tomen

[Apologies if you received this message more than once] Dear Colleagues, We are calling for abstracts for contributions towards a publication on *The Functional Role of Critical Dynamics* *in Neural Systems*. The collection will be published by Springer and will be free of charge for the authors. The main aim of this collection will be to bring together research and ideas linking together criticality in the cortex, dynamical and emergent network states and the putative role such states may serve in the way of function and computational advantages. The intended format of the book is a collection of short and concise chapters focusing around this central theme, in order to allow for many different perspectives to be represented. If you would like take part in this publication, please send an extended abstract summarizing your planned contribution, following the guidelines below, to A. Janssen (*ajanssen**(a)neuro.uni-bremen.de* <ajanssen(a)neuro.uni-bremen.de>) who will be coordinating the communications by *October* *25th*. For details of the planned contents and structure of the full contributions, as well as our expected timeline, please see below. Full papers will be expected by the end of this year. Best wishes, Udo Ernst & Nergis Tomen & Michael Herrmann *Guidelines for your contribution * We are aiming for a publication that will give a broad overview of the state of research linking neuronal avalanches and self-organized criticality (SOC) to neural function and information processing (for the related concepts please see e.g. [Bak, Tang and Wiesenfeld, 1987] and [Beggs and Plenz, 2003]). Due to the computational advantages of simple systems operating close to a phase transition (e.g. [Langton, 1990]), there has been a growing interest in the neuroscience community in the recent years to tackle the question “Can critical dynamics be useful for the brain?”. And this was the central theme of the *Excellence Workshop "Dynamical network states, criticality and cortical function"* that took place on 25-28 March 2017 in Hanse-Wissenschaftskolleg, Delmenhorst, Germany ( *http://www.h-w-k.de/index.php?id=2240* <http://www.h-w-k.de/index.php?id=2240>). In light of the positive feedback and interest we received from the community, we are now aiming to bring together different ideas and approaches related to critical dynamics and its potential functional role in cortical information processing, and we are looking forward to your contributions. We will have a two-stage submission process for the authors. The first stage is to submit an extended abstract that can be of any format, but should include a title and contact information of the authors and should begin with a very brief summary of the main message of the contribution. As a guideline it is suggested that the length of the extended abstract is 1 to 4 pages and that it contains 1 to 4 figures. Please submit your abstract to *ajanssen**(a)neuro.uni-bremen.de* <ajanssen(a)neuro.uni-bremen.de> by *October 25th*. Full papers will be requested before the end of this year. The final papers are expected to include an easy-to-follow introduction, one or more well-evidenced claims and a substantial discussion section. The full papers are limited in size to 15-20 pages each (each page about 450 words), including figures and references. There will be LaTeX and MS Word templates provided by Springer for the full contributions. Each contribution will be peer-reviewed by at least 2 colleagues before being published. Each author of a contribution is also expected to act as a reviewer for 2-3 other contributions. We plan to include reviewers from outside the field to provide 'critical' input. Realistically, we estimate that the review process will start in in winter 2017 and end in spring 2018. We expect the submissions to present original research by the authors.This can include new results or review of past research by the authors (for review papers, it is allowed to include research by other persons where suitable, as long as it does not constitute a major part of the contribution). We believe it is important for contributions to put forward a vision or perspective on criticality research. It is important to make connections to the functionality of the concepts described in your contribution (e.g. how do the properties observed in your model/experiments relate to information transfer/processing, behavioural performance, computation, communication and configuration, etc.). Where applicable, it is allowed and encouraged to talk about predictions and theories about how the contents of a contribution may relate to active computation in the cortex, what practical advantages and biological mechanisms they may be linked to as well as what direction future research should take to answer such questions. We encourage the authors to actively try to draw connections between their own research, research of other scientists in their field as well as outside of their field (e.g. discussing ties with experimental results in a theoretical contribution and vice versa). Thank you for considering these guidelines.

Oct. 4, 2017

Start-up EEG hardware and data analytics roles at start-up

by Brian Murphy

BrainWaveBank's mission is to transform how cognitive illness is diagnosed and treated so that people can live longer, healthier, more fulfilling lives. Our 16-channel EEG headset is designed for home-use, and is supported by a platform of tablet-based games and cloud-based analytics to track cognitive performance and health. We are now expanding, and hiring a number of software, hardware and scientific roles into our Dublin and Belfast offices. We are seeking exceptional candidates for these roles (see links below for full details): - Senior EEG Research Engineer, Dublin • Full-time - EEG Research Engineer, Dublin • Full-time - Machine Learning Engineer, Dublin • Full-time - Cognitive Neuroscientist, Dublin • Full-time - EEG Hardware Design Lead, Belfast • Full-time - Full Cloud Stack SW Engineer, Belfast • Full-time - Senior Mobile Developer (Android), Belfast • Full-time - Trial Manager, Belfast • Full-time View full details of the roles and apply through: https://www.indeedjobs.com/brainwavebank/_hl/en_GB Learn more about the team and mission: http://www.brainwavebank.com -- Dr. Brian Murphy Co-Founder and Chief Scientific Officer BrainWaveBank Ltd M: +44 7716 686654 M: +353 86 0666732 E: brian(a)brainwavebank.com Twitter: @brainwavebank www.brainwavebank.com The information contained in this email transmission is confidential and may be privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, any use, dissemination, distribution, publication, or copying of the information contained in this email is strictly prohibited. If you have received this email in error, please immediately notify us by telephone at +44 028 9264 6600 or email info(a)brainwavebank.com and delete the email from your system. Thank you for your co-operation. BrainWaveBank Ltd is a limited company registered in Northern Ireland. Registered number: NI628481. Registered office: 32-36 Dublin Road, Belfast BT2 7HN.

Oct. 4, 2017

Postdoc/programmer position at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology

by Erik De Schutter

The Computational Neuroscience unit (https://groups.oist.jp/cnu) at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, Japan has an opening for a postdoctoral researcher or technician in software development and computational modeling of stochastic neuronal reaction-diffusion processes. Initial duration is two years with an option to extend. The hired postdoctoral researcher or technician is expected to make valuable contributions to the STEPS project (http://steps.sourceforge.net) in two ways: 1) by researching molecular neuronal processes and designing novel techniques and routines for accurate computational modeling of such systems, and 2) contributing to realistic applications of the new techniques in biological modeling studies. In performing these tasks, the candidate is expected to contribute to publications that are either based on theory and computational techniques, or geared more towards answering real biological questions through computational modeling. As such the ideal candidate will have a scientific background but also possess good programming skills. There will be many opportunities to interact with other STEPS developers in our lab and also other researchers working on related cerebellar projects, and also to collaborate on STEPS development with the Blue Brain Project, EPFL, Geneva. Competences: For the postdoctoral position a recent PhD is required in a relevant discipline such as neuroscience, molecular biology, biophysics, biochemistry, and for a technician a masters degree is required in a similar discipline or computer science. For either position, we require a talented programmer with experience in C++ and Python. In satisfying these criteria, it is expected that the candidate has some experience of modeling neuronal or other biological processes computationally, but this is not essential if the candidate has a strong enough interest in moving into the field. Fluent English conversation and writing skills are required. Benefits / Offer: A competitive salary and relocation package are offered. This an ideal position to gain experience in a prominent computational neuroscience lab. Contributions of technicians are honored by authorship on relevant publications. Please contact Prof. Erik De Schutter (erik(a)oist.jp) for inquiries.

Oct. 4, 2017

Postdoctoral position in computational neuroscience at UCSD

by Maxim Bazhenov

Applications are invited for post-doctoral research position in the laboratory of Dr. Maxim Bazhenov (http://www.bazhlab.ucsd.edu/) at the University of California, San Diego to study role of sleep in memory and learning. The ultimate goal of the project is to understand how the interaction among brain areas during sleep leads to consolidation of memory for recent learning and how sensory or electrical stimulation can enhance memory consolidation. This project involves close collaboration with several experimental laboratories. The successful candidate will be responsible for the design of the anatomically realistic brain network models based on experimental data. These models will be applied to understand network dynamics that are involved in the processes of memory consolidation, to design optimal stimulation approaches, to guide data analysis and to make predictions for future experimental studies. Qualified applicants are expected to have experience in computational/theoretical neuroscience and neural modeling. Programming experience with C/C++ is required. Knowledge of PYTHON and MATLAB is a significant plus. The University of California offers excellent benefits. Salary is based on research experience. Applicants should send a brief statement of research interests, a CV and the names of three references to Maxim Bazhenov at mbazhenov(a)ucsd.edu -- Maxim Bazhenov, Ph.D. Professor, Department of Medicine, Neurosciences Graduate Program, UCSD, School of Medicine http://www.bazhlab.ucsd.edu/

Oct. 3, 2017

PhD positions at the Univ. of Leicester (for UK/EU candidates only)

by Quian Quiroga, Rodrigo (Prof.)

Fully Funded PhD Studentships (for UK/EU candidates only) Centre for Systems Neuroscience, University of Leicester, UK. www.le.ac.uk/csn The Centre for Systems Neuroscience at the University of Leicester, UK, offers up to 2, 3-Year Fully Funded (stipend plus fees) PhD positions for UK/EU candidates, to study single cell recordings in humans – performed in epileptic patients for curative surgery. The project will investigate concept cells (a.k.a. Jennifer Aniston neurons) – that means, neurons in the hippocampus and surrounding areas that selectively fire to specific concepts, like different pictures and the written or spoken name of a particular person (e.g. Quian Quiroga et al, Nature 2005; Quian Quiroga Nature Reviews Neuroscience 2012), which are involved in declarative memory functions. The successful candidate will contribute to performing recordings with patients in collaborating hospitals and the analysis of the data to investigate the role of these neurons in memory formation. Candidates should have very good quantitative skills (data processing, and programing in Matlab), a strong background in neuroscience and, ideally, good experience with neurophysiology recordings. They should be able to work both independently and as part of a research team within the Centre for System Neuroscience at Leicester and with our external collaborators. Informal enquiries are welcome and should be made to Valeria Zonato, Research Centre Manager, vz12(a)le.ac.uk or 0116 252 3249. Interested candidates should send their curriculum vitae and a brief description of their scientific interests to Valeria Zonato (vz12(a)le.ac.uk<mailto:vz12@le.ac.uk>). The closing date for the applications is Friday 6th October 2017.

Oct. 3, 2017

APA Technology, Mind, & Society Conference - Submissions due Oct 20

by Jeff Krichmar

Dear Colleagues, This upcoming APA conference on Technology, Mind, & Society may be of interest to many of you. Keynote speakers include Cynthia Breazeal (MIT, Jibo Inc.), Justine Cassell (CMU), Eric Horvitz (Microsoft Research Labs), and Alex "Sandy” Pentland (MIT). Paper submissions are due October 20th. See:http://pages.apa.org/tms/ Best regards, Jeff Krichmar Department of Cognitive Sciences 2328 Social & Behavioral Sciences Gateway University of California, Irvine Irvine, CA 92697-5100 jkrichma(a)uci.edu http://www.socsci.uci.edu/~jkrichma The American Psychological Association will hold an interdisciplinary conference on Technology, Mind, and Society in Washington, D.C., on April 5-7, 2018. Scientists, practitioners, policymakers, and students from around the world are invited to participate in the event. The conference will provide a venue for reporting and assessing current efforts to understand and shape the interactions of human beings and technology, for identifying priorities for future work, and for promoting exchange and collaboration among participants. The conference will feature four keynote speakers: Cynthia Breazeal (MIT), Justine Cassell (Carnegie Mellon), Eric Horvitz (Microsoft Research), and Sandy Pentland (MIT). APA invites you and your colleagues and students to submit papers, symposia, and posters for this conference, which will be organized around the following broad themes: • Basic research: How humans understand and use technology, impacts of technology on human experience and behavior, human-technology interactions as mutually adaptive systems, role of technology in advancing other areas of scientific research, and related topics. • Foundations of technology design: Development of technologies informed by psychological, behavioral, and social science research. • Applications: Development, use, and impact of specific technologies in domains such as aging, education, mental and physical health, recreation, and the workplace. • Broader implications: Ethical and policy questions concerning the opportunities and challenges arising from human-technology interactions. The deadline for submissions is October 20, 2017. The conference is open to researchers, professionals, and students in all relevant areas, including psychology and other behavioral and social sciences, neuroscience, computer science, engineering, design, health research, education research, city and regional planning, public policy, history of science and technology, and philosophy. The conference aims to address the full range of contemporary and emerging technologies. These include but are not limited to artificial intelligence, robotics, mobile devices, social media, virtual/augmented reality, gaming, geographic information systems, autonomous vehicles, and biomedical technologies (e.g., brain-machine interfaces, genetic engineering). APA is sponsoring the conference in cooperation with the Association for the Advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AAAI) and the Association for Computing Machinery — Special Interest Group for Computer-Human Interaction (ACM SIGCHI). We look forward to seeing you at the Technology, Mind, and Society Conference! For additional information, see the conference website (http://pages.apa.org/tms/) If you have any questions, please contact the APA Science Directorate (science(a)apa.org)

Oct. 1, 2017

Postdoc in computational neuroscience of consciousness

by Srivas Chennu

In the School of Computing at the University of Kent (UK), we are seeking to recruit a Research Associate to work on the computational neuroscience of consciousness. This post is part of the EPSRC project "A Computational Prototype for Electroencephalographic Brain Connectomics" awarded to Dr. Srivas Chennu. This exciting project sits at the interface of signal processing, machine learning and neuroscience. More information is available at the link below: https://www.cs.kent.ac.uk/people/staff/sc785/mohawk.html This role will involve: • Develop a computational prototype for electroencephalographic brain connectomics for discriminating states of awareness and use real datasets and develop simulations to test and validate the prototype. • Working with the PI, interact with collaborators at partner sites to explore deployment of the prototype at the bedside of patients with disorders of consciousness • Communicate and disseminate project outcomes in academic publications, scientific conferences, technical reports, web-based platforms and social media You will play a key role in this project, focusing on the development of the software prototype. In addition to working closely with Dr. Chennu, you will interact regularly with clinicians and neuroscientists at the Universities of Cambridge and Liége. Both partners have made available a large dataset of EEG acquired from patients and controls, which will be used to test and validate the prototype to be developed here. You will be supported in your role by Dr. Chennu, in addition to PhD students in the research group, and will be able to access the broad-ranging expertise available across other members of the Data Science group and the School of Computing. This is a fixed term post (to start in Jan 2018, date negotiable) and will provide the successful candidate with a rich collaborative environment: it is positioned within the recently formed Data Science group at the University of Kent, and will involve close collaboration with external partners at the Universities of Cambridge and Liège (Belgium). To succeed in this role you will: • A PhD in Computer Science/Neuroscience, or be near completion • Experience of EEG/MEG Signal Processing, Machine Learning in Neuroscience and MATLAB and/or Python in Neuroscience • Experience of working in a research environment and the ability to liaise with other external partners *The School of Computing* at Kent is a welcoming and supportive environment that has recently been recognised with a Bronze Athena SWAN award. We are a well-balanced, inclusive and diverse community that aims to further enhance our achievements and reputation in teaching, research and innovation. Start date for applications: 29 September 2017 Closing date for applications: 05 November 2017 Interviews are to be held: 29 November 2017 Please see the link below to view the full job description and also to apply for this post. If you require further information about this post/project please contact the PI, Dr. Srivas Chennu at sc785(a)kent.ac.uk. For any questions regarding the application process please contact The Resourcing Team on jobs(a)kent.ac.uk quoting ref number: STM0847 https://www11.i-grasp.com/fe/tpl_kent01.asp?s=4A515F4E5A565B1A&jobid=41306, 5425238748&key=50937013&c=223465364822&pagestamp=sewzjjuhsdmqkvijvz

Sept. 30, 2017

Post-doctoral Research Scientist in Cochlear Implant Research, Psychoacoustics and Virtual Acoustics

by Seeber, Bernhard

Dear List, we are inviting applications for a post-doctoral research scientist to join our team in cochlear implant research, psychoacoustics and/or virtual acoustics. Main responsibilities are: - Research on binaural hearing and auditory scene analysis with normal hearing listeners and/or users of cochlear implants and/or - Development of techniques for and experiments in interactive audio-visual virtual reality - Development of listening tests and statistical analysis of the results - Publication in English-language scientific journals and presentations at conferences - Supervision of student projects, assistance with teaching and with raising external funding. The position is full time and will start at the earliest convenient date. We offer... you the opportunity to join an interdisciplinary team, to work with up-to-date technical equipment including an anechoic chamber hosting a virtual reality system, and to learn about the latest methods in hearing research. Our close interaction with the Bernstein Centre for Computational Neuroscience Munich (www.bccn-munich.de) the Munich School of BioEngineering (www.bioengineering.tum.de) the Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences (www.gsn.uni-muenchen.de) the Hearing Research Network Munich, our extensive cooperation with industry and with scientific partners, and the numerous courses offered at TUM create an attractive environment with excellent perspectives for personal development. Please find further information at www.aip.ei.tum.de. Employment is according to the state employees salary scheme (TV-L/E13) and is initially for 1 year with the option for extension. Women are explicitly encouraged to apply. Severely handicapped persons will be favored if they are equally qualified. In principle, the position could also be filled part-time. Munich - the city famous for the Oktoberfest, high-end cars and its unique location to the Alps - is a bustling, international and interesting place to live which also offers a wide range of opportunities to engage in cultural and leisurely activities - from opera to skiing. Interested? I look forward to answering your questions on the phone (+49 89 289 28282) or by email. Please send your expressive application stating research interests preferably by email no later than 31 October 2017 to: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernhard Seeber Professorship for Audio Information Processing Technical University of Munich Arcisstrasse 21 80333 Munich Germany Email: aip(a)ei.tum.de. For further information about the post, including qualification requirements, please visit www.aip.ei.tum.de. Kind regards, Bernhard Seeber -- DAGA Conference Munich, 19.-22. March 2018 http://2018.daga-tagung.de/ Note: Abstract submission deadline: 01.11.2017 Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernhard U. Seeber Professor of Audio Information Processing Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering Technical University of Munich Arcisstrasse 21 D-80333 Munich, Germany Office: +49 89 289-28282 Fax: +49 89 289-28211 Mobile: +49 (0)174 928 6338 Visitors: Theresienstrasse 90, building N5, room N6504 Web: www.aip.ei.tum.de www.bseeber.de

Sept. 29, 2017

PhD Studentship in Computer Science -- University of Surrey, UK

by a.gruning＠surrey.ac.uk

% PhD Studentship in Computer Science % Studentship start date: January 2018 % Application deadline: September 30, 2017 # Funding amount Fee waiver and a stipend of £16,000 per annum for a Home (UK/EU) student # Position Summary Applications are invited for a cutting-edge 3-year Ph.D. project in the Department of Computer Science, University of Surrey, UK in a number of areas, including machine learning especially deep learning and neural networks, complex systems, and evolutionary computation, with application to biomedicine, transport, security and design optimisation. Applications are particularly welcome to one of the following highlighted projects: 1. Neural networks for biomedicine. The project will focus on constructing a framework for the formulation of bio-inspired learning rules for deep learning neural networks. Its aim is to develop a mathematical and conceptual framework within which bio-inspired learning algorithms can be formulated clearly and concisely for ease of their application, understanding, and generalisation. This project will build upon an ongoing project, namely the Human Brain Project (HBP), a multi-billion Flagship project funded by the EU Horizon 2020. This project area will be co-supervised by Dr Clive Cheong Took and Dr André Grüning. 2. Modelling and controlling the dynamics and time evolution of complex systems. The aim of this PhD is to develop a computational framework for maximising the effect of external interventions in a complex system, and do so in a predictable and trusted manner. Such systems include: transportation networks; social networks; multi-modal patient care systems; social-ecological systems; and many others where there are no single points of control or failure. The core objective is to bring together formal verification and machine learning and develop approaches that allow model checking and scenario appraisal in complex systems. This project area will be co-supervised by Dr Sotiris Moschoyiannis and Dr Clive Cheong Took. For more about the NICE group, see http://www.surrey.ac.uk/cs/research/nice. # Department of Computer Science The Department of Computer Science at the University of Surrey, within the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, has an international reputation for research and teaching. Our research excellence is reflected from the fact that Surrey’s research in computer science has been consistently ranked World Top 150 and UK Top 10 in the SJTU ARWU Subject Ranking in Computer Science since 2012. Similarly, Surrey’s Computer Science subject is ranked at 6 th position in the UK according to the latest Guardian University Guide 2018, which focuses more on teaching excellence. Research in the Department is focused on two main areas: Nature Inspired Computing and Engineering (NICE) and Secure Systems. The NICE group is internationally leading in the area of evolutionary computation, machine learning, brain-inspired computing and complex systems with application to optimisation, data analytics, image processing, swarm robotics, healthcare and bioinformatics. The Secure Systems 1 International (non-UK/EU) students are also eligible to apply, but will be expected to bring additional funding to cover the difference (currently £14,815 per year) between UK/EU and international fees: see https://www.surrey.ac.uk/postgraduate/pgr-fees. # Qualifications To apply you should have at least an upper second class honours degree (or overseas equivalent) in Computer Science, or a suitable technical science or engineering subject such as Computer Engineering and Electronic Engineering. Preference will be given to those with appropriate MSc or equivalent research/industrial experience in relevant areas. Experience in a relevant area is not required, but advantageous. The candidate is expected to have solid mathematical knowledge, including calculus and linear algebra. Hands-on skills in one of the programming languages is expected, such as Matlab, Python, Java, or C/C++. In addition, the applicant must have good communication skills and be fluent in English. We look for a candidate that is self-motivated, engaging, and is a team player. # Application Procedure The application process requires the submission of a CV, two letters of recommendation or contact information of two referees, copies of degree certificates and transcripts from all university-level courses taken. More information about how to apply can be found in the Computer Science PhD page by clicking on the ‘apply online’ button. In addition to the above, as part of your application, you are also required to upload the following documents: - Statement of purpose (1-3 pages) where you introduce yourself, explain why you want to pursue a PhD, present your qualifications and describe your future research plans; - Research proposal describing your research area of interest and motivation in one of the relevant areas. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted directly to arrange a suitable time for an interview. For any questions regarding the application process or an informal discussion about the position especially the highlighted projects, please contact the named supervisors of the specific project given before. For more general queries about the studentship contact Dr Andre Gruning <a.gruning(a)surrey.ac.uk> Surrey continuously strives to be an attractive employer. We acknowledge, understand and embrace diversity. # Useful links: Potential PhD Supervisors and their research interest and publications: - https://www.surrey.ac.uk/cs/people/clive_cheong_took/ - https://www.surrey.ac.uk/cs/people/andre_gruning/ - https://www.surrey.ac.uk/cs/people/sotiris_moschoyiannis/ - https://www.surrey.ac.uk/cs/people/yaochu_jin - https://www.surrey.ac.uk/cs/people/paul_krause - https://www.surrey.ac.uk/cs/people/hongying_tang PhD in Computer Science at Surrey: - http://www.surrey.ac.uk/postgraduate/computer-science-phd - https://www.surrey.ac.uk/department-computer-science/study/postgraduate-res… - https://www.surrey.ac.uk/department-computer-science/study/postgraduate-res… The NICE group - http://www.surrey.ac.uk/cs/research/nice -- Brief? Here's why: http://emailcharter.org<http://emailcharter.org/> Dr Andre Gruning Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) Postgraduate Research Director Department of Computer Science University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH United Kingdom

Sept. 29, 2017

NIH/NSF funded postdoc (U Penn/U Houston/CU Boulder)

by Zachary Kilpatrick

We are seeking a postdoctoral fellow to join an NIH/NSF funded interdisciplinary project that includes Joshua Gold (University of Pennsylvania), Krešo Josić (University of Houston), and Zack Kilpatrick (University of Colorado, Boulder). Our aim is to understand how the brain accumulates evidence in dynamic environments. The project is guided by the overriding hypothesis that brain networks involved in decision-making computations incorporate learned expectations of the environment to implement adaptive decision-making. We seek a candidate who can work at the interface of experimental, computational, and theoretical neuroscience. As part of an interdisciplinary team, The candidate will develop models of neural circuits that approximate normative evidence accumulation in dynamic environments. The candidate will also help to validate these models, using behavioral data from humans and neural recordings from primates performing dynamic decision tasks. For further information please contact Krešimir Josić (josic(a)math.uh.edu <mailto:josic@math.uh.edu>) or Zack Kilpatrick (zpkilpat(a)colorado.edu <mailto:zpkilpat@colorado.edu>)

Sept. 28, 2017

Winter School on Deterministic & Stochastic Models in Neuroscience in Toulouse: December 11 to 15, 2017

by Zachary Kilpatrick

We are glad to announce that from the 11th to the 15th of December 2017 will take place a Winter School on Deterministic and Stochastic Models in Neuroscience at the Institut de Mathématiques de Toulouse in France. The main objective of this event is to organise a winter school around stochastic and deterministic models arising in neuroscience by providing a series of lectures given by internationally reknown speakers for a broad audience (graduate students, PhD students, Postdoctorates, researchers and professors) along with specific research talks. This winter school will showcase some recent and ongoing modeling problems in neuroscience with a strong emphasis on the stochastic and deterministic methods developped to treat them. There will be two lectures dedicated to stochastic methods and two for deterministic ones. The research talks will complement and enlarge these courses with for example topcis on neural field equations, numerical methods or kinetic models of neuronal networks. The webpage of the event can be found here: http://www.cimi.univ-toulouse.fr/mib/en/School-DSMN <http://www.cimi.univ-toulouse.fr/mib/en/School-DSMN> Please note that there will be financial support for a selected number of students (graduate students, PhD students, Post-doctorates) covering local expenses: hotel, metro tickets and food. Students can apply here: http://www.cimi.univ-toulouse.fr/en/registration-winter-school-deterministi… <http://www.cimi.univ-toulouse.fr/en/registration-winter-school-deterministi…> The registration for the winter school is free but mandatory. Lunches and a diner buffet will be covered by the conference. Scientific organizers Patrick Cattiaux & Grégory Faye

Sept. 28, 2017

Theoretical/Statistical Neuroscience Faculty Openings at Columbia

by Allison Ong

Dear Colleague, Columbia has announced a search for two faculty positions in theoretical/statistical neuroscience that are described below (also attached). We would appreciate it if you could forward this information to any interested candidates. We will start to evaluate applications on December 1, 2017. Here is a link to the announcement and the site for applying: academicjobs.columbia.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=65051 Thanks and Best Wishes, Larry Abbott and Liam Paninski *Two Junior Faculty Position in Theoretical / Statistical Neuroscience* The Department of Neuroscience, the Department of Statistics, and the Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute at Columbia University invite applications for two tenure-track positions at the Assistant or Associate Professor level, to begin in 2018. One position will focus on theoretical neuroscience with an appointment in the Department of Neuroscience. The other position will focus on the application of statistics to neuroscience with an appointment in the Department of Statistics. Both positions will include appointments as well as office and laboratory space in the Center for Theoretical Neuroscience and the Grossman Center of the Statistics of Mind within the Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute housed in the Jerome L. Greene Science Center at Columbia. The Zuckerman Institute brings together scientists from diverse backgrounds whose research focuses on brain function, wiring, and development. We are seeking dynamic scientists interested in exploiting this multidisciplinary environment by interacting with Zuckerman Institute faculty as well as with others in the Columbia neuroscience, biological sciences, physical sciences, statistics, and machine learning communities, including the Data Science Institute. Zuckerman Institute faculty will function as full members of their home departments: tenure will be granted by the home department and faculty will contribute to teaching in their home departments and the Zuckerman Institute. Candidates will be expected to show expertise and an ability to lead a research program in theoretical and/or statistical neuroscience. Applicants are expected to have a strong record of scientific achievement and to demonstrate the ability to engage in innovative research and teaching. Applicants should hold a PhD in neuroscience, statistics, or a related area. Applications should be submitted through this link: academicjobs.columbia.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=65051 The following documents should be uploaded with your application: cover letter, CV, research plan, teaching statement, three letters of reference or a listing of at least three references that can be contacted, and the inclusion of one or two publications. Women and minorities are strongly encouraged to apply. We will start to evaluate applications on December 1, 2017. Columbia University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer --Race/Gender/Disability/Veteran.

Sept. 28, 2017

Postdoctoral position in theoretical neuroscience at NYU

by Cristina Savin

Applications are invited for a postdoctoral scholar position in the Savin group at NYU. We are looking for an innovative and enthusiastic researcher with a strong quantitative background (e.g. Math, Physics, Computer Science) and experience in Neuroscience research and/or Machine Learning. The lab uses theoretical tools based on machine learning and statistics to study the neural correlates of learning and memory at the circuit level. For information about recent publications and ongoing projects see: www.cns.nyu.edu/~csavin <http://www.cns.nyu.edu/~csavin> Potential topics include: - probabilistic computation in neural circuits and its neural signatures, with a focus on learning - circuit level models of memory that aim to explain human memory behavior The postdoc will be part of a large and intellectually vibrant community of researchers from the Center for Neuroscience and the Centre for Data Science at NYU. The position is funded for 2 years, with an initial one-year appointment and expectation of extension contingent on satisfactory progress. Please submit your application to csavin(a)nyu.edu <mailto:csavin@nyu.edu> including: - CV - a statement of research interests - contact details of three people that are familiar with your work

Sept. 27, 2017

Postdoctoral position in Virtual Neuroprosthesis

by Emmanuelle Tognoli

http://www.ccs.fau.edu/~tognoli/virtualNeuroprosthesis.html The BioRobotics Lab at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) invites applications for a NIH NIBIB-funded Postdoctoral position to develop a Virtual Neuroprosthesis aimed at providing a sense of touch in amputees and limb-absent people. Candidates should have a PhD in one of the following degrees: mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, biomedical engineering, bioengineering or related, with interest and/or experience in transdisciplinary work at the intersection of robotic hands, biology, and biomedical systems. Prior experience in the neural field will be considered an advantage, though not a necessity. Underrepresented minorities and women are warmly encouraged to apply. The postdoctoral researcher will be co-advised across the department of Mechanical Engineering and the Center for Complex Systems & Brain Sciences through an interdisciplinary team whose expertise spans Robotics, Microfluidics, Behavioral and Clinical Neuroscience and Orthopedic Surgery. The position will be for one year with a possibility of extension based on performance. Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. The application should include: (1) a cover letter with research interests and experiences, (2) a CV, (3) names and contact information for three professional references. Qualified candidates should send contact: tognoli(a)ccs.fau.edu -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

Sept. 27, 2017

PostDoctoral Position at the LMU (Munich) : dissection of functional cortical network dynamics

by Anton Sirota

*Post-Doctoral* position is available *immediately* at the laboratory of Prof. Anton Sirota at the Ludwig-Maximilians University München (Germany) for the research project that is part of international interdisciplinary collaborative research consortium BrainCom (http://www.braincom-project.eu) The goal of the project is to identify decoding capacity of the network dynamics across cortical circuits derived from the multichannel surface and depth cortical field potential recordings for applications to neuroprosthetics. As a corollary, we aim to develop, for the first time, experimentally-derived circuit-level forward model for the depth and surface cortical field potentials. The project will combine extracellular recordings using newly-developed very large scale high density multichannel arrays with optogenetic circuit-specific manipulation and quantitative behavior analysis in rodents, as well as novel analytical approaches. Project will be integrated into diverse and innovative research program of the Sirota lab (http://cogneuro.bio.lmu.de) Our laboratory is part of Bernstein Centre for Computational Neuroscience Munich (http://www.bccn-munich.de) Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (http://www.synergy-munich.de) and the Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences (http://www.gsn.uni-muenchen.de) Applicants are expected to be highly motivated, hard working, creative and capable of independent, analytical and critical thinking. PhD in neuroscience and a strong background in physics, computer science or engineering are required. Solid experience in in vivo electrophysiology, optogenetics and computational neuroscience is highly desirable. Strong quantitative and technical skills are a must. Good knowledge of signal processing and machine learning is a plus. Proficiency in English and good written and oral communication skills are a prerequisite. Good social and teamwork, as well as excellent organizational skills, are expected. Candidates are expected to have first author peer-reviewed publication record. Employment is according to the state employees salary scheme (TV-L/E13) and is initially for 1 year with the option for extension.Candidate selection will be open until the position is filled. LMU Munich is an equal opportunity employer. Applications of women and disabled persons, given similar qualification, are preferred. Applications should include a full CV, a 1 page statement of past experience, research interests, and career goals, along with contact information of at least 2 referees. Please, send your application electronically as a single PDF file to Dr Anton Sirota at sirota(a)bio.lmu.de

Sept. 27, 2017

Postdoctoral positions in theoretical neuroscience

by Brent Doiron

The Doiron group at the University of Pittsburgh (www.math.pitt.edu/~bdoiron) is currently seeking up to two postdoctoral fellows to work on cutting edge problems in theoretical neuroscience. Research topics include: 1) The genesis and consequences of neuronal variability in cortical networks 2) Biologically realistic modeling of assembly formation in cortical circuits 3) How learning and memory impact population codes All projects will involve heavy collaboration with several prominent experimental groups (primate and rodent) both in Pittsburgh as well as abroad. The positions are 3-year terms (contingent upon satisfactory progress) with competitive salary and benefits packages offered by the University of Pittsburgh. The successful candidate will join the Mathematics department at the University of Pittsburgh (www.math.pitt.edu) and will have strong ties to the Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition in Pittsburgh (http://www.cnbc.cmu.edu) Candidates should have a Ph.D. in computational neuroscience, mathematics, physics, or engineering and have an excellent track record of scholarship. The University of Pittsburgh is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from under-represented groups. Interested persons should send their CV, a cover letter stating research interests and career goals, and names and contact information of two references to bdoiron(a)pitt.edu . The competition will remain open until the positions are filled. Best Brent -- Professor of Mathematics Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition University of Pittsburgh 301 Thackeray Hall Pittsburgh, PA, 15260 www.math.pitt.edu/~bdoiron

Sept. 27, 2017

Job Announcement: Computational Neuroscience RA

by Stacie Warren

Dear Colleagues, A Computational Neuroscience Research Assistant position is currently available at Palo Alto University to support the Clinical Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience Programs directed by Stacie L. Warren, PhD and Tilman Schulte, PhD. This is an exciting opportunity to work on a range of cognitive and affective studies that focus on executive function, emotion regulation, stress responsivity, reward processing, and aging on neural circuitry. Populations of interest include healthy adults, adults with or at risk for developing psychopathology, and neurological disorders. Opportunities to develop and apply novel data analysis techniques, to co-author research publications, and to assist with similar studies in children through a partnership with Stanford University are also available. Primary Responsibilities: Developing software/scripts to implement algorithms for data quality control, preprocessing, analysis, and management. Developing and implementing statistical/mathematical modeling (e.g., machine learning algorithms) to characterize high-dimensional datasets. Assisting with analyzing neuroimaging research data using neuroimaging-specific programs and/or software (e.g., FSL, Freesurfer, SPM, AFNI). Qualifications: BA/BS in a relevant field by the time of appointment. Proficiency in programming (e.g., Matlab, Python, C/C++, java) and shell scripting. Proficiency with Linux OS and file system. Experience with any of the following: signal and image processing, machine learning, statistical/mathematical modeling. Excellent organizational and interpersonal communication skills are required. Strong background in biomedical engineering, computer science, applied mathematics, statistics, computational neuroscience, quantitative psychology, or related subjects. Experience in neuroimaging data analysis is desired. A two-year commitment is required. This is a full-time position with a competitive salary and benefits. To apply, send a CV, a cover letter stating your research interests and career goals, and contact information for three references to swarren(a)paloaltou.edu. Review of applications will begin immediately. -- Stacie L. Warren, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Program Palo Alto University 1791 Arastradero Rd. Palo Alto, CA 94304 email: swarren(a)paloaltou.edu <staciewarren3(a)gmail.com>

Sept. 26, 2017

Postdoctoral positions in neural coding - IIT Rovereto, Italy

by Stefano Panzeri

We are seeking candidates for up to three postdoctoral position in computational neuroscience in the Neural Computation Laboratory at the IIT ( http://cncs.iit.it/labs/neural-computation ) directed by Stefano Panzeri ( https://www.iit.it/people/stefano-panzeri) and located in Rovereto (Trento), Italy. This laboratory aims to crack the neural code using neural network modeling and computational analyses of neurophysiological experiments. The laboratory offers a range of strongly interdisciplinary expertise in computational neuroscience, including information theory and other types of advanced single-trial neural analyses, advanced spectral analysis, and biophysically plausible neural network modeling. The successful candidate will develop and use tools for the analysis of large-scale simultaneous recordings of the spiking activity of cells in the cortex to understand how populations of neurons carry information. The successful candidate would have the opportunity to benefit from an extensive set of existing collaborations with leading neurophysiological laboratories, including those of Nikos Logothetis at Max Planck Tubingen (collaborating on oscillations, sensory information coding and neuromodulation), Tommaso Fellin at IIT (collaborating on Optogenetics, Neurophysiology and Neural coding), Mathew Diamond at SISSA (collaborating on the behavioral impact of information carried by spike timing), and Christopher Harvey at Harvard Medical School (collaborating on neural population dynamics and decision making). We are willing to consider candidates interested in any of the aspects of neural coding of interest to the laboratory. Candidates must hold a PhD in a numerate scientific discipline. They must be highly motivated and creative individuals who want to work in a dynamic, multi-disciplinary research environment and be willing to interact with both experimental and theoretical neuroscientists. For reference to recent work of the lab please see : Runyan C. A., et al (2017) Distinct timescales of population coding across cortex, Nature: 548: 92-96. Panzeri S., et al (2017) Cracking the neural code for sensory perception by combining statistics, intervention and behaviour. Neuron 93: 491-507 Safaai, H., et al (2015) Modelling the effect of Locus Coeruleous firing on single trial cortical state dynamics and sensory processing. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 112(41): 12834–12839 Zuo Y, et al (2015) Spike timing and spike rate make complementary contributions to perceptual decisions in rat S1 and S2 cortex. Current Biology 25: 357-363 Besserve M, et al (2015) Shifts of gamma phase across primary visual cortical sites reflect dynamic stimulus- modulated information transfer. PLoS Biology 13(9): e1002257 The formal deadline for applications is Oct 15th 2017. However, interested candidates are advised to contact informally Stefano Panzeri ( stefano.panzeri(a)iit.it) *as soon as possible*. The formal application should be sent by email to selezioni(a)iit.it and to Stefano Panzeri (*stefano.panzeri(a)iit.it) <stefano.panzeri(a)iit.it)>*. The formal application should contain the applicant’s CV, a brief statement of research interests, and names and email addresses of 2 or 3 referees. Thanks Stefano Panzeri

Sept. 26, 2017

postdoctoral positions in brain-inspired computing at Sandia National Laboratories

by Chance, Frances S.

**apologies for the multiple emails from Sandia – this is an advertisement for a separate postdoctoral position than the computational neuroscience postdoc that was advertised last week. I’m very excited to see the neuroscience community at Sandia grow - I think a number of persons on this list have appropriate backgrounds for either position and would encourage those persons to apply to both. Colleagues, We are seeking a Postdoctoral Appointee to join an interdisciplinary research program focused on state-of-the-art computational and mathematical approaches and applications for brain-inspired computing. The neural computing group includes researchers with expertise in machine learning, cognitive science, neuroscience, physics, engineering, mathematics, and data analytics. Current research topics of interest include developing neural models and novel adaptive machine learning algorithms, as well as applying machine learning to develop new neuromorphic computing approaches. Some information on Sandia's neural-inspired computing research can be found at http://neuroscience.sandia.gov/. To apply, visit http://www.sandia.gov/careers/ and click "View All Jobs". Enter "658203" into the search box to locate this posting. For questions please contact William Severa (wmsever(a)sandia.gov<mailto:wmsever@sandia.gov<mailto:wmsever@sandia.gov%3cmailto:wmsever@sandia.gov>>) or Craig Vineyard (cmviney(a)sandia.gov<mailto:cmviney@sandia.gov<mailto:cmviney@sandia.gov%3cmailto:cmviney@sandia.gov>>). Additionally, we also encourage potential applicants to consider several of Sandia's laboratory wide fellowships for recent PhD graduates, including the John von Neumann Fellowship (http://www.sandia.gov/careers/students_postdocs/fellowships/johnvonneumann_…) in computational sciences and the inaugural Jill Hruby Fellowship (http://www.sandia.gov/careers/students_postdocs/fellowships/hruby_fellowshi…) While an offer of employment is not contingent upon receiving one of these fellowships, a number of them do have deadlines in the coming months.

Sept. 25, 2017

Research Associate in Functional Brain Mapping

by Dheeraj Rathee

*Dear All,* *Research Associate in Functional Brain Mapping * Applications are invited for a Post-Doctoral Research Associate (PDRA) in functional brain mapping (FBM) to work on a project aimed at discovering neuromarkers that facilitate stratification of patients with Alzheimer´s disease. The position is currently for 2 years, with possibility for further extension subject to securing funder’s approval. *Ref*( http://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/BEA525/research-associate-in-functional-brain-map… ) : 2752/ 1672326 *Location:* Ulster University, Magee campus, Derry~Londonderry, Northern Ireland, UK. *Salary*: £27,300 to £40,015 *Closing Date*: 4th October 2017 *Duties: *The successful candidate will use MEG data recorded during cognitive tasks, stimulations, and resting state protocols to explore functional connectivity and other appropriate measures for characterizing individuals with different stages of AD and detecting individuals at the risk of developing AD. S/he will also develop and evaluate methods for assessing treatment effects on individuals with AD in collaboration with industry. *Northern Ireland Functional Brain Mapping (NIFBM) facility: *The NIFBM is located at the Intelligent Systems Research Centre ( https://www.ulster.ac.uk/research/institutes/computer-science/groups/intell… ) of Ulster University, Magee campus, Derry~Londonderry. It is the only brain imaging facility anywhere in Ireland and only one of nine in whole of UK to use a state-of-the-art magnetoencephalography (MEG) to measure brain activity. The facility attracts clinicians and researchers from across Northern Ireland as well as Republic of Ireland. It is equipped with the latest whole head 306 channels Elekta Neuromag MEG TRIUX system, which also includes a 128-channel EEG recording system. We offer several advanced techniques for brain stimulation and analysis that allow us to obtain better results and guarantee a high quality service for both research and clinical applications. The ISRC is a major research unit in the Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment and hosts around 80 researchers including academic staff, research associates and PhD students organized in four research teams: Neural Systems and Neuro-technology, Computational Neuroscience and Neural Engineering, Cognitive Robotics, and Ambient Intelligence and Virtual Worlds. Based at ISRC, the successful candidate will have an opportunity to interact with researchers from related ISRC teams as well as Biomedical Sciences Research Institute (5* research rating), and the recently developed Centre for Stratified Medicine at Ulster University. *Eligibility Requirements: *An eligible candidate should have a degree in Computing Science, Electronic Engineering, Physics, or a closely related discipline, or a higher degree in the same or related subjects. Applicants with other relevant degrees e.g. medicine, psychology, neuroscience or biomedical sciences may also be considered, subject to demonstration of substantial neuroimaging expertise. A PhD degree in an area relevant to the post is also an essential requirement. It is also required that a candidate: - Has extensive hands-on EEG/MEG experience including protocol design, setting up experiments and stimulations, and data acquisition; - Has strong skills and expertise in EEG/MEG analysis using modern tools such as Fieldtrip, SPM, MNE, and/or Brainstorm; - Has research track record in cognitive or clinical neuroscience supported by at least two high quality journal publications suitable for submission in to UK’s Research Excellence Framework (REF); - Is a self-motivated individual, enjoys working in a team and interacting with researchers and study participants. Please apply on-line by visiting either our university web-site http://www.ulster.ac.uk/jobs or the advertisement appearing at: http://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/BEA525/research-associate-in-functional-brain-map… For more information, please contact Prof. Girijesh Prasad, Principal Investigator & Director NIFBM facility. E-mail: g.prasad(a)ulster.ac.uk, Phone: 028 71675645. -------------------------------------------------------- [image: Ulster University] <http://www.ulster.ac.uk/> *Prof. Girijesh Prasad*, Professor of Intelligent Systems, Director, Northern Ireland Functional Brain Mapping facility for MEG studies, Intelligent Systems Research Centre, School of Computing & Intelligent Systems, Faculty of Computing & Engineering, Ulster University, Magee campus, Derry~ Londonderry BT48 7JL, N. Ireland, UK. *T:* +44 - (0)28 71 - 675645, 675409 *E:* g.prasad(a)ulster.ac.uk *W:* https://www.ulster.ac.uk/staff/g.prasad.html https://www.ulster.ac.uk/research/institutes/computer-science/groups/intell… *--------------------------* *Thanks & Regards* *Dheeraj Rathee* PhD Student Intelligent Systems Research Centre | Faculty of Computing and Engineering Ulster University (Magee Campus ) Northland Road, Derry Northern Ireland, UK BT 48 7JL Email Id: dheeraj.rathee(a)gmail.com | rathee-d(a)email.ulster.ac.uk Contact : +447459549514 Skype : dheeraj.rathee || Research Gate <https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Dheeraj_Rathee> || LinkedIn <https://in.linkedin.com/pub/dheeraj-rathee/97/162/2a8?domainCountryName=Ind…> *A 'Peaceful' Mind is a 'Productive' Mind. * *CONFIDENTIALITY NOTE : The information transmitted, including attachments, is intended only for the person(s) or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any review, re-transmission, dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon this information by person(s) or entities other than the intended recipient(s) is prohibited. If you have received this mail in error , please notify the sender and destroy any copies of the information. * * *************END OF DISCLAIMER*************** *

Sept. 25, 2017

Fully funded PhD student positions at IMPRS Brain and Behavior Bonn/Florida

by Jakob Macke

The INTERNATIONAL MAX PLANCK RESEARCH SCHOOL (IMPRS) FOR BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR is a transatlantic collaboration between the University of Bonn and the Max Planck associated Center for Advanced European Science and Research (caesar) along with the USA partners Florida Atlantic University and the Max Planck Florida Institute for Neuroscience (MPFI). We seek to fill at least 15 fully funded PhD student positions - NEUROSCIENCE OUR SCHOOL: The first of its kind to unite two Max Planck Institutes (caesar and MPFI) on both sides of the Atlantic, and their university partners (Bonn University and FAU): the IMPRS FOR BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR offers a competitive, English language, interdisciplinary, world-class PhD training and research program in the neurosciences. OUR RESEARCH: IMPRS for Brain and Behavior research projects address how sensory information is encoded in neural circuits and is transformed ultimately to behavior. This research ranges from understanding molecular signaling cascades in spines during learning to understanding how sensory and motor circuits are activated in the awake behaving animal. THE POSITIONS: More than 35 labs with an enormous variety of research projects are seeking outstanding PhD candidates to join their research. See our website for further information on our faculty and possible doctoral projects. Successful candidates will work in a young and dynamic, interdisciplinary, international environment, embedded in the local scientific communities in Bonn or Jupiter. YOUR PROFILE: Highly qualified and motivated aspiring PhD student from any nationality. Proven track record of academic and research excellence. Master’s degree (or equivalent) in biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer science, engineering, or other relevant subject. Truly superior bachelor students may be considered. Fluency in written and spoken English. OUR OFFER: Immersion in a stimulating scientific culture of interaction and international cooperation. State-of-the art facilities with novel scientific technologies and advanced infrastructure. Dedicated support and mentoring personnel. Competitive salary funded for 3 years (extension possible) and no tuition fees. We are committed to diversity and equal opportunity for all applicants. Positions must be started not later than October 1, 2018. YOUR APPLICATION: Apply online at: http://www.imprs-brain-behavior.mpg.de by the December 1, 2017 deadline. Only applications submitted through the online portal will be considered! Short-listed candidates will be interviewed in March 12-13, 2018. CONTACT: Denise Butler, Coordinator (IMPRS.info(a)caesar.de)

Sept. 25, 2017

Several postdoctoral research positions in Statistical Neuroscience

by xaq pitkow

POSITION: We seek several highly motivated postdoctoral research fellows for a collaborative team project building statistical tools for interpreting large scale neural recordings. The fellows will develop new methods and applications of probabilistic graphical models to infer statistical interactions amongst neurons and with their environment. The tools will be validated in neural network simulations, tested in physiological recordings, and made widely available to the neuroscience community for understanding data from next-generation experiments. TEAM: Fellows will join principal investigators and theorists Krešimir Josić, Genevera Allen, Xaq Pitkow, Ankit Patel, and Robert Rosenbaum. The team will interact closely with experimentalists including co-Investigator Andreas Tolias and several other labs interested in applying novel methods we develop. Fellows will also be members of the new Center for Neuroscience and Artificial Intelligence housed at the Baylor College of Medicine and supported in part by the NSF NeuroNex program. The Center brings together interdisciplinary researchers from across Houston, including members from Baylor College of Medicine, Rice University, University of Houston, and University of Texas Health Sciences. Researchers at the Center contribute diverse expertise in fields including neuroscience, machine learning, statistics, physics, computer science, electrical engineering, and applied mathematics. QUALIFICATIONS: Candidates must have outstanding mathematical skills, a PhD in a relevant quantitative discipline, and expertise in probabilistic graphical models or statistical machine learning. APPLYING: Applicants should email a letter of research interests and CV to Camila Lopez (Camila.Lopez(a)bcm.edu) along with contact information for three references. We look forward to hearing from you!

Sept. 20, 2017

AMCOS save the date

by AMCOS Conference

SAVE THE DATE *AMCOS –** Analysis and Modeling of Complex Oscillatory Systems* March 19-23, 2018 Barcelona, Spain The *AMCOS conference* aims at bringing together renowned experts and young researchers who work on the modeling of complex systems and the emergence of collective phenomena, as well as on the analysis of complex data sets in order to infer structure and functionality of networks. Accompanying *tutorials* by leading experts will interactively introduce the different conference themes. Do you want to present your work? *Registration and abstract submission opens October 15, 2017*. More info at amcosconference.com. *Date and Venue* Tutorials: March 19, 2018 Conference: March 20 - 23, 2018 PRBB <http://www.prbb.org/>, Parc de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona *List of speakers* (*TBC) - Peter Ashwin, - Ernest Barreto, - Ginestra Bianconi*, - Raffaella Burioni, - Dante R. Chialvo, - Gustavo Deco, - Alain Destexhe*, - Albert Díaz-Guilera, - Jordi Garcia-Ojalvo, - Wulfram Gerstner*, - Leon Glass, - Sonja Grün, - Cristina Masoller, - Yamir Moreno, - Florian Mormann, - Hiroya Nakao*, - Diego Pazó, - Juan G. Restrepo, - Alex Roxin, - Tilo Schwalger*, - Damián H. Zanette. *Topics covered* synchronization and nonlinear dynamics - dynamics on networks - connectivity and network inference - data analysis in neuroscience - critical phenomena - neural field models - computational neuroscience - complex oscillatory behaviour in physiology *Tutorials* Leading experts in the field will introduce the different conference themes interactively in tutorials on the first day of the conference week. The speakers are: - Ralph G. Andrzejak, - Arkady Pikovsky, - Michael Rosenblum, - Aneta Stefanovska. A (tentative) list of topics comprises basic theory of synchronization, synchronization approach to data analysis, basic concepts of nonlinear time series analysis, and time series analysis of non-autonomous dynamics. The participants are required to bring laptops installed with MATLAB/Octave if they want to take part in the practical activities. *Organizers* The doctoral students (Early Stage Researchers <http://www.uni-potsdam.de/cosmos-itn/people/early-stage-researchers-esrs/>) of the H2020 Marie Curie project COSMOS <http://www.uni-potsdam.de/cosmos-itn/> . For further information see amcosconference.com or contact us via e-mail < amcosconference(a)upf.edu>. Please forward to anyone interested.

Sept. 20, 2017

postdoctoral positions in computational neuroscience at Sandia National Laboratories

by Chance, Frances S.

Colleagues, We are seeking a Postdoctoral Appointee to join an interdisciplinary research program focused on understanding neural computation at the circuit level. The neural computing group includes researchers with expertise in machine learning, cognitive science, neuroscience, physics, engineering, mathematics, and data analytics. Current research topics of interest include computational models of retina, visual cortex (or the neural circuitry underlying perception), and the hippocampus. More information on Sandia’s neuroscience research can be found at http://neuroscience.sandia.gov/. We are also encouraging potential applicants to look at several of Sandia’s laboratory wide fellowships for recent PhD graduates, including the John von Neumann Fellowship (http://www.sandia.gov/careers/students_postdocs/fellowships/johnvonneumann_…) in computational sciences and the inaugural Jill Hruby Fellowship (http://www.sandia.gov/careers/students_postdocs/fellowships/hruby_fellowshi…) While an offer of employment is not contingent upon receiving one of these fellowships, a number of them do have deadlines in the coming months. To apply, visit http://www.sandia.gov/careers/ and click "View All Jobs". Enter “658202” into the search box to locate this posting. For questions please contact Frances Chance (fschanc(a)sandia.gov<mailto:fschanc@sandia.gov>) or Brad Aimone (jbaimon(a)sandia.gov<mailto:jbaimon@sandia.gov>).

Sept. 19, 2017

post-doc positions to work on integrated information theory (IIT) with Prof. Giulio Tononi at University of Wisconsin-Madison

by Larissa Albantakis

*Post-doc position(s) to work on Integrated Information Theory (IIT) * Prof. Giulio Tononi, University of Wisconsin, Madison Several postdoctoral positions are available at the Wisconsin Institute for Sleep and Consciousness in the laboratory of Prof. Giulio Tononi to study complex systems within the framework of integrated information theory (IIT). Immediate funding is available for a range of projects including the foundational development of IIT’s mathematical framework, the development of practical measures of integrated information, and their applications to complex systems (biological and artificial). *Required:* - Strong training in an analytically rigorous discipline such as theoretical or computational biology/neuroscience, physics, mathematics, computer science, or engineering - Programming experience (knowledge of MATLAB, Python, and/or C++ is of advantage) * Preferred:* - Experience in information theory and complex systems - Interest in the philosophy of causation Appointments are renewable from year to year for up to three years, starting as soon as possible or until the positions are filled. Postdoc salaries correspond to the National Institutes of Health National Research Service Award (NRSA) stipend schedule for postdoc trainees, based on number of years of postdoctoral experience. Candidates should send a CV, brief statement (500 words maximum) describing their research interests and potential role within the lab, and email addresses and phone numbers of three references to: Giulio Tononi, MD, PhD (gtononi(a)wisc.edu) Note that generic applications will not be considered. To demonstrate a real interest in IIT, we strongly recommend applicants calculate the Φ value of a small network—three fully connected XOR logic gates, without self-loops, in state 0, 0, 0 (all off)—using the IIT online interface and include the result in the application email. For more information, see http://integratedinformationtheory.org/, or contact Larissa Albantakis, PhD (albantakis(a)wisc.edu) or William Marshall, PhD (wmarshall3(a)wisc.edu) -- Larissa Albantakis, PhD Department of Psychiatry University of Wisconsin 6001 Research Park Blvd Madison, WI 53719

Sept. 19, 2017