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MESEC WORKSHOP 2024: Non-ordinary States of Consciousness
by RUBÉN HERZOG May 15, 2024

May 15, 2024

Dear comp-neuro-list readers *We invite you to apply to the MESEC WORKSHOP 2024 on Non-ordinary states of consciousness* Join us for an interdisciplinary workshop that brings together researchers from various fields to investigate non-ordinary states of consciousness, such as those induced by psychedelics, meditation, and hypnosis. This collaborative event provides a unique opportunity to engage with leading experts and explore these states from both first-person and third-person perspectives. This unique 7-day interdisciplinary workshop, held from August 31st to September 8th in the beautiful setting of Campomoro, Corsica, brings together researchers from various fields to explore states of consciousness induced by psychedelics, meditation, hypnosis, and more. Participants will work closely with keynote speakers to create research proposals integrating insights from multiple perspectives. The scientific chair is the esteemed Thomas Metzinger, past president of the German Cognitive Science Society and the Association for the Scientific Study of Consciousness. Confirmed speakers include: * Christopher Timmerman, Imperial College London * Aviva Berkovich-Ohana, University of Haifa * Katrin Preller, University of Zurich * Guillaume Dumas, University de Montréal The workshop offers a stimulating environment to gain exposure to diverse methodologies, contribute to advancing consciousness research, and develop new collaborations. Postdocs and PhD students interested in expanding their knowledge are encouraged to apply. Participation fees of €750 cover 8 nights accommodation, meals, airport transport, and the workshop fee. As we are trying to make our event as inclusive and accessible as possible, bursaries based on the quality of the application are available to help cover costs for those who need assistance to attend. Don't miss this opportunity - submit your application at https://mesec.co/event/seminar_2024 by May 18th! Feel free to reach out to info(a)mesec.co with any questions. Best regards, On behalf of the The MESEC 2024 Team Rubén Herzog, PhD.

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Postdoctoral position in "Higher-order interactions in brain networks" (Marseille, France)
by Andrea Brovelli May 14, 2024

May 14, 2024

Postdoctoral position (1+1 years duration) Centre de Physique Théorique, Marseille <http://www.cpt.univ-mrs.fr/> and Institut des Neurosciences de la Timone, Marseille <https://www.int.univ-amu.fr/> Project Title: Higher-order interactions in human brain networks supporting causal learning Supervisors:Alain Barrat (CPT, Marseille) <http://www.cpt.univ-mrs.fr/~barrat>andAndrea Brovelli (INT, Marseille) <https://www.int.univ-amu.fr/member/brovelli.a> *Project abstract*: Learning is a brain network phenomenon thought to arise from synergistic interactions between multiple brain regions. Although central, this hypothesis has never been fully tested, yet. Indeed, progress has been limited by the lack of approaches for studying brain interactions beyond pairwise relations, the so-called higher order interactions (HOIs). Our objective is to build a theoretical and data analysis framework to demonstrate the role of HOIs in human brain networks supporting causal learning. The Hinteract project will be composed of three scientific work packages (WPs). WP1 will develop a novel informational theoretical approach to infer task-related (functional) HOIs from neural time series and will characterise HOIs supporting causal learning using a multiscale dataset including magnetoencephalography (MEG) and intracranial stereo-electroencephalography (SEEG) data. WP2 will develop a network science formalism to analyse the structure and dynamics of functional HOIs patterns, and it will characterise the hierarchical organisation of learning-related HOIs inferred in WP1. WP3 will compile and share the neuroinformatics tools developed in the project and it will make it interoperable with the EBRAINS infrastructure. Overall, our project will reveal whether causal learning is supported by cerebral HOIs, and produce a theoretical and computational framework for the study of HOIs in brain networks that will be shared with the scientific community. Workpackages: WP1: Inference of learning-related high-order interactions in the brain WP2: Analysis of learning-related high-order interactions in the brain using network science approaches WP3: Integrated neuroinformatics tools for HOI analysis and sharing on EBRAINS infrastructure The _hired postdoctoral researcher will mainly work on WP2_, i.e., on the development of new formalisms and methods to apply to higher order interaction patterns identified in the data analyzed in WP1. We are looking for a candidate with a strong background in statistical physics, complex networks, computational neuroscience and programming, and a strong interest in interdisciplinary work. Having already worked on higher order networks is a plus but not required. The hired postdoctoral researcher will be based in the CPT on the Luminy Campus (south of Marseille) but will also devote a significant part of their time at the INT in the La Timone campus. *Position starting date:*October 1st, 2024 (negotiable) *Duration of the position:*1 year, renewable *Deadline for applications: June 15th, 2024* *TO APPLY*: * please send CV and motivation letter, and * have your supervisors send directly two letters of recommendation, *within June 15th, 2024*to alain.barrat @ cpt.univ-mrs.fr*and*andrea.brovelli @ univ-amu.fr

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REMINDER: World wide VVTNS series: Wednesday, May 15 at 11am (EDT), Agostina Palmigiano, Gastby Unit, London | Mechanisms underlying responses to optogenetic perturbations
by David Hansel May 14, 2024

May 14, 2024

[image: VVTNS.png] https://www.wwtns.online - on twitter: wwtns@TheoreticalWide You are cordially invited to the lecture given by Agostina Palmigiano Gatsby Unit, London on the topic of "Mechanisms underlying responses to optogenetic perturbations*"* The lecture will be held on zoom on *May 15, 2024*, at *11:00 am EDT * To receive the zoom link: https://www.wwtns.online/register-page *Abstract: *Optogenetic stimulation is a powerful tool to probe neural circuits. Yet, its effect on neural dynamics can be counterintuitive. Here, we analyzed and theoretically modeled neuronal responses to visual and optogenetic inputs in mouse and monkey V1. We found that in both species, optogenetic activation of excitatory neurons had weak or no effects on the distribution of firing rates across the population, but strongly modulated single-cell activity, a phenomenon which we call neuronal reshuffling. Through theoretical analysis and numerical investigations, we show that neuronal reshuffling emerges in strongly-coupled, randomly-connected networks via strong feedback inhibition, provided that the optogenetic input is sufficiently heterogeneous and weak. As perfect reshuffling was observed only when measuring cells whose orientation preference matched the orientation of the presented stimulus (in the monkey data), we extended our analysis to networks with a connection probability and inputs that depend on the cell's feature preference. We show that this model can be theoretically described as interactions between the tuned activity, encoding sensory features, and the untuned baseline activity. Finally, we show that these models can produce rate reshuffling via strong, effective inhibition of the tuned response by the untuned baseline and work out an intuition for this phenomenon. *About VVTNS : Created as the World Wide Neuroscience Seminar (WWTNS) in November 2020 and renamed in homage to Carl van Vreeswijk in Memoriam (April 20, 2022), its aim is to be a platform to exchange ideas among theoreticians. Speakers have the occasion to talk about theoretical aspects of their work which cannot be discussed in a setting where the majority of the audience consists of experimentalists. The seminars, **held on Wednesdays at 11 am ET,** are 45-50 min long followed by a discussion. The talks are recorded with authorization of the speaker and are available to everybody on our YouTube channel.* ᐧ ᐧ ᐧ ᐧ ᐧ ᐧ

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Summer School in Computational Neuroscience, Neurotechnology and Neuro-inspired AI
by O'Donnell, Cian May 14, 2024

May 14, 2024

We invite applications for our 4th annual Summer School in Computational Neuroscience, Neurotechnology and Neuro-inspired AI (ISRC-CN3), hosted at the Intelligent Systems Research Centre (ISRC) in the Derry/Londonderry campus of Ulster University, Northern Ireland. The School runs from August 26th to 30th 2024 in hybrid mode with both in-person and online attendees. There have been rapid advancements and investments in research and development in brain sciences, neurotechnology, neural data modelling and neuro-inspired artificial intelligence (AI). The Computational Neuroscience, Neurotechnology and Neuro-inspired AI (CN3) Summer School aims to train the next generation of researchers on these state-of-the-art developments. This short course will touch on the areas of computational neuroscience, neural data science, neurotechnology and neuro-inspired AI. Current lecture list (to be finalised): * Introductory neuroscience * Mathematics for neuroscience * Computational modelling of plasticity and learning in brains * Computational modelling of neuronal and glial interactions * Modelling the dynamics of decision-making * Neural Signal Processing * Brain Hyperscanning * Neurotechnology and its application for disorders of consciousness * BCI-controlled exoskeleton for neuro-rehabilitation * Spiking Neural Networks and their applications * Introduction to Continual Learning * Neuro-inspired Large Language Models * Neuromorphic Computing and Applications * Research ethics in Neuroscience, Neurotechnology and AI There will also be daily computer lab sessions and group projects. How is this course different to other schools? Some key benefits: * Crash-course on a broad set of topics. * Compressed 5-day duration. * Targeted at people new to or curious about these fields, who want to learn more. Little background knowledge assumed. * Registration costs kept low and subsidised housing, to encourage a diverse attendee pool. The 2023 School hosted 143 participants from 34 countries, with 41 attending in-person. The school is primarily targeted at PhD student level but we also welcome applications from MSc students, postdoctoral researchers, academic faculty, and industrial researchers. Some attendee feedback: * “… mind-opening experience …to listen to the great work of top-notch researchers” * “…friendly environment which I felt even in online experience” * “…lectures were not only interesting on their own but were ordered in such a way that they built on top of each other …and I felt I had built a good foundation on various topics in neuroscience that I can revisit later” For more information and application, please visit the website at: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/faculties/computing-engineering-and-the-built-envi… Deadline for In-Person Application: 15 June 2024 Deadline for Online Application: 10 August 2024 This email and any attachments are confidential and intended solely for the use of the addressee and may contain information which is covered by legal, professional or other privilege. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager at postmaster(a)ulster.ac.uk and delete this email immediately. Any views or opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Ulster University. The University's computer systems may be monitored and communications carried out on them may be recorded to secure the effective operation of the system and for other lawful purposes. Ulster University does not guarantee that this email or any attachments are free from viruses or 100% secure. Unless expressly stated in the body of a separate attachment, the text of email is not intended to form a binding contract. Correspondence to and from the University may be subject to requests for disclosure by 3rd parties under relevant legislation. The Ulster University was founded by Royal Charter in 1984 and is registered with company number RC000726 and VAT registered number GB672390524.The primary contact address for Ulster University in Northern Ireland is Cromore Road, Coleraine, Co. Londonderry BT52 1SA

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CFP COMPLEX NETWORKS 2024 Istanbul Turkey December 10 - 12, 2024
by Genevieve Jourdain-Lambert May 13, 2024

May 13, 2024

13 *th **International Conference on Complex Networks & Their Applications* Istanbul, Turkey December 10 - 12, 2024 COMPLEX NETWORKS 2024 <https://complexnetworks.org/> You are cordially invited to submit your contribution until *September 03, 2024*. *SPEAKERS* · Federico Battiston <https://people.ceu.edu/federico_battiston> Central European University, Austria · Tina Eliassi-Rad <https://www.khoury.northeastern.edu/people/tina-eliassi-rad/> Northeastern University, USA · Frank Emmert-Streib <https://www.tuni.fi/en/frank-emmert-streib> Tampere University, Finland · Filippo Menczer <https://cnets.indiana.edu/fil/> Indiana University, USA · Luciano Pietronero <http://www.lucianopietronero.it/> University of Rome, Italy *TUTORIALS (December 09, 2024)* · Alessandro Galeazzi <https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=DK0tXAIAAAAJ&hl=en> University of Padova, Italy · Clara Stegehuis <https://www.clarastegehuis.nl/> Twente University, The Netherlands *PUBLICATION* Full papers (not previously published up to 12 pages) and Extended Abstracts (about published or unpublished research up to 4 pages) are welcome. · *Papers *will be included in the conference *proceedings edited by Springer* · *Extended abstracts* will be published in the *Book of Abstracts (with ISBN)* Extended versions will be invited for publication in *special issues of international journals:* o PLOS Complex Systems <https://journals.plos.org/complexsystems/> edited by PLOS <https://plos.org/>. o PLOS <https://journals.plos.org/plosone/> One <https://journals.plos.org/plosone/> edited by PLOS <https://plos.org/> o Applied Network Science <https://appliednetsci.springeropen.com/> edited by Springer Nature <https://www.springernature.com/gp> o Social Network Analysis and Mining <https://link.springer.com/journal/13278> edited by Springer Nature <https://www.springernature.com/gp> o Entropy <https://www.mdpi.com/journal/entropy> edited by MDPI <https://www.mdpi.com/> o Advances in Complex Systems <https://www.worldscientific.com/toc/acs/24/02> edited by World Scientific o Complex Systems Journal <https://www.complex-systems.com/> *SUBMISSION:* *https://cmt3.research.microsoft.com/COMPLEXNETWORKS2024/* <https://cmt3.research.microsoft.com/COMPLEXNETWORKS2024/> *TOPICS* *Topics include, but are not limited to: * o Models of Complex Networks o Structural Network Properties and Analysis o Complex Networks and Epidemics o Community Structure in Networks o Community Discovery in Complex Networks o Motif Discovery in Complex Networks o Network Mining o Network embedding methods o Machine learning with graphs o Dynamics and Evolution Patterns of Complex Networks o Link Prediction o Multilayer Networks o Network Controllability o Synchronization in Networks o Visual Representation of Complex Networks o Large-scale Graph Analytics o Social Reputation, Influence, and Trust o Information Spreading in Social Media o Rumour and Viral Marketing in Social Networks o Recommendation Systems and Complex Networks o Financial and Economic Networks o Complex Networks and Mobility o Biological and Technological Networks o Mobile call Networks o Bioinformatics and Earth Sciences Applications o Resilience and Robustness of Complex Networks o Complex Networks for Physical Infrastructures o Complex Networks, Smart Cities and Smart Grids o Political networks o Supply chain networks o Complex networks and information systems o Complex networks and CPS/IoT o Graph signal processing o Cognitive Network Science o Network Medicine o Network Neuroscience o Quantifying success through network analysis o Temporal and spatial networks o Historical Networks *GENERAL CHAIRS* Hocine Cherifi (University of Burgundy, France) Murat Donduran (Yildiz Technical University, Turkey) Luis M. Rocha (Binghamton University, USA) *PROGRAM CHAIRS* Chantal Cherifi (University of Lyon, France) Onur Varol (Sabanci University, Turkey

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position at NIH: Data Scientist and Senior Advisor to the Director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse
by Francisco Pereira May 13, 2024

May 13, 2024

The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) is seeking a GS-15 Data Scientist for the Office of the Director. The incumbent of this position will serve as a Data Scientist and Senior Advisor to the NIDA Director and other leadership positions, on matters related to health informatics and data science, data management, emerging technologies, opportunities for collaboration, data standards and policy within the scope of the NIDA mission. The incumbent will plan and carry out quality control programs and select statistical methods for use in quality control analysis and ensure the reliability and consistency of the data while measuring the data limitations. Additionally, the selectee will provide technical expertise and project leadership necessary to advance strategic initiatives in the use and effectiveness of data- and knowledge-driven methods in the organization; and develop collaborations with researchers and administrators applying technical expertise to support a variety of use cases related to neuroscience. Some of the duties include but are not limited to the following: - Serves as a principal advisor to the NIDA Director and senior leadership on health informatics and data science, data management, and emerging technologies. - Contribute as a recognized expert in the design and implementation of computer-based solutions, including tools, techniques and practices that broaden the use of NIDA data sets and knowledge bases and ensure access to research data throughout its lifecycle. - Serve as the Institute's subject matter expert (SME) on issues and matters related to new, novel, and/or emerging technologies and areas in data analytics and their application to supporting the Institute's research portfolio; business process improvements and enhancements; data policies related to privacy, accessibility, and interoperability; and applied data science. - Serve as a member of committees or workgroups at the agency or department level as well as on interdepartmental groups. In this capacity, the incumbent provides professional expertise as well as representing NIDA on matters relating to policy and interpretation of resource requirements for data science. - Represent the organization at professional meetings and conferences where the focus is addiction-related data science and neuroinformatics. The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree or graduate/higher level degree in mathematics, statistics, computer science, or data science. The successful candidate will also possess extensive knowledge of and documented experience working in neuroscience, addiction science, and/or substance use disorder research. The candidate must be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National. Foreign nationals or legal permanent residents are not eligible for consideration. https://www.usajobs.gov/job/782086300

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Research Positions at OIST Neural Computation Unit
by Kenji Doya May 12, 2024

May 12, 2024

Neural Computation Unit (prof. Kenji Doya) at Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) has multiple open research positions. 1. Theory and experimental investigation of Bayesian inference and reinforcement learning by the cortex, basal ganglia, and neuromodulator systems • Unified Theory of Prediction and Action: https://unifiedtheory.jp/en/organization/a03-doya/ • Moonshot R&D Program: https://www.jst.go.jp/moonshot/en/program/goal9/9D_miyazaki.html 2. Data-driven construction of neural network models and large-scale simulation • Brain/MINDS 2.0 Digital Brain Project: https://groups.oist.jp/ncu/digital-brain-project • Fugaku Whole Brain Simulation Project: https://brain-hpc.jp/en/ 3. Application of wearable devices for monitoring mind and body state to support healthy life • Bioconvergence Center of Innovation: https://bioconvergence.jp/en/ 4. Flexible and robust reinforcement learning and meta-learning algorithms 5. Development of smartphone robots for multi-agent learning and embodied evolution If you are interested, please visit our web site: https://groups.oist.jp/ncu and apply by the web form: https://groups.oist.jp/ncu/oist-neural-computation-unit-job-application-form If you are interested to join as a PhD student or an intern, please apply from OIST Graduate School admission site: https://admissions.oist.jp/ Best wishes, Kenji ---- Kenji Doya <doya(a)oist.jp> Neural Computation Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University 1919-1 Tancha, Onna, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan Phone: +81-98-966-8594; Fax: +81-98-966-2891 https://groups.oist.jp/ncu

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Positions at the University of Helsinki
by Rich, Scott May 10, 2024

May 10, 2024

Dear Comp-Neuro Listserv, I’m forwarding along this notice on behalf of a colleague. Apologies for any potential double postings! Happy to share that we are looking for two new systems neuroscientists and/or computational neuroscientists at the Neuroscience Center, University of Helsinki, Finland. The PI position is 5+4 years, salary is covered fully, and no teaching load. After the 9 years, it would be likely that a professor position would open up and the PI could apply for full profesor, but they could also obtain grants and stay as a PI in the Neuroscience Center without teaching. Finland is an awesome place to live and have a family. https://jobs.helsinki.fi/job/Helsinki-Two-group-leader-positions%2C-Neurosc… ___________ Sincerely, Scott Rich, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, University of Connecticut Department of Physiology and Neurobiology pnb.uconn.edu/person/scott-rich/ <http://pnb.uconn.edu/person/scott-rich/>richlab.pnb.uconn.edu<http://richlab.pnb.uconn.edu/>

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INCF/OCNS Software Working Group sessions: Pierre Yger: SpikeInterface: 14 May 1500 UTC
by Ankur Sinha May 9, 2024

May 9, 2024

Dear all, Apologies for the cross posts. Pierre Yger will present SpikeInterface at the next open INCF/OCNS Software Working Group (WG) session on May 14 at 1500 UTC. There will be a Q&A session after the presentation, followed by WG business. Please find the abstract and joining information below: - When: May 14, 1500 UTC - Where: Zoom (https://ucl.zoom.us/j/91017703246?pwd=RmdwMW9xL0FFaFVVL0Z6dUtnbkplZz09) - Web page: https://ocns.github.io/SoftwareWG/2024/05/07/wg-meeting-14-may-2024-spikein… Abstract: - https://elifesciences.org/articles/61834 - https://spikeinterface.readthedocs.io/en/latest/ Much development has been directed toward improving the performance and automation of spike sorting. This continuous development, while essential, has contributed to an over-saturation of new, incompatible tools that hinders rigorous benchmarking and complicates reproducible analysis. To address these limitations, we developed SpikeInterface, a Python framework designed to unify preexisting spike sorting technologies into a single codebase and to facilitate straightforward comparison and adoption of different approaches. With a few lines of code, researchers can reproducibly run, compare, and benchmark most modern spike sorting algorithms; pre-process, post-process, and visualize extracellular datasets; validate, curate, and export sorting outputs; and more. In this paper, we provide an overview of SpikeInterface and, with applications to real and simulated datasets, demonstrate how it can be utilized to reduce the burden of manual curation and to more comprehensively benchmark automated spike sorters. -- Thanks, Regards, Ankur Sinha (He / Him / His) | https://ankursinha.in Research Fellow at the Silver Lab, University College London | http://silverlab.org/ Free/Open source community volunteer at the NeuroFedora project | https://neuro.fedoraproject.org Time zone: Europe/London

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Summer School for Primate Cognitive Neuroscience 2024, Bad Bevensen, Germany
by Igor Kagan May 8, 2024

May 8, 2024

Dear colleagues, Applications are still being accepted for the third Summer School for Primate Cognitive Neuroscience <https://www.dpz.eu/index.php?id=4297>, taking place July 28 - August 09, 2024, in Bad Bevensen, Germany (see http://www.dpz.eu/pcn2024).The application deadline is May 17. This Summer School is intended for PhD students and early postdocs from the field of cognitive and systems neuroscience working with non-human primates and will provide an outstanding training and networking opportunity for young researchers. Teaching will focus on cognitive processes in primate sensory and motor systems as well as on social settings and decision making, and will include important and novel results and methodologies. Topics of animal welfare, ethics, and media outreach will also be covered. A poster presentation about current research of the participant is expected. Selection of applicants is competitive. Since funding of this School is mostly covered (including meals and accommodation for the two weeks), only a reduced participation fee is required (1000 EUR). A limited number of travel grants is also available for international participants. Organizers: Hans Scherberger Stefan Treue Alexander Gail Igor Kagan Raymundo Báez-Mendoza -- Dr. Igor Kagan Head of Decision and Awareness Group, German Primate Center (DPZ) Kellnerweg 4, Goettingen 37077, Germany

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Second Announcement: 9th Int. Summer School on Neuroengineering 'Massimo Grattarola’, June 10th – 14th, 2024 Genova ITALY
by Michela Chiappalone May 7, 2024

May 7, 2024

**DO NOT MISS THIS FANTASTIC OPPORTUNITY** Dear all, Join us in the beautiful city of Genova for the 9th International Summer School on Neuroengineering. The 2024 edition is dedicated to 'Neuroengineering for health and disease: a multi-scale approach'. Info, program, registration are available at: https://neuroengineering.eu/ The Best Poster Award for the three Best Posters (1st, 2nd, 3rd winners) will be awarded during the final ceremony on June 14th, 2024. **Early bird rates extended till May 15th Full List of Speakers: Luca Leonardo Bologna (CNR, Palermo, Italy) Matteo Cerri (University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy) Marco Chierici (Fondazione Bruno Kessler, Trento, Italy) Giuseppe Cosentino (Fondazione IRCCS Mondino, Pavia, Italy) Egidio D’Angelo (University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy) Elisa Donati (University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland) Tommaso Fellin (Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy) David J. Guggenmos (University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS, USA) Andreas Hierlemann (ETH Zurich, Basel, Switzerland) Viktor Jirsa (Aix Marseille Université, Marseille, France) Jean-Charles Mariani (Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rovereto, Italy) Maurizio Mattia (Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma, Italy) Alberto Mazzoni (Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna Pisa, Italy) Silvestro Micera (Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna Pisa, Italy & EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland) Farshad Moradi (Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark) Yuval Nir (Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel) Lino Nobili (IRCCS Ospedale Giannina Gaslini & University of Genova, Genova, Italy) Francesco Nori (Google Deepmind, London, UK) Domenico Pellegrini-Giampietro (University of Firenze, Firenze, Italy) Michele Piana (University of Genova, Genova, Italy) Petra Ritter (Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Berlin, Germany) Marianna Semprini (Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy) Cristina Tassorelli (University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy) Nicola Toschi (University of Roma Tor Vergata, Roma, Italy) Valter Tucci (Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Genova, Italy) Antonio Uccelli (IRCCS Ospedale Policlinico San Martino & University of Genova, Genova, Italy) Sheng Wang (NBE, Aalto University, Helsinki, Finland) Maike Zijlamns (UMC Brain Center and Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland, Utrecht, The Netherlands)) Organizers: * Gabriele Arnulfo, Michela Chiappalone, Marco Fato, Paolo Massobrio, Sergio Martinoia (University of Genova, Genova, Italy) * Lino Nobili (IRCCS Ospedale Giannina Gaslini & University of Genova, Genova, Italy) * Egidio D’Angelo (University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy) * Alberto Mazzoni (Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, Pisa, Italy) Feel free to get in touch with us to get more information at this email address: info(a)neuroengineering.unige.net<mailto:info@neuroengineering.unige.net> Looking forward to hosting you in Genova, Best regards, Michela Chiappalone, on behalf of the organizing committee ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prof. Michela Chiappalone, PhD Associate Professor of Bioengineering Department of Informatics, Bioengineering, Robotics, and Systems Engineering - DIBRIS UNIVERSITY OF GENOVA Via all’Opera Pia 13A, 16145 Genova E-mail: michela.chiappalone(a)unige.it<mailto:michela.chiappalone@unige.it> Researcher Rehab Technologies IIT-INAIL Lab ISTITUTO ITALIANO DI TECNOLOGIA Via Morego 30, 16163 Genova E-mail : michela.chiappalone(a)iit.it<mailto:michela.chiappalone@iit.it>

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INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN HEALTHCARE (AIiH)
by Jiaxiang ZHANG May 7, 2024

May 7, 2024

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IN HEALTHCARE (AIiH) 4 - 6 September 2024, Swansea, UK https://aiih.cc (1st CALL FOR ABSTRACT) [ apologies for cross-postings] Submission deadline: Monday 1 July (FIRM) *1. INTRODUCTION * https://aiih.cc/abstracts/ AIiH 2024 welcomes late-breaking short abstract submissions to be included as poster or short spot-light presentation at the conference. This is to both enable fast dissemination of promising preliminary findings and encourage attendance by a broader audience of early career researchers (including research students), healthcare professionals, and industrial practitioners. AIiH 2024 is a single track conference with oral and poster presentations and will include 5 keynote presentations. The conference will also feature a plenary session, which consists of 3 invited speakers who have extensive experiences in related areas. AIiH aims to provide a prominent platform for researchers and practitioners who are devoted to improving healthcare using modern artificial intelligence. We recognise that healthcare applications present complex and sometimes unique challenges across a wide spectrum, from ethics to technical developments, that generic AI methods are often inadequate. By creating this dedicated forum, we encourage discussions and disseminations of efficient and effective AI solutions and technologies for healthcare, and in turn we hope to influence the research, technology adoption, and decision making in healthcare. *2. KEYNOTE SPEAKERS* https://aiih.cc/keynote-speakers/ Prof. Hao Ni University College London Dr. Timothy Rittman Cambridge University Dr. Konstantinos Kamnitsas Oxford University Prof. Jacques Fleuriot Edinburgh University Prof. Eiichiro Tanaka Waseda University, Japan *3. PLENARY SESSION ON TRANSLATING AI RESEARCH INTO PRACTICE* https://aiih.cc/plenary-session/ Dr. Alba Di Pardo IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Mediterraneo Neuromed Dr. Noura Al Moubayed Durham University & Evergreen Life Dr. Haoda Fu Eli Lilly and Company *4. ABSTRACT SUBMISSION* Submission instructions are available at the conference website: https://aiih.cc/abstracts/ *5. IMPORTANT DATES* Abstract deadline: Monday 1 July (FIRM) Abstract notification: Monday 8 July (FIRM) Abstract registration: Monday 15 July Late registration: Monday 12 August Main conference: Wednesday 4 – Friday 6 September 2024 *5. ORGANISERS* CONFERENCE GENERAL CHAIRS Xianghua Xie, Swansea University, UK Iain Styles, Queen’s University Belfast, UK PROGRAMME CHAIRS Gibin Powathil, Swansea University, UK Marco Ceccarelli, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy SPECIAL SESSION CHAIRS Jiaxiang Zhang, Swansea University, UK Rex Ying, Yale University, USA SPONSORSHIP CHAIRS Daniele Cafolla, Swansea University, UK Raoul van Loon, Swansea University, UK PUBLICITY CHAIRS Lu Zhang, Swansea University, UK Beiyu Lin, University of Nevada, USA PUBLICATION CHAIR Jingjing Deng, Durham University, UK *6. SPONSORS* Gold: - Technis Blu - Infordata Silver: - Amicus Therapeutics Bronze: - Zienkiewicz Institute for Modelling, Data and AI - IET Institution of Engineering and Technology Your Researcher Sponsor: - Elsevier Journal of Theoretical Biology Best Paper Award Sponsor: - Springer *7. CONTACT* contact(a)aiih.cc

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Last call: Submit your IP abstract today for INCF Neuroinformatics Assembly!
by Heather Topple May 6, 2024

May 6, 2024

Today is the deadline to submit Investigator Presentation abstracts for INCF Neuroinformatics Assembly 2024: Brain Meets AI. Apply today to speak at Assembly! *Deadline: May 06* *Session topics include* - Data standards & reproducibility - Large-scale databasing & mega-analysis - Collaborative tools & more! Submit your abstract: bit.ly/INCFabstracts *Keynote speakers* Elisabeth Bik, Microbiome Digest Viktor Jirsa, INS Danilo BzDok, MILA Timo Dickscheid, Julich Research Hanchuan Peng, SEU-ALLEN /The INCF Team International Neuroinformatics Coordinating Facility Secretariat Karolinska Institutet. Nobels väg 15A, SE-171 77 Stockholm. Sweden <https://www.google.com/maps/search/Nobels+v%C3%A4g+15A,+SE-171+77+Stockholm…> incf.org neuroinformatics.incf.org

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World wide VVTNS series: Wednesday, May 8 at 11am (EDT), Douglas Zhou, Jiatong University| "Neuronal network reconstruction through causality measures"
by David Hansel May 5, 2024

May 5, 2024

[image: VVTNS.png] https://www.wwtns.online - on twitter: wwtns@TheoreticalWide You are cordially invited to the lecture given by Douglas Zhou Jiatong University on the topic of "Neuronal network reconstruction through causality measures*"* The lecture will be held on zoom on *May 8, 2024*, at *11:00 am EDT * To receive the zoom link: https://www.wwtns.online/register-page *Abstract: *Understanding the causal connectivity within a network is crucial for unraveling its functional dynamics. However，the inferred causal connections are fundamentally influenced by the choice of causality measure employed, which may not always align with the actual structural connectivity of the network. The relationship between causal and structural connectivity, especially how different causality measures affect the inferred causal links, requires further exploration. In this talk, we examine nonlinear networks characterized by pulse signal outputs, such as spiking neural networks, using four prevalent causality measures: time-delayed correlation coefficient, time-delayed mutual information, Granger causality, and transfer entropy. We provide a theoretical analysis of the interconnections among these measures when applied to pulse signals. Utilizing both a simulated Hodgkin–Huxley network and an empirical mouse brain network as case studies, we validate the quantitative relationships between these causality measures. Our results show a strong correspondence between the causal connectivity derived from any of these measures and the actual structural connectivity, thereby establishing a direct linkage between them. We highlight that structural connectivity in networks with output pulse signals can be reconstructed on a pairwise basis, without needing global information from all network nodes, effectively avoiding the curse of dimensionality. Our approach offers a robust and practical methodology for reconstructing networks based on pulse outputs. *About VVTNS : Created as the World Wide Neuroscience Seminar (WWTNS) in November 2020 and renamed in homage to Carl van Vreeswijk in Memoriam (April 20, 2022), its aim is to be a platform to exchange ideas among theoreticians. Speakers have the occasion to talk about theoretical aspects of their work which cannot be discussed in a setting where the majority of the audience consists of experimentalists. The seminars, **held on Wednesdays at 11 am ET,** are 45-50 min long followed by a discussion. The talks are recorded with authorization of the speaker and are available to everybody on our YouTube channel.* ᐧ ᐧ ᐧ ᐧ ᐧ -- "В каждой шутке есть доля шутки" 'Life is good ..' (Carl van Vreeswijk, 1962-2022) --------------------------------------- David Hansel Directeur de Recherche au CNRS Co-Group leader Cerebral Dynamics Plasticity and Learning lab., CNRS 45 rue des Saints Peres 75270 Paris Cedex 06 Tel (Cell): +33 607508403 - Fax (33).1.49.27.90.62 ᐧ

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Postdoc for 3 years -- How to be flexible – organizing and optimizing task-dependent information processing in the visual system
by David Rotermund May 3, 2024

May 3, 2024

The Computational Neurophysics lab at the University of Bremenheaded by Dr. Udo Ernst offers at the earliest date possible: *Postdoc in Computational Neuroscience **for 3 years* In this project we want to study organization and optimization of flexible information processing in neural networks, with specific focus on the visual system. You will use network modelling,numerical simulation, and mathematical analysis to investigate fundamental aspects of flexible computation such as task-dependent coordination of multiple brain areas for efficient information processing, as well as the emergence of flexible circuits originating from learning schemes which simultaneously optimize for function and flexibility. These studies will be complemented by biophysically realistic modelling and data analysis in collaboration with experimental work. Here we will investigate selective attention as a central aspect of flexibility in the visual system, involving task-dependent coordination of multiple visual areas. ============ = Official text = ============ The Computational Neurophysics lab at the University of Bremenheaded by Dr. Udo Ernst offers at the earliest date possible: *Postdoc in Computational Neuroscience (f/m/d)* German federal pay scale EG13 TV-L (100 %) *limited for 3 years*(according to § 2 WissZeitVG) *How to be flexible – organizing and optimizing task-dependent information processing in the visual system* In this project we want to study organization and optimization of flexible information processing in neural networks, with specific focus on the visual system. You will use * network modelling, * numerical simulation, * and mathematical analysis to investigate fundamental aspects of flexible computation such as task-dependent coordination of multiple brain areas for efficient information processing, as well as the emergence of flexible circuits originating from learning schemes which simultaneously optimize for function and flexibility. These studies will be complemented by biophysically realistic modelling and data analysis in collaboration with experimental work done in the lab of Prof. Dr. Andreas Kreiter, also at the University of Bremen. Here we will investigate selective attention as a central aspect of flexibility in the visual system, involving task-dependent coordination of multiple visual areas. *Requirements**:* Ideal candidates will have a PhD in computational neuroscience, physics, computer science or related fields. They must have a strong background in neural networks, dynamical systems, mathematics and/or data analysis, and experience in programming (we use Python in our lab). Above all, you must be highly motivated, responsible, have a strong desire to learn and be able to work proactively in an international research environment. Fluency in English (both written and spoken) is required. The Computational Neurophysics Lab offers a good working atmosphere, direct involvement in international research and attractive facilities. You will have the opportunity to link your research to a wide range of other topics being studied in our lab, such as collective dynamics in neural systems, information processing in deep spiking networks, and the development of visual cortex prostheses. *General hints:* Open to unconventional approaches in research and teaching, the University of Bremen has retained its character as a place of short distances for people and ideas since its founding in 1971. With a broad range of subjects, we combine exceptional performance and innovative potential. As an ambitious research university, we stand for research-based learning approaches and a pronounced interdisciplinary orientation. We actively pursue international scientific cooperation in a spirit of global partnership. Today, around 23,000 people learn, teach, research and work on our international campus. In research and teaching, administration and operations, we are firmly committed to the goals of sustainability, climate justice and climate neutrality. Our Bremen spirit is expressed in the courage to dare new things, in supportive cooperation, in respect and appreciation for each other. With our study and research profile and as part of the European YUFE network, we assume social responsibility in the region, in Europe and in the world. The University of Bremen is family-friendly, diverse and sees itself as an international university. We therefore welcome all applicants regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion/belief, disability, age, sexual orientation and identity. As the University of Bremen intends to increase the proportion of female employees in science, women are particularly encouraged to apply. Disabled applicants will be given priority if their professional and personal qualifications are essentially the same. For questions of the research project please contact: Dr. Udo Ernst, E-Mail: _udo(a)neuro.uni-bremen.de_ For general information on this topic, see also: _https://www.uni-bremen.de/ernstlab <https://www.uni-bremen.de/ernstlab>_ _Detailed instructions for applicants_ Your application must comprise: *Motivation letter* Your 1–2-page essay should address the following questions: * What is your background? What areas have you worked in previously, and how do you think this will help you in this role? * What attracts you to computational neuroscience? * What computational neuroscience problem(s) are you most interested in? * What is your motivation for joining our project? * What are your plans for your future career? * When will you definitely be able to begin? *Curriculum Vitae* Send a tabular CV with your contact details, and all stages of education and employment. *List of skills, awards, publications* List your skills, especially language skills (including level of proficiency), that you think might be useful for the job. Also list any awards you have received and any peer-reviewed publications, if you have any. *Contact details of two academic references* One of the referees should be your PhD and/or MSc supervisor. Please inform your referees before listing their names so that they are not surprised when we contact them. You can apply in English or German, whichever language you are more comfortable with. Please explicitly address each of the specified requirements in your application (see detailed instructions below), and send your application documents until *31.05.2024*by indicating the *job id A189-24 to* Universität Bremen Institut für Theoretische Physik Frau Agnes Janssen Hochschulring 18 D-28359 Bremen or as one PDF file by unencrypted electronic mail to: _ajanssen(a)neuro.uni-bremen.de <mailto:ajanssen@neuro.uni-bremen.de>_. We kindly ask you to send us only copies (no portfolios) of your application documents, as we cannot return them. They will be destroyed after the selection process has been completed. Please note that incomplete applications will not be considered.

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EBRAINS Brain Simulation Workshop 2024 - Bilbao, 3-7 June
by Mathieu Desroches May 3, 2024

May 3, 2024

Dear all, We are organising the next EBRAINS <https://www.ebrains.eu/> event in Bilbao from 3rd to 7th June. All infos regarding the registration and the scientific program are available on the event’s webpage: https://www.bcamath.org/events/ebrains2024/en/ Best, Mathieu. --------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr. Mathieu Desroches Research Director (Directeur de Recherche) MathNeuro <https://team.inria.fr/mathneuro/> Project Team Leader Inria Branch of the University of Montpellier, France https://www-sop.inria.fr/members/Mathieu.Desroches/

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Activities for Students and Postdocs at the FENS Forum 2024
by SHSC FENS May 3, 2024

May 3, 2024

Apologies for cross-posting. Dear all, I would like to bring your attention to the activities for students and postdocs at the *FENS Forum 2024 <https://fensforum.org/>* (25th-29th of June in Vienna, Austria), organised by students from the host societies, the Austrian Neuroscience Association and Hungarian Neuroscience Society. To help you network during the forum, we invite you to sign up for the following events (the *activities are for free*, but you need to be a Forum participant to be eligible): - Meet the Experts <https://www.austrian-neuroscience.at/FENS2024-SHSC_Meet_the_Expert/>: a *coffee break session with the conference speakers*, where we pair you with 4 other students and an expert on your topic of interest at a cafe near the conference venue. Coffee and cake are paid by us! - Student buddy system <https://www.austrian-neuroscience.at/FENS2024-SHSC_buddysystem/>: we pair you with a local neuroscientist to help you navigate the city, answer questions, and make your trip to FENS 2024 unforgettable! *The deadline for signing up is May 15th.* Also check out our *booth at the conference venue*! There you can get advice for travel, restaurants, leisure, the scientific program, and other surprises! You will also find the brochure "Vienna Unveiled: Uncover Hidden Gems and Local Favorites" featuring our favorite spots in town. For detailed information please check out our website: austrian-neuroscience.at/FENS2024-SHSC/ <https://www.austrian-neuroscience.at/FENS2024-SHSC/> And for updates about our activity follow us on social media: instagram.com/austrianneuroscience/ <https://www.instagram.com/austrianneuroscience/> facebook.com/Austrian.Neuroscience.Association <https://www.facebook.com/Austrian.Neuroscience.Association> linkedin.com/in/austrian-neuroscience-association <https://www.linkedin.com/in/austrian-neuroscience-association> twitter.com/AustrianNeuros1 If you have any questions please email us at: shscfens(a)gmail.com See you at the FENS Forum 2024! Kind regards, FENS Forum Student Host Society Committee

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[CFP] Final deadline extension - 6 May - Modern Machine Learning methods for robust and real-time BCI - ESANN 2024
by Jaime Andres Riascos Salas May 3, 2024

May 3, 2024

Sorry for cross-posting. CALL FOR PAPERS CFP – SPECIAL SESSION MODERN MACHINE LEARNING METHODS FOR ROBUST AND REAL-TIME BRAIN-COMPUTER INTERFACES (BCI) FINAL EXTENSION - Paper Submission Deadline: 6 MAY 2024 EUROPEAN SYMPOSIUM ON ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORKS, COMPUTATIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND MACHINE LEARNING (ESANN 2024) OCTOBER 9-11, 2024 Bruges, Belgium. Online and on-site http://www.esann.org [1] Are you planning to participate? A short additional extension is possible, please contact the special session organizer: jariascos(a)correo.iue.edu.co THE EUROPEAN SYMPOSIUM ON ARTIFICIAL NEURAL NETWORKS, COMPUTATIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND MACHINE LEARNING (ESANN) is a leading annual conference dedicated to cutting-edge research and applications within these fields. Since 1993, ESANN has provided a vital platform for researchers from academia, industry, and government to share their latest findings, foster interdisciplinary collaborations, and network with others in the field. The conference covers core topics like artificial neural networks, computational intelligence, and machine learning, and explores wide-ranging applications in areas such as bioinformatics, engineering, and finance. The 32nd edition of ESANN (ESANN 2024) will take place in Bruges, Belgium in hybrid mode (both in-person and online participation), from Wednesday 9 to Friday 11 October 2024. Bruges (also called the "Venice of the North") is one of the most beautiful medieval towns in Europe. Bruges is situated about 100 km. from Brussels and can very easily be reached by train from Brussels' main stations. Bruges is unique in Europe: a living city of human proportions where you can wander to your heart's content in virtually unspoiled surroundings. Inside ESANN 2024, the special session "MODERN MACHINE LEARNING METHODS FOR ROBUST AND REAL-TIME BRAIN-COMPUTER INTERFACES (BCI)” aims to spotlight and consolidate the latest advancements, innovations, challenges, and prospects in modern machine learning algorithms for BCI, which are both accurate and fast enough for real-time use, and ideally assessed for real-time use. BCIs are communication and control systems that enable users to interact with computers using brain activity only. They are very promising for various applications, such as assistive technologies, rehabilitation, or mental state monitoring, but suffer from a lack of robustness. Their robustness mostly relies on advances in machine learning and signal processing. Simple models offer a quick response to real-time constraints but often without high accuracies. In contrast, artificial neural networks and more elaborate models compromise speedy responses for reaching sometimes higher accuracies. Thus, ideally, there is a need for a trade-off in complexity in signal processing and machine learning stages to obtain the best combination, i.e., both high accuracy and speed. Therefore, we aim to foster interdisciplinary collaborations and pave the way for future breakthroughs in this field. We invite authors to submit original research articles, reviews, and case studies on the next topics: 1. Signal Processing and Feature Extraction: I. Novel methods for preprocessing EEG signals II. Feature extraction techniques for real-time BCI applications 2. Classification Algorithms: I. Advanced machine learning algorithms for BCI signal classification II. Deep learning approaches in BCI research 3. Real-time BCI Systems: I. Development of real-time BCI systems II. Applications and challenges in deploying BCI systems in real-time. Prospective authors are invited to contribute to the conference by electronically submitting papers through the ESANN portal following the instructions provided at https://www.esann.org/node/6 [2] and choosing our session's title as Target Session on the paper submission form. Papers must not exceed 6 pages, including figures and references. All papers will be submitted to a single-blind peer-review process. LaTeX and Word-style files are available. They must be used for generating the PDF file (see author guidelines at https://www.esann.org/author_guidelines [3]). Accepted papers will be presented as either talks or posters (in-person or online), to favor interaction with the ESANN attendees. There is no difference in quality between talks and posters; all papers will be published in the conference proceedings. At least one author must register for the conference and pay the registration fee. We ask prospective authors to send us an e-mail with the tentative title of their contribution to the special session as soon as possible. IMPORTANT DATES: FINAL EXTENSION - Paper submission deadline: 2 MAY 2024 6 MAY 2024 Notification of acceptance: 16 JUNE 2024 The ESANN 2023 conference: 9-11 OCTOBER 2024 SPECIAL SESSION ORGANZERS: Fabien Lotte (Inria, France) Marta Molinas (NTNU, Norway) Jaime A Riascos (Potsdam University - Institution University of Envigado, Germany - Colombia) Bests regards! -- Jaime A. Riascos Salas Links: ------ [1] http://www.esann.org/ [2] https://www.esann.org/node/6 [3] https://www.esann.org/author_guidelines

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Available Positions in Computer Science at the University of Plymouth
by Amir Aly May 2, 2024

May 2, 2024

Dear All The University of Plymouth has several available positions in Computer Science (including games, cybersecurity, and AI). More details are available in this advertisement (deadline is 27th May 2024): https://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DGN533/lecturer-associate-professor-in-computer-… If you have any remarks, pls don't hesitate to contact me, Regards ---------------- *Dr. Amir Aly* Lecturer in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Programme Manager of Artificial Intelligence Center for Robotics and Neural Systems (CRNS) School of Engineering, Computing, and Mathematics Room A307 Portland Square, Drake Circus, PL4 8AA University of Plymouth, UK

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2nd announcement: Dana Ballard memorial symposium at ICDL (May 20, 2024), UT Austin
by Reinoud Maex May 1, 2024

May 1, 2024

________________________________ From: Brian Sullivan <brian.sullivan(a)bristol.ac.uk<mailto:brian.sullivan@bristol.ac.uk>> Sent: Wednesday, March 27, 2024 14:27 To: comp-neuro-owner(a)lists.cnsorg.org<mailto:comp-neuro-owner@lists.cnsorg.org> <comp-neuro-owner(a)lists.cnsorg.org<mailto:comp-neuro-owner@lists.cnsorg.org>> Subject: Dana Ballard memorial symposium at ICDL (May 20, 2024), UT Austin On May 20, 2024, a memorial symposium will be held as a remembrance and celebration of the life and scientific work of Dr. Dana Ballard (1946–2022), who was a pioneer in the study of computer vision, neural computation, human vision and motor coordination, and robotics. Dr. Ballard was a professor of computer science at the University of Texas at Austin and a member of the Center for Perceptual Systems. As part of the IEEE International Conference on Development and Learning (ICDL) 2024,https://la.utexas.edu/users/dil/ICDL_Austin_2024/<https://la.utexas.edu/users/dil/ICDL_Austin_2024>, we will host a morning seminar session celebrating Dana Ballard’s research with presentations by: Rajesh Rao, Jochen Triesch, Chen Yu, Virginia De Sa, Constantin Rothkopf, Janneke Jehee, and Ruohan Zhang. Memorial Session Website: https://la.utexas.edu/users/dil/symposium%20_icdl/index.html<https://la.utexas.edu/users/dil/symposium%20_icdl/index.html> Date: Monday May 20, 2024 Time: 8:30 am to 12:00 pm Location: The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas, USA The session is free but we ask that you kindly register your plans to attend via the Google form listed on the session website, or via the direct link here: Registration for the Dana Ballard Memorial Symposium at ICDL 2024 (google.com)<https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScI5RRtrBBlKpEi3wcXw30MBM3nfe7mwCj…> Note that registration for the main conference is not required, but if you are interested in attending the main conference, you can register here: https://web.cvent.com/event/298b4f7f-1772-4c46-b774-f438a164f72f/summary<https://web.cvent.com/event/298b4f7f-1772-4c46-b774-f438a164f72f/summary> Information about accommodation is available on the main conference web page. Brian Sullivan & Chen Yu -- Please note I have shifted to honorary status at the University of Bristol and do not check this email regularly. -- Brian Sullivan brian.sullivan(a)bristol.ac.uk<mailto:brian.sullivan@bristol.ac.uk> Honorary Research Fellow Population Health Sciences Bristol Medical School BF7 Barley House University of Bristol Bristol, BS8 2BN, UK

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Final schedule released; fewer than 20 tickets left---Convention on Mathematics of Neuroscience and AI (Rome, May 28-31st 2024)
by Battleday, Ruairidh May 1, 2024

May 1, 2024

Dear All, We have just released the *final schedule* for our *Annual Convention on the Mathematics of Neuroscience and AI*: www.neuromonster.org We are very nearly out of tickets, so if you do want to come and join us, please go ahead and book now! We have a *fantastic line-up of speaker*s, and a *fantastic venue* near the Colosseum. A once-in-a-decade event? *Keynotes* Professor Peter Dayan (Max Planck Institute, Tübingen) Professor Sophie Deneve (ENS, Paris) Professor Wolfgang Maass (TUG) Professor Mackenzie Mathis (EPFL) Professor Anne Collins (UC Berkeley) Professor Kevin Ellis (Cornell) Dr Feryal Behbahani (Google DeepMind) Dr Giovanni Pezzulo (NRC of Italy, Rome) *Speakers* Professor Andrew Adamatzky (UWE) Professor Christine Grienberger (Brandeis) Professor Rafal Bogacz (Oxford) Professor Athena Akrami (UCL) Professor Nicolas Brunel (Duke) Dr Lea Duncker (Stanford) Dr Kris Jensen (UCL) Professor Dagmar Sternad (Northeastern) Professor Bill Thompson (UC Berkeley) Professor Samuel McDougle (Yale) Dr Maria Eckstein (DeepMind) Dr Fred Callaway (NYU / Harvard) Professor Najoung Kim (BU, Google) Dr André Barreto (DeepMind) Dr Sophia Sanborn (USB / UBC) Dr Wilka Carvalho (Harvard) ... and many more spotlight talks! All the best, The Organizing Committee -- Dr Ruairidh McLennan Battleday BMBCh (Oxon) PhD President Thinking About Thinking <http://www.thinkingaboutthinking.org> Postdoctoral Research Fellow Center for Brain Science, Harvard University Center for Brains, Minds, and Machines, MIT

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Postdoctoral position in computational neuroscience of reward learning at NIMH
by Langdon, Angela (NIH/NIMH) [E] April 30, 2024

April 30, 2024

The Unit on the Neural Computations in Learning at the National Institute of Mental Health/NIH, led by Dr Angela Langdon, is looking for a creative and enthusiastic postdoctoral fellow to join the lab! Research in the lab is focused on the computational neuroscience of reward prediction and learning. Broadly, we study how timing, inference processes and goal selection modulate learning in reward-guided tasks in animals and humans, and how these processes are instantiated in neural activity across the reward learning circuits of the brain. We have a particular interest in how reward learning is altered in compulsive behaviors and in addiction. We are looking for a postdoc who is interested in developing approaches from reinforcement learning, dynamical systems theory and Bayesian inference to understand the online regulation of reward prediction and learning in neural activity and behavior. We have a broad network of collaborating labs that span rodent, NHP and human studies, and the ideal candidate will be comfortable working in a highly interdisciplinary environment to pursue novel and translational insights into the neural basis of reward learning. This opening is an excellent opportunity for a computational neuroscientist who wishes to apply theoretical ideas to understand empirical data, with the opportunity to collaborate on novel paradigms to test computational models of reward learning in the brain. Interested candidates should have strong quantitative and programming skills, a background in neuroscience, psychology or cognitive science and a record of scientific contributions in an area relevant to research in the lab. Applicants should send a brief research statement, cv and the names of two academic references to Dr Angela Langdon (angela dot langdon at nih dot gov). Informal enquiries are welcome!

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GRE requirements and grad school applicant numbers
by Brascamp, Jan April 29, 2024

April 29, 2024

Dear collegues at United States graduate programs, To inform our graduate program’s application policy in future years, we are trying to understand the relation between whether a graduate program requires applicants to submit GRE results, and the number of applications received. We put together a short Qualtrics survey to learn what our colleagues’ experience at other graduate programs has been in this context. If you are at a US graduate program and could save a few minutes, we would be grateful if you could fill out the survey. https://msu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_7P3H69NQgtoMCXA <https://msu.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_7P3H69NQgtoMCXA> Thank you, Jan Brascamp

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World wide VVTNS series: Wednesday, May 1st 2024 at 11am (EDT), Lorenzo Fontolan, Université Aix-Marseille| "Neural mechanisms of memory-guided behaviour"
by David Hansel April 28, 2024

April 28, 2024

[image: VVTNS.png] https://www.wwtns.online - on twitter: wwtns@TheoreticalWide You are cordially invited to the lecture given by Lorenzo Fontolan Université Aix-Marseille on the topic of "Neural mechanisms of memory-guided behaviour*"* The lecture will be held on zoom on *May 1st, 2024*, at *11:00 am EDT * To receive the zoom link: https://www.wwtns.online/register-page *Abstract: *Persistent, stimulus-dependent neuronal activity has been observed in numerous brain areas during tasks that require the temporary maintenance of information. Several competing hypotheses for the neuronal mechanisms underlying persistent activity have been proposed. We have employed data-driven models in conjunction with optogenetic disruptions of neural circuits within memory-guided motor tasks. Our findings revealed a mechanism governed by dynamic attractors, pivotal in sustaining neuronal activity. This mechanism, shaped by time-varying inputs reflecting temporal predictions, is instrumental in regulating the impact of sensory information on the premotor cortex, thereby preserving memory traces from distracting stimuli. We then asked how persistent activity driven by attractor dynamics emerges during motor learning. It has been proposed that activity-dependent synaptic plasticity underpins motor learning, as it can reconfigure network architectures to produce the appropriate neural dynamics for specific behaviors. To verify this hypothesis, we investigated how the mouse premotor cortex acquires specific neural dynamics that govern the planning of movement at different stages of motor learning. We developed network models that replicated the effects of acute manipulations of synaptic plasticity. The models, which display attractor dynamics, also explain flexible behavior after learning has ended. By leveraging the model's predictions, we can formulate testable hypotheses regarding the distinct mechanisms governing movement planning at various stages of the learning process. *About VVTNS : Created as the World Wide Neuroscience Seminar (WWTNS) in November 2020 and renamed in homage to Carl van Vreeswijk in Memoriam (April 20, 2022), its aim is to be a platform to exchange ideas among theoreticians. Speakers have the occasion to talk about theoretical aspects of their work which cannot be discussed in a setting where the majority of the audience consists of experimentalists. The seminars, **held on Wednesdays at 11 am ET,** are 45-50 min long followed by a discussion. The talks are recorded with authorization of the speaker and are available to everybody on our YouTube channel.* ᐧ ᐧ ᐧ ᐧ ᐧ -- "В каждой шутке есть доля шутки" 'Life is good ..' (Carl van Vreeswijk, 1962-2022) --------------------------------------- David Hansel Directeur de Recherche au CNRS Co-Group leader Cerebral Dynamics Plasticity and Learning lab., CNRS 45 rue des Saints Peres 75270 Paris Cedex 06 Tel (Cell): +33 607508403 - Fax (33).1.49.27.90.62 ᐧ

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[Meetings] [CFP] (3nd Call) Call for Submission: NeuroDesign EXPO in HRI Student Showcase Competition at ICRA 2024 (USD $1800 in cash)
by NeuroDesign in HRI April 28, 2024

April 28, 2024

[Meetings] [CFP] (3nd Call) Call for Submission: NeuroDesign EXPO in HRI Student Showcase Competition at ICRA 2024 (USD $1800 in cash) —------------------------------------------------------------ =============================== Call for Submission =============================== NeuroDesign EXPO in HRI Student Showcase Competition ($1800 USD for your participation) 2nd Workshop on NeuroDesign in Human-Robot Interaction: The making of engaging HRI technology your brain can’t resist IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (ICRA 2024) Yokohama, Japan May 17, 2024 https://neurodesign-in-hri.webflow.io/ Dear Colleagues, Are you working on a human-interactive robot project that already has prototypes or some initial research findings? Perhaps you're pondering how to evolve these into more human-centric, real-world applications with a seamless, intuitive "brain"-centered experience, aiming to connect robots more deeply with our bodies, minds, and souls. Worry not! We're excited to announce the NeuroDesign EXPO in HRI Showcase Competition at ICRA 2024, in conjunction with the NeuroDesign in HRI workshop (https://neurodesign-in-hri.webflow.io/) This event will feature a panel of world-renowned experts from diverse fields such as Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cognitive Neuroscience, Social and Behavioral Psychology, Art & Design, RoboEthics, and the Startup community. These professionals will offer live, integrated-perspective feedback and recommendations to help refine your projects into more impactful research and commercial products. We invite students at the BSc, MSc, and PhD levels to submit your projects. Submissions can fall into, but are not limited to, the following categories: - Affective Computing - Social and Service Robot - Industrial Collaborative Robot - Wearable Robot/ Device - Brain-Machine/Computer Interface - Haptics and Tele-operation - Soft Robotics - VR/AR & Metaverse - Cyborg and Bionic System - Healthcare Robotics - Exoskeleton and Rehabilitation Robot - LLM and Foundation Model for Human Robot Interaction - Brain Dynamics and Psychology for Cognitive and Physical HRI (cHRI/pHRI) - Human-Drone/AutoVehicle Interaction - Assistive Technology - Intelligence Augmentation and Human 2.0 Technologies - Supernumerary Limbs - Biometric Information Processing - Pervasive-Ubiquitous/Spatial Computing - Smart Home/Internet of Things (IoTs) - Edge-Fog-Cloud Computing - Speech/Gesture Recognition or Image/Audio Processing - Big Data, AI & Machine Learning for Multimodal Interaction - Smart Tutoring/Chatbot System - RoboEthics - RoboFashion, Clothing and Robot Skin - Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) for HRI Technologies Participation Procedure: Our selection process is on a rolling basis, and we aim to choose 10 projects for the final on-stage pitch presentation. We especially encourage those who have already submitted their work as posters or papers to ICRA 2024 or have publications elsewhere to participate in our event. This competition offers a fantastic opportunity to increase the visibility of your research globally. Submission Options: Submissions can be made in one of three formats: 1. A concise 100-word abstract and a 1-2 minute video, offering a brief yet engaging overview. 2. A 100-word abstract accompanied by 5 detailed slides for a short but thorough presentation. 3. A 2-page extended abstract (Please follow IEEE ICRA format: https://ras.papercept.net/conferences/support/word.php) for a more in-depth submission. *4. Participants are also welcome to submit using any combination of the above formats. Final Round and Presentation: The selected 10 projects will each have a 5-minute pitch presentation on stage during the final round. If the final project team is unable to attend in person in Japan, we will provide a Zoom link for virtual presentation. Alternatively, you may submit a polished, pre-recorded 5-minute video presentation, which we will play on stage. Exhibition and Virtual Participation: All submitted projects will receive a dedicated booth for poster and prototype demonstrations. For participants unable to travel to Japan, we will print your posters and display them on the bulletin boards at our venue. The event is designed to be "Hybrid" to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to participate, regardless of their ability to travel to Japan. A Zoom link will be provided for your virtual participation. Awards: We are thrilled to present two distinguished award categories at the competition. The "Best Innovation in HRI NeuroDesign Award" will be awarded to 3 outstanding projects, as recognized by our panel of speakers and committee members. The *First Prize* will be awarded for USD 1000 USD and the* 2nd Prize* will be awarded 800 hundred for the prototyping. These projects will exemplify groundbreaking innovation within Human-Robot Interaction NeuroDesign. Additionally, the "Most Popular Project in HRI NeuroDesign Award" will be given to 2 projects, for which the First Prize will be awarded for “Full Waiver” for the submission to Journal of Frontiers in Robotics and AI in that capture the hearts of our workshop attendees and audience, determined through a popular vote. Winners in both categories will receive certificates acknowledging their achievements. Timeline: - Submission Deadline: Your entries must be submitted by *May 1, 2024*. Please note that our selection process is rolling, so early submissions are encouraged. - Announcement of Final Project Teams: The teams selected for the final round will be announced on May 3, 2024. - Competition Date: The competition will take place on May 17, 2024, where finalists will present their projects to the panel and attendees. Submission Website: https://forms.gle/fQMxJtkXb8JEU2WR6 If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out. We're looking forward to seeing you at ICRA 2024! Best regards, Organizing Committee 2nd Workshop on NeuroDesign in Human-Robot Interaction: The making of engaging HRI technology your brain can’t resist https://neurodesign-in-hri.webflow.io/

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