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COSYNE 2024: Call for Workshop Proposals; Call for Abstracts
by Tomas Hromadka Oct. 10, 2023

Oct. 10, 2023

==================================================== Computational and Systems Neuroscience 2024 (Cosyne) MAIN MEETING 29 February - 03 March 2024 Lisbon, Portugal WORKSHOPS 04 March - 05 March 2024 Cascais, Portugal www.cosyne.org ==================================================== IMPORTANT DATES Abstract submission is now open. Workshop proposal submission deadline: 10 November 2023 Abstract submission deadline: 19 November 2023 ---------------------------------------------------- COSYNE MEETING & WORKSHOPS ---------------------------------------------------- The annual Cosyne meeting provides an inclusive forum for the exchange of empirical and theoretical approaches to problems in systems neuroscience, in order to understand how neural systems function. The MAIN MEETING is single-track. A set of invited talks is selected by the Executive Committee, and additional talks and posters are selected by the Program Committee, based on submitted abstracts. The WORKSHOPS feature in-depth discussion of current topics of interest, in a small group setting. All abstract submissions will be reviewed double blind. The deadline for Abstract submission will be 19 November 2023. Cosyne topics include but are not limited to: neural basis of behavior, sensory and motor systems, circuitry, learning, neural coding, natural scene statistics, dendritic computation, neural basis of persistent activity, nonlinear receptive field mapping, representations of time and sequence, reward systems, decision-making, synaptic plasticity, map formation and plasticity, population coding, attention, neuromodulation, and computation with spiking networks. We would like to foster increased participation from experimental groups as well as computational ones. Please circulate widely and encourage your students and postdocs to apply. When preparing an abstract, authors should be aware that not all abstracts can be accepted for the meeting. Abstracts will be selected based on the clarity with which they convey the substance, significance, and originality of the work to be presented. ----------------------------------------------------- CALL FOR WORKSHOP PROPOSALS ----------------------------------------------------- A series of workshops will be held after the main Cosyne meeting. The goal is to provide an informal forum for the discussion of important research questions and challenges. Controversial issues, open problems, comparisons of competing approaches, and alternative viewpoints are encouraged. The overarching goal of all workshops should be the integration of empirical and theoretical approaches, in an environment that fosters collegial discussion and debate. - There will be 6-10 workshops/day, running in parallel. - Each workshop is expected to draw between 15 and 80 people. - The workshops will be split into morning and late afternoon sessions. - Workshops will be held in Cascais, Portugal. - Workshop speakers do NOT receive free registration, travel expenses, or accommodation for either the main meeting or the workshop sessions. Organizers should let invited speakers know that they are expected to pay for workshop registration fees. Workshop organizer responsibilities include coordinating workshop participation and content, scheduling all speakers, submitting a final schedule for the workshop program, and moderating the discussion. Organizers can, but need not, be speakers. One complimentary (free) organizer registration is provided per workshop. For workshops with two organizers, the free registration can be given to one of the organizers or split evenly between them. Any required multimedia resources beyond a projector, screen, and microphones will be the responsibility of the workshop organizers to coordinate with Cosyne and the workshop venue A/V staff. EVALUATION CRITERIA As stated above, the goal of Cosyne workshops is to provide an interactive, informal forum for discussions. Relevant topics include, but are not limited to: sensory processing; motor planning and control; functional neural circuits; motivation, reward and decision making; learning and memory; adaptation and plasticity; neural coding; neural circuitry and network models; and methods in computational or systems neuroscience. Workshop proposals will be evaluated by the Cosyne Workshop Chairs, and a subset of the proposals will be selected. The proposals will be evaluated according to the following six metrics (which will be weighted equally): - Relevance to the Cosyne community - Integration of experimental and theoretical issues - Current interest in the topic in the scientific community - Potential for new research directions and interactions to emerge - Distinctive scope/approach compared to other workshops (including previous years’) - Diversity and equity in the proposed speaker (we are looking for representation of women or nonbinary individuals, individuals from other underrepresented groups, and a balance of established and early career researchers) WORKSHOP FULL PROPOSALS - Deadline 10 November 2023 To submit your Cosyne 2024 Workshop Proposal, please visit Cosyne.org -> Workshops -> Call for Proposals In order to foster discussion within Workshops and reduce overlap between workshops, organizers should inform invited speakers that a speaker can take part in no more than two Workshops. The proposals will include: - Name(s) and email address(es) of the organizers (2 organizers per session is strongly recommended, but 3 will be allowed). - A title. - A brief description of 1) what the workshop will address and accomplish, 2) why the topic is of interest, 3) who is the targeted group of participants. - Names and email addresses of speakers, who should already have agreed to participate should the proposal be accepted. - Proposed workshop length (1 or 2 days). Most workshops will be limited to a single day. If you think your workshop needs two days, please explain why. - A brief resume of the workshop organizer(s) along with a short list of workshop-relevant publications (about half a page total). - A description of how you have addressed diversity and equity in your workshop. Experience has shown that the best discussions during a workshop are those that arise spontaneously. A good way to foster these is to have short talks and long question periods (e.g. 30+15 minutes), and to have plenty of breaks. We recommend keeping the number of talks small (i.e., fewer than 10 talks per day). WORKSHOP COSTS Detailed registration costs, etc, will be at www.cosyne.org. Please note: Cosyne does NOT provide travel funding for workshop speakers. Organizers should let invited speakers know that they are expected to pay for workshop registration fees. Participants are encouraged to register early, in order to qualify for discounted registration rates. One complimentary (free) organizer registration is provided per workshop. For workshops with two organizers, the free registration can be given to one of the organizers or split evenly between them. COSYNE 2024 WORKSHOP CHAIRS SueYeon Chung (NYU/Flatiron) and Andrew Saxe (Oxford) COSYNE WORKSHOPS CONTACT workshops [at] cosyne.org ----------------------------------------------------- COSYNE 2024 COMMITTEES ----------------------------------------------------- COSYNE ORGANIZING COMMITTEE General Chairs: Jessica Cardin (Yale) and Blake Richards (McGill) Program Chairs: Bing Brunton (U Washington) and Chandramouli Chandrasekaran (Boston U) Workshop Chairs: SueYeon Chung (NYU/Flatiron) and Andrew Saxe (Oxford) Tutorial Chair: Il Memming Park (Champalimaud) Undergraduate Travel Chairs: Kimberly Stachenfeld (DeepMind) and Marcelo Mattar (NYU) DEIA Committee: Hysell Oviedo (Washington U) and Luke Sjulson (Albert Einstein) Fundraising Chair: Michael Long (NYU) Social Media Chair: Sabera Talukder (Caltech) Audio-Video Media Chair: Carlos Stein Brito (Champalimaud) Poster Design: Maja Bialon COSYNE PROGRAM COMMITTEE Bing Brunton (U Washington) Co-chair Chandramouli Chandrasekaran (Boston U) Co-chair Timothy Buschman (Princeton) Alex Cayco Gajic (Ecole Normale Superieure) Hannah Choi (Gatech) Brian DePasquale (Boston U) Sridhar Devarajan (Indian Inst Sci) Laura Driscoll (Stanford) Ann Duan (UCL) Lea Duncker (Stanford) Annegret Falkner (Princeton) Juan Gallego (Imperial) Matthew Golub (U Washington) Bilal Haider (Georgia Tech) Kiah Hardcastle (Harvard) Kameron Harris (W Washington U) Santiago Jaramillo (U Oregon) Jonathan Kao (UCLA) Kohitij Kar (York U) Ann Kennedy (Northwestern) Guillaume Lajoie (MILA) Laura Lewis (MIT) Camilo Libedinsky (National U Singapore) Scott Linderman (Stanford) Ashok Litwin-Kumar (Columbia) Emily Mackevicius (Basis) Leenoy Meshulam (U Washington) Jonathan Michaels (York U) James Murray (U Oregon) Hendrikje Nienborg (NIH) Gouki Okazawa (Chinese Acad Sci) Chethan Pandarinath (Emory) Il Memming Park (Champalimaud) Hannah Payne (Columbia) Talmo Pereira (Salk) Supratim Ray (Indian Inst Sci) Erin Rich (Mount Sinai) Ben Scott (Boston U) Alireza Soltani (Dartmouth) Nicholas Steinmetz (U Washington) Marie Suver (Vanderbilt) Aparna Suvrathan (McGill) John Tuthill (U Washington) Ali Weber (Bryn Mawr) Brady Weissbourd (MIT) Alex Williams (NYU) Klaus Wimmer (CRM) Brad Wyble (Penn State) COSYNE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Stephanie Palmer (U Chicago) Anne-Marie Oswald (U Pittsburgh) Zachary Mainen (Champalimaud) Alexandre Pouget (U Geneva) Anthony Zador (CSHL) COSYNE CONTACT meeting [at] cosyne.org ----------------------------------------------------- COSYNE MAILING LISTS ----------------------------------------------------- Please consider adding yourself to Cosyne mailing lists (groups) to receive email updates with various Cosyne-related information and join in helpful discussions. See Cosyne.org -> About-> Mailing lists for details.

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Scientist position at the Allen Institute
by Anton Arkhipov Oct. 10, 2023

Oct. 10, 2023

Dear Colleagues, A Scientist position is open at the Allen Institute in the area of biologically realistic modeling. Please see the job description here: https://alleninstitute.hrmdirect.com/employment/job-opening.php?req=2773735 The Scientist will participate in our efforts to develop bio-realistic simulations at multiple levels: from neurons, to brain areas, to whole brains. These efforts leverage our multimodal datasets on the composition, connectivity, and in vivo activity of the mouse brain. The goal is to study the cell type and circuit mechanisms of brain computations and dynamics. Please consider applying and reach out if you have any questions. I and members of my group are attending the SfN meeting and will be happy to talk with potential applicants there. Best wishes, Anton Arkhipov Investigator Allen Institute Seattle, WA antona(a)alleninstitute.org<mailto:antona@alleninstitute.org>

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LASCON 2024 - IX Latin American School on Computational Neuroscience (Call for applications)
by Antonio Roque Oct. 8, 2023

Oct. 8, 2023

**** Apologies for cross-posting **** IX Latin American School on Computational Neuroscience - LASCON 2024 January 8 - February 2, 2024, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil www.sisne.org/lascon-ix APPLICATION DEADLINE: October 14, 2023 SECOND ANNOUNCEMENT Dear Colleagues, After the hiatus of the pandemic, I am pleased to announce that the 9th edition of the Latin American School on Computational Neuroscience (LASCON 2024) will take place January 8 - February 2, 2024 at the NeuroMat Center in the University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil. LASCON aims at introducing young researchers and graduate and advanced undergraduate students to the use of computational and mathematical methods for modeling neurons and neural networks. The following topics will be covered: single-cell models (biophysically detailed, reduced and simplified), circuit and network models of biophysically detailed and simplified spiking neurons, probabilistic neuronal models, synaptic plasticity and learning, spike train analysis, neural population models, neuron-glia interaction models, models of extracellular fields, brain criticality, computational psychiatry, traveling waves in neural systems, and dynamics of neuronal functional connectivity. These subjects will be taught via theoretical classes and hands-on tutorials with the use of the programs NEURON, NetPyNE, NEST, Brian, The Virtual Brain and others. Students will have to work on small research projects (to be done in groups of two), which they will present orally at the end of the school. The following lecturers will be in charge of theoretical classes and tutorials: Aline Duarte, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil Arnd Roth, University College, London, UK Christophe Pouzat, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France Demian Battaglia, University of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France Gaute Einevoll, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, As, Norway German Mato, Bariloche Atomic Center, San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina Hans Ekkehard Plesser, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, As, Norway Horacio Rotstein, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Newark, NJ, USA John Murray, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA Junji Ito, Juelich Research Center, Juelich, Germany Lyle Muller, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada Marja-Leena Linne, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland Mauricio Girardi-Schappo, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis, SC, Brazil Mauro Copelli, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil Sonja Gruen, Juelich Research Center, Juelich, Germany Tilo Schwalger, Technical University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany Valeriy Bragin, State University of New York, New York, NY, USA William Lytton, State University of New York, New York, NY, USA The number of students is limited to 40 and applications should be made electronically via the application form in the school's web page ( www.sisne.org/lascon-ix) Applicants are also requested to submit a detailed CV (in English) and to provide two letters of recommendation. The application deadline is October 14, 2023 (until midnight, US Pacific time). There is no registration fee for the school. Depending on available funding, the school organization may provide free accommodation for students not from the Greater Sao Paulo area. Travel costs will have to be covered by the students. Sao Paulo is the major transportation hub in South America, so it is possible to fly from basically anywhere in the world to its airports. In the selection procedure, priority will be given to Latin-American students, but students from other parts of the world are encouraged to apply as well. LASCON 2024 is an activity of the FAPESP Center for Neuromathematics (NeuroMat - http://neuromat.numec.prp.usp.br/) I am looking forward to see you in Sao Paulo. Best regards, Antonio Roque LASCON Director -- Antonio C. Roque Professor Associado Departamento de Fisica FFCLRP, Universidade de Sao Paulo 14040-901 Ribeirao Preto-SP Brazil - Brasil antonior(a)usp.br <antonior(a)ffclrp.usp.br> aroquesilva(a)gmail.com www.sisne.org ORCID: 0000-0003-1260-4840 <https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1260-4840> ResearcherID: C-2316-2011 <http://www.webofscience.com/wos/author/record/C-2316-2011> Google Scholar: GqHWF74AAAAJ <http://scholar.google.com.br/citations?user=GqHWF74AAAAJ> CV Lattes: 4609096963207702 <http://lattes.cnpq.br/4609096963207702>

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Human Neocortical Neurosolver workshop at SFN 2023
by Stephanie Jones Oct. 8, 2023

Oct. 8, 2023

Are you going to SFN this year and interested in learning about how to interpret the cell and circuit origin of your EEG or MEG data? Join us for an in person hands-on SFN satellite workshop on the Human Neocortical Neurosolver (HNN, https://hnn.brown.edu <https://hnn.brown.edu/> ) on Sat November 10th 9am-3pm. The HNN is an open-source software tool to help researchers and clinicians interpret the cell and circuit origin of their MEG/EEG data. Attendees will learn how to use the HNN-GUI to study the origin of commonly measured signals, including ERPs and low frequency brain rhythms, followed by instruction on how to simulate these signals using the HNN-core Python interface. If you have specific data to work with, bring it and we’ll help you get started. Free pre-registration is required & limited to 25 participants. Registration is filling fast. Sign up today at: https://tinyurl.com/mryhbuy8 . ******************************************* Stephanie R. Jones, PhD Professor Department of Neuroscience Brown University Stephanie_Jones(a)Brown.edu https://sites.brown.edu/stephanie-r-jones-lab/ @drstephjones Human Neocortical Neurosolver https://hnn.brown.edu <https://hnn.brown.edu/> @HNNsolver

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Postdoctoral position in Computational Neuroscience to study plasticity and learning in olfactory system
by Bazhenov, Maksim Oct. 6, 2023

Oct. 6, 2023

The Bazhenov Lab at the University of California, San Diego, is currently seeking to fill a postdoctoral position to study mechanisms of plasticity and learning in the insect olfactory system. This exciting project involves close collaboration with several experimental labs. The ultimate goals of the work are to advance our understanding of how olfactory information is encoded, how animals learn from limited experience, and to develop novel AI algorithms inspired by principles learned from nature. The successful candidate will be responsible for: (a) Designing anatomically realistic computational network models of the olfactory system based on experimental data; (b) Developing and training machine learning models using empirical data. These models will be instrumental in uncovering network dynamics involved in processing and learning olfactory inputs. Additionally, depending on the candidate's interests and experience, there may be opportunities to participate in other related lab projects, such as modeling sleep or applying principles learned from neuroscience to artificial intelligence for continuous learning, knowledge generalization, and adaptation to novel situations and contexts. An ideal candidate should have a background in computational/theoretical neuroscience and neural modeling. Programming experience with C/C++ is required, and knowledge of Python and PyTorch is a significant plus. The University of California offers excellent benefits, and the salary will be 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<mailto:mbazhenov@ucsd.edu>

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2024 International Conference on Mathematical Neuroscience
by Avitabile, D. (Daniele) Oct. 4, 2023

Oct. 4, 2023

Dear All, We are delighted to announce the 2024 International Conference on Mathematical Neuroscience, which will take place at University College Dublin from June 12-14. The conference will include keynote, invited and contributed talks, as well as poster presentations. Keynote lectures will be given by Benjamin Lindner (Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience, Berlin, Germany) Kathryn Hess Bellwald (EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland) Martin Wechselberger (University of Sydney, Australia) (tentative) Our growing list of confirmed invited speakers includes Paul Bressloff (University of Utah, Salt Lake City, USA) Rodica Curtu (The University of Iowa, USA) Gemma Huguet (Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, Spain) Songting Li (Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China) Tim O’Leary (University of Cambridge, UK) Tilo Schwalger (TU Berlin, Germany) For further information see the conference website www.danieleavitabile.com/icmns24 Details on abstract submission, registration and accommodations will be added in the coming week. Please share this announcement and spread the word with your networks! We look forward to seeing you in Dublin next summer. Best wishes, Áine Byrne, Daniele Avitabile and Jonathan Rubin

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Barcelona Event: "Creativity: What makes us human"
by Leonardo Dalla Porta Oct. 4, 2023

Oct. 4, 2023

Greetings, We invite you to attend the roundtable discussion "Creativity: What makes us human," featuring three internationally renowned speakers: Pep Gatell, Artistic Director of La Fura dels Baus; Carme Ruscalleda, a 7-Michelin-starred chef; and Idan Segev, Neuroscientist from Hebrew University. We look forward to seeing you on *October 6th at 7:00 PM* in the Aula Magna of the Historic Building at the *University of Barcelona*. Due to limited space, we recommend that you register in advance. We would also appreciate it if you could share this invitation with your contacts. Registration here: Registration <https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=qzwxosOxOk-7ESFXRH3btDs…> Best Regards -- *Leonardo Dalla Porta D.*

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CFP - IEEE International Conference on Development and Learning 2024
by nagai.yukie＠mail.u-tokyo.ac.jp Oct. 3, 2023

Oct. 3, 2023

Dear colleagues, IEEE International Conference on Development and Learning 2024 May 20–23, 2024 Austin, TX, USA Website: https://la.utexas.edu/users/dil/ICDL_Austin_2024/ Deadline for full paper submissions: December 15, 2023 Deadline for 1-page poster abstracts and journal track poster submissions: March 1, 2024 The IEEE International Conference on Development and Learning (ICDL) conference is a unique meeting gathering researchers from computer science, robotics, psychology, neuroscience, and other disciplines to share and discuss research on how humans and other animals learn and develop and how this can inform and be informed by robotics and machine learning systems. Full papers and other submissions are invited on a range of topics including but not limited to: ● Embodied learning and development in biological systems and robots ● Developmental stages and sensitive periods ● Emergence of verbal and nonverbal communication ● Curiosity, intrinsic motivations, exploration, play and active learning ● Architectures for lifelong learning ● Emergence of body and affordance perception ● Learning control of body movement ● Emotional development and the role of emotion in learning ● Prediction, planning, and problem solving ● The relationship between evolution and development ● Epistemological foundations and philosophical issues ● Robotic and computational models of human and animal development ● Developmentally-inspired machine learning ● Human-robot interaction in developmental contexts ● Applications of machine learning to human and animal development Submissions may take the form of full (6-page) papers, 1-page poster abstracts, journal track posters, and workshops or tutorials. Please see below for details on each submission type. Decisions regarding acceptance will be based on technical quality, novelty, and expected interest to the conference’s interdisciplinary audience. In addition to talks and posters originating from these submissions, the conference will feature a keynote speaker as well as several invited symposia showcasing recent research on a set of themes, with different disciplines and perspectives featured, to prompt lively and productive discussion at the conference. [ Submission types ] ● Full six-page paper submissions Papers of at most 6 pages in IEEE double column format will undergo peer-review, and accepted and presented submissions will be included in the conference proceedings published by IEEE Xplore. Up to two extra pages are acceptable for a publication fee of $100 per page. Accepted papers will be invited for presentation either in oral or poster format Please make use of the template provided at https://www.ieee.org/conferences/publishing/templates.html ● 1-page poster abstracts To encourage discussion of late-breaking results or for work that is not sufficiently mature for a full paper, we will accept 1-page abstracts. These submissions will not be included in the conference proceedings. Accepted abstracts will be presented during the poster session. ● Journal-track posters Journal track poster submissions must be about a journal paper that has been published recently (no earlier than December 2022), on a topic relevant to ICDL. Instructions regarding the online submission system will be posted soon via the conference website. Best regards, Yukie Nagai, on behalf of the organizing committees — Yukie Nagai, Ph.D. Project Professor, The University of Tokyo nagai.yukie(a)mail.u-tokyo.ac.jp | https://developmental-robotics.jp CREST Cognitive Feelings: https://cognitive-feeling.jp CREST Cognitive Mirroring: https://cognitive-mirroring.org

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Final reminder: The fourth Canadian Computational Neuroscience Spotlight starts Thursday!
by Scott Rich Oct. 3, 2023

Oct. 3, 2023

Dear Comp-Neuro Listserv, *The fourth edition of the Canadian Computational Neuroscience Spotlight (CCNS v4) begins this Thursday at 9 am EDT. *The free meeting takes place entirely online via the Crowdcast platform, and you can register here: https://www.crowdcast.io/c/ccnsv4 This year we'll be featuring three fantastic keynote speakers: Drs. Rick Adams, Jeremie Lefebvre, and Sarah Muldoon. In addition, each keynote talk will be accompanied by a related "workshop/tutorial" talk geared towards educating trainees, and we'll also highlight submitted talks by more than 40 undergrads, grad students, and postdocs. You can review the detailed schedule at ccnsmeeting.ca. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions, and we hope to (virtually) see you all later this week! Sincerely, Scott Rich

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Scientific Computing Associate - Biophysical Modeling - Janelia Farm Research Campus
by Ahmed El Hady Oct. 3, 2023

Oct. 3, 2023

Dear all, Below an exciting opportunity in Janelia Farm Research Campus to be part of an exciting collaboration if you are into scientific computing, software development and neuronal biophysics: Scientific Computing Associate (SCA) <https://www.janelia.org/support-team/scientific-computing-software/scientif…> II position represents an alternative to traditional scientific roles (e.g. postdoc) and provides an ideal environment to establish a career in computational research or software engineering. The position aims at developing qualifications and experience in computational research and professional software engineering in a research environment that enables the candidate to pursue their future career in science or industry. For each project, the SCA will be paired with an experienced software engineer and a member from the specific lab, often the lab head, to quickly learn techniques and about the project itself. The developed software will be openly accessible and the SCA will have the opportunity to become a lead contributor and to potentially publish results. The SCA position is a time-limited appointment for 12 to 24 months, with discretionary renewal for a 12-month term (maximum of 36 months in total). What We Provide: ·A competitive compensation package, with comprehensive health and welfare benefits. ·The opportunity to collaborate with skilled scientists and software engineers and work alongside computational and experimental enthusiasts ·The ability to work as an independent scientist ·An exciting and inspiring work environment at HHMI Janelia What You’ll Do: We are seeking an SCA to join our team at HHMI Janelia to lead a project aimed at /in silico/ biophysical modeling of extracellular ion dynamics in the mammalian brain. Dr. Kayvon Pedram <https://www.pedramlab.com/> will provide mentorship on biochemical aspects of the work; Dr. Ahmed El Hady <https://www.ab.mpg.de/person/111828/2736> will provide mentorship in theoretical neuroscience; and Dr. Stephan Preibisch <https://www.janelia.org/people/stephan-preibisch> and his team will provide mentorship in algorithm development and software engineering. Successful candidates will be interested in exerting intellectual and operational freedom to tackle research objectives at the intersection of these three fields. In brief, neurons convey information through electric pulses, which are generated by rapid ion transport between the cell’s interior and the local extracellular environment. These action potentials propagate from one neuron to the next via chemical synapses, where neurotransmitter-containing vesicles are released into the extracellular space for detection by neighboring neurons. The process of neurotransmitter release itself depends on a rapid, synaptically localized calcium exchange with the extracellular environment. While it is widely understood that transmembrane ion gradients are a crucial aspect of the biophysics that underlies communication within neuronal networks, there is a much more limited understanding of how molecules in the extracellular space, which are heterogenous and actively remodeled throughout the brain, contribute to neuronal communication over a variety of spatial and temporal scales. You will build theoretical frameworks and computational models to explore how extracellular factors, such as ion-ion interactions and mechanical perturbations, influence the diffusion of charged molecules, and subsequently, neuronal excitability. You can expect a close, bidirectional relationship between your theory/modeling efforts and experiments ongoing in the lab and will have the opportunity to test theoretical predictions in the laboratory, if desired. A detailed project description and bibliography will be provided to candidates at the interview stage. What You Bring: ·M.S. or Ph.D. in Computer Science, Physics, Neuroscience, or related fields (e.g., Biology, Chemistry, Engineering). ·Extensive coding experience ·Collaborative and collegial attitude toward staff at all levels. For more information and application , please check here: https://hhmi.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/External/job/Janelia-Research-Camp… <https://hhmi.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/External/job/Janelia-Research-Camp…>

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Tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Mathematical and Statistical Foundations of Big Data at Georgia State University
by Yaroslav Molkov Oct. 3, 2023

Oct. 3, 2023

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Georgia State University invites applications to fill a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Mathematical and Statistical Foundations of Big Data with a start date of August 2024. Candidates in all areas of mathematics and statistics related to big data analysis and processing are encouraged to apply. Essential Qualifications: - Ph.D. in Mathematics, Statistics, Data Science, or a closely related field; - Ability to teach core undergraduate and graduate mathematics and/or statistics courses; - Experience in research and teaching in the field of mathematical and statistical foundations of big data. Preferred Qualifications: - Strong desire to work in a cross-disciplinary, collaborative environment; - An experience in supervising undergraduate and graduate students. The Department offers BS in Mathematics, MS in Mathematics with no concentration or concentrations in Bioinformatics, Biostatistics, Discrete Mathematics, Scientific Computing, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, as well as Statistics and Allied Fields, and Ph.D. in Mathematics and Statistics with concentrations in Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Bioinformatics, and Biostatistics. Faculty members in the department have established nationally and internationally recognized research programs in both mathematics and statistics, including applied statistics, biostatistics, data science, dynamical systems, complex networks, machine learning, inverse problems, mathematical biology, optimization, computational mathematics, systems biology, modeling neural, cardiovascular, and multi-organ systems, physical and biomedical image analysis. Additionally, the Department collaborates with other GSU departments in epidemiology, pathogen genetics, immunology, inflammation, and translational biomedical sciences. For more information, please visit our website at https://www.mathstat.gsu.edu/. GSU, the largest university in Georgia, is an enterprising urban R1 research university located in downtown Atlanta and home to one of the most diverse student bodies in the country. It is a national leader in applying innovative measures to drive student success and research growth, as well as generating innovative research. Applicants should submit: 1) a cover letter outlining qualifications and research interests, 2) a curriculum vitae with a publication list and (optional) a teaching and funding list, 3) a research statement, including current and future research agenda, and 4) a teaching statement with evidence of aptitude or ability to teach at the undergraduate and graduate levels. All materials should be submitted online at http://www.mathjobs.org. Applicants should also arrange for three letters of recommendation to be submitted online at http://www.mathjobs.org. A formal review of applications will begin on November 15, 2023, and will continue until the position is filled. An offer of employment will be conditional upon background verification. Georgia State University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against applicants due to race, ethnicity, gender, veteran status, or on the basis of disability or any other federal, state, or local protected class.

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lecture notes published
by Michael Biehl Oct. 3, 2023

Oct. 3, 2023

Dear colleagues. My lecture notes "The Shallow and the Deep - A biased introduction to neural networks and old school machine learning" have been published by University of Groningen Press: https://books.ugp.rug.nl/index.php/ugp/catalog/book/130 The book is available as open access e-pub (pdf) and non-profit print-on-demand (softcover) from various sources, see https://www.cs.rug.nl/~biehl/mpubl.html for some links. Best wishes, Michael -- --------------------------------------------------- Prof. Dr. Michael Biehl Bernoulli Institute for Mathematics, Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence P.O. Box 407, 9700 AK Groningen, NL https://www.cs.rug.nl/~biehl m.biehl(a)rug.nl

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Call for Participation COMPLEX NETWORKS 2023 Menton France November 28 - 30, 2023
by Hocine Cherifi Oct. 3, 2023

Oct. 3, 2023

*12th** International Conference on Complex Networks & Their Applications* *Menton Riviera* <https://www.menton-riviera-merveilles.co.uk/>*, France *November 28 - 30, 2023 COMPLEX NETWORKS 2023 <http://www.complexnetworks.org/> *Registration:* https://complexnetworks.org/registration/ Early registration deadline: *October 13, 2023* *KEYNOTE SPEAKERS* Michael Bronstein <https://www.cs.ox.ac.uk/people/michael.bronstein/>* - *Univ. of Oxford UK - *Physics-inspired Graph Neural Networks* <https://complexnetworks.org/keynote-speakers-3/> Kathleen Carley <https://www.cylab.cmu.edu/directory/bios/carley-kathleen.html> - Carnegie Mellon Univ. USA - *Coupling in High Dimensional Networks* <https://complexnetworks.org/keynote-speakers-3/> Manlio De Domenico <https://manliodedomenico.com/> Univ. of Padua Italy: *An Emerging Framework for the Functional Analysis of Complex* <https://complexnetworks.org/keynote-speakers-3/>* Interconnected Systems* Danai Koutra <http://web.eecs.umich.edu/~dkoutra/> - Univ. of Michigan USA - *Advances in Graph Neural Networks: Heterophily and Beyond* <https://complexnetworks.org/keynote-speakers-3/> Romualdo Pastor-Satorras <http://www.fen.upc.edu/~romu/> - UPC Spain - *Opinion Depolarization in Interdependent Topics and the Effects of Heterogeneous Social Interactions* <https://complexnetworks.org/keynote-speakers-3/> Tao Zhou <https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=MXgWgmEAAAAJ&hl=en> - USTC China - *Recent Debates in Link Prediction* <https://complexnetworks.org/keynote-speakers-3/> *TUTORIALS (November 27, 2023)* Tiago de Paula Peixoto <https://skewed.de/tiago> - CEU Vienna Austria - *Network Inference and Reconstruction* <https://complexnetworks.org/tutorials/> Maria Liakata <https://www.turing.ac.uk/people/researchers/maria-liakata> - Queen Mary University of London UK - *Longitudinal language processing from user generated content* <https://complexnetworks.org/tutorials/> Best regards, and looking forward to seeing you at COMPLEX NETWORKS 2023. Hocine Cherifi, Luis M. Rocha COMPLEX NETWORKS 2023 General Chairs Join us at COMPLEX NETWORKS 2023 <https://www.complexnetworks.org/> *-------------------------* Hocine CHERIFI University of Burgundy Franche-Comté Laboratoire* I*nterdisciplinaire *C*arnot de *B*ourgogne - ICB UMR 6303 CNRS Editor in Chief Applied Network Science <https://appliednetsci.springeropen.com/> Plos Complex Systems <https://plos.org/complex-systems-research-journal/#:~:text=PLOS%20Complex%2….> Editorial Board member PLOS One <https://journals.plos.org/plosone/>, IEEE ACCESS <https://ieeeaccess.ieee.org/?http%3A%2F%2Fieeeaccess_ieee_org%2F>, Scientific Reports <https://www.nature.com/srep/>, Journal of Imaging <https://www.mdpi.com/journal/jimaging>, Quality and Quantity <https://www.springer.com/journal/11135/>, Computational Social Networks <https://computationalsocialnetworks.springeropen.com/>, Complex Systems <https://www.complex-systems.com/>

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COSYNE 2024: Meeting announcement; Call for Abstracts
by Tomas Hromadka Sept. 30, 2023

Sept. 30, 2023

==================================================== Computational and Systems Neuroscience 2024 (Cosyne) MAIN MEETING 29 February - 03 March 2024 Lisbon, Portugal WORKSHOPS 04 March - 05 March 2024 Cascais, Portugal www.cosyne.org ==================================================== ---------------------------------------------------- MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT ---------------------------------------------------- The annual Cosyne meeting provides an inclusive forum for the exchange of empirical and theoretical approaches to problems in systems neuroscience, in order to understand how neural systems function. The MAIN MEETING is single-track. A set of invited talks is selected by the Executive Committee, and additional talks and posters are selected by the Program Committee, based on submitted abstracts. The WORKSHOPS feature in-depth discussion of current topics of interest, in a small group setting. All abstract submissions will be reviewed double blind. The deadline for Abstract submission will be 19 November 2023. Cosyne topics include but are not limited to: neural basis of behavior, sensory and motor systems, circuitry, learning, neural coding, natural scene statistics, dendritic computation, neural basis of persistent activity, nonlinear receptive field mapping, representations of time and sequence, reward systems, decision-making, synaptic plasticity, map formation and plasticity, population coding, attention, neuromodulation, and computation with spiking networks. We would like to foster increased participation from experimental groups as well as computational ones. Please circulate widely and encourage your students and postdocs to apply. IMPORTANT DATES Abstract submission opens: 04 October 2023 Abstract submission deadline: 19 November 2023 When preparing an abstract, authors should be aware that not all abstracts can be accepted for the meeting. Abstracts will be selected based on the clarity with which they convey the substance, significance, and originality of the work to be presented. ORGANIZING COMMITTEE General Chairs: Jessica Cardin (Yale) and Blake Richards (McGill) Program Chairs: Bing Brunton (U Washington) and Chandramouli Chandrasekaran (Boston U) Workshop Chairs: SueYeon Chung (NYU) and Andrew Saxe (Oxford) Tutorial Chair: Il Memming Park (Champalimaud) DEIA Committee: Hysell Oviedo (Washington U) and Luke Sjulson (Albert Einstein) Fundraising Chair: Michael Long (NYU) Social Media Chair: Sabera Talukder (Caltech) Audio-Video Media Chair: Carlos Stein Brito (EPFL) Poster Design: Maja Bialon PROGRAM COMMITTEE Bing Brunton (U Washington) Co-chair Chandramouli Chandrasekaran (Boston U) Co-chair Alex Cayco Gajic (Ecole Normale Superieure) Hannah Choi (Gatech) Brian DePasquale (Boston U) Sridhar Devarajan (Indian Inst Sci) Laura Driscoll (Stanford) Ann Duan (UCL) Lea Duncker (Stanford) Annegret Falkner (Princeton) Juan Gallego (Imperial) Matthew Golub (U Washington) Kameron Harris (W Washington U) Santiago Jaramillo (U Oregon) Jonathan Kao (UCLA) Ann Kennedy (Northwestern) Guillaume Lajoie (MILA) Camilo Libedinsky (National U Singapore) Scott Linderman (Stanford) Ashok Litwin-Kumar (Columbia) Emily Mackevicius (Basis) Leenoy Meshulam (U Washington) Jonathan Michaels (York U) James Murray (U Oregon) Hendrikje Nienborg (NIH) Gouki Okazawa (Chinese Acad Sci) Chethan Pandarinath (Emory) Il Memming Park (Champalimaud) Hannah Payne (Columbia) Talmo Pereira (Salk) Supratim Ray (Indian Inst Sci) Erin Rich (Mount Sinai) Ben Scott (Boston U) Alireza Soltani (Dartmouth) Nicholas Steinmetz (U Washington) Marie Suver (Vanderbilt) Aparna Suvrathan (McGill) John Tuthill (U Washington) Ali Weber (Bryn Mawr) Brady Weissbourd (MIT) Alex Williams (NYU) Klaus Wimmer (CRM) Brad Wyble (Penn State) EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Stephanie Palmer (U Chicago) Anne-Marie Oswald (U Pittsburgh) Zachary Mainen (Champalimaud) Alexandre Pouget (U Geneva) Anthony Zador (CSHL) CONTACT meeting [at] cosyne.org ----------------------------------------------------- COSYNE MAILING LISTS ----------------------------------------------------- Please consider adding yourself to Cosyne mailing lists (groups) to receive email updates with various Cosyne-related information and join in helpful discussions. See Cosyne.org -> About-> Mailing lists for details.

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Open PhD position - Spiking Neural Networks for scalable learning neuromorphics
by Robert Legenstein Sept. 29, 2023

Sept. 29, 2023

The Lab of Robert Legenstein at Graz University of Technology (Austria) is offering a funded PhD position in the areas Spiking Neural Networks/Machine Learning/Brain Models/Neuromorphic Hardware. A background in Machine Learning, Computer Science, or Mathematics is desirable, as well as evidence for excellent prior performance as a student. The successful candidate will work on learning algorithms for spiking neural networks in the international consortium of the international project "Scalable Learning Neuromorphics". We will develop in this project learning algorithms for spiking neural networks for memristive hardware implementations. Please send your application including a CV, any prior thesis and/or work by October 20 to robert.legenstein(a)igi.tugraz.at Scalable Learning Neuromorphics project description: This project aims to develop scalable Spiking Neural Networks (SNNs) by leveraging the integration of 3D memristors, thereby overcoming limitations of conventional Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs). Positioned at the intersection of artificial intelligence and brain-inspired computing, the initiative focuses on innovative SNN training methods, optimizing recurrent connections, and designing dedicated hardware accelerators. These advancements will uniquely contribute to scalability and energy efficiency. The endeavor addresses key challenges in event-based processing and temporal coding, aiming for substantial performance gains in both software and hardware implementations of artificial intelligence systems. Expected research outputs include novel algorithms, optimization methods, and memristor-based hardware architectures, with broad applications and potential for technology transfer. -- Dr. Robert Legenstein Univ.-Professor Institute of Theoretical Computer Science Graz University of Technology Inffeldgasse 16b/I, 8010 Graz, Austria https://www.tugraz.at/institute/igi/people/prof-legenstein/ Follow @CompLegenstein on Twitter. ++43/316/873-5824 ----------------------------------

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Postdoc position on signal processing, AI and software for a closed-loop epilepsy, CLINATEC, Grenoble, France
by COSTECALDE Thomas Sept. 29, 2023

Sept. 29, 2023

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoc to join the Epilepsy<https://www.cimec.unitn.it/en/929/action-recognition-and-concepts-group> program at Clinatec, France (Grenoble). The fellowship will investigate algorithmic approaches to detecting pre-ictal phenomena (interictal spikes) associated with the occurrence of seizures, using the PNH-penicillin model or other acute models. Seizure prediction is an essential part of the cooling approach-maximizing efficacy while reducing technical constraints. PhD or equivalent with strong knowledge in time-series, machine learning, signal processing, with strong skills in Python. Some experience in manipulating large data and working on clusters (slurm) is an advantage. Otherwise, a basic knowledge of the Unix command line basics is required. Ability to work autonomously. The position will be for 3 years and open now. Please send your expression of interest to malvina.billeres(a)cea.fr<mailto:malvina.billeres@cea.fr> and get in touch if you have any questions. We look forward to hearing from you! Thanks Dr Costecalde Thomas Here is the full description : Title: Post-doctoral fellow (H/F) signal processing, AI and software for a closed-loop epilepsy treatment application using focal cooling, seizure prediction and detection. Context: Epilepsy remains one of the most common neurological disease. This pathology has an incidence of 50 to 100 000 new cases per year and affects around 50 million people worldwide.Antiepileptics drugs are currently the gold treatment but they are effective only in 60-70% of patients. For several years, nonpharmacological potential new treatments have been investigated including an interesting new approach using focal cooling. In the literature, some results in preclinical models have shown that a cooling at 21°C can reduce the frequency of epileptic seizures. The postdoctoral fellowship will be carried out at Clinatec, in Grenoble, France. We have started a programme focused on focal cooling treatment. Our aim is to develop a medical device delivering a focal cooling to deep brain regions such as the hippocampus to treat epilepsy. We have therefore developed a preclinical implantable device to deliver this cooling in order to obtain information concerning the parameters needed to reduce seizures (target temperature, duration...). The fellowship will investigate algorithmic approaches to detecting pre-ictal phenomena (interictal spikes) associated with the occurrence of seizures, using the PNH-penicillin model or other acute models. Seizure prediction is an essential part of the cooling approach-maximizing efficacy while reducing technical constraints. The candidate will work closely with a neurosurgeon, who will provide neuroscientigic expertise, as well as a PhD student (biology). The laboratory also includes engineers, clinicians and a signal processing team. Missions will include, * Labelling of the different brain signals occurring in epilepsy (seizure, pre-ictal, interictal, post-ictal...). * Statistical analysis and hypothesis testing of the data. * Online closed loop optimization of seizure prediction/forecasting algorithms. * Detection of anomalies (HFO, fast ripples, phase coupling) for prediction and forecasting. * Testing of adaptive algorithms for prediction and forecasting (preclinical/clinical database): effects of cooling on algorithm performance. * Integration of other measurements (temperature...) in algorithm prediction. * Maintenance and improvement of experiment software Profil of candidate: PhD or equivalent with strong knowledge in time-series, machine learning, signal processing, with strong skills in Python. Some experience in manipulating large data and working on clusters (slurm) is an advantage. Otherwise, a basic knowledge of the Unix command line basics is required. Ability to work autonomously.

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The Purdue CCNLAB is recruiting a new graduate student for Fall 2024!
by Helie, Sebastien Sept. 29, 2023

Sept. 29, 2023

Dr. Sébastien Hélie is looking for new graduate students interested in problem solving, decision-making, or cognitive control. Dr. Hélie supervises students in the Mathematical & Computational Psychology (MCP) program, the Cognitive Psychology program, and the Neuroscience and Behavior program. This year, priority will be given to applications in the MCP program, but my interest is to recruit the best applicant regardless of which program the applicant is from. The Department of Psychological Sciences at Purdue University is consistently ranked among the top 50 in the US, and the CCNLAB has been doing cutting-edge research using various behavioral, neuroscientific, and computational methodologies. Interested students should contact Prof. Hélie at shelie(a)purdue.edu. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Sébastien Hélie, Ph.D. Professor of Psychological Sciences Director of CEREBBRAL -- Offices: PRCE 359 Phone: (765) 496-2692 Website: http://ccn.psych.purdue.edu/ -----------------------------------------------------------------

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Postdoc position on predictive representation / dynamic RSA, CIMeC, Uni Trento, Italy
by Moritz Wurm Sept. 29, 2023

Sept. 29, 2023

We are seeking a highly motivated Postdoc to join the Action Recognition and Concepts Group <https://www.cimec.unitn.it/en/929/action-recognition-and-concepts-group> at CIMeC (Center for Mind/Brain Sciences), University of Trento, Italy. The research project will focus on a MEG-based dynamic extension to representational similarity analysis (dynamic RSA <https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-023-39355-y>) that we have recently developed in our lab to investigate predictive representations of dynamic events. The successful candidate should have a background in cognitive neuroscience (preferably in action and/or perception, M/EEG or fMRI, MVPA/RSA) and strong programming skills (preferably Matlab). The position will be for 2 years and probably open in beginning of 2024. Please send your expression of interest to moritz.wurm(a)unitn.it <mailto:moritz.wurm@unitn.it> and get in touch if you have any questions. We look forward to hearing from you! Best wishes, Moritz Wurm

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Modellers Workshop for the Brain Dynamics Toolbox (Final Call)
by Stewart Heitmann Sept. 29, 2023

Sept. 29, 2023

Final call for the Modeller’s Workshop for the Brain Dynamics Toolbox. The Modeller’s Workshop is an online course for researchers, students and instructors who wish to build custom dynamical models using the Brain Dynamics Toolbox. Topics include programming Ordinary Differential Equations, Partial Differential Equations, Delay Differential Equations, Stochastic Differential Equations, Auxiliary Plot Functions and command-line tools. Example code is provided in all cases. Study time is 8 hours. Course Website https://bdtoolbox.teachable.com/p/modellers-workshop Toolbox Website https://bdtoolbox.org Important Information Enrolments close Sat 30th Sep 2023. Disclaimer The information contained in this communication from the sender is confidential. It is intended solely for use by the recipient and others authorized to receive it. If you are not the recipient, you are hereby notified that any disclosure, copying, distribution or taking action in relation of the contents of this information is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. This email has been scanned for viruses and malware, and may have been automatically archived by Mimecast Ltd, an innovator in Software as a Service (SaaS) for business. Providing a safer and more useful place for your human generated data. Specializing in; Security, archiving and compliance. To find out more visit the Mimecast website.

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Organization for Computational Neurosciences - call for self-nominations to the Board of Directors
by Rubchinsky, Leonid L Sept. 28, 2023

Sept. 28, 2023

Dear Colleagues, The Organization for Computational Neurosciences is inviting self-nominations for the OCNS Board of Directors election. New Directors will serve a three-year term from January 2024 through December 2026. Candidates are required to be an OCNS members for at least a year or to attend an on-site annual CNS meeting in the past. More information about the new Directors’ election can be found at https://www.cnsorg.org/election-procedures The deadline for application is October 11, 2023. Best regards, OCNS Board of Directors

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Two Computational Neuroscience Faculty Positions at UChicago
by Brent Doiron Sept. 28, 2023

Sept. 28, 2023

Dear Computational Neuroscience Community The University of Chicago's Grossman Center for Quantitative Biology and Human Behavior seeks to recruit faculty in computational/theoretical neuroscience into the Department of Neurobiology within the Biological Sciences Division or the Department of Physics in the Physical Sciences Division. Appointees will be core members of the Grossman Center for Quantitative Biology and Human Behavior and will lead a ‘dry’ computational lab alongside a growing group of other computational neuroscientists. Appointments will be made in an appropriate primary department (Neurobiology or Physics) based on field and experience, with secondary appointment(s) in another unit possible. Academic rank and compensation (including a generous package of fringe benefits) are dependent upon qualifications. We especially welcome applicants who are developing computational models and analysis methods at the cellular, circuits, systems, or cognitive levels from all relevant academic disciplines including physical and biological sciences. Appointees will be expected to establish deep and extensive collaborations with the vibrant experimental neuroscience community at the University of Chicago. The University of Chicago is currently engaged in a major expansion in neuroscience, with computational neuroscience being an area of focus. The University offers a rich intellectual environment that includes a strong translational neuroscience community and affiliations with Argonne National Laboratory and the Data Science Institute. The Divisions, other academic units of the University, and the School of Medicine, are all contained within one compact campus in Chicago's Hyde Park. Appointees will have access to state-of-the-art core facilities and to outstanding colleagues and graduate students affiliated with numerous degree-granting programs within and outside the biological sciences. Prior to the start of employment, qualified applicants must have a Ph.D. or equivalent. Application Instructions: Applications must be submitted through the University of Chicago’s Academic Recruitment job site: http://apply.interfolio.com/133134. Review of applications will begin on November 1, 2023, and continue until all positions are filled. Best Brent Doiron -- Heinrich Kluver Professor of Neurobiology and Statistics Director of the Grossman Center for Quantitative Biology and Human Behavior Chair for the Committee on Computational Neuroscience University of Chicago Chicago IL https://brainmath.bsd.uchicago.edu/

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Postdoctoral Associate Position in Cardiac-Cortical Circuit Modelling at the Group for Neural Theory and LNC2, Ecole Normale Superieure, Paris.
by Boris Sept. 28, 2023

Sept. 28, 2023

A three-year post-doctoral position in theoretical neuroscience is open to explore the mechanisms of interaction between interoceptive cardiac and exteroceptive tactile inputs at the cortical level. We aim to develop and validate a computational model of cardiac and of a somatosensory cortical circuit dynamics in order to determine the conditions under which interactions between exteroceptive and interoceptive inputs occur and which underlying mechanism (e.g., phase-resetting, gating, phasic arousal,..) best explain experimental data. The ideal candidate should have a doctoral degree in quantitative discipline (e.g. applied mathematics, physics, engineering) and previous experience with dynamic system approaches to neural function , modelling cortical neural circuits, excellent programming skills coupled with an interest for, and a willingness to learn about, interoception and its influences on neural dynamics, perception and cognition. The candidate will have a unique opportunity to join the project at its very inception and take a key role in the technical and conceptual development. The postdoctoral fellow will be based at the Group for Neural Theory <https://gnt.dec.ens.fr/en> at LNC2 <https://lnc2.dec.ens.fr/en> , in Boris Gutkin’s team <https://lnc2.dec.ens.fr/en/teams/mathematics-neural-circuits> with strong interactions with Catherine Tallon-Baudry’s team <https://lnc2.dec.ens.fr/en/research/teams/subjectivity-brain-and-viscera-45…>. LNC2 is located in the center of Paris within the Cognitive Science Department <https://cognition.ens.fr/en> at Ecole Normale Supérieure <https://www.ens.psl.eu/en>, with numerous opportunities to interact with the Paris scientific community at large, in a stimulating and supportive work environment. Group for Neural Theory provides a rich environment and local community for theoretical neuroscience. Lab life is in English, speaking French is not a requirement. Salary according to experience and French rules. Starting date is first semester 2024. Informal enquiries and applications (CV, motivation letter and contacts for reference) should be sent to boris.gutkin(a)ens.psl.eu <mailto:boris.gutkin@ens.psl.eu> and catherine.tallon-baudry(a)ens.psl.eu <mailto:catherine.tallon-baudry@ens.psl.eu>. Applications can be sent immediately but application evaluation will begin on Oct 25th, 2023. Applications received after Oct 25th will be evaluated on the fly, the position remaining open until filled. Boris Gutkin, PhD Research Director CNRS Group for Neural Theory LNC2, INSERM U 960 Department of Cognitive Studies Ecole Normale Superieure Paris. France boris.gutkin(a)ens.fr

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PhD student in Amsterdam on embodied decision-making
by Bernadette van Wijk Sept. 28, 2023

Sept. 28, 2023

Dear colleagues, Within the Neurocontrol section at the Department of Human Movement Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, we are looking for a PhD candidate on the topic of embodied decision-making. The candidate will work at the intersection between cognition and motor control. With clever experimental designs and a strong focus on EEG time series analysis, and neural and cognitive modelling, we aim to dig into the neural mechanisms of perceptual decision making. The 4-year project will be supervised by Dr. Bernadette van Wijk, Dr. Rob van Beers, and Prof. Jeroen Smeets. Requirements: - MSc degree in human movement sciences or a related field such as (cognitive or computational) neuroscience, psychology, or biomedical engineering - Affinity with the research topics motor control and perceptual decision-making - Prior experience with conducting behavioural experiments in human participants - Prior experience with time series analysis and statistical modelling - Comfortable with programming in Matlab and/or Python - Prior experience with conducting and analyzing EEG experiments is desired For more information and to apply, please see: https://workingat.vu.nl/ad/phd-position/d6jrlg PhD position: The neural mechanisms of Embodied decision-making - 4. Working at VU workingat.vu.nl Best, Bernadette van Wijk Assistant Professor Department of Human Movement Sciences Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam The Netherlands

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UniReps Workshop on Unifying Representations in Neural Models, NeurIPS 2023, DEADLINE 04 Oct
by Clementine Domine Sept. 27, 2023

Sept. 27, 2023

We are thrilled to announce the first edition of the UniReps Workshop on Unifying Representations in Neural Models <https://unireps.org/>! To be held on Dec 15, 2023 at NeurIPS 2023 <https://nips.cc/>, New Orleans, USA. Our workshop aims to explore the emergence of similar representations from diverse neural models, both artificial and biological, when exposed to similar stimuli. We will investigate this phenomenon’s reasons, conditions, and methods and explore the potential for unifying these representations into a shared framework. Additionally, we will delve into exciting applications such as model merging, stitching, and reusing independently trained modules.*Our primary objective is to foster collaboration and idea exchange among Machine Learning, Neuroscience, and Cognitive Science researchers. We aim to create a platform for interdisciplinary discussions and collaborations by bringing together experts from diverse backgrounds. Check our **Call For Papers <https://unireps.org/call-for-papers/>** below.* *For any additional information check our **website <https://unireps.org/>* *, **Twitter profile <https://twitter.com/unireps>**, **Slack workspace <https://join.slack.com/t/unirepsunifyi-stf5976/shared_invite/zt-22vr60uon-G…>**, or contact us at **unireps.organizers(a)gmail.com**.**Call For Papers* Neural models, whether in biological or artificial systems, tend to learn similar representations when exposed to similar stimuli. This phenomenon has been observed in various scenarios, e.g., when individuals are exposed to the same stimulus or in different initializations of the same neural architecture. Similar representations occur in settings where data is acquired from multiple modalities (e.g., text and image representations of the same entity) or when observations in a single modality are acquired under different conditions (e.g., multiview learning). The emergence of these similar representations has sparked interest in the fields of Neuroscience, Artificial Intelligence, and Cognitive Science. This workshop aims to get a unified view on this topic and facilitate the exchange of ideas and insights across these fields, focusing on three key points: When: Understanding the patterns by which these similarities emerge in different neural models and developing methods to measure them. Why: Investigating the underlying causes of these similarities in neural representations, considering both artificial and biological models. What for: Exploring and showcasing applications in modular deep learning, including model merging, reuse, stitching, efficient strategies for fine-tuning, and knowledge transfer between models and across modalities. *Topics* A non-exhaustive list of the preferred topics includes: - Model merging, stitching, and reuse - Representational alignment - Identifiability in neural models - Symmetry and equivariance in NNs - Learning dynamics - Disentangled representations - Multiview representation learning - Representation similarity analysis - Linear mode connectivity - Similarity-based learning - Multimodal learning - Similarity measures in NNs *Important Dates* - Paper submission deadline: Oct 04, 2023 – Submit on OpenReview <https://openreview.net/group?id=NeurIPS.cc/2023/Workshop/UniReps> - Final decisions to authors: Oct 27, 2023 *Tracks* Submissions to the workshop are organized in two tracks, both requiring novel and unpublished results: an Extended abstract track, which will address early-stage results, insightful negative findings, opinion pieces, and a Proceedings track, which will address complete papers to be published in a dedicated workshop proceedings volume. Both tracks will be included in the workshop poster session to give an opportunity to authors to present their work, and a subset of the submissions will be selected for a spotlight talk session during the workshop.*Paper Format* The full paper submissions must be at most 9 pages long (excluding references and supplementary materials) and anonymized. We will follow the Neurips general conference submission criteria for papers - for details please see: NeurIPS Call For Papers <https://nips.cc/Conferences/2023/CallForPapers>. As a note, the reviewers will not be required to review the supplementary materials, so ensure your paper is self-contained. For the extended non-archival abstracts please use the same template but limit the submission to 4 pages, excluding references. The submission site will have an option to differentiate full papers and extended abstracts. Please make sure to use the NeurIPS LaTeX template <https://media.neurips.cc/Conferences/NeurIPS2023/Styles/neurips_2023.tex> and style file <https://media.neurips.cc/Conferences/NeurIPS2023/Styles/neurips_2023.sty>. *Clementine Domine* *Gastby Computational Neuroscience Unit Phd Student* On the behalf of the Unireps committee

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NITMB Fellows Program
by William L. Kath Sept. 27, 2023

Sept. 27, 2023

Dear Colleagues and Friends, We are excited to announce the launch of the National Institute for Theory and Mathematics in Biology <https://new.nsf.gov/news/new-50-million-institute-aims-use-power-math-model>! This joint venture between Northwestern University and the University of Chicago is funded by the NSF and Simons Foundation and will form a hub for research at the interface of mathematics and biology. The NITMB <https://www.nitmb.org/> will support research projects in the Chicagoland area plus a wider network of collaborators, and will also host long programs to bring researchers from around the globe together to tackle how biological systems operate, focusing on mathematical theories, modeling, algorithms, and computational approaches. We are also excited to begin recruiting talented independent postdoctoral researchers to the NITMB, and we’d like your help spreading the word. Attached you will find our call for applications tothe NITMB Fellows <https://www.nitmb.org/nitmb-fellows> Program. These are three year positions for postdocs, who can function with a large amount of autonomy at the NITMB. We hope you’ll share this broadly. Cheers, The NITMB team ---------------------------- The newly formed NSF-Simons National Institute for Theory and Mathematics in Biology (NITMB), jointly hosted by Northwestern University and the University of Chicago, invites applications for the 2024-2027 NITMB Fellows Program. We seek remarkable early-career researchers, who will have completed a doctoral degree in Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, Engineering, Biology or related fields by September 2024. This opportunity is open to researchers who want to develop theory and computational approaches to study any area of biology. Under the mentorship of NITMB leadership, fellows will develop an independent research program aligned with the Institute’s interest in the constraints and capabilities of living systems, fostering collaborations with NITMB members or others outside the Institute. This three-year fellowship offers a competitive salary and generous research stipend. The goal of the fellowship is to empower an early-career scholar to define their research path, either independently or in close collaboration with members across various departments, including Biological Sciences, Mathematics, Physics, Computer Science, and Engineering. Appointments can start as early as February 1, 2024 but no later than September 1, 2024, and will be at the internal University rank of Postdoctoral Scholar. This position is open to individuals who are less than seven years post attainment of their Ph.D. degree. NITMB Fellows will be part of a thriving intellectual community with no teaching obligations, allowing full dedication to groundbreaking research. There are opportunities to participate in NITMB-sponsored outreach programs. Candidates must apply by emailing their application documents to Nitmb_fellows(a)nitmb.org, and will be asked to provide the following documents: cover letter, curriculum vitae, list of publications and preprints, and a description of research interests to be pursued at the NITMB. In addition, at least three letters of recommendation must be received from faculty members or senior research scientists who are active in the field of study in question. These should be sent by email to nitmb_fellows(a)nitmb.org with the candidate’s last name in the subject line. The required materials and the letters of reference must be received by November 1, 2023. We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages diverse perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange. The Universities’ Statements on Diversity are at https://www.northwestern.edu/diversity/about/mission-and-vision/ and https://provost.uchicago.edu/statements-diversity. Northwestern University and the University of Chicago are Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employers and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the Universities’ Notices of Nondiscrimination. Northwestern strongly recommends COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters for people who can obtain them as a critical tool for minimizing severe illness. More information can be found on the COVID-19 and Campus Updates webpage. The Northwestern campus sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Potawatomi, and Odawa as well as the Menominee, Miami and Ho-Chunk nations. We acknowledge and honor the original people of the land upon which Northwestern University stands, and the Native people who remain on this land today.

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