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AREADNE 2024 Abstract Submission Open

by John Pezaris

AREADNE 2024 Research in Encoding and Decoding of Neural Ensembles Eliopoulos Conference Center, Milos, Greece 25-29 June 2024 http://areadne.org info(a)areadne.org Dear Colleague, We are pleased to announce that abstract submission is now open for poster presentation at AREADNE 2024, 25-29 June 2024, our tenth meeting, to be held at the Eliopoulos Conference Centre in Milos, Greece. Note that this is a change in location from previous meetings. Continuing with the same highly successful format, AREADNE 2024 will bring scientific leaders from around the world to present their theoretical and experimental work on the functioning of neuronal ensembles. The meeting will provide an informal and beautiful setting in which attendees can discuss their recent ideas and discoveries, with a relaxed pace that emphasizes interaction. Please see the Call for Abstracts for additional details, including links for templates, at http://areadne.org/call-for-abstracts Submissions of abstracts for poster presentations are due by 26 Jan 2024; notifications will be provided by late February 2024. We strongly encourage potential attendees to submit an abstract as presenters have registration priority. For information about the conference, please refer to the main web page http://areadne.org or send email to us at info(a)areadne.org . We hope to see you at AREADNE 2024! Best, - J. --- John S. Pezaris, Ph.D. AREADNE 2024 Co-Chair Harvard Medical School Massachusetts General Hospital 55 Fruit Street Boston, MA 02114, USA info(a)areadne.org

Jan. 12, 2024

ICMNS 2024 - abstract submission deadline reminder

by Áine Byrne

Dear all, A quick reminder that the call for contributed talks and posters at ICMNS 2024 closes on Tuesday (January 16) at 23:59 (GMT). ICMNS 2024 will take place at University College Dublin on the June 12-14 2024. This is the final deadline for submissions. Following a review process, successful submission will be offered a contributed talk or poster, with the top submission(s) being offered a slot in one of our plenary sessions. You can submit your contribution and read more about the conference at our website https://www.danieleavitabile.com/icmns24/ We look forward to welcoming you to Dublin in June. Best wishes, Daniele Avitabile, Áine Byrne, and Jonathan Rubin

Jan. 12, 2024

Call for participants -- WasON study

by Davide Coraci

*apologies for cross posting* Dear list members, I'm Davide Coraci from the IMT School Lucca (Italy) <https://www.imtlucca.it/en> (Italy) and I'd like to share with you the *WasON** survey*, a study developed by the SANe <https://momilab.imtlucca.it/research/sane> and the MInD <https://momilab.imtlucca.it/research/mind> units (MoMiLab <https://momilab.imtlucca.it/> research group). We are recruiting participants worldwide and it would be fantastic if you could take part in the study by completing the questionnaire you can find here: https://www.sane-elab.eu/NRIA/welcome.php. The aim of the study is to investigate how *neuroscientists* and researchers (psychologists, cognitive scientists, philosophers, etc.) with some familiarity with neuroimaging techniques draw associations between *cognitive processes* or psychological states and *functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data* observed experimentally. Also, with this brief test, you can assess your ability to predict the task that participants are performing in the scanner by looking at their brain activation. The questionnaire can be completed through PC or smartphone (however, the use of the PC is warmly suggested to visualize the fMRI maps better). Collected data will be completely *anonymous*. Once the questionnaire is finished, you can *check your accuracy* and decide to continue with another set of questions. In this case, please do not close or restart the session, otherwise the system will create another participant ID. We ask you to complete the questionnaire individually. However, after completing the survey you may want to compare your score with one of your lab mates and colleagues. Feel free to forward the link to anyone you think could be interested. If you have any questions or just want to be updated with the results of the study, please do not hesitate to contact me (davide.coraci(a)imtlucca.it) Thank you very much for your availability and your time. All the best, Davide Coraci -- Davide Coraci Phd Student IMT School for Advanced Studies Lucca MoMiLab <https://momilab.imtlucca.it> - *Molecular Mind Laboratory* MInD <https://momilab.imtlucca.it/research/mind> - *Models, Inference, and Decisions * https://www.davidecoraci.com/welcome.php

Jan. 12, 2024

Re: CFP: IEEE WCCI 2024

by Junichiro Yoshimoto

-- Apologies in advance for multiple postings -- The paper submission deadline for IEEE WCCI 2024 has been extended to January 29 (originally from January 15). Please don’t miss it. > On Dec 18, 2023, at 12:10, Junichiro Yoshimoto <juniti-y(a)is.naist.jp> wrote: > > -- Apologies in advance for multiple postings — > > IEEE WCCI 2024 Call for Papers > June 30 - July 5, 2024 @ Yokohama, Japan > https://2024.ieeewcci.org > > SCOPE > IEEE WCCI 2024 is the world’s largest technical event on computational intelligence, featuring the three flagship conferences of the IEEE Computational Intelligence Society (CIS) under one roof: The International Joint Conference on Neural Networks (IJCNN), the IEEE International Conference on Fuzzy Systems (FUZZ-IEEE) and the IEEE Congress on Evolutionary Computation (IEEE CEC). > IJCNN 2024: The International Joint Conference on Neural Networks (IJCNN) covers a wide range of topics in the field of neural networks, from biological neural networks to artificial neural computation. > IEEE CEC 2024 The IEEE Congress on Evolutionary Computation (IEEE CEC) covers all topics in evolutionary computation from theory to real-world applications. > FUZZ-IEEE 2024 The IEEE International Conference on Fuzzy Systems (FUZZ-IEEE) covers all topics in fuzzy systems from theory to real-world applications. > > IMPORTANT DATES > - 15 January 2024: Paper Submission Deadline -> 29 January 2024: Paper Submission Deadline > - 15 March 2024: Paper Acceptance Notification > - 1 May 2024: Final Paper Submission & Early Registration Deadline > - 30 June - 5 July 2024: IEEE WCCI 2024 Yokohama, Japan > > PAPER SUBMISSION > Please read the paper submission guidelines (https://2024.ieeewcci.org/submission) before submitting your papers. > > * Each paper should not reveal author's identities (double-blind review process). > * Papers will be checked for plagiarism. The Program Committee reserves the right to desk-reject a paper if it contains elements that are suspected to be plagiarized. > * Submissions should be original and not currently under review at another venue. > * Each paper is limited to 8 pages, including figures, tables, and references. A maximum of two extra pages per paper is allowed (i.e, up to 10 pages), at an additional charge of $100 per extra page. > * All papers must be submitted through the IEEE WCCI 2024 online submission system. * For special session papers, please select the respective special session title under the list of research topics in the submission system. > * In order for your papers to be included in the congress program and in the proceedings, final accepted papers must be submitted, and the corresponding registration fees must be paid by May 1, 2024 (11:59 PM Anywhere on Earth). > * IEEE WCCI 2024 will present the Best Overall Paper Awards and the Best Student Paper Awards to recognize outstanding papers published in each of the three conference proceedings (IJCNN 2024, FUZZ-IEEE 2024, IEEE CEC 2024). The awards will be judged by an Awards Committee and the recipient of each award will be given a certificate of the award and a cash prize. > * It is the policy of WCCI 2024 that new authors cannot be added at the time of submitting final camera ready papers. Please ensure that you are following this guideline to avoid any issues with publication. > > If you encounter any problems with the submission of your papers, please contact the WCCI 2024 Paper Submission Chairs. > > PAPER SUBMISSION SYSTEM > WCCI 2024 adopts EDAS as the submission system, available at the following link: https://edas.info/N31614 >

Jan. 12, 2024

PhD in NeuroAI

by O'Donnell, Cian

We are looking for a computational neuroscience PhD student for a project on “NeuroAI approaches to understanding inter-individual differences in cognition and psychiatric disorders.” The goal is to use populations of deep neural networks as a simple model for populations of human brains, combined with models from evolutionary genetics, to understand the principles underlying the mapping from genotypes to cognitive phenotypes. More details including reading material here: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/doctoralcollege/find-a-phd/1577672. This is a collaborative project with Prof Liam McDaid and Dr Bryan Gardiner at Ulster University, and Dr Kevin Mitchell at Trinity College Dublin. You will join our research group which uses computational tools to do research on synaptic plasticity, learning and memory, autism, and neural data analysis methods: https://odonnellgroup.github.io. You will also be a member of the CNET team in the Intelligent Systems Research Centre (http://isrc.ulster.ac.uk) a community of researchers working across computational and cognitive neuroscience, neurotechnology, neuromorphic engineering, machine learning, robotics and related fields. We are based in the Derry campus of Ulster University. Derry a lively city of ~100K people on the River Foyle in Northern Ireland, UK. It has a highly affordable cost of living, thriving cultural scene, and access to spectacular coastal scenery and the great outdoors in Donegal and the north coast of Northern Ireland. To be eligible for funding, UK-based applicants should have or expect to obtain an upper second or first-class undergraduate or masters degree. International applicants should have a masters degree. Application deadline is 26th February 2024, for a Sept 2024 start. Application info here: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/doctoralcollege/find-a-phd/1577672. Please contact Cian (c.odonnell2(a)ulster.ac.uk<mailto:c.odonnell2@ulster.ac.uk>) if you are interested or have questions. -- Cian O’Donnell Lecturer in Data Analytics School of Computing, Engineering and Intelligent Systems Ulster University https://odonnellgroup.github.io 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

Jan. 11, 2024

Postdoc on Curiosity in Göttingen

by Ecker, Alexander

We have a postdoc position at the interface of machine learning, cognitive science and neuroscience within a new collaborative center on “Curiosity” (12 PIs, 14 open positions overall) in Göttingen. Here is the call: https://s.gwdg.de/lM9qZr Starting summer 2024, we will investigate curiosity jointly from the perspective of computational neuroscience, psychology, cognitive science, and artificial intelligence: https://www.uni-goettingen.de/de/681631.html The postdoc position comes with a lot of independence, the opportunity to help shape the research agenda of the center, co-supervise PhD students and is an excellent springboard to an academic career in Europe and beyond. Application deadline is January 15, but we can also accept late applications for a few more days. It helps if you let us know if you’re planning to apply and cannot meet the deadline. PIs are: Nivedita Mani (speaker), Alexander Ecker, Claudia Fichtel, Julia Fischer, Julia Ostner, Viola Priesemann, Hannes Rakoczy, Anne Schacht, Sascha Schroeder, Caspar Schwiedrzik, Oliver Schuelke, Fabian Sinz, Michael Wibral, Florentin Woergoetter A list of all open positions can be found here: https://www.uni-goettingen.de/de/open+positions/681638.html

Jan. 11, 2024

Postdoc in visual/computational neuroscience (NeuroAI) at UCSB

by Michael Beyeler

We are excited to invite a self-driven and enthusiastic postdoctoral researcher to our team at the Bionic Vision Lab <https://bionicvisionlab.org>, University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), led by Assistant Professor Michael Beyeler. This NeuroAI project at the exciting crossroads of visual and computational neuroscience, is part of the NIH BRAIN Initiative that seeks to elucidate how the mouse brain processes visual information during active exploration to support visual navigation. Our recent NeurIPS paper <https://bionicvisionlab.org/publications/2023-12-v1-mouse/> highlighted how a multimodal recurrent net can integrate gaze-contingent visual input with behavioral and temporal dynamics to explain V1 activity in freely moving mice. We are now seeking to extend this work to higher-order visual areas (HVAs) in collaboration with the labs of Spencer Smith (UCSB), Michael Goard (UCSB), and Cris Niell (University of Oregon). What we offer: - A welcoming, inclusive, and collaborative environment that combines expertise in neuroscience, computer science, and cognitive sciences. - A fully funded, unionized position, offering a competitive salary and excellent benefits, for a minimum 2-year commitment. - An opportunity to work with diverse experts and engage with unique neural activity data sets, collected using state-of-the-art techniques. We are looking for: - A passionate individual with a solid foundation in visual and computational neuroscience. - A PhD in (computational) neuroscience, computer science, cognitive sciences, statistics, or a related field - Strong communication and teamwork skills, with proficiency in programming and statistical analysis To apply, please email your CV and contacts for 2-3 references to mbeyeler(a)ucsb.edu. -- Michael Beyeler (he/him/his) Assistant Professor Department of Computer Science Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences bionicvisionlab.org [image: UC Santa Barbara]

Jan. 10, 2024

Postdoc Opportunity in Computational Modeling of Theory of Mind (Hamburg, Germany)

by Jan Gläscher

Postdoc position in Cognitive Computational Neuroscience for a project on “Recursive Theory of Mind during cooperative and competitive interactions” This project is part of the recently DFG-funded Collaborative Research Center (SFB) 1528 “Cognition of Interaction” primarily located at the University of Göttingen and will be conducted in the lab of Dr. Jan Gläscher <http://www.glascherlab.org/> (research group “Valuation and Social Decision-Making”) at the Institute for Systems Neuroscience <https://www.uke.de/english/departments-institutes/institutes/systems-neuros…> of the UKE (headed by Prof. Christian Büchel) in Hamburg, Germany. Research Project Theory of Mind describes a set of abilities that enables humans to think about the others and their actions, goals, and beliefs. In essence, it describes the ability to construct a mental model of others that can be used to make predictions about their next actions. However, these models can include models that the others build of ourselves at which point they become recursive (“I think that you think that I will do X.”). We are investigating the construction of such recursive mental models in the context of a cooperative and competitive social foraging task. We will employ computational modeling of behavior and model-informed analyses of EEG data to identify the neural representation of mental models and RSA and other hyperscanning analyses to detect and characterize within- and between brain connectivity during cooperative and competitive play. Available position A postdoc position for 2 years (until the end of 2025) is available to carry out this ambitious research project under the supervision of myself together with a PhD student working already on the project and in collaboration with other projects of the CRC 1528 in Göttingen. Salary depends on experience and is based on German regulations TVöD-VKA-13 with a factor of 100%. Start date: March 2024 or a 1-3 months later Research environment The CRC 1528 “Cognition of Interaction” <https://uni-goettingen.de/de/652672.html> chaired by Prof. Alexander Gail and consists of PIs Behavioral Biology, Cognitive Psychology, Computational Neuroscience, and Systems Neuroscience. The unit integrates world-class experts in computational modeling and cutting-edge neuroscience research in humans and primates. All projects work on related questions with a lot of opportunities to work and interact with other groups in Göttingen. The “Valuation and Social Decision-Making” <https://glascherlab.org/> group is one of currently 11 research groups <https://www.uke.de/english/departments-institutes/institutes/systems-neuros…> at the Institute for Systems Neuroscience at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Germany. The institute provides a vibrant, multidisciplinary, and highly international research environment with many interactions between its members and several regular common events (e.g. methods meetings, lecture series). Our graduate school <https://www.uke.de/kliniken-institute/institute/systemische-neurowissenscha…> is a member of the Hamburg Brain School <https://hamburgbrainschool.de/> and the Network of European Neuroscience Schools (NENS) <https://www.fens.org/careers/networks/nens>. The lab language is English. The institute hosts a 3T PRISMA MRI scanner, an EEG hyperscanning and eye-tracking lab, TMS, virtual reality and behavioral labs that allow us to easily and quickly acquire data from a variety of complementing modalities. Requirements for the position - Strong motivation and diligence to carry out a challenging and complex, but also exciting research project. - Ph.D. in cognitive neuroscience or a related field. - Strong experience in programming (MATLAB, R, Python) - Some prior experience in computational cognitive modeling and neuroimaging analyses Application Applications are accepted until the position is filled. If you are interested, please send a single PDF document including your CV, a brief statement of research interest and research experience (including your modeling experience), and the contact details of two academic references to Jan Gläscher (glaescher(a)uke.de) Informal inquiries are welcome. -- _____________________________________________________________________ Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf; Körperschaft des öffentlichen Rechts; Gerichtsstand: Hamburg | www.uke.de Vorstandsmitglieder: Prof. Dr. Christian Gerloff (Vorsitzender), Joachim Prölß, Prof. Dr. Blanche Schwappach-Pignataro, Matthias Waldmann (komm.) _____________________________________________________________________ SAVE PAPER - THINK BEFORE PRINTING

Jan. 8, 2024

Open Graduate and Postdoctoral Positions at the NEW Rich Lab at UConn

by Scott Rich

Dear Comp-Neuro Listserv, As 2024 has officially begun, my new lab at the University of Connecticut’s Department of Physiology and Neurobiology (PNB) has officially opened. This new computational neuroscience lab will use a wide range of computational techniques, from detailed single-cell modeling to biophysically-motivated neuronal circuits to abstract models of large populations, towards a better understanding of how neuronal heterogeneity drives physiological brain function. To learn more, please peruse my personal website <https://scottrich.mystrikingly.com/> or my profile page on the PNB webpage <https://pnb.uconn.edu/person/scott-rich/> (lab website under construction!). I am recruiting trainees at all levels to build the lab. The official posting for the open Postdoctoral position in my lab is available here <https://jobs.hr.uconn.edu/cw/en-us/job/498073/postdoctoral-research-associa…>. If you are interested in joining the lab as a graduate student, you can still apply to the department following the guidelines outlined here <https://pnb.uconn.edu/graduate/graduate-application-and-admission-informati…>. In addition, if you're applying to either position, or just want to express your interest to “stay in the loop” for further updates, please fill out this Google Form <https://forms.gle/r4m5VNZQJDAjKgcM8>. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions you might have. Sincerely, Scott Rich ___________ 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/>scottrich.mystrikingly.com <http://scottrich.mystrikingly.com/>

Jan. 8, 2024

[job opening] Postdoc in Modeling Decision Making and Memory for Human-Robot Interaction @Delft University of Technology

by Arkady Zgonnikov

[apologies for cross-posting] Postdoc Modeling the Dynamics of Decision making and its Interplay with Memory Robots in interactions with humans need to predict their behavior and safely navigate around them. Such predictions can be especially hard when humans exhibit sudden shifts in behavior, often under stress and time pressure. For instance, a pedestrian can decide not to cross the road in front of an autonomous vehicle but then change their mind. Such sudden choice reversals could have particularly strong impact in high-stakes scenarios such as human-robot interactions in traffic. What are the cognitive mechanisms of humans’ changes-of-mind in dynamic tasks under time pressure? How do our past experiences affect such decisions? How can we model the ‘stress factor’ mathematically? In this project, your aim will be to 1) develop a neurally plausible cognitive model to explain changes-of-mind in dynamic decision-making and its interplay with memory, and 2) collect a large-scale online dataset on dynamic decision-making to evaluate the model. This proof-of-concept study will break through the fundamental limitations of the current models and will establish the basis for real-life applications of neurally plausible decision-making models. In this project, you will be able to develop your skills in mathematical modeling and numerical simulation. You will work at TU Delft in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering jointly at the Department of Cognitive Robotics and the Delft Center for Systems and Control, supervised by Dr. Matin Jafarian and Dr. Arkady Zgonnikov. Requirements * PhD in computational cognitive neuroscience or, alternatively, in applied mathematics or control engineering with motivated interest in human cognition * Strong teamwork skills and interest in highly interdisciplinary research * Affinity with teaching and supervising students * Solid programming skills * Proficiency in verbal and written English * Experience with one or more of the following topics is considered a plus * dynamical systems * stochastic differential equations * decision making * memory Conditions of employment * Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (salary indication: € 4.036 - € 5.090 per month gross). The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. * This postdoc position has a fixed-term contract of 12 months. More details/apply via https://www.tudelft.nl/over-tu-delft/werken-bij-tu-delft/vacatures/details/… until January 15, 2024. Best regards, Arkady Zgonnikov Assistant Professor Human-Robot Interaction Group Department of Cognitive Robotics Delft University of Technology

Jan. 8, 2024

PhD positions in Lifelong Reinforcement Learning at Loughborough University

by Andrea Soltoggio

Dear all, I am currently considering applications for fully funded PhD positions in Lifelong Machine (Reinforcement) Learning. The projects aim to advance SoTA lifelong learning AI algorithms towards better knowledge reuse, composability, scalability and transparency. Application areas include Robotics, Cybersecurity and medical data. Some specific projects with application links (more to come soon): * Lifelong Learning for cybersecurity systems: https://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/compsci/research-degrees/darktrace-stud… * Lifelong machine learning for medical data and personalised medicine https://www.lboro.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/research-degrees/phd-opportuniti… The following recent papers can be helpful to get an overview of our research focus: * Ben-Iwhiwhu, E., Nath, S., Pilly, P. K., Kolouri, S., & Soltoggio, A. (2023). Lifelong reinforcement learning with modulating masks. Transactions on Machine Learning Research https://openreview.net/pdf?id=V7tahqGrOq * Nath, S., Peridis, C., Ben-Iwhiwhu, E., Liu, X., Dora, S., Liu, C., Kolouri, S. and Soltoggio, A., (2023). Sharing Lifelong Reinforcement Learning Knowledge via Modulating Masks. Second Conference on Lifelong Learning Agents (CoLLAs) https://arxiv.org/abs/2305.10997 * Ben-Iwhiwhu, E., Dick, J., Ketz, N. A., Pilly, P. K., & Soltoggio, A. (2022). Context meta-reinforcement learning via neuromodulation. Neural Networks, 152, 70-79. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0893608022001368 * Kudithipudi, Dhireesha, et al. (2022). Biological underpinnings for lifelong learning machines. Nature Machine Intelligence 4.3 (2022): 196-210. The positions will be at Loughborough, UK. Loughborough University is renowned for its strong emphasis on practical innovation and industry collaboration. In REF 2021, 94% of the work submitted was judged to be top-rated as 'world-leading' or 'internationally excellent'. The Computer Science Department has a growing research team dedicated to various AI themes and robotics, as well as theoretical Computer Science, cybersecurity and networks. The student will have access to state-of-the-art machine learning servers equipped with A100 GPUs and connected to the Loughborough University high-speed network facilities. Opportunities for exchanges and short visits to world-leading AI laboratories within our extensive collaboration network will be encouraged. The collaborative environment ensures exposure to diverse perspectives and facilitates knowledge exchange. Interested candidates are invited to contact me for further information at a.soltoggio(a)lboro.ac.uk<mailto:a.soltoggio@lboro.ac.uk> Best regards, Andrea -- Dr. Andrea Soltoggio (he/him or they/them) Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) in Artificial Intelligence Department of Computer Science, School of Science & Intelligent Automation Centre https://www.intelligent-automation.org.uk/about-us/centre-staff & Centre for Information Management https://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/sbe/cim/ Haslegrave Building, N.2.03 Loughborough University LE11 3TU, UK Email: a.soltoggio(a)lboro.ac.uk<mailto:a.soltoggio@lboro.ac.uk> Web: http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/compsci/staff/dr-andrea-soltoggio.html

Jan. 8, 2024

Three fully funded PhD Studentships at Sussex AI

by Thomas Nowotny

Dear all, We have three fully-funded (internationals included) PhD studentships available within Sussex AI<https://www.sussex.ac.uk/research/centres/ai-research-group/#SussexAI>, starting in September 2024! This is a great opportunity for doctoral research in our interdisciplinary Centre of Excellence based at the University of Sussex<https://www.sussex.ac.uk/>, where we are the focal point for research in AI methods and applications. We encourage prospective students to submit innovative proposals that either: - Engage with theoretical challenges in Artificial Intelligence. - Develop new Artificial Intelligence methods that have the potential to enable novel applications. - Address complex problems requiring research at the intersection of traditional disciplinary boundaries. To find out more information, check out the full advert https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/fees-funding/phd-funding/view/1686-Sussex-AI… Best regards, Thomas (co-director of Sussex AI) -- Prof. Thomas Nowotny Head of AI Research Group CCNR, Sussex Neuroscience Phone: +44-1273-678593 Engineering and Informatics, Fax: +44-1273-877873 University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QJ sussex.ac.uk/informatics/tnowotny<http://sussex.ac.uk/informatics/tnowotny> <../../owa/redir.aspx?C=9e11bb0e527242938402b42d9b5498ea&URL=http%3a%2f%2fsussex.ac.uk%2finformatics%2ftnowotny>

Jan. 8, 2024

PhD & postdoc position in computational resilience research

by Janina Hesse

The Computational Resilience Research group at the LIR (Mainz, Germany) is hiring PhD students and PostDocs for theoretical projects. By advanced data analysis and the development of dynamical models, we unravel the complex processes that prevent or enable resilience. To that end, we work in close collaboration with our experimental colleagues, using extensive mouse and human data sets from molecular to behavioral. We strive for a diverse, supportive, and collaborative work atmosphere. The position offers excellent interdisciplinary training possibilities at the intersection of modelling, machine learning, and medicine, with ample opportunities for interactions within the Institute for Quantitative and Computational Biosciences (IQCB) of the Johannes Gutenberg-University Mainz. A typical background would be a Master's/PhD in the life sciences, physics, computer sciences, mathematics, or another quantitative field. For information on how to apply see https://lir-mainz.de/assets/lir_84_doctoral-candidate-or-postdoc_eng-170193… At the Leibniz Institute for Resilience Research (LIR) in Mainz, Germany, we study resilience - the maintenance or restoration of mental health during or following stressful life events or life circumstances. The LIR is the first center of its kind in Europe, and its main objectives are to understand resilience mechanisms from a neuroscientific point of view, to develop and provide appropriate interventions to strengthen resilience, as well as to promote resilience in living and working environments. Leibniz-Institut für Resilienzforschung (LIR) gGmbH Jun.-Prof. Dr. Janina Hesse Group leader Computational Resilience Research janina.hesse(a)lir-mainz.de Wallstraße 7 55122 Mainz https://www.lir-mainz.de   [Icon Description automatically generated with low confidence] Aufsichtsratsvorsitzender: Dr. Frank-Dieter Kuchta Geschaeftsfuehrer: Prof. Dr. Klaus Lieb, Prof. Dr. Beat Lutz (wissenschaftlich), Dr. Thorsten Mundi (kaufmaennisch). HRB 48032, Amtsgericht Mainz Diese E-Mail enthaelt vertrauliche und/oder rechtlich geschuetzte Informationen. Wenn Sie nicht der richtige Adressat sind oder diese E-Mail irrtuemlich erhalten haben, informieren Sie bitte sofort den Absender und loeschen Sie diese E-Mail. Das Kopieren sowie die Weitergabe dieser E-Mail und der darin enthaltenen Informationen ist nicht gestattet. This email may contain confidential and/or privileged information. If you are not the intended recipient (or have received this email in error) please notify the sender immediately and delete this e-mail. Any unauthorized copying, disclosure or distribution of the material in this email is strictly forbidden. Unsere Hinweise zum Datenschutz finden Sie hier: https://lir-mainz.de/datenschutz

Jan. 8, 2024

Retraction of a fraudulent publication

by Michael Biehl

Dear All. It is my pleasure to announce that a fraudulent and blatantly plagiarized publication from July 2023, (allegedly) about the training of layered neural networks in time-dependent envrionments, has been retracted by the Editorial Office of *MDPI Applied Sciences*, at last. The retraction process took very long and communication was quite unpleasant. *Please see * *https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/2/476* <https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/14/2/476> *for details and links to the plagiarized original pieces of work. * Note that the term "overlap" in the retraction notice is way too polite in view of the brazen "cut-and-paste" approach of the "authors". They literally copy/pasted essentially all figures and equations from other sources. The text consists of non-sensical gibberish and contains no original results whatsoever. Four referees apparently failed to note the gobbledygook and recognize the plagiarism. Best wishes, Michael Biehl -- --------------------------------------------------- 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

Jan. 8, 2024

Modellers Workshop for the Brain Dynamics Toolbox

by Stewart Heitmann

Enrolments are now open for the Modellers Workshop for the Brain Dynamics Toolbox. This is an online course for researchers who wish to build custom dynamical models using the Brain Dynamics Toolbox. The course focuses on practical programming techniques for the major classes of differential equations (ordinary, partial, delay, stochastic) that arise in computational neuroscience. Example code is provided in all cases. Upon completion, students will be able to turn custom differential equations into working simulations. Study time is 8 hours. Course Website https://bdtoolbox.teachable.com/p/modellers-workshop Toolbox Website https://bdtoolbox.org Important Dates Enrolments close 31st Jan 2024. 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.

Jan. 7, 2024

From Animals to Animats: 17th International Conference on the Simulation of Adaptive Behavior (SAB 2024) - Conference Announcement and Call For Papers

by Jeffrey L Krichmar

Happy New Year! On September 9-12, 2024, UC Irvine will be hosting this year’s From Animals to Animats: 17th International Conference on the Simulation of Adaptive Behavior (SAB 2024). The Simulation of Adaptive Behavior (SAB) interdisciplinary conference brings together researchers in artificial intelligence, artificial life, computer science, cybernetics, ethology, evolutionary biology, neuroscience, robotics, and many other fields, to further our understanding of the behaviors and underlying mechanisms that allow natural animals and artificial agents to adapt and survive in complex, dynamic and uncertain environments. Animats denote the connection between animals and synthetic agents. The conference focuses on models and experiments designed to help characterize and compare various organizational principles and architectures underlying adaptive behavior in real animals and in animats. SAB 2024 solicits contributions dealing with any aspect of adaptive behavior. We especially invite submissions from researchers who connect biology and natural behavior to synthetic agents. Conference papers are peer-reviewed and accepted papers will be published in “From Animals to Animats 17. SAB 2024.” Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence, Springer Nature. We have a great lineup of confirmed speakers: Oliver Brock – Technische Universitat Berlin Lola Canamero – CY Cergy Paris University Kris Carlson – BrainChip Jeff Clune – The University of British Columbia Jens Krause – Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries Maja Mataric – University of Southern California Praveen Pilly – Intelligent Systems Laboratory at HRL Laboratories Jun Tani – Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Janet Wiles – University of Queensland More conference information is available at: https://sites.uci.edu/sab2024/ Venue -------- CalIT2 Auditorium University of California, Irvine Irvine, CA 92697 USA CALL FOR PAPERS - SAB 2024 (April 1, 2024 Deadline) ————————————————————— More details can be found at: https://sab2024.socsci.uci.edu/call-for-papers Important Dates ---------------------- April 1, 2024: Deadline for paper submission April 15, 2024: Deadline for Workshop and tutorial proposals June15, 2024: Notice of acceptance June 30, 2024: Camera-ready papers September 9-12: Conference dates Hope to see you in September! Jeff Krichmar Department of Cognitive Sciences 2328 Social & Behavioral Sciences Gateway University of California, Irvine Irvine, CA 92697-5100 jkrichma(a)uci.edu http://www.socsci.uci.edu/~jkrichma https://sites.uci.edu/sab2024/

Jan. 7, 2024

PhD and postdoc position at Jülich Research Center

by Sacha van Albada

PhD and postdoc position in large-scale brain modeling and simulation at Jülich Research Center PhD and postdoc opportunities with a focus on the simulation of large-scale biological neural networks are available in the Theoretical Neuroanatomy group at Jülich Research Center, Germany (https://www.fz-juelich.de/en/inm/inm-6/forschung/theoretical-neuroanatomy) The projects will advance a research program that centers on the full-scale simulation of thalamocortical networks using the simulator NEST. The postdoc position is available in the context of the Henriette Herz Scouting Program of the Humboldt Foundation, and will be offered to a female candidate. The program is particularly aimed at candidates from countries underrepresented in the Humboldt Foundation. We will jointly define a research project and the selected candidate will receive a Humboldt Research Fellowship (https://www.humboldt-foundation.de/en/apply/sponsorship-programmes/humboldt…) The position is available for 24 months for postdocs up to 4 years after the PhD defense and for 18 months for experienced researchers 4-12 years after the PhD defense. The PhD defense should not be more than 12 years ago, and candidates should not have previous or existing links to Germany in terms of study, research stays, or citizenship. Due consideration will be given to any gaps in the CV due to family care or other personal circumstances. The PhD position is open to candidates regardless of gender. The candidate should have a background in physics, mathematics, computer science, biology (or specifically neuroscience), or engineering. Excellent quantitative and analytical skills are highly valued. We offer a structured program guiding doctoral researchers through the PhD work and plenty of opportunities for local and international collaboration. The researchers will be embedded in a vibrant research institute (https://<https://www.csn.fz-juelich.de/>www.csn.fz-juelich.de<https://www.csn.fz-juelich.de/>). Links also exist to the University of Cologne, so that candidates can gain teaching/tutoring experience. To apply, please send a motivation letter, CV, and university transcripts and certificates to s.van.albada(a)fz-juelich.de<mailto:s.van.albada@fz-juelich.de> and to our scientific coordinator Martina Reske (m.reske(a)fz-juelich.de<mailto:m.reske@fz-juelich.de>). -- Prof. Sacha Jennifer van Albada Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-6) Tel. +49 2461 61-96808 Computational and Systems Neuroscience & Fax +49 2461 61-9460 Institute for Advanced Simulation (IAS-6) Theoretical Neuroscience & JARA-Institut Brain Structure-Function Relationships (INM-10) Jülich Research Centre Jülich, Germany Computational Neuroanatomy Tel. +49-221-470-3829 Institute of Zoology Fax +49-221-470-4889 University of Cologne Cologne, Germany ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH 52425 Jülich Sitz der Gesellschaft: Jülich Eingetragen im Handelsregister des Amtsgerichts Düren Nr. HR B 3498 Vorsitzender des Aufsichtsrats: MinDir Stefan Müller Geschäftsführung: Prof. Dr. Astrid Lambrecht (Vorsitzende), Karsten Beneke (stellv. Vorsitzender), Dr. Ir. Pieter Jansens ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jan. 4, 2024

Applications open for Okinawa/OIST Computational Neuroscience Course 2024 (OCNC 2024)

by Erik De Schutter

OKINAWA/OIST COMPUTATIONAL NEUROSCIENCE COURSE 2024 Methods, Neurons, Networks and Behaviors June 17 to July 4, 2024 Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University, Japan https://groups.oist.jp/ocnc The aim of the Okinawa/OIST Computational Neuroscience Course is to provide opportunities for young researchers with theoretical backgrounds to learn the latest advances in neuroscience, and for those with experimental backgrounds to have hands-on experience in computational modeling. We invite graduate students and postgraduate researchers to participate in the course, held from June 17th through July 4th, 2024 at an oceanfront seminar house of the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University. Applications are through the course web page (https://groups.oist.jp/ocnc) only; January 1 - January 31, 2024. Applicants will receive confirmation of acceptance end of March. Like in preceding years, the 19th OCNC will be a comprehensive three-week course covering single neurons, networks, and behaviors with ample time for student projects. The first week will focus exclusively on methods with hands-on tutorials during the afternoons, while the second and third weeks will have lectures by international and local experts. The course has a strong hands-on component based on student proposed modeling or data analysis projects, which are further refined with the help of a dedicated tutor. Applicants are required to propose their project at the time of application. There is no tuition fee. The sponsor will provide lodging and meals during the course. We hope that this course will be a good opportunity for theoretical and experimental neuroscientists to meet each other and to explore the attractive nature and culture of Okinawa, the southernmost island prefecture of Japan. Lecturers: Erik De Schutter (OIST) Kenji Doya (OIST) Tomoki Fukai (OIST) Izumi Fukunaga (OIST) N. Alex Cayco Gajic (École Normale Supérieure, Paris, France) Yukiko Goda (OIST) Arvind Kumar (KTH, Stockholm, Sweden) Bernd Kuhn (OIST) Matthew Larkum (Humboldt University, Berlin, Germany) Hakwan Lau (RIKEN CBS, Tokyo, Japan) Sukbin Lim (NYU Shangai, China) Gerald Pao (OIST) Thomas Parr (Oxford University, UK) Sam Reiter (OIST) Kazumasa Tanaka (OIST)

Jan. 3, 2024

ICDL Confirmed Speakers – paper deadline Jan 8, poster deadline March 1

by nagai.yukie＠mail.u-tokyo.ac.jp

Dear colleagues, Join us in Austin May 20-23 2024 for the IEEE International Conference on Development and Learning (ICDL). ICDL is an intimate and unique meeting gathering researchers interested in development from the perspective of ecological psychology, robotics, and computation. We have confirmed an amazing list of speakers for the event - including a keynote by Jitendra Malik, the research director for Facebook AI - as well as 20 of the most important thinkers in this space. Our goal is to encourage deep conversations through carefully curated single-track symposia, including: Curiosity-Driven Learning and Predictive Models Yukie Nagai - The University of Tokyo, Japan Elizabeth Bonawitz - Harvard University, USA Gert Westermann - Lancaster University, UK Michael Goldstein - Cornell University, USA Language Development in Humans and Machines Xavier Hinaut - Inria & Bordeaux University, France Casey Lew-Williams - Princeton University, USA Daniel Messinger - University of Miami, USA Catherine Laing - University of York, UK Developmental Machine Learning and Everyday Inputs Karen Adolph - New York University, USA Linda Smith - Indiana University, USA Jochen Triesch - Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies, Germany Marvin Lavechin - Ecole Normale Supérieure, France Egocentric vision and attention John Franchak - University of California, Riverside, USA Kristen Grauman - The University of Texas at Austin, USA Mary Hayhoe - The University of Texas at Austin, USA Jim Rehg - University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, USA Body Representation and Sensorimotor Organization Daniela Corbetta - The University of Tennessee, USA Matej Hoffmann - Czech Technical University in Prague, Czech Republic Hoshinori Kanazawa - The University of Tokyo, Japan Peter Marshall - Temple University, USA Website: https://la.utexas.edu/users/dil/ICDL_Austin_2024/ Deadline for full paper submissions extended: December 15, 2023, January 8, 2024 Deadline for 1-page poster abstracts and journal track poster submissions: March 1, 2024 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. 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

Jan. 3, 2024

CfP Social Interaction for Human and Virtual Agents

by Treur, J. (Jan)

SIHVA 2024: Computational Modeling of Social Interaction for Human and Virtual Agents Special Session at the 16th Asian Conference on Intelligent Information and Database Systems (ACIIDS 2024) 15-18 April 2024, Ras Al Khaimah, UAE Website: https://aciids.pwr.edu.pl/2024/session.php?acronym=SIHVA Organizers Sophie C.F. Hendrikse University of Amsterdam, Psychological Methods Group E-mail: s.c.f.hendrikse(a)uva.nl<mailto:s.c.f.hendrikse@uva.nl> Jan Treur Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Social AI Group E-mail: j.treur(a)vu.nl<mailto:j.treur@vu.nl> Objectives From a Computer Science or AI perspective, social interaction for human or virtual agents might simply be modeled like exchange of information. However, as many researchers involved in this area know, in a realistic context there is much more to it than that. Some examples of quite relevant aspects are how information about the other agent is represented and interpreted, how the interaction behaviour is context-sensitive and has flexibility in responses, and can be adaptive over time, for example, like in bonding. Research on all of such and other relevant aspects can be addressed in this track. Topics Some of the specific topics covered are (but the scope is not limited to these): * Multimodal interaction * Representing and learning about the other agent, self-other distinction * Social contagion and mirroring * Emergence of similarity during social interaction: homophily, synchrony * Adaptivity of interaction behaviour over shorter and longer time periods * Interpersonal regulation of emotions between agents * Joint-decision making * Collaborative learning * Artificial social systems * Social affective computing * Socially intelligent agents and multi-agent systems Important dates Paper submission: January 5, 2024 (2nd extension) Notification of acceptance: February 28, 2024 Camera-ready papers: March 15, 2024 Registration & payment: March 15, 2024 Conference date: April 15-18, 2024

Dec. 29, 2023

Postdoctoral fellowships at the Neuromathematics Center in Sao Paulo State, Brazil

by Antonio Roque

Positions for Postdoctoral Researchers The Research, Innovation and Dissemination Center for Neuromathematics (NeuroMat), hosted by the University of São Paulo (USP), Brazil, and funded by the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), is offering post-doctoral fellowships for recent PhDs with outstanding research potential. The fellowship will involve collaborations with research teams and laboratories associated with NeuroMat. The research to be developed by the post-doc fellow shall be strictly related to ongoing research lines developed by the NeuroMat team that can be consulted at our website. The project may be developed at the laboratories of USP, campuses of São Paulo or Ribeirão Preto, or at UNICAMP, Campinas, in person. We seek candidates capable of developing independent research in one of the research lines below. 1. Stochastic modeling of neurobiological data. 2. Acquisition, processing, and quantitative analysis of neurobiological data. 3. Instrumentation development associated with brain stimuli. Candidates to the first research line are required to have a strong background in probability theory with emphasis on stochastic processes. Candidates to the second research line are required to have a strong background in neuroscience with previous experience in neurophysiological data acquisition, processing and analysis, and knowledge of computer programming. Candidates to the third research line are required to have a strong background in electronic instrumentation, robotics, programing, and safety in medical equipment. The initial appointment is for one year, with a possible extension, conditional on research progress. The fellowship is competitive at an international level, and fellows benefit from extra funds for travel and research expenses plus limited support for relocation expenses. Application Instructions: Applicants should complete and submit the application form <https://neuromat.numec.prp.usp.br/postdoc/new/>. The following documents and information are requested (please see the form for further details): - Summary of the CV, in the format required by FAPESP (see fapesp.br/en/6351 <http://www.fapesp.br/en/6351> for instructions); - List of publications, with links to those available online. - A summary of the research plan for the next year, up to 5 pages in length. This document must explicitly state for which of the three research lines the candidate has applied. It should also address how this research plan fits within the framework of the NeuroMat research program <https://neuromat.numec.prp.usp.br/scientific-project/>. - Pointers to other research related output, such as software, web pages, and so forth. Candidates should be willing to send copies of publications, if requested. - Any further information deemed relevant to the application. In addition to the above, we require at least two recommendation letters. Those should be mailed by the recommenders directly to postdoc-appl(a)numec.prp.usp.br. Timetable: Candidates are encouraged to apply at their earliest convenience until the deadline of February 02, 2024. Appointment is expected to start by March 2024. The initial period of the position lasts for 12 months, with possible renewals to up to the end of the project, July 31, 2025. This opportunity is open to candidates of any nationality. The selected candidates will be awarded FAPESP Postdoctoral fellowships in the amount of BRL 9,047.40 monthly and a research contingency fund, equivalent to 15% of the annual value of the fellowship, which should be spent on items directly related to the research activity. More details on FAPESP's postdoctoral fellowships are available at: fapesp.br/en/5427 <http://www.fapesp.br/en/5427>. -- 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>

Dec. 27, 2023

First Call for Papers: RaPID-5@LREC-COLING 2024

by Dim X

************************************************************************************* *First Call for Papers:* The 5th workshop on: "*Resources and ProcessIng of linguistic, para-linguistic and extra-linguistic Data from * * people with various forms of cognitive/psychiatric/developmental impairments*" *Workshop*: co-located with LREC-COLING 2024 | Turin, Italy | May 21st, 2024 RaPID-5 serves as an interdisciplinary platform for researchers to exchange insights, methods, and experiences related to collecting and processing data from individuals with mental, cognitive, neuropsychiatric, or neurodegenerative impairments. The workshop focuses on creating, processing, and applying such data resources from individuals at different stages and severity levels of these impairments. The ultimate goal of RaPID-5 is to facilitate the study of relationships among linguistic, paralinguistic, and extra-linguistic observations, with applications ranging from aiding diagnosis to enhancing monitoring and predicting individuals at higher risk, ultimately promoting multidisciplinary collaboration across clinical, language technology, computational linguistics, and computer science communities. *Submission deadline*: Sun., 31st of March, 2024 (anywhere on earth) *Paper submission*: https://softconf.com/lrec-coling2024/rapid2024/ *Website and more details*: https://spraakbanken.gu.se/en/rapid-2024 *Contact*: Dimitrios Kokkinakis *Contact email*: dimitrios.kokkinakis(a)gu.se *Organizing committee*: - Kathleen C. Fraser, National Research Council, Canada; - Dimitrios Kokkinakis, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; - Kristina Lundholm Fors, Lund University, Sweden; - Charalambos K. Themistocleous, University of Oslo, Norway - Athanasios Tsanas, The University of Edinburgh, UK - Fredrik Öhman, University of Gothenburg and Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sweden **************************************************************************************

Dec. 27, 2023

Neuro-AI Conference in Chile, April 2024

by Christopher Pack, Dr.

Abstract submission is now open for the Pucón Summit on Neuroscience and Artificial Intelligence, to be held in Pucón, Chile, from April 8-12, 2024. The Summit will aim to explore the intersection of neuroscience and Artificial Intelligence (AI), with a particular focus on mechanisms of learning. This event will provide a platform for AI and experimental neuroscience researchers to delve into the mechanisms of learning at the cellular, systems, and behavioral levels. The meeting aims to address three fundamental questions that have been the subject of intense research and theoretical debate: 1) What cellular mechanisms enable learning on different timescales? 2) How do brain networks modify their connectivity to support adaptive behaviors? 3) How do popular AI learning algorithms relate to biological mechanisms of learning at the cellular and systems levels? The emphasis will be on exchanging information between theoretical and experimental scientists. How can AI generate testable predictions for neuroscientists? How can neuroscientific discoveries inform the next generation of AI models? More information is available at the website: https://plena.cenia.cl/<https://plena.cenia.cl/registration/> This five-day meeting will involve talks in the morning, free afternoons for speakers, workshops for students, and round table discussions in the evenings. There is also a possibility of satellite workshops and other activities involving trainees before and after the meeting. Important dates Abstract submission: January 24, 2024 Early registration: February 2, 2024 Regular registration: March 5, 2024 Keynote speakers Sara Solla (Northwestern University) Nelson Spruston (HHMI) Full list of invited talks: https://plena.cenia.cl/speakers/ Chile is renowned for its beautiful landscapes, rich culture, and vibrant research community. We have selected the city of Pucón, as an exceptional venue providing a secluded and conducive environment for stimulating conversations, fruitful collaborations, and unique outdoor activities (i.e., Volcano trekking, river rafting, lake activities, etc.). We hope to see you there. Regards, The Scientific Committee [cid:image003.jpg@01DA37E3.2F598230]Roberto Araya (U. Montreal, Canada) Christopher Pack (McGill University, Canada) Pedro Maldonado (Universidad de Chile, Chile) Markus Diesmann (Jülich Research Center, Germany) For any questions, please contact us by email: plena(a)cenia.cl<mailto:plena@cenia.cl>

Dec. 26, 2023

COSYNE 2024: Travel grants; Pre-Cosyne Brainhack

by Tomas Hromadka

==================================================== 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 Registration is now open Travel grants applications are now open. Travel grant applications deadlines: *31 December 2023, 11.59PM PST (Undergraduate Travel Grant)* 24 January 2024, 11.59PM PST (Other travel grants) ---------------------------------------------------- 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. 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. ----------------------------------------------- TRAVEL GRANTS ----------------------------------------------- Applications are now open for travel grants to attend the conference. Each awardee will receive at least $500 to help offset the costs of travel, registration, and accommodations. Larger grants may be available to those traveling from outside Europe. Special consideration is given to scientists who have not previously attended the meeting, under-represented minorities, students who are attending the meeting together with a mentor, undergraduate students, and authors of submitted Cosyne abstracts. We currently offer five travel grant programs for New Attendees, Presenters, Mentors, Undergraduates, and Childcare travel grants. For details on applying, see www.cosyne.org/travel-grants. ----------------------------------------------------- PRE-COSYNE BRAINHACK ----------------------------------------------------- Pre-COSYNE Brainhack is a satellite event and hackathon from 27-28 February 2024 in Lisbon, Portugal, immediately preceding the COSYNE conference. This hackathon brings together people who are passionate about open science, open-source tools, and collaboration around computational and systems neuroscience. It provides an opportunity for people from different institutions to work together on projects of shared interest and learn from each other. Anyone is welcome to participate. Space is limited to 25 people. To learn more and apply, please visit the Pre-COSYNE Brainhack website: https://pre-cosyne-brainhack.github.io/hackathon2024 ----------------------------------------------------- COSYNE 2024 SPEAKERS ----------------------------------------------------- Blaise Aguera y Arcas (Google Research) Dora Angelaki (NYU) Silvia Arber (U Basel) Laura Busse (LMU Munich) Lars Chittka (Queen Mary U) Kafui Dzirasa (Duke U) Elizabeth Hong (Caltech) Alex Pouget (U Geneva) Rajesh Rao (U Washington) Mac Shine (U Sydney) David Sussillo (Meta Reality Labs & Stanford) Claire Wyart (ICM Brain & Spine Institute) ----------------------------------------------------- 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 Yashar Ahmadian (U Cambridge) Athena Akrami (UCL) 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) Rainer Friedrich (Friedrich Miescher Institute) 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) Jorge Mejias (U Amsterdam) Leenoy Meshulam (U Washington) Jonathan Michaels (York U) James Murray (U Oregon) Hendrikje Nienborg (NIH) Gouki Okazawa (Chinese Acad Sci) Marino Pagan (UCL) 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) Carsen Stringer (HHMI) 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) Dan Yamins (Stanford) 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 www.cosyne.org/mailing-lists lists for details.

Dec. 24, 2023

Job offer: schizophrenia, pharmacology, modeling

by BREYTON Martin

Dear all, Please find below the description for an available position at INS in Marseille, France: Main contact : Dr Martin Breyton martin.breyton(a)univ-amu.fr<mailto:martin.breyton@univ-amu.fr> Additional contacts : romain.guilhaumou(a)ap-hm.fr<mailto:romain.guilhaumou@ap-hm.fr>, spase.petkoski(a)univ-amu.fr<mailto:spase.petkoski@univ-amu.fr> REPORTS (bRain modEling and PharmacOclinical Response To Schizophrenia) Description: Schizophrenia affects approximately 0.7 to 1% of the world's population. Although there is a large available therapeutic panel, the clinical effectiveness of the antipsychotics used remains limited with 30 to 50% of schizophrenic patients showing an insufficient response to treatment. At the pharmacological level, drug response results from the interaction of genetic (e.g. drug-metabolizing enzymes, drug transporters, drug targets), personal (e.g. age, sex, disease states, treatment adherence) and environmental factors (e.g. smoking, diet, alcohol habits, drug-drug interactions) that produce interindividual differences in terms of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics (de Leon et al., 2009). Currently, only fluid biomarkers are available to optimize exposure to antipsychotics (Therapeutic drug monitoring, TDM and Pharmacogenetics, PGx), but no biomarker is available to optimize the next steps, i.e, the interaction with the receptors, the signal transduction and finally the translation to clinical effect. To fill this void, neuroimaging is a strong candidate and a number of plausible neuroimaging biomarkers have been identified (Kraguljac et al. 2021). Indeed, a modulation of brain connectivity related to response to antipsychotic medication has been described (Mehta et al. 2021). Understanding this modulation thanks to modeling will allow an early stratification of patients before treatment and then an optimization of the treatment for each individual patient (allowing more reliable as well as earlier optimized management). Available data: 100 schizophrenic patients, pharmaco-clinical data, neuroimaging (T1, T2, DTI, rs-fMRI) We are looking for a young researcher (engineer, PhD) from Neurosciences to contribute to this project by performing/participating in the following tasks: * Management, preprocessing and analysis of the clinical database to identify sub-groups of patients at high risk of inadequate antipsychotic drug exposure * Preprocessing and analysis of the neuroimaging data: extraction of biomarkers and comparison between groups * Personalized brain modeling using The Virtual Brain (Sanz-Leon et al. 2015) The ideal candidate should be: * Proficient in Python programming * Familiar with neuro-imaging data * Familiar with computational neurosciences concepts and/or machine learning * Curious about schizophrenia and pharmacology * Have some prior experience in research (internship, publication…) The candidate would work in the Theoretical Neuroscience Group at the Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes (INS, UMR1106, Marseille) under a research engineer contract or similar for 20 months. They will be supervised by a team of pharmacologists and computational neuroscientists. Depending on the quality of the collaboration, and on the advancement of the project, there will be possibilities to extend the collaboration and work on other related projects at INS. References: Kraguljac, Nina V., William M. McDonald, Alik S. Widge, Carolyn I. Rodriguez, Mauricio Tohen, et Charles B. Nemeroff. 2021. « Neuroimaging Biomarkers in Schizophrenia ». The American Journal of Psychiatry 178 (6): 509‑21. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2020.20030340. Leon, Jose de. 2009. « The Future (or Lack of Future) of Personalized Prescription in Psychiatry ». Pharmacological Research 59 (2): 81‑89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.phrs.2008.10.002. Mehta, Urvakhsh Meherwan, Ferose Azeez Ibrahim, Manu S. Sharma, Ganesan Venkatasubramanian, Jagadisha Thirthalli, Rose Dawn Bharath, Nicolas R. Bolo, Bangalore N. Gangadhar, et Matcheri S. Keshavan. 2021. « Resting-State Functional Connectivity Predictors of Treatment Response in Schizophrenia – A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis ». Schizophrenia Research 237 (novembre): 153‑65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.schres.2021.09.004. Sanz-Leon, Paula, Stuart A. Knock, Andreas Spiegler, et Viktor K. Jirsa. 2015. « Mathematical framework for large-scale brain network modeling in The Virtual Brain ». NeuroImage 111 (mai): 385‑430. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2015.01.002.

Dec. 23, 2023