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Postdoctoral Positions in BCI for enabling shared human-machine autonomy
by Paul Sajda June 26, 2014

June 26, 2014

The Laboratory for Intelligent Imaging and Neural Computing (LIINC) at Columbia University has immediate openings for two Postdoctoral Research Scientists interested in investigating the use of brain computer interfaces (BCI) for enabling shared human-machine autonomy. This research effort is a joint project with the Army Research Lab (ARL) and will focus specifically on measuring cognitive state of individuals engaged in an image search task in cooperation with a semi-autonomous computer vision system. Successful applicants will have a background in machine learning, exemplar based computer vision systems and brain computer interfaces. An interest and/or background in building mobile systems, Android programming and experimenting with Google Glass is also a plus. A Ph.D. in Engineering, Computer Science or Neuroscience is preferred. One position will be full time at Columbia University and the other will be a shared position which will be half time at Columbia and half time at ARL/Aberdeen MD. The shared postdoctoral position requires US Citizenship. LIINC (liinc.bme.columbia.edu) is in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at Columbia University and interacts closely with other departments at Columbia, including Electrical Engineering, Biological Sciences, Computer Science and Neuroscience. We are also a member lab of the newly formed Center for Neural Engineering and Computation (CNEC) at Columbia University (cnec.columbia.edu) as well as the Institute for Data Sciences and Engineering (idse.columbia.edu) Additionally, we are a member of the Cognition and Neuroergonomics Collaborative Technology Alliance (CaN CTA) which a collaborative research effort between the Army Research Labs, Academia and Industry. Postdoctoral Research Scientists will thus have the opportunity to broadly collaborate will other scientists in academia, industry and government, being part of one of the largest collaborative programs in real-world neuroimaging and brain computer interfaces. Interested candidates should send via email their CV, three representative papers, the names of three references, and cover letter to Prof. Paul Sajda (psajda(a)columbia.edu) Applications will be considered until the positions are filled. The position is for one year, with the option to renew for 2-3 years, given satisfactory performance and available funding. Paul Sajda, Ph.D. Professor Departments of Biomedical Engineering, Electrical Engineering and Radiology Columbia University 351 Engineering Terrace Building, Mail Code 8904 1210 Amsterdam Avenue New York, NY 10027 tel: (212) 854-5279 fax: (212) 854-8725 email: ps629(a)columbia.edu http://liinc.bme.columbia.edu Editor-in-Chief IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering email: editortnsre(a)gmail.com http://tnsre.bme.columbia.edu

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[meetings] [ECCV2014] CfP: Second Workshop on Affordances: Visual Perception of Affordances and Functional Visual Primitives for Scene Analysis (in conjunction with ECCV 2014)
by Karthik Mahesh Varadarajan June 26, 2014

June 26, 2014

========================================================================== *Call for Papers- Second Workshop on Affordances: Visual Perception of Affordances and Functional Visual Primitives for Scene Analysis* (in conjunction with ECCV 2014), September 7, 2014, Zurich, Switzerland http://affordances.info/workshops/ECCV.html ========================================================================== The workshop seeks to address key challenges in computer vision and applications such as robotics with regard to functional form descriptions, which are termed as "affordances". Based on the Gibsonian principle of defining objects by their function, "affordances" have been studied extensively by psychologists and visual perception researchers, resulting in the creation of numerous cognitive models. These models are being increasingly revisited and adapted by computer vision researchers to build visual perception and behavioral algorithms in recent years. This workshop attempts to explore this nascent, yet rapidly emerging field of affordance based cognitive vision (recognition of objects, activities, scenes etc.) while integrating the efforts and language of affordance communities not just in computer vision, but also psychophysics and neurobiology by creating an open affordance research forum, feature framework and ontology called AfNet (theaffordances.net) In particular, the workshop will focus on emerging trends in affordances and other human-centered function/action features that can be used to build computer vision algorithms leading to various intelligent applications. The workshop will also feature contributions from researchers involved in traditional theories to affordances, especially from the point of view of psychophysics and neuro-biology. Avenues to aiding research in these fields using techniques from computer vision and cognitive robotics will also be explored. Primary topics addressed by the workshop include the following among others - Affordances in visual perception models - Affordances as visual primitives, common coding features and symbolic cognitive systems - Affordances for object recognition, search, attention modulation, functional scene understanding and classification - Object functionality analysis - Affordances from appearance and touch based cues - Haptic adjectives - Functional-visual categories for transfer learning - Actions and functions in object perception - Human-object interactions and modeling - Motion-capture data analysis for object categorization - Affordances in human and robot grasping - Affordance learning - Affordance ontologies - Knowledge bases for affordances and affordance modeling Understanding various challenges in the field of affordances and building a common language and framework for communication across the varied affordance communities are the key goals of the proposed workshop. Through the course of the workshop, we also envisage the establishment of a working group for AfNet. *Paper Submissions* Paper contributions to the workshop are solicited in four different formats. This departure from the regular format is intended to promote greater contribution and cater to the needs of affordance communities from various disciplines such as Knowledge Representation, Psychology, Psychophysics, Neuroscience, Kinematics, Ontologies besides traditional audience such as from Cognitive/ Computer Vision and Robotics. - *Conceptual papers* (2 pages): Authors are invited to submit original ideas on approaches to address specific problems in the targeted areas of the workshop. While a clear presentation of the proposed approach and the expected results are essential, specifics of implementation and evaluations are outside the scope of this format. This format is intended at exchange and evaluation of ideas prior to implementation/ experimental work as well as to open up collaboration avenues. - *Design papers* (6 pages): Authors submitting design papers are required to address key issues regarding the problem considered with detailed algorithms and preliminary or proof-of-concept results. Detailed evaluations and analyses are outside the scope of this format. This format is intended at addressing late-breaking and work in progress results as well as fostering collaboration between research and engineering groups. - *Experimental papers* (6 pages): Experimental papers are required to present results of experiments and evaluation of previously published algorithms or design frameworks. Details of implementation and exhaustive test case analyses are key to this format. These papers are geared at benchmarking and standardizing previously known approaches. - *Full papers* (14 pages): Full papers must be self-inclusive contributions with a detailed treatment of the problem statement, related work, design methodology, algorithm, test-bed, evaluation, comparative analysis, results and future scope of work. Submission of original and unpublished work is highly encouraged. Since the goal of this workshop is to bring together the various affordance communities, extended versions/ summary reports of recent research published elsewhere, as adapted to the goals of the workshop, will also be accepted. These papers are required to clearly state the relevance to the workshop and the necessary adaptation. The program will be composed of oral as well as Pecha-Kucha style presentations. Each contribution will be reviewed by three reviewers through a single-blind review process. The paper formatting should follow the ECCV formatting guidelines (Templates: LaTeX <http://eccv2014.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/eccv2014kit.zip>). All contributions are to be submitted via Microsoft Conference Management Tool <https://cmt.research.microsoft.com/A22014/Default.aspx> in PDF. Please adhere to the following strict deadlines. In addition to direct acceptance, early submissions may be conditionally accepted, in which case submission of a revised version of the paper based on reviewer comments, prior to the late submission deadline is necessary. The final decision on acceptance of such conditionally accepted papers will be announced along with the decisions for the late submissions. Hence, while early submissions will have a better chance of acceptance than late submissions, submission to either (or both) rounds is equally encouraged. Also, note that the paper ID to be incorporated into the submission manuscript is available after performing an initial submission. If you still have issues finding your paper ID, it can be left blank for initial submissions, though it will be necessary to use the ID for the final ECCV version, OpenRsrch version, Springer version and ECCV attendance registration. *Important Dates* - Initial submissions (Late): 23:59:59 PDT July 07, 2014 - Notification of acceptance (Late submissions): July 17, 2014 - Submission of publication-ready version: July 24, 2014 - Workshop date: September 7, 2014 *Organizers* Karthik Mahesh Varadarajan <http://www.karthikmahesh.com> (varadarajan(at) acin.tuwien.ac.at), TU Wien Alireza Fathi <http://ai.stanford.edu/~alireza/> (alireza(at)cs.stanford.edu) Stanford Juergen Gall <http://www.vision.ee.ethz.ch/~gallju/> (gall(at) iai.uni-bonn.de), Univ. Bonn Markus Vincze <http://www.acin.tuwien.ac.at/index.php?id=231&L=1> (vincze(at)tuwien.ac.at), TU Wien *Speakers and Participants* (To be updated) Fei-Fei Li (Affordances in Computer Vision), Stanford University, USA Abhinav Gupta (Affordances in Computer Vision), Carnegie Mellon University, USA Derek Hoiem (Affordance Semantics), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA Ashutosh Saxena (Affordances in Cognitive Robotics), Cornell University, USA Aaron Bobick (Affordances in Robotics), GeorgiaTech, USA *Program Committee* Irving Biederman (USC) Aude Oliva (MIT) Martha Teghtsoonian (Smith College) Barbara Caputo (Univ. of Rome, IDIAP) Song-Chun Zhu (UCLA) Antonis Argyros (FORTH) Tamim Asfour (KIT) Trevor Darrell (UC. Berkeley) Michael Beetz (TUM) Norbert Krueger (Univ. of Southern Denmark) Sven Dickinson (Univ. of Toronto) Erhan Oztop (Ozegin Univ.) Diane Pecher (Erasmus Univ. Rotterdam) Jason Corso (UB New York) Juan Carlos Niebles (Universidad del Norte) Tamara Berg (UNC Chapel Hill) Moritz Tenorth (Univ. Bremen) Dejan Pangercic (Robert Bosch) Roozbeh Mottaghi (Stanford) Xiaofeng Ren (Amazon) David Fouhey (CMU) Tucker Hermans (Georgia Tech) Tian Lan (Stanford) Amir Roshan Zamir (UCF) Hamed Pirsiavash (MIT) Walterio Mayol-Cuevas (Univ. of Bristol)

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Research Fellow (Postdoc) Position on Multiagent Systems
by Jay Zhang June 25, 2014

June 25, 2014

Research Fellow (Postdoc) position is available at the School of Computer Engineering (http://www.ntu.edu.sg/SCE) Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, starting January 2015. You will be conducting research and development in the area of multiagent systems, agent modeling, and multiagent simulation. Specifically, it is an industry funded project and you will be working closely together with the team in NTU and a world-wide reputable company. You will be researching, designing and developing agent models and multiagent simulations to support decision making for complex business systems. The salary is highly competitive. The School of Computer Engineering is fast growing, so is the company. Singapore is also establishing two new universities. Thus, a plenty of opportunities for future long-term career are available. *Required Qualifications* (1) PhD degree in CS or a related discipline; (2) Sufficient research and development experience in multiagent systems, agent modeling, and multiagent simulation; (3) Excellent programming skills; (4) Excellent English writing and speaking skills. *How to apply* Interested applicants please attach your full CV and all relevant academic certificates to Jie Zhang <zhangj(a)ntu.edu.sg> <zhangj(a)ntu.edu.sg> Note: Position is open until filled, and only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

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Postdoc position at NYU
by Weiji Ma June 25, 2014

June 25, 2014

*Postdoc position: decision-making and learning in combinatorial games* Applications are invited for a postdoctoral position in my laboratory in the Center for Neural Science and Department of Psychology at New York University (www.cns.nyu.edu/malab) The position is for two years, with the possibility of extension. The long-range goal of the lab is to understand decision-making under uncertainty. The specific project is an NSF-funded one on how humans think ahead, decide, and learn in two-player, full-information games (such as chess, go, or tic-tac-toe). We will use human behavioral experiments, machine learning, eye tracking, and potentially fMRI to dissect the roles of heuristics, pruning strategy, and cognitive constraints in human play in a simplified, tractable game environment. Applicants should have a Ph.D. in machine learning, artificial intelligence, game theory, computational neuroscience, or mathematical, perceptual, or cognitive psychology, and be familiar with at least one other of these fields. Experience with probabilistic models is required. To apply, please send your CV, a description of why you are interested, and the contact information of two references to me at weijima(a)nyu.edu. Do not hesitate to email me if you have any questions about. Consideration of applications will begin immediately and will end when the position is filled. Salary will be competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications. -- Wei Ji Ma, Ph.D. Associate Professor Center for Neural Science and Department of Psychology New York University http://www.cns.nyu.edu/malab

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postdoctoral position at Boston University on rule-based decisions
by Nancy Kopell June 24, 2014

June 24, 2014

A 3-year postdoctoral position is available to work with Nancy Kopell on computational models of rule-based decisions. The models will be detailed biophysical models, focusing on the pre-frontal area and striatum, incorporating new data about rhythms in those areas; the work will be in collaboration with various experimentalists. We are looking for candidates having some experience working with large-scale biophysical models. The successful candidate will have opportunities for interaction with a large community of experimental and computational neuroscientists via the Cognitive Rhythms Collaborative, a highly networked group of over two dozen labs, mostly in the Boston area, interested in brain dynamics. The CRC contains members with expertise in areas that include probe design, in vivo and in vitro physiology, data analysis, dynamical systems modeling, mesoscale network modeling, cognitive diseases, anesthesia and neurosurgery. Candidates should email a short letter of research interest including their skills and experience, CV and the names of three references to Nancy Kopell (nk(a)bu.edu) as soon as possible.

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Workshop Announcement: Statistical Challenges in Neuroscience (Warwick, UK, Sept. 3-5 2014)
by Simon Barthelme June 24, 2014

June 24, 2014

Statistical Challenges in Neuroscience - call for Poster Presentations ---------- We are pleased to announce that a workshop on "Statistical Challenges in Neuroscience" will take place Sept. 3 to 5, 2014 in Warwick, UK, and will be hosted by the Center for Statistical Methodology (CRiSM). The goal of the workshop is to bring together researchers from statistics and (computational) neuroscience, to hopefully create greater awareness within the statistical community of the kind of challenges that arise in neuroscience, and to introduce some recent developments in statistics to neuroscientists with an interest in methods. The list of speakers, preliminary program, and abstracts can be viewed on the workshop's website: http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/statistics/crism/workshops/neuroscience/ Topics include the analysis of imaging data (from fMRI to calcium imaging), connectome analysis and likelihood-free techniques. The workshop will include a poster session, and we would like to invite anyone interested, particularly students and junior researchers, to submit abstracts. The deadline for both registration and poster abstract submission is Monday 19th August. However, the number of participants is limited and spots will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Poster abstract submissions can be made via the website: http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/statistics/crism/workshops/neuroscience/s… Limited travel support will be available for "young researchers", see http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/statistics/crism/workshops/neuroscience/b… Looking forward to seeing you in Warwick, The Organisation Committee: Adam Johansen (University of Warwick), Nicolas Chopin (CREST-ENSAE), Simon Barthelme (University of Geneva)

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Job opening in Juelich, Germany: Coordinator Scientific Computing
by Martina Reske June 24, 2014

June 24, 2014

The Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM) investigates the structure and function of the human brain on different spatial and temporal scales within the research program "Decoding the Human Brain". The brain's high complexity and plasticity over the lifespan of an individual, as well as changes during neuropsychiatric disorders, requires the use of innovative imaging methods and supercomputing technology. Basic neuroscience research heavily relies on modeling and simulation, which are necessary to approach the brain's immense complexity, manage the huge amount of resulting data ("Big Data"), and develop reliable control techniques. Acquired knowledge allows for the translation of basic findings into clinical applications to better understand neurological and psychiatric disorders, to refine diagnostic processes, and to develop therapy strategies - crucial tasks we have to face in ageing societies. The department INM-6, Computational and Systems Neuroscience (see www.csn.fz-juelich.de<http://www.csn.fz-juelich.de>), develops mathematical models of neuronal dynamics and function. Model-driven analyses of brain activity and structure as well as simulation of biologically realistic models are core foci of our work. We develop corresponding simulation technologies and analysis tools. We are looking to recruit a Coordinator Scientific Computing (f/m) Your Job: * Planning, purchasing, set-up and management of Linux and Windows systems, communication systems and software * Support of institute's databases and online tools; user management * Direct support of scientists * Involvement in development of simulation software for neural systems * Involvement in development of software for the analysis of (massively parallel) neural data * Participation in working group leaders' meeting Your Profile: * Completed study of informatics, mathematics or physics * Substantial expertise in C, C++ and Python * Substantial knowledge of Linux and Windows * Experience with administration of HPC clusters, file, web and print servers as well as with parallel computing (ideally in neuroscience) * Beneficial: Basic knowledge of neuroscience concepts * Ability and willingness to work independently and proactively * Confident appearance and ability to work cooperatively in an interdisciplinary environment * Good interpersonal and communication skills * Structured and systematic working style * Fluent in English (spoken and written) Our Offer: * A creative and varied working environment * limited for 2 years * Salary and social benefits in conformity with the provisions of the Collective Agreement for the Civil Service (TVöD). Forschungszentrum Jülich aims to employ more women in this area and therefore particulary welcomes applications from women. We also welcome applications from disabled persons. We look forward to receiving your application via our online recruitment system, quoting the reference number 2014-109. Please see here for the official job announcement and the link to our application tool: http://www.fz-juelich.de/SharedDocs/Stellenangebote/_common/dna/2014-109-EN… Kind regards, Martina -- Dr. Martina Reske Scientific Coordinator Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-6) Computational and Systems Neuroscience & Institute for Advanced Simulation (IAS-6) Theoretical Neuroscience Jülich Research Centre and JARA Jülich, Germany Work +49.2461.611916 Work Cell +49.151.26156918 Fax +49.2461.619460 www.csn.fz-juelich.de<http://www.csn.fz-juelich.de> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH 52425 Juelich Sitz der Gesellschaft: Juelich Eingetragen im Handelsregister des Amtsgerichts Dueren Nr. HR B 3498 Vorsitzender des Aufsichtsrats: MinDir Dr. Karl Eugen Huthmacher Geschaeftsfuehrung: Prof. Dr. Achim Bachem (Vorsitzender), Karsten Beneke (stellv. Vorsitzender), Prof. Dr.-Ing. Harald Bolt, Prof. Dr. Sebastian M. Schmidt ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Fwd: 7 days left for abstract submission IPEG 2014
by Martijn Arns June 24, 2014

June 24, 2014

Dear colleagues, see below, only 7 days left for abstract submission for IPEG 2014. There are also some further updates to the program and speakers. Main topics of the conference are Pharmaco-EEG, Personalized Medicine (Research Domain Criteria, RDoC), Neuromodulation etc. Martijn Arns Begin doorgestuurd bericht: Van: IPEG society <sebastian.olbrich(a)medizin.uni-leipzig.de<mailto:sebastian.olbrich@medizin.uni-leipzig.de>> Onderwerp: 7 days left for abstract submission IPEG 2014 Datum: 24 juni 2014 00:49:21 CEST Aan: <martijn(a)brainclinics.com<mailto:martijn@brainclinics.com>> Antwoord aan: IPEG society <sebastian.olbrich(a)medizin.uni-leipzig.de<mailto:sebastian.olbrich@medizin.uni-leipzig.de>> Last call for abstracts IPEG-Meeting View this email in your browser<http://us8.campaign-archive1.com/?u=6c19f6fe4835a13ca14644c8b&id=f39894f09f…> [https://gallery.mailchimp.com/6c19f6fe4835a13ca14644c8b/images/IPEG_LOGO.JPG]<http://ipeg-society.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c19f6fe4835a13ca1464…> IPEG-Meeting 2014 from 25th-28th September in Leipzig, Germany Only 7 days left for abstract submission <http://ipeg-society.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c19f6fe4835a13ca1464…> and for early bird registration!<http://ipeg-society.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c19f6fe4835a13ca1464…> Abstract Submission<http://ipeg-society.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c19f6fe4835a13ca1464…> Confirmed Speakers:<http://ipeg-society.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c19f6fe4835a13ca1464…> Scott Makeig (USA): EEG and measures of arousal Hartmuth Schulz (Germany): Sleep EEG Christoph Mulert (Germany): From maps to mechanisms: Multimodal Imaging with EEG, fMRI and DTI in Psychiatry Leslie S. Prichep (USA): qEEG in neuropsychiaric disorders Clifford B. Saper (USA): Neurophysiology of sleep-wake regulation Martijn Arns (Brainclinics/Utrecht University, the Netherlands): EEG alpha asymmetry as a gender specific predictor of outcome to acute treatment with different antidepressant medications in the iSPOT-D study Ulrich Hegerl (University Leipzig, Germany): EEG-vigilance regulation in neuropsychiatric disorders Sebastian Olbrich (University Leipzig, Germany): EEG-vigilance and activity of the autonomous nervous system in the prediction of antidepressant medication Gerard Bruder (Columbia University, NY, USA): EMBARC study on biological biomarkers in major depression Natalia Jaworska (McGill University, Montreal) Jürgen Gallinat (University Berlin, Germany) Special Symposium: TMS-EEG - a novel technique to study brain excitability and connectivity (chair Ulf Ziemann, Tübingen, Germany) Prof. Hegerl, Scientific Head of the Conference and Director of the Clinic and Policlinic for Psychiatry and PSychotherapy, University Leipzig IPEG Board and Conference-Organization Group Abstract Submission<http://ipeg-society.us8.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=6c19f6fe4835a13ca146…> [Twitter]<http://ipeg-society.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c19f6fe4835a13ca1464…> Twitter<http://ipeg-society.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c19f6fe4835a13ca1464…> [Website]<http://ipeg-society.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c19f6fe4835a13ca1464…> Website<http://ipeg-society.us8.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=6c19f6fe4835a13ca146…> [http://cdn-images.mailchimp.com/icons/social-block/color-twitter-128.png]<http://ipeg-society.us8.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=6c19f6fe4835a13ca146…> Tweet<http://ipeg-society.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c19f6fe4835a13ca1464…> [http://cdn-images.mailchimp.com/icons/social-block/color-forwardtofriend-12…]<http://us8.forward-to-friend1.com/forward?u=6c19f6fe4835a13ca14644c8b&id=f3…> Forward<http://us8.forward-to-friend1.com/forward?u=6c19f6fe4835a13ca14644c8b&id=f3…> [http://cdn-images.mailchimp.com/icons/social-block/color-googleplus-128.png]<http://ipeg-society.us8.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=6c19f6fe4835a13ca146…> +1<http://ipeg-society.us8.list-manage.com/track/click?u=6c19f6fe4835a13ca1464…> [https://gallery.mailchimp.com/6c19f6fe4835a13ca14644c8b/images/LOGO_Uni.jpg]

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On behalf of neurocourses.com: Brain anatomy courses - July + Aug 2014, King's College London
by Reinoud Maex June 24, 2014

June 24, 2014

Hi.. I don't want to subscribe to this list, but thought I would be able to post an item of (potential) interest to subscribers and had expected that it would be moderated. If a member can forward the info about my course then that would be great -- otherwise, not to worry. Best wishes Paul Johns > > Functional neuro-anatomy course(s) - July + Aug 2014, King's College London > > Summer 2014: > Neuroanatomy course announcement -- please see details below. > > *** Reduced rate accommodation available at King's College: £40 / night. > > ---------------- > > > ------------------------------------ > > HUMAN BRAIN ANATOMY COURSE (3 days) > > Comprehensive introduction to functional neuroanatomy > > Assumes minimal prior knowledge > > Emphasises functional, clinical and MRI brain anatomy > > Mean delegate feedback score: 4.9 / 5 > > > > When: 23rd - 25th July 2014 > > Where: Guy's Campus, King's College London* > > Price: £395 (includes colour handbook) > > > > Register online at www.neurocourses.com > > > > LIMBIC BRAIN ANATOMY COURSE (2 days) > > Neuroanatomy for psychiatry, neurology and neuroscience > > More advanced course focusing on key limbic brain areas > > (e.g. limbic lobe, hippocampus, amygdala, ventral striatum) > > > Mean delegate feedback score: 4.9 / 5 > > > > When: 21st - 22nd August 2014 > > Where: Guy's Campus, King's College London* > > Price: £295 (includes colour handbook) > > > > Register online at www.neurocourses.com > > > > Course Director > > Dr Paul Johns, BSc BM MSc FRCPath > (Consultant neuropathologist / senior lecturer in neuroanatomy) > > Author of > > Clinical Neuroscience: An Illustrated Colour Text > > > > See course photos and delegate reviews on Facebook: > > https://www.facebook.com/Neurocourses > > > > *Please note that Neurocourses UK is not affiliated to King's College London.

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positions available at Martinez-Conde lab in SUNY, New York City
by Susana Martinez-Conde June 23, 2014

June 23, 2014

Dear Colleagues, The Martinez-Conde lab (http://smc.neuralcorrelate.com <http://smc.neuralcorrelate.com/> ) is moving this summer to SUNY's Downstate Medical Center (http://www.downstate.edu <http://www.downstate.edu/> ) in Brooklyn, New York City, under SUNY's Empire Innovator Program (https://www.suny.edu/media/suny/content-assets/communication/publicationsre portsdata/FacultyExcellence.pdf). The laboratory will be in the Department of Ophthalmology (http://www.downstate.edu/ophthalmology) at SUNY Downstate (a 25-minute subway ride to Times Square) and part of the SUNY Eye Institute (http://www.sunyeye.org <http://www.sunyeye.org/> ). Predoctoral and postdoctoral positions are available. Interested candidates should email their CVs to smart at neuralcorrelate.com. <http://visionscience.com/mailman/listinfo/visionlist> Experience in psychophysical and/or neurophysiological techniques is required. The preferred candidates will have a strong background in programming (Matlab, C++, Python) and quantitative methods as evidenced by first-author publications. The Martinez-Conde lab's research program is at the interface of visual, oculomotor and cognitive neuroscience. Representative publications can be downloaded from http://smc.neuralcorrelate.com/publications. The State University of New York is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Thank you for your interest, ---------------------------------------------------------------- Susana Martinez-Conde, PhD Director, Laboratory of Visual Neuroscience Division of Neurobiology Barrow Neurological Institute 350 W. Thomas Rd Phoenix AZ 85013, USA Phone: +1 (602) 406-3484 Fax: +1 (602) 406-4172 Email: smart(a)neuralcorrelate.com http://smc.neuralcorrelate.com

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PhD and Postdoc in Cognitive Control, Communication and Perception
by Alex Ossadtchi June 21, 2014

June 21, 2014

The Faculty of Psychology, Higher School of Economics (HSE, Moscow) is pleased to announce a number of post-doctoral and PhD student positions at the new research group for Cognitive Control, Communication and Perception, which is currently being established at HSE, Center for Neuroeconomics and Cognitive Studies. This new international group will operate in collaboration with the Centre of Functionally Integrative Neuroscience at Aarhus University (Denmark), Psychology Department at Northumbria University Newcastle (UK), and other international collaborators. Our key international coordinators are Professor Yury Shtyrov (Aarhus) and Dr Andriy Myachykov (Northumbria). The postholders will have an advantage of being able to further define and expand the newly established research program. Potential topics include (but are not limited to): neural dynamics of language comprehension, automaticity and top-down control in communication, sensory-motor integration in cognitive functions, embodied cognition, interactions between domain-specific and domain-general cognitive systems, neurocognitive bases of language acquisition, studies of communication deficits (e.g. aphasia) etc. Research facilities include multi-channel EEG, navigated TMS-EEG and eye- tracking equipment, all recently installed at the Faculty, as well as local access to MEG, fMRI and a range of neurological populations. The HSE is a young, dynamic, fast-growing Russian research university providing unique research opportunities ( http://hse.ru/en,http://psy.hse.ru/en/) The Faculty of Psychology is committed to developing various areas of modern experimental psychology and, most crucially, Cognitive Neuroscience. Working conditions: - Access to multimodal neuroimaging facilities (brain-navigated TMS, multichanel EGG, MEG, eye-tracking, etc. http://psy.hse.ru/en/res-center ) - Internationally competitive salary, 13% flat income tax rate and other benefits - Generous travel support and research grants provided by the University’s Centre for Advanced Studies (www.cas.hse.ru) - Low teaching load, minimal administrative service required - Heavy emphasis on high quality research Requirements for the PostDoc position: position - Ph.D. in psychology, cognitive neuroscience, language sciences or related fields - Fluent English (knowledge of Russian is not required) - Demonstrated ability and high motivation to conduct high-quality research publishable in quality international peer-reviewed journals Requirements for the PhD student position: - MS degree in psychology, cognitive neuroscience, language sciences or related fields - Fluent English (knowledge of Russian is not required) - Demonstrated ability and high motivation to conduct high-quality research publishable in quality international peer-reviewed journals Generally appointments will be made for an initial 2,5-year period and upon successful completion of an interim review, contracts would normally be extended for a further three years until the tenure review. Please provide a CV, at least 2 letters of reference forwarded directly, a statement of research interest and a recent research paper. All materials should be addressed to Dr. Viсtoria Moiseeva, no later than June 20. If you have any further questions, please contact Dr. Viсtoria Moiseeva vmoiseeva(a)hse.ru

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PhD/MSc Position in Computational Neuroscience at the University of Lethbridge, Canada
by Tatsuno, Masami June 20, 2014

June 20, 2014

One PhD/MSc position is available immediately in the lab of Prof. Masami Tatsuno at the Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Canada ( http://www.uleth.ca ). We investigate memory processes of the awake/sleeping brain experimentally and computationally with the goal of understanding how spontaneous reactivation of memory sequences facilitates performance improvement. We have been performing multi-electrode recordings in freely behaving animals as well as neural data analysis by statistical methods such as information geometry. The successful candidate will work on one or a combination of projects aimed at developing a novel analysis method for neural signals, analyzing neural data, and modeling memory function. The successful candidate will also have an opportunity to participate in electrophysiological recordings. A high degree of interaction with the experimental team in my lab as well as the Brain Dynamics group ( http://lethbridgebraindynamics.com ) will be also expected. Applicants should have a strong programming (e.g., MATLAB) and quantitative background (e.g., BSc/MSc degree in physics, math or computer science etc.). Experience with neuronal modeling is a plus. Candidates should email a short letter of research interest including their skills and experience, CV and the names of three references to Masami Tatsuno ( tatsuno(a)uleth.ca ) as soon as possible. Please do not have reference letters sent unless requested. Applicants should put "CompNeuro PhD/MSc recruitment" in the subject of their email. Funding is available through our departmental NSERC CREATE grant in Biological Information Processing. Lethbridge is located two hours from Calgary, 90 minutes from the Canadian Rockies and is a safe, family friendly environment. ********************************************* Masami Tatsuno, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Neuroscience The University of Lethbridge Email: tatsuno(a)uleth.ca http://lethbridgebraindynamics.com/masami_tatsuno *********************************************

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International Neural Network Society (INNS) announces new Section on Big Data Analytics
by Asim Roy June 20, 2014

June 20, 2014

I am pleased to announce that the International Neural Network Society (INNS) has formed a new Section on Big Data Analytics (BDA). Please visit the webpage http://www.inns.org/big-data-section for further information. Neural networks have certain distinct advantages over other forms of learning. They include: (1) well-developed methods for online incremental learning that involve simple computations, (2) no scalability issues, (3) they can learn from all of the data instead of samples of data, (4) being able to use massively parallel computations unlike other learning methods, (5) availability of neuromorphic hardware for implementation of neural network learning, and (6) hardware-based real-time learning. Of course some challenges remain, including automation of learning that would avoid human intervention and tweaking of algorithms for every application and high-dimensional data. But we are making progress on these remaining challenges. Neural network based real-time learning should open the door to wider deployment of big data analytics. Fast and efficient learning, using massively parallel computations, is important to the Industrial Internet and streaming big data. So please join us in this exciting adventure by becoming a member of INNS and its Big Data Analytics Section. Visit http://www.inns.org/ for further information about the organization and its membership. We are also looking for industrial sponsors of this Section to do mini-workshops and other activities. We plan to have our first Big Data Analytics Section social gathering and organizational meeting at WCCI 2014 in Beijing. It will be on Monday (July 7) evening in the Peony room at the Continental Grand Hotel (2nd floor) from 6 pm to 10 pm. If you are planning to attend WCCI in Beijing, I invite you to join us at this first meeting. If you are interested in taking a leading role in this Section, please let me know (Asim.Roy(a)asu.edu<mailto:Asim.Roy@asu.edu>). Asim Roy Arizona State University Chair – Big Data Analytics Section www.lifeboat.com/ex/bios.asim.roy<http://www.lifeboat.com/ex/bios.asim.roy>

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[PhD] An integrated experimental and modeling approach to gaze orientation and learning
by Laurent Perrinet June 20, 2014

June 20, 2014

An opening is available for a PhD project focusing on an integrated experimental and modeling approach to gaze orientation and learning. Please note that candidates should apply before July 15th, 2014. Cheers, Laurent Call for candidates for one PhD fellowship at the Institut de Neurosciences de la Timone CNRS & Aix-Marseille University (AMU) Gaze orientation and learning: an integrated experimental and modeling approach PhD supervisors: Anna Montagnini and Laurent Perrinet (InViBe team) How do we maintain the accuracy of our movements despite changes occurring in our environment or within the organism? Our research project is to shed a new light on this question within a unified theoretical framework centred on reinforcement learning. We will study visually driven, voluntary eye movements as a model for motor learning. Indeed, these provide an ideal experimental preparation to probe sensorimotor decisions across different time-scales, processing levels (from sensory encoding to the final categorical choice) and movement repertoire (e.g. smooth pursuit vs saccades). In addition, a remarkable flexibility of simple oculomotor behaviors has been highlighted, by manipulating the expectancy for sensory features or the outcome associated to particular motor responses. Behavioral experiments on human eye movements will be designed, implemented and used to benchmark new theoretical models based on the probabilistic framework. The main focus will be on the modulation of oculomotor behavior (latency and metric properties, such as amplitude or speed) that is observed in a changing environment, especially in relation to a dynamic reinforcement schedule. The proposed PhD is part of a project (Reinforcement and Eye Movements – REM, see http://invibe.net/LaurentPerrinet/TagAnrRem) funded by the French National Research Agency ANR, and it will be conducted in close collaborations with researchers at INT in Marseille (A. Montagnini, L. Perrinet and F. Danion) and at the University of Lille (L. Madelain and J. Jozefowiez). The Institut de Neurosciences de la Timone (see http://www.int.univ-amu.fr/?lang=en) brings together a large, young and dynamic community of scientists interested in frontline aspects of the integrative neurosciences. The net salary will be around 1430 euros per month. Applicants should have a keen interest in cognitive science and hold a Master or equivalent degree in a relevant field (computational or cognitive neuroscience, computer science, psychology, engineering, physics, or mathematics). The selection process will strongly favor candidates with excellent programming skills and/or experience with eye tracking and visual psychophysics. Knowledge of French is not mandatory, although willing to learn it will facilitate enjoying life in Marseille and its beautiful surroundings. Applications are now being accepted and until July 15th, 2014. Interested candidates should send a CV, brief summary of research accomplishments and interest, and the contact information for two to three referees familiar with the candidates’ backgrounds. Position needs to be filled by September, 1st, 2014. Please, send applications (in a single PDF file) to Anna.montagnini(a)univ-amu.fr and Laurent.perrinet(a)univ-amu.fr. Relevant publications Bogadhi A, Montagnini A, Perrinet LU, Mamassian P & Masson GS (2011) Pursuing motion illusions: a realistic oculomotor framework for Bayesian inference. Vision Research 51, 867-880 Khoei MA, Masson GS, Perrinet LU (2013). Motion-based prediction explains the role of tracking in motion extrapolation. Journal of Physiology-Paris, 107(5):409—420 Bogadhi A, Montagnini A & Masson GS (2013) Dynamical interaction between retinal and extra-retinal signals in motion integration for smooth pursuit. Journal of Vision 13(13) : 1-25 Servant M, Montagnini A & Burle B (2014) Conflict tasks and the diffusion framework: Insight in model constraints based on psychological laws Cognitive Psychology, 72(2014):162-195 Simoncini C, Perrinet LU, Montagnini A, Pascal Mamassian, Guillaume S. Masson (2012). More is not always better: dissociation between perception and action explained by adaptive gain control. Nature Neuroscience 15(11):1596-603 Sanz-Leon P, Vanzetta I, Masson GS, Perrinet LU (2012) Motion Clouds: Model-based stimulus synthesis of natural-like random textures for the study of motion perception. Journal of Neurophysiology, 107(11):3217--3226, Montagnini A., Mamassian P., Perrinet L., Castet E. and Masson G. (2007). Bayesian modeling of dynamic motion integration. Journal of Physiology-Paris, Vol 101(1-3):64-77 Perrinet LU, Adams R, Friston K (2014) Active Inference, eye movements and oculomotor delays. Submitted. Adams RA, Perrinet LU, Friston K (2012) Smooth Pursuit and Visual Occlusion: Active Inference and Oculomotor Control in Schizophrenia. PLoS ONE, 7(10):e47502 Spering M, and Montagnini A (2011) Do we track what we see? Common versus independent processing for motion perception and smooth pursuit eye movements: A review. Vision Research 51: 836–852 Montagnini A and Chelazzi L (2005) The urgency to look: Prompt saccades for the benefit of perception. Vision Research, 45 (27): p. 3391-3401. Madelain, L., Herman, J. P., & Harwood, M. R. (2013) Saccade adaptation goes for the goal. Journal of Vision, 13(4). Madelain, L., Paeye, C., & Wallman, J. (2011) Modification of saccadic gain by reinforcement. Journal Neurophysiology, 106(1), 219-232.

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Postdoc position in computational neuroscience (University of Leicester, UK)
by Joaquín Navajas June 20, 2014

June 20, 2014

Postdoc in computational neuroscience (University of Leicester, UK) Description: Spike sorting is the classification of single neurons from extra-cellular recordings based on their spike shapes. The main focus of your research will be the study and implementation of optimal spike detection and sorting techniques. For this you will study different techniques to improve the spike detection and sorting results and will then implement these advances in a graphic user interface and in batch codes to run in Matlab. Group: Centre for Systems Neuroscience (http://www.le.ac.uk/csn) Visit the University of Leicester job site for more details, input the job reference (SEN00493) and click search. http://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/jobs/opportunities/jobsearch Informal enquiries are welcome and should be made to Sue Atkinson, Research Centre Manager, sam45(a)le.ac.uk or 0116 252 3249.

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Call for Participation: The 2014 IEEE CIS / REGIM-Lab. Summer School on Computational Intelligence – Theory and Applications
by Stephen G Matthews June 19, 2014

June 19, 2014

** Please accept our apologies if you have received multiple copies. ** ====================================================== 2014 IEEE CIS/REGIM-Lab Summer School on Computational Intelligence – Theory and Applications (SS-CITA 2014) http://cita.regim.org/ 11-14, August 2014, Ramada Plaza Tunis Hotel, Tunisia ====================================================== Sponsors: IEEE Computational Intelligence Society and REGIM-Lab. Registration: http://cita.regim.org/registration/ The main goal of the summer school is to provide undergraduate students, M.Sc. or PhD students, academics, and engineers from industry with hands-on knowledge on sophisticated Computational Intelligence (CI) algorithms and methods, most recent advances and developments in CI research, and substantial examples of successful CI applications to solving complex real-world problems. The school includes theoretical and practical sessions. The choice of such topic is based on the growing attention paid towards intelligent systems. The school aims also to discuss the challenges and to strengthen the connection between academia and industry in the area of Computational Intelligence. The program of the school includes theoretical and practical talks during four days from 11 to 14 August 2014. It also includes poster session. All students have to present their ideas / works in a poster. A best poster award will be announced in the closing session. Seven well-known speakers: http://cita.regim.org/speakers/ - Cesare Alippi, IEEE Fellow, Politecnico di Milano, Italy. Topic: Supervised Learning: from the Basics to Learning in non-stationary Environments - Farouk Cherif, University Sousse, Tunisia. Topic: Basics on Recurrent Neural Network - Robert John, University of Nottingham, United Kingdom. Topic: Type-2 Fuzzy Logic: Theory and Applications - Fakhri Karray, University of Waterloo, Canada. Topic: SVM , Fundamentals and Advanced Topics - Okyay Kaynak (IEEE CIS Distinguished Lecturer) IEEE Fellow, Bogazici University, Turkey & Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), China. Topic: Intelligent Systems: An Assesment of the Past and the Prospects for the Future - Volker Märgner, Technische Universität Braunschweig, Germany. Topic: Historical Document Processing – An Application of Computational Intelligence - Ahmed Rubaai, Howard University, Washington, DC, USA - IEEE-IAS Publications Department chair. Topic: Computational Intelligence Techniques for Industrial Systems For further information, please don't hesitate to contact the Organizing Committee: http://cita.regim.org/organizing-committee/ ================================= Local information contact: Habib M. Kammoun IEEE CIS Tunisia Chapter E-mail: habib.kammoun(a)ieee.org

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Open PhD Position: Computational Modeling and Eye Tracking in Infancy Research
by Jochen Triesch June 18, 2014

June 18, 2014

An opening is available for an interdisciplinary PhD project in the group of Jochen Triesch at the Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies (FIAS, http://fias.uni-frankfurt.de/de/) focusing on computational modeling and gaze-contingent eye tracking in infancy research. Gaze-contingent eye tracking techniques, which allow young infants to exert control over the course of the experiment, are currently opening up new ways of studying infant's cognitive development [1], training their cognitive abilities [2], and hold promise for diagnosing and treating developmental disorders. We are seeking an outstanding and highly motivated PhD candidate for an exciting project in collaboration with the developmental psychology group of Prof. Monika Knopf at Goethe University Frankfurt. Additional collaborators of our lab include leading developmental psychology and cognitive science labs in Italy (Prof. Gianluca Baldassarre, Rome), and the US (Prof. Chen Yu, Indiana University, Prof. Gedeon Deák, UC San Diego). Applicants should have a keen interest in cognitive development and hold a Master or equivalent degree in a relevant field such as cognitive science, computer science, psychology, engineering, physics, or mathematics. The candidate should have excellent programming skills (e.g. Matlab, Python, C/C++) and good analytic skills. Experience with eye tracking and knowledge in machine learning (e.g., reinforcement learning, neural networks, Bayesian models), computational neuroscience (attention and reward systems), and data analysis (time series analysis, hypothesis testing) are a plus. The Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies is a research institution dedicated to fundamental theoretical research in various areas of science. It is embedded into Frankfurt's recently established natural science research campus. Frankfurt is the center of one of the most vibrant metropolitan areas in Europe. Apart from being an economic and financial hub, it boasts rich cultural assets and repeatedly earns top rankings in worldwide surveys of quality of living. Applications should include a 1-2 page statement of research experience and interests, CV including publications, awards, and relevant course work, academic transcripts, and contact information for two to three references. All documents should be sent in pdf format. Send applications to application(a)fias.uni-frankfurt.de. We aim to fill the position during Fall 2014. [1] Wang Q, Bolhuis J, Rothkopf CA, Kolling T, Knopf M & Triesch J. (2012) Infants in Control: Rapid Anticipation of Action Outcomes in a Gaze-Contingent Paradigm. PLoS ONE 7(2): e30884. http:dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0030884 [2] Wass SV, Porayska-Pomsta K & Johnson MH (2011). Training attentional control in infancy. Current Biology 21 (18), 1543-1547. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2011.08.004 -- Prof. Dr. Jochen Triesch Johanna Quandt Research Professor Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies http://fias.uni-frankfurt.de/~triesch/ Tel: +49 (0)69 798-47531 Fax: +49 (0)69 798-47611

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CFP - SSD 2015 - Tunisia
by nabil derbel June 18, 2014

June 18, 2014

Dear Colleagues, This is a friendly reminder of the 12th International Multi-Conference on Systems, Signals & Devices to be held in Sfax-Tunisia, from 16th - 19th of March 2015. Find at <http://www.ssd-conf.org/> www.ssd-conf.org/ssd15 the last news on the conference. Check there if a special sessions fits your interests. Students participation is strongly encouraged; they would participate to best paper student award. Paper submission must be via EDAS the Conference Manager : <http://edas.info/N17187> http://edas.info/N17187 The SSD15 Conference SSD is organized in five parallel tracks, available to all participants: SAC – Systems, Analysis and Automatic Control, which covers topics related to system design, modern control theory, robotics and human-machine interaction systems. PES – Power Electrical Systems, oriented to power systems and applications, from generation, management, control, monitoring and smart grids. CSP – Communications and Signal Processing, dealing with communication systems (radio, TV, antennas), digital and analog signal and image processing... SCI – Sensor, Circuits and Instrumentation Systems, covering all types of sensors and applications, interface circuits, sensors operability, instrumentation and micro and nanoelectronics. CIT – Computers and Information Technology, covering all types of Computer Technology; Embedded Systems; Cloud Computing; Distributed Systems; Real Time Systems. Key Dates Special session proposal: September 15, 2014 Regular paper submission: September 30, 2014 Acceptance notification: January 15, 2015 Final paper submission: January 30, 2015 Call for papers Papers should be up to 4 pages length, written in English (templates available at the website). Paper submission should be done electronically to <http://edas.info/N14687> http://edas.info/N14687. Papers will be reviewed by at least 2 or 3 reviewers. Final accepted papers will be published in the SSD’15 Proceedings which will be submitted for publication in IEEE Xplorer® after the conference. We are looking forward to welcoming you in Sfax, Tunisia. Kind regards, Jawhar Ghommam and Faouzi Derbel General Chairs ==============================================================

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Call for papers
by Cong Christine Guo June 17, 2014

June 17, 2014

Dear neuroimaging researchers, We are running a special issue of IEEE Transactions on Autonomous Mental Development on "Multimodal Modeling and Analysis Informed by Brain Imaging". This special issue is dedicated to explore the interplay between cognitive neuroscience and multimedia content analysis. If your work concerns about using multimedia, such as films and music, as stimuli to understand the brain, or using brain imaging data to guide multimedia content analysis, this special issue could be a potential avenue for sharing your work. More details can be found at http://caid.cs.uga.edu/?name=article_info&xid=2480391402423658454. Please note all submissions are subject to normal reviews. Look forward to your contributions.

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Computational neuroscience at NI2014 in Leiden, Netherlands on August 25-27
by Malin Sandström June 16, 2014

June 16, 2014

Want to learn more about new and exciting tools for neuroscience research, find new collaborators and discuss your latest results with a cross-disciplinary scientific audience? Then join us at NI2014 in Leiden, Netherlands, August 25-27! Our program includes keynote presentations by leading computational neuroscientists and workshops on describing synaptic dynamics, building cortical circuits, and modelling in open source collaborative projects. Keynotes: - Margarita Behrens: The epigenome and brain circuit changes during postnatal development - Mitya Chklovskii: Can connectomics help us understand neural computation? Insights from the fly visual system - Daniel Choquet: A nanoscale view into the dynamic of AMPA receptor organization in synapses - Viktor Jirsa: The Virtual Brain: a simulator of large-scale brain network dynamics - Michael Milham: Emerging models for biomarker identification - Felix Schürmann: In silico neuroscience – an integrative approach Workshops: - The Neuroinformatics of neuroanatomy. Chair: Maryann Martone. Speakers: Trygve Leergard, Jacopo Annese, Douglas Bowden, Mike Hawrylycz - Building the brain. Chair: Paul Tiesinga. Speakers: Geoff Goodhill, Tomomi Shigomori, Rodney Douglas, Nenad Sestan - Synaptic computation workshop. Chair: L. Niels Cornelisse. Speakers: Erik De Schutter, Bert Kappen, Alexander Walter, Michele Giugliano - Open collaboration in computational neuroscience. Chair: Angus Silver. Speakers: Stephen Larson, Padraig Gleeson, Rick Gerkin and Shreejoy Tripathy, Aurel A. Lazar Also including: - Special session on big data. Chair: Sean Hill. Speakers: Yike Guo, Asla Pitkanen. - Symposium on population-based neuroimaging (hosted by the INCF Netherlands Node) - Open community hackathon. See the full program here: http://neuroinformatics2014.org/program The abstracts are now available at http://www.frontiersin.org/events/Neuroinformatics_2014/2231 Early bird registration ends on July 25 (midnight, CET) Register at http://www.neuroinformatics2014.org/registration Watch the NI2014 promo video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEudq3SOwK0 We're looking forward to seeing you in August! -- Malin Sandström, PhD Community Engagement Officer malin.sandstrom(a)incf.org International Neuroinformatics Coordinating Facility Karolinska Institutet Nobels väg 15 A SE-171 77 Stockholm Sweden http://www.incf.org

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A new mechanism for linking some pieces of the cognitive brain puzzle
by Herbert Jaeger June 14, 2014

June 14, 2014

Recipients of this mailing list may be interested to learn about a newly discovered neuro-computational mechanism. This mechanism, which I named "conceptors", suggests a common computational principle underneath phenomena as diverse as - incremental learning of dynamical patterns, - attentional focussing, - neural noise suppression, - morphing and modulating motor patterns, - learning pattern classes from a few prototype examples, - top-down bias control in hierarchical architectures, - Boolean combination of evidence in pattern classification. Conceptor-based algorithms are simple, cheap, and robust against noise and parameter variation. A number of fundamental neuro-computational problems become efficiently solved: - conceptors make it possible in the first place to govern a diversity of processing modes in a single recurrent neural network, - they enable incremental learning of temporal patterns with an option to quantify and monitor claimed neural memory capacity (coping with the catastrophic interference problem), - they lead to an auto-associative memory for dynamical patterns (a generalization of Hopfield networks to temporal patterns), - Boolean concept combinations and conceptual abstraction can be rigorously interpreted and implemented by the dynamics of recurrent neural networks (a robust solution for core parts of the neuro-symbolic integration problem). More information: 1. A video of a complex human motion sequence governed by a single RNN whose modes are governed by conceptors: http://youtu.be/DkS_Yw1ldD4 2. An informal introduction with many pictures (11 pages): http://arxiv.org/abs/1406.2671 3. A comprehensive technical report, including a link to Matlab code (195 pages): http://arxiv.org/abs/1403.3369 ------------------------------------------------------------------ Dr. Herbert Jaeger Professor for Computational Science Jacobs University Bremen gGmbH Campus Ring 28759 Bremen, Germany Phone (+49) 421 200 3215 Fax (+49) 421 200 49 3215 email h.jaeger(a)jacobs-university.de http://minds.jacobs-university.de ------------------------------------------------------------------

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*Save the Date* The Many Faces of Computation July 14 & 15
by Santamaria, Cookie June 13, 2014

June 13, 2014

THE MANY FACES OF COMPUTATION July 14-15, 2014 Urey Room 2102, Urey Hall Building UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA Organizers: Christian Van den Broeck and Katja Lindenberg MONDAY, JULY 14th 9-10 a.m. Welcome and light snacks 10-11 a.m. Christian Van den Broeck "A short introduction to large deviations" 11 a.m.-12 noon Raul Toral "Efficient sampling of phase space" 12 noon-2 p.m. Lunch break and discussion time 2-3 p.m. Alberto Imparato "Efficiency at maximum power in molecular motors" 3-4 p.m. Ilkay Altintas "Workflow-driven science" 4-5 p.m. Discussion time TUESDAY, JULY 15th 9-10 a.m. Welcome and light snacks 10-11 a.m. Emre Neftci "From VLSI spiking neurons to practical applications and cognition" 11 a.m.-12 noon Michael Gilson "Plumbing the depths of entropy and enthalphy in molecular recognition" 12 noon-2 p.m. Lunch break and discussion time 2-3 p.m. Daniel Escaff "Down from systems of infinite to finite numbers of elements: Computational aspects of the analysis of resultant fluctuations" 3-4 p.m. Tristan Webb "Utilizing purely functional parallel strategies for spiking neural network simulations" 4-5 p.m. Discussion time

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Open postdoctoral position to study human episodic memories
by gabriel kreiman June 13, 2014

June 13, 2014

We are seeking an exceptional postdoctoral researcher in Computational Neuroscience. The candidate will work on neurophysiological, cognitive, machine learning and computational approaches to understanding human episodic memories. The project will be part of a multidisciplinary effort with application to brain-machine interfaces working with Prof. Suthana, Prof. Mehta, Prof. Kreiman and Prof. Fried. Interested candidates should submit a CV and arrange for three letters of recommendation to be sent to gabriel.kreiman(a)tch.harvard.edu Position will be open until filled; send applications sooner rather than later if interested. For relevant work and publications, see http://www.physics.ucla.edu/~mayank/ http://klab.tch.harvard.edu/ http://www.cnl.ucla.edu/index.htm Gabriel Kreiman gabriel.kreiman(a)tch.harvard.edu klab.tch.harvard.edu -------------------------------------- Use code 9265358979 anywhere in the message to navigate through my anti-spam filters

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PhD scholarship at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
by Jay Zhang June 12, 2014

June 12, 2014

PhD scholarships are available at the School of Computer Engineering ( http://www.ntu.edu.sg/SCE) Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, starting in August 2015. Areas of interest including but not limited to: Multi-Agents; Modeling & Simulation; Data Mining and Analytics; CAS Optimization; Computer Graphics, Machine Learning, and any other areas related to future factories. Required Qualifications: (1) Bachelor or Master’s degree in CS or a related discipline; (2) Excellent programming skills is an asset; (3) Excellent English writing and speaking skills. How to apply: Interested applicants please attach your full CV and transcripts to zhangj(a)ntu.edu.sg

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Fwd: ADHDFund!
by Martijn Arns June 12, 2014

June 12, 2014

Dear colleagues, I wanted to point your attention to the below new initiative, a crowd funding initiative for ADHD research. Martijn Arns Begin doorgestuurd bericht: Van: Sandra Kooij <s.kooij(a)psyq.nl<mailto:s.kooij@psyq.nl>> Onderwerp: ADHDFund! Datum: 12 juni 2014 10:55:46 CEST Aan: Undisclosed recipients:; Dear collegues, It is now time to pay attention to www.adhdfund.com<http://www.adhdfund.com/>! By the end of June, new slots for online research funding will be available. Why not yours??!! Submit your research now! ADHDFund connects patients and professionals for research on ADHD. You can put your online questionnaire here online, and/or ask for donations for your patient-oriented research proposal on video (crowdfunding). There are only two criteria to meet: quality and benefit for patients. The scientific board will check this beforehand. Please find the forms here: http://www.adhdfund.com/Research/Criteria#.U5VpjH8aySM ADHDFund started 2 months ago, so the 'CROWD' is still small. Therefore, it is wise not to ask for more than 5K at this time of development (it is required to get funded 100%, otherwise you receive nothing...). What after submission? With your study online, you will have to become active to ask your collegues, friends and patients to donate and support it, thereby increasing the CROWD of ADHDFund! ADHDFund will support all studies online by increasing awareness on ADHDFund and its aims:http://www.adhdfund.com/About/Research#.U5VqNn8aySMhttp://www.adhdfund… Ambassadors In order to build the international crowd, ADHDFund needs Ambassadors in every country to increase awareness through social and regular media. Can you help?? Please let me know!! Looking forward to your response and submissions, Yours, Sandra Kooij Chair ADHDFund Please take a look at www.adhdfund.com<http://www.adhdfund.com/> for the first international online crowdfund for research on ADHD!

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Postdoc position, Computational neuroscience, Prague
by Lubomir Kostal June 12, 2014

June 12, 2014

The Department of Computational Neuroscience, Institute of Physiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague, invites applications for a one-year postdoctoral position (with a possibility of extension) to a motivated person working in the field of theoretical neuroscience. The department is well internationally established, with stable high-quality publication output, international collaborations and organizational activities. The research is theory-based, experimental data are obtained either within national or international collaborations. A computer cluster for numerically intensive calculations is available. See the group www at: http://comput.biomed.cas.cz/ Requirements: Priority will be given to applicants from EU countries with focus on information theory, estimation theory or stochastic point processes. Hosting conditions: - salary: 31.000,- CZK (1200 EUR) base pay. Alternatively, the possibility to apply for a Marie-Curie Fellowship is open - subsidized accommodation in the institutional campus (serviced apartments, approx. 4.000 CZK/month rental) - starting date: January 2015 How to apply: Interested applicants should email the following material to Lubomir Kostal (kostal(a)biomed.cas.cz) 1) CV with research experience, list of publications, scientific and technical skills 2) description of research interests and motivation for the position 3) names of 2 scientists who can supply a letter of recommendation Deadline for applications: October 31, 2014 For more information on the position contact: Lubomir Kostal Institute of Physiology AS CR Dept. of Computational Neuroscience Videnska 1083 142 20 Prague 4 Czech Republic E-mail: kostal(a)biomed.cas.cz www: http://www.biomed.cas.cz/~kostal/

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Cognitive Computation journal (Springer): Table of Contents, Vol.6, No.2 / June 2014 Issue
by Dr Amir Hussain June 11, 2014

June 11, 2014

Dear Colleagues: (with advance apologies for any cross-postings) We are delighted to announce the publication of Volume 6, No.2 / June 2014 Issue, of Springer's Cognitive Computation journal - www.springer.com/12559 The individual list of published articles (Table of Contents) for this Issue can be viewed here (and also at the end of this message, followed by an overview of the previous Issues/Archive listings): http://link.springer.com/journal/12559/6/2/ You may also be interested in the journal's seminal Special Issue (Sep 2013 Issue): In Memory of John G Taylor: A Polymath Scholar, by Guest Editors: Vassilis Cutsuridis and Amir Hussain (the Guest Editorial is available here: http://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007%2Fs12559-013-9226-z.pdf and full listing of articles can be found at: http://link.springer.com/journal/12559/5/3/page/1) A list of the journal's most downloaded articles (which can always be read for FREE) can be found here: http://www.springer.com/biomed/neuroscience/journal/12559?hideChart=1#realt… Other 'Online First' published articles not yet in a print issue can be viewed here: http://www.springerlink.com/content/121361/?Content+Status=Accepted All previous Volumes and Issues of the journal can be viewed here: http://link.springer.com/journal/volumesAndIssues/12559 ======================================================= NEW: ISI-SCI 5 year Impact Factor for Cognitive Computation: 1.137 ======================================================= As you will know, Cognitive Computation was selected for coverage in Thomson Reuter’s products and services in 2011. Beginning with V.1 (1) 2009, this publication is now indexed and abstracted in: ♦ Science Citation Index Expanded (also known as SciSearch®) ♦ Journal Citation Reports/Science Edition ♦ Current Contents®/Engineering Computing and Technology ♦ Neuroscience Citation Index® Cognitive Computation also received its first Impact Factor of 1.0 (Thomson Reuters Journal Citation Reports® 2011) in 2011 0.867(Thomson Reuters Journal Citation Reports® 2011) in 2012 ============================================ Reminder: New Cognitive Computation "LinkedIn" Group: ============================================ To further strengthen the bonds amongst the interdisciplinary audience of Cognitive Computation, we have set-up a "Cognitive Computation LinkedIn group", which has over 700 members already! We warmly invite you to join us at: http://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=3155048 For further information on the journal and to sign up for electronic "Table of Contents alerts" please visit the Cognitive Computation homepage: http://www.springer.com/12559 or follow us on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/CognComput for the latest On-line First Issues. For any questions with regards to LinkedIn and/or Twitter, please contact Springer's Publishing Editor: Dr. Martijn Roelandse: martijn.roelandse(a)springer.com Finally, we would like to invite you to submit short or regular papers describing original research or timely review of important areas - our aim is to peer review all papers within approximately six-eight weeks of receipt. We also welcome relevant high quality proposals for Special Issues - four are already planned for 2014-15 (for CFPs, see: http://www.springer.com/biomed/neuroscience/journal/12559?detailsPage=press ) With our very best wishes to all aspiring readers and authors of Cognitive Computation, Professor Amir Hussain, PhD (Editor-in-Chief: Cognitive Computation) E-mail: ahu(a)cs.stir.ac.uk (University of Stirling, Scotland, UK) Professor Igor Aleksander, PhD (Honorary Editor-in-Chief: Cognitive Computation) (Imperial College, London, UK) http://www.springer.com/12559 Also consider your work for related Book Series: SpringerBriefs on Cognitive Computation: http://www.springer.com/series/10374 NEW: Springer Series on Socio-Affective Computing: http://www.springer.com/series/13199 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Table of Contents Alert -- Cognitive Computation Vol 6 No 2, June 2014 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Decoding Word Information from Spatiotemporal Activity of Sensory Neurons Kazuhisa Fujita , Yusuke Hara , Youichi Suzukawa & Yoshiki Kashimori http://bit.ly/UteVVm Yes and No: Match/Mismatch Function in Cognitive Robots Pentti O. A. Haikonen http://bit.ly/1oNarUn Shape Description and Recognition Method Inspired by the Primary Visual Cortex Hui Wei & Hu Li http://bit.ly/1oNay28 A Computational Model of Semantic Memory Categorization: Identification of a Concept’s Semantic Level from Feature Sharedness Ana Teresa Santos , J. Frederico Marques & Luís Correia http://bit.ly/1l0GTCH Displaying and Regulating Different Social Response Patterns: A Computational Agent Model Jan Treur http://bit.ly/1mH53xC Novel Two-Stage Audiovisual Speech Filtering in Noisy Environments Andrew Abel & Amir Hussain http://bit.ly/1oTN5KV Model-Based Human Gait Recognition Via Deterministic Learning Wei Zeng , Cong Wang & Yuanqing Li http://bit.ly/TJegOW A New Hand Image Database Simultaneously Acquired in Visible, Near-Infrared and Thermal Spectrums Marcos Faundez-Zanuy , Jiri Mekyska & Xavier Font-Aragonès http://bit.ly/1hOk0SE Classification of Music-Induced Emotions Based on Information Fusion of Forehead Biosignals and Electrocardiogram Mohsen Naji , Mohammd Firoozabadi & Parviz Azadfallah http://bit.ly/1oNbjrU A Meta-Cognitive Learning Algorithm for an Extreme Learning Machine Classifier R. Savitha , S. Suresh & H. J. Kim http://bit.ly/Syy8Tv Fast Face Recognition Via Sparse Coding and Extreme Learning Machine Bo He , Dongxun Xu , Rui Nian , Mark van Heeswijk , Qi Yu , Yoan Miche & Amaury Lendasse http://bit.ly/1n5CWtb --------------------------------------------------- Previous Issues/Archive: Overview: --------------------------------------------------- All previous Volumes and Issues can be viewed here: http://link.springer.com/journal/volumesAndIssues/12559 Alternatively, the full listing of the Inaugural Vol. 1, No. 1 / March 2009, can be viewed here (which included invited authoritative reviews by leading researchers in their areas - including keynote papers from London University's John Taylor, Igor Aleksander and Stanford University's James McClelland, and invited papers from Ron Sun, Pentti Haikonen, Geoff Underwood, Kevin Gurney, Claudius Gross, Anil Seth and Tom Ziemke): http://www.springerlink.com/content/1866-9956/1/1/ The full listing of Vol. 1, No. 2 / June 2009, can be viewed here (which included invited reviews and original research contributions from leading researchers, including Rodney Douglas, Giacomo Indiveri, Jurgen Schmidhuber, Thomas Wennekers, Pentti Kanerva and Friedemann Pulvermuller): http://www.springerlink.com/content/1866-9956/1/2/ The full listing of Vol.1, No. 3 / Sep 2009, can be viewed here: http://www.springerlink.com/content/1866-9956/1/3/ The full listing of Vol. 1, No. 4 / Dec 2009, can be viewed here: http://www.springerlink.com/content/1866-9956/1/4/ The full listing of Vol.2, No. 1 / March 2010, can be viewed here: http://www.springerlink.com/content/1866-9956/2/1/ The full listing of Vol.2, No. 2 / June 2010, can be viewed here: http://www.springerlink.com/content/1866-9956/2/2/ The full listing of Vol.2, No. 3 / Aug 2010, can be viewed here: http://www.springerlink.com/content/1866-9956/2/3/ The full listing of Vol.2, No. 4 / Dec 2010, can be viewed here: http://www.springerlink.com/content/1866-9956/2/4/ The full listing of Vol.3, No.1 / Mar 2011 (Special Issue on: Saliency, Attention, Active Visual Search and Picture Scanning, edited by John Taylor and Vassilis Cutsuridis), can be viewed here: http://www.springerlink.com/content/1866-9956/3/1/ The Guest Editorial can be viewed here: http://www.springerlink.com/content/hu2245056415633l/ The full listing of Vol.3, No.2 / June 2011 can be viewed here: http://www.springerlink.com/content/1866-9956/3/2/ The full listing of Vol. 3, No. 3 / Sep 2011 (Special Issue on: Cognitive Behavioural Systems, Guest Edited by: Anna Esposito, Alessandro Vinciarelli, Simon Haykin, Amir Hussain and Marcos Faundez-Zanuy), can be viewed here: http://www.springerlink.com/content/1866-9956/3/3/ The Guest Editorial for the special issue can be viewed here: http://www.springerlink.com/content/h4718567520t2h84/ The full listing of Vol. 3, No. 4 / Dec 2011 can be viewed here: http://www.springerlink.com/content/1866-9956/3/4/ The full listing of Vol. 4, No.1 / Mar 2012 can be viewed here: http://www.springerlink.com/content/1866-9956/4/1/ The full listing of Vol. 4, No.2 / June 2012 can be viewed here: http://www.springerlink.com/content/1866-9956/4/2/ The full listing of Vol. 4, No.3 / Sep 2012 (Special Issue on: Computational Creativity, Intelligence and Autonomy, Edited by: J. Mark Bishop and Yasemin J. Erden) can be viewed here: http://www.springerlink.com/content/1866-9956/4/3/ The full listing of Vol. 4, No.4 / Dec 2012 (Special Issue titled: "Cognitive & Emotional Information Processing", Edited by: Stefano Squartini, Björn Schuller and Amir Hussain, which is followed by a number of regular papers), can be viewed here: http://link.springer.com/journal/12559/4/4/page/1 The full listing of Vol. 5, No.1 / March 2013 Special Issue titled: Computational Intelligence and Applications Guest Editors: Zhigang Zeng & Haibo He, which is followed by a number of regular papers), can be viewed here: http://link.springer.com/journal/12559/5/1/page/1 The full listing of Vol. 5, No.2 / June 2013 Special Issue titled: Advances on Brain Inspired Computing, Guest Editors: Stefano Squartini, Sanqing Hu & Qingshan Liu, which is followed by a number of regular papers), can be viewed here: http://link.springer.com/journal/12559/5/2/page/1 The full listing of Vol. 5, No.3 / Sep 2013 Special Issue titled: In Memory of John G Taylor: A Polymath Scholar, Guest Editors: Vassilis Cutsuridis & Amir Hussain, which is followed by a number of regular papers), can be viewed here: http://link.springer.com/journal/12559/5/3/page/1 The full listing of Vol. 5, No.4 / Dec 2013, which includes regular papers (including an invited paper by Professor Ron Sun, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, USA, titled: Moral Judgment, Human Motivation, and Neural Networks), and a Special Issue titled: Advanced Cognitive Systems Based on Nonlinear Analysis. Guest Editors: Carlos M. Travieso and Jesús B. Alonso, can be viewed here: http://link.springer.com/journal/12559/5/4/page/1 The full listing of Vol. 6, No.1 / Mar 2014, can be viewed here: http://link.springer.com/journal/12559/6/1/page/1 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The University of Stirling is ranked in the top 50 in the world in The Times Higher Education 100 Under 50 table, which ranks the world's best 100 universities under 50 years old. The University of Stirling is a charity registered in Scotland, number SC 011159. -- The University of Stirling has been ranked in the top 12 of UK universities for graduate employment*. 94% of our 2012 graduates were in work and/or further study within six months of graduation. *The Telegraph The University of Stirling is a charity registered in Scotland, number SC 011159.

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Graduate studies in comp.life.sci: comp.neuro, sys.bio, networks, appl.math, bioinf ... Jacobs University, Germany
by Jens Christian Claussen June 11, 2014

June 11, 2014

Invitation for a NEW study program in Computational Life Science in Bremen, Germany Jacobs University Bremen, Germany, welcomes (late) applications (EU citizens or holders of visa for Germany or a EU country only) for the new graduate program (MSc and integrated PhD): http://www.jacobs-university.de/complife-graduate-program For best consideration, please do apply until June 15, latest mid-July, with the usual documents, and a letter/essay of motivation, and be prepared to select one research group for the first lab rotation, see the group pages: http://www.jacobs-university.de/comp-life-graduate-program/complife-groups with the research directions of the core faculty research areas: Computational Neuroscience Bioinformatics Medical Imaging Computational Systems Biology Theoretical Physics Ecological Modeling Mathematics Mathematical Modeling of Medical Processes If you already hold a Master of Science degree in a relevant discipline, and you apply for iPhD track only, please get also in touch with a group leader (in parallel to your application) as all PhD positions are funded within the groups. Applications for CompLife and for the current Computational Biology Branch of MoLife will be handled equivalently this year, so a double application is not necessary. The extended launch of the CompLife program will be for Fall 2015 - stay tuned! We offer reduced study fees for highly skilled applicants! In addition, there may be a small number of departmental stipends available (competitive, apply asap!). Jacobs University is a great international and renowned place for study and research. We warmly welcome applications from all countries (currently students are from 100+ countries)! Looking forward to your application! With best regards, Jens Christian Claussen -- PD Dr. Jens Christian Claussen j.claussen(a)jacobs-university.de Systems Biology Lab - Jacobs University Bremen +49-421-2003240 http://sysbio.jacobs-university.de/website/claussen http://jclaussen.user.jacobs-university.de/ http://webmail.inb.uni-luebeck.de/%7Eclaussen/ Networks, Physics, Socioeconomic Systems? http://www.dpg-physik.de/dpg/gliederung/fv/soe/index.html MSc in Computational Life Science? PhD in Systems Biology? Go here: http://www.jacobs-university.de/ses/complife

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PhD position, computational neuroimaging, Dresden/Germany
by Stefan Kiebel June 11, 2014

June 11, 2014

Dear all, Please find attached an advert for a PhD position. The position is ideal for someone who would like to work at the interface between computational modelling and neuroimaging experiments. With best wishes, Stefan Kiebel --------- The Department of Psychology, Institute of General Psychology, Biopsychology and Methods of Psychology, Chair of Neuroimaging (Prof. Dr. Stefan Kiebel) invites applications for a Member of academic staff / PhD student (E 13 TV-L) with 50 % of the fulltime weekly hours. The position will start (ideally) on 01.10.2014. The PhD position is initially limited for 3 years. A contract extension for a fourth year is possible. The period of employment is governed by the Fixed Term Research Contracts Act (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz - WissZeitVG). The main research goal is the development and experimental testing of novel computational models of decision making. The computational models typically employ Bayesian inference and experiments are performed using fMRI and EEG. The Chair of Neuroimaging has full access to all experimental facilities at the Neuroimaging Center at the TU Dresden. The Neuroimaging Center is equipped with a research-only MRI scanner (Siemens 3T TIM Trio), MRI-compatible EEG and eye tracking, and a transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) unit. All experimental facilities are supported by experienced physics and IT staff. For computational work, the group has access to the TU Dresden high-performance computing clusters. The Chair of Neuroimaging will be newly established at the TU Dresden, and will move from the Max Planck Institute in Leipzig (http://www.cbs.mpg.de/depts/n-3/dyn/@@index.html) to Dresden. Tasks: The PhD student will work on a series of projects in the area of decision making using computational modelling of behavioural and neuroscientific data. Requirements: The candidate should have either (i) a university degree in psychology or cognitive neuroscience and a strong interest in computational modeling, or (ii) a university degree in mathematics, computational neuroscience, physics, or similar with a strong interest in performing neuroimaging experiments for testing computational models. The position is ideal for candidates interested in research at the interface between computational modeling and experimental neuroimaging. For questions or an informal discussion about this position please contact Prof. Stefan Kiebel (stefan.kiebel(a)tu-dresden.de) Applications from women are particularly welcome. The same applies to people with disabilities. Applicants should send their application documents (cover letter including a brief description of personal qualifications and future research interests, CV and contact details of two personal references) until 07.07.2014 (stamped arrival date of the university central mail service applies) - preferentially via e-mail as a single PDF-file - to julia.herdin(a)tudresden.de (Please note: We are currently not able to receive electronically signed and encrypted data.) or to TU Dresden, Fakultät Mathematik und Naturwissenschaften, Fachrichtung Psychologie, Institut für Allgemeine Psychologie, Biopsychologie und Methoden der Psychologie, Professur für Neuroimaging, Herrn Prof. Dr. Stefan Kiebel, 01062 Dresden. -- Stefan Kiebel, Ph.D. Professor of Neuroimaging Dept of Psychology Technical University Dresden, Germany Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences Leipzig, Germany http://www.cbs.mpg.de/~kiebel

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Posdoc job opening in Computational/Systems Neuroscience
by Chen, Zhe June 10, 2014

June 10, 2014

Postdoctoral Fellow in Systems/Computational Neuroscience New York University School of Medicine New York, NY Applications are now being accepted for a postdoctoral fellow position to combine computational and experimental techniques to study the neural mechanism of attention of thalamus-neocortical circuits using a healthy or diseased rodent model. The applicant will work closely with Dr. Zhe (Sage) Chen and Dr. Mike Halassa at the New York University School of Medicine, with cross-disciplinary training in computational and systems (experimental) neuroscience, including rodent behavior and electrophysiology. The applicant will have great opportunities to interact with a large and growing neuroscience community at the NYU campus, including the Neuroscience Institute (http://neuroscience.med.nyu.edu<http://neuroscience.med.nyu.edu/>), Center for Neural Science (http://www.cns.nyu.edu<http://www.cns.nyu.edu/>), Department of Neuroscience & Physiology (http://neuro-physio.med.nyu.edu<http://neuro-physio.med.nyu.edu/>), and Department of Psychiatry (http://psych.med.nyu.edu<http://psych.med.nyu.edu/>). This position is available from September 2014, and will be funded for two years and renewable. Applications must have a PhD degree in Neuroscience, Engineering (Biomedical or Electrical), Statistics, Physics, or a related discipline. The desired applicant is expected to be highly motivated and work independently as well as cooperatively with other colleagues in the research projects. Ability to learn new techniques and resolve new research challenges is essential. Previous training in some areas, such as neural data analysis, computational neuronal modeling, computer programming (MATLAB/Python/C), neural interfaces, optogenetics, in vivo neural recordings at the system levels, is preferred. Research experience with rodent neural circuits is a plus. To apply, please send an email along with (i) curriculum vitate; (ii) a cover letter describing research accomplishments and interests; (iii) the names and contact information of two to three references to: Dr. Zhe (Sage) Chen (zhe.chen3(a)nyumc.org<mailto:zhe.chen3@nyumc.org>) or Dr. Mike Halassa (michael.halassa(a)nyumc.org<mailto:michael.halassa@nyumc.org>) with a subject line “Postdoc application”. ------------------------------------------------------------ This email message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain information that is proprietary, confidential, and exempt from disclosure under applicable law. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure, or distribution is prohibited. If you have received this email in error please notify the sender by return email and delete the original message. Please note, the recipient should check this email and any attachments for the presence of viruses. The organization accepts no liability for any damage caused by any virus transmitted by this email. =================================

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Graduate studies in the neuroscience of spatial motion estimation and motor planning
by Andrea Green June 10, 2014

June 10, 2014

Graduate studies in the neuroscience of spatial motion estimation and motor planning Département de Neurosciences, Université de Montréal Applications are invited for doctoral and postdoctoral studies in systems neuroscience in the laboratory of Dr. Andrea Green. The successful applicant will join a multidisciplinary research group studying how the brain integrates multisensory cues to create estimates of our spatial motion and how such estimates are used for perception and motor planning. Research in my laboratory involves computational models of the nervous system, behavioral and neural recording experiments in non-human primates as well as human behavioral studies. Depending on the applicant's qualifications and interests, they will help to design and conduct behavioral and/or neurophysiological experiments, analyze data, develop theoretical models of neural systems, prepare manuscripts for publication, and participate in international conferences. While students with a strong background in biological sciences, engineering, mathematics, or computer science, are particularly encouraged to apply, all motivated students with an interest in understanding the brain will be considered. The successful applicant will receive a competitive salary in accordance with university guidelines. For further information, please contact Dr. Andrea Green (andrea.green(a)umontreal.ca) Applicants are asked to submit a curriculum vita, a transcript of previous studies, and the contact information for two references to: Dr. Andrea Green andrea.green(a)umontreal.ca Tel: 514-343-6111 x3301 Département de Neurosciences, Université de Montréal C.P 6128 Succursale Centre-Ville Montréal, QC H3C 3J7, CANADA Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled.

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Reminder: Valentino Braitenberg Award for Computational Neuroscience - Call for Nominations
by Kerstin Schwarzwälder June 10, 2014

June 10, 2014

Dear Colleagues, Please let me remind you that the Bernstein Association for Computational Neuroscience <http://www.nncn.de/en/bernstein-association> invites nominations for the *Valentino Braitenberg Award for Computational Neuroscience.* The award is biannually presented by the Bernstein Association to a scientist in recognition of outstanding research that contributes to our understanding of the functioning of the brain. The major criterion for the award is the impact or potential impact of the recipient's research on the field of brain science. In the spirit of Valentino Braitenberg's research, special emphasis is given to theoretical studies elucidating the functional implications of brain structures and their neuronal network dynamics. The crucial work should preferentially have been carried out in a European institution. The awardee receives a €5.000 prize donated by the Autonome Provinz Bozen Südtirol as well as complimentary participation (registration, travel, and hotel accomodation) in the Bernstein Conference 2014. Here, the prize is awarded together with a Golden Neuron pin badge in a special ceremony that includes the Valentino Braitenberg lecture given by the awardee. Nominations may be submitted by scientists working in the field of Computational Neuroscience and should include the following documents: * One-page laudation, in which the scientific work of the candidate is honored with regard to the award's criteria * CV and list of publications *Deadline for nominations is June 16, 2014* by e-mail to info(a)bcos.uni-freiburg.de The call for nominations can be found under the following URL: www.nncn.de/en/bernstein-association/valentino-braitenberg-award-for-comput… For inquiries please contact info(a)bcos.uni-freiburg.de Best regards, Kerstin Schwarzwälder -- Dr. Kerstin Schwarzwälder Bernstein Coordination Site of the National Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience Albert Ludwigs University Freiburg Hansastr. 9A 79104 Freiburg Germany phone: +49 761 203 9594 fax: +49 761 203 9585 schwarzwaelder(a)bcos.uni-freiburg.de www.nncn.de Twitter: NNCN_Germany <http://twitter.com/NNCN_Germany> YouTube: Bernstein TV <http://www.youtube.com/user/BernsteinNetwork> Facebook: Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience, Germany <https://www.facebook.com/BernsteinNetwork> LinkedIn: Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience, Germany <http://www.linkedin.com/company/bernstein-network-computational-neuroscienc…>

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Integrative Brain Function Workshop: Multi-modal approaches to understand brain functions
by Joseph Lizier June 10, 2014

June 10, 2014

Dear All, Please find below details of the Integrative Brain Function Workshop: Multi-modal approaches to understand brain functions, to be held in Melbourne on Monday 30 June. Integrative Brain Function Workshop Multi-modal approaches to understand brain functions The goal of this workshop is to offer an opportunity for neuroscientists with various backgrounds to interact and exchange ideas. Specifically, we encourage participation of neuroscientists who are interested in understanding the neural systems at the perceptual and behavioural level and who try to combine multiple methodologies, such as electrophysiology, imaging, advanced signal processing and computational modelling. Date: Monday June 30, 2014. (from 9am) Deadline for abstracts: June 9 Location: Monash Biomedical Imaging facility, 770 Blackburn Rd, Clayton VIC, Australia. Keynote speaker: David Leopold from NIH/NIMH, USA Cortical circuits underlying social visual perception in the primate brain Speakers: Elizabeth Zavitz (Monash University) Population coding of motion direction in marmoset area MT is rapid and sustained Alex Fornito (Monash University) Mapping the context-dependent organization of large-scale brain networks with fMRI Farshad Mansouri (Monash University) The role frontal pole cortex (area 10) in cognitive flexibility and executive control Ben Fulcher (Monash University) Highly comparative time-series analysis for neuroscience Stefan Bode (University of Melbourne) The application of multivariate pattern classification analysis to fMRI and EEG data Spencer Chen (University of Sydney) Population correlations and spatial discrimination in area MT Dean Freestone (University of Melbourne) Estimation of Functional Dynamics using Data-Driven Mesoscopic Nerual Modeling Rory Townsend (University of Sydney) Detecting spatiotemporal dynamics in primate neural oscillations Joseph Lizier (CSIRO, Sydney) Local active information storage in distributed cortical information processing Steven Petrou (the Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health) Revealing pathological mechanisms in genetic epilepsy Enquiries please contact Nao Tsuchiya Click here to Register http://www.med.monash.edu.au/psych/research/activities/seminars.html -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nao (Naotsugu) Tsuchiya, Ph.D. 1. Associate Professor School of Psychological Sciences Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University 2. ARC Future Fellow homepage: http://users.monash.edu.au/~naotsugt/Tsuchiya_Labs_Homepage/Main.html

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Method development for coupled EEG-fMRI (2x full EPSRC PhD studentships)
by Etienne B. Roesch June 7, 2014

June 7, 2014

Method development for coupled EEG-fMRI (2x full EPSRC PhD studentships) The goal of the project is to develop novel methods for the joint analysis of signals from electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), when they are obtained concurrently. Technological advances of the last 10 years make it possible for scientists to record both modalities concurrently, in what is now known as coupled EEG-fMRI. By simultaneously recording these two modalities, scientists can potentially say where and when neural activity is occurring, whereas previously researchers had to settle for one or the other. This engineering feat, however, has not yet been met with the ability to make use of the combination of these signals to infer more knowledge than would otherwise be gathered in separate experiments. Filling this gap is the ambition of the present project. This is a method project, which requires skills and knowledge in neuroscience, applied mathematics/statistics/physics and programming. Candidates who have a strong background in at least two of these three fields are encouraged to apply, if they are enthusiastic about the third. Two full studentships are available, and we expect to appoint one candidate who is stronger in empirical work and a second who is stronger in analytics. Candidates are expected to have had some prior exposure to at least one of the two modalities, but will receive training in both. The two students will be supervised by Dr. Etienne Roesch and receive support from Dr. Michael Lindner and Prof. Tom Johnstone, with R&D support from Brain Products, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of MRI-compatible EEG systems. The group led by Dr. Roesch fosters interdisciplinary thinking, and students will have the opportunity to engage in ongoing empirical and modelling work related to perception and action. The Centre for Integrative Neuroscience and Neurodynamics (CINN) is host to a research-dedicated 3T Siemens TRIO, with a full license for sequence development, and a full suite of MR-compatible systems. Additionally, the students will be granted access to the cluster of NVIDIA Tesla GPUs and other facilities at CINN, as well as at the Brain Embodiments Laboratory, in the School of Systems Engineering. The University of Reading is ranked as one of the UK’s 20 most research-intensive universities and as one of the top 200 universities in the world (Times Higher Education 2013). Our campus was voted first in the Times Higher Education Student Experience survey and has a Green Flag Award. It is situated 25 minutes West of London. Reading University Students’ Union was voted the 6th best in the UK (National Student Survey 2012). Essentials: Commitment to academic research and personal development; Ability to work collaboratively; Effective interpersonal and communication skills, including writing to a high standard, document preparation for technical notes and journal papers; Experience of work in interdisciplinary settings; Attention to details. Desirables: Self-guided work in developing statistical designs and approaches in research; Creative approach to problem solving; Ability to work independently; Experience in giving presentations and conveying complex ideas clearly. Eligibility: Applicants should hold a minimum of a UK Honours Degree at 2:1 level or equivalent in a relevant subject. Please note that due to restrictions on the funding this studentship is for UK/EU applicants only. Funding Details: Studentship will cover Home/EU Fees, pay the Research Council minimum stipend (£13,863 in 2014/15) for up to 3 years and include funding for international conferences. How to apply: To apply for this studentship please submit an application for a PhD in Cybernetics (full time) to the University – see http://www.reading.ac.uk/Study/apply/pg-applicationform.aspx . In the section ‘Research proposal’, please upload or copy-paste your covering letter. When prompted as part of your online application, you should provide details of the funding you are applying for, quoting the reference GS14-68. Once you have submitted your application, you should receive an email to confirm receipt of your online application. Please forward this email, along with your covering letter and CV (as pdf), to Dr. Etienne B. Roesch, e.b.roesch(a)reading.ac.uk, by the application deadline. Application Deadline: Monday 14th July 2014 (interviews in August) Further Enquiries: Please contact Dr. Etienne B. Roesch, e.b.roesch(a)reading.ac.uk. ––– Dr. Etienne B. Roesch Lecturer (Assistant Professor) in Cognitive Science University of Reading, UK http://doodle.com/MeetWithEtienne Too brief of an email? Here's why! http://emailcharter.org

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an emerging neural theory of grid and place cell development: and navigation: modules, spiking dynamics, cholinergic inactivation, oscillations, and attention
by Stephen Grossberg June 6, 2014

June 6, 2014

The following articles summarize an emerging neural theory of how grid and place cells develop neurophysiological properties that support navigational behaviors, including properties of modular organization, spiking dynamics, effects of cholinergic inactivation, oscillations, and attention. ******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** Grossberg, S., and Pilly, P. K. (2014). Coordinated learning of grid cell and place cell spatial and temporal properties: multiple scales, attention, and oscillations. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B., 369, 20120524, http://rstb.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/369/1635/20120524.full.pdf+h… Abstract. A neural model proposes how entorhinal grid cells and hippocampal place cells may develop as spatial categories in a hierarchy of self-organizing maps. The model responds to realistic rat navigational trajectories by learning both grid cells with hexagonal grid firing fields of multiple spatial scales, and place cells with one or more firing fields, that match neurophysiological data about their development in juvenile rats. Both grid and place cells can develop by detecting, learning, and remembering the most frequent and energetic co-occurrences of their inputs. The model’s parsimonious properties include: Similar ring attractor mechanisms process linear and angular path integration inputs that drive map learning; the same self-organizing map mechanisms can learn grid cell and place cell receptive fields; and the learning of the dorsoventral organization of multiple spatial scale modules through medial entorhinal cortex to hippocampus may use mechanisms homologous to those for temporal learning through lateral entorhinal cortex to hippocampus (“neural relativity”). The model clarifies how top-down hippocampus-to-entorhinal attentional mechanisms may stabilize map learning, simulates how hippocampal inactivation may disrupt grid cells, and explains data about theta, beta, and gamma oscillations. The article also compares the three main types of grid cell models in light of recent data. **************************************************************************************************************** Pilly, P.K., and Grossberg, S. (2013). Spiking neurons in a hierarchical self-organizing map model can learn to develop spatial and temporal properties of entorhinal grid cells and hippocampal place cells. PLOS ONE, http://dx.plos.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0060599 Abstract. Medial entorhinal grid cells and hippocampal place cells provide neural correlates of spatial representation in the brain. A place cell typically fires whenever an animal is present in one or more spatial regions, or places, of an environment. A grid cell typically fires in multiple spatial regions that form a regular hexagonal grid structure extending throughout the environment. Different grid and place cells prefer spatially offset regions, with their firing fields increasing in size along the dorsoventral axes of the medial entorhinal cortex and hippocampus. The spacing between neighboring fields for a grid cell also increases along the dorsoventral axis. This article presents a neural model whose spiking neurons operate in a hierarchy of self-organizing maps, each obeying the same laws. This spiking GridPlaceMap model simulates how grid cells and place cells may develop. It responds to realistic rat navigational trajectories by learning grid cells with hexagonal grid firing fields of multiple spatial scales and place cells with one or more firing fields that match neurophysiological data about these cells and their development in juvenile rats. The place cells represent much larger spaces than the grid cells, which enable them to support navigational behaviors. Both self-organizing maps amplify and learn to categorize the most frequent and energetic co-occurrences of their inputs. The current results build upon a previous rate-based model of grid and place cell learning, and thus illustrate a general method for converting rate-based adaptive neural models, without the loss of any of their analog properties, into models whose cells obey spiking dynamics. New properties of the spiking GridPlaceMap model include the appearance of theta band modulation. The spiking model also opens a path for implementation in brain-emulating nanochips comprised of networks of noisy spiking neurons with multiple-level adaptive weights for controlling autonomous adaptive robots capable of spatial navigation. ******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** Pilly, P.K., and Grossberg, S. (2014) How does the modular organization of entorhinal grid cells develop? Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, doi:10.3389/fnhum.2014.0037, http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fnhum.2014.00337/full Abstract. The entorhinal-hippocampal system plays a crucial role in spatial cognition and navigation. Since the discovery of grid cells in layer II of medial entorhinal cortex (MEC), several types of models have been proposed to explain their development and operation; namely, continuous attractor network models, oscillatory interference models, and self-organizing map (SOM) models. Recent experiments revealing the in vivo intracellular signatures of grid cells (Domnisoru et al., 2013; Schmidt-Heiber and Hausser, 2013), the primarily inhibitory recurrent connectivity of grid cells (Couey et al., 2013; Pastoll et al., 2013), and the topographic organization of grid cells within anatomically overlapping modules of multiple spatial scales along the dorsoventral axis of MEC (Stensola et al., 2012) provide strong constraints and challenges to existing grid cell models. This article provides a computational explanation for how MEC cells can emerge through learning with grid cell properties in modular structures. Within this SOM model, grid cells with different rates of temporal integration learn modular properties with different spatial scales. Model grid cells learn in response to inputs from multiple scales of directionally-selective stripe cells (Krupic et al., 2012; Mhatre et al., 2012) that perform path integration of the linear velocities that are experienced during navigation. Slower rates of grid cell temporal integration support learned associations with stripe cells of larger scales. The explanatory and predictive capabilities of the three types of grid cell models are comparatively analyzed in light of recent data to illustrate how the SOM model overcomes problems that other types of models have not yet handled. ********************************************************************************************************************************************************** Pilly, P.K., and Grossberg, S. (2013). How reduction of theta rhythm by medial septum inactivation may covary with disruption of entorhinal grid cell responses due to reduced cholinergic transmission. Frontiers in Neural Circuits, doi: 10.3389/fncir.2013.00173, http://www.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fncir.2013.00173/full?utm_source… Abstract. Oscillations in the coordinated firing of brain neurons have been proposed to play important roles in perception, cognition, attention, learning, navigation, and sensory-motor control. The network theta rhythm has been associated with properties of spatial navigation, as has the firing of entorhinal grid cells and hippocampal place cells. Two recent studies reduced the theta rhythm by inactivating the medial septum (MS) and demonstrated a correlated reduction in the characteristic hexagonal spatial firing patterns of grid cells. These results, along with properties of intrinsic membrane potential oscillations (MPOs) in slice preparations of medial entorhinal cortex (MEC), have been interpreted to support oscillatory interference models of grid cell firing. The current article shows that an alternative self-organizing map (SOM) model of grid cells can explain these data about intrinsic and network oscillations without invoking oscillatory interference. In particular, the adverse effects of MS inactivation on grid cells can be understood in terms of how the concomitant reduction in cholinergic inputs may increase the conductances of leak potassium (K+) and slow and medium after-hyperpolarization (sAHP and mAHP) channels. This alternative model can also explain data that are problematic for oscillatory interference models, including how knockout of the HCN1 gene in mice, which flattens the dorsoventral gradient in MPO frequency and resonance frequency, does not affect the development of the grid cell dorsoventral gradient of spatial scales, and how hexagonal grid firing fields in bats can occur even in the absence of theta band modulation. These results demonstrate how models of grid cell self-organization can provide new insights into the relationship between brain learning and oscillatory dynamics. ********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************* Stephen Grossberg Wang Professor of Cognitive and Neural Systems Professor of Mathematics, Psychology, and Biomedical Engineering Director, Center for Adaptive Systems http://cns.bu.edu/~steve steve(a)bu.edu

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ECML Workshop - “Neural Connectomics: From Imaging to Connectivity”
by Demian Battaglia June 6, 2014

June 6, 2014

ECML Workshop - “Neural Connectomics: From Imaging to Connectivity” September 15, 2014 - Nancy, France Paper submission deadline: June 20, 2014 Description: Systematic extraction of connectivity information is gaining growing importance for the understanding of the general functioning of the brain and its learning capabilities, as well as for designing biomarkers for diagnosis, prediction and prevention in neuropathologies. At the neural level, recovering the exact wiring of the brain (connectome) including nearly 100 billion neurons, having on average 7000 synaptic connections to other neurons, is a daunting task. The goal of this workshop is to bring together researchers in machine learning and neuroscience to discuss progress and remaining challenges in this exciting and rapidly evolving field. We aim to attract machine learning and computer vision specialists interested in learning about a new problem, as well as computational neuroscientists who may be interested in modeling connectivity data. We will discuss also the results of the First ChaLearn Neural Connectomics Challenge, who attracted over 100 participants, many of them advancing considerably the state-of-the-art. Topics of interest to the workshop include, but are not limited to: • building connectomes from EM data • building connectomes from fMRI data • building connectomes from neurophysiology data • bridging neuroanatomy and neurophysiology • connectomics and learning • neuroimaging technology advances • network reconstruction algorithms • causality in time series • feature selection vs. causal discovery • generative vs. discriminative modeling • sharing data • sharing code • organizing new challenges • establishing ground truth, benchmarking • quantitative metrics of evaluation • theoretical understanding Important dates: o Paper submission: June 20, 2014 o Notification of acceptance: July 05, 2014 o Camera-ready: July 25, 2014 o ECML Workshop: September 15, 2014 Important - Submission Guidelines: We encourage contributions in any of these areas. We welcome 2-page short-form submissions and 6-page long-form submissions. Submissions should be formatted using JMLR Workshop and Proceedings format, style files for which are available at: http://www.tex.ac.uk/tex-archive/help/Catalogue/entries/jmlr.html. We also encourage submissions of previously-published material that is closely related to the workshop topic (for presentation only). Everybody can attend the workshop even if he does not participate in the challenge (http://connectomics.chalearn.org/) Challenge participants are encouraged to contribute a paper on their results and also submit papers for presentation on the topics of the workshop. The papers have to be submitted via Easy Chair: https://www.easychair.org/conferences/?conf=ncw2014

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REMINDER: Two PhD Positions and one Postdoc Position in Machine Learning / Sensory Data Processing
by Jörg Lücke June 6, 2014

June 6, 2014

Dear researchers, There is a bit more than one week left until the deadline for the positions. If you have already applied, please see the end of this e-mail for more details on the required application documents. The given information is in response to some questions we got. Best wishes, Jörg Lücke On 28.04.2014 11:54, Jörg Lücke wrote: > The Machine Learning research group at the University of Oldenburg is > seeking to fill > > Two PhD Research Positions and one (postdoctoral) Research Associate > Position > > All positions are part of the Machine Learning group which develops > learning and inference technology for sensory data. We pursue basic > research, develop new technology, and apply our approaches to > different tasks. Our research hereby combines modern probabilistic > data descriptions, modern computer technology and insights from the > neurosciences. We contribute to the improvement of current methods for > computer hearing, pattern recognition and computer vision as well as > to the understanding of biological and artificial intelligence. > Research will be conducted in close collaboration with leading > international and national research labs. Our research field can be > considered as part of the Data Sciences, Computational Sciences, or > Big Data approaches (to name some terms recently used in the media). > > Salary levels of the positions are based on the TV-L scale of the > German public sector (Öffentlicher Dienst). After the deduction of > health insurance, pension tax and other taxes, the salary for the PhD > positions amounts to approximately 1600 EUR per month, and to about > 2000 EUR per month for the (postdoctoral) Research Associate Position. > Depending on the experience of the candidates, the salary can be > higher. But please note that the only definite sources for all > information on the positions including salary, job description and > application/selection procedure are the central websites of the > University of Oldenburg. > > For the PhD positions see: > http://www.uni-oldenburg.de/stellen/?stelle=63323 > For the postdoc position see: > http://www.uni-oldenburg.de/stellen/?stelle=63322 > > Depending on the skills and interests of the candidates, the research > focus will be on the development of new probabilistic learning > algorithms and/or their applications to high-dimensional sensory data. > Projects can emphasize basic research for general purpose learning and > pattern recognition, or applications of algorithms to specific tasks. > > Candidates for the PhD positions have to hold a Master degree in > Physics, Computer Science, Mathematics or a closely related subject > (at the latest at the time when the contract is signed). > Analytical/mathematical skills and programming skills (e.g. python, > matlab, C++) are required for all candidates. Experiences with Machine > Learning algorithms are desirable. Experiences with acoustic data, > other types of sensory data, and an interest in the neurosciences are > a plus but are not strictly required. > > The candidates for the (postdoctoral) Research Associate position have > to hold a Master degree or (preferably) a PhD/Doctoral degree in > Physics, Computer Science, Mathematics or a closely related subject > (alternatively, a statement can be provided that a PhD/Doctoral degree > will be issued when the position is taken or shortly thereafter). > Analytical/mathematical skills, programming skills, and experience > with Machine Learning algorithms are required. Experiences with > acoustic data, other types of sensory data, and an interest in the > neurosciences are a plus but are not strictly required. The > (postdoctoral) Research Associate position is suitable for part-time > work. > > All positions can be filled immediately and are available for > initially two years with an option for extension. > > The appointed researchers will be part of a very new working > environment. The research group is currently established through a > strategic investment into Machine Learning technology at Oldenburg. > The group is located in a new building, and the Cluster of Excellence > Hearing4all is part of the German Excellence Initiative which funds > top-tier research in Germany. The cluster comprises many > interdisciplinary research groups that are currently set up or that > are extended. As a consequence, many new PhD, postdoc and faculty > positions allow for interesting collaboration opportunities and > provide an attractive scientific and social environment. The city of > Oldenburg is one of Germany's cities with the highest rated living > quality, it is close to the North See and near to the cities of Bremen > and Hamburg. > > For more information about the Machine Learning research group visit: > http://www.uni-oldenburg.de/ml/ > > For more information about the Cluster of Excellence Hearing4all > visit: http://hearing4all.eu/EN/ > > The University of Oldenburg is dedicated to increasing the percentage > of women in science. Therefore, female candidates are particularly > encouraged to apply. According to § 21 III NHG (legislation governing > Higher Education in Lower Saxony) preference will be given to female > candidates in cases of equal qualification. > > Handicapped applicants will be given preference if equally qualified. > > Please send your application including the usual documents (including > contact details for reference letters) preferably electronically (PDF) > to Jörg Lücke <joerg.luecke(a)uni-oldenburg.de> or per mail to: Carl von > Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg, Fakultät VI, Machine Learning, z.Hd. > Frau Jennifer Köllner, 26111 Oldenburg, Germany. Please use “Research > Position (PhD)” as subject line for applications to the PhD positions, > and “Research Associate Position (postdoc)” for applications to the > (postdoctoral) Research Associate position. > > The application deadline is 15 June 2014. Applications received after > this date are not guaranteed to enter the selection process. > > > MORE INFORMATION ON APPLICATION DOCUMENTS Note that detailed reviewing of the applications will start immediately after the deadline of June 15. We got some request asking for more information about application documents. Please be advised that the usual application documents include: - a scientific CV with education details including universities visited, degrees taken, final mark/rank (other skills, special courses and other interests are usually part of the CV) - if applicable (mainly postdoc applicants), a list of publications (can be part of the CV) - contact details of at least two researchers who can provide reference letters (you can also send the letters, or send one letter and one other reference) - scans of the original university degrees and translations to English if possible (unless they are in German) Some applicants also do provide a short research statement / statement of interest which can also be part of the cover letter or e-mail. It would also be interesting for us if you state when you could potentially start the position. If you have not provided all the documents stated above, please do provide them in time for the deadline of the position (15 June 2014). Please send an e-mail to Frau Jennifer Köllner <jennifer.koellner(a)uni-oldenburg.de> with subject line “Research Position (PhD) - additional documents” or “Research Position (postdoc) - additional documents” -- Jörg Lücke (PhD) Associate Professor Machine Learning Lab and Cluster of Excellence Hearing4all Department of Medical Physics and Acoustics School of Medicine and Health Sciences University of Oldenburg 26111 Oldenburg Germany www.uni-oldenburg.de/ml

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PhD and Post-doctoral opportunities in machine learning and neuroscience.
by Artur Luczak June 5, 2014

June 5, 2014

We seek highly motivated individuals with strong computational backgrounds to work at the interface of machine learning and neuroscience. We have extensive data sets recorded with state-of-the-art optical and electrophysiological methods, spanning normal and abnormal brain function in several experimental preparations. Recent developments in unsupervised machine learning (e.g. deep neural networks) now enable discovery of high-level features of such complex data sets, and provide an opportunity for breakthroughs in understanding brain function. Conversely, many of the most influential ideas in artificial neural networks have been inspired by biological networks. We therefore also endeavor to implement computational elements revealed by recent experimental findings in order to endow artificial neural networks with more brain-like capabilities. Candidates should have a strong interest in understanding how the brain works, and expertise in computational science. Prior experience with deep learning algorithms is preferred but not required. Successful candidates will join the highly collaborative and interdisciplinary Brain Dynamics group (http://lethbridgebraindynamics.com/ ), which has outstanding research strengths in the areas of learning and memory, decision making, information coding and related diseases such as Alzheimer's, schizophrenia, addiction and stroke. Funding is available through our departmental NSERC CREATE grant in Biological Information Processing, which provides a competitive stipend and unique training opportunities in quantitative sciences and entrepreneurship. Lethbridge is a small city located two hours from Calgary, 90 minutes from the Canadian Rockies, and has a sunny and dry climate. For more information please contact Dr. Aaron Gruber <aaron.gruber(a)uleth.ca> or Dr. Artur Luczak <luczak(a)uleth.ca> Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience Department of Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge 4401 University Drive, Lethbridge, AB, T1K 3M4, Canada http://lethbridgebraindynamics.com/ http://lethbridgebraindynamics.com/artur_luczak http://lethbridgebraindynamics.com/aaron_gruber

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POSTDOC in SPINAL CORD INJURY IMAGING AND MODELING
by Andre Longtin June 5, 2014

June 5, 2014

We seek a postdoctoral candidate to work on MRI image analysis and modeling of spinal cord injury. The candidate would be put forth for the Rick Hansen Fellowship described below. The successful translation of spinal cord repair therapies from animal models to the clinic requires an improved understanding of the injured motor and sensory tracts in humans. While histological tract tracing in animals can delineate the specific injured tracts and allow for therapy evaluation, these tracing methods cannot be applied to patients. Conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques allow spinal cord injury to be imaged; however they do not permit clinicians to reliably determine motor or sensory function. This limitation is due to the fact that conventional MRI imaging results are known to have poor correlation patient motor or sensory tract injury. Our objective is to develop an MRI technique that utilizes techniques such as diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), tractography and functional MRI imaging techniques as a biomarker. This will permit more detailed imaging of the spinal cord and allow improved correlation with neurological function. These improved imaging techniques can then be developed to improve correlation with patient clinical function which can then be used to improve the development and selection of successful therapeutic repair strategies in humans with spinal cord injury. The research consists in developing MRI imaging techniques such as DTI, tractography and functional MRI measures as a stand alone or complementary biomarker that correlates with specific motor or sensory tract function in humans. A large DTI dataset has been compiled from a variety of human spinal cord lesions. The candidate will quantify the level of damage and relate it through modeling and statistical analysis to the observed clinical scores. The DTI and tractography analyses will then be optimized to produce a strong biomarker. The candidate must hold a PhD degree in a relevant field, and will be co-supervised by a team of three investigators: Eve Tsai, a spinal cord neurosurgeon at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute and University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine; Andre Longtin, Physics and Medicine, University of Ottawa, a specialist in neural modeling, and Ian Cameron, a senior MRI medical physicist at the OHRI and University of Ottawa. Ideally the candidate would be able to start as soon as possible after receipt of a positive answer (typically within a month or two of being nominated), and no later than December 1st 2014. Applications consisting of a CV should be submitted to alongtin(a)uottawa.ca<mailto:alongtin@uottawa.ca> before June 25 2014 in time for submission of the file of the selected candidate to the Rick Hansen Institute. RICK HANSEN INSTITUTE POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP INTRODUCTION The Rick Hansen Institute is a Canadian-based not-for-profit organization committed to accelerating the translation of discoveries and best practices into improved treatments for people with spinal cord injuries. Their mission is to lead collaboration across the global SCI community by providing resources, infrastructure and knowledge, and to identify, develop, validate and accelerate the translation of evidence and best practices to reduce the incidence and severity of paralysis after SCI, improve health care outcomes, reduce long-term costs, and improve the quality of life for those living with SCI. PURPOSE OF FUND Award a fellowship to a postdoctoral fellow at the Faculty of Medicine whose research is primarily focused on knowledge transfer and/or implementation sciences related to spinal cord injury (SCI). The recipient would have an opportunity to participate in the various knowledge transfer-related projects currently funded by the Rick Hansen Institute and its SCI partners. FELLOWSHIP DETAILS Eligibility Criteria The applicant must: 1. be a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident, a person with the protected/refugee status, or an international student ; 2. intend to register as a postdoctoral fellow in the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Ottawa 3. be within 4 years of completing a PhD in knowledge transfer, implementation science, spinal cord injury or a related field; and 4. propose a program of research that is primarily focused on knowledge transfer and/or implementation sciences related to spinal cord injury (SCI). Note: The awarding of the fellowship is conditional to the recipient’s registration as a postdoctoral fellow at the Faculty of Medicine, through the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (as per the FGPS policy on postdoctoral appointments - http://www.grad.uottawa.ca/Default.aspx?tabid=1412) Value of the fellowship: $75,000 CAN per year Number of fellowships: 1 Frequency of awarding: For one year, with possibility of renewal for a second year Level or program of study: Postdoctoral Application contact: Graduate Studies Office, Faculty of Medicine Application deadline: June 30, 2014

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Call For Participation to our upcoming Research Topic: Real-world unisensory and multisensory processing
by Jason Sherwin June 5, 2014

June 5, 2014

Dear Colleagues, It is with great pleasure that I invite you to contribute to a Special Issue for Frontiers. The topic description can be found on its homepage via the link below. We look forward to your boundary-pushing contributions in this exciting area of psychology, neuroscience and other related disciplines. In collaboration with Frontiers in Psychology, section Perception Science, we are organizing a Research Topic titled "Real-world unisensory and multisensory processing: Perceptual and neural mechanisms in complex natural scene processing”, hosted by Jason Sherwin, Jeremy Gaston, Kelvin Oie. As host editor, I would like to encourage you to contribute to this topic. Frontiers, a Swiss open-access publisher, recently partnered with Nature Publishing Group to expand its researcher-driven Open Science platform. Frontiers articles are rigorously peer-reviewed, can be disseminated freely and are widely read by your colleagues and by the broader scientific and medical research communities. The idea behind a research topic is to create an organized, comprehensive collection of several contributions, as well as a forum for discussion and debate. Contributions can be articles describing original research, methods, hypothesis & theory, opinions, etc. We have created a homepage on the Frontiers website (Frontiers in Psychology, section Perception Science) where all articles will appear after peer-review and where participants in the topic will be able to hold relevant discussions: http://www.frontiersin.org/Perception_Science/researchtopics/Real-world_uni…. Frontiers will also compile an e-book, as soon as all contributing articles are published, that can be used in classes, be sent to foundations that fund your research, to journalists and press agencies, or to any number of other organizations. Among others, we have contacted the following authors: Bruno Lucio Giordano David C Jangraw : author Edward A Vessel : author Daniel P Ferris : author Bill Geisler Peter Gerhardstein Giulio Tononi : author Uri Hasson : author Jacek Dmochowski : author Joel Snyder Jordan Muraskin : author Tzyy-Ping Jung : author Klaus Gramman : author Linbi Hong : author Andreas Lozano : author As such, a manuscript accepted for publication incurs a publishing fee, which varies depending on the article type. Research Topic manuscripts receive a significant discount on publishing fees. Please take a look at this fee table: http://www.frontiersin.org/about/PublishingFees. Once published, your articles will remain free to access for all readers, and will be indexed in PubMed and other academic archives. As an author in Frontiers, you retain the copyright to your own papers and figures. I would be delighted if you considered participating in this Research Topic. Should you choose to participate, please confirm by sending me a quick email and then your abstract no later than Jun 27, 2014 using the following link: http://www.frontiersin.org/submissioninfo Please note that the deadline for manuscript submission is on: Dec 19, 2014 Since I am using the Frontiers system to manage this topic, I would really appreciate if you could also please indicate your decision by clicking on one of the links below. AGREE to Participate http://www.frontiersin.org/AcceptContributor.aspx?activationkey=8c7388de-dd… DECLINE to Participate http://www.frontiersin.org/DeclineContributor.aspx?activationkey=8c7388de-d… With best regards, Jason Sherwin Guest Associate Editor, Frontiers in Perception Science www.frontiersin.org Jason Sherwin, Ph.D. Columbia University Department of Biomedical Engineering Laboratory for Intelligent Imaging and Neural Computing 530 West 120th Street, Mail Code: 8904 New York, NY 10027 Phone: +1 - 212 - 854 - 8997 Email: jason.sherwin(a)columbia.edu Managing Editor, IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering Email: managertnsre(a)gmail.com http://tnsre.bme.columbia.edu

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Virtual Physiology for Teaching: SimNerv, SimNeuron etc.
by Hans Albert Braun June 4, 2014

June 4, 2014

Dear Colleagues, we would like to draw your attention to the recently reprogrammed "*Virtual Physiology*" teaching tools, including two neurophysiology labs: SimNerv and SimNeuron. More information is given on our website www.virtual-physiology.com from where you also can download fully functioning demo versions for Windows. * **SimNerv* offers a realistic lab environment on the computer screen to perform classical experiments of compound action potential recordings from the frog sciatic nerve. All parameters of the stimulating and recording devices are freely adjustable. Mathemathical algorithms guarantee for appropriate reactions of the nerves, also considering their physological diversity. *SimNeuron* offers easy to overlook laboratories for voltage- and current clamp experiments on the basis of simplified Hodgkin-Huxley type equations, described, for example, in Tchaptchet et al., Brain Res, 1536: 159-167. A neuron editor allows altering the neuron's parameters to examine their impact on the neurons' dynamics. In addition to these neurophysiology labs you also can download fully functioning demo versions of *SimMuscle* and *SimHeart*, featuring classical experiments with nerve-muscle preparations of the frog and with the isolated heart of the rat in the widely used Langendorff set-up for drug perfusion. To ask for more information, reprints (see short list below), or prices for fully licensed versions for teaching, please, send a reply. We hope you and your students will enjoy working in the virtual physiology laboratories. Best regards Hans Braun and the Virtual Physiology team */ References: /*/see also //*http://www.uni-marburg.de/fb20/physiologie/ags/braun/publications*/* */or //*https://www.res**earchgate.net/profile/Hans_Braun/contributions?ev=prf_act*/ */SimNeuron related references:/* Tchaptchet A, Postnova S, Finke C, Schneider H, Huber MT, Braun HA (2013): Modelin Neuronal Activity in Relation to Experimental Voltage-/Patch-Clamp Recordings. Brain Res 1536: 159-167, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.brainres.2013.06.029 /PubMed: //http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23911648 Science direct: //http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0006899313009153/ -/or send a mail to braun(a)uni-marburg.de / Postnova S, Finke C, Huber MT, Voigt K, Braun HA (2011): Conductance-Based Models of Neurons and Synapses for the Evaluation of Brain Functions, Disorders and Drug Effects. In: Biosimulation in Biomedical Research, Health Care and Drug Development. Eds.: Erik Mosekilde, Olga Sosnovtseva, Amin Rostami-Hodjegan. Springer, Wien - New York, pp 93 -- 126. /Can be downloaded from our website www.virtual-physiology .com/ //*/General reports on the first Virtual Physiology release:/* Braun HA (2003) Virtual versus real laboratories in life-science education: Concepts and experiences. In: Jukes N and Chiuia M (Eds) From guinea pig to computer mouse. Interniche, pp 81-87. /Can be downloaded from our website www.virtual-physiology .com/ Bahar S (2000) The Real and Virtual Laboratory: A Conversation with Dr. Hans Braun. In: The Biological Physicist, The Newsletter of the Division of Biological Physics of the American Physical Society. Vol.1 No.1 June 2001 p 5-7. /Can be downloaded from our website www.virtual-physiology .com/ */A recent Poster for the 2014 Conference of the German Physiological Society:/* //Braun HA, Tchaptchet A, dell Oro-Friedl J, Immer D, Schneider H, Braun T, Postnova S, Semyachkina-Glushkovskaya O, Schwabedal J, Wenzel S, Voigt K, Hirsch M: Learning by Doing with the Virtual Physiology Series:Physiological and Pharmacological in silico Experiments. /Can be downloaded from our website www.virtual-physiology .com/ -- Hans A. Braun Neurodymics Lab, Institute of Physiology, Philipps University of Marburg Deutschhaustr. 2, D-35037 Marburg, Germany Phone: +49 6421 286-2305, Mobile: +49 173 319 3028, email: braun(a)staff.uni-marburg.de URL: www.uni-marburg.de/fb20/physiologie/ags/braun see also: www.virtual-physiology.com/

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New code repository for Comp Neuro undergrad course materials
by Rob Clewley June 3, 2014

June 3, 2014

Hi, I have taught two introductory comp neuro classes based mostly on Hugh Wilson's great book, with some additional material from Izhikevich's recent book. The course is intended to be a very practical introduction to the basics of DEs and dynamical systems for modeling neural systems. It focuses on electrophysiology of single neurons and small networks, and is split between lecture and lab format. I have updated a lot of the codes from Wilson's book and put them into PyDSTool, or at least in Python. I never got the chance to rigorously organize these codes, but have decided to post them on github as they are because I've already been contacted by some instructors who wanted to to use PyDSTool for their comp neuro class. There are some homework and project ideas up there too. Feel free to fork and contribute on github for others to benefit from any further input. https://github.com/robclewley/compneuro http://www.ni.gsu.edu/~rclewley/Teaching/CompNeuro/NEUR4030.html Best, Rob -- Robert Clewley, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Neuroscience Institute and Department of Mathematics and Statistics Georgia State University PO Box 5030 Atlanta, GA 30302, USA tel: 404-413-6420 fax: 404-413-5446 http://neuroscience.gsu.edu/rclewley.html

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Applicant Call for Goettingen's Computational Neuroscience Summer Course
by Maximilian Puelma Touzel June 3, 2014

June 3, 2014

Applications are invited for the 12th summer course on COMPUTATIONAL NEUROSCIENCE in Göttingen, Germany September 08th - 12th, 2014 Organized by Agostina Palmigiano, Joscha Liedtke and Maximilian Puelma-Touzel The course is intended to provide graduate students and young researchers from within and outside of neuroscience with working knowledge of theoretical and computational methods used in the field and to acquaint them with recent developments therein. The focus of this year's course is modelling and theory of neuronal ensembles. The course includes tutorials and lectures from the following researchers: * Carl Van Vreesijk, Universite Rene Descartes, Paris, France * Claudia Clopath, Imperial College London, London, England * Srdjan Ostojic, École Normale Supérieure, Paris, France * Gasper Tkacik, Institute of Science and Technology, Vienna, Austria * Alfonso Renart, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Lisbon, Portugal The course takes place at the Department of Nonlinear Dynamics of the Max-Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization, Göttingen. A course fee of 100 Euro includes participation in the tutorials, study materials, and part of the social events. The number of participants is limited to 30. Course language is English. To apply please fill out the application form at: http://www.bccn-goettingen.de/events/cns-course by *August 5, 2014* Best wishes and looking forward to seeing you in Göttingen, Max Puelma Touzel (on behalf of the organizers) Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization Fassberg 17, 37077 Goettingen, Germany +49 551 5176 444 Office +49 (0)176 6 876 2821 Mobile mptouzel(a)nld.ds.mpg.de www.nld.ds.mpg.de Maximilian Puelma Touzel Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization Fassberg 17, 37077 Goettingen, Germany +49 551 5176 444 Office +49 (0)176 6 876 2821 Mobile <mailto:mptouzel@nld.ds.mpg.de> mptouzel(a)nld.ds.mpg.de <http://www.nld.ds.mpg.de/> www.nld.ds.mpg.de

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PhD position in computational modelling
by Jane Neumann June 3, 2014

June 3, 2014

The Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences Leipzig and the Collaborative Research Center (CRC) 1052 "Obesity mechanisms" at the Leipzig University Hospital are offering a PhD studentship in computational modelling. Within the project, computational modelling is used to investigate leaning and decision-making in humans. The project is aimed at the multi-modal integration of available and newly acquired behavioral, structural/functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), PET and genetic data towards comprehensive computational and neurocognitive models of cognitive control over behavior. Work will be carried out at the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences Leipzig under the supervision of Dr Jane Neumann and Dr Annette Horstmann. Both Leipzig's long tradition in conducting neuroscientific research and the ultra-modern equipment at the Max Planck Institute provide an environment that offers new perspectives in neuroimaging research. Further, the position will be part of the CRCs Integrated Research Training Group. This graduate program offers interdisciplinary qualification in various research methods and transferable skills, and provides support in career planning and in establishing an own scientific network. Applicants should hold a Master's degree (or equivalent) in one of the following disciplines: computational or cognitive neuroscience, computer science, maths, psychology, biology, cognitive science or related. Prior experience in the fields of computational neuroscience and/or neuroimaging are of great advantage. Sound knowledge of statistics and excellent programming skills are essential. A good command of written and spoken English is requested of all applicants. Please send your application as a single pdf-file to neumann(a)cbs.mpg.de referring to 'Modelling SFB 1052'. Complete applications include cover letter, CV, letter(s) of recommendation, and copies of university degrees and additional certificates. Informal enquiries should be made to Dr Jane Neumann (+49 (0) 341 99 40 26 21). For meeting Dr. Neumann and Dr. Horstmann at *OHBM 2014*, please send an email to neumann(a)cbs.mpg.de or horstmann(a)cbs.mpg.de including days and times when you are available during the conference. The salary is based on the German E 13 TV-L salary scale. In order to increase the proportion of female staff members, applications from female scientists are particularly encouraged. Disabled applicants are preferred if qualification is equal. Deadline for application: until position is filled Further details about the project can also be found at www.o-brain-project.de

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[meetings] Living Machines III: Call for Participation in Conference, Demos and Workshops
by Nathan F Lepora June 3, 2014

June 3, 2014

_____________________________________________________________ Call for Participation in Conference, Demos and Workshops Living Machines: The 3rd International Conference on Biomimetic Robotics and Biohybrid Systems. A Convergent Science Network Event 29th July to 1st August 2014 Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnologia, Leonardo Da Vinci Milano http://csnetwork.eu/livingmachines/conf2014 ______________________________________________________________ News & Highlights * Deadline for early registration, June 30th, 2014. * Book on time accommodation for good value and availability. see LM2014 for suggestions http://csnetwork.eu/livingmachines/conf2014/accommodation * Main conference programme now online, 6 plenary talks, 1 invited talk, 18 single-track oral presentations, 10 poster spotlights, 40 posters. * 4 satellite workshops also available for registration as separate events, topics include autonomous locomotion systems, the robot self, emergent social behavior, and biomimetics in design. * Bring a demo, be it a robot or an installation, for an exhibition on biomimetic robots, biohybrid computer art, live robot performance or videos. * If you wish to bring a demo please contact us. info.csnetwork(a)upf.edu * If you need help with transporting your demo to Milano contact us at info.csnetwork(a)upf.edu * You can book the social dinner as a separate event. Contact info.csnetwork(a)upf.edu for all enquiries. ABOUT LIVING MACHINES 2014 The 3rd International Conference on Biomimetic and Biohybrid systems comprises 4 days of events including 3 days of single-track oral presentations with 6 plenary speakers; a 1-day with five satellite workshops on themes ranging from autonomous robots to robot “selves” to biomimetics in design and social impacts of living machines. On Wednesday there will be a reception offered by the Tailor & Francis group http://www.taylorandfrancis.com/ and, on Thursday there will be the LM2014 banquet. We hope you will join us for this exciting programme! The conference registration site is open. Please register soon to take advantage of early registration—deadline June 30th ***From every accepted paper at least 1 author must be registered and present at the Conference*** CONFERENCE PROGRAMME **Program now available online** http://csnetwork.eu/livingmachines/conf2014/programme The main conference will take the form of a single-track oral presentation programme, 30th July to midday 1st August 2014 that will include 6 plenary lectures from leading international researchers in biomimetic and biohybrid systems. Agreed speakers are: Mandyam Srinivasan Queensland Brain Institute, Australia Insect-inspired cognition and vision Andrew Schwartz University of Minnesota, Pittsburgh, USA Neural control of prosthetics Sarah Bergbreiter University of Maryland, USA Microrobotics Darwin Caldwell Italian Institute of Technology, Genova, Italy Legged Locomotion Ricard Sole Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain Evolution of complex networks Minoru Asada Osaka University, Japan Cognitive and Affective Developmental Robotics There will also be 18 regular talks of 30 min, 1 invited talk on Thursday at midday on Biomimetics in Design by Franco Lodato, 10 Poster Spotlights of 5 min and 2 poster sessions of 90 mins each (midday of July 30st and August 1st) featuring 40 posters. Particular themes include: Soft Robotics Neuromechanics Social Robotics Locomotion Biohybrid Brain-based Active Sensing WORKSHOPS In addition to the main conference there is one further day of workshops, each with their own full program that will be available soon on the Living Machines website. Monday 29th July Embodied Interaction and Internal Models: Key Features of Autonomous Locomotion Systems - Organisers: Volker Dürr, Biological Cybernetics, Bielefeld University, Germany, Paolo Arena, Electrical Engineering, University of Catania, Italy The Robot Self - Organizers: Tony Prescott, University of Sheffield, UK; Paul Verschure Universitat Pompeu Fabra Barcelona, CSNII Emergent social behaviours in bio-hybrid systems - Organizers: José Halloy: Universite Paris Diderot. Thomas Schmickl: Karl-Franzens-University Graz, Stuart Wilson, University of Sheffield Rotational Geometry and the Creation of Bionic Models. - Organizers: Pino Trogu, San Francisco State University, USA, Franco Lodato, Creative Director VSN Mobil with Istituto Europeo di Design, Milano Neuro-chip interfaces and Neuroprostheses - Organizers: Stefano Vassanelli, University of Padova, Italy Attendance at workshops will attract a small fee intended to cover the costs of the meeting. We have reserved meeting rooms at the Italian Institute of Technology in Milan each with capacity for up to 40 people. Please book early. Separate registration for satellite events is possible. ABOUT THE VENUE The organisers are delighted to have secured the Museo Nazionale della Scienza e della Tecnologia, Leonardo Da Vinci Milano as the main venue for our conference. The museum is a centre dedicated to Leonardo da Vinci a symbol of the connection between artistic and scientific-technological cultures, two complementary expressions of human creativity. KEY DATES June 30th 2014 Deadline for early registration July 30th - August 1st 2014 Conference We are looking forwards to seeing you in Milano. ORGANISING COMMITTEE Tony Prescott (co-chair) Paul Verschure (co-chair) Armin Duff (programme chair) Roberto Cingolani (local organizer) Barbara Mazzolai (workshops) Nathan Lepora (communications) Anna Mura (communications and web-site) Contact and Conference Secretariat: Info.csnetwork(a)upf.edu living-machines(a)sheffield.ac.uk

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[PhD] Natural scene statistics and visual motion processing in humans and non-human primates
by Laurent Perrinet June 3, 2014

June 3, 2014

Dear List, Applications are invited for 3 PhD positions funded by the PhD program in Integrative and Clinical Neurosciences (http://www.int.univ-amu.fr/PhD-Program-in-Integrative-and) as described in: http://www.int.univ-amu.fr/IMG/pdf/List_of_research_projects.pdf among which the following ---at the Institute of Neurosciences, Timone in Marseille, France--- may be of interest to the list. Deadline for applications is June 15th. Cheers, Laurent -- Laurent Perrinet - INT (UMR 7289)/CNRS http://invibe.net/LaurentPerrinet Title: Natural scene statistics and visual motion processing in humans and non-human primates Supervisor: Guillaume MASSON Laboratory: Institute of Neurosciences, Timone (INT) State of the art: The mammalian visual system is tuned to process the complex, high-dimension statistics of natural scenes. For instance, neuronal responses to natural inputs are more ﬁnely tuned, more temporally precise and more sparse. A major challenge is to understand how such complex information is integrated to measure perceptual quantities such as object motion in a crowded environment. From a theoretical perspective, this implies to understand how the cascade of cortical processing steps extracts the relevant dimensions through linear (e.g. ﬁltering) and nonlinear (e.g. gain control, contextual modulation) mechanisms. From an experimental perspective, the challenge implies to design behavioural tasks that can dissect out these mechanisms. The classical approach is to compare classic, low-dimension stimuli such as gratings or dots with natural images. However, it is almost impossible to parametrize natural scenes in a useful way. We [1], and others [2], have designed and begun to use naturalistic stimuli as static or dynamic textures of which mean and variance along each parameter space is manipulated to demonstrate how sensory systems sense and represent information. We have recently shown in Nature Neuroscience3 that richer textures drive more accurate and reliable ocular tracking responses. This is the ﬁrst demonstration that naturalistic inputs processing can be probed using sensorimotor tasks. Objectives: Our objective is to demonstrate that in human and non-human primates, estimating direction and speed of a moving object requires to integrate information from the multiple spatial and temporal scales existing in natural scenes. We will investigate how different spatiotemporal frequency channels are nonlinearly combined to drive faster and more precise tracking eye movements. In particular, we will extend our previous study [3] by studying how richness of visual motion information reduces the variability of motor responses, within and across trials. We will also study how the geometric organization of the texture input impacts performance, opening the door to understanding the link between low-level motion processing and the perceptual organization of complex scenes. Methods: The approach is based on probing low-level visual processing through the dynamics of reﬂexive eye movements. Ocular following responses exist in both humans and non-human primates and over the last 15 years we, and others have shown how they can probe low-level motion mechanisms. The PhD will work in non-human primates to conduct behavioural experiments using random phase textures and recording eye movements with the scleral search coil technique. Behavioural performance will be assessed through kinematics (acceleration, latency…) as well as through detection and discrimination tasks (i.e. comparison between responses for two stimuli). Expected results: A ﬁrst step will be to reproduce the main observation made in humans: richness of the inputs improves precision and decreases variability. Then we will characterize the nonlinear interactions between spatiotemporal channels underlying speed estimation through motion energy and their temporal dynamics. Feasibility: This project is supported by an ANR project (SPEED) that started in October 2013. The PhD student will work in close collaboration with a PD fellow working in humans as we expect the ﬁrst series of experiments to be identical in both species. A non-human primate set-up is available and a research assistant (F Barthelemy) will daily supervise the lab work. The InViBe team has strong expertises in modelling and electrophysiology so that the project will open the door for collaborative work in texture synthesis and speed processing modelling with Laurent Perrinet and recording of population activity evoked with dense, naturalistic textures with Fred Chavane. 1 Sanz-Léon et al. (2012) J Neurophysiol http://invibe.net/LaurentPerrinet/Publications/Sanz12 2 Freeman et al. (2013) Nature Neuroscience 3 Simoncini et al. (2012) Nature Neuroscience http://invibe.net/LaurentPerrinet/Publications/Simoncini12 Listed as Research project #18 in: http://www.int.univ-amu.fr/IMG/pdf/List_of_research_projects.pdf More Guidelines: In 2014, the PhD program in Integrative and Clinical Neurosciences will fund three PhD scholarships to excellent Master graduates from non-French top ranked universities The selection process includes the following steps : Nineteen research projects of excellence from AMU laboratories have been selected by the board of the PhD program. Applicants have to select and rank two research projects and motivate their choice The selection committee will shortlist 10 students that will be individually interviewed in June The final decision will be known in July and the three successful candidates will start their PhD in October. Guidelines for students The scholarships are open to high performing Master graduates from top ranked non-French universities. Applicants must provide the following documents : A first e-mail should be sent by you to edsvs-neuroscience-phd-program(a)univ-amu.fr with the subject "PhD Application, YourName" [1] and three documents in the appropriate format : a Curriculum Vitae. This document should be named "YourName_CV.doc" a document highlighting the adequacy between the applicant’s background and the selected research projects (to be download here). Please use the following template to be download here. This document should be named "YourName_ResearchProjects.doc" . a one page letter of motivation (500 words). This document should be named "YourName_motivation_letter.doc" . two letters of recommendation will have to be sent directly to edsvs-neuroscience-phd-program(a)univ-amu.fr with the subject "Recommendation, YourName" , using the following template to be download here. This document should be named "YourName_Evaluation.doc". Closing date for applications : Sunday, June 15th, at midnight (French time). Scholarship value : Net monthly salary : 1,368 €. Expenses : applicants will pay their annual tuition fee (around 500 €) and, when needed, their visa fee. Tenure of award : 3 years General rules Any incomplete application will not be considered How and when do students learn about the decision ? Offers of PhD scholarships will be made soon after the final individual interview, early July. Because some applicants may decline a scholarship, it is possible that some applicants receive their notification of selection a week after the final decision What conditions are attached to acceptance of this award ? Scholarship recipients must sign a Postgraduate Scholarships Contract agreeing to abide by the attached regulations. Recipients will be required to devote themselves full-time to their program of research during the tenure of the scholarship Selection committee : members of the PhD program board and members of the AMU neuroscience community. None of them will be the supervisor of a proposed research project

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[meetings] [ECCV2014] CfP: Second Workshop on Affordances: Visual Perception of Affordances and Functional Visual Primitives for Scene Analysis (in conjunction with ECCV 2014)
by Karthik Mahesh Varadarajan June 2, 2014

June 2, 2014

========================================================================== *Call for Papers- Second Workshop on Affordances: Visual Perception of Affordances and Functional Visual Primitives for Scene Analysis* (in conjunction with ECCV 2014), September 7, 2014, Zurich, Switzerland http://affordances.info/workshops/ECCV.html ========================================================================== The workshop seeks to address key challenges in computer vision and applications such as robotics with regard to functional form descriptions, which are termed as "affordances". Based on the Gibsonian principle of defining objects by their function, "affordances" have been studied extensively by psychologists and visual perception researchers, resulting in the creation of numerous cognitive models. These models are being increasingly revisited and adapted by computer vision researchers to build visual perception and behavioral algorithms in recent years. This workshop attempts to explore this nascent, yet rapidly emerging field of affordance based cognitive vision (recognition of objects, activities, scenes etc.) while integrating the efforts and language of affordance communities not just in computer vision, but also psychophysics and neurobiology by creating an open affordance research forum, feature framework and ontology called AfNet (theaffordances.net) In particular, the workshop will focus on emerging trends in affordances and other human-centered function/action features that can be used to build computer vision algorithms leading to various intelligent applications. The workshop will also feature contributions from researchers involved in traditional theories to affordances, especially from the point of view of psychophysics and neuro-biology. Avenues to aiding research in these fields using techniques from computer vision and cognitive robotics will also be explored. Primary topics addressed by the workshop include the following among others - Affordances in visual perception models - Affordances as visual primitives, common coding features and symbolic cognitive systems - Affordances for object recognition, search, attention modulation, functional scene understanding and classification - Object functionality analysis - Affordances from appearance and touch based cues - Haptic adjectives - Functional-visual categories for transfer learning - Actions and functions in object perception - Human-object interactions and modeling - Motion-capture data analysis for object categorization - Affordances in human and robot grasping - Affordance learning - Affordance ontologies - Knowledge bases for affordances and affordance modeling Understanding various challenges in the field of affordances and building a common language and framework for communication across the varied affordance communities are the key goals of the proposed workshop. Through the course of the workshop, we also envisage the establishment of a working group for AfNet. *Paper Submissions* Paper contributions to the workshop are solicited in four different formats. This departure from the regular format is intended to promote greater contribution and cater to the needs of affordance communities from various disciplines such as Knowledge Representation, Psychology, Psychophysics, Neuroscience, Kinematics, Ontologies besides traditional audience such as from Cognitive/ Computer Vision and Robotics. - *Conceptual papers* (2 pages): Authors are invited to submit original ideas on approaches to address specific problems in the targeted areas of the workshop. While a clear presentation of the proposed approach and the expected results are essential, specifics of implementation and evaluations are outside the scope of this format. This format is intended at exchange and evaluation of ideas prior to implementation/ experimental work as well as to open up collaboration avenues. - *Design papers* (6 pages): Authors submitting design papers are required to address key issues regarding the problem considered with detailed algorithms and preliminary or proof-of-concept results. Detailed evaluations and analyses are outside the scope of this format. This format is intended at addressing late-breaking and work in progress results as well as fostering collaboration between research and engineering groups. - *Experimental papers* (6 pages): Experimental papers are required to present results of experiments and evaluation of previously published algorithms or design frameworks. Details of implementation and exhaustive test case analyses are key to this format. These papers are geared at benchmarking and standardizing previously known approaches. - *Full papers* (14 pages): Full papers must be self-inclusive contributions with a detailed treatment of the problem statement, related work, design methodology, algorithm, test-bed, evaluation, comparative analysis, results and future scope of work. Submission of original and unpublished work is highly encouraged. Since the goal of this workshop is to bring together the various affordance communities, extended versions/ summary reports of recent research published elsewhere, as adapted to the goals of the workshop, will also be accepted. These papers are required to clearly state the relevance to the workshop and the necessary adaptation. The program will be composed of oral as well as Pecha-Kucha style presentations. Each contribution will be reviewed by three reviewers through a single-blind review process. The paper formatting should follow the ECCV formatting guidelines (Templates: LaTeX <http://eccv2014.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/eccv2014kit.zip>). All contributions are to be submitted via Microsoft Conference Management Tool <https://cmt.research.microsoft.com/A22014/Default.aspx> in PDF. Please adhere to the following strict deadlines. In addition to direct acceptance, early submissions may be conditionally accepted, in which case submission of a revised version of the paper based on reviewer comments, prior to the late submission deadline is necessary. The final decision on acceptance of such conditionally accepted papers will be announced along with the decisions for the late submissions. Hence, while early submissions will have a better chance of acceptance than late submissions, submission to either (or both) rounds is equally encouraged. *Important Dates* - Initial submissions (Early): 23:59:59 PDT *Jun 10*, 2014 - Notification of acceptance (Early submissions): June 20, 2014 - Initial submissions (Late): 23:59:59 PDT June 25, 2014 - Notification of acceptance (Late submissions): July 15, 2014 - Submission of publication-ready version: July 25, 2014 - Workshop date: September 7, 2014 *Organizers* Karthik Mahesh Varadarajan <http://www.karthikmahesh.com> (varadarajan(at) acin.tuwien.ac.at), TU Wien Alireza Fathi <http://ai.stanford.edu/~alireza/> (alireza(at)cs.stanford.edu) Stanford Juergen Gall <http://www.vision.ee.ethz.ch/~gallju/> (gall(at) iai.uni-bonn.de), Univ. Bonn Markus Vincze <http://www.acin.tuwien.ac.at/index.php?id=231&L=1> (vincze(at)tuwien.ac.at), TU Wien *Speakers and Participants* (To be updated) Fei-Fei Li (Affordances in Computer Vision), Stanford University, USA Abhinav Gupta (Affordances in Computer Vision), Carnegie Mellon University, USA Derek Hoiem (Affordance Semantics), University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA Ashutosh Saxena (Affordances in Cognitive Robotics), Cornell University, USA Aaron Bobick (Affordances in Robotics), GeorgiaTech, USA *Program Committee* Irving Biederman (USC) Aude Oliva (MIT) Martha Teghtsoonian (Smith College) Barbara Caputo (Univ. of Rome, IDIAP) Song-Chun Zhu (UCLA) Antonis Argyros (FORTH) Tamim Asfour (KIT) Trevor Darrell (UC. Berkeley) Michael Beetz (TUM) Norbert Krueger (Univ. of Southern Denmark) Sven Dickinson (Univ. of Toronto) Erhan Oztop (Ozegin Univ.) Diane Pecher (Erasmus Univ. Rotterdam) Jason Corso (UB New York) Juan Carlos Niebles (Universidad del Norte) Tamara Berg (UNC Chapel Hill) Moritz Tenorth (Univ. Bremen) Dejan Pangercic (Robert Bosch) Roozbeh Mottaghi (Stanford) Xiaofeng Ren (Amazon) David Fouhey (CMU) Tucker Hermans (Georgia Tech) Tian Lan (Stanford) Amir Roshan Zamir (UCF) Hamed Pirsiavash (MIT) Walterio Mayol-Cuevas (Univ. of Bristol)

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Real-life cognition contest (submission deadline Nov 1 2014)
by Michael Hanke June 2, 2014

June 2, 2014

In order to fully understand how the brain works, it is essential to study the complex inter-play of cognitive processes that are characteristic when interacting with a rich natural environment. Going beyond the localization of individual aspects of brain function is pivotal as there are clear limits to what we can learn about the function of the brain as whole via restricting investigation to specialized cognitive sub-systems in feature deprived laboratory settings. We believe that there is need for more publicly available data on real-life cognition, as well as analysis strategies to study complex concurrent neural processes. We invite research groups and individuals to participate in a contest to master these challenges. As a starting point, we have published a large dataset (functional MRI, simultaneous cardiac and respiratory measurements, technical noise estimates, high-res structural images (T1w, T2w, SWI, angiography, DTI), and stimulus annotations) that is available to anyone without restrictions: Hanke, M., Baumgartner, F.J., Ibe, P., Kaule, F.R., Pollmann, S., Speck, O., Zinke, W. & Stadler, J. (2014). A high-resolution 7-Tesla fMRI dataset from complex natural stimulation with an audio movie. Scientific Data, 1. doi:10.1038/sdata.2014.3 Among all submissions that are received until November 1 2014 a jury will determine the best contributions in terms of novelty of the approach, scientific rigor, and potential impact on future research and application. The best three contributions will receive an award (3000, 1500, and 500 Euro respectively) sponsored by the Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany. The jury consists of: Uri Hasson (Princeton University) James Haxby (Dartmouth College) Daniel Margulies (MPI Leipzig) Russ Poldrack (U Texas, Austin) Jean-Baptiste Poline (Neurospin) Stefan Pollmann (CBBS, Magdeburg) Peter Ramadge (Princeton University) For more information, demos, and data access visit: http://studyforrest.org

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PhD Scholarship in Machine Learning for Neuroscience
by Paolo Avesani June 1, 2014

June 1, 2014

PHD SCHOLARSHIP IN MACHINE LEARNING FOR NEUROSCIENCE The Department of Information Engineering and Computer Science (DISI) at the University of Trento and its research partner Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK), invites applications for 1 open PhD position covered by scholarship in the area of Machine Learning for Neuroscience. The deadline for applications is June 16, 2014, before 16:00, CET. The PhD research program aims at carrying out research activity on machine learning methodologies for neuroscientific data analysis. The main goal is the design and the deployment of machine learning algorithms for neuroimaging-based neuroscience investigations. The research focuses on three specific tasks: brain decoding, brain mapping and brain connectivity. The challenge is to design effective computational methods for multivariate pattern analysis. The PhD research program will take place at NILab, the Neuroinformatics Laboratory raised as a joint initiative of the Bruno Kessler Foundation and the Center for Mind/Brain Sciences (CIMeC) of the University of Trento. The University of Trento ranks 1st among the Italian Universities in the rankings of Times Higher Education and CIMeC ranks 1st for quality of research in the ranking of the Italian National for the Evaluation of Universities and Research (ANVUR). CIMeC has 6 ERC starting grants and 1 advanced grant. Trento ranks 1st in the annual survey on quality of life in Italian cities conducted by daily Il Sole 24 Ore. Details on the PhD School and a link to the online application are provided below. For further information, please contact info.nilab(a)fbk.eu. Links - PhD School: http://ict.unitn.it/ - DISI: http://disi.unitn.it - FBK: http://www.fbk.eu - NILab: http://nilab.fbk.eu - CIMeC: http://www.cimec.unitn.it

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Postdoc opening
by Malte Rasch June 1, 2014

June 1, 2014

Our Computational Neuroscience Lab at the Institute for Cognitive & Neuroscience and Learning at the Beijing Normal University (BNU) has an opening for a postdoc working in the field of computational neuroscience. Our lab is interested in neural model building, neural information processing, and data analysis in close collaboration with experimentalist in the areas of neural correlates of perceptual learning in the visual cortex in monkeys, multisensory integration, critical period plasticity in mice, motion integration, group learning in fish, and others. We have very close ties with a number of experimental groups on the campus, including 4 active awake monkey labs, eager to share data. There are thus various possible research projects for a computational postdoc interested in data analysis and model building in close collaboration with experiments. We invite applications from prospective postdocs with background in a computational discipline, such as computational neuroscience, computer science, biophysics, computer vision, or machine learning. Former experience working with neuroscience data is of advantage. The position is open immediately and supported by the Chinese government for 2 years and especially encourages non-Chinese applicants. Eligible candidates must have a recent PhD from a renowned university, strong publication record, fluent English proficiency and have to be younger than 35. Salary is very competitive and adjusted to an international level. Chinese knowledge is no requirement but willingness to learn would help in daily life. The Cognitive & Neuroscience and Learning Institute is a government supported research facility with one of the strongest neuroscience clusters in China. It is located within the urban center of the vibrant city of Beijing with a multitude of attractions and active night life. For more infos on research, see http://www.mjrlab.org and http://brain.bnu.edu.cn/ (English site under construction). If you are interested and qualified, please send a cover letter, CV, transcripts of relevant publications to malte.rasch(a)bnu.edu.cn or wusi(a)bnu.edu.cn. --- Dr. Malte Rasch Associate Professor Neural Data Modelling Group State Key Lab for Cognitive Neuroscience & Learning Beijing Normal University www.mjrlab.org

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