- Comp-neuro - lists.cnsorg.org

PhD opportunities at Imperial College London in the Clopath lab
by Claudia Clopath April 10, 2014

April 10, 2014

PhD opportunities in Computational Neuroscience. Computational Neuroscience Laboratory Headed by Dr. Claudia Clopath Department of Bioengineering Imperial College London -----------------Requirements:----------------- The Computational Neuroscience Laboratory, headed by Dr. Claudia Clopath, is looking for a talented PhD student, interested in working in the field of computational neuroscience, specifically addressing questions of learning and memory. The PhD position is fully funded, and has a flexible starting date. The perfect candidate has a strong mathematical, physical or engineering background (or equivalent), and a keen interest in biological and neural systems. Demonstrated programming skills are a plus. This position is restricted to EU citizens. More information can be found at: http://www.bg.ic.ac.uk/research/c.clopath/ -----------------Research topic:----------------- Learning and memory are among the most fascinating topic of neuroscience, yet our understanding of it is only at the beginning. Learning is thought to change the connections between the neurons in the brain, a process called synaptic plasticity. Using mathematical and computational tools, it is possible to model synaptic plasticity across different time scales, which helps understand how different types of memory are formed. The PhD candidate will be working to build those models of synaptic plasticity, and study the functional role of synaptic plasticity in artificial neural networks. They will have the opportunity to collaborate with experimental laboratories, which study connectivity changes and behavioural learning. -----------------The lab:----------------- The Computational Neuroscience Laboratory is very young and dynamic, and publishes in prestigious journals, such as Nature and Science. It is part of the Department of Bioengineering, which conducts state-of-the-art multidisciplinary research in biomechanics, neuroscience and neurotechnology. The lab is at Imperial College London, the 3rd ranked university in Europe, and is located in the city centre of London. -----------------How to apply:----------------- Candidates should send a single pdf file, consisting of a 1-page motivation letter, CV, and names and contact information of two references, to clopathlab.imperial(a)gmail.com, with the subject containing 'PHD2014'. The position remains open until filled, but applications received first will be first considered.

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Postdoc opportunities at the Queensland Brain Institute
by Geoffrey Goodhill April 9, 2014

April 9, 2014

The University of Queensland is currently offering generous postdoctoral fellowships, some targeted specifically at women, which can be held at the Queensland Brain Institute (QBI, www.qbi.uq.edu.au) a state-of-the-art facility located on The University of Queensland’s (UQ) St Lucia campus, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Established in 2003, the QBI's multidisciplinary environment is home to more than 300 staff and approximately 100 PhD students. Key areas of interest include computation and neuronal circuits, cognition and behaviour, neurogenesis and neuronal survival, genetics and epigenetics, neuronal development and connectivity, sensory systems, and synaptic function. QBI researchers have published almost 500 papers in the past two years, including 2 in Science, 4 in Nature, 2 in Neuron, 3 in Nature Neuroscience, 8 in Nature Genetics, 8 in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA, and 18 in Journal of Neuroscience. The period of appointment will be for three years and appointees are expected to commence in early 2015. The salary range is AU$71,528.60 – AU$79,708.50 (currently 1 AU$ = 0.94 US$). Each appointee will be entitled to maintenance funds of AU$20,000 over the term of the Fellowship to support research costs. Appointees relocating from interstate or overseas will be entitled to reimbursement of travel and relocation costs. For more details see http://www.uq.edu.au/research/research-management/uq-postdoctoral-research-… http://www.uq.edu.au/research/research-management/uq-postdoctoral-research-… and then contact the group leader at QBI with whom you are interested in working: http://qbi.uq.edu.au/group-leaders Note these fellowships are highly competitive and a strong publication record is an essential requirement. Professor Geoffrey J Goodhill Queensland Brain Institute and School of Mathematics & Physics University of Queensland St Lucia, QLD 4072, Australia Phone: +61 7 3346 6431 Fax: +61 7 3346 6301 Email: g.goodhill(a)uq.edu.au http://www.qbi.uq.edu.au/professor-geoffrey-goodhill

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Open post-doc position in Nano-Electronics Design for Embedded NVM-based Cognitive Computing
by BICHLER Olivier April 9, 2014

April 9, 2014

Open Postdoctoral Position in Nano-Electronics Design for Embedded NVM-based Cognitive Computing Novel embedded non-volatile memories, like resistive memory, are a fantastic technology enabler for the low-power chips capable of “cognitive” computing that are necessary for the new Internet of Things. To advance this topic, we are looking for a postdoctoral researcher to join our team in the Nano-Design project of the Campus Paris-Saclay. The goal of the project is to study and design an innovative embedded resistive memory-based neuro-inspired computing architecture, with computer vision as the primary target application. The ability to demonstrate state of the art applicative performance, on a pattern detection or classification problem, with a clear implementation gain, in silicon area or power consumption, is a major challenge for this ambitious project. To this aim, your research will associate high-level computer simulation, HDL modeling and IC design. Your ability to quickly adapt to and master our team simulation frameworks will give you a leading edge in your research. Finally, the realization of a fully integrated hybrid RRAM/CMOS chip demonstrator is a strong objective of the project. You will get to work in interaction with a team of tightly coupled labs of the Campus Paris-Saclay and CEA LETI. Candidates should hold a high-quality PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Applied Physics or a related field, with experience in analog and/or mixed-signal CMOS electronics, Verilog/VHDL-AMS modeling and software engineering (working knowledge of C++ is a requirement). The candidate should be able to perform schematic capture and spice simulation; knowledge of industry standard tools and flows like Cadence Virtuoso or similar tools would be greatly appreciated. Other relevant subjects (not required for the position) are resistive memory (CBRAM, OXRAM), neuromorphic engineering, deep/convolutional/spiking neural network… Starting month: during 2014 18 months contract. Salary provided along CEA standards. About our team: Our team is composed of the Institut d’Electronique Fondamentale (IEF) in Université Paris-Sud, CNRS, the Laboratory of Innovation in Surface Chemistry and Nanosciences (LICSEN) at CEA IRAMIS and the Laboratory for Enhancing Reliability of Embedded Systems (LFSE) at CEA LIST. We are also working in strong interaction with the CEA LETI in Grenoble. Contacts: Olivier Bichler (olivier.bichler(a)cea.fr<mailto:olivier.bichler@cea.fr>) Christian Gamrat (christian.gamrat(a)cea.fr<mailto:christian.gamrat@cea.fr>) Tel: (+33)1.69.08.28.31 Contexte du projet NanoDesign / NanoDesign Project Context (in french) Les processeurs actuels reposent sur un couple technologie/architecture (CMOS / Von Neumann) ayant fait la preuve de sa remarquable efficacité. Toutefois, plusieurs éléments de contexte incitent à développer des recherches exploratoires, non pour remplacer les technologies existantes mais pour les compléter / les enrichir grâce à des briques de circuits dédiés compétitifs sur certaines gammes de tâches. Parmi ces éléments de contexte, on note en particulier: (i) la problématique de la consommation d'énergie qui s'aggrave avec le scaling, (ii) l'augmentation de la variabilité des dispositifs qui s'aggrave également à l'échelle nanométrique, (iii) l'évolution des domaines d'applications des processeurs avec notamment une augmentation de la demande concernant le traitement de données naturelles (sons, images, signaux biologiques...) et le traitement de très grandes quantités de données (notamment issues de l'internet ou de capteurs massivement distribués). Ces traitements consistent essentiellement en des taches de reconnaissance et de classification, qui nécessitent une quantité très importante de mémoire (constituant la connaissance a priori du système) et pour lesquels l’architecture processeur classique Von Neumann, qui sépare fondamentalement mémoire et unités de calcul, est particulièrement inefficace. Dans ce contexte, le cerveau représente un exemple particulièrement intéressant de système capable de traiter les données naturelles avec une efficacité redoutable, notamment en termes de consommation. Ce traitement d'information est réalisé de façon massivement parallèle, asynchrone et impulsionnelle grâce à un large ensemble de neurones interconnectés via des synapses. Le nombre de synapses par neurone étant de l'ordre de 104, l'implémentation matérielle d'une telle architecture suppose notamment une densité d'intégration extrême des synapses, d'où le lien fort avec les nanotechnologies. En particulier, il a été montré récemment qu’une synapse peut être émulée efficacement par une mémoire analogique à deux terminaux (un memristor). Celle-ci a la propriété de pouvoir se programmer dynamiquement, en impulsionnel, à la manière d’une synapse biologique, ce qui ouvre la voie à l’implémentation de mécanismes d’apprentissage performants et présents dans le vivant, tels que la plasticité synaptique de type STDP (Spike timing-dependent plasticity) [Poo04]. Les équipes du CEA LIST, du CEA IRAMIS et de l’IEF, impliquées dans le projet NanoDesign support de ce post-doc ont travaillé ensemble et séparément sur différents aspects de cette problématique. En particulier, le CEA LIST, dans lequel sera affecté le post-doc, a développé des architectures de circuits adaptées à différentes technologies mémoires (PCM [Bic12a], RRAM [Sur13], mémoires organiques [Bic12b]…) pour réaliser des fonctions de traitement de données neuro-inspirées. Il s’est doté d’une plateforme de simulation, Xnet [Bic13], dédiée à l’étude de ces architectures, intégrant des modèles fonctionnels ou semi-physiques de dispositifs et des méthodes d’apprentissage [Bic12c] (supervisées et non supervisées). Celle-ci a déjà permis de réaliser un certain nombre d’études, dans le cadre de thèses, notamment sur la robustesse de ces circuits vis-à-vis de la variabilité ainsi que sur la co-intégration nano/CMOS [Que13]. Ainsi, avec ce post-doc, dans ce projet, nous proposons notamment : ● De réaliser des assemblées de dispositifs à une échelle suffisante pour la réalisation d’une fonction cognitive de haut niveau (de type détection/classification visuelle). Ceci, dans un schéma d'interconnexion adapté à cette fonction. ● De poursuivre l’étude des modes de codages de l'information impulsionnels et les règles d'apprentissage et/ou de programmation adaptées aux applications et aux dispositifs étudiés. ● De poursuivre le développement de simulations au niveau circuit afin d'évaluer a priori les architectures et d'en comparer les mérites à d'autres formes de traitements des données. ● De réaliser des prototypes de circuits mixtes intégrant des technologies RRAM et des neurones réalisés en électronique conventionnelle. ● De combiner l'ensemble des avancées du projet pour la réalisation d’une fonction cognitive intégrée, de type détection/classification, pour une application réelle de traitement de données visuelles, avec l’ambition de démontrer la viabilité de notre approche à l’échelle d’un prototype pouvant se comparer aux solutions alternatives classiques sur des métriques concrètes (coût, consommation, fiabilité…). References [Bic12a] Bichler, O.; Suri, M.; Querlioz, D.; Gamrat et al., 'Visual Pattern Extraction Using Energy-Efficient ‘2-PCM Synapse’ Neuromorphic Architecture', IEEE Trans on Elec Devices 8, 2206-2214, 2012. [Bic12b] O. Bichler, W. Zhao, F. Alibart, S. Pleutin, S. Lenfant, D. Vuillaume, C. Gamrat, ‘Pavlov's Dog Associative Learning Demonstrated on Synaptic-Like Organic Transistors’, Neural Computation 25(2):549-566, 2012. [Bic12c] O. Bichler, D. Querlioz, S.J. Thorpe, J.-P. Bourgoin, C. Gamrat, ‘Extraction of temporally correlated features from dynamic vision sensors with spike-timing-dependent plasticity’, Neural Networks, 32:339-348, 2012. [Poo04] Y. Dan and M. Ming Poo. ‘Spike timing-dependent plasticity of neural circuits’. Neuron, 44(1):23–30, 2004. [Bic13] O. Bichler, D. Roclin, C. Gamrat, D. Querlioz, ‘Design Exploration Methodology for Memristor-Based Spiking Neuromorphic Architectures with the Xnet Event-Driven Simulator’, Nanoscale Architectures (NANOARCH), 2013 IEEE/ACM International Symposium on, 2013. [Que13] D. Querlioz, O. Bichler, P. Dollfus, C. Gamrat, ‘Immunity to Device Variations in a Spiking Neural Network with Memristive Nanodevices’, Nanotechnology, IEEE Transactions on, 12(3):288-295, 2013. [Sur13] M. Suri, D. Querlioz, O. Bichler, G. Palma, E. Vianello, D. Vuillaume, C. Gamrat, B. DeSalvo, ‘Bio-Inspired Stochastic Computing Using Binary CBRAM Synapses’, Electron Devices, IEEE Transactions on, 60(7):2402-2409, 2013. -- Olivier Bichler CEA, LIST, Laboratory for Enhancing Reliability of Embedded Systems F-91191 Gif-sur-Yvette Cedex, France Ph: (+33)1.69.08.28.31 Fax: (+33)1.69.08.83.95

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New Job Posting for Comp-neuro (F9804z)
by Neil Paz-Cruzat April 9, 2014

April 9, 2014

*George Mason University Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Molecular Neuroscience/Computational Neuroscience* The George Mason University, Krasnow Institute seeks a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to develop and use multiscale spatiotemporal models of cardiac mitochondria to understand how mitochondrial structure and function are related. *Qualifications:* The ideal candidate is expected to have expertise in biological modeling, computer programming, and related numerical methods. Programming on parallel architectures is also desirable, as is knowledge of mitochondrial modeling. This project involves close collaboration with experimental collaborators. The duration of the position is subject to available research funding. For full consideration, applicants must apply for position number F9804z at http://jobs.gmu.edu/; complete and submit the online application; and upload a CV, a list of three references with contact information, and a description of research accomplishments.*These three required documents will need to be uploaded to the Other Doc category as a single (multipaged) document.*Questions may be addressed to*sjafri(a)gmu.edu*. AA/EOE

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Postdoctoral positions in neuroimaging and rapid decision making
by Paul Sajda April 8, 2014

April 8, 2014

The Laboratory for Intelligent Imaging and Neural Computing (LIINC) at Columbia University has immediate openings for several Postdoctoral Research Scientists. Specifically these positions will contribute to our research program focusing on understanding the neural basis for rapid decision making in the human brain and using this understanding to build brain computer interfaces (BCI) for next-generation human-machine interaction. Our approach leverages multi-modal neuroimaging, including a custom designed simultaneous EEG/fMRI system, to identify spatio-temporal cortical and subcortical networks underlying rapid decision making. Our analysis methods are deeply rooted in machine learning techniques, with a focus on using such techniques to enable single-trial analysis for correlating with decision variables. Applicants should have a background in one, and preferably several, of the following area: machine learning, neural signal processing, neuroimaging (EEG and/or fMRI), decision making, cognitive neuroscience and/or BCI. A Ph.D. in Engineering, Computer Science or Neuroscience is preferred. 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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Bernstein Conference 2014 - Registration is now open
by Kerstin Mosch April 7, 2014

April 7, 2014

*BERNSTEIN CONFERENCE 2014 in Göttingen* Registration is open now! Please register here <http://www.nncn.de/en/bernstein-conference/2014/registration>. Early registration deadline: July 7, 2014 **************************************************************************** Satellite Workshops <http://www.nncn.de/en/bernstein-conference/2014/workshops> September 02-03, 2014 Main Conference <http://www.nncn.de/en/bernstein-conference/2014/program-1> September 03-05, 2014 **************************************************************************** The Bernstein Conference has become the largest annual Computational Neuroscience Conference in Europe and now regularly attracts more than 500 international participants. This year, the Conference is organized by the Bernstein Focus Neurotechnology Goettingen and will take place September 03-05, 2014. In addition, there will be a series of pre-conference satellite workshops on September 02-03, 2014. The Bernstein Conference is a single-track conference, covering all aspects of Computational Neuroscience and Neurotechnology, and sessions for poster presentations are an integral part of the conference. The Bernstein conference will also feature a series of satellite workshops on September 02-03, 2014. The goal is to provide an informal forum for the discussion of timely research questions and challenges. For more information on the conference, please visit: http://www.bernstein-conference.de CONFERENCE DATE AND VENUE: Satellite Workshops September 02-03, 2014 Main Conference September 03-05, 2014 Venue: Central Lecture Hall (ZHG), Platz der Goettinger Sieben 5, 37073 Göttingen, Germany PUBLIC PHD STUDENT EVENT: September 02, 2014 PROGRAM COMMITTEE: Ilka Diester, Daniel Durstewitz, Thomas Euler, Alexander Gail, Matthias Kaschube, Jason Kerr, Roland Schaette, Fred Wolf, Florentin Wörgötter, ORGANIZING COMMITTEE: Florentin Wörgötter, Kerstin Mosch, Yvonne Reimann We look forward to seeing you in Goettingen in September! -- Dr. Kerstin Mosch Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience (BCCN) Goettingen Bernstein Focus Neurotechnology (BFNT) Goettingen Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization Am Fassberg 17 D-37077 Goettingen Germany T: +49 (0) 551 5176 - 425 E: kerstin(a)nld.ds.mpg.de I: www.bccn-goettingen.de I: www.bfnt-goettingen.de

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School J. A. Balseiro 2014: Modeling in Neuroscience
by German Mato April 7, 2014

April 7, 2014

****************************************************************************************** We're pleased to announce the "School J. A. Balseiro 2014: Modeling in Neuroscience" which will take place in Bariloche, Argentina from the 6th to the 31st of October. Additional information in: http://fisica.cab.cnea.gov.ar/escuelaib2014-neurociencias ******************************************************************************************

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ANNPR 2014: Call for papers
by Dr. Schwenker April 6, 2014

April 6, 2014

Please note the extended deadlines. Sixth IAPR TC3 International Workshop on Artificial Neural Networks in Pattern Recognition October 6-8, 2014 Concordia University, Montreal, Canada ANNPR 2014 invites papers that present original work in areas of neural networks, machine learning and pattern recognition, focusing on both theoretical and applied aspects. Topics of interest include, but not limited to: Methodological Issues - Supervised learning - Unsupervised learning - Combination of supervised and unsupervised learning - Feed-forward, recurrent, and competitive neural nets - Kernel machines - Hierarchical modular architectures and hybrid systems - Combination of neural networks and Hidden Markov models - Multiple classifier systems and ensemble methods - Probabilistic graphical models - Kernel methods - Deep architectures Applications in Pattern Recognition - Image processing and segmentation - Handwritten recognition and Document analysis - Sensor-fusion and multi-modal processing - Feature extraction, dimension reduction - Clustering and vector quantization - Speech and speaker recognition - Data, text, and web mining - Bioinformatics/Cheminformatics Note: A PDF of the Call for Papers may be downloaded at: http://users.encs.concordia.ca/~annpr14/ANNPR2014-CFP.pdf Invited Speakers ANNPR 2014 is proud to announce the following invited speakers: Dr. Yoshua Bengio, Canada Full Professor of the Department of Computer Science and Operations Research, University of Montreal Research Areas: Machine learning (ML), neural computation and adaptive perception, statistical learning algorithms Dr. Zhi-Hua Zhou, China Professor in the Department of Computer Science & Technology, Nanjing University, China Research Areas: Machine learning, data mining, pattern recognition, multimedia information retrieval Dr. Michael Herrmann, U.K. Lecturer at The University of Edinburgh School of Informatics Research Areas: Neurocomputation, neural nets, learning theory in autonomous agents & behavioral neuroscience, ML, dynamics of neural systems More information can be found on our homepage (see below) Special Sessions Fellow scientists wishing to organize a special session should submit a proposal to the ANNPR chairs (annpr2014(a)encs.concordia.ca) Proposals should include the session title, a list of topics covered by the session and a list of 3-6 papers for possible presentation in the session. Proposals must be received by March 15th, 2014. Important Dates Proposals of special sessions: March 15th, 2014 Paper submission: April 28th, 2014 Notification of acceptance: June 30th, 2014 Camera ready due: July 18, 2014 Workshop: October 6-8, 2014 General Chairs Ching Suen, Concordia University Canada Friedhelm Schwenker, Ulm University, Germany Neamat El Gayar, Cairo University, Egypt/Canada For more information, please visit or contact us: Homepage: http://www.annpr2014.com/ PDF CFP: http://users.encs.concordia.ca/~annpr14/ANNPR2014-CFP.pdf email: annpr2014(a)encs.concordia.ca -- Sixth IAPR TC3 International Workshop on Artificial Neural Networks in Pattern Recognition ANNPR 2014 October 6-8, 2014 Concordia University, Montreal, Canada Web: http://www.annpr2014.com/ eMail: annpr14(a)encs.concordia.ca

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Last Mile, April 18 || DATA ANALYTICS 2014 || August 24 - 28, 2014 - Rome, Italy
by Cristina Pascual April 4, 2014

April 4, 2014

INVITATION: ================= Please consider to contribute to and/or forward to the appropriate groups the following opportunity to submit and publish original scientific results to DATA ANALYTICS 2014. The submission deadline is April 18, 2014. Authors of selected papers will be invited to submit extended article versions to one of the IARIA Journals: http://www.iariajournals.org ================= ============== DATA ANALYTICS 2014 | Call for Papers =============== CALL FOR PAPERS, TUTORIALS, PANELS DATA ANALYTICS 2014, The Third International Conference on Data Analytics August 24 - 28, 2014 - Rome, Italy General page: http://www.iaria.org/conferences2014/DATAANALYTICS14.html Call for Papers: http://www.iaria.org/conferences2014/CfPDATAANALYTICS14.html Submission page: http://www.iaria.org/conferences2014/SubmitDATAANALYTICS14.html Contributions: - regular papers - short papers (work in progress) - posters - ideas - presentations - demos - doctoral forum submissions Proposals for: - symposia - workshops Submission deadline: April 18, 2014 Sponsored by IARIA, www.iaria.org Extended versions of selected papers will be published in IARIA Journals: http://www.iariajournals.org Print proceedings will be available via Curran Associates, Inc.: http://www.proceedings.com/9769.html Articles will be archived in the free access ThinkMind Digital Library: http://www.thinkmind.org The topics suggested by the conference can be discussed in term of concepts, state of the art, research, standards, implementations, running experiments, applications, and industrial case studies. Authors are invited to submit complete unpublished papers, which are not under review in any other conference or journal in the following, but not limited to, topic areas. All tracks are open to both research and industry contributions, in terms of Regular papers, Posters, Work in progress, Technical/marketing/business presentations, Demos, Tutorials, and Panels. Before submission, please check and conform with the Editorial rules: http://www.iaria.org/editorialrules.html DATA ANALYTICS 2014 Topics (topics and submission details: see CfP on the site) Fundamentals for data analytics Tools, frameworks and mechanisms for data analytics; Open API for data analytics; In-database analytics; Pre-built analytics (pattern, time-series, clustering, graph, statistical analysis, etc.); Analytics visualization; Multi-modal support for data analytics; Google/FaceBook/Twitter/etc. analytics; High-performance data analytics Mechanisms and features Scalable data analytics; Big data analytics; Deep data analytics; Mass data analytics; Storing, dropping and filtering data; Relevant/redundant/obsolete data analytics; Volume vs. semantics analytics; Nomad analytics; Predictive analytics; Trust in data analytics; Legal issues analytics; Failure on data analytics Sentiment/opinion analysis Architectures for generic sentiment analysis systems; Sentiment analysis techniques on social media; Document-level analysis; Sentence-level analysis; Aspect-based analysis; Comparative-sentiment analysis; Sentiment lexicon acquisition; Optimizing sentiment analysis algorithms; Applications of sentiment analysis. Application-oriented analytics Statistical applications; Simulation applications; Crawling web services; Cross-database analytics; Forecast analytics; Financial risk management; ROI analytics Target analytics Business analytics; Malware analytics; Cyber-threats analytics; Mining user logs; Reputation analytics; User choice analytics; Branding analytics; Utility proximity-search analytics; Survey-based online asset analytics; Online employment analytics; Geology analytics; Global climate analytics; Remote learning analytics; Homecare analytics; Population growth and migration analytics; Food-borne illness outbreaks analytics Big Data Foundational models for Big Data; Big Data Analytics and Metrics; Big Data processing and management; Big Data search and mining; Big Data platforms; Big Data persistence and preservation; Big Data and social networks; Big Data economics Huge data Knowledge Discovery from Huge Data; Computational Intelligence for Huge Data; Linked Huge Data; Security Intelligence with Huge Data -------------------- Committee: http://www.iaria.org/conferences2014/ComDATAANALYTICS14.html DATA ANALYTICS Advisory Chairs Fritz Laux, Reutlingen University, Germany Lina Yao, The University of Adelaide, Australia Eiko Yoneki, University of Cambridge, UK Takuya Yoshihiro, Wakayama University, Japan Felix Heine, University of Applied Sciences & Arts Hannover, Germany Dominik Slezak, University of Warsaw & Infobright Inc., Poland Panos M. Pardalos, University of Florida, USA Michele Melchiori, Universit� degli Studi di Brescia, Italy Rudolf Berrendorf, Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University, Germany Kerstin Lemke-Rust, Hochschule Bonn-Rhein-Sieg, Germany Sergio Ilarri, University of Zaragoza, Spain Les Sztandera, Philadelphia University, USA Prabhat Mahanti, University of New Brunswick, Canada Dominique Laurent, University of Cergy Pontoise, France Ryan G. Benton, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, USA Erik Buchmann, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany Stratos Idreos, Harvard University, USA Andrew Rau-Chaplin, Dalhousie University, Canada Takuya Yoshihiro, Wakayama University, Japan DATA ANALYTICS Industry/Research Liaison Chairs Qiming Chen, HP Labs - Palo Alto, USA Alain Crolotte, Teradata Corporation - El Segundo, USA Tiziana Guzzo, National Research Council/Institute of Research on Population and Social Policies - Rome, Italy Shlomo Geva, Queensland University of Technology - Brisbane, Australia Farhana Kabir, Intel, USA Prabhanjan Kambadur, IBM TJ Watson Research Center, USA Serge Mankovski, CA Technologies, Spain Sumit Negi, IBM Research, India Vedran Sabol, Know-Center - Graz, Austria George Tambouratzis, Institute for Language and Speech Processing - Athena Research Centre, Greece Yanchang Zhao, RDataMining.com, Australia Masahiro Terabe, Mitsubishi Research Institute, Inc., Japan Marina Santini, Santa Anna IT Research Institute AB, Sweden Mario Zechner, Know-Center, Austria DATA ANALYTICS Publicity Chairs Johannes Leveling, Dublin City University, Ireland Tim Weninger, University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, USA Roberto Zicari, Johann Wolfgang Goethe - University of Frankfurt, Germany Shandian Zhe, Purdue University, USA Michael Schaidnagel, Reutlingen University, Germany ================================================

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Open position in Theoretical Neuroscience
by David Rotermund April 4, 2014

April 4, 2014

The Computational Neuroscience group of Klaus Pawelzik ( http://www.neuro.uni-bremen.de ) invites applications for an open Ph.D. student position in the project 'I-See The artificial eye: Chronic wireless interface to the visual cortex' (http://www.isee.uni-bremen.de for details about the project) In this project we investigate the possibilities and foundations of injecting visual information into the visual cortex via electrical stimulation for neuro - prosthetic purposes. We are looking for a PhD student with a background in physics and/or computational neuroscience. She/he will work in close cooperation with experimentalists in the group of Andreas Kreiter (www.brain.uni-bremen.de) The student will analyse electro-physiological data with the goal to identify the underlying network structure/model which generates a specific neural response and visual percept to a particular electrical stimulation. She/he will then invert this model in order to determine the spatio-temporal stimulation pattern required for creating a desired visual percept. Basic knowledge in programming and in formal methods/Computational Neuroscience are required. Interested candidates should send their application in German or English language, a letter of motivation, CV, copies of school and university certificates (master/diploma or equivalent) until the 17th of April to: Agnes Janßen Cognium Hochschulring 18 Universität Bremen D-28359 Bremen Germany The documents can be sent in via eMail ( ajanssen(a)neuro.uni-bremen.de ) or in paper form. Severely disabled applicants and women with essentially identical technical and personal suitability will be preferentially selected.

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IWSYP'14: I International Workshop on Synaptic Plasticity, Brazil (call for abstracts)
by Thiago Matos Pinto April 4, 2014

April 4, 2014

*I International Workshop on Synaptic Plasticity - IWSYP'14* * September 8-9, 2014* *Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil* http://iwsyp14.thiagomatospinto.com University of São Paulo The I International Workshop on Synaptic Plasticity - IWSYP'14 will bring together *experimentalists and theoreticians* who have contributed significantly to understanding the biological mechanisms underlying *synaptic plasticity*. The aim of this workshop is to facilitate discussions and interactions in the effort towards increasing our understanding on synaptic plasticity in the brain. The IWSYP'14 will take place in the campus of *Ribeirão Preto* at the University of São Paulo in *Brazil* on September 8 and 9, 2014. You are welcome to join this workshop that focuses on the discussion of fresh ideas, the presentation of work in progress, and the establishment of a scientific network between young researchers. The workshop will be held in English. Participation is *free of charge*! This workshop is a satellite event of the XXXVIII Annual Meeting of the Brazilian Society for Neuroscience and Behavior (SBNeC), which will be held on September 10-13 in Búzios, Rio de Janeiro. The SBNeC meeting will also feature big names in Neuroscience, and will be a preparatory event for the 9th World Congress of the International Brain Research Organization (IBRO), which will take place in Rio de Janeiro in 2015. Organizers: *Thiago Matos Pinto *(University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil) *Antonio Roque *(University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil) Speakers: *Chris De Zeeuw* (Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands & Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Amsterdam, The Netherlands) *Freek Hoebeek* (Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands) *Reinoud Maex* (École Normale Supérieure, Paris, France) *Ricardo Leão *(University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil) *Thiago Matos Pinto *(University of São Paulo, Ribeirão Preto, Brazil) Abstracts: *Submission of abstracts for poster and oral presentations are due by May 16, 2014*. We welcome both experimental and theoretical contributions addressing novel findings on topics related to synaptic plasticity. Please see http://iwsyp14.thiagomatospinto.com/abstracts for details. Important dates: *Abstract submission deadline: May 16, 2014* Notification of acceptance: June 13, 2014 Notification of oral/poster selection: June 30, 2014 Workshop dates: September 8-9, 2014 Please visit the IWSYP'14 website for program and further details: http://iwsyp14.thiagomatospinto.com We look forward to seeing you in Ribeirão Preto. With best wishes, Thiago Matos Pinto, IWSYP'14 Organizer

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1 PostDoc + 2 PhD positions in Computational Cognitive NeuroImaging
by Uta Noppeney April 4, 2014

April 4, 2014

*2 PhD and 1 PostDoc positions in Computational Cognitive Neuroimaging; University of Birmingham, UK* In our natural dynamic environment the senses are constantly bombarded with many different signals. How does the human brain integrate information from multiple senses during perception? To study the neural mechanisms of multisensory integration and learning, we combine psychophysics, functional imaging (fMRI, EEG/MEG & interleaved TMS-fMRI) and models of Bayesian Inference and learning. The Computational Cognitive Neuroimaging Group (Prof Uta Noppeney) is seeking 1 enthusiastic PostDoc and 2 PhD candidates. Applicants should have astrong quantitative background and a degree in neuroscience, psychology, computer science, physics, medicine or related areas. Prior experience in functional imaging, MatLab, data analysis and/or machine learning would be an advantage. The lab is part of the Computational Neuroscience and Cognitive Robotics Centre and the Department of Psychology of the University of Birmingham, UK. The centre provides an excellent multidisciplinary and collaborative research environment combining expertise in cognitive neuroimaging, psychophysics and computational neuroscience. The psychology department was rated 3rd in the UK research assessment exercise. Applications will be considered until the positions are filled. Starting dates are flexible. For further information, please contact u.noppeney(a)bham.ac.uk <mailto:u.noppeney@bham.ac.uk> and see http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/research/activity/cncr/index.aspx <http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/psychology/index.aspx> http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/psychology/index.aspx <http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/psychology/people/profile.aspx?Referenc…> http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/psychology/people/profile.aspx?Referenc… <mailto:u.noppeney@bham.ac.uk> For application to the PostDoc positions, please send applications to http://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/AIM528/research-fellow/ For application to the PhD positions, please send application including CV, statement of research interests, and the names and full contact details of two referees to:u.noppeney@bham.ac.uk <mailto:u.noppeney@bham.ac.uk> <http://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/AIM528/research-fellow/>

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Last Mile, April 18 || ADVCOMP 2014 || August 24 - 28, 2014 - Rome, Italy
by Cristina Pascual April 3, 2014

April 3, 2014

INVITATION: ================= Please consider to contribute to and/or forward to the appropriate groups the following opportunity to submit and publish original scientific results to ADVCOMP 2014. The submission deadline is April 18, 2014. Authors of selected papers will be invited to submit extended article versions to one of the IARIA Journals: http://www.iariajournals.org ================= ============== ADVCOMP 2014 | Call for Papers =============== CALL FOR PAPERS, TUTORIALS, PANELS ADVCOMP 2014, The Eighth International Conference on Advanced Engineering Computing and Applications in Sciences August 24 - 28, 2014 - Rome, Italy Submission page: http://www.iaria.org/conferences2014/SubmitADVCOMP14.html General page: http://www.iaria.org/conferences2014/ADVCOMP14.html Call for Papers: http://www.iaria.org/conferences2014/CfPADVCOMP14.html Contributions: - regular papers - short papers (work in progress) - posters - ideas - presentations - demos - doctoral forum submissions Proposals for: - symposia - workshops Submission deadline: April 18, 2014 Sponsored by IARIA, www.iaria.org Extended versions of selected papers will be published in IARIA Journals: http://www.iariajournals.org Print proceedings will be available via Curran Associates, Inc.: http://www.proceedings.com/9769.html Articles will be archived in the free access ThinkMind Digital Library: http://www.thinkmind.org The topics suggested by the conference can be discussed in term of concepts, state of the art, research, standards, implementations, running experiments, applications, and industrial case studies. Authors are invited to submit complete unpublished papers, which are not under review in any other conference or journal in the following, but not limited to, topic areas. All tracks are open to both research and industry contributions, in terms of Regular papers, Posters, Work in progress, Technical/marketing/business presentations, Demos, Tutorials, and Panels. Before submission, please check and conform with the Editorial rules: http://www.iaria.org/editorialrules.html ADVCOMP 2014 Topics (topics and submission details: see CfP on the site) Advances on computing theories Finite-state machines; Petri nets /stochastic/colored/probabilistic/etc; Genetic algorithms; Machine learning theory; Prediction theory; Bayesian theory /statistics/filtering/estimation/reasoning/rating/etc; Markov chains/process/model/etc; Graphs theories Advances in computation methods Hybrid computational methods; Advanced numerical algorithms; Differential calculus; Matrix perturbation theory; Rare matrices; Fractals & super-fractal algorithms; Random graph dynamics; Multi-dimensional harmonic estimation Computational logics Knowledge-based systems and automated reasoning; Logical issues in knowledge representation /non-monotonic reasoning/belief; Specification and verification of programs and systems; Applications of logic in hardware and VLSI; Natural language, concurrent computation, planning; Deduction and reasoning; Logic of computation; Dempster-Shafer theory; Fuzzy theory/computation/logic/etc Advances on computing mechanisms Clustering large and high dimensional data; Data fusion and aggregation; Biological sequence analysis; Biomecatronics mechanisms; Biologically inspired mechanisms; System theory and control mechanisms; Multi-objective evolutionary algorithms; Constraint-based algorithms; Ontology-based reasoning; Topology and structure patterns; Geometrical pattern similarity; Strong and weak symmetry; Distortion in coordination mechanisms Computing techniques Distributed computing; Parallel computing; Grid computing; Autonomic computing; Cloud computing; Development of numerical and scientific software-based systems; Pattern-based computing; Finite-element method computation; Elastic models; Optimization techniques; Simulation techniques; Stream-based computing Resource intensive applications and services (RIAS) Fundamentals on RIAS; Basic algorithms for RIAS; Communications intensive; Process intensive; Data-intensive computing; Operational intensive; Cloud-computing intensiveness; User intensive; Technology intensive; Control intensive; Complex RIAS; Bioinformatics computation; Large scale ehealth systems; Pharmaceutical/drug computation; Weather forecast computation; Earthquake simulations; Geo-spatial simulations; Spatial programs; Real-time manufacturing systems; Transportation systems; Avionic systems; Economic/financial systems; Electric-power systems Computational geometry Theoretical computational geometry; Applied computational geometry; Design and analysis of geometric algorithms; Design and analysis of geometric algorithms and data structures; Discrete and combinatorial geometry and topology; Data structures (Voronoi Diagrams, Delaunay triangulations, etc.); Experimental evaluation of geometric algorithms and heuristics; Numerical performance of geometric algorithms; Geometric computations in parallel and distributed environments; Geometric data structures for mesh generation; Geometric methods in computer graphics; Solid modeling; Space Partitioning; Special applications (animation of geometric algorithms, manufacturing, computer graphics and image processing, computer-aided geometry design, solid geometry) Interdisciplinary computing Computational /physics, chemistry, biology/ algorithms; Graph-based modeling and algorithms; Computational methods for /crystal, protein/ structure prediction; Computation for multi-material structure; Modeling and simulation of large deformations and strong shock waves; Computation in solid mechanics; Remote geo-sensing; Interdisciplinary computing in music and arts Cloud computing Hardware-as-a-service; Software-as-a-service [SaaS applicaitions]; Platform-as-service; On-demand computing models; Cloud Computing programming and application development; Scalability, discovery of services and data in Cloud computing infrastructures; Privacy, security, ownership and reliability issues; Performance and QoS; Dynamic resource provisioning; Power-efficiency and Cloud computing; Load balancing; Application streaming; Cloud SLAs, business models and pricing policies; Custom platforms; Large-scale compute infrastructures; Managing applications in the clouds; Data centers; Process in the clouds; Content and service distribution in Cloud computing infrastructures; Multiple applications can run on one computer (virtualization a la VMWare); Grid computing (multiple computers can be used to run one application); Cloud-computing vendor governance and regulatory compliance Grid Networks, Services and Applications GRID theory, frameworks, methodologies, architecture, ontology; GRID infrastructure and technologies; GRID middleware; GRID protocols and networking; GRID computing, utility computing, autonomic computing, metacomputing; Programmable GRID; Data GRID; Context ontology and management in GRIDs; Distributed decisions in GRID networks; GRID services and applications; Virtualization, modeling, and metadata in GRID; Resource management, scheduling, and scalability in GRID; GRID monitoring, control, and management; Traffic and load balancing in GRID; User profiles and priorities in GRID; Performance and security in GRID systems; Fault tolerance, resilience, survivability, robustness in GRID; QoS/SLA in GRID networks; GRID fora, standards, development, evolution; GRID case studies, validation testbeds, prototypes, and lessons learned Computing in Virtualization-based environments Principles of virtualization; Virtualization platforms; Thick and thin clients; Data centers and nano-centers; Open virtualization format; Orchestration of virtualization across data centers; Dynamic federation of compute capacity; Dynamic geo-balancing; Instant workload migration; Virtualization-aware storage; Virtualization-aware networking; Virtualization embedded-software-based smart mobile phones; Trusted platforms and embedded supervisors for security; Virtualization management operations /discovery, configuration, provisioning, performance, etc.; Energy optimization and saving for green datacenters; Virtualization supporting cloud computing; Applications as pre-packaged virtual machines; Licencing and support policies Development of computing support Computing platforms; Advanced scientific computing; Support for scientific problem-solving; Support for distributed decisions; Agent-assisted workflow support; Middleware computation support; High performance computing; Problem solving environments; Computational science and education; Neuronal networks Computing applications in science Advanced computing in civil engineering; Advanced computing in physics science; Advanced computing in chemistry science; Advanced computing in mathematics; Advanced computing in operation research; Advanced computing in economics; Advanced computing in electronics and electrical science; Advanced computing on Earth science, geosciences and meteorology Complex computing in application domains Computation genomic; Management of scientific data and knowledge; Advanced computing in bioinformatics and biophysics; Advanced computing in molecular systems and biological systems; Application of engineering methods to genetics; Medical computation and graphics; Advanced computing in simulation systems; Advanced computing for statistics and optimization; Advanced computing in mechanics and quantum mechanics; Advanced computing for geosciences and meteorology; Maps and geo-images building; Curve and surface reconstruction; Financial computing and forecasting; Advanced computing in robotics and manufacturing; Advanced computing in power systems; Environmental advanced computing --------------------------------- Committee: http://www.iaria.org/conferences2014/ComADVCOMP14.html ADVCOMP Advisory Chairs Chih-Cheng Hung, Southern Polytechnic State University, USA Juha R�ning, Oulu University, Finland Sigeru Omatu, Osaka Institute of Technology, Japan Erich Schweighofer, University of Vienna, Austria Paul Humphreys, University of Ulster, UK Danny Krizanc, Wesleyan University, USA Ivan Rodero, Rutgers University - Piscataway, USA Ali Shawkat, CQ University of Australia - North Rockhampton, Australia George Spanoudakis, City University London, UK Vladimir Vlassov, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden Jerry Trahan, Louisiana State University, USA Dean Vucinic, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Belgium Rudolf Berrendorf, Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University, Germany Wenbing Zhao, Cleveland State University, USA Camelia Mu�oz-Caro, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, Spain Laurent R�veill�re, Bordeaux Institute of Technology, France Ewa Grabska, Jagiellonian University - Krakow, Poland ADVCOMP Industry/Research Chairs Jorge Ejarque Artigas, Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC-CNS), Spain Helmut Reiser, Leibniz Supercomputing Centre (LRZ)-Garching, Germany H. Metin Aktulga, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, USA Sameh Elnikety, Microsoft Research, USA Umar Farooq, Amazon.com - Seattle, USA Dmitry Fedosov, Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH, Germany Alice Koniges, Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory/NERSC, USA Markus Kunde, German Aerospace Center & Helmholtz Association - Cologne, Germany Peter M�ller, IBM Zurich Research Laboratory- R�schlikon, Switzerland Simon Tsang, Applied Communication Sciences - Piscataway, USA Anna Schwanengel, Siemens AG, Germany Christoph Fuenfzig, Fraunhofer ITWM, Germany ADVCOMP Publicity Chairs Marie Lluberes, University of Puerto Rico at Mayag�ez, USA Sascha Opletal, University of Stuttgart, Germany �lvaro Navas, Universidad Politecnica de Madrid, Spain Iwona Ryszka, Jagiellonian University - Krakow, Poland ================================================

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Research Fellow position University of Leeds/HBP
by Marc de Kamps April 3, 2014

April 3, 2014

A postdoctoral Research Fellow position is available for immediate start at the University of Leeds, UK. The position is funded as part of the Human Brain Project. This project focuses on modelling of neural populations using population density techniques. Population density methods are a powerful statistical methods that capture and evolve dynamics at the population level directly, rather than through a large number of neuron point model instances. More details about this research can be found in recent publications (see below). In this project, you will investigate the theoretical foundations of population density techniques, and apply them in the creation of efficient numerical algorithms. The resulting software should be usable by non-experts in large-scale network models. We are looking for outstanding candidates with a PhD in Physics, Mathematics, Engineering, Computer Science or related disciplines. They are expected to have good mathematical analytic skills, as well as substantial experience in scientific computation in languages such as C/C++ or Fortran. A background in computational neuroscience is highly desirable. An interest in other activities in the Human Brain project is expected, and the application of the techniques in large-scale network models is actively encouraged. You will be expected to interact with other researchers at the European Institute of Theoretical Neuroscience in Paris through regular visits. You will be based in the School of Computing at the University of Leeds. The School has as research themes 'Applied Computing in Biology, Medicine and Health' as well as 'Computational Science and Engineering'. Informal enquiries about this position can be made directly to Marc de Kamps (m.dekamps(a)leeds.ac.uk) The complete advert and application instructions can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/oxzfqho The closing date for applications is 30 April 2014. Relevant publications: http://dx.doi.org/10.1162/089976603322297322 http://arxiv.org/abs/1309.1654) http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neunet.2008.07.006 Dr Marc de Kamps Institute of Aritificial Intelligence and Biological Systems School of Computing University of Leeds Leeds LS2 9JT, UK

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Article on data sharing/analysis of multielectrode array
by Stephen Eglen April 3, 2014

April 3, 2014

I'd like to highlight the following article from our group that I hope will be of use to the community. Code and data are available via the project site: http://www.damtp.cam.ac.uk/user/sje30/waverepo Best wishes, Stephen ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Eglen SJ, Weeks M, Jessop M, Simonotto J, Jackson T, Sernagor E (2014) A data repository and analysis framework for spontaneous neural activity recordings in developing retina. Gigascience 3:3. Paper: http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/2047-217X-3-3 Background During early development, neural circuits fire spontaneously, generating activity episodes with complex spatiotemporal patterns. Recordings of spontaneous activity have been made in many parts of the nervous system over the last 25 years, reporting developmental changes in activity patterns and the effects of various genetic perturbations. Results We present a curated repository of multielectrode array recordings of spontaneous activity in developing mouse and ferret retina. The data have been annotated with minimal metadata and converted into HDF5. This paper describes the structure of the data, along with examples of reproducible research using these data files. We also demonstrate how these data can be analysed in the CARMEN workflow system. This article is written as a literate programming document; all programs and data described here are freely available. Conclusions 1. We hope this repository will lead to novel analysis of spontaneous activity recorded in different laboratories. 2. We encourage published data to be added to the repository. 3. This repository serves as an example of how multielectrode array recordings can be stored for long-term reuse. Keywords: Retinal waves; Spontaneous activity; Electrophysiology; HDF5; Multielectrode arrays

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DENDRITES 2014, July 1-4, Crete: LAST CALL & LOWER REGISTRATION
by Yiota Poirazi April 3, 2014

April 3, 2014

Apologies for cross-posting! Please distribute to interested parties. many thanks! Yiota Poirazi ------------------------------------------------------- DENDRITES 2014 4^th NAMASEN Training Workshop Heraklion, Crete, Greece. July 1-4, 2014 http://dendrites2014.gr/ info(a)dendrites2014.gr <mailto:info@dendrites2014.gr> * * * * * FINAL DEADLINE EXTENSION* * * * * Abstract submission for poster and oral presentation has been extended to *April 14th, 2014. This is the final submission date.* * * * * * *REGISTRATION WAIVERS FOR STUDENTS/POSTDOCS** * * * * Several registration waivers are still available!! Waivers are provided by IBRO PERC funding for Symposia, Workshops & Meetings. Students and postdocs presenting an abstract are eligible. To request a waiver, please send an email to info(a)dendrites2014.org <mailto:info@dendrites2014.org>including information about your submitted abstract. Travel funds might also become available and will be announced on the web site. * * * * **LOWER REGISTRATION FEES if registering by April 30th, 2014** * * * * We are happy to announce that, given the availability of new sponsorships, we can provide lower registration fees (-40 Euro) for attendants registering by April 30th, 2014. People who registered already will get reimbursed. * * * * * EMBO KEYNOTE LECTURE* * * * * We are happy to announce that Prof. Tonegawa's lecture will be supported by EMBO, as the "EMBO Keynote Lecture". This award, given to EMBO members presenting in major international scientific meeting, highlights the international standing of DENDRITES 2014. ---------------------------------------- Dendrites 2014 aims to bring together scientists from around the world to present their research on dendrites, ranging from the molecular to the anatomical and biophysical levels. The Workshop will take place in the beautiful island of Crete, just after the AREADNE meeting (areadne.org) which takes place in the nearby island of Santorini. Note that Santorini is just a 2 hour boat ride from Crete. One could combine two meetings in a single trip to Greece! FORMAT AND SPEAKERS The meeting consists of the Main Event (July 1-3) and the Soft Skills Day (July 4). Invited speakers for the Main Event include: * Susumu Tonegawa (Nobel Laureate), * Angus Silver, * Tiago Branco, * Alcino J. Silva, * Michael Häusser, * Julietta U. Frey, * Stefan Remy, and * Kristen Harris. For the Soft Skills Day, Kerri Smith, Nature podcast editor, is going to present on communication and dissemination of scientific results. Alcino J. Silva (UCLA) will present his recent work on developing tools for integrating and planning research in Neuroscience. There will be a hands on session on tools used to model neural cells/networks and a talk about the advantages of publishing under the Creative Commons License. CALL FOR ABSTRACTS Submission of abstracts for poster and oral presentations are due by *14 April 2014*. We welcome both experimental and theoretical contributions addressing novel findings related to dendrites. For details, please see http://dendrites2014.gr/call/. Electronic abstract submission is hosted on the Frontiers platform, where extended abstracts will be published as an online, open access special issue (in Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience, Impact factor 4.5). One of the authors has to register for the main event as a presenting author. In case an abstract is not accepted for presentation, the registration fee will be refunded. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION Please see the conference web site (http://dendrites2014.gr/) subscribe to our twitter (https://twitter.com/dendrites2014) or RSS feeds (http://dendrites2014.gr/rss_feed/news.xml) or send an email to info(a)dendrites2014.org <mailto:info@dendrites2014.org>. -- Panayiota Poirazi, Ph.D. Research Director Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB) Foundation of Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH) Vassilika Vouton, P.O.Box 1385 GR 711 10 Heraklion, Crete, GREECE Tel: +30 2810 391139 Fax: +30 2810 391101 Εmail:poirazi@imbb.forth.gr http://www.dendrites.gr

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models of structural plasticity
by Ooijen, A. van April 3, 2014

April 3, 2014

Dear colleagues, We would like to draw your attention to a series of recent papers dedicated to models of structural plasticity. Developing as well as mature brains are much less hard-wired than traditionally thought. Formation of new connections and breaking of existing connections (structural plasticity) by dendritic spine and axonal bouton turnover, as well as re-routing of axonal branches, can cause a dramatic rewiring of brain connectivity, which so far has largely been disregarded in neuronal network models. The following papers describe novel models of structural plasticity: Homeostatic structural plasticity increases the efficiency of small-world networks Markus Butz, Ines D. Steenbuck and Arjen van Ooyen Front. Synaptic Neurosci., 01 April 2014. DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2014.00007 (Open access) http://journal.frontiersin.org/Journal/10.3389/fnsyn.2014.00007/abstract A simple rule for dendritic spine and axonal bouton formation can account for cortical reorganization after focal retinal lesions Markus Butz and Arjen van Ooyen PloS Computational Biology, 10 October 2013. DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1003259 (Open access) http://www.ploscompbiol.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pcbi.100… Further reading: Van Ooyen, A. (2011). Using theoretical models to analyse neural development. Nature Reviews Neuroscience 12: 311-326. Butz, M., Worgotter, F., and Van Ooyen, A. (2009). Activity-dependent structural plasticity. Brain Research Reviews 60: 287-305. Kind regards, Markus Butz Arjen van Ooyen

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Bernstein Workshop "Characterizing Natural Scenes": Call for Abstracts/Contributed Talks
by Jian Liu April 2, 2014

April 2, 2014

Bernstein workshop: Characterizing Natural Scenes: Retinal Coding and Statistical Theory Call for Abstracts/Contributed Talks You are invited to participate in the pre-conference Bernstein workshop "Characterizing Natural Scenes: Retinal Coding and Statistical Theory", taking place in in Göttingen, Germany, on September 2-3, 2014. Please find the preliminary schedule on workshop URL: https://sites.google.com/site/jiankliu/Meetings/2014bccn_workshop The workshop chairs will select a couple of abstracts for short oral presentation at the workshop. All the abstracts will be presented as posters during the Bernstein conference on September 3-4. However, the workshop could hold a separate poster session based on the number and quality of abstracts that we receive. To participate in the workshop please submit the abstract (the extended version is preferred) as a PDF attachment via email to Jian Liu ( jian.liu(a)med.uni-goettingen.de) or Arno Onken (arno.onken(a)iit.it) The deadline for submission is August 1. REGISTRATION: Please refer to the Bernstein Conference 2014 for registration and venue information. http://www.bernstein-conference.de/ WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION: How does the retina process natural visual inputs? What role do the many types of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) play in this? Experiments with specific artificial stimuli have suggested that individual types of RGCs may have specific functional roles in visual processing, yet it is not clear how these simplified functional investigations relate to the processing of natural images and movies. An important ingredient for future analysis will be a better understanding of the complex statistical properties of natural scenes, as revealed by theoreticians. The relationship between natural visual statistics and retinal coding provides a promising direction for improving our understanding of the visual system. But we still lack a systematic framework for understanding the underlying mechanisms of how relevant features of natural scenes are encoded by the retina. In this workshop, we expect mutual benefits for both natural scene statistics and retinal coding. We will bring together experimentalists and theoreticians in order to highlight recent progress, encourage exchange of insights, and stimulate new ideas for future work with the following core questions: 1) How can we develop useful descriptions of the statistics of natural scenes that are relevant for retinal coding? 2) How can we characterize the functional roles of different RGC types in processing natural scenes? 3) Which coding strategies are present at the level of RGC populations? 4) How can we unify the acquired knowledge of natural scenes and neural data to develop better tools for analysis? CONFIRMED SPEAKERS: * Vijay Balasubramanian (University of Pennsylvania) * Philipp Berens (BCCN, Tübingen) * Thomas Euler (University of Tübingen) * Felix Franke (ETH Zurich) * Olivier Marre (Vision Institute, Paris) * Aman Saleem (University College London) * Maneesh Sahani (University College London) * Rava A. da Silveira (ENS, Paris) We are looking forward to seeing you in Göttingen. Workshop organizers: Jian Liu (University Medical Center Göttingen and BCCN Göttingen) Arno Onken (Center for Neuroscience and Cognitive Systems, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia Rovereto) ************************************************************************** Jian K. Liu, Ph.D. Mathematics Department of Ophthalmology University Medical Center Goettingen Waldweg 33, 37073 Goettingen Phone: +49 (0)551 39-91248 Fax: +49 (0)551 39-13541 email: jian.liu(a)med.uni-goettingen.de Webpage: https://sites.google.com/site/jiankliu **************************************************************************

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Fully funded Postdoc position in Computational Neuroscience
by Thomas Kreuz April 1, 2014

April 1, 2014

Fully funded Postdoc position (Experienced Researcher) in Computational Neuroscience New approaches for the analysis of neuronal spike trains (ER3) within the Marie Curie Initial Training Network - ‘Neural Engineering Transformative Technologies’ (NETT) at the Institute of Complex Systems (ISC), CNR, Florence, Italy. Gross Salary per annum: 64,701 € (Living Allowance) plus 9,290 - 13,272 € (Mobility Allowance) depending on circumstances Required title: PhD in Physics, Engineering, Applied Mathematics, or Computational Neuroscience Applications: Please first send an informal enquiry to Dr. Thomas Kreuz (thomas.kreuz(a)cnr.it) and/or Dr. Alessandro Torcini (alessandro.torcini(a)cnr.it) Once you are preselected (you will receive a reply within a few days), a full application has to be submitted according to the rules stated here [http://neuro.fi.isc.cnr.it/index.php?page=how-to-apply] Closing date for the position: May 15, 2014 Applications are invited for the above post to work with Dr. Thomas Kreuz [http://www.fi.isc.cnr.it/users/thomas.kreuz/] and Dr. Alessandro Torcini [http://www.fi.isc.cnr.it/users/alessandro.torcini/] in the Computational Neuroscience group [http://neuro.fi.isc.cnr.it/] at ISC, Florence. This world leading group combines theoretical investigations (e.g., on non-trivial collective phenomena in neuronal populations) with practical applications (such as spike train analysis). The group is one of the main participants in the Center for the Study of Complex Dynamics (CSDC) created with the purpose of coordinating interdisciplinary training and research activities. CSDC researchers include physicists, control engineers, mathematicians, biologists and psychologists. This full-time post will begin on the 1st of September 2014 (at the latest) and will be offered on a fixed-term contract for a period of 24 months. The fellowship will include a six-month stay (probably at the end) with NETT partner Prof. Bert Kappen [http://www.snn.ru.nl/~bertk/] at the Radboud University Nijmegen, Netherlands. The Florence part of the project will mainly consist of two parts: Development of new approaches for (multivariate) data analysis and analysis of electrophysiological data (in particular neuronal spike trains). During the six-month stay in the Netherlands the project will investigate the applicability of methods derived from latent state models, sequential Monte Carlo sampling, and path integral control to analyze neural time-series data, such as spike trains. The candidate should have a strong background in at least one of the following fields: computational neuroscience, data analysis, and nonlinear dynamics as well as solid experience in scientific programming (Matlab). Candidates must be in the first 5 years of their research careers and already be in possession of a doctoral degree in physics, engineering, applied mathematics, or computational neuroscience. Preference will be given to a candidate with experience in (non-linear) data analysis. As part of our commitment to promoting diversity we encourage applications from women. To comply with the Marie Curie Actions rule for mobility applicants must not have resided, worked or studied in Italy for more than 12 months in the 3 years prior to May 2014. Thomas Kreuz Institute for complex systems, CNR Via Madonna del Piano 10 50119 Sesto Fiorentino (Italy) Tel: +39-349-0748506 Email: thomas.kreuz(a)cnr.it Webpage: http://www.fi.isc.cnr.it/users/thomas.kreuz/

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Postdoctoral Positions in Human Intracranial Physiology at the National Institutes of Health
by Zaghloul, Kareem (NIH/NINDS) [E] April 1, 2014

April 1, 2014

Two full-time post-doctoral position focused on understanding the neural correlates of cognitive function and on the physiology of seizure onset and propagation are available in the Surgical Neurology Branch of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke at the NIH. The first position involves studies focused on designing and investigating behavioral tasks related to memory encoding, decision making, and attention, and on analyzing and manipulating human intracranial signals, including single-unit activity, local field potentials, and electro corticography (ECoG), captured from patients with medically refractory epilepsy and from patients receiving deep brain stimulation surgery. The goal of this project is to investigate the neural mechanisms that underlie cognitive behavior. The second position involves studies focused on analyzing ictal and inter-ictal activity across multiple modalities from patients with medically refractory epilepsy, including ECoG recordings and single-unit activity captured through implanted microwires. The goal of this project is to link these data with data captured using MEG, high-density scalp EEG, and functional MRI in order to gain insight into the seizure localization, onset, and spread. Post-doctoral fellows will join a laboratory aimed at understanding the neural mechanisms that underlie human cognitive function and abnormal seizure physiology and at developing novel and innovative techniques to decode and directly communicate with those circuits through electrical stimulation. We are seeking candidates that are highly creative, motivated, and independent with a Ph.D. in neuroscience, psychology, biomedical engineering, or a related field. Candidates must have a strong research background, with a record of relevant publications. Candidates will be encouraged and expected to participate in independent laboratory research, and will be expected to write scholarly manuscripts. Candidates must be able to lead and work well in a team. Candidates should have strong computational, quantitative, and/or engineering skills, with proficiency in developing custom code for data analysis preferred. Past medical research is not required, but candidates must be willing to perform experiments in a clinical setting. Candidates will interact with clinical staff, graduate students, research fellows, and must have excellent spoken and written English skills. Applicants should submit a brief statement of research activities and interests, a current CV, and names and contact information of at least three references. Salary will be commensurate with experience and accomplishments. To arrange a meeting with the PI and to send materials required for consideration for this appointment please contact Dr. Zaghloul at zaghloulka(a)mail.nih.gov.

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1 PhD +1 Postdoctoral position in Computational Neuroscience at CRM / IDIBAPS (Barcelona).
by JROCHAV＠clinic.ub.es April 1, 2014

April 1, 2014

Dear Colleagues, We are looking for one PhD student and one Postdoctoral fellow to work in a joint project between the labs of Alex Roxin (Centre de Reserca Matemàtica, CRM) and the lab of Jaime de la Rocha (IDIBAPS). The projects require the development of network models to investigate spontaneous activity in cortical circuits and the relation between neuronal and behavioral variability. The funding comes from an agreement between La Caixa and the Catalan Government to sponsor a training programme on Collaborative Mathematics presented by the CRM. Several positions are available within the training program which offers other projects. Candidates would be chosen on based on academic merit. Funding for the PhD position lasts 39 months and for the postdoctoral position lasts 3 years. Start dates from Fall to Winter 2014-2015 are preferred. The deadline to apply is April 16, 2014. Information about how to apply and a description of the projects can be found here: http://www.crm.cat/SiteAssets/Lists/Crides/EditForm/Calls_Collaborative%20M… If you have any questions please contact Alex Roxin (aroxin(a)crm.cat<mailto:aroxin@crm.cat>) or Jaime de la Rocha (jrochav(a)clinic.ub.es<mailto:jrochav@clinic.ub.es>). Best Jaime Jaime de la Rocha Ramón y Cajal researcher at IDIABPS c. Roselló 149-153 Barcelona, 08036 Spain Tel. +34 932275400 (4307) http://neuro.fcrb.es/delaRochaLab

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Call for Papers: LDAB@CIBB2014
by Andrea Bracciali April 1, 2014

April 1, 2014

[We apologize if you have received multiple copies of this message] ==================================================== Call for papers Large-scale and HPC data analysis in bioinformatics: Intelligent methods for computational, systems and synthetic biology. 26-28 June 2014 University of Cambridge, UK http://www.cussb.unisr.it/cibb2014/ss.html#LSAHDAIB Special Session of CIBB 2014 (later deadline): Eleventh International Meeting on Computational Intelligence Methods for Bioinformatics and Biostatistics http://www.cussb.unisr.it/cibb2014/index.html *** Submission deadline: 5th May 2014 *** ==================================================== AIMS and SCOPE Biomedical research is currently facing the Big Data wave created by the huge amount of experiments performed every day in omics sciences. This new situation demands appropriate IT-infrastructures and scalable software to analyse data within an acceptable timespan. Massive parallel clusters, distributed technologies, on-Chip solutions such as GPGPU and Xeon Phi must be exploited with adequate algorithmic solutions to reach their full potential. The aim of this special session is to bring together researchers interested in cutting-edge methods to address the challenges posed by the huge amount of data produced in omics science. The idea is to present the latest advancements concerning High Performance Computing solutions required to treat multi-omics data and the related Big Data paradigms that are needed to manage the large-scale challenges of current computational biology. Examples of relevant areas of interest within this context include - but are not limited to - - Next-Generation Sequencing data analysis and interpretation, - Genomics patterns identification and mining, - Transcriptomics and Proteomics data integration, - Systems Biology models simulation and optimization, - Structural Biology and Molecular Dynamics, - Synthetic Biology circuits design and simulation. SUBMISSION GUIDELINES http://www.cussb.unisr.it/cibb2014/calls.html#submissions Papers should be submitted in PDF format on the Easy Chair conference system. Paper length should be at least 4 pages and should not exceed 6 pages. Papers are required to be structured according to the following five sections: • 1. Scientific background • 2. Material and methods • 3. Results • 4. Conclusion • 5. References (no more than 10) (Please refer to the latex template on the web page for more accurate instructions). Please note that only PDF versions of papers can be accepted, as the proceedings of CIBB will be produced starting from them. A correct submission requires selecting this special session in the submission system. PUBLICATION Each paper will be peer-reviewed and the resulting scores used to determine invitations for oral or poster presentations. Following the conference, an extended version of the presented contributions (12 page format) will be considered for publication in the Springer’s Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics (LNBI) series. Moreover, a selection of the best papers will be considered for pu blication in a special issue of BMC Bioinformatics dedicated to CIBB2014. IMPORTANT DATES Paper submission: 5th May 2014 Acceptance notification: 10th May 2014 Camera ready due: 30th May 2014 Conference: 26th - 28th June 2014 ORGANISERS Andrea Bracciali, University of Stirling, UK Ivan Merelli, CNR-ITB, Italy CONTACTS Andrea Bracciali, University of Stirling, UK Computing Science and Mathematics School of Natural Sciences Stirling University abb(a)cs.stir.ac.uk +44 (0)1786 467446 Ivan Merelli, CNR-ITB, Italy Institute for Biomedical Technologies Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche ivan.merelli(a)itb.cnr.it +39 02 26422600

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Deadline is April 2nd (but site will be open until April 4th): Call for Applications in 2014 Telluride Neuromorphic Cognition Engineering Workshop
by Ralph Etienne-Cummings April 1, 2014

April 1, 2014

Telluride Neuromorphic Cognition Engineering Workshop 2014 Neuromorphic Cognition Engineering Workshop: The 20th Anniversary Edition Telluride, Colorado, June 29th - July 19th, 2014 CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: Deadline is April 2nd, 2014 NEUROMORPHIC COGNITION ENGINEERING WORKSHOP www.ine-web.org Sunday June 29th - Saturday July 19th, 2014, Telluride, Colorado We invite applications for a three-week summer workshop that will be held in Telluride, Colorado.Sunday June 29th - Saturday July 19th, 2014. The application deadline is Wednesday, April 2nd and application instructions are described at the bottom of this document. This is the 20th Anniversary of the Workshop, and ~25 years since the conception of the "Meadian" version of Neuromorphic Engineering. Hence, we plan a celebratory Workshop, where some of the originators and benefactors of the field will participate in discussions of the successes and challenges over the past 25 years and prognosticate the potential contributions for the next 25 years. The 2014 Workshop and Summer School on Neuromorphic Engineering is sponsored by the National Science Foundation, Institute of Neuromorphic Engineering, Qualcomm Corporation, The EU-Collaborative Convergent Science Network (CNS-II), University of Maryland - College Park, Institute for Neuroinformatics - University of Zurich and ETH Zurich, Georgia Institute of Technology, Johns Hopkins University, Boston University, University of Western Sydney and the Salk Institute. Directors: Cornelia Fermuller, University of Maryland, College Park Ralph Etienne-Cummings, Johns Hopkins University Shih-Chii Liu, Institute of Neuroinformatics, UNI/ETH Zurich, Switzerland Timothy Horiuchi, University of Maryland, College Park Workshop Advisory Board: Andreas Andreou, Johns Hopkins University Andre van Schaik, University Western Sydney, Australia Avis Cohen, University of Maryland Barbara Shinn-Cunningham, Boston University Giacomo Indiveri, Institute of Neuroinformatics, Uni/Eth Zurich, Switzerland Jonathan Tapson, University Western Sydney, Australia Malcolm Slaney, Microsoft Research Jennifer Hasler, Georgia Institute of Technology Rodney Douglas, Institute of Neuroinformatics, Uni/Eth Zurich, Switzerland Shihab Shamma, University of Maryland Tobi Delbruck, Institute of Neuroinformatics, Uni/Eth Zurich, Switzerland Previous year workshop can be found at: ine-web.org/workshops/workshops-overview/index.htmland the workshop wiki is athttps://neuromorphs.net/ GOALS: Neuromorphic engineers design and fabricate artificial neural systems whose organizing principles are based on those of biological nervous systems. Over the past 18 years, this research community has focused on the understanding of low-level sensory processing and systems infrastructure; efforts are now expanding to apply this knowledge and infrastructure to addressing higher-level problems in perception, cognition, and learning. In this 3-week intensive workshop and through the Institute for Neuromorphic Engineering (INE), the mission is to promote interaction between senior and junior researchers; to educate new members of the community; to introduce new enabling fields and applications to the community; to promote on-going collaborative activities emerging from the Workshop, and to promote a self-sustaining research field. FORMAT: The three week summer workshop will include background lectures on systems and cognitive neuroscience (in particular sensory processing, learning and memory, motor systems and attention), practical tutorials on emerging hardware design, mobile robots, hands-on projects, and special interest groups. Participants are required to take part and possibly complete at least one of the projects proposed. They are furthermore encouraged to become involved in as many of the other activities proposed as interest and time allow. There will be two lectures in the morning that cover issues that are important to the community in general. Because of the diverse range of backgrounds among the participants, some of these lectures will be tutorials, rather than detailed reports of current research. These lectures will be given by invited speakers. Projects and interest groups meet in the late afternoons, and after dinner. In the early afternoon there will be tutorials on a wide spectrum of topics, including analog VLSI, mobile robotics, vision and auditory systems, central-pattern-generators, selective attention mechanisms, cognitive systems, etc. 2014 TOPIC AREAS: Human Auditory Cognition: Acoustic Priming, Imagination and Attention. Project Leaders: Shihab Shamma (UM-College Park), Malcolm Slaney (Microsoft), Edward Lalor (Trinity College, Dublin), Barbara Shinn-Cunningham (Boston U) Motion and Action Processing on Wearable Devices Project Leaders: Michael Pfeiffer (INI-UZH), Ryad Benosman (UPMC, Paris), Garrick Orchard (NUS, Singapore), and Cornelia Fermüller (UMCP) Planning with Dynamic Neural Fields: from Sensorimotor Dynamics to Large-Scale behavioral Search Project Leaders: Yulia Sandamirskaya (RUB, Bochum) and Erik Billing (U. Skovde) Neuromorphic Olympics Project Leaders: Jorg Conradt (TUM, Munich) and Terry Stewart (U. Waterloo) Embodied Neuromorphic Real-World Architectures of Perception, Cognition and Action Project Leaders: Andreas Andreou (JHU) and Paul Verschure (UPF, Barcelona) Terry Sejnowski (Salk Institute) - Computational Neuroscience (invitational mini-workshop) LOCATION AND ARRANGEMENTS: The summer school will take place in the small town of Telluride, 9000 feet high in southwest Colorado, about 6 hours drive away from Denver (350 miles). Great Lakes Aviation and America West Express airlines provide daily flights directly into Telluride. All facilities within the beautifully renovated public school building are fully accessible to participants with disabilities. Participants will be housed in ski condominiums, within walking distance of the school. Participants are expected to share condominiums. The workshop is intended to be very informal and hands-on. Participants are not required to have had previous experience in analog VLSI circuit design, computational or machine vision, systems level neurophysiology or modeling the brain at the systems level. However, we strongly encourage active researchers with relevant backgrounds from academia, industry and national laboratories to apply, in particular if they are prepared to work on specific projects, talk about their own work or bring demonstrations to Telluride (e.g. robots, chips, software). Wireless internet access will be provided. Technical staff present throughout the workshops will assist with software and hardware issues. We will have a network of PCs running LINUX and Microsoft Windows for the workshop projects. We encourage participants to bring along their personal laptop. No cars are required. Given the small size of the town, we recommend that you do not rent a car. Bring hiking boots, warm clothes, rain gear, and a backpack, since Telluride is surrounded by beautiful mountains. Unless otherwise arranged with one of the organizers, we expect participants to stay for the entire duration of this three week workshop. FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS: Notification of acceptances will be mailed out around the April 15th, 2014. The Workshop covers all your accommodations and facilities costs for the 3 weeks duration. You are responsible for your own travel to the Workshop, however, sponsored fellowships will be available as described below to further subsidize your cost. Registration Fees: For expenses not covered by federal funds, a Workshop registration fee is required. The fee is $1250 per participant for the 3-week Workshop. This is expected from all participants at the time of acceptance. Accommodations: The cost of a shared condominium, typically a bedroom in a shared condo for senior participants or a shared room for students, will be covered for all academic participants. Upgrades to a private rooms or condos will cost extra. Participants from National Laboratories and Industry are expected to pay for these condominiums. Fellowships: This year we will offer two Fellowships to subsidize your costs: Qualcomm Corporation Fellowship: Three non-corporate participants will have their accommodation and registration fees ($2750) directly covered by Qualcomm, and will be reimbursed for travel costs up to $500. Additional generous funding from Qualcomm will provide $5000 to help organize and stage the Workshop. EU-CSNII Fellowship (http://csnetwork.eu/) which is funded by the 7th Research Framework Program FP7-ICT-CSNII-601167: The top 8 EU applicants will be reimbursed for their registration fees ($1250), subsistence/travel subsidy (up to Euro 2000) and accommodations cost ($1500). The registration and accommodation costs will go directly to the INE (the INE will reimburse the participant's registration fees after receipt from CSNII), while the subsistence/travel reimbursement will be provided directly to the participants by the CSNII at the University of Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain. HOW TO APPLY: Applicants should be at the level of graduate students or above (i.e. postdoctoral fellows, faculty, research and engineering staff and the equivalent positions in industry and national laboratories). We actively encourage women and minority candidates to apply. Anyone interested in proposing or discussing specific projects should contact the appropriate topic leaders directly. The application website is (after February 7th, 2014): ine-web.org/telluride-conference-2014/apply-info Application information needed: Contact email address. First name, Last name, Affiliation, valid e-mail address. Curriculum Vitae (a short version, please). One page summary of background and interests relevant to the workshop, including possible ideas for workshop projects. Please indicate which topic areas you would most likely join. Two letters of recommendation (uploaded directly by references). Applicants will be notified by e-mail. 7th February, 2014 - Applications accepted on website 2nd April, 2014 - Applications Due 15th April, 2014 - Notification of Acceptance -- Ralph Etienne-Cummings, PhD, FIEEE Professor Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Computational Sensor Motor Systems Lab

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Summer school in Computational Sensory-Motor Neuroscience (CoSMo 2014)
by Gunnar Blohm March 31, 2014

March 31, 2014

*Fourth Annual Computational Sensory-Motor Neuroscience Summer School (CoSMo 2014)* University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA August 3-17, 2014 We would like to invite you to join us for the third annual Computational Sensory-Motor Neuroscience Summer School. The course is about experimental, computational and medical aspects of sensory-motor neuroscience with a focus on data/model sharing. Covered topics include Bayesian approaches, motor control, computational neuroimaging, sensory-motor transformations and prosthetics. An important focus is on doing research as opposed to just hearing about it. Each teaching module will take up two days with morning lecture sessions. Afternoon sessions involve hands-on Matlab programming, simulation and data-analysis. Newly acquired computational tools can also be applied in 2-week evening group research projects. The course is aimed at students and post-doctoral fellows from diverse backgrounds including Life Sciences, Psychology, Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics and Engineering. Basic knowledge in calculus, linear algebra and Matlab is expected. Enrollment will be limited to 40 trainees. *Application deadline: April 27, 2014* For more information and to apply, please go to http://www.compneurosci.com/CoSMo/ The school is co-organized by Drs Gunnar Blohm, Paul Schrater and Konrad Körding. It receives funding from the National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) via an NSERC-CREATE training grant on "Computational Approaches in Neuroscience – Action, Control & Transformations", and from the National Science Foundation (NSF, USA). -- ------------------------------------------------------- Dr. Gunnar BLOHM Assistant Professor in Computational Neuroscience Centre for Neuroscience Studies, Departments of Biomedical and Molecular Sciences, Mathematics & Statistics, and Psychology, School of Computing, and Canadian Action and Perception Network (CAPnet) Queen’s University 18, Stuart Street Kingston, Ontario, Canada, K7L 3N6 Tel: (613) 533-3385 Fax: (613) 533-6840 Email:Gunnar.Blohm@QueensU.ca Web:http://www.compneurosci.com/

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2014 NEURON Summer Course
by Ted Carnevale March 31, 2014

March 31, 2014

This year's NEURON Summer Course has two components that can be taken individually or together. NEURON Fundamentals, which runs from June 21-24, addresses all aspects of using NEURON to model individual neurons, and also introduces parallel simulation and the fundamentals of modeling networks. Parallel Simulation with NEURON is for users who are already familiar with NEURON and need to create models that will run on parallel hardware. Registration is limited, and the registration deadline is Friday, May 30, 2014. For more information regarding NEURON courses see http://www.neuron.yale.edu/neuron/courses --Ted

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Open Source Brain workshop 2014: Building and sharing models of the cortex
by solinas March 31, 2014

March 31, 2014

(Apologies for cross postings) Announcing the 2014 Open Source Brain Workshop: Building and sharing models of the cortex. May 14-16th, Alghero, Sardinia. There are an increasing number of cortical cell and network models being developed and made publicly available, from networks of leaky integrate and fire neurons based on cortical connectivity and firing properties, to multicompartmental, conductance based cell models. Many of these are being reused, reimplemented and extended to address new scientific questions by labs around the world. In this meeting, we will look at the range cortico-thalamic models out there which are of widespread interest and work towards getting these into public, open source repositories, in standardised formats such as NeuroML and PyNN. We will investigate the steps needed to ensure these models are well tested, annotated and ready for use as research tools by the attendees and the wider community. There will be presentations from experimentalists who are producing the data to constrain these models, as well as simulator and application developers who will create the infrastructure to build, simulate, analyse and share the models. On the morning of Friday 16th, there will be a symposium on Oscillation and Resonance in CNS Network Loops. The symposium will focus on the reconstruction and analysis of oscillating networks. These methods can be applied at multiple levels of brain modelling providing valuable constraints for single neuron and network models. There will be presentations of modelling studies on how the brain generates oscillations and how external, oscillating electro-magnetic fields influence brain activity. Confirmed speakers Sharon Crook, Arizona State University, USA Markus Diesmann, Research Center Jülich, Germany Dirk Feldmeyer, Aachen University, Germany Alon Korngreen, Bar-Ilan University, Israel Dave Lester, SpiNNaker project, University of Manchester, UK Robert A. McDougal, Yale University School of Medicine, USA Michele Migliore, National Research Council, Italy & Yale University School of Medicine, USA Eilif Muller, Blue Brain Project, EPFL, Switzerland Ole Paulsen, University of Cambridge, UK Angus Silver, University College London Tim Vogels, University of Oxford, UK Daniel Wójcik, Nencki Institute, Poland Full details of the workshop can be found here: http://www.opensourcebrain.org/projects/osb/wiki/OSB2014 There will also be a NeuroML Editorial Board meeting on Tues 13th. More details will follow on the NeuroML mailing lists. Interested parties are welcome to attend; please email p.gleeson(a)ucl.ac.uk. The Open Source Brain initiative aims to encourage collaborative, open source model development in computational neuroscience and is primarily supported by the Wellcome Trust. The OSB symposium is primarily supported by the IRCCS C. Mondino and the Italian Ministry of Health through the research project GR-2009-1493804. Regards, The OSB 2014 organising committee

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New book - Directed Information Measures in Neuroscience
by Joseph Lizier March 31, 2014

March 31, 2014

Dear all, We are pleased to announce the publication of the following edited book: "Directed Information Measures in Neuroscience" edited by Michael Wibral, Raul Vicente, Joseph T. Lizier in series "Understanding Complex Systems", Springer, Berlin, 2014. About the book: http://www.springer.com/physics/complexity/book/978-3-642-54473-6 Analysis of information transfer has found rapid adoption in neuroscience, where a highly dynamic transfer of information continuously runs on top of the brain's slowly-changing anatomical connectivity. Measuring such transfer is crucial to understanding how flexible information routing and processing give rise to higher cognitive function. Directed Information Measures in Neuroscience reviews recent developments of concepts and tools for measuring information transfer, their application to neurophysiological recordings and analysis of interactions. Written by the most active researchers in the field the book discusses the state of the art, future prospects and challenges on the way to an efficient assessment of neuronal information transfer. Highlights include the theoretical quantification and practical estimation of information transfer, description of transfer locally in space and time, multivariate directed measures, information decomposition among a set of stimulus/responses variables and the relation between interventional and observational causality. Applications to neural data sets and pointers to open source software highlight the usefulness of these measures in experimental neuroscience. With state-of-the-art mathematical developments, computational techniques and applications to real data sets, this book will be of benefit to all graduate students and researchers interested in detecting and understanding the information transfer between components of complex systems. Downloads of individual chapters (requires Springer access) via: http://link.springer.com/book/10.1007%2F978-3-642-54474-3 Contents: Section 1 - Introduction to Directed Information Measures Chapter 1. "Transfer Entropy in Neuroscience", Michael Wibral, Raul Vicente, Michael Lindner -- http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-642-54474-3_1 Chapter 2. "Efficient Estimation of Information Transfer", Raul Vicente, Michael Wibral -- http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-642-54474-3_2 Section 2 - Information Transfer in Neural and Other Physiological Systems Chapter 3. "Conditional Entropy-Based Evaluation of Information Dynamics in Physiological Systems", Luca Faes, Alberto Porta -- http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-642-54474-3_3 Chapter 4. "Information Transfer in the Brain: Insights from a Unified Approach", Daniele Marinazzo, Guorong Wu, Mario Pellicoro, Sebastiano Stramaglia -- http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-642-54474-3_4 Chapter 5. "Function Follows Dynamics: State-Dependency of Directed Functional Influences", Demian Battaglia -- http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-642-54474-3_5 Chapter 6. "On Complexity and Phase Effects in Reconstructing the Directionality of Coupling in Non-linear Systems", Vasily A. Vakorin, Olga Krakovska, Anthony R. McIntosh -- http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-642-54474-3_6 Section 3 - Recent Advances in the Analysis of Information Processing Chapter 7. "Measuring the Dynamics of Information Processing on a Local Scale in Time and Space", Joseph T. Lizier -- http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-642-54474-3_7 Chapter 8. "Parametric and Non-parametric Criteria for Causal Inference from Time-Series", Daniel Chicharro -- http://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-642-54474-3_8 Amazon link: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/3642544738/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=17… Regards, Michael Wibral, Raul Vicente and Joseph Lizier

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Decision Making Bristol 2014: Abstract Submission deadline EXTENDED to 7 April 2014
by DMB 2014 Mailbox March 31, 2014

March 31, 2014

***The Deadline for submission of abstracts to the Decision Making Bristol 2014 conference has been extended to 7 April 2014.*** *Decision Making Bristol 2014* The Decision-making Group at the University of Bristol invites you to submit abstracts to our second conference - Decision Making Bristol 2014<http://www.bris.ac.uk/decisions-research/conference2014/> - to be held 9-12 September 2014. Following the success of the 2012 conference, this conference aims to embrace a breadth of research, appealing to those interested in all aspects of decision making. We are pleased to announce that the following Key Note speakers have been secured Gerd Gigerenzer<http://www.mpib-berlin.mpg.de/en/staff/gerd-gigerenzer> , Tom Griffiths <http://psychology.berkeley.edu/people/tom-griffiths>, Antonio Rangel <http://www.rnl.caltech.edu/index.html> and Jeffrey D. Schall<http://www.vanderbilt.edu/psychological_sciences/bio/jeffrey-schall>. These will be accompanied by invited talks from Nick Chater<http://www.wbs.ac.uk/about/person/nick-chater/> , Eric-Jan Wagenmakers <http://www.ejwagenmakers.com/> and Daniel Wolpert<http://learning.eng.cam.ac.uk/Public/Wolpert/Wolpert> . Held in the beautiful city of Bristol, at one of the UK's leading science and discovery centres, At-Bristol <http://www.at-bristol.org.uk/>, the conference will promote interdisciplinary collaborations and welcomes attendance from both theoreticians and experimentalists. The *call for short abstracts *(500 words) is now *OPEN *and we invite you to submit your abstract to the following email address: DMB-2014(a)bristol.ac.uk. The closing date for receipt is now *****7 April 2014**.* *Further information and Registration: * http://www.bris.ac.uk/decisions-research/conference2014/ . Registration closing date is 30 June 2014. Please feel free to share this email with your colleagues and research students. We look forward to seeing you in September. Best wishes, Sally-Ann Parry, *on behalf of the Decision-making Group* -- *Decision Making Bristol 2014, * *9- 12 September* e: DMB-2014(a)bristol.ac.uk w: http://www.bris.ac.uk/decisions-research/conference2014/ w: http://www.bris.ac.uk/decisions-research/ a: University of Bristol, 5 Priory Road, Bristol, BS8 1TZ

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PhD position available at the School of Engineering, University of Lincoln
by Basabdatta Sen Bhattacharya March 31, 2014

March 31, 2014

A fully funded PhD is available at the School of Engineering, University of Lincoln, United Kingdom, to work under the supervision of Dr. Basabdatta Bhattacharya <http://staff.lincoln.ac.uk/bbhattacharya> and Prof. Timothy Gordon <http://staff.lincoln.ac.uk/tgordon>. The details and how to apply are available at: https://sites.google.com/site/bsenbhattacharya/phd/fully-fundedphdstudentsh… The *Deadline* for Application is *18th April 2014.* For informal enquiries please contact Basabdatta Sen Bhattacharya at bbhattacharya(a)lincoln.ac.uk or at basab(a)ieee.org. A link to the advert on the University website is available at the link below; scroll down to the heading 'College of Science': http://www.lincoln.ac.uk/home/studyatlincoln/postgraduateprogrammes/postgra… *Note:* The *full funding* is for UK/EU students *only*. International students would need to provide the difference in fees as appropriate. --------------------------------------------------------------- Basabdatta Sen Bhattacharya, PhD Lecturer, School of Engineering ENG 321, Engineering Hub University of Lincoln Brayford Pool, Lincoln LN6 7TS United Kingdom Telephone: +44(0)1522837947 *http://staff.lincoln.ac.uk/bbhattacharya <http://staff.lincoln.ac.uk/bbhattacharya>* Personal page: https://sites.google.com/site/bsenbhattacharya

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application deadline extended till Apr 14 for international summer school: CAMP@Bangalore
by Aditya Gilra March 29, 2014

March 29, 2014

The deadline for applying to the international summer school: Computational Approaches to Memory and Plasticity, CAMP@Bangalore 2014<http://www.ncbs.res.in/camp/>is extended to 14th April, 2014. Please download the poster <http://www.ncbs.res.in/camp/content/poster> and circulate widely. Details follow ... Computational Approaches to Memory and Plasticity (CAMP @ Bangalore) 2014<http://www.ncbs.res.in/camp> . Website: http://www.ncbs.res.in/camp/ Venue: National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bangalore, India<http://www.ncbs.res.in/> Dates: 28th June to 12th July, 2014 Organizer: Upinder Bhalla (NCBS, Bangalore, India)<http://www.ncbs.res.in/bhalla> CAMP @ Bangalore is a 15-day summer school on the theory and simulation of learning, memory and plasticity in the brain. PhD students and post-docs from theoretical and/or experimental backgrounds (physics, math, neuroscience, engineering, etc.) are welcome. Familiarity with programming, dynamical systems, and/or computational neuroscience is highly desirable. Master's or Bachelor's degree students can apply if they have sufficient background beyond course-work. The school will start with remedial tutorials on neuroscience / math / programming and then work upwards from sub-cellular electrical and chemical signaling in neurons, onward to micro-circuits and networks, all with an emphasis on learning, memory and plasticity. Students worldwide are encouraged to apply online at www.ncbs.res.in/camp latest by 14th Apr, 2014. Lecturers: Sumantra Chattarji (NCBS, Bangalore) <http://www.ncbs.res.in/shona>, Xiao-Jing Wang (New York University, New York)<http://www.cns.nyu.edu/wanglab/> , Suhita Nadkarni (Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune)<http://www.iiserpune.ac.in/~suhita/Suhita/Home.html> , Claudia Clopath (Imperial College, London)<http://www.bg.ic.ac.uk/research/c.clopath/> , Eve Marder (Brandeis University, Waltham/Boston)<http://blogs.brandeis.edu/marderlab/> , Rishikesh Narayanan (Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore)<http://mbu.iisc.ernet.in/~rngrp/> , Arthur Wingfield (Brandeis University, Waltham/Boston)<http://www.bio.brandeis.edu/faculty/wingfield.html> , Michael Hausser (University College, London)<http://www.ucl.ac.uk/WIBR/research/neuro/mh/index.htm> , Arvind Kumar (Bernstein Center, Freiburg)<http://www.bcf.uni-freiburg.de/people/details/kumar> , Stefano Fusi (Columbia University, New York)<http://neurotheory.columbia.edu/stefano.html> , Raghav Rajan (Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune)<http://www.iiserpune.ac.in/~raghav/> For more information, email camp2014(a)ncbs.res.in Best Regards, Aditya. ---- Aditya Gilra, Prof Upinder S Bhalla's lab, National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, GKVK, Bellary Road, Bangalore - 560065, India. Ph: 91-80-23666507.

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Post-doc - Detailed Neuronal Modeling - Blue Brain Project, Lausanne, Switzerland
by emuller March 28, 2014

March 28, 2014

Dear comp-neuro community, I wish to draw your attention to an opening for a post-doctoral researcher in "Detailed Neuron Modeling and Dendritic Integration" (full advert below), at the Blue Brain Project, EPFL, Lausanne, Switzerland. For more details, and instructions how to apply, see: http://emploi.epfl.ch/page-106385-en.html Best regards, Eilif ------------- Dr. Eilif Muller Section Manager - In Silico Neuroscience - Experimentation EPFL - Blue Brain Project QIJ 3ème étage CH-1015 Lausanne Switzerland Tel: ++41 21 693 0698 Fax: ++41 21 693 5350 www: http://bluebrain.epfl.ch/page-77926-en.html www: http://neuralensemble.org/people/eilifmuller ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Blue Brain Project, led by Prof. Henry Markram, seeks outstanding candidates for the position of: Post-doctoral Researcher in Detailed Neuron Modeling and Dendritic Integration The primary objectives for this position are to strengthen on-going large-scale detailed neuron modeling and validation efforts in the project, and to undertake original scientific research to characterize the role of single cell and dendritic integration mechanisms in computation and dynamics at the network level. Scientific leadership is expected to supervise computational neuroscience students, as is an intimate knowledge of the employed software in order to interface with engineering teams. The position is in close contact with an electrophysiology lab and modeling will go hand in hand with available and newly acquired experimental data. Detailed Requirements: * PhD in neuroscience, computational neuroscience, physics or related field * expert in NEURON and multi-compartment conductance-based modeling as demonstrated by strong publication record * expert in automated neuron model optimization techniques * expert knowledge of whole cell electrophysiology, ion channel experiments * expert of scientific computing (python, scipy, numpy, hdf5, matplotlib, Linux, etc.) * knowledge of other programming languages (C++) and parallel computing is of advantage * familiarity with model description languages (e.g. NeuroML) * experience in supervision of students and teaching * strong team player * fluent English in speech and writing What we offer: * An internationally visible project in simulation-based research in neuroscience having a leading role in the EU FET flagship “Human Brain Project” * A vibrant, dynamic, inter-disciplinary, and international working environment * Very competitive salary Start date: 1 June 2014. Deadline for application: open until position is filled. Activity rate: 100%. Duration of contract: 1 year, renewable. For more details, and instructions how to apply, see: http://emploi.epfl.ch/page-106385-en.html

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Postdoctoral and Ph.D. positions at the Ben Gurion University, Israel
by David Golomb March 27, 2014

March 27, 2014

Funded postdoctoral and Ph.D. positions in theoretical and computational neuroscience or experimental neurophysiology are available at the Ben-Gurion University, Be'er-Sheva, Israel. We are looking for highly motivated post-doctoral fellows and PhD students to lead projects aiming to explore the rodent whisker somatosensory system, the visual system, and possible applications to robotics. Fellows and students will participate in collaborative research combining neurophysiology and computational neuroscience with emphasis on the dynamic transformation of sensory information along the sensory pathways at the brainstem, thalamic and cortical levels, as well as sensory-motor control. Candidates should have a strong background in neurophysiology, physics, mathematics or electrical engineering, and be proficient programmers and creative thinkers. The Ben-Gurion University has strong and interacting neuroscience and robotic communities. Be'er-Sheva is within one-hour train ride from Tel-Aviv.* * ***Deadline: May 1, 2014 or until position fulfilled.* For more information, please contact: Prof. David Golomb -- golomb(a)bgu.ac.il <mailto:golomb@bgu.ac.il>__ Prof. Rony Azouz -- razouz(a)bgu.ac.il <mailto:razouz@bgu.ac.il> Dr. Maoz Shamir -- shmaoz(a)bgu.ac.il <mailto:shmaoz@bgu.ac.il>

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Computational Approaches to Memory and Plasticity: deadline approaching
by Subhasis Ray March 27, 2014

March 27, 2014

(With apologies for cross postings) Reminder for the international summer school at NCBS, Bangalore, organized by Dr. Upinder Bhalla. The deadline for application is 30 March 2014. This 15 day workshop will involve both lectures and hands-on tutorials. The confirmed speakers are: Sumantra Chattarji (NCBS, Bangalore) Xiao-Jing Wang (New York University, New York) Suhita Nadkarni (Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune) Claudia Clopath (Imperial College, London) Eve Marder (Brandeis University, Waltham/Boston) Rishikesh Narayanan (Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore) Arthur Wingfield (Brandeis University, Waltham/Boston) Michael Hausser (University College, London) Arvind Kumar (Bernstein Center, Freiburg) Stefano Fusi (Columbia University, New York) Raghav Rajan (Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Pune) Further details and application form are available here: http://ncbs.res.in/camp/ ------ Subhasis Ray NCBS, TIFR GKVK Campus Bellary Road Bangalore 560065 +91 80 67176520

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Summer Workshop on the Dynamic Brain, Friday Harbor: deadline approaching!
by Adrienne Fairhall March 27, 2014

March 27, 2014

Reminder that applications for the Summer Workshop on the Dynamic Brain, co-organized by the Allen Institute for Brain Science and the Computational Neuroscience Program at the University of Washington and directed by Drs. Christof Koch and Adrienne Fairhall, are due on April 1st. Application procedures and more information can be found at http://courses.washington.edu/braindyn/ . This intensive two week summer course aims to give advanced students – graduate students, postdocs and faculty – a rapid introduction to the current state of understanding of the neurobiology of sensory processing, including anatomy, physiology and neural coding; tutorials on the tools of the Allen Brain Institute; and an opportunity to carry out an informatics or computational research project with the guidance of faculty. The experimental focus is on vision in rodents. Faculty will include: Christof Koch Wyeth Bair Jay Neitz Clay Reid Shawn Olsen Adrienne Fairhall Rajesh Rao Anne Churchland Hongkui Zeng Bill Howe

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Fwd: a foundation professor in computational neuroscience at Monash, Australia
by Naotsugu Tsuchiya March 26, 2014

March 26, 2014

We seek to appoint a dynamic and talented principal investigator to lead the development of Computational Neuroscience at Monash University. The successful candidate is expected to have an internationally recognised track record of scientific achievement and demonstrable ability to build a cutting edge multidisciplinary research platform that will transform the landscape of computational neuroscience at Monash, within Australia and internationally. This appointee will complement and integrate with experimental neuroscience researchers in the new Faculty of Biomedical and Psychological Sciences who work across a wide range of levels including single-unit recordings in non-human primates through to in vivo EEG and functional MRI in humans. These collaborations will leverage existing Monash University research platforms such as Monash Biomedical Imaging and the MASSIVE Supercomputing facility, as well as the newly established ARC Centre of Excellence for Integrative Brain Function to undertake novel, multi-disciplinary research programs. An excellent remuneration package is available for both the principal investigator and their team. Enquiries Confidential enquiries should be directed to either Professor Kim Cornish, Head of the School of Psychological Sciences, tel: +61 3 9902 0488 or email: kim.cornish(a)monash.edu or Professor Mark Bellgrove, Director, Research Strategy, School of Psychological Sciences, tel: +61 3 9902 4200 or email: mark.bellgrove(a)monash.edu Closing Date Friday, 15 May, 2014, 11:55pm Aus. Standard Daylight Time Applications Expressions of interest, comprising a cover letter and CV should be submitted as part of your application. The University reserves the right to appoint by invitation. For details, please check http://jobs.monash.edu.au/jobDetails.asp?sJobIDs=523000&lWorkTypeID=&lLocat… -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Nao (Naotsugu) Tsuchiya, Ph.D. 1. ARC Future Fellow & Associate Professor Tsuchiya Laboratory School of Psychological Sciences Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, Monash University 2. Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), Japan 3. Visitor, RIKEN, Japan 4. Visitor, Caltech, USA homepage: http://users.monash.edu.au/~naotsugt/Tsuchiya_Labs_Homepage/Main.html

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Advanced Course in Computational Neuroscience 2014
by Máté Lengyel March 26, 2014

March 26, 2014

ADVANCED COURSE IN COMPUTATIONAL NEUROSCIENCE August 3 - 30, 2014, FIAS, Frankfurt, Germany http://fias.uni-frankfurt.de/accn/ *** NOTE EXTENDED DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS *** Applications accepted: February 10, 2014 – March 31, 2014 SCIENTIFIC DIRECTORS: * Ehud Ahissar (Weizmann Institute, Israel) * Dieter Jaeger (Emory University, USA) * Máté Lengyel (University of Cambridge, UK) * Christian Machens (Champalimaud Neuroscience Programme, Portugal) LOCAL ORGANIZERS: * Jochen Triesch (FIAS, Frankfurt, Germany) * Hermann Cuntz (FIAS & ESI, Frankfurt, Germany) FUNDING: FENS, IBRO, FIAS, MPI Brain Research, Hertie Foundation The ACCN is for advanced graduate students and postdoctoral fellows who are interested in learning the essentials of the field of computational neuroscience. The course has two complementary parts. Mornings are devoted to lectures given by distinguished international faculty on topics across the breadth of experimental and computational neuroscience. During the rest of the day, students pursue a project of their choosing under the close supervision of expert tutors. This gives them practical training in the art and practice of neural modeling. The first week of the course introduces students to essential neurobiological concepts and to the most important techniques in modeling single cells, synapses and circuits. Students learn how to solve their research problems using software such as MATLAB, NEST, NEURON, Python, XPP, etc. During the following three weeks the lectures cover networks and specific neural systems and functions. Topics range from modeling single cells and subcellular processes through the simulation of simple circuits, large neuronal networks and system level models of the brain. The course ends with project presentations by the students. The course is designed for students from a variety of disciplines, including neuroscience, physics, electrical engineering, computer science, mathematics and psychology. Students are expected to have a keen interest and basic background in neurobiology as well as some computer experience. Students of any nationality can apply. Essential details: * Course size: about 30 students. * Fee (which covers tuition, lodging, meals and excursions): EUR 750. * Scholarships and travel stipends are available. * Application start: February 10, 2014 * Application deadline: March 23, 2014 * Deadline for letters of recommendation: March 23, 2014 * Notification of results: May, 2014 Information and application http://fias.uni-frankfurt.de/accn/ Contact address: accn(a)fias.uni-frankfurt.de FACULTY Erik De Schutter (Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, Japan), Dieter Jaeger (Emory University, USA), Astrid Prinz (Emory University, USA), Charles Wilson (University of Texas, San Antonio, USA), Michael Hausser (University College London, UK), Sophie Deneve (Ecole Normale Superieure, France), Christian Machens (Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Portugal), Jochen Triesch (FIAS, Germany), Misha Tsodyks (Weizmann Institute, Israel), Carl van Vreeswijk (CNRS Paris, France), Peter Dayan (University College London, UK), Joern Diedrichsen (University College London, UK), Máté Lengyel (University of Cambridge, UK), Zhaoping Li (University College London, UK), Tatjana Tchumatchenko (MPI for Brain Research, Frankfurt, Germany), Ehud Ahissar (Weizmann Institute, Israel), Merav Ahissar (Hebrew University, Israel), Nava Rubin (Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Spain) General Interest Lectures: Hans-Joachim Pflueger (Freie Universitaet Berlin, Germany), Erin Schuman (MPI for Brain Research, Germany), Erik De Schutter (Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, Japan), J. Kevin O'Regan (Paris Descartes University, France) Tutors: Daniel Miner (Frankfurt, Germany), Andreea Lazar (Frankfurt, Germany), Wieland Brendel (Lisbon / Tuebingen, Portugal / Germany), Sina Tootoonian (Cambridge, UK), Peter Jedlicka (Frankfurt, Germany) SECRETARY DURING THE COURSE Chris Ploegaert (University of Antwerp, Belgium) -- Mate Lengyel, PhD Computational and Biological Learning Lab Cambridge University Engineering Department Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1PZ, UK tel: +44 (0)1223 748 532, fax: +44 (0)1223 332 662 email: m.lengyel(a)eng.cam.ac.uk web: www.eng.cam.ac.uk/~m.lengyel

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post-doc available in computational neuroscience applied to regenerative biology
by Levin, Michael March 25, 2014

March 25, 2014

A funded post-doctoral position is available at Tufts University (near Boston) in the lab of Dr Michael Levin - www.drmichaellevin.org to work on applications of computational neuroscience to developmental biology and regenerative medicine. My group studies the role that slow bioelectrical communication plays in coordinating cell activity towards building and repairing large-scale anatomical structures (as occurs during embryogenesis and regeneration in species like salamanders and planaria, which can rebuild whole body parts). Through the last 14 years, we've shown that distributions of resting potentials in non-neural somatic tissues (and their dynamics via gap junctions, or electrical synapses) play an important part in regulating growth and form (having developed molecular-genetic tools for tracking and altering resting potentials in vivo). We hope to take some ideas and approaches from cognitive science and computational neurobiology to understand how memories of shape and pattern are stored in non-neural network electrical dynamics. This project can be described as cracking the bioelectric code to understand the semantics encoded in electrical signaling among non-neural cells. We will build in silico models of shape memory storage in electrically-connected (slow) cell networks and then implement them in real embryonic (frog, chick) or bioengineered (human) tissues to test and refine the models. The ideal applicant will have a strong background in computational neuroscience (understanding how activity of neurons adds up to logic, memory, and decision-making in simple circuits); experience in computer modeling is a strong plus. This is a very interdisciplinary project and ideal for someone who is 1) strong in basic computational neuroscience, 2) likes thinking way outside the box in a novel area, 3) wants to extend their repertoire and training to include developmental, regenerative, and molecular biology, and 4) wants to contribute to an entirely new area of deep basic and clinical significance. Please check our website and contact michael.levin(a)tufts.edu if interested. --- Dr. Michael Levin Biology Department, and Tufts Center for Regenerative and Developmental Biology Tufts University Suite 4600, 200 Boston Ave. Medford, MA 02155-4243 Tel. (617) 627-6161 Fax: (617) 627-6121 email: michael.levin(a)tufts.edu http://www.drmichaellevin.org/ http://www.cellregeneration.org/ Center Administrator: William F. Baga Tel. (617) 627-5735 Fax: (617) 627-5035 email: william.baga(a)tufts.edu

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Ninth Summer School on Advanced Statistics and Data Mining (Madrid, June 23rd - July 4th, 2014)
by asdm＠fi.upm.es March 25, 2014

March 25, 2014

Dear colleagues, The Technical University of Madrid (UPM) will once more organize the summer school on 'Advanced Statistics and Data Mining'. The summer school will be held in Madrid, between June 23rd and July 4th. This year's programme comprises 12 courses divided into 2 weeks. Attendees may register in each course independently. Early registration is now *OPEN*. Extended information on course programmes, price, venue, accommodation and transport is available at the school's website: http://www.dia.fi.upm.es/ASDM Please, send this information to your colleagues, students, and whoever may find it interesting. Best regards, Pedro Larranaga, Concha Bielza, Bojan Mihaljevic and Laura Anton-Sanchez. -- School coordinators. *** List of courses and brief description *** * Week 1 (June 23rd - June 27th, 2014) * 1st session: 9:30 - 12:30 Course 1: Bayesian Networks (15 h) Basics of Bayesian networks. Inference in Bayesian networks. Learning Bayesian networks from data. Real applications. Course 2: Time Series(15 h) Basic concepts in time series. Descriptive methods for time series. Linear models for time series. Extensions. 2nd session: 13:30 - 16:30 Course 3: Supervised Pattern Recognition (15 h) Introduction. Assessing the performance of supervised classification algorithms. Preprocessing. Classification techniques. Combining multiple classifiers. Comparing supervised classification algorithms. Course 4: Bayesian Inference (15 h) Introduction: Bayesian basics. Conjugate models. MCMC and other simulation methods. Regression and Hierarchical models. Model selection. 3rd session: 17:00 - 20:00 Course 5: Neural Networks and Deep Learning (15 h) Introduction. Training algorithms. Learning and Optimization. MLPs in practice. Deep Networks. Course 6: Feature Subset Selection (15 h) Introduction. Filter approaches. Wrapper methods. Embedded methods. Advanced topics. Practical session. * Week 2 (June 30th - July 4th, 2014) * 1st session: 9:30 - 12:30 Course 7: Statistical Inference(15 h) Introduction. Some basic statistical test. Multiple testing. Introduction to bootstrap methods. Introduction to Robust Statistics. Course 8: Bayesian Classifiers (15 h) Discrete predictors. Gaussian Bayesian networks-based classifiers. Other Bayesian classifiers. Bayesian classifiers for: positive and unlabeled data, semi-supervised learning, data streams, temporal data. 2nd session: 13:30 - 16:30 Course 9: Text Mining (15 h) Introduction. Fundamentals. Language Modeling. Text Classification. Information Extraction. Course 10: Unsupervised Pattern Recognition (15 h) Introduction to clustering. Data exploration and preparation. Prototype-based clustering. Density-based clustering. Graph-based clustering. Cluster evaluation. Miscellanea. Conclusions and final advise. 3rd session: 17:00 - 20:00 Course 11: Support Vector Machines and Convex Optimization (15 h) Introduction. SVM models. SVM learning algorithms. Convex non differentiable optimization. Course 12: Hidden Markov Models (15 h) Introduction. Discrete Hidden Markov Models. Basic algorithms for Hidden Markov Models. Semicontinuous Hidden Markov Models. Continuous Hidden Markov Models. Unit selection and clustering. Speaker and Environment Adaptation for HMMs. Other applications of HMMs.

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Fully funded PhD position: computational neuroscience / complex system theory
by Prof. Claudius Gros March 25, 2014

March 25, 2014

I would like to bring your attention to our PhD-program in Complex Dynamical Systems Theory / Computational Neurosciences At the Institute for Theoretical Physics, Goethe University Frankfurt Field(s): complex systems theory, computational neurosciences neural models and networks, dynamical systems Application deadline: April 27, 2014 Supervisor: Prof. Dr. Claudius Gros E-mail: cgr(a)itp.uni-frankfurt.de Address: Institute for Theoretical Physics, Goethe University Frankfurt, Job description: Applications are invited for a fully funded PhD position at the Institute for Theoretical Physics, Frankfurt University. We are developing new models and generative principles for the brain using a range of toolsets from dynamical systems theory and computational neurosciences. Examples are new objective functions and generating functionals, attractor metadynamics, transient state dynamics and self-limiting Hebbian plasticity rules. Several subjects are available for the announced PhD thesis including studies of the autonomous brain dynamics and/or studies of new synaptic plasticity rules, like trace formulations of STDP and the interplay between short term synaptic plasticity and neural dynamics. The work will include analytical investigations and numerical simulations of neural models and neural networks, using the toolset of dynamical systems theory. The candidates should have a Diploma/Master in physics with an excellent academic track record and good computational skills. Experience or strong interest in the fields of complex systems, computational neurosciences, dynamical systems theory and/or artificial or biological cognitive systems is expected. The degree of scientific research experience is expected to be on the level of a German Diploma/Master. The appointments will start summer 2014, for up to three years. Interested applicants should submit a curriculum vitae, a list of publications and arrange for two letters of reference to be sent to the address below. Prof. Dr. C. Gros Institute for Theoretical Physics Goethe University Frankfurt Max-von-Laue-Str. 1 60438 Frankfurt am Main Germany cgr(a)itp.uni-frankfurt.de http://itp.uni-frankfurt.de/~gros ***************************************** *** Prof. Dr. Claudius Gros *** *** +49 (0)69 798 47818 *** *** http://itp.uni-frankfurt.de/~gros *** ***************************************** -------------------------------------------------------- --- Complex and Adaptive Dynamical Systems, A Primer --- --- A graduate-level textbook, Springer (2008/10/13) --- --------------------------------------------------------

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Position for a Senior Postdoctoral Neuroscientist
by Ileana Hanganu-Opatz March 25, 2014

March 25, 2014

Invitation for applications: A postdoctoral position for neurophysiology and optogenetics is available at the Department of Developmental Neurophysiology, University Medical Center Hamburg, Germany. Our group investigates the synchronized patterns of electrical activity in the immature brain, their relevance for the development of cognitive and behavioral abilities and their impairment associated with neurological disorders, such as perinatal ischemia and schizophrenia (www.zmnh.uni-hamburg.de/zmnh/groups/hanganu/hanganu) We seek a Senior Postdoctoral Neuroscientist to develop, execute and analyze state-of-the-art electrophysiological, optogenetic, anatomical and behavioral experiments in rodents as part of a research project aiming to elucidate the neuronal circuitry accounting for the maturation of cognitive and multisensory abilities. The position offers an excellent opportunity to perform highly collaborative research within the DFG-funded Priority Program 1665 and Collaborative Research Center 936. Qualified candidates should hold a Ph.D, M.D. or equivalent qualification, and should have outstanding certificates and good publication record. Candidates are also expected to have significant experience in electrophysiology and optogenetics as well as strong background in mathematics with good programming experience (MATLAB). Good communication skills, creative and independent thinking are mandatory. The position is available from September 2014 or later and will run initially for 3 years. The salary will be on the level of the German public service research salary (E13-14, 40.000-45.000 EUR per annum, depending on experience). Applications including (i) CV, (ii) a brief statement of expertise and interests, (iii) academic achievements and list of publications and (iv) 2 letters of reference should be sent to *Prof. Dr. Ileana Hanganu-Opatz*by email (*hangop(a)zmnh.uni-hamburg.de*) Incomplete applications will not be considered. For further information please contact --------------------------------------------------------------------- Prof. Dr. Ileana Hanganu-Opatz, PhD University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf Developmental Neurophysiology Postal address: Center for Molecular Neurobiology (ZMNH) Falkenried 94 20251 Hamburg Germany Phone: +49 (0) 40 7410 58966 Fax: +49 (0) 40 7410 58925 Email: ileana.hanganu-opatz(a)zmnh.uni-hamburg.de i.hanganu-opatz(a)uke.de Website: www.zmnh.uni-hamburg.de/zmnh/groups/hanganu/hanganu Website SPP 1665: www.spp1665.de -- Pflichtangaben gemäß Gesetz über elektronische Handelsregister und Genossenschaftsregister sowie das Unternehmensregister (EHUG): Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf Körperschaft des öffentlichen Rechts Gerichtsstand: Hamburg Vorstandsmitglieder: Prof. Dr. Christian Gerloff (Vertreter des Vorsitzenden) Prof. Dr. Dr. Uwe Koch-Gromus Joachim Prölß Rainer Schoppik

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Call for Abstracts: Bernstein Conference 2014
by Kerstin Mosch March 25, 2014

March 25, 2014

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Research Associate Position at University of Manchester
by Sergio Davies March 24, 2014

March 24, 2014

https://www.jobs.manchester.ac.uk/displayjob.aspx?jobid=7520 You will join the SpiNNaker team, part of the Advanced Processor Technologies (APT) group within the School of Computer Science at Manchester. The APT group is a world-leading research centre, continuing the long and distinguished record of the University of Manchester in the field of Computer Architecture. This record includes the development of the world's first stored program computer, the invention of virtual memory and the building of the first practical Dataflow computer. The group's high international research profile has attracted a great deal of UK and EU funding and resulted in significant industrial collaboration. The APT staff have significant expertise in computer architecture, system software and Neuromorphic Engineering, which is demonstrated by its extensive industrial impact (e.g. the ICL Goldrush Database server, Amulet processors for ARM Ltd., and Transitive Corporation, now IBM Manchester, and Silistix Ltd. spin offs). As a Research Associate you will have a PhD (or equivalent experience) and possess proven research ability. As a Research Assistant a good/relevant MSc (or equivalent experience) is essential. You will also have knowledge in one or more of the following areas: 1. Hardware system development and commissioning including FPGA design, basic robotics, circuit board testing, microprocessor systems, ARM processors. 2. System software development including operating systems, parallel computing, C and Python programming. Informal Enquiries Informal enquiries may be made to Professor Steve Furber, ICL Professor of Computer Engineering Email: steve.furber(a)manchester.ac.uk More information can be found at: http://apt.cs.manchester.ac.uk http://apt.cs.man.ac.uk/projects/SpiNNaker/ http://www.prime-project.org http://apt.cs.manchester.ac.uk/people/sfurber *Please note for the Research Assistant post *if you do not have permission to work in the UK, the University of Manchester will not be able to obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship for you to take up this position. Therefore you must have valid immigration status and/or a UK visa valid for the duration of the contract. The University of Manchester values a diverse workforce and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. -- Dr Sergio Davies Research associate - APT Group Room IT 302 - IT Building School of Computer Science Oxford Road, Manchester The University of Manchester M13 9PL, U.K. mailto: daviess(a)cs.man.ac.uk mailto: sergio.davies(a)gmail.com http://apt.cs.man.ac.uk/people/daviess/

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Research Associate Position at University of Manchester
by Sergio Davies March 24, 2014

March 24, 2014

https://www.jobs.manchester.ac.uk/displayjob.aspx?jobid=7614 Applications are invited for the above post to work as research assistant/associate on the SpiNNaker project. The SpiNNaker architecture is optimized to support the simulation of simple (point-like) neurons and their connections (or synapses). This architecture now has a world-wide user base, drawn to a reliable and flexible platform for real-time neural network simulation; this community is comprised of both traditional computational neuroscientists and also scientists and engineers from application areas such as robotics. The position is linked to the PRiME EPSRC-funded Programme Grant led by the University of Southampton, with Imperial College, London, and the Universities of Manchester and Newcastle as partners. This position will run immediately until 12th May 2018. You will join the SpiNNaker team, part of the Advanced Processor Technologies (APT) group within the School of Computer Science at Manchester. The APT group is a world-leading research centre, continuing the long and distinguished record of the University of Manchester in the field of Computer Architecture. This record includes the development of the world's first stored program computer, the invention of virtual memory and the building of the first practical Dataflow computer. The group's high international research profile has attracted a great deal of UK and EU funding and resulted in significant industrial collaboration. The APT staff have significant expertise in computer architecture, system software and Neuromorphic Engineering, which is demonstrated by its extensive industrial impact (e.g. the ICL Goldrush Database server, Amulet processors for ARM Ltd., and Transitive Corporation, now IBM Manchester, and Silistix Ltd. spin offs). We are seeking a motivated researcher with knowledge in one or more of the following areas: 1. Hardware system development and commissioning including FPGA design, basic robotics, circuit board testing, microprocessor systems, ARM processors. 2. System software development including operating systems, parallel computing, C and Python programming. It is essential that candidates for the Research Associate appointment should possess proven research ability, a PhD or other equivalent experience, while a good/relevant MSc or other equivalent experience will be essential for the Research Assistant appointment. Please note that if you do not have permission to work in the UK, the University of Manchester will not be able to obtain a Certificate of Sponsorship for you to take up the Research Assistant position. All non EU/EEA candidates must have valid immigration status and/or a UK visa valid for the duration of the contract in order to be considered for this appointment. *Informal enquiries* Informal enquiries can be made to Professor Steve Furber, Email: steve.furber(a)manchester.ac.uk The University of Manchester values a diverse workforce and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. -- Dr Sergio Davies Research associate - APT Group Room IT 302 - IT Building School of Computer Science Oxford Road, Manchester The University of Manchester M13 9PL, U.K. mailto: daviess(a)cs.man.ac.uk mailto: sergio.davies(a)gmail.com http://apt.cs.man.ac.uk/people/daviess/

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Research Associate position at Bernstein Centre Freiburg, Germany
by Carsten Mehring March 24, 2014

March 24, 2014

Invitation for applications: Research Associate in Computational Neuroscience and Neurotechnology Bernstein Centre, University of Freiburg A research associate position (‘akademischer Rat’, A13Z) is available in the group of Carsten Mehring at the Bernstein Centre and the Institute of Biology 3 at the University of Freiburg, Germany. This is a new lab, established to study sensorimotor behavior and brain-machine interfaces. Research topics include: motor adaptation and skill learning; brain-machine and machine-brain interfaces; neuronal dynamics; decision making. The primary research tools are behavioural experiments, electrophysiology and neuroimaging (EEG, ECoG, fNIRS), transcranial electrical stimulation (tDCS&tACS), advanced neural signal analysis and computational modeling. We are looking for an enthusiastic scientist who has expertise in Computational Neuroscience and Neurotechnology. This is a full-time position, with an initial 3 years fixed-term contract that can be extended by another 3 years. The salary will be according to A13. The position includes teaching duties in neuroscience, which can be carried out in English. Starting date is flexible, if possible May/June 2014. The ideal candidate has a strong background in quantitative analysis, experience running behavioural and/or neurophysiological experiments and proficiency in programming. A PhD in a relevant field is required. The lab is located in Freiburg (Germany), which is in the southwest of Germany close to the French and Swiss borders. Freiburg has a vibrant academic community and our group is part of the Bernstein Centre Freiburg (http://www.bcf.uni-freiburg.de) and the cluster of excellence BrainLinks-BrainTools (http://www.brainlinks-braintools.uni-freiburg.de) which provide first-class environments for research on Computational Neuroscience and Neurotechnology. Applicants should email a CV, a letter of motivation, a short research statement (max. 1 page) and contact details for two academic references to carsten.mehring(a)biologie.uni-freiburg.de. Reviewing of applications starts on April, 15th. Further information: Carsten Mehring carsten.mehring(a)biologie.uni-freiburg.de http://www.bcf.uni-freiburg.de/people/details/mehring

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First neural connectomics challenge: from imaging to connectivity
by Demian Battaglia March 24, 2014

March 24, 2014

The brain contains nearly 100 billion neurons with an average 7000 synaptic connections. Recovering the exact wiring of the brain (connectome) at this neural level is therefore a daunting task. Traditional neuroanatomical methods of axonal tracing or electrophysiological direct assays cannot scale up to very large networks. Could there be alternative methods, such as inference algorithms, to recovering neural network structures from patterns of neural activity? This challenge (inaugurating a series of future "Connectomics" challenges) will stimulate research on network structure inference from calcium fluorescence data, including causal discovery methods. WHAT YOU GET: Time series of the activity of 1000 neurons in a culture (simulated calcium fluorescence data) WHAT YOU PREDICT: The directed connections between neurons. 45 days to go, 3000 $ allocated for the top three ranked competitors (if they accept to make an open release of their code ;-) Challenge submission website: https://www.kaggle.com/c/connectomics Over 70 teams are already attending! There will be $3000 in prizes awarded. We are an official challenge at IEEE WCCI 2014 meeting in Beijing, where challenge results will be spotlighted: http://www.ieee-wcci2014.org (see "accepted competitions") Participants may present their results at a dedicated workshop at ECML 2014 (Nancy, France): http://www.ecmlpkdd2014.org (see "discovery challenges") http://connectomics.chalearn.org/workshop (workshop webpage) The top-ranked challenge participants and authors of the best workshop papers will be invited to participate to full length submissions (individual or collective, including detailed post-challenge analytics and algorithm comparisons and benchmarking) to peer-reviewed journals, such as Frontiers in Neuroinformatics or PLoS Computational Biology. Calendar: May 5, 2014: End of challenge. May 20, 2014: All teams must turn in fact sheets. The three top ranking teams must turn in their code to qualify for prizes. The post-challenge verifications start. June 1, 2014: End of the post challenge verifications. Release of the official ranking. June 20, 2014: ECML workshop proceeding paper submission deadline. July 6-11, 2014: Result presentation at WCCI 2014, Beijing, China. August 30, 2014: Revised papers due for ECML workshop proceedings. Beginning of post-challenge papers design. September 15 or 19, 2014: ECML workshop, Nancy, France. Discussion of the results and preparation of post-challenge synthesis. For any information or request, please contact: Demian Battaglia, demian.battaglia(a)univ-amu.fr --- Demian Battaglia, PhD Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes, Aix-Marseille Université - Marseille, France Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience - Göttingen, Germany http://www.nld.ds.mpg.de/~demian

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Deadline is Approaching:: CFP::4th DICTAP- IEEE-Thailand
by Natalie Walker March 23, 2014

March 23, 2014

% Apologies for cross posting% ==================================================== ======== 4th DICTAP 2014 || Call for Papers =========== The Fourth International Conference on Digital Information and Communication Technology and its Applications (DICTAP 2014) University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, Bangkok, Thailand May 6-8, 2014 http://sdiwc.net/conferences/2014/dictap2014/ DICTAP 2014 is technically Co-Sponsored by IEEE- Thailand ==================================================== Paper Submission Deadline: April 06, 2014 ===================================== **Scope and Motivation** The Fourth International Conference on Digital Information and CommunicationTechnology and its Applications (DICTAP 2014) cover theoretical and practical aspects related to Information Systems, Communication Networks and Computing Technologies. The multi-thematic program of DICTAP 2104 focuses then on the major future scientific issues in Computing and Communication Networks. The scientific topics developed in his edition are divided into but not limited to the following tracks: - Networking, Communications and Security - Information Technology, Services and Architecture - Digital Information Management - PHY-Layer Communications and Signal Processing ====================================================

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The Scientific World Journal special issue titled 'Hybrid Systems to Investigate the Computational and Learning Properties of Neuronal Assemblies’
by Michela Chiappalone March 21, 2014

March 21, 2014

Dear colleagues, I am pleased to announce the extension of the deadline for submitting your contribution to the special issue of The Scientific World Journal (http://www.hindawi.com/journals/tswj/ titled ‘Hybrid Systems to Investigate the Computational and Learning Properties of Neuronal Assemblies’. The Scientific World Journal is open access and with an impact factor of 1.730. You can find the call for paper here: http://www.hindawi.com/journals/tswj/si/438539/cfp/. Potential topics include, but are not limited to: · Encoding of inputs and retrieval of memories in cultured and simulated neuronal networks · Learning and adaptation in cultured networks · Electrophysiological experiments in closed-loop systems · Mathematical neuronal network models as tools to deduce computational properties of neural circuits · Hybrid systems: living networks coupled to artificial ones · Software and hardware strategies to manipulate and control neuronal dynamics Deadline for article submission: May 30th, 2014; Publication date: October 17th, 2014. On behalf of the other guest editors [Paolo Massobrio (University of Genova, Italy), Danny Eytan (The Hospital for Sick Children, Canada), Paolo Bonifazi (Tel Aviv University, Israel) and Paul Tiesinga (Radboud University Nijmegen, The Netherlands)], I look forward to receiving your contribution! Best regards Michela Chiappalone Lead Guest Editor The Scientific World Journal ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr Michela Chiappalone, PhD NeuroTech Group Department of Neuroscience and Brain Technologies (NBT) Italian Institute of Technology (IIT) Via Morego 30 16163 Genova (Italy) e-mail : michela.chiappalone(a)iit.it<mailto:michela.chiappalone@iit.it> web-site : www.iit.it<http://www.iit.it/> direct phone : +39 010 71781743_

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Ph.D. position in Systems and Control
by Kristiaan Pelckmans March 21, 2014

March 21, 2014

re: A fully funded Ph.D. graduate study in Uppsala University, Sweden, Department of Information Technology, Division of Systems and Control (4yrs.+1yr. teaching). subject: This position aims at relating modern insights in (Online) Machine Learning (OML) to the esteemed tool of the Kalman Filter (KF). OML has led to renewed insights in such tasks as optimisation, multiple-armed bandits algorithms and sequential designs, and comes nowadays with a solid theoretical underpinning. The KF on the other hand, is the workhorse of the control-engineering, and is for example used as the observer of choice in many state-feedback schemes. It is analysed and found optimal in different settings. Integrating KFs in a modern OML setting would provide new insights and modifications to basic schemes.The particular focus would be how to extend the KF to the case of many variables. Modern techniques of OML have excelled in this topic, while traditional approaches as the KF have not been studied extensively in this regard. practical: This is a full-time funded position covering five years in total. The successful candidate is expected to spend 80% on this research challenge, as well as 20% on assisting in different (under-) graduate courses taught at our division. The deadline for application is April 22 (right after easter). The applicant can start directly after that (in spring 2014). Supervisor for this project is Kristiaan Pelckmans. Do send an email to kp(a)it.uu.se for further enquiries. Swedish citizens are encouraged to apply. A link to the official site of application will be sent out via the same channels in the near future.

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Lab Manager position at Ohio State
by Dirk Bernhardt-Walther March 20, 2014

March 20, 2014

---------- Forwarded message ---------- From: Sloutsky, Vladimir M. <sloutsky(a)psy.ohio-state.edu> Dirk, Can you please post the position below? Thanks! Vladimir -- Vladimir M. Sloutsky Professor Department of Psychology 239 Psychology Building 1835 Neil Ave. The Ohio State University Columbus, OH 43210 Office: (614)-247-4449 Lab: (614)-688-1235 Home Page: http://cogdev.osu.edu -------------------- Lab Manager/Coordinator Position Available Cognitive Development Laboratory Ohio State University Job Description: The Cognitive Development Laboratory at Ohio State University directed by Dr. Vladimir Sloutsky is looking for highly organized and well-spoken person to serve as a full-time lab manager. We seek a recent college graduate who has majored in psychology, cognitive science, neuroscience, or a related field and who is looking for additional research experience before going on to graduate school. The lab conducts research on conceptual development, category learning, and interactions between language and cognition in infants and children. Duties include managing research projects in the lab, creating stimuli, programming experiments, recruiting participants, and testing infant, child, and adult subjects, using behavioral, eye tracking, and ERP methodologies. There is the possibility of becoming a co-author on manuscripts submitted for publication. Administrative duties include recruiting, hiring, and training undergraduate volunteers, managing subject recruitment, purchasing equipment, managing human subject protocols, coordinating lab events and meetings, and general faculty support. This job offers competitive salary (commensurate with experience), health benefits, and a dynamic and intellectually stimulating work environment. Review of applications will start immediately and the position to begin as early as May 2014. A verbal 1-2-year commitment is required. The Ohio State University is a vibrant, research-centered public university, located in Columbus, Ohio. To apply for this position, please submit a cover letter and resume electronically to Priya Patel (patel.1489(a)buckeyemail.osu.edu) Please also be prepared to arrange three letters of recommendation. Specific Responsibilities: · Maintaining participant database. · Managing participant recruitment and participant scheduling. · Overseeing lab organization, including the supervision and training of research assistants. · Conducting research activities, including the development of experimental protocols, submission of IRB forms, and data collection, coding and analysis. · Additional administrative duties include requisition of new equipment and materials, and hardware/software maintenance. Required Experience: · Bachelors degree or equivalent in psychology, cognitive science, neuroscience, natural science, or a technical field. · Excellent skills interacting with infants and children as well as teachers and parents, and must be able to supervise undergraduate research assistants. · Experience working with infants or young children and strong interest in cognitive development. · Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and SPSS or equivalent statistical package and willing to learn E-Prime, Matlab, Adobe Director, and File Maker Pro. · Excellent verbal communication skills are essential as duties involve interacting with parents, teachers, and department administrators. · Excellent writing skills. Experience with eye-tracking and/or ERP data acquisition and data analysis is a plus but not required. -- ================================= Dirk Bernhardt-Walther, Ph.D. Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology Associate Director, Center for Cognitive and Brain Sciences The Ohio State University 200C Lazenby Hall 1835 Neil Avenue Columbus, OH 43210, USA bernhardt-walther.1(a)osu.edu <berhardt-walther.1(a)osu.edu> http://bwlab.psy.ohio-state.edu/

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Frontiers Research Topic: Memory Processes in Medial Temporal Lobe: Experimental, Theoretical and Computational Approaches
by Vassilis Cutsuridis March 20, 2014

March 20, 2014

Dear colleagues, we would like to inform you that our Research Topic organized with Frontiers in Neuroscience (Host Specialty: Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience) is still open and it will be accepting abstracts till *May 1st, 2014*. Our Research Topic is entitled: "Memory Processes in Medial Temporal Lobe: Experimental, Theoretical and Computational Approaches" Topic Editors: Motoharu Yoshida (University of Bochum) and Vassilis Cutsuridis (Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas (FORTH)) Important deadlines ---------------------------- Abstract Submission Deadline: *May 1st, 2014* Article Submission Deadline: August 1st, 2014 Research Topic Description ---------------------------------------- The medial temporal lobe (MTL) includes the hippocampus, amygdala and parahippocampal regions, and is crucial for episodic and spatial memory. MTL memory function consists of distinct processes such as encoding, consolidation and retrieval. Encoding is the process by which perceived information is transformed into a memory trace. After encoding, memory traces are stabilized by consolidation. Memory retrieval (recall) refers to the process by which memory traces are reactivated to access information previously encoded and stored in the brain. Although underlying neural mechanisms supporting these distinct functional stages remain largely unknown, recent studies have indicated that distinct oscillatory dynamics, specific neuron types, synaptic plasticity and neuromodulation, play a central role. The theta rhythm is believed to be crucial in the encoding and retrieval of memories. Experimental and computational studies indicate that precise timing of principal cell firing in the hippocampus, relative to the theta rhythm, underlies encoding and retrieval processes. On the other hand, sharp-wave ripples have been implicated in the consolidation through the "replay" of memories in compressed time scales. The neural circuits and cell types supporting memory processes in the MTL areas have only recently been delineated using experimental approaches such as optogenetics, juxtacellular recordings and optical imaging. Principal (excitatory) cells are crucial for encoding, storing and retrieving memories at the cellular level, whereas inhibitory interneurons provide the temporal structures for orchestrating the activities of neuronal populations of principal cells by regulating synaptic integration and timing of action potential generation of principal cells as well as the generation and maintenance of network oscillations (rhythms). In addition, neuromodulators such as acetylcholine alter dynamical properties of neurons and synapses, and modulate oscillatory state and rules of synaptic plasticity and their levels might tune MTL to specific memory processes. The goal of the research topic is to offer a snapshot of the current stateof-the-art on how memories are encoded, consolidated, stored and retrieved in MTL structures. Particularly welcome will be studies (experimental or computational) focusing on the structure and function of neural circuits, their cellular components (principal cell and inhibitory interneurons), synaptic plasticity rules involved in these memory processes, network oscillations such as theta and sharp-wave ripples, and role of neuromodulators. Questions to be addressed: (1) Which areas or pathways within the MTL support encoding/consolidation/retrieval? (2) What neural activity defines specific memory processes? (3) What are the roles of neuromodulators in defining/switching these memory processes? (4) Could the role of synaptic plasticity be different in different memory processes? (5) What functional roles do the various inhibitory interneurons support during the encoding/consolidation/retrieval processes? About Frontiers Research Topics ------------------------------------------------ Frontiers Research Topics are designed to be an organized, encyclopedic coverage of a particular research area, and a forum for discussion and debate. Contributions can be of different article types (Original Research, Methods, Hypothesis & Theory, and others). Our Research Topic has a dedicated homepage on the Frontiers website, where contributing articles are accumulated and discussions can be easily held. Once all articles are published, the topic will be compiled into an e-book, which can be sent to foundations that fund your research, to journalists and press agencies, and to any number of other organizations. As the ultimate reference source from leading scientists, Frontiers Research Topic articles become highly cited. Frontiers is a Swiss-based, open access publisher. As such an article accepted for publication incurs a publishing fee, which varies depending on the article type. The publishing fee for accepted articles is below average compared to most other open access journals - and lower than subscription-based journals that apply page and color figure charges. Moreover, for Research Topic articles, the publishing fee is discounted quite steeply thanks to the support of the Frontiers Research Foundation. Details on Frontiers' fees can be found at http://www.frontiersin.org/about/PublishingFees. When published, your article will be freely available to visitors to the Frontiers site, and will be indexed in PubMed and other academic archives. As an author in Frontiers, you will retain the copyright to your own paper and all figures. The details regarding this Research Topic for Frontiers in Systems Neuroscience can be found at the following URL: http://www.frontiersin.org/systems_neuroscience/researchtopics/memory_proce… Should you choose to participate, please confirm by sending a quick email and then your abstract using the following link: http://www.frontiersin.org/submissioninfo Thanks in advance for your interest! Vassilis Cutsuridis and Motoharu Yoshida --- Vassilis Cutsuridis, PhD IMBB - FORTH Heraklion, Crete Greece

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