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Deadline extension - 31st International Conference on Artificial Neural Networks ICANN 2022, Sept 6-9, Bristol, UK

by Paolo Masulli ENNS

31st International Conference on Artificial Neural Networks ICANN 2022 https://e-nns.org/icann2022 *Submission deadline extended to: 13 April 2022* Bristol, United Kingdom - *Hybrid event* 6 - 9 September 2022 ============================================================= The International Conference on Artificial Neural Networks (ICANN) is the annual flagship conference of the European Neural Network Society (ENNS). In 2022 the Department of Computer Science and Creative Technologies of the University of the West of England, in Bristol, United Kingdom will organise ICANN 2022. This will be held at Frenchay Campus from 6 to 9 September 2022. The conference is currently planned as a *hybrid event* with some presence and some online participation if possible. We will continuously monitor the situation in the next few months according to the overall health developments. * **CONFERENCE TOPICS* ICANN 2022 is a conference featuring tracks in Brain-inspired Computing and Machine Learning in Artificial Neural Networks, with strong cross-disciplinary interactions and applications. All research fields dealing with Neural Networks will be present at the conference. A non-exhaustive list of topics includes: *Machine Learning*: Deep Learning, Neural Network Theory, Neural Network Models, Graphical Models, Bayesian Networks, Kernel Methods, Generative Models, Information-theoretic Learning, Reinforcement Learning, Relational Learning, Dynamical Models, Recurrent Networks, Ethics of AI. *Brain-inspired Computing*: Cognitive models, Computational Neuroscience, Self-organisation, Bioinspired Learning, Neural Control and Planning, Hybrid Neural-Symbolic Architectures, Neural Dynamics, Cognitive Neuroscience, Brain Informatics, Perception and Action. *Neural Applications for*: Bioinformatics, Biomedicine, Intelligent Robotics, Neurorobotics, Language Processing, Speech and Image Processing, Sensor Fusion, Pattern Recognition, Data Mining, Neural Agents, Brain-Computer Interaction, Neural Hardware, Evolutionary Neural Networks. *CALL FOR CONTRIBUTED SCIENTIFIC COMMUNICATIONS* All scientific communications presented at ICANN 2022 will be reviewed and scientifically evaluated by a panel of experts. The conference will feature two categories of communications: - oral communications (15'+5') - poster communications. *Call for Special Sessions and Workshops* ICANN 2022 organizers cordially invite internationally recognised experts to organise Special sessions and Workshops within the general scope of the conference. Proposals should be sent to ICANN2022(a)uwe.ac.uk *CALL FOR PAPERS* Authors willing to present original contributions in either the oral or poster category may submit: - A full paper of maximum 12 pages (including references) to be published in Springer-Verlag Lecture Notes in Computer Science (LNCS) series with individual DOI. - An extended abstract of maximum 4 pages to be published in Springer-Verlag Lecture Notes in Computer Science (LNCS) series, without indexing. The number of oral slots is limited. In case the number of requested oral presentations is larger than the available slots, the ICANN scientific committee will select which papers will be reassigned to a poster session. This selection will be based on the coherence of the programme and is totally independent of the category of submission. Submission of communications will be on the conference website: https://e-nns.org/icann2022/ *IMPORTANT DATES* Deadline for special session and workshop proposals: 28 Feb 2022 Opening of contribution submissions: 21 Feb 2022 Deadline for full paper and extended abstract submission: 13 Apr 2022 Notification of acceptance: 20 Jun 2022 Camera-ready paper upload: 30 June 2022 Deadline for author registration and early registration at early rate: 30 June 2022 *BEST PAPER AWARDS* ENNS will sponsor a maximum of four best paper awards. All awards will be presented during the final ceremony. *TRAVEL GRANTS* The European Neural Network Society sponsors a number of Student Travel Grants covering part of the costs for attending ICANN. Details will be provided on the conference website. *ORGANISATION* *General Chairs* Elias Pimenidis – UWE Bristol, UK Angelo Cangelosi – University of Manchester, UK *Organising Committee Chairs* Tim Brailsford – UWE Bristol, UK Larry Bull – UWE Bristol, UK *Honorary Chairs* Stefan Wermter – University of Hamburg, Germany (ENNS President) Igor Farkaš – FMPI, Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia *Programme Committee Chairs* Plamen Angelov – Lancaster University, UK Mehmet Aydin – UWE Bristol, UK Chrisina Jayne – Teesside University, UK Elias Pimenidis – UWE Bristol, UK *Communication Chairs* Paolo Masulli – ENNS, Technical University of Denmark Kristína Malinovská – FMPI, Comenius University in Bratislava, Slovakia Antonios Papaleonidas – Democritus University of Thrace, Greece

April 3, 2022

FACM-22 Conference 'New Perspectives in Math Biology' May 20-21 (2022) NJIT, Newark NJ

by Victor Matveev

On May 20 and 21, 2022, the 17th Annual Conference on Frontiers in Applied and Computational Mathematics (FACM '22) will be held at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) in Newark, New Jersey. The theme of FACM '22 Conference is "New Perspectives in Mathematical Biology." https://sites.google.com/njit.edu/facm2022/home Confirmed plenary speakers are: Carina Curto (Pennsylvania State University) Anita Layton (University of Waterloo) Grzegorz Rempala (Ohio State University) Corina Tarnita (Princeton University) FACM '22 will feature 4 minisymposia that cover a wide range of topics in math biology: (1) *learning paradigms in real and artificial neuronal networks,* (2) collective behavior in biological populations, (3) stochastic modeling at different scales, and (4) biofluids: machine learning and data-driven approaches. A poster session will run concurrently over the 2 days of the meeting. Pending NSF support, funds to cover all or part of the travel costs and local accommodation costs may be available for students, postdocs, and junior faculty. Applications by members of underrepresented groups, minorities and women are particularly encouraged. A combined poster abstract submission, travel award application and registration form (due April 15, 2022) is available at the conference homepage: https://sites.google.com/njit.edu/facm2022/home There is no registration fee for this conference. NJIT campus is located in close proximity to two train stations, the Newark Liberty International airport, and is accessible by public transportation from New York City: https://www.njit.edu/about/maps-directions FACM'22 Organizing Committee: Amitabha Bose (co-Chair), Casey Diekman, Simon Garnier, Enkeleida Lushi, James MacLaurin, Victor Matveev (co-Chair), Peter Thomas, Yuan-Nan Young -- ----------------------------------------------- Victor Matveev, Professor Applied Math, Biophysics, Neuroscience Department of Mathematical Sciences Graduate Faculty, Dept of Biological Sciences New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark, NJ 07102-1982 matveev(a)njit.edu

April 1, 2022

INCF/OCNS Software WG session on NetPyNE (4th April: 1600 UTC)

by Ankur Sinha

Dear all, Apologies for the cross post. Please join us for the next INCF/OCNS Software working group "dev session" where Joe Graham will speak to us about NetPyNE: https://ocns.github.io/SoftwareWG/2022/04/04/dev-session-joe-graham-netpyne… - Date: April 4, 2022, 1600 UTC (Click here[1] to see your local time). - Location (Zoom): (login to Zoom required): https://ucl.zoom.us/j/99620419452?pwd=SkZlQnJmWWZVczNURkp2azVOZkhzUT09 Abstract: NetPyNE is an open-source Python package to facilitate the development, parallel simulation, analysis, and optimization of biological neuronal networks using the NEURON simulator. The NetPyNE GUI is available from a variety of resources: Neuroscience Gateway Portal (NSG); Open Source Brain (OSB) ; Human Brain Project (HBP) EBRAINS; and the NIH SPARC initiative. The NetPyNE source code is available on GitHub. More information is available on the NetPyNE website. During this dev session, I will give an overview of NetPyNE, go through an interactive demo using the NetPyNE GUI, describe my personal development workflow using virtual environments, and then go through two big dev projects I worked on: (1) documenting code inline and online using docstrings, Sphinx, Napoleon, and autodocsumm, and (2) separating and standardizing analysis and plotting. --------- The aim of these sessions is to stimulate discussion of the development practices and tools used by different teams to improve the software we use while also improving our knowledge of these practices and tools. We also hope to encourage more users of these tools to contribute to their development to ensure their longevity. If you develop software for neuroscience, we would love to hear about your development pipeline. Please get in touch with the Software WG on our GitHub repository[3]. The WG is a community based group that is open to everyone at all levels of their careers (academic or otherwise). Please introduce yourself to the community on our channels to get involved. [1] https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/fixedtime.html?msg=Dev+session%3A+Jo… [2] https://github.com/OCNS/SoftwareWG/issues -- Thanks, Regards, Ankur Sinha (He / Him / His) | https://ankursinha.in Research Fellow at the Silver Lab, University College London | http://silverlab.org/ Free/Open source community volunteer at the NeuroFedora project | https://neuro.fedoraproject.org Time zone: Europe/London

April 1, 2022

Postdoctoral position in computational neuroscience

by Maxim Bazhenov

Applications are invited for NIH funded post-doctoral research position in the laboratory of Dr. Maxim Bazhenov at the University of California, San Diego to study role of sleep in memory and learning using sophisticated computer models of brain dynamics. This project involves close collaboration with experimental laboratories. The ultimate goal of the work is to understand how sleep rhythms contribute to consolidation of memory for recent learning and how sensory or electrical stimulation during sleep can enhance memory consolidation (see, e.g., 10.7554/eLife.51005; 10.1093/cercor/bhaa228; 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1427-19.2019). Our lab research interests also include other topics in neuroscience (e.g., olfaction, epilepsy) and artificial intelligence (e.g., lifelong learning, generalization, adversarial robustness) and lab members are encouraged to participate in multiple projects. The successful candidate will be responsible for the design of the anatomically realistic brain network models based on experimental data. These models will be used to understand network dynamics that are involved in the processes of memory consolidation during sleep, as well as guide data analysis and produce novel experimental predictions. Qualified applicants are expected to have background and experience in neuroscience, computational neuroscience, physics/engineering and/or mathematics. Programming experience with C/C++ is required. Knowledge of PYTHON, PyTorch or MATLAB is a plus. The University of California offers excellent benefits. Salary is based on research experience. Applicants should send a brief statement of research interests, a CV and the names of three references to Maxim Bazhenov at mbazhenov(a)ucsd.edu -- Maxim Bazhenov, Ph.D. Professor, Department of Medicine, Neurosciences Graduate Program, UCSD, School of Medicine http://www.bazhlab.ucsd.edu/

March 31, 2022

Google Summer of Code: model and experimental data sharing on Open Source Brain

by Padraig Gleeson

--Apologies for cross-posting-- Google Summer of Code <https://summerofcode.withgoogle.com/> is a global, online program focused on bringing new contributors into open source software development. Generous stipends are provided for successful applicants to work on these projects for a number of months over the summer. The INCF <http://incf.org/> has been a GSoC mentoring organisation for the past number of years, and has helped link up students with mentors to advance various projects in the wider neuroinformatics and computational neuroscience areas. The Open Source Brain initiative <http://www.opensourcebrain.org> is encouraging students to apply to be part of this. The successful candidate(s) for our 2 proposals will take published computational models and experimental datasets and convert them into open, standardised formats (e.g. NeuroML and NWB) and share them on the OSB platform as a resource for the wider community. The two projects are: *Open source, cross simulator, large scale cortical models in NeuroML and PyNN* <https://neurostars.org/t/gsoc-2022-project-idea-9-1-open-source-cross-simul…> These can be models where code is available in simulator specific formats on ModelDB, or classic models from the literature which would benefit from curating/updating/documenting. Making models available in these formats will allow them to be used & tested across multiple simulators, make the physiological properties of the models more accessible and facilitate reuse of model components. *Conversion of public neurophysiology datasets to Neurodata Without Borders (NWB) format* <https://neurostars.org/t/gsoc-2022-project-idea-9-2-conversion-of-public-ne…> This project will involve converting a number of publicly available datasets to NWB format, adding structured metadata to ensure maximal readability and reusability of the data. The converted datasets will be made available through the new NWB Explorer on the Open Source Brain repository (http://nwbexplorer.opensourcebrain.org) which allows visualisation of the data as well as interactive analysis through an inbuilt Jupyter notebook. *This opportunity is particularly relevant for Masters & PhD students currently working in model development/data analysis in neuroscience. Many students **are already reusing/converting/updating existing models and data as part of their work and this is a great opportunity to get paid extra to do this! *** Closing date for student applications: *19 April 2022* Period of working on projects: *13 June - ***12 *September 2022* Please get in contact if you have any questions. -- ----------------------------------------------------- Padraig Gleeson Room 321, Anatomy Building Department of Neuroscience, Physiology& Pharmacology University College London Gower Street London WC1E 6BT United Kingdom +44 207 679 3214 p.gleeson(a)ucl.ac.uk -----------------------------------------------------

March 31, 2022

Postdoc in Computer Vision / Machine Learning / Applied Mathematics

by Tony Lindeberg

Postdoc in Computer Vision / Machine Learning / Applied Mathematics Job description The Division of Computational Science and Technology at KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm, Sweden is seeking a Postdoc in Computer Vision / Machine Learning / Applied Mathematics to handle scale-dependent image information in deep networks. In our research, we develop deep networks for processing image data that handle scaling transformations and other image transformations in a theoretically well-founded manner. Our research in this area comprises both theoretical modelling of the influence of image transformations on different architectures for deep networks and the experimental evaluation of such networks on benchmark datasets to explore their properties. The work also comprises the creation of new benchmark datasets, to enable characterization of properties of deep networks that are not covered by existing datasets. For examples of our previous work in this area, see https://www.kth.se/profile/tony/page/deep-networks Within the scope of this postdoc position, you are expected to work on and contribute to the research frontier regarding scale-covariant or scale-equivariant deep networks and/or deep networks parameterized in terms of Gaussian derivatives, on specific research topics that we choose together. The selected candidate will work closely together with the project leader Tony Lindeberg. Qualifications requirements * A doctoral degree or an equivalent foreign degree, obtained within the last three years prior to the application deadline * We are seeking a candidate with a PhD in Computer Vision, Machine Learning, Applied Mathematics or a related discipline dealing with automated analysis of image information. * Previous experience with experimental evaluations using deep learning architectures applied to image data is necessary, preferably PyTorch. * A theoretical background in continuous mathematics for modelling convolutions and the influence of image transformations on image data is also necessary. Preferred qualifications As a person you have excellent scientific and collaborative skills, in combination with independence, with very good ability to get into new scientific theories and conduct implementations and experimental evaluations in close collaboration with the research environment you are working in. The preferred candidates should have demonstrated expertise (through publications) in any one of the following: * Deep networks that handle image information for computer vision tasks, including experimental evaluation using modern architectures for deep networks. * Continuous models for deep networks applied to image information. * Theoretical modelling of scaling transformations or other image transformations applied to automated processing of image information. For further information and information about to how to apply, see https://www.kth.se/en/om/work-at-kth/lediga-jobb/what:job/jobID:490734/ Application deadline: May 2, 2022 The position is offered for a period of two years. [cid:FD2B374F-C472-4895-ADA7-B3CD5419FD22@csc.kth.se] Tony Lindeberg Professor of Computer Science — Computational Vision KTH Royal Institute of Technology Computational Brain Science Lab Division of Computational Science and Technology, CST SE-100 44 Stockholm, Sweden Phone: +46 8 790 6205 https://www.kth.se/profile/tony/

March 31, 2022

brain waves and topology

by Yuri Dabaghian

NIH-funded postdoctoral position is available in the group of Dr. Yuri Dabaghian at McGovern Medical School of the University of Texas, Houston. We are looking for scientists with research interests in neuroscience and mathematical physics, network dynamics, and topological data analyses. Some projects are based on studying electrophysiological data, some are theoretically motivated. We are specifically interested in circuit mechanisms of learning and memory and their involvement in neurological disorders, notably Alzheimer's Disease. Successful candidate will develop data-driven hippocampal neuronal network models, develop and creatively apply novel tools for the brain wave (EEG) analyses, Topological Data Analysis of spiking data, etc. Strong background in quantitative disciplines (a PhD and ongoing interest in computational neuroscience, physics or mathematics), plus willingness to do programming and to analyze experimental data is required. All appointments are renewable for at least four years given satisfactory performance. The salary is competitive. The postdoc will be integrated into the large, vibrant neuroscience community of the Texas Medical Center, participate in collaborations with groups at Baylor College of Medicine, Rice University, University of Houston. To apply, please send application materials including a detailed CV, a brief statement of research interests, and contact information of 3 references to Dr. Yuri Dabaghian at [Yuri.A.Dabaghian [at] uth.tmc.edu) The position is available immediately, until filled. For Additional information and informal inquiries, please contact Dr. Dabaghian. We strive for a diverse and inclusive environment, and encourage applications from members of any identity.

March 30, 2022

IMRF abstract submission deadline extended to April 07

by Marc Ernst

Dear friends of IMRF, upon multiple request, we decided to extend the abstract submission deadline for the International Multisensory Research Forum 2022 (IMRF2022) by some days to April 07th. You can submit new abstracts for talks and posters until that date (here <https://www.conftool.net/imrf2020>). In case you submitted an abstract already previously for 2020 or 2021, please make sure to verify that your abstract and information is still up-to-date. To do so, you can log into the system (here <https://www.conftool.net/imrf2020>) and update your abstract information at any time until the deadline. In case you will not be able to make it to IMRF this year, which I would deeply regret, but you submitted an abstract earlier in the past two years, please make sure to withdraw your abstract (here <https://www.conftool.net/imrf2020>). In case you submitted an already accepted symposium in 2020, these symposia will keep their accepted status. But please as organiser of the symposium verify that all presenters of the symposia are still on board (here <https://www.conftool.net/imrf2020>). In cases where this is necessary please update the symposium information - abstracts of the symposia can be updated by the organiser of the symposium. In case you have a drop out of one or two speakers it is best to exchange them by new speakers. As for registration, I would recommend to register early (here <https://www.conftool.net/imrf2020>). At the moment it seems like the spatial restrictions may be loosened. But with this virus you never know. Also, please start looking for a hotel room early. There is the Danube Festival the same week of IMRF - a nice festival along the Danube river. We reserved some rooms but only until a month prior to the meeting. When booking, please refer to “IMRF” to get our conference rates. Looking forward to finally seeing you in Ulm in summer 2022. Best, Marc --------------------------------------------------------- Prof. Dr. Marc Ernst Applied Cognitive Psychology Faculty for Computer Science, Engineering & Psychology Ulm University Albert-Einstein-Allee 43 89081 Ulm room nr.: 43.3.103 mail: marc.ernst(a)uni-ulm.de <mailto:marc.ernst@uni-ulm.de> phone int.: +49-(0)731-50 320 50 phone ext.: +49-(0)731-50 356 27 sekr: +49-(0)731-50 320 51 mobile: +49-(0)152-22 543 156

March 30, 2022

Workshop: The interplay of complex and coherent dynamics in brain function. May 18-20, Cergy

by boris gutkin

Interplay of complex and coherent dynamics in brain function will take place at CY Advanced Studies at Neuville-Sur-Oise from 18th to 20th May 2022 thanks to the support of CY Cognition, CYAS, Labex MME-DII. More information can be found here: https://complexityparisseine.wordpress.com/ The workshop will take place in a hybrid form, with a group of participants (at most 50) in presence at CYAS and the rest connected via Zoom. There will be the possibility to present posters of your research activity up to a maximum of 20 posters, There are no costs, but if you are interested you should register in both cases either in presence or in remote (Zoom) by April 30th. Organisers: Alessandro Torcini (CYU), Demian Battaglia (INS marseille), Boris Gutkin (ENS, Paris) and Matteo di Volo (University of Parma, Italy)

March 29, 2022

additional 2 postdoc positions (4 in total) at Imperial College

by Schultz, Simon R

Dear all, In addition to the previously advertised two experimental positions, we have two theoretical postdoc positions available: Four post-doc positions in the Statistical Physics of Cognition Two theoretical and two experimental postdoctoral positions each for a duration of up to 36 months starting as soon as possible after 1st April 2022. All four post-docs will form a collaborative team, will be affiliated with the Departments of Mathematics and Bioengineering at Imperial College London, and will work together with a core team consisting of Simon R Schultz, Henrik Jeldtoft Jensen, Fernando Rosas, Mauricio Barahona, Lucilla de Arcangelis, Ann Go and Amanda Foust. As for the two theoreticians we are looking for people familiar with statistical mechanics of complex systems, including SOC, network theory and information theory. The theory positions can be found here: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/jobs/description/NAT01116/research-associate-mat… The details for the experimental positions are here: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/jobs/description/ENG02064/postdoctoral-research-… To discuss the theoretical positions, please contact Henrik Jensen (h.jensen(a)imperial.ac.uk<mailto:h.jensen@imperial.ac.uk>) To discuss the experimental positions, please contact Simon Schultz (s.schultz(a)imperial.ac.uk<mailto:s.schultz@imperial.ac.uk>) Best wishes Simon -- Prof Simon Schultz Dept of Bioengineering, Imperial College London http://www.schultzlab.org Director, Imperial College Centre for Neurotechnology http://www.imperial.ac.uk/neurotechnology For Centre admin, email: Dr Kate Hobson, k.hobson(a)imperial.ac.uk

March 29, 2022

Atsushi IRIKI speaking on March 31 in Developing Minds global online lecture series

by Jochen Triesch

Dear colleagues, On March 31, the Developing Minds global online lecture series will feature Atsushi IRIKI, RIKEN Japan: "Self-in-the-world map evolved in the primate brain as a basis of civilized Homo sapiens“ The live event will take place via zoom at: 22:00 JST (Japan Standard Time) 15:00 CET (Central European Time) 13:00 UTC (Universal Coordinated Time) 9:00 EST (Eastern Standard Time) To participate please register here: https://sites.google.com/view/developing-minds-series/home Abstract After a specific point in history, hominin evolution accelerated to a level that could not be accounted for by natural selection alone, but an alternative mechanism has been proposed based on mutual interaction among neural, cognitive, and ecological niches in a positive feedback loop (triadic niche construction; TNC). Nevertheless, the trigger events for the cognitive revolution of Homo sapiens as well as the reasons for this event being limited to a single species remain unknown. Using a multidisciplinary approach involving psychology, neurobiology, and phenomenology, I will propose a shift in the mechanisms underlying TNC, from TNC- 1 in primates/hominids to TNC-2 in Homo sapiens, to answer these questions. As the primates and hominin brain expanded during TNC-1, latent cognitive capabilities were incubated within its neural framework to be expressed with a simple rewiring among brain areas in TNC-2, a quick and inexpensive process but one that requires a unique set of preconditions to commence. This process was bootstrapped by the advanced function of “projection,” which enabled humans to recognize the “self” in particular time and space in the world, allowing the manipulation of this world (in both physical and symbolic dimensions) again in a positive feedback loop. Based on these, a new concept of a somatocentric holistic self will be proposed, represented as a more comprehensive body-in-the-world map in the primate brain, taking into account evolutionary aspects that characterize the human cognition and its implication in the emergence of self-consciousness. Paper: Iriki A, Suzuki H, Tanaka S, Bretas R, Yamazaki Y. (2021). The sapient paradox and the great journey: Insights from cognitive psychology, neurobiology and phenomenology. Psychologia, https://doi.org/10.2117/psysoc.2021-B017. Bio Atsushi IRIKI received his Ph.D. in Neuroscience from Tokyo Medical and Dental University in 1986. He held research associate positions at the Tokyo Medical and Dental University and then at The Rockefeller University (USA). He joined the faculty of Toho University Medical School as an assistant professor and then as an associate professor in Physiology (1991-1999). In 1999, he returned to Tokyo Medical and Dental University as a full professor and chairman of Cognitive Neurobiology. In 2004, Atsushi IRIKI was appointed a head of Laboratory for Symbolic Cognitive Development at RIKEN Institute (first at its Brain Science Institute and then 2018 onward at Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research). He is currently a visiting professor of University College London (UK) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU, Singapore), an adjunct professor of Keio University, a research professor of Kyoto University, a senior fellow of the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (Canada), founding co-director of RIKEN-NTU Research Centres (Singapore & Japan). Web: https://www.riken.jp/en/research/labs/bdr/symbol_cogn_dev/index.html Best regards, Jochen Triesch -- Prof. Dr. Jochen Triesch Johanna Quandt Chair for Theoretical Life Sciences Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies and Goethe University Frankfurt http://fias.uni-frankfurt.de/~triesch/ Tel: +49 (0)69 798-47531 Fax: +49 (0)69 798-47611

March 28, 2022

Postdoc in Computational Neuroscience and/or Machine Learning at the University of Calgary, Canada

by Joern Davidsen

Dear colleagues, We are recruiting a postdoctoral researcher in Computational Neuroscience and/or Machine Learning to study network neural dynamics of brain function and psychedelics to participate in a cutting-edge International Network for Brain-Inspired Computation<https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2019976&HistoricalAwards=f…> (AcelNet) that includes nodes in Montreal, Paris, and the Pacific Northwest of the US and Canada (e.g. University of Washington, Allen Brain Institute). The project is at the intersection of mathematics, physics, and neuroscience in the general area of complex network dynamics and representations that drive biological computation. The objective is to understand how the brain develops generative cognitive models to organize perception and behaviour, and the effects of psychedelic drugs. This project involves both analysis of large-scale ensemble neural data collected in our labs, and computational and/or analytical work to develop theories of core function. Please forward to anyone who you think might be interested. For more info (review of applications will begin on May 1st), please see below or https://www.ucalgary.ca/complexity/positions or reach out to Dr. Jörn Davidsen (davidsen(a)phas.ucalgary.ca<mailto:davidsen@phas.ucalgary.ca>) and Dr. Aaron Gruber (aaron.gruber(a)uleth.ca<mailto:aaron.gruber@uleth.ca>). Best wishes, Joern. --- Dr. Jörn Davidsen Professor of Physics & Humboldt Research Fellow University of Calgary www.ucalgary.ca/davidsen<http://www.ucalgary.ca/davidsen> ************************************************************************************ Postdoc in Computational Neuroscience and/or Machine Learning at the University of Calgary, Canada We are recruiting a talented postdoctoral researcher in Computational Neuroscience and/or Machine Learning to study network neural dynamics of brain function and psychedelics to participate in a cutting-edge International Network for Brain-Inspired Computation<https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2019976&HistoricalAwards=f…> (AcelNet) that includes nodes in Montreal, Paris, and the Pacific Northwest of the US and Canada (e.g. University of Washington, Allen Brain Institute). The project is at the intersection of mathematics, physics, and neuroscience in the general area of complex network dynamics and representations that drive biological computation. The objective is to understand how the brain develops generative cognitive models to organize perception and behaviour, and the effects of psychedelic drugs. This project involves both analysis of large-scale ensemble neural data collected in our labs, and computational and/or analytical work to develop theories of core function. The ideal candidate will have a quantitative background (e.g. PhD in mathematics, physics, computer science) along with experience in applying this background to neuroscience. Specifically, we are looking for a postdoctoral candidates interested in what mathematical principles predict (1) how the connectivity structure of neural networks – their connectomes – combine with the dynamics of nodes and edges to control the dynamics and statistics of the network, (2) how the brain learns these connectomes to produce generative models predictive of their environment, and (3) how such models are affected by psychedelic drugs. The overarching aim of the project is to understand how mental models become corrupted in depression/anxiety, and how psychedelics appear to reverse the corruption. A variety of world-class data sets on the structure and function of the brain are available to guide theoretical advances in the understanding of underlying brain computation, particularly in learning, perception, and decision making. The position is open immediately with a primary location in Calgary. It is partially funded by the Pacific Institute for Mathematical Sciences<https://www.pims.math.ca/> and is aimed to strengthen the link between the computational neuroscience community at the University of Calgary (Complexity Science Group<https://www.ucalgary.ca/complexity/>, Hotchkiss Brain Institute<https://hbi.ucalgary.ca/>) and the University of Lethbridge (Canadian Center for Behavioural Neuroscience<https://www.uleth.ca/artsci/neuroscience/about>) with the other network members including the Computational Neuroscience Center<https://cneuro-web01.s.uw.edu/> at the University of Washington, and centers in Montreal and Paris. The specific start date has to be within five years of being awarded a PhD degree. The position is funded for at least two years and includes an annual stipend in the range of CAD$42,000 – $50,000 plus benefits. Opportunities for brief residences in partner nodes (Montreal, Seattle, or Paris) are also available. Interested candidates should submit their application package including a cover letter, their CV with a list of publications, brief statement of research interests and their possible start dates in PDF format to Dr. Jörn Davidsen (davidsen(a)phas.ucalgary.ca<mailto:davidsen@phas.ucalgary.ca>) and Dr. Aaron Gruber (aaron.gruber(a)uleth.ca<mailto:aaron.gruber@uleth.ca>). Applicants should arrange for at least two letters of reference to be sent as well. Review of applications will begin May 1st, 2022, and continue until the position is filled. For additional information and informal inquiries, please contact Dr. Davidsen or Dr. Gruber. We strive for a diverse and inclusive environment, and encourage applications from members of any identity. --- Dr. Jörn Davidsen Professor of Physics & Humboldt Research Fellow University of Calgary www.ucalgary.ca/davidsen<http://www.ucalgary.ca/davidsen>

March 26, 2022

PostDoc positions on neuromorphic sensing for condition monitoring

by Fredrik Sandin

The Embedded Intelligent Systems Lab (EISLAB) at the Luleå University of Technology in Sweden is inviting applications for two 2-year PostDoc positions focusing on neuromorphic sensing for condition monitoring. The scholarships are intended for research that aims to develop knowledge about neuromorphic and event-driven sensor systems for advanced condition monitoring, e.g. investigating filterbanks, charge amplifier designs, event-based sampling, and machine learning based signal processing methods suitable for implementation with spiking neural networks and neuromorphic processors. The project is a collaboration between EISLAB and the division of Machine Elements and is funded by The Kempe Foundations. By taking part in this collaboration you will work in an international, creative resourceful environment with an extensive international contact network. Further information about the positions, requirements and how to apply is available here: - https://www.ltu.se/ltu/stipendier-priser/postdoc-stipendier?l=en - https://web103.reachmee.com/ext/I003/583/main?site=14&validator=47967adc563… ========================= Professor Fredrik Sandin EISLAB, Machine Learning Luleå University of Technology 971 87 Luleå, Sweden www.ltu.se/staff/f/fresan-1.10646?l=en

March 26, 2022

MBL Methods in Computational Neuroscience Course - Deadline March 30

by Stephen A. Baccus

Applications are open for the Methods in Computational Neuroscience course at the Marine Biology Laboratory in Woods Hole, MA. The course will run from July 28 to August 24, 2022, and the online application form can be found at: https://www.mbl.edu/education/advanced-research-training-courses/course-off… The course application deadline is *March 30*. The course covers a range of topics in computational neuroscience including neuronal biophysics, neural coding & information processing, circuit dynamics, learning & memory, motor control, and cognitive processing & disease. In addition, numerous tutorials and problem sets will cover a broad range of computational and mathematical modeling methods. The course strongly emphasizes the collaboration between theory and experiment in solving neuroscience problems, and lectures will be given by a mixture of theorists and experimentalists. The final weeks of the course are primarily reserved for work on projects that students design in collaboration with the resident faculty. Further information can be found on the MCN website: http://www.mbl.edu/mcn/ 2022 Course Directors: Stephen Baccus, Stanford University Xiao Jing Wang, New York University 2022 Faculty: Larry Abbott, Columbia University Tim Behrens, Univ. College London Emery Brown, MIT Randy Buckner, Harvard University Anne Churchland, UCLA Claudia Clopath, Imp. College London Albert Compte, IDIBAPS Shaul Druckmann, Stanford University Uri Eden, Boston University Bard Ermentrout, U. of Pittsburgh Adrienne Fairhall, U. of Washington Michale Fee, MIT James Fitzgerald, Janelia Res., HHMI Loren Frank, UCSF Stefano Fusi, Columbia University Surya Ganguli, Stanford University Paul Glimcher, New York University Mark Goldman, UC Davis Nancy Kopell, Boston University Eve Marder, Brandeis University Yiota Poirazi, IMBB-FORTH David Redish, U. Minnesota Terry Sejnowski, Salk Institute Reza Shadmehr, Johns Hopkins Univ. Sara Solla, Northwestern University Haim Sompolinsky, Hebrew University Nelson Spruston, Janelia Res., HHMI Josh Tenenbaum, MIT Nao Uchida, Harvard University Greg Wayne, DeepMind

March 25, 2022

Final Call For Papers: RaPID4@LREC-2022 and PSST Challenge ...

by Dim X

Final Call for Papers: The 4th workshop on: "Resources and ProcessIng of linguistic, para-linguistic and extra-linguistic Data from people with various forms of cognitive/psychiatric/developmental impairments" Full-day workshop: co-located with LREC 2022 | Marseille, France | June 25th, 2022 Submission deadline: Sat., 9th of April, 2022 (extended) Paper submission: https://www.softconf.com/lrec2022/RaPID-4/ Website and more details: https://spraakbanken.gu.se/en/rapid-2022 Contact: Dimitrios Kokkinakis (dimitrios.kokkinakis(a)gu.se) RaPID-4 Organizing committee: Kathleen C. Fraser, National Research Council, Canada; Dimitrios Kokkinakis, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; Kristina Lundholm Fors, Lund University, Sweden; Johan Skoog, University of Gothenburg, Sweden; Charalambos K. Themistocleous, Johns Hopkins University, USA; Athanasios Tsanas, The University of Edinburgh, UK ************************************************************************************ Collocated shared task: for papers related to the Post-Stroke Speech Transcription, PSST Challenge: https://psst.study/ Paper submission: https://www.softconf.com/lrec2022/RaPID-4/ PSST Contacts: Steven Bedrick (bedricks(a)ohsu.edu) or Gerasimos Fergadiotis ( gfergadiotis(a)pdx.edu) PSST Organizing committee: Steven Bedrick, Oregon Health and Science University, USA Gerasimos Fergadiotis, Portland State University, USA Robert Gale, Oregon Health and Science University, USA Mikala Fleegle, Portland State University, USA ************************************************************************************ RaPID-4 and the PSST ask for full papers, 4 to 8 pages, plus more pages for references if needed, which must strictly follow the LREC stylesheet: https://lrec2022.lrec-conf.org/en/submission2022/authors-kit/ ************************************************************************************ Description: RaPID-4 aims to be an interdisciplinary forum for researchers to share information, findings, methods, models and experience on the collection and processing of data produced by people with various forms of mental, cognitive, neuropsychiatric, or neurodegenerative impairments, such as aphasia, dementia, autism, bipolar disorder, Parkinson's disease or schizophrenia. Particularly, the workshop's focus is on creation, processing and application of data resources from individuals at various stages of these impairments and with varying degrees of severity. Creation of resources includes e.g. the annotation, description, analysis and interpretation of linguistic, paralinguistic and extra-linguistic aspects of such data (i.e. spontaneous spoken language, transcripts, eye tracking, wearable and sensor measurements, digital biomarkers, etc.). Processing of such data can be used to identify, extract, correlate, evaluate and disseminate various linguistic or multimodal phenotypes and measurements, which then can be applied to aid diagnosis, monitor the progression or predict individuals at risk. A central aim is to facilitate the study of the relationships among various levels of linguistic, paralinguistic and extra-linguistic observations. Submission of papers are invited in all of the aforementioned areas, particularly emphasizing multidisciplinary aspects of processing such data and the interplay between clinical/nursing/medical sciences, language technology, computational linguistics, natural language processing (NLP) and computer science. The workshop will act as a stimulus for the discussion of several ongoing research questions driving current and future research by bringing together researchers from various research communities. ************************************************************************************

March 25, 2022

2 Postdoctoral Research Positions at Imperial College London

by Schultz, Simon R

These two posts form part of an interdisciplinary collaborative research project, “Statistical Physics of Cognition” funded by the UKRI and Wellcome. The aim of the project is to understand how neuronal avalanches relate to cognition. The postholders will be part of an interdisciplinary team including theorists, experimental neuroscientists and optical physicists aiming to solve this problem. The approach taken will be to perform large-scale neuronal imaging experiments to record the activity of thousands of neurons in the brains of mice performing cognitive tasks, to use advanced methods to analyse how distance from criticality is task-dependent, to develop models describing the role of avalanche dynamics in cognition, and to use graph theory, information theory and complexity theory to advance our understanding how large-scale network dynamics affect cognitive performance. As well as advancing our understanding of the way the brain operates, this may lead to new insights into how neurological disorders such as Alzheimer’s Disease cause degradation in cognitive function, and aid in the development of future treatments. Based in the Neural Coding and Neurodegenerative Disorders Laboratory led by Prof Simon Schultz, we are seeking two postdoctoral fellows to carry out neuroscience experiments involving mesoscopic two-photon imaging of neural activity from thousands of neurons in behaving mice. Applicants should have research experience in either systems neuroscience or in biomedical optics. A PhD in neuroscience, physics, or a cognate discipline is essential. Post 1 – Multiphoton optical microscopy. You will have expertise in biomedical optics, including the construction, maintenance and use of advanced optical apparatus for fluorescence imaging of neural activity, and an interest in neuroscience. Post 2 – Optical neurophysiology. You will have expertise in systems neuroscience, including experience in performing in vivo neurophysiology experiments, and expertise in processing and analysis of neurophysiological data. You will be based in the Neural Coding and Neurodegenerative Disease Laboratory led by Prof Simon Schultz and Dr Amanda Foust, in the Department of Bioengineering at Imperial College London. As well as members of the group, you will work closely with colleagues in the Department of Mathematics, including Prof Mauricio Barahona and Prof Henrik Jensen, as well as two theoretical postdoctoral fellows working as part of the collaborative project. You will also work together with external collaborators, including particularly Dr Fernando Rosas (University of Sussex) and Prof Lucilla De Arcangelis (University of Campania). The link to the official job advertisement and application portal can be found here: https://www.imperial.ac.uk/jobs/description/ENG02064/postdoctoral-research-… I am happy to discuss the positions via email. (Please email me directly rather than replying to this email, as I have mailing list emails filtered). The closing date is 5th April 2022 (but is likely to be extended). Please note that there will be a further two postdoctoral positions advertised shortly, focused on theoretical elements of the project. ---------- Simon R. Schultz DPhil FIET FRSB Professor of Neurotechnology Director, Imperial College Centre for Neurotechnology Dept of Bioengineering, Imperial College London Email: s.schultz(a)imperial.ac.uk http://www.schultzlab.org http://www.imperial.ac.uk/neurotechnology Centre contact: Dr Kate Hobson, 0207 594 5101, k.hobson(a)imperial.ac.uk

March 24, 2022

Upcoming HBP Education events

by HBP Education

Dear Sir*Madam, I hope this e-mail finds you well! I would like to raise awareness for several upcoming events by the HBP Education Programme. Please consider adding them to your list of upcoming events. Symposium: From Cortical Microcircuits to Consciousness Date: 11-13 April 2022 Website: https://www.humanbrainproject.eu/en/education/corticon/ <https://www.humanbrainproject.eu/en/education/corticon/> Description: The Symposium: From Cortical Microcircuits to Consciousness aims at bringing together the Human Brain Project’s neuroscientists and invited guests to present their latest achievements in understanding neurocircuit dynamics at microscales, meso- and macro-scales, including the emergence of consciousness. Theories of consciousness will be reviewed and challenged by new findings from brain circuits and behavior. The involvement of neuronal and neuroglial cells in brain functioning, memory, learning, cognition and consciousness in health and disease will be discussed from the experimental and theoretical perspective. The Symposium will offer a hands-on session on The Virtual Brain, the platform of EBRAINS for constructing and simulating personalised brain network models. EBRAINS is the European research infrastructure for gathering, processing and simulating brain data. Finally, the Symposium will address the recent advances in neuroethics and neurophilosophy in neuroscience research and society. Address: Institut Catholique de Paris, 21 Rue d'Assas, 75006 Paris, France Registration deadline: 6 April 2022 ———————————————— Young Researchers Event 2022 in Denmark Date: 16 May 2022 Website: https://www.humanbrainproject.eu/en/education/YRE2022-Denmark/ <https://www.humanbrainproject.eu/en/education/YRE2022-Denmark/> Description: HBP <http://humanbrainproject.eu/> and EBRAINS <http://ebrains.eu/> together with the University of Copenhagen <https://www.ku.dk/english/> invite the entire scientific community, in particular early career researchers, to join the Young Researchers Event on 16 May 2022 at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark. Young Researchers Events provide a setting where EBRAINS <http://ebrains.eu/> RI, the Project’s tools and results are presented to early career scientists as well as to a wider scientific community. The event will introduce participants to EBRAINS, offer opportunities to exchange information and knowledge with peers, as well as with renowned experts. Address: University of Copenhagen, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Maersk Tower, Blegdamsvej 3B, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark Registration deadline: 9 May 2022 —————————— EBRAINS Brain Simulation School 2022 Training on Single Neuron Models, Brain Circuit Models, Cognition, Collaboratory, Synaptic Plasticity and Learning Date: 30 May – 3 June 2022 Website: https://www.humanbrainproject.eu/en/education/BRAINSIM/ <https://www.humanbrainproject.eu/en/education/BRAINSIM/> Description: The EBRAINS Brain Simulation School 2022 aims at introducing the participants to the latest achievements and innovations of the digital infrastructure for brain research EBRAINS <http://ebrains.eu/>, created by the Human Brain Project. The School will offer tutorials on EBRAINS Tools and eServices. The students will be presented with the overview of the EBRAINS research platform, discussed by the leaders of the Human Brain Project, and gain practical skills in using EBRAINS resources to implement cellular and network level computational models, to use EBRAINS Computing Services configure and run simulations, and to visualise/analyse the results. Through tutorials, interactive sessions and hands-on activities, attendees will learn how to interact with EBRAINS to carry out their own research, to set up and manage a data-driven collaborative project, or to use the EBRAINS platform to interact with internal and external databases. The target audience of this school are advanced master students, doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers in biomedical and technology sciences, from medicine, biology, psychology, to mathematics, informatics, information technology, physics, chemistry, who would like to get an introduction to the neuroinformatics and computational neuroscience tools available in the EBRAINS Infrastructure. The event is limited to 40 participants. Address: Splendid Hotel la Torre, Via Piano di Gallo 11, 90151 Palermo, Italy Registration deadline: 30 April 2022 ——————————————— Brain Activity across Scales and Species: Analysis of Experiments and Simulations (BASSES) - EBRAINS Workshop Date: 13-15 June 2022 Website: https://www.humanbrainproject.eu/en/education/ebrains-workshops/basses/ <https://www.humanbrainproject.eu/en/education/ebrains-workshops/basses/> Description: The HBP and EBRAINS invite interested scientists to join the forthcoming EBRAINS Workshop on Brain Activities across Scales and Species. The study of brain rhythms and of spatio-temporal patterns of brain activation is an important test-bench for understanding connectivity and the mechanisms that determine cognitive systems in mammals. The large variety of available experimental protocols and measurement techniques enable researchers to investigate new scientific questions. In addition, the input from experimental observations is used to design theoretical models able to emulate brain dynamics and cognitive mechanisms in in-silico experiments. The goal of the BASSES Workshop (Brain Activity across Scales and Species: analysis of Experiments and Simulations) is to provide an overview of the scientific topic of brain states and complexity, state transitions, and their connection with cognitive functions, and to demonstrate the achievements in this field obtained within the Human Brain Project thanks to the functionalities provided by the EBRAINS <http://www.ebrains.eu/> research platforms. Lectures will showcase the latest advancements in analysis strategies and whole-brain modelling tools. Hands-On Sessions will allow the participants to be actively engaged and test the EBRAINS functionalities for data storage, curation, analysis, and modelling. BASSES will allow people with different expertises, from experimental and theoretical neuroscientists to computer scientists, to share results and ideas and connect into a wider community. Address: ROMA EVENTI – Fontana di Trevi, Piazza della Pilotta, 00187 Rome, Italy Registration deadline: 27 May 2022 ———————————————————————— Please don’t hesitate to contact us should you need further info. Thank you in advance Best regards, HBP Education Team

March 24, 2022

Computational & Cognitive Neuroscience Summer School application open!

by Chengcheng Huang

Applications are open for the 11th Computational and Cognitive Neuroscience Summer School (CCNSS), which will be held from *June 26 to July 17, 2022*, at *Suzhou, China*. Online application: https://www.csh-asia.org/?content/1239 Application deadline: *April 30, 2022* About CCNSS: Designed to emphasize computational principles and neural circuit mechanisms of higher cognitive functions, the course aims at training talented and highly motivated students and postdoctoral fellows from Asia and around the world. We welcome both applicants with quantitative backgrounds (including Physics, Mathematics, Engineering and Computer Science) and those with experimental backgrounds. The lectures will introduce the basic concepts and methods, as well as cutting-edge research on higher brain functions such as decision-making, attention, learning and memory. Modeling will be taught at multiple levels, ranging from single neuron computation and microcircuits up to large-scale brain systems and artificial intelligence and psychiatric disorders. Python-based programming labs coordinated with the lectures will provide practical training in important computational methods. More details can be found at the course website https://www.ccnss.org. Organizers: Dora Angelaki, New York University Christopher Honey, Johns Hopkins University Chengcheng Huang, University of Pittsburgh Xiao-Jing Wang, New York University Guangyu Robert Yang, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Faculty: Dani Bassett, University of Pennsylvania Carlos Brody, Princeton University Bob Desimone, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Angela Langdon, National Institute of Mental Health Songting Li, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Yunzhe Liu, Chinese Institute for Brain Research Yuanyuan Mi, Chongqing University Tirin Moore, Stanford University Srdjan Ostojic, École normale supérieure Anna Schapiro, University of Pennsylvania Kim Stachenfeld, DeepMind

March 24, 2022

Support for Ukrainian doctoral students in computer science at the University of Vienna

by Moritz Grosse-Wentrup

Dear all, The Doctoral School for Computer Science (DoCS) at the University of Vienna (https://docs.univie.ac.at/) supports Ukrainian doctoral students in computer science (who are currently enrolled in a Ukrainian university) with 6-month stipends to continue their doctoral studies in Vienna. If you would like to apply for such a stipend, please send an email to uadocs2022(a)univie.ac.at including a CV and a brief description of your dissertation topic. We will then contact you asap regarding further details. We ask for your understanding though that our funds may not cover stipends for all applicants. For other initiatives, please also see https://scienceforukraine.eu/ On behalf of the DoCS and the Faculty of Computer Science, Moritz Grosse-Wentrup -- Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. Moritz Grosse-Wentrup Research Group Neuroinformatics Faculty of Computer Science University of Vienna Kolingasse 14-16, Room 02.49 A-1090 Wien, Austria moritz.grosse-wentrup(a)univie.ac.at +43-1-4277-79610 http://neural.engineering/

March 23, 2022

3 Postdoctoral Positions at the University of Calgary

by Wilten Nicola

We are currently looking for 3 postdoctoral positions in the Nicola Computational Neuroscience Lab ( http://www.nicolacomputationalneurosciencelab.com) at the University of Calgary, in Alberta Canada: *Postdoctoral Position 1* We are currently looking for a postdoctoral researcher for a 2-year position investigating the interplay between hippocampal and cortical dynamics in memory consolidation. The project will involve both simulating spiking neural networks, and analyzing real spiking data. The ideal postdoctoral researcher will have a PhD in mathematics, physics, or engineering, and will have a proven track-record in working with spiking neural networks. A knowledge of neuroscience is beneficial, but not strictly necessary. Familiarity with multi-unit recordings is also beneficial, but not strictly necessary. Interested candidates should submit their application package including a cover letter, their CV with a list of publications, a brief statement of research interests, and their possible start dates in PDF format to Dr. Wilten Nicola. Applicants should arrange for at least two letters of reference to be sent as well. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the positions are filled. For additional information and informal inquiries, please contact Dr. Nicola. ------------------------------ *Postdoctoral Position 2* We are currently looking for a postdoctoral researcher for a 2 year position investigating how networks of neurons can learn to create abstraction and semantic definitions from a few stimuli. In short, how do networks of neurons learn and know how to generalize in a meaningful way? The ideal postdoctoral researcher will have a PhD in mathematics, physics or engineering and will have extensive experience in working with feedforward or recurrent neural networks, either artificial or spiking. Interested candidates should submit their application package including a cover letter, their CV with a list of publications, a brief statement of research interests, and their possible start dates in PDF format to Dr. Wilten Nicola. Applicants should arrange for at least two letters of reference to be sent as well. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the positions are filled. For additional information and informal inquiries, please contact Dr. Nicola. ------------------------------ *Postdoctoral Position 3 * We are currently looking for a postdoctoral research for a 2 year position in commercializing spiking neural network technologies. This is a joint postdoc with Dr. Aaron Gruber, as part of an ongoing initiative on commercializing spiking neural networks for both edge computing, and big-data applications. The ideal postdoctoral researcher will have a strong background in hardware and software engineering, specifically with Field Programmable Gate Arrays or other neuromorphic-like platforms capable of spiking network emulation. Interested candidates should submit their application package including a cover letter, their CV with a list of publications, a brief statement of research interests, and their possible start dates in PDF format to Dr. Wilten Nicola. Applicants should arrange for at least two letters of reference to be sent as well. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the positions are filled. For additional information and informal inquiries, please contact Dr. Nicola. The University of Calgary is a global intellectual hub located in Canada’s most enterprising city. In our spirited, high-quality learning environment, students thrive in programs made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. Our strategy drives us to be recognized as one of Canada’s top five research universities, engaging the communities we both serve and lead. This strategy is called Eyes High, inspired by the university's Gaelic motto, which translates as 'I will lift up my eyes.' For more information, visit ucalgary.ca/eyeshigh.

March 22, 2022

Cajal Computational Neuroscience Course, Application deadline 28 March, 2022

by Gjorgjieva, Julijana

Dear Students and Postdocs, There is still time to apply to the Cajal Computational Neuroscience course 2022! Application deadline: 28 March 2022 Apply here: http://cajal-training.org/on-site/ccn2022/ Stipends are available. Date and Location: 17 July - 6 August 2022 Champalimaud Center for the Unknown, Portugal Course directors: Brent Doiron, University of Chicago, US Maria Geffen, University of Pennsylvania, US Julijana Gjorgjieva, Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, Germany Joe Paton, Champalimaud Foundation, Portugal About the Cajal Computational Neuroscience Course The course teaches the central ideas, methods, and practices of modern computational neuroscience through a combination of lectures and hands-on project work. During the course’s mornings, distinguished international faculty deliver lectures on topics across the entire breadth of experimental and computational neuroscience. For the remainder of the time, students work on research projects in teams of 2 to 3 people under close supervision of expert tutors and faculty. Research projects are proposed by faculty before the course and include the modeling of neurons, neural systems, and behavior, the analysis of state-of-the-art neural data (behavioral data, multi-electrode recordings, calcium imaging data, connectomics data, etc.), and the development of theories to explain experimental observations. Confirmed Keynote Speakers: Megan Carey – Champalimaud Foundation, Portugal Alex Cayco-Gajic – École Normale Supérieure, France John Krakauer – Johns Hopkins University, USA Gilles Laurent – Max Planck Institute for Brain Research, Germany Máté Lengyel – Cambridge University, UK Ashok Litwin-Kumar – Columbia University, USA Christian Machens – Champalimaud Foundation, Portugal Olivier Marre – Vision Institute, France Ken Miller – Columbia University, USA Srdjan Ostojic – École Normale Supérieure, France Anne-Marie Oswald – University of Pittsburgh, USA Alfonso Renart – Champalimaud Foundation, Portugal Tim Vogels – IST Austria, Austria And others! CAJAL Advanced Neuroscience Training Programme is funded by FENS, IBRO and The Gatsby Foundation. For more information on the CAJAL programme: www.cajal-training.org<http://www.cajal-training.org> ----------------------------------------- Julijana Gjorgjieva, PhD Research Group Leader Max Planck Institute for Brain Research Max-von-Laue-Str. 4, Frankfurt Assistant Professor of Computational Neuroscience Technical University of Munich office: +49 69 850033 3600 https://www1.ls.tum.de/compneuro

March 22, 2022

Call for Symposia - NEURONUS 2022 IBRO Neuroscience Forum (15-17 October 2022, Krakow, Poland)

by Michał Zaręba

*On behalf of my colleagues, I would like to invite you to **submit symposia proposals for NEURONUS 2022 IBRO Neuroscience Forum, **which takes place on 15-17 October 2022 in Krakow, Poland. We await your proposals until 1 April 2022. More information can be found here: https://neuronusforum.pl/page/40,call-for-symposia <https://neuronusforum.pl/page/40,call-for-symposia>**.* With prominent speakers and unique atmosphere of one of the oldest and most beautiful Polish cities, NEURONUS IBRO Neuroscience Forums have established themselves in the European calendar of scientific events as a platform for communication between scientists from different fields of neuroscience. The program of the conference consists of numerous sessions on biological, cognitive, computational and medical aspects of neuroscience, creating a dynamic environment for sharing knowledge. The schedule of the meeting is further complemented with lectures by invited guests, and we invest a lot of effort to attract as influential neuroscientists as possible. This year we will host 6 keynote speakers including Lauri Nummenmaa (University of Turku, Finland), Florian Engert (Harvard University, Cambridge, USA) and Marina Bedny (Johns Hopkins University, USA). The remaining names will be announced soon. During the upcoming 12th edition of the conference, we will continue to put* emphasis on development of early-career researchers*. The main purpose of this event is to provide means for both young and experienced neuroscientists to share the latest discoveries, knowledge and experience in neuroscience, as well as make valuable contacts with scientists representing various fields of neurobiology. We actively promote young scientists through preferentially allocating oral presentations of their experimental results. To help us achieve this goal, we have opened the *call for symposia*. A symposium should last approximately 90 minutes and be composed of a talk by the Invited Speaker (of post-doc status or higher) and 3-4 talks given by early-career researchers. Early-career speakers may be proposed by the Symposium Organizer. At least two of the early-career speakers must be at pre-doctoral level. The general focus of the symposium should fall within the scope of biological and cognitive neuroscience. Please contact us if more information is needed. We strongly encourage you to join this special initiative and hope to see you in the beautiful scenery of Krakow! On behalf of my colleagues, Michal Zareba Organizing Committee Neuronus 2022 IBRO Neuroscience Forum

March 21, 2022

Postdoctoral position in "Multiphysics Brain Aging Modeling" at Stevens Institute of Technology, New York City, USA

by Johannes Weickenmeier

Dear all. A postdoctoral position in “Multiphysics Brain Aging Modeling” is available in the group of Prof. Johannes Weickenmeier (www.weickenmeierlab.com<http://www.weickenmeierlab.com>). The Matter Biomechanics Lab combines experimental methods to biomechanically characterize brain tissue properties and various computational modeling techniques (e.g. finite element analysis, multiphysics modeling, medical image analysis) with the ultimate goal to better understand healthy brain aging and neurodegenerative diseases. Our constitutive aging and Alzheimer’s disease models couple neurobiology and mechanics (i.e. morphological shape changes and tissue loading) in order to identify abnormal aging patterns and brain regions at risk of developing secondary damage, such as white matter hyperintensities, hypoperfusion, traumatic injury, and vascular degeneration. We validate our models against longitudinal imaging data from databases such as the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI). We are looking for applications with prior experience in advanced medical image analysis, data analysis, and modeling. Knowledge in the biology of aging is a significant advantage. The research will be performed at the campus of Stevens Institute of Technology right outside of New York. The position is funded through a grant from the NIH. The position is available now until filled. To apply, please send a motivation letter, CV, and contact information for 2-3 references to Prof. Johannes Weickenmeier (johannes.weickenmeier (at) stevens.edu) Stay well, Johannes Weickenmeier _______________________________________ Johannes Weickenmeier, PhD, Assistant Professor and Director of the Center for Neuromechanics Stevens Institute of Technology | Department of Mechanical Engineering |phone: 201-216-5527 | pronouns: he/him/his | Soft Matter Biomechanics: www.weickenmeierlab.com<https://nam02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.weicke…>

March 21, 2022

New INCF endorsement standard: MBF file format

by INCF

We are pleased to inform you that on January 25 2022, the INCF Standards and Best Practices (SBP) committee <https://incf.org/about/governance/SBP-subcommittee> endorsed the MBF file format as a standard, with the standard number INCFSN-22-01 <https://www.incf.org/mbf-file-format-v-40>. All INCF standards undergo re-review every two years. MBF Bioscience and INCF will work together to further improve the FAIRness of the standard until the next review, including implementation of the governance policy and modification of the standard’s license from the CC-BY-ND-NC to a CC-BY-ND. The committee is pleased to see an open format from a commercial entity go through the endorsement process, and applaud MBF Bioscience for taking this very important step in support of open and FAIR neuroscience. See the community review <https://f1000research.com/documents/10-712> Read the endorsement statement <https://f1000research.com/documents/11-336> *Why endorse community standards? * INCF (incf.org) has implemented a formal procedure for evaluating and endorsing community standards and best practices in support of the FAIR principles. Our mission is to make neuroscience more open and FAIR, to ensure that research funds and efforts are well invested, and that neuroscientific findings are robust and replicable. Open community review is a very important step in the process. Quality community standards are necessary to make FAIR resources and processes work, but too many neuroscience communities lack robust standards or have competing incompatible standards. The rapid development of new techniques also means that there is a continuous need for new and updated standards, and that old standards need an active developer and user community keeping them up to date. By endorsing standards, INCF wants to: - Make it easy to find the best, most reliable standard appropriate for your research - Ensure recognition for community members investing their time and effort in standards Similar to other standards, the review criteria <https://incf.org/incf-standards-review-criteria-v20> include: - Openness - FAIRness - Design, testing, and implementation - Governance - Adoption and use - Stability and support - Extensibility - Comparison (similarity to other standards)

March 21, 2022

2022 Neuro-Inspired Computational Elements Conference -- Final Agenda -- March 29-April 1 Virtual!

by Aimone, James Bradley

Dear colleagues, The final agenda for NICE 2022 has been published here https://flagship.kip.uni-heidelberg.de/jss/HBPm?mI=235&m=showAgenda This is the 9th annual NICE meeting, and we will be virtual again this year due to global travel considerations related to the COVID-19 pandemic. NICE covers the neuromorphic computing field with parallel considerations of the neuroscience inspiration and application drivers of brain-inspired computing technologies. Keynote talks Stefano Fusi (Columbia University) Jeff Clune (University of British Columbia) Please join us! Brad Aimone 2022 NICE Organizing Committee -------------------------- James Bradley Aimone, Ph.D. Cognitive and Emerging Computing Department Center for Computing Research Sandia National Laboratories Phone: (505) 284-3147 Fax: (505) 844-4728 http://neuroscience.sandia.gov

March 21, 2022

4-year postdoc in cognitive science

by Dominik Endres

The research group for Theoretical Cognitive Science of Prof. Dr. Dominik Endres at the Department of Psychology, Philipps Universität Marburg, Germany, is currently accepting applications for a *** Postdoctoral Researcher **** We expect the successful applicant to independently develop, implement and execute virtual reality experiments for the validation of (deep) learning and Bayesian models of human behavior and perception and/or to develop, implement and analyze these models. Contributions to scientific publications and regular and active participation in the CRC’s scientific program are required. More details about the project's research directions can be found in these publications: https://dl.acm.org/doi/10.1145/3355401 https://jov.arvojournals.org/article.aspx?articleid=2678770 https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/7829376 https://psycnet.apa.org/doi/10.1037/rev0000330 The position is offered for a period of 4 years, if no former times of qualification need to be considered. The starting date is as soon as possible. The position is full-time with salary and benefits commensurate with a public service position in the state Hesse, Germany (TV-H E 13). The position is a part of the project C6 (sensorimotor primitives, collaboratively supervised by Prof. D. Endres, Prof. A. Schütz and Prof. A. Schubö) of the DFG-funded *** Collaborative Research Center CRC/TRR 135 “Cardinal Mechanisms of Perception” *** More Information on the CRC can be found at http://www.allpsych.uni-giessen.de/sfb/index_en.html. Formal requirements are a qualified degree (diploma, master or equivalent) in psychology, cognitive science, computer science, engineering or physics (Master, Diploma, or comparable), a completed or nearly completed PhD as well as demonstrable programming experience in a high-level language, e.g. Python. We expect you to be interested in the topic of the project (to be documented in a motivation letter (1 page max), in which you may refer to prior experiences, for instance, a thematically pertinent thesis, student research assistant positions, etc.), developing virtual-reality scenarios and technology for research purposes as well as quantitative modelling. Advantageous qualifications are prior exposure to machine learning, Bayesian statistics, experience with human behavioral experiments as well as willingness to acquire basic German language skills. The full job advert can be found at https://www.uni-marburg.de/de/universitaet/administration/verwaltung/dezern… Please send your application (including a project-specific motivation letter in English, relevant diplomas, curriculum vitae and contact details of two potential referees) mentioning reference no. fb04-0010-wmz-2022 only as a single PDF file to dominik.endres(a)uni-marburg.de, before 15.04.2022. Feel free to contact Prof. Dr. Dominik Endres, mailto:dominik.endres@uni-marburg.de for more information. -- Prof. Dr. Dominik Endres Theoretische Kognitionswissenschaft - Theoretical Cognitive Science FB 04 Psychologie Tel: 06421-28 23818

March 21, 2022

PhD funded opportunity

by Eirini Mavritsaki

PhD funded opportunity (computational cognitive psychology) https://www.bcu.ac.uk/social-sciences/research/phd_opportunities Title: Covid-19 effects on Cognitive Health School: School of Social Sciences The COVID-19 pandemic has affected everyday life and cognitive health including sustained attention and depression (Hampshire et al., 2021; Zhou et al., 2020 (a)(b)). However, little is known about whether depression is due to COVID-19 infection, or an effect of cognitive decline caused by the COVID-19, as depression is also linked to changes in attention and memory (Fossati, 2018; Dillon & Pizzagalli, 2018). Therefore, it is imperative to understand the interaction between cognition and depression, an area of research that is poorly understood in recent work related to COVID-19 and how this is progressing over time. Here, we propose to investigate the link between COVID-19 and cognitive health - depression, cognitive flexibility, and attention. We are using an interdisciplinary approach that combines online behavioural data with computational modelling using a computational approach developed by our team. Contact information: Name: Prof. Eirini Mavritsaki E-mail: eirini.mavritsaki(a)bcu.ac.uk<mailto:eirini.mavritsaki@bcu.ac.uk> Tel: 0121 331 6361 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Prof. Eirini Mavritsaki, Ph.D., CPsychol , SFHEA, SEDA Recognised Supervisor Professor of Cognitive Psychology Director of Research for the School of Social Sciences Department of Psychology Faculty of Business Law and Social Sciences Birmingham City University The Curzon Building 4 Cardigan Street Birmingham B4 7BD eirini.mavritsaki(a)bcu.ac.uk<mailto:eirini.mavritsaki@bcu.ac.uk> 0121 331 6361 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

March 18, 2022

Postdoctoral position in the cognitive neuroscience of aging at UC Riverside and Irvine

by Aaron Seitz

A postdoctoral position in the cognitive neuroscience of aging is available at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) to work with a research team including Professors Xiaoping Hu, Aaron Seitz, Ilana Bennett, and Weiwei Zhang at UCR, and in collaboration with Megan Peters at UC Irvine. This opportunity will involve working on a NIA-funded project to understand how individual differences in the structure and function of the locus coeruleus moderate perception and memory in an older adult population. The postdoctoral researcher is expected to take a lead role in the project, including setting up experiments, collecting and analyzing data, training and supervising graduate students and undergraduate research assistants, and disseminating results at conferences and in research publications. https://aprecruit.ucr.edu/JPF01540 Successful candidates should have a strong background in fMRI data collection and analysis, advanced computational and statistical competencies, management skills, creativity and a high-level of conscientiousness. They should also have expertise in one or more of the following areas (and knowledge of the others): cognitive aging, brain aging, psychophysics, perception or memory processes, eye-tracking, metacognition, and the role of the locus coeruleus in cognition. Experience in programming psychophysical experiments, in either MATLAB or Python, is preferred. Researchers must possess a doctoral degree in Psychology, Education, Cognitive Science, Neuroscience, or a related field. The primary appointment will be either in the UCR Psychology or Bioengineering Departments, depending upon candidate interest and primary expertise. Working with our diverse research team will provide a unique interdisciplinary research and mentoring experience. Research will be conducted at the UCR Center for Advanced Neuroimaging, which features a 3T Prisma fMRI system with state of the art eye-tracking and psychophysical systems. Applications must include a cover letter, curriculum vitae, 1-2 sample publications, statement of research interests, statement of past and/or planned future contributions to advancing diversity and inclusive excellence, and the names of three to five references with phone numbers and emails. Review of applications will begin on April 7, 2022 and may continue until the position is filled. Applications received by April 7, 2022 will receive full consideration. UCR is a world-class research university with an exceptionally diverse student body. Its mission is explicitly linked to providing routes to educational success for underrepresented and first-generation college students. A commitment to this mission is a preferred qualification. The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Best, -Aaron ************************************************** Aaron Seitz, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology Director of UCR Brain Game Center University of California, Riverside 900 University Ave. Riverside, CA 92521 Ph: (951) 827-6422 Fax: (951) 827-3985 Email: aseitz(a)ucr.edu<mailto:aseitz@ucr.edu> Web: http://faculty.ucr.edu/~aseitz/ BGC: http://braingamecenter.ucr.edu<http://braingamecenter.ucr.edu/> **************************************************

March 18, 2022

PhD studentships at University of Hertfordshire, UK

by Nada Yousif

Applications are invited by the Centre for Future Societies Research for three fully funded PhD studentships at the University of Hertfordshire. These research studentships will be part of the University Alliance (UA) Doctoral Training Alliance in Future Societies, and include the proposed project: "Low-cost, accessible neurostimulation, experiments and simulations" to be supervised by Dr Nada Yousif and Prof Volker Steuber. The PhD project will combine experimental cerebellar stimulation and computational modelling of the cerebellum to show the feasibility of low-cost, accessible non-invasive neurostimulation for treating movement disorders. Please see the Centre for Future Societies Research web page where project details are held on https://www.herts.ac.uk/research/centres/centre-for-future-societies-resear… and the external advert on https://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/CND466/three-fully-funded-phd-research-studentsh…. Closing date for applications: 22nd April 2022. Interviews will start soon after the closing date. Studentship start date: September 2022. For informal enquiries contact Dr Nada Yousif (n.yousif(a)herts.ac.uk<mailto:n.yousif@herts.ac.uk>) or Prof Volker Steuber (v.steuber(a)herts.ac.uk<mailto:v.steuber@herts.ac.uk>, biocomputation.herts.ac.uk<http://biocomputation.herts.ac.uk/>). Dr Nada Yousif School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science University of Hertfordshire +44 (0)1707 284129 n.yousif(a)herts.ac.uk<mailto:n.yousif@herts.ac.uk> go.herts.ac.uk/nada_yousif https://sites.google.com/view/nada-yousif/home

March 17, 2022

EBRAINS Brain Simulation School 2022, 30 May – 3 June 2022, REGISTRATION DEADLINE: 30 April 2022

by Luca Leonardo Bologna

We are glad to announce the *EBRAINS Brain Simulation School 2022* to be held in Palermo, Italy, from 30 May to 3 June, 2022. The EBRAINS Brain Simulation School 2022 aims at introducing the participants to the latest achievements and innovations of the *digital infrastructure for brain research EBRAINS* (ebrains.eu), created by the Human Brain Project. The School will offer tutorials on EBRAINS Tools and eServices. The students will be presented with the overview of the EBRAINS research platform, discussed by the leaders of the Human Brain Project, and gain practical skills in using EBRAINS resources to implement cellular and network level computational models, to use *EBRAINS Computing Services* configure and run simulations, and to visualise/analyse the results. Through tutorials, interactive sessions and hands-on activities, attendees will learn how to interact with EBRAINS to *carry out their own research*, to set up and manage a data-driven collaborative project, or to use the EBRAINS platform to interact with internal and external databases. The *target audience* of this school are advanced master students, doctoral students and postdoctoral researchers in biomedical and technology sciences, from medicine, biology, psychology, to mathematics, informatics, information technology, physics, chemistry, who would like to get an *introduction to the neuroinformatics and computational neuroscience tools available in the EBRAINS Infrastructure*. Registrations close on *30 April, 2022*. The event is limited to *40 participants*. Registration and Program are available on the School website: https://www.humanbrainproject.eu/en/education/BRAINSIM/ The School Scientific Chairs & Organizers Michele Migliore, Aušra Saudargienė, Francesca Spataro, Alessia Bonafede

March 17, 2022

Postdoc at Harvard (Drugowitsch Lab) in computational neuroscience

by Jan Drugowitsch

Location: Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA Start: summer 2022 or after We are looking for a highly creative and motivated postdoctoral fellow to work in the field of computational and systems neuroscience in the group of Jan Drugowitsch - Department of Neurobiology at Harvard Medical School (https://drugowitschlab.hms.harvard.edu/) The group works on questions of decision-making and navigation under uncertainty, ranging from the level of neural populations to that of behavior. We have strong ties to, and frequently collaborate with, experimental labs. The postdoctoral fellow will develop state-of-the-art theories of neural computations using machine learning, neural networks, dynamical systems analysis, and reinforcement learning, and will analyze the neural data collected by experimental collaborators. The position starts in or after June 2022, and is funded for several years, with an initial one-year appointment and expectation of extension given satisfactory performance. Salary depends on experience and is at levels above the NIH scale. Expected background: Candidates should have a strong analytical background, such as in computational neuroscience, physics, mathematics, engineering, or related, and feature an interest in the role of computation in neural populations and in theoretical neuroscience in general. Experience or familiarity with related machine-learning fields is also desirable. Application: Candidates should send a single pdf file, consisting of a 1-page motivation letter, CV, and publication list to jan_drugowitsch(a)hms.harvard.edu. If they are considered suitable candidates, they will be requested to additionally organize two letters of reference. The position is open until filled. Dr. Drugowitsch will be available at the Computational and Systems Neuroscience Conference (Cosyne), to take place in Portugal, March 17-22, for questions and further information about the opening. Harvard is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Jan Drugowitsch Assistant Professor in Neurobiology Harvard Medical School https://drugowitschlab.hms.harvard.edu/

March 14, 2022

NeuroBridges 2022

by Ahmed El Hady

*NeuroBridges 2022* *A Mediterranean, Middle Eastern Summer School in Neuroscience* *Application opens March 15, 2022* *Website: **___http://decision-making-lab.com/NeuroBridges/neurobridges2022.html_* ** *NeuroBridges2022* is a summer school which will take place between September 4 and September 15, 2022 in Le Centre de Conferences Internationales de Cluny, France (CCIC) <https://streaklinks.com/A90svF509Dfx1gAIfQKAz1pX/https%3A%2F%2Fcollegecluny…>. The school will provide an overview of theoretical and experimental frameworks used to study a variety of *decision making* processes. It will cover a different model systems from rodents to humans and a plethora of decision making mechanisms. Another objective of Neurobridges is to bring together *Mediterranean and Middle Eastern scientists*, in order to promote scientific cooperation between young researchers from these countries. The organizers of NeuroBridges are convinced that such scientific collaborations can lead to personal relations, which eventually may alleviate the political distress in the Middle East. The school is intended for graduate students and postdocs, primarily (but not only) from the Middle East and the Mediterranean region either working in their home countries or abroad. Applicants should have some background in related fields in neuroscience or cognitive psychology. All costs of registration and accommodation will be covered by the organizers. For more information and application, visit our website:_http://decision-making-lab.com/NeuroBridges/neurobridges2022.html_ *NeuroBridges2022 Faculty:* Carlos Brody (Princeton), Ahmed El Hady (Princeton/Konstanz), David Hansel (CNRS), Ifat Levy (Yale), Yonatan Loewenstein (Hebrew U.), Najib Majaj (NYU), Mike Shadlen (Columbia U.), Eyal Winter (Hebrew U.) and Yoram Yovell (Hadassah Hebrew U. Medical Center) *NeuroBridges* is co-organized by Ahmed El Hady (Princeton Neuroscience Institute, USA), Yonatan Loewenstein (Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel) and David Hansel (CNRS, Paris, France). *NeuroBridges2022* is supported by the Simons Foundation (USA) and CNRS (France) and is in partnership with WWTNS (wwtns.online). *Contact us:*_neurobridges2022@gmail.com <mailto:neurobridges2022@gmail.com>_

March 13, 2022

job: machine learning research scientist at NIMH

by Francisco Pereira

## HIRING: machine learning research scientist The Machine Learning Team at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) in Bethesda, MD, has an open position for a machine learning research scientist. The NIMH is the leading federal agency for research on mental disorders and neuroscience, and part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). ## About the NIMH Machine Learning Team Our mission is to help NIMH scientists use machine learning methods to address research problems in clinical and cognitive psychology and neuroscience. These range from identifying biomarkers for aiding diagnoses to creating and testing models of mental processes in healthy subjects. Our overarching goal is to use machine learning to improve every aspect of the scientific effort, from helping discover or develop theories to generating actionable results. We work with many different data types, including very large brain imaging datasets from various imaging modalities, behavioral data, and picture and text corpora. We have excellent computational resources, both of our own (tens of high-end GPUs for deep learning, several large servers) and shared within the NIH (a cluster with hundreds of thousands of CPUs, and hundreds of GPUs). As a machine learning research group, we develop new methods and publish in the main machine learning conferences (e.g. NeurIPS and ICLR), as well as in psychology and neuroscience journals. Many of our problems require devising research approaches that combine imaging and non-imaging data, and leveraging structured knowledge resources (databases, scientific literature, etc) to generate explanations and hypotheses. You can find more about our work and recent publications at https://cmn.nimh.nih.gov/mlt ## About the position We are seeking candidates who are capable of combining machine learning, statistical, and domain-specific computational tools to solve practical data analysis challenges (e.g. designing experiments, generating and testing statistical hypotheses, training and interpreting predictive models, and developing novel models and methods). Additionally, candidates should be capable of visualizing and communicating findings to a broad scientific audience, as well as explaining the details of relevant methods to researchers in a variety of domains. Required experience: - deep learning, using PyTorch or Tensorflow Desirable experience: - reinforcement learning - Bayesian statistical modelling - other types of modelling of human/animal learning and decision-making - neuroimaging data processing/ analysis (any MRI modality, MEG, or EEG) - other types of neural data (e.g. neural recording, calcium imaging) all in the context of substantial research projects, ideally having led to submitted or published articles. Finally, you should have demonstrable experience programming in languages currently used in data-intensive, scientific computing, such as Python, MATLAB or R. Experience with handling large datasets in high performance computing settings is also very valuable. Although this position requires a Ph.D. in a STEM discipline, we will consider applicants from a variety of backgrounds, as their research experience is the most important factor. Backgrounds of team members include computer science, statistics, mathematics, and biomedical engineering. This is an ideal position for someone who wants to establish a research career in method development and applications driven by scientific and clinical needs. Given our access to a variety of collaborators and large or unique datasets, there is ample opportunity to match research interests with novel research problems. We also maintain collaborations outside of the NIH, driven by our own research interests or community impact. If you would like to be considered for this position, please send francisco.pereira(a)nih.gov a CV, with your email serving as cover letter. We especially encourage applications from members of underrepresented groups in the machine learning research community. If you already have a research statement, please feel free to send that as well. There is no need for reference letters at this stage. Other inquiries are also welcome. Thank you for your attention and interest!

March 12, 2022

SCGB Virtual Postdoc/Student Meeting: Monday, March 14 by James Roach

by Laura Long

The Simons Collaboration on the Global Brain (SCGB) hosts postdoc/student meetings to bring together trainees interested in neural coding and dynamics to discuss ideas and data. In addition to regional meetings in New York, Boston, and the Bay Area, SCGB holds a Global virtual series to connect systems and computational neuroscientists across the world. We would love to see you at our next Global meeting! Please see event details and the Zoom link below. SCGB Global Postdoc/Student Meeting: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/scgb-global-postdocstudent-meeting-tickets-277… Monday, March 14th, 1pm Eastern Time https://simonsfoundation.zoom.us/j/97652465539?pwd=YkdYaTBGOGU0c1NyUzV1d1Jr… Passcode: 188122 *James Roach*Postdoctoral Researcher, Churchland Laboratory University of California, Los Angeles *Two roles for choice selective inhibition in decision-making circuits* During perceptual decision-making, the firing rates of cortical neurons reflect upcoming choices. Recent work showed that excitatory and inhibitory neurons are equally selective for choice. However, the functional consequences of inhibitory choice selectivity in decision-making circuits are unknown. We developed a circuit model of decision-making which accounts for the specificity of inputs to and outputs from inhibitory neurons. We found that selective inhibition expands the space of circuits supporting decision-making, allowing for weaker or stronger recurrent excitation when connected in a competitive or feedback motif. The specificity of inhibitory outputs sets the trade-off between speed and accuracy of decisions by altering the attractor dynamics in the circuit. Recurrent neural networks trained to make decisions display the same dependence on inhibitory specificity and the strength of recurrent excitation. Our results reveal two concurrent roles for selective inhibition in decision-making circuits: stabilizing strongly connected excitatory populations and maximizing competition between oppositely selective populations. *Please note that this meeting is open to all neuroscience postdocs and PhD students, regardless of location or SCGB affiliation (sorry, no PIs). *After Q&A with the speaker, we will open breakout rooms for anyone interested in staying to chat, network, or further discuss the talk. In addition to these breakouts, SCGB Scientific Staff will be available for "office hours" to chat and answer questions about SCGB programs and support. Registration on EventBrite is encouraged but not required: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/scgb-global-postdocstudent-meeting-tickets-277… Please contact Laura Long at llong(a)simonsfoundation.org with any questions.

March 11, 2022

Multiple Postdoctoral Scholar Positions at Washington University in St. Louis

by Shuo Wang

We are looking for multiple highly motivated postdoctoral scholars to work on NSF, DoD, and NIH funded projects. Projects include but are not limited to using human single-neuron recordings to study the neural circuits underlying social attention and using fMRI to study face perception in people with autism. The research will be conducted in a highly collaborative environment using state-of-the-art equipment, facilities, and analytical methods. The postdoctoral scholars will collaborate with an established team of investigators within and outside WashU and have ample opportunity to learn new techniques and methods. Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in systems, cognitive, or computational neuroscience, or in physics, electrical engineering, or computer science, with relevant research expertise in neuroscience. Applicants must also have strong programming (Matlab or similar) skills. Our lab combines multimodal and advanced measurement techniques with sophisticated computational approaches to understand the neural mechanisms and neural computations underlying social attention, face processing, emotion, memory, and decision making. Overarching questions involve how the brain figures out what is important in the environment, how socially relevant stimuli pop out and attract attention, how faces are processed and represented in general, and how memory is modulated by attention. We are particularly interested in the neural computations underlying these cognitive processes: multimodal approaches allow us to investigate these questions from the microscopic single-neuron and neural circuit level using our state-of-the-art human single-neuron recordings as well as macroscopic level using fMRI, EEG, and intracranial EEG (sEEG and ECoG). These multimodal experimental approaches are powered by sophisticated computational approaches that can deal with complex and large datasets. The Wang Neuroscience Lab is housed in the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology (MIR) at the Washington University School of Medicine (WUSM) in St Louis. WUSM is a world class research intensive academic health center that is consistently ranked among the nation’s research-oriented medical schools. Additionally, it is nationally known for its attractive campus, which borders residential neighborhoods and one of the nation’s largest urban parks. St. Louis is consistently rated a Forbes most affordable city with vibrant music, food and park scene, and has one of the fastest growing start-up communities with impressive accelerator and incubator services available through the Biogenerator, Cambridge Innovation Center, and Cortex Innovation District. Shuo Wang, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Washington University in St. Louis https://sites.wustl.edu/wanglab/

March 11, 2022

Applications open for BRAINS: please forward!

by Adrienne L Fairhall

Dear colleagues, Applications are now open for an NINDS funded, national professional development program dedicated to advancing diversity and inclusion in neuroscience (*BRAINS: Broadening the Representation of Academic Investigators in NeuroScience*. BRAINS uses a unique cohort-based professional development approach to explicitly address the inclusion, retention, and advancement of early career (post Ph.D. and pre-tenure) neuroscientists from historically underrepresented and marginalized groups. The BRAINS experience positively impacts participants’ career trajectories, especially in academic neuroscience, and creates perpetually empowering communities. For more information about our program, visit the BRAINS website [https://advance.washington.edu/brains/] To apply, go to: https://advance.washington.edu/brains/program/application. Applications will be accepted until April 25, 2022. If you have questions, feel free to contact Sheri Mizumori (mizumori(a)uw.edu ).

March 11, 2022

Neuro tool projects with INCF in Google Summer of Code - open to all beginners to open source

by Malin Sandström

Dear all, tell your friends and colleagues - for the first time, the Google Summer of Code <https://summerofcode.withgoogle.com> Program is open to all beginners and newcomers to open source. INCF participates as a mentoring organization for the 12th time. This year, we offer 50 different projects suggested and mentored by tool developers in the neuroscience community. If you are interested in becoming an open source contributor, this program is a fantastic opportunity! Links: INCF Ideas List for 2022 <https://docs.google.com/document/d/131tHl3Ao3aJ_KbfOdZbeDog3sovhHhx_5fobchc…> Google Summer of Code FAQ <https://developers.google.com/open-source/gsoc/faq> Google Summer of Code 2022 timeline <https://developers.google.com/open-source/gsoc/timeline>Recommendations for GSoC contributors <https://www.incf.org/recommendations-gsoc-contributors> Google Summer of Code guides for mentors and students <https://developers.google.com/open-source/gsoc/resources/guide> Read our blog about GSoC 2022 <https://incf.org/blog/incf-applies-gsoc-2022> Best regards, Malin INCF Org Admin for GSoC 2022 -- Malin Sandström, PhD Community Engagement Officer malin.sandstrom(a)incf.org ORCID: 0000-0002-8464-2494 International Neuroinformatics Coordinating Facility Karolinska Institutet Nobels väg 15 A SE-171 77 Stockholm Sweden http://www.incf.org

March 11, 2022

Call for Abstracts: 31st Annual Computational Neuroscience Meeting (CNS*2022) in Melbourne

by Thomas Nowotny

Organization for Computational Neurosciences Call for Abstracts We are inviting abstracts for the 31st Annual Computational Neuroscience Meeting (CNS*2022) - Melbourne, Australia July 16-20, 2022 The main meeting begins the evening of Saturday, July 16 and runs through Tuesday, July 19. It will be preceded by a day of tutorials (Saturday, July 16) and followed by workshops (Tuesday, July 18 mixed with the main meeting and Wednesday, July 19 workshops only). Keynote Speakers Michael Breakspear,<https://www.newcastle.edu.au/profile/michael-breakspear> The University of Newcastle Tara Hamilton, University of Technology Sydney Joseph Lizier<https://www.sydney.edu.au/engineering/about/our-people/academic-staff/josep…>, The University of Sydney Kristin Sellers<https://profiles.ucsf.edu/kristin.sellers>, University of California, San Francisco Registration and abstract submission will open Monday, March 14th. Abstract submission deadline: April 15th, 2022. Note that one of the authors must register as sponsoring author for the main meeting before abstract submission. In case the abstract is not accepted for presentation, the registration fee will be refunded. Submitted abstracts are used for creating the program and for publication. Please follow the formatting guidelines on the submission site. Travel awards are available for student and postdoc members of OCNS. Please apply using the drop-down box on the abstract submission form and note that an extended abstract is required when applying for a travel award or oral presentation format. Registration: https://ocns.memberclicks.net/cns-2022-registration Abstract submission for main meeting: https://cns.confmaster.net/ For up-to-date conference information, please visit: https://www.cnsorg.org/cns-2022 Workshop proposals are being accepted at: https://www.cnsorg.org/cns-2022-call-for-workshops Tutorial proposals are being accepted at: https://www.cnsorg.org/cns-2022-call-for-tutorials Thomas Nowotny, Vice-President OCNS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- OCNS is the international member-based society for computational neuroscientists. Become a member to be eligible for awards and other benefits. Visit our website for more information: http://www.cnsorg.org<http://www.cnsorg.org/> --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

March 10, 2022

Call for Satellite Workshop Proposals, Bernstein Conference 2022 in Berlin

by Bernstein Communication

+++ The Bernstein Network Computational Neuroscience invites proposals for Satellite Workshops preceding the Bernstein Conference 2022 in Berlin. +++ ____ BERNSTEIN CONFERENCE Each year the Bernstein Network invites the international computational neuroscience community to the annual Bernstein Conference for intensive scientific exchange. It has established itself as one of the most renown conferences worldwide in this field, attracting students, postdocs and PIs from around the world to meet and discuss new scientific discoveries. www.bernstein-conference.de<http://www.bernstein-conference.de> ____ IMPORTANT DATES - Satellite Workshops: September 13 - 14, 2022 o Tuesday, Sep 13, 14:00 – 18:00 CEST o Wednesday, Sep 14, 8:30 – 12:30 CEST - Main Conference: September 14 – October 16, 2022 - Deadline for Satellite Workshop proposal submission: +++ April 10, 2022 +++ - Notification of workshop acceptance: planned in early May 2022 ____ WORKSHOP PROPOSALS The pre-conference Satellite Workshops addressing controversial issues, open problems, and comparisons of competing approaches are encouraged. The format should be designed to foster extensive discussion and debate, rather than a series of talks. Proposals are welcome for either half-day or full-day workshops. We aim at organizing workshops in Berlin, please ask potential speakers about their availability for the in-person meeting. In addition, there might be a possibility for a few hybrid workshops. Selection criteria for workshop proposals will include scientific excellence, topical relevance and diversity in gender and career level of the selected speakers. Submit your workshop proposal here: https://indico3-jsc.fz-juelich.de/event/9/registrations/2/ +++ Deadline: April 10, 2022– not to be extended +++ ____ FINANCIAL SUPPORT Workshop registration is free for all organizers and speakers of workshops. Workshop organizers will additionally receive a waiver for the main conference fee. From the accepted workshops up to ten workshops will be selected to receive financial support of up to 1500 € each. ____ WORKSHOP SELECTION COMMITTEE Moritz Helias (Workshop Chair) Anna Levina (Workshop Vice Chair) Raoul Memmesheimer (Conference Chair) Christian Machens (Program Chair) Tatjana Tchumachenko (Program Vice Cahir) Megan Carey Brent Doiron Tatjana Engel Christian Leibold Timothy O’Leary Srdjan Ostojic Cristina Savin Mark van Rossum Friedemann Zenke ____ For any further questions, please contact: bernstein.conference(a)fz-juelich.de<mailto:bernstein.conference@fz-juelich.de> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH 52425 Juelich Sitz der Gesellschaft: Juelich Eingetragen im Handelsregister des Amtsgerichts Dueren Nr. HR B 3498 Vorsitzender des Aufsichtsrats: MinDir Volker Rieke Geschaeftsfuehrung: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Wolfgang Marquardt (Vorsitzender), Karsten Beneke (stellv. Vorsitzender), Prof. Dr. Astrid Lambrecht, Prof. Dr. Frauke Melchior ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

March 10, 2022

Postdoc position in plasticity in blindness and handlessness (Washington DC)

by Ella Striem-Amit

*Postdoctoral researcher position in visual and/or motor brain plasticity* The sensory and motor plasticity lab at Georgetown University (PI: Ella Striem-Amit) is looking for a passionate and dedicated postdoctoral researcher to study brain plasticity in congenital visual and/or motor deprivation. The SAMP lab explores the balance between innate brain organization and experience-dependent plasticity by studying people born blind or born without hands using behavioral and fMRI state-of-the-art analytical techniques. Relevant projects include (but are not limited to) exploring individual differences in brain plasticity and action execution without hands. For more details, see https://samp-lab.facultysite.georgetown.edu/people/opportunities. A Ph.D. in a relevant field, experience with fMRI data analysis, and strong programming skills are required. Experience with behavioral methods used in visual, multisensory, or motor control is desirable but not a requirement. The position is not limited to US citizens. The start date is flexible. This position is available for two years and can be extended further based on performance. The lab is located at Washington DC, USA. To apply, please send your CV and a brief statement of research interests by email to Dr. Ella Striem-Amit (Ella.StriemAmit(a)georgetown.edu) with the subject line: “post-doc application”. Georgetown University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer fully dedicated to achieving a diverse faculty and staff. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. -- *Ella Striem-Amit (she/her)* Sensory and Motor Plasticity (SAMP) Lab Edwin H. Richard and Elisabeth Richard Assistant Professor Department of Neuroscience Georgetown University Medical Center 3970 Reservoir Rd., NW Washington, DC 20007 http://samp-lab.facultysite.georgetown.edu/

March 9, 2022

INCF accepted to GSoC 2022!

by Heather Topple

For the 12th time, INCF has been accepted as a mentoring organization for Google Summer of Code! Many core INCF community tools have been improved, extended, and made more interoperable as a result of GSoC (such as LORIS, The Virtual Brain, Open Source Brain, the Brian simulator, the Active Segmentation plugin for ImageJ, and more). For this round, tool developers in the INCF community have proposed 50 possible projects that they would be willing to mentor, from a range of different neuroscience fields. Please spread the word to anyone you feel would be interested! Learn more: bit.ly/INCFGSoC2022blog Talk directly with mentors on Neurostars: bit.ly/GSoC2022Neurostars Full project ideas list: bit.ly/GSoC2022ideas Best regards, /The INCF Secretariat ---------------------------- Heather Topple, BSc *Project Assistant* *Development and Communications* International Neuroinformatics Coordinating Facility Secretariat Karolinska Institutet. Nobels väg 15A, SE-171 77 Stockholm. Sweden <https://www.google.com/maps/search/Nobels+v%C3%A4g+15A,+SE-171+77+Stockholm…> Email: heather(a)incf.org Phone: +46 085 248 70 65 incf.org neuroinformatics.incf.org

March 9, 2022

Postdoc in “InsectNeuroNano” at Edinburgh

by Barbara Webb

A postdoctoral research associate position is available computational and neuromorphic modelling studies of navigation systems in the insect brain, as part of the InsectNeuroNano project and under the joint direction of Professor Barbara Webb (Edinburgh) and Professor Elisabetta Chicca (Gronigen). The InsectNeuroNano project proposes the development of nanophotonic on-chip devices for integrated sensing and neural computation, inspired by the insect brain. It is a Horizon funded project with partners from Lund University (nano-devices, neurobiology), University of Copenhagen (semi-conductors, organic dyes), University of Gronigen (neuromorphic engineering) and University of Edinburgh (insect robotics). As proof of concept, we target the complete pathway from polarised light sensing in the insect eye to the internal compass and memory circuits in the central complex by which this information is integrated in a continuous accurate estimate of location. Within this project, the main role of the RA will be to take results from both anatomical and physiological studies and condense these into computational models, to abstract key principles of circuit function, as an essential bridge to hardware design. The position is available immediately and runs to 31 March 2024, but note there will then be a further 24 months funding at Gronigen and ideally the same person will continue in this RA role on the project for its 4 year duration. The salary range is £34,304 - £40,927 per annum. Candidates are expected to have a PhD in a relevant discipline and a strong background in computational neuroscience, including substantial experience in modelling neural circuits, with a track record of good journal publications in this area. The candidate is also expected to have good programming and system engineering skills, and ideally experience in working with robots, or relevant dynamic tasks involving sensorimotor control and learning. They should be willing to work with hardware systems where necessary. Candidates with direct experience and knowledge of insect neuroscience will be preferred. Informal enquiries can be directed to: Professor Barbara Webb (B.Webb(a)ed.ac.uk) Further information and application details are available here: https://elxw.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1… The closing date for applications is 5th April 2022 The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, with registration number SC005336. Is e buidheann carthannais a th’ ann an Oilthigh Dhùn Èideann, clàraichte an Alba, àireamh clàraidh SC005336.

March 9, 2022

Postdoc in “Insect AI” at Edinburgh

by Barbara Webb

A postdoctoral research associate position is available to undertake computational modelling studies of learning mechanisms in the insect brain and apply them to robot control and navigation problems, contributing to the project Insect AI under the direction of Professor Barbara Webb, in the School of Informatics at the University of Edinburgh. The position is available immediately, runs to 31 December 2023, and has a salary range of £34,304 - £40,927 per annum. Candidates are expected to have a PhD in a relevant area and a strong background in computational neuroscience, including substantial experience in modelling neural circuits, with a track record of good journal publications in this area. The candidate is also expected to have good programming and system engineering skills, and ideally experience in working with robots, or relevant dynamic tasks involving sensorimotor control and learning. They should be willing to work with hardware systems where necessary. Candidates with direct experience and knowledge of insect neuroscience will be preferred. Informal enquiries can be directed to: Professor Barbara Webb (B.Webb(a)ed.ac.uk) Further information and application details are available here: https://elxw.fa.em3.oraclecloud.com/hcmUI/CandidateExperience/en/sites/CX_1… The closing date for applications is 7th April 2022 The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, with registration number SC005336. Is e buidheann carthannais a th’ ann an Oilthigh Dhùn Èideann, clàraichte an Alba, àireamh clàraidh SC005336.

March 9, 2022

[Meetings] CRNS Talk Series (4) - Live Talk by Prof. Mehul Bhatt - Orebro University - Sweden

by Amir Aly

Dear All * Apologies for cross-posting* The *Center for Robotics and Neural Systems* (CRNS) is pleased to announce the talk of *Prof. **Mehul Bhatt* from *Orebro University* - Sweden on Wednesday, March 16th from *11:00 am* to *12:30* *pm* (*London time*) over *Zoom*. >> *Events*: The CRNS talk series will cover a wide range of topics including social and cognitive robotics, computational neuroscience, computational linguistics, cognitive vision, machine learning, AI, and applications to autism. More details are available here: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/research/robotics-neural-systems/whats-on <https://eur03.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.plymo…> >> *Link for the next event (No Registration is Required)*: Join Zoom Meeting https://plymouth.zoom.us/j/95748572834?pwd=M05YTXhTVnBOK0R6WTlPaDJnTm5GUT09… >> *Title of the talk*: Artificial visual intelligence: Perceptual commonsense for human-centred cognitive technologies *Abstract*: This talk addresses computational cognitive vision and perception at the interface of (spatial) language, (spatial) logic, (spatial) cognition, and artiﬁcial intelligence. Summarizing recent works, I present general methods for the semantic interpretation of dynamic visuospatial imagery with an emphasis on the ability to perform abstraction, reasoning, and learning with cognitively rooted structured characterizations of commonsense knowledge pertaining to space and motion. I will particularly highlight: - explainable models of computational visuospatial commonsense at the interface of symbolic and neural techniques; - deep semantics, entailing systematically formalised declarative (neurosymbolic) reasoning and learning with aspects pertaining to space, space-time, motion, actions & events, spatio-linguistic conceptual knowledge; and - general foundational commonsense abstractions of space, time, and motion needed for representation mediated (grounded) reasoning and learning with dynamic visuospatial stimuli. The presented works –demonstrated in the backdrop of applications in autonomous driving, cognitive robotics, visuoauditory media, and cognitive psychology– are intended to serve as a systematic model and general methodology integrating diverse, multi-faceted AI methods pertaining knowledge representation and reasoning, computer vision, and machine learning towards realising practical, human-centred, computational visual intelligence. I will conclude by highlighting a bottom-up interdisciplinary approach –at the conﬂuence of cognition, AI, Interaction, and design science– necessary to better appreciate the complexity and spectrum of varied human-centred challenges for the design and (usable) implementation of (explainable) artiﬁcial visual intelligence solutions in diverse human-system interaction contexts. *Keywords*. Cognitive Vision; Knowledge Representation and Reasoning; Commonsense Reasoning; Deep Semantics; Declarative Spatial Reasoning; Com- puter Vision; Computational Models of Narrative; Human-Centred Computing and Design; Spatial Cognition and AI; Visual Perception; Multimodal Interaction; Autonomous Driving; HRI; Visuo-Auditory Media; Visual Art >> If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me, Regards ---------------- *Dr. Amir Aly* Lecturer in Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Center for Robotics and Neural Systems (CRNS) School of Engineering, Computing, and Mathematics Room B332, Portland Square, Drake Circus, PL4 8AA University of Plymouth, UK

March 8, 2022

Symposium "From Cortical Microcircuits to Consciousness" 11-13, April 2022

by Zélie Tournoud

*From Cortical Microcircuits to Consciousness (CORTICON)* In person Symposium Institut Catholique de Paris, Paris, France 11-13 April 2022 The Symposium aims at bringing together neuroscientists from the Human Brain Project and invited guests to present their latest achievements in understanding cortical circuits at various scales, including the emergence of consciousness. The involvement of neuronal and neuroglial cells in brain functioning, memory, learning, cognition and consciousness in health and disease will be discussed from the experimental and theoretical perspective. The Symposium will also address neuroethics and neurophilosophy with links to society in a public key note, followed by a panel discussion by experts. Talks will be recorded and later put online. It will also offer a hands-on session on The Virtual Brain, the principal full brain network simulator in EBRAINS for constructing and simulating personalised brain models. We hope to see many of you in Paris at the Institut Catholique de Paris, close to Jardin du Luxembourg, in April 2022. Walter Senn, Alain Destexhe and Ausra Saudargiene ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ *Abstract submission* (300 words, for Posters): 15 March 2022 *Registration deadline:* 6 April 2022 *Info and program:*https://www.humanbrainproject.eu/en/education/corticon/ <https://www.humanbrainproject.eu/en/education/corticon/> *Speakers:* Katrin Amunts | Human Brain Project Scientific Research Director Melanie Boly | University of Wisconsin, USA Stanislas Dehaene | Collège de France Alain Destexhe | Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, France Kathinka Evers | Uppsala University, Sweden Wulfram Gerstner | Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Switzerland Jeanette Hellgren-Kotaleski | KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden Viktor Jirsa | Aix-Marseille University, France Christof Koch | Allen Institute for Brain Sciences, USA Matthew Larkum | Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany Marja-Leena Linne | Tampere University, Finland Marcello Massimini | University of Milan, Italy Lucia Melloni | Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Science, Germany Michele Migliore | Institute of Biophysics, Italian National Research Council, Italy Lars Muckli | University of Glasgow, UK Theofanis Panagiotaropoulos | Inserm, NeuroSpin, France Cyriel Pennartz | University of Amsterdam, Netherlands Panayiota Poirazi | IMBB-FORTH, Greece Petra Ritter | Berlin Institute of Health, Germany Pieter Roelfsema | Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Netherlands Ausra Saudargiene | Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Lithuania Walter Senn | University of Bern, Switzerland Johan Storm | Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Oslo, Norway Chris Summerfield | University of Oxford, UK Marmaduke Woodman | Aix-Marseille University, France _____ *Zélie Tournoud*/// EITN Communication manager/ *European Institute for Theoretical Neuroscience (EITN)* UMR 9197 – *NeuroPSI*(Institut des Neurosciences Paris-Saclay) CNRS – Université Paris-Saclay Centre CEA Paris-Saclay Bâtiment 151 91400 Saclay https://www.eitn.org <https://www.eitn.org>

March 8, 2022

Comp Neuro PhD position, Moreno Bote Lab, Barcelona

by Ruben Moreno Bote

*PhD Position in* *Computational Neuroscience, Ruben Moreno-Bote Lab * *Center for Brain and Cognition, University Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain* 1 fully funded PhD position is available in the group of Theoretical and Cognitive Neuroscience of Ruben Moreno-Bote in the Center for Brain and Cognition at the University Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain. We are looking for excellent candidates with Physics, Mathematics or Machine Learning background interested in developing theory for the brain and mind. Knowledge of Computational Neuroscience or Neuroscience would be ideal, but it is not necessary. The candidate will develop state of the art theory and models of cognition and intelligence by using neural networks, reinforcement learning, machine learning, data analysis and multielectrode neural data. The main research topic of our lab is decision-making, from a multidisciplinary angle. The candidate will benefit from the stimulating environment of Barcelona area in Theoretical and Systems Neuroscience and will have the opportunity of enjoying a lively city. Our lab (https://www.upf.edu/web/tcn) forms part of a larger network of neuroscience labs in Barcelona. Financial support is provided by HHMI and the Spanish MINECO. APPLICATION: A full CV in pdf format and an extract of grades for degree and master studies should be sent to the following address: ruben.moreno(a)upf.edu DEADLINE: until the position is filled STARTING DATE: any time between September 2022 and January 2023 -- Rubén Moreno Bote Serra Húnter Professor Director of the Theoretical and Cognitive Neuroscience Group Center for Brain and Cognition & Dept. of Information and Communications Technologies University Pompeu Fabra Campus Ciutadella c\ Ramon Trias Fargas, 25-27 Mercè Rodoreda building, 3th floor (room 24.331) 08005 Barcelona, Spain https://www.upf.edu/web/tcn https://twitter.com/morenobote <https://twitter.com/morenobote?lang=ca>

March 8, 2022

[CFP, Deadline Extended] MDPI Molecules (IF: 4.412) - Special Issue "Practical Aspects of Molecular Communications"

by Murat Kuşcu

(Apologies if you receive multiple copies of this CFP) MDPI Molecules (IF: 4.411, ISSN: 1420-3049) Special Issue on Practical Aspects of Molecular Communications https://www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules/special_issues/molecular_communicati… --------------------------- CALL FOR PAPERS The Internet of Bio-Nano Things (IoBNT) is an emerging technology that aims to extend our connectivity to nanoscale and biological environments with collaborative nanonetworks of artificial nanomachines and biological entities integrated into the Internet infrastructure. To enable the IoBNT and its groundbreaking applications, such as continuous intrabody health monitoring, it is imperative to devise low-complexity nanoscale communication techniques suitable for the envisioned nanomachines of simple architectures. The most promising communication technology for realizing the IoBNT is Molecular Communications (MC), as it ubiquitously manifests itself in many complex biological systems in the Universe, and thus, stands as one of the most common communication modalities, optimized from many aspects as a result of billions of years of evolutionary advancement. Making use of this naturally existing technology requires understanding its foundations through our existing modeling and analysis tools. This quest, which started almost 15 years ago, has received increasing attention from ICT researchers, which have been overly inspired by conventional electromagnetic communication technologies in their approach to this radically different paradigm. These theoretical approaches, however, have not always come with sufficient physical relevance. Currently, this emerging field has come to a critical turning point, as many researchers have started to report on initial MC experiments following different approaches and using different materials, while consistently pointing out a discrepancy between the obtained experimental results and the past theoretical work. This reveals the need to rethink the previous efforts and come up with new interdisciplinary strategies, thus building practical MC techniques and developing feasible MC system components, experimental testbeds, and prototypes in order to close the gap between theory and practice, and expedite the transfer of this emerging technology to the market. Among the challenges stated above, this Special Issue is particularly focused on the practical aspects of MC. Therefore, we are calling for technical papers that report on new research with the potential to move this field forward towards its practical applications, as well as surveys/tutorials focusing on the practical challenges of MC research. Hence, its scope encompasses a wide range of interdisciplinary research topics, with some examples listed as follows: ** The physical design, modeling, and implementation of MC system components (e.g., transmitter, receiver, channel); ** The design and implementation of MC testbeds; ** Practical and low-complexity MC methods (e.g., modulation, detection, channel estimation, synchronization, coding methods); ** The testing and validation of MC transceiver/channel models and MC methods; ** Applications of microfluidics, biosensors, and nanomaterials for MC system design; ** Bio-cyber interfaces between MC networks and conventional macroscale networks; ** Synthetic biology-based MC transceiver architectures; ** Optimization of ligand-receptor interactions for MC; ** Biocompatibility and co-existence challenges; ** Energy harvesting and power transfer techniques for MC networks; ** The design and demonstration of MC applications (e.g., those in healthcare, agriculture, biocomputing). --------------------------- Deadline for manuscript submissions: *31** July 2022* --------------------------- Guest Editors Murat Kuscu, Koc University, Turkey (mkuscu(a)ku.edu.tr) Sasitharan Balasubramaniam, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA ( sasi(a)unl.edu) Kerstin Lenk, Graz University of Technology, Austria (kerstin.lenk(a)tugraz.at ) Ergin Dinc, University of Cambridge, UK (ed502(a)cam.ac.uk) Michael Barros, University of Essex, UK (m.barros(a)essex.ac.uk) Bige D. Unluturk, Michigan State University, USA (unluturk(a)msu.edu) --------------------------- Paper submission Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All papers will be peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website. Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI. Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2300 CHF (Swiss Francs). --------------------------- Additional information: Please visit the MDPI Molecules Special Issue webpage at: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/molecules/special_issues/molecular_communicati… Inquiries can be addressed to Mr. Gavin Fu at: gavin.fu(a)mdpi.com <gavin.fu(a)mdpi.com>, molecules(a)mdpi.com

March 7, 2022

Postdoctoral Fellowship in Machine Learning for Brain Connectivity in Clinical Neuroscience

by Paolo Avesani

A postdoctoral fellowship in Machine Learning for Brain Connectivity in Clinical Neuroscience We are pleased to announce the opening of one Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Neuroinformatics Lab, an interdisciplinary initiative between the Center for Mind/Brain Sciences (CIMeC) of the University of Trento, and the Center for Digital Health of Fondazione Bruno Kessler. The position is part of the “Neusurplan” project, an integrated approach to neurosurgery planning based on multimodal and longitudinal data. The goal is to pursue an integrated approach to pre-operative neurosurgical planning, combining structural and functional characterization of brain connectivity. The data driven strategy will take advantage of a unique dataset of intra-operative points of directed electrical stimulation and the related functional responses. In this project, the candidate will pursue research on machine learning methods for neuroimaging data analysis to study and characterize brain connectivity, with applications to longitudinal studies and clinical practice. The ideal candidate should have a mixed background in neuroimaging techniques and numerate disciplines, like computer science, engineering, physics, or mathematics. This project is in collaboration with the Division of Neurosurgery, S. Chiara Hospital, Trento (IT). The position is for a 2 year Postdoc Fellowship (May, 2022 - April, 2024). To apply, follow the instructions at this link: https://bit.ly/nilab2022call Deadline for application: 21 March 2022. For questions about the position, please contact Paolo Avesani ( paolo.avesani(a)unitn.it) and/or Emanuele Olivetti (olivetti(a)fbk.eu) The University of Trento ranks among top Italian Universities ( https://www.unitn.it/en/ateneo/1636/rankings) Fondazione Bruno Kessler ranks first among the Italian research centers in Engineering and Computer Science ( https://magazine.fbk.eu/en/news/fbk-ranks-1st-in-italy-for-scientific-excel… ). To also consider a work/life balance, there is more than our passion for translational research. You can check these pointers for a flavor of life quality in Trentino: https://www.visittrentino.info/en; https://www.discovertrento.it/en A few papers related to the project are below: Bertò G,et al., (2021) Classifyber, a robust streamline-based linear classifier for white matter bundle segmentation, Neuroimage, 224 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2020.117402 Sarubbo S, et al., (2020) Mapping critical cortical hubs and white matter pathways by direct electrical stimulation: an original functional atlas of the human brain, Neuroimage, 205 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2019.116237 Astolfi P, et al., (2020) Tractogram filtering of anatomically non-plausible fibers with geometric deep learning, International Conference on Medical Image Computing and Computer-Assisted Intervention (MICCAI) LNCS, vol 12267. Springer https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-59728-3_29 Sarubbo S, et al., (2021) Planning brain tumor resection using a probabilistic atlas of cortical and subcortical structures critical for functional processing: a proof of concept, Operative Neurosurgery, 20(3), 175-183 https://doi.org/10.1093/ons/opaa396 -- ------------------------------------------------------- Paolo Avesani Fondazione Bruno Kessler via Sommarive 18, 38050 Povo (TN) - I phone: +39 0461 314336 fax: +39 0461 302040 email: avesani(a)fbk.eu web: avesani.fbk.eu -- -- Le informazioni contenute nella presente comunicazione sono di natura privata e come tali sono da considerarsi riservate ed indirizzate esclusivamente ai destinatari indicati e per le finalità strettamente legate al relativo contenuto. Se avete ricevuto questo messaggio per errore, vi preghiamo di eliminarlo e di inviare una comunicazione all’indirizzo e-mail del mittente. -- The information transmitted is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. If you received this in error, please contact the sender and delete the material.

March 7, 2022

EMBO Practical Course - Barcelona summer school for Advanced Modelling of Behavior (BAMB!) -, September 1-8, 2022

by Alexandre Hyafil

The Barcelona summer school for Advanced Modelling of Behavior (BAMB! <http://www.bambschool.org>) teaches advanced techniques in model-based analysis of behavior (humans and other species) to cognitive and computational neuroscientists at PhD and early career levels. This will be achieved through structured lectures, talks, hands-on tutorials and group projects aimed at making knowledge obtained directly applicable to the participants' own research. We want the trainees to acquire both the conceptual bases and the technical skills that will enable them to pursue a full modelling approach on their own when they come back to their lab. The course is intended for PhD students and postdocs in cognitive and computational neuroscience with a solid background in computational/quantitative analysis to benefit maximally from the advanced training offered by the course. Proficiency in either Python or Matlab is also required. We seek a nice blend of experimentalists (cognitive psychology / neuroscience) and theoreticians (with or without experience in cognitive modeling). Scientists from underrepresented groups and countries are especially encouraged to apply. The school is an EMBO Practical Course <https://www.embo.org/conferences-training/> and is organized by the Centre de Recerca Matemática <http://www.crm.cat>. A limited number of travel grants <https://www.embo.org/funding/lecture-travel-and-childcare-grants/travel-gra…> will be available from EMBO. Organizers: Chris Summerfield (Oxford / Deepmind) Klaus Wimmer (CRM, Barcelona) Alex Hyafil (CRM, Barcelona) Confirmed Faculty: Jean Daunizeau (ICM, Paris) Alex Hyafil (CRM, Barcelona) Máté Lengyel (Cambridge) Zhaoping Li (Tübingen) Alfonso Renart (Champalimaud) Marion Rouault (ENS Paris) Kim Stachenfeld (Deepmind) Chris Summerfield (Oxford / Deepmind) MH Tessler (Deepmind) Klaus Wimmer (CRM, Barcelona) Dates and location: September 1-8, downtown Barcelona, Spain Applications are open until April 13. Please see the course website for further details: www.bambschool.org.

March 7, 2022

INCF/OCNS Software working group survey on software usage

by Ankur Sinha

Dear all, We, the INCF/OCNS Software working group, are conducting a short anonymous survey to collect information on the usage of common software tools in comp-neuro. Could we please request you to spend 2 minutes of your time to fill it out here: https://forms.gle/NXWv2CwtWBSB9BXv9 The information gathered in the survey will be used to organise sessions/workshops related to the software, and improve awareness about them and their maintenance. On behalf of the Software WG, -- Thanks, Regards, Ankur Sinha (He / Him / His) Research Fellow at the Silver Lab | http://silverlab.org/ Department of Neuroscience, Physiology, & Pharmacology University College London, London, UK Time zone: Europe/London

March 7, 2022