- Comp-neuro - lists.cnsorg.org

PhD fellowship on dolphin communication and AI

by German Sumbre

Jan. 11, 2021

PhD position in computational neuroscience at the European Neuroscience Institute

by Jan Clemens

The Clemens lab the European Neuroscience Institute in Göttingen (Germany) is recruiting a PhD student. The position is part of a DFG funded joint project with Matthias Hennig (Berlin) in the priority program “Evolutionary Optimization of Neuronal Processing” (SPP 2205). The project will investigate how pattern recognition networks support the evolution of behavioral diversity, using acoustic communication in crickets as a model system. Building upon existing behavioral and circuit models, we will characterize the nonlinear mapping from circuit parameters to behavior using machine learning. We will combine large behavioral data sets from more than 20 different species, phylogenetic information, and computational modelling to investigate the evolutionary process that shaped the behavior in this species group. Hypotheses produced in the modelling approach will be tested with experimental collaborators in Berlin. Your profile - MSc in computational neuroscience, computational biology, physics, engineering, computer science or equivalent. - Strong quantitative and programming skills are required. - Experience with modelling, statistics, and machine learning. Our offer The position is for 4 years. The successful candidate will join one of the many excellent graduate schools on the Göttingen Campus. In addition, the candidate will be embedded in the diverse community formed by the members of SPP 2205. Application deadline: 15.2.2021 Start date: Spring/Summer 2021 How to apply? Please send your application as a single pdf to Jan Clemens ( clemensjan(a)gmail.com) including a CV as well as names and contact details of two references. Please include a short statement of why this project interests you and how you think you could contribute, based on your scientific background. Jan Clemens European Neuroscience Institute Neural Computation and Behavior group Grisebachstr. 5 37077 Göttingen, Germany janclemenslab.org

Jan. 11, 2021

[2nd BCI-UC] Submit an abstract before the start of the voting period on January 13th

by Moritz Grosse-Wentrup

Dear all, This is a friendly reminder that voting on abstracts submitted to the 2nd Brain-Computer Interface Un-Conference begins on January 13th. To maximize your chances to present your work, please submit your abstract before the start of the voting period: https://bciunconference.univie.ac.at/2nd-bci-uc/ The BCI-UC committee: Moritz Grosse-Wentrup Anja Meunier Philipp Raggam Jiachen Xu -- Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. Moritz Grosse-Wentrup Research Group Neuroinformatics Faculty of Computer Science University of Vienna Hörlgasse 6, A-1090 Wien, Austria moritz.grosse-wentrup(a)univie.ac.at +43-1-4277-79610 http://neural.engineering/

Jan. 11, 2021

PhD position in Machine learning with dynamic models

by Kerstin Bunte

Dear colleagues, The Computer Science department at the University of Groningen in the Netherlands has a PhD position for interested candidates on "Machine Learning with dynamic models". We are accepting applications until March 1 2021. More information can be found under the following link: https://www.rug.nl/about-ug/work-with-us/job-opportunities/?details=00347-0… Kind regards, Kerstin Bunte -- Kerstin Bunte, Assistant Professor | Rosalind Franklin Fellow Bernoulli Institute for Mathematics, Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Faculty of Science and Engineering University of Groningen P.O. Box 407, 9700 AK Groningen The Netherlands Email: k.bunte(a)rug.nl Phone: +31 (0)50 363 3966 web: http://www.cs.rug.nl/~kbunte/

Jan. 10, 2021

Neural Networks Special Issue on Artificial Intelligence and Brain Science: deadline extended to Feb 1st

by Kenji Doya

Given multiple requests, we are extending the submission deadline for this special issue to Monday February 1st. We welcome your contributions in brain-inspired AI and AI applications to neuroscience and neurotechnology. ******** Building on the big success of the International Symposium on Artificial Intelligence and Brain Science (AIBS 2020) http://www.brain-ai.jp/symposium2020/ we are organizing a Neural Networks Special Issue on Artificial Intelligence and Brain Science: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/neural-networks/call-for-papers/special-i… This special issue features perspective articles based on the discussions at AIBS 2020 and aims to capture recent advances in the crossing forefront of AI and neuroscience. We call for submissions of papers aiming at fruitful fusion of AI and brain science. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to: • Brain-inspired Artificial Intelligence • Deep Learning • Reinforcement Learning • World Model Learning and Inference • Metacognition and Metalearning • AI for Neuroscience • Neuromorphic Technologies • Social Impact and Ethics of Neuro-AI Technologies Prospective authors should submit their manuscripts online at https://www.editorialmanager.com/NEUNET/default.aspx • Manuscript submission due: February 1, 2021 • First review completed: April 15, 2021 • Revised manuscript due: June 15, 2021 • Final decisions to authors: July 15, 2021 Guest Editors: Kenji Doya, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (ncus(a)oist.jp) Karl Friston, University College London Masashi Sugiyama, RIKEN AIP and The University of Tokyo IRCN Josh Tenenbaum, Massachusetts Institute of Technology ---- Kenji Doya <doya(a)oist.jp> Neural Computation Unit, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University 1919-1 Tancha, Onna, Okinawa 904-0495, Japan Phone: +81-98-966-8594; Fax: +81-98-966-2891 https://groups.oist.jp/ncu

Jan. 9, 2021

Post Doc on AI and Behavior in London

by Dimitris Pinotsis

Post Doc on AI and Behavior in London The Computational Neuroscience and Psychiatry Lab (www.pinotsislab.com) at University of London—City is looking for a Post Doc with a strong background in AI/ Machine Learning and Behavioral Science. The Lab focuses on developing new algorithms for the analysis of behavioral data and human and animal brain imaging data. These are based on computational models of neural dynamics and state of the art machine learning techniques. Particular emphasis is put on applications in Computational Neuroscience and Psychiatry and developing models of human behavior and brain pathology. Also, the Lab develops brain theories that can explain brain function, using theoretical tools from deep neural networks and Bayesian brain theories. The lab also performs EEG recordings. The Post Doc shall conduct research at the intersection of human behavior and machine learning. She or he will build computational tools using state of the art machine learning algorithms. The position has an initial duration of 6 months. The successful candidate should have a PhD in machine learning, psychology, computational neuroscience, engineering or a related field. Expertise in one or more modern scientific computing programming language (Python, Matlab or R) is essential. Experience with large databases, SQL methods for data storage, web architectures and API development is an advantage. For informal inquiries, please email Dr. Dimitris Pinotsis at pinotsis(a)mit.edu

Jan. 8, 2021

PhD Studentships, University of Sussex, be.AI programme in Biomimetic Embodied AI

by Miguel Maravall

Dear colleagues The University of Sussex is offering 6 PhD studentships within its new Doctoral Scholarship Programme funded by the Leverhulme Trust. This programme in Biomimetic Embodied AI investigates how intelligence arises from the interaction of the brain with the body and the environment. It includes multiple projects that link between AI and Neuroscience: http://www.sussex.ac.uk/ccnr/be_ai/proposals. Please see below for the announcement (*deadline is 31st Jan 2021*). The University of Sussex invites applications for PhD studentships within the be.AI Leverhulme Doctoral Scholarship Programme (www.sussex.ac.uk/ccnr/be_ai<http://www.sussex.ac.uk/ccnr/be_ai>) which will bring together researchers from the humanities, life sciences and computing to pursue artificial intelligence (AI) in its original definition of understanding natural intelligence by emulating it in artificial systems. In our unique interdisciplinary centre, we will advance understanding of how the interaction between brain, body and environment gives rise to intelligence and how this insight can be used to build novel artificial intelligence. As a be.AI Scholar you will: * Be funded for 3.5 years with a tax free living allowance at the standard Research Council rate - currently £15,009 per year- and UK fees * Be eligible for generous financial support of up to £4,000 per year for training and research expenses, such as conference trips and experimental costs * Be eligible to apply for one of three 12 month postdoctoral research fellowships, available only to completing Leverhulme be.AI scholars * Benefit from supervision by world-leading researchers in many different aspects of AI * Benefit from taught courses in topics, such as ethics and data science. The Programme will fund three intakes of 6 students per year, starting in September 2021 (application deadline 31st January 2021). You will be registered within one of the participating schools (Life Sciences, Engineering and Informatics, Psychology, Philosophy, Media Film & Music) but will be encouraged to perform cross-disciplinary research with academics across Schools. In be.AI, you will work in a community of like-minded students and researchers supported by your own research seminars, invited lectures by world leading speakers, as well as student-led conferences and cohort building events. We are passionate about creating an interdisciplinary cohort of researchers, so we expect successful applicants to see beyond their disciplinary boundaries and embrace the opportunity to work at the intersection of multiple fields. For further details, including how to apply, see http://www.sussex.ac.uk/ccnr/be_ai Thanks! Miguel Prof Miguel Maravall (he/him) Director, Sussex Neuroscience Academic lead, Athena SWAN & gender equality, University of Sussex School of Life Sciences University of Sussex Falmer Brighton BN1 9QG United Kingdom http://www.sussex.ac.uk/lifesci/maravalllab/

Jan. 8, 2021

Postdoctoral Positions in Theoretical Neuroscience, Higher School of Economics, Moscow Russia FEB 14 DEADLINE

by boris gutkin

Post-doctoral position in Theoretical Neuroscience DEADLINE 14 February More Information: https://iri.hse.ru/theoretical_neuroscience2021 <https://iri.hse.ru/cognitive_neuroscience3> Application link: https://iri.hse.ru/polls/323647081.html <https://iri.hse.ru/polls/323647081.html> The Higher School of Economics Centre for Cognition & Decision Making <https://www.hse.ru/en/cdm-centre/> of the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience in Moscow, Russia, invites applications for postdoctoral research positions in computational and mathematical approaches to understanding neural function and cognition at Theoretical Neuroscience Group (TNG). Research interests of the TNG at the Centre for Cognition and Decision Making are wide ranging, carried out in collaboration with the experimental labs at the Center. Current research topics include computational psychiatry, computational neuroeconomics, information processing in neurons and circuits, as well as role of oscillations in cognition. The candidate will have the opportunity to further define and expand the Group’s research programme. We are seeking highly qualified and motivated candidate with backgrounds in quantitative disciplines: applied mathematics, physics, computer science or engineering. Knowledge of biology, neuroscience and ability to work with data is highly desired. Candidates will be trained in model building, analysis and will be offered advanced training in neuroscience and cognitive psychology. Candidates will have an opportunity to develop independent research projects and collaborations under the direction of the group leading scientists. The TNG is a structural part of the HSE’s Centre for Cognition & Decision Making <https://www.hse.ru/en/cdm-centre/> with ample collaboration opportunities within the Centre with other research groups, both within Russia and internationally. This new international group is tightly linked with the Group for Neural Theory at the Ecole Normale Superior <http://iec-lnc.ens.fr/group-for-neural-theory/?lang=en> in Paris, where research internships and visiting positions can be made available. Application Process Applications must be submitted online. Please provide a CV, a statement of research interest and a recent research paper submitted via an online application form. At least two letters of recommendation should be sent directly to the International Faculty Recruitment Office at fellowship(a)hse.ru <mailto:fellowship@hse.ru> before the application deadline. Please note that direct applications to the hiring department may not be reviewed. More information can be also obtained from bgutkin(a)hse.ru <mailto:boris.gutkin@hse.ru>

Jan. 7, 2021

Fully funded doctoral position at Ecole Normale Superieure and CentraleSupelec Paris in AI/Cognitive Computational Neuroscience/Quantitative Finance from fall 2021

by boris gutkin

Fully funded doctoral position in multi-agent modelling of financial markets and cognitive computational neuroscience. Laboratory for Cognitive and Computational Neuroscience at the Ecole Normale Superieure Paris and the Chair for Quantitative Finance at CentraleSupelec are looking for exceptional candidates to work on a doctorate as a part of a collaborative project spanning development of multi-agent models of stock markets (e.g. see Lussange et al 2020, Bavard et al 2018, da Gamma Battista 2017) and the effects of human cognitive traits and bounded rationality on the market dynamics. The candidate will be physically based at ENS. The student will be advised by Damien Challet (Chair for Quantative Finance, CentraleSupelec) and Boris Gutkin (Mathematics of Neural Circuits Team, LNC2, ENS) and collaborate closely with Stefano Palminteri (Human Reinforcement Learning Team, LNC2, ENS). The student will have an opportunity to be involved in all aspects of the project, from computational modelling to behavioral experiments to data mining. Industrial applications of the project outcomes can also be explored as well as a potential collaboration with Capital Fund Management, Paris. More information can be found at: https://psl.eu/recherche/grands-projets-de-recherche/projets-europeens/prog… <https://psl.eu/recherche/grands-projets-de-recherche/projets-europeens/prog…> https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/580403 <https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/580403> Start expected in fall 2021. Elibigibility: Master’s degree or equivalent in a quantitative discipline. There is no nationality or age criteria, but applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in France for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the deadline of the call Interested candidates should contact boris.gutkin(a)ens.fr <mailto:boris.gutkin@ens.fr> before January 30 to discuss their application to the program Bavard S, *Lebreton M, Khamassi M, Coricelli G, Palminteri S. Reference-point centering and range-adaptation enhance human reinforcement learning at the cost of irrational preferences <https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nature.com%2Farticles%2Fs414…>. Nature Communications (2018). da Gama Batista, Joao, Domenico Massaro, Jean-Philippe Bouchaud, Damien Challet, and Cars Hommes. "Do investors trade too much? A laboratory experiment." Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization 140 (2017): 18-34. Lussange, J., Lazarevich, I., Bourgeois-Gironde, S., Palminteri, S., Gutkin, B. (2020) Modelling Stock Markets by Multi-agent Reinforcement Learning. Comput Econ. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10614-020-10038- <https://doi.org/10.1007/s10614-020-10038->w

Jan. 7, 2021

Workshop 'Invention of Writing' (12-15/01)

by Andrea Santamaria

Dear Sir/Madam, We are delighted to announce our Workshop on the invention of writing, organised by the INSCRIBE Invention of Scripts and their Beginnings ERC project, based at the University of Bologna. It will start next Tuesday, 12th January and will run for four consecutive afternoons, until Friday the 15th January. The workshop is articulated into four thematic sessions and crosses boundaries between archaeology, linguistics, cognitive science, and much more. To join us, register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Wcibfgg_SRGkJVWJkE_NvA A single registration will allow you to access all sessions. For more information on our guest speakers and the full programme: https://www.inscribercproject.com/workshop//workshop_home.php Thank you and see you very soon! Silvia Ferrara

Jan. 7, 2021

Data Scientist Position in Bioinformatics and Neuroscience at Boston University

by Chen, Jerry

The Lab of Jerry Chen at Boston University is hiring a Staff-Level Data Scientist to be involved in several multi-year BRAIN Initiative related NIH and NSF funded projects. These projects focus on understanding cortical computation during behavior by combining behavior, genomics, spatial transcriptomics, anatomical reconstructions, and large-scale population recordings. This person will be involved in help to analyze experimental data, developing software tools to aid in the data analysis, and helping with data infrastructure and management. Specific Projects include: 1. Analysis of genomic data. 2. Image analysis for in situ sequencing of gene expression (ie. spatial transcriptomics) 3. Automated behavioral training and video analysis. 4. Analysis of dense electron microscope reconstructions of neuronal connectivity (ie. Connectomics). Required Skills: * BA/BS degree (MS/PhD preferred) in Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Bioinformatics, Neuroscience or related technical field. * One to three years of academic or professional experience. * Programming experience in MATLAB, Python, and R is required. * Extensive background in either genomic analysis, image analysis, computer vision, or machine learning is preferred. If interested in applying, please submit a CV along with 3 references to jerry(a)chen-lab.org<https://mail.google.com/mail/?view=cm&fs=1&tf=1&to=jerry@chen-lab.org> Jerry Chen, PhD. Assistant Professor Department of Biology Boston University jerry(a)chen-lab.org<mailto:jerry@chen-lab.org> www.chen-lab.org

Jan. 7, 2021

Permanent position in computational modeling of neurostimulation in mental disorders

by Axel Hutt

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Permanent position in computational modeling of neurostimulation in mental disorders ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ The research of the INRIA-team MIMESIS in Strasbourg / France (https://mimesis.inria.fr) aims to create a synergy between clinicians and scientists to develop new healthcare technologies. The team researchers collaborate closely with clinicians and choose their research focus along the clinical applications. Major scientific objectives are the development of advanced online- and offline simulations involving new numerical techniques for real-time computation and data-driven simulation dedicated to patient-specific modelling. One application branch is embedded in neuroscience with a specific focus on general anaesthesia and neurostimulation of patients suffering from mental disorders. For instance, members of MIMESIS work in the recently funded project A/D Drugs (https://www.inria.fr/en/ad-drugs-exploratory-action-aimed-optimising-neuros…) to develop novel neurostimulation techniques in psychosis that may emerge in schizophrenia patients. The team offers the possibility to apply for a permanent position as Chargé de Recherche (CR) or Directeur de Recherche (DR) in the research field of computational neuroscience with a strong focus on linking brain network modelling with experimental data. The new colleague should have a strong expertise in neurostimulation and/or modelling of experimental data observed in mental disorders. Strong programming and mathematical skills are mandatory. INRIA is a French National Institute for Research in Digital Science and Technology (https://www.inria.fr/en) with 8 research centres in France. The team MIMESIS is located in the centre of Strasbourg on the hospital campus as part of the Research Centre Nancy Grand Est. The application deadline will be mid of February 2021, but it is recommended to contact the team (by email: axel.hutt(a)inria.fr) in advance. For more details or sending your application documents (CV including publication list), please contact Dr. Axel Hutt (email: axel.hutt(a)inria.fr) .

Jan. 6, 2021

Postdoc in machine learning at EPFL (Lausanne, Switzerland)

by Milekovic Tomislav

Postdoc position in the lab of Prof. Gregoire Courtine at EPFL (Lausanne, Switzerland) Machine learning techniques to develop and enhance clinical treatments based on electrical stimulation of the spinal cord Location: The laboratory of Prof. Gregoire Courtine at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL) in Lausanne, Switzerland, is looking to fill a fully funded postdoc position. The qualified candidate will benefit from joining a very dynamic and multidisciplinary group working at the interface of computational neuroscience, neuroengineering, prosthetics and biology. EPFL provides state-of-the-art facilities and is one of the leading technical universities worldwide. Postdoc salaries at EPFL rank the highest in the world. Opportunity: The offered position will be based at the Defitech Center for interventional Neurotherapies (NeuroRestore) - a research and innovation center joining EPFL’s lab of Prof. Gregoire Courtine and the University Hospital of Lausanne (CHUV) lab of Prof. Jocelyne Bloch. NeuroRestore conceives, develops and applies medical therapies aimed to restore neurological functions. To this end, NeuroRestore integrates implantable neurotechnologies with innovative treatments developed through rigorous preclinical and clinical studies. By working with our network of vibrant high-tech start-ups and established medical technology companies, NeuroRestore is committed to validate our medical therapy concepts. The overarching goal of NeuroRestore is to see our medical therapies used every day in hospitals and rehabilitation clinics worldwide. Description: Therapies based on epidural electrical stimulation (EES) of the spinal cord can restore the ability to walk to people paralyzed by spinal cord injury, and alleviate gait deficits of people with Parkinson’s disease. EES does this by recruiting sensory axons within dorsal spinal roots that enter the spinal cord between the vertebrae to increase the activation of the spinal motor pools that, in turn, move the muscles. Yet, the efficacy of the EES-based therapies relies on synchronizing users’ movement intentions with the spatiotemporal stimulation protocols that reliably and accurately generate paralyzed movements. Due to the large state space of all the stimulation parameters (location, amplitude, frequency, etc.) efficacy of the therapy depends on the fast and accurate initialization of the stimulation protocols. As the patients use the stimulation, small movements of the array, as well as changes in spine position due to users’ posture can reduce the usability of the stimulation. Stimulation efficacy can be enhanced by dynamically adjusting the stimulation protocols to changes to the way how to users’ spinal cord reacts to stimulation. Finally, the functional use of the stimulation largely depends on the accurate timing of stimulation delivery. Machine learning approaches that infer users’ intentions based on behavioral, physiological or neural recordings can vastly improve the synchronization between intended and therapy-supported movements and, therefore, play a critical role in achieving functional recovery of patients. While the current medical devices mostly support block-based stimulation protocols that remain constant for hundreds of milliseconds, upcoming devices will enable changes of stimulation at a millisecond resolution, thus opening a new field for machine learning approaches that exploit these capabilities. The successful candidate will work to develop, implement and apply machine learning algorithms and approaches to enhance EES-based therapies. Specifically, he will: * Design the mapping procedures for the generation of transfer functions that relate the continuously-controlled stimulation to the evoked muscle activity. * Develop algorithms that automatically adjust these transfer functions as the interaction between patients and their EES-based therapy evolves. * Implement machine learning techniques that utilize users’ behavioral, physiological and neural signals to continuously synchronize the delivery of stimulation with the users’ movement intentions. * Lead the team that develops machine learning methods to initialize and adjust block-based EES protocols. * Assist and oversee the development and implementation of machine learning methods that use inference of discrete motor events to synchronize block-based EES protocols with the users’ intentions. By integrating well-equipped and expertly staffed rodent, non-human primate and clinical research facilities, NeuroRestore provides an ideal substrate for rapidly developing, integrating and clinically validating cutting-edge machine learning concepts within medical therapies, with the capacity to push successfully proven concepts into the technology transition phase. The successful candidate will have access to these animal platforms and will work within the framework of multiple NeuroRestore clinical trials with people with spinal cord injury and Parkinson’s disease. They will benefit from the possibility of validating their concepts in animal experiments and implementing them within the therapies being tested in the clinical trials. Prerequisites: · Doctoral degree (PhD) · Proficiency in Python, Matlab and C++ · Strong background in quantitative data analysis · Experience with applying multiple machine learning techniques to behavioral, physiological, biological and/or neural datasets · Good written and verbal skills in English Contact: Applications including a CV and a cover letter describing your background and interest should be sent to tomislav.milekovic(a)epfl.ch<mailto:tomislav.milekovic@epfl.ch>. Informal inquiries are welcome.

Jan. 6, 2021

Postdoc opportunity (fully funded): Theories and Models of Behaving Brains

by Ann Kennedy

The Kennedy lab (kennedylab.org<http://kennedylab.org/>) is hiring multiple fully-funded postdoctoral researchers for neural network modeling, data analysis, or deep learning projects. Our research goal is to develop new methods for analyzing and modeling high dimensional data, which we use to understand the structure of behavior, its control by the brain, and the dependence of brain activity and behavior on context, experience, and internal state. We work in close collaboration with experimental groups, with available projects studying neural encoding of state and behavior in basal ganglia, hippocampus, hypothalamus, and cortex. We are also pursuing pure theory projects, studying computation and dynamics in heterogeneous neural networks, inspired by the remarkable cell type diversity that has been uncovered throughout the brain via single-cell RNA sequencing experiments. We are a new theoretical neuroscience laboratory at Northwestern University, in the Physiology department of Feinberg Medical School on Chicago's Miracle Mile. Northwestern's Physiology department is ranked #3 in the US, and has an incredible concentration of expertise in the motor control and reward circuitry of the basal ganglia and cortex. Interested applicants, please email ann.kennedy(a)northwestern.edu<mailto:ann.kennedy@northwestern.edu> with a CV and a comment on your research interests.

Jan. 5, 2021

Postdoc Position - Human Intracerebral Speech Perception

by Lori Holt

Interested to join a highly collaborative, vibrant research environment in Pittsburgh? We are seeking to understand how the brain flexibly maps speech input across manipulations in short-term input regularities. The postdoctoral position will be supported by a new NIH-sponsored research project, *Flexible representation of speech in the supratemporal plane*, that weds the joint expertise of Lori Holt (Carnegie Mellon University) and Taylor Abel (Pediatric Neurosurgery, University ofPittsburgh) to advance how dynamic, flexible aspects of the mapping of speech input to phonemes are represented in the intracerebral response of human cortex measured with stereoelectroencephalography. You can find more info here: https://www.cmu.edu/dietrich/psychology/holtlab/PDF/cmupittpostdocad2020.pdf Please feel free to be in touch with questions for Lori (loriholt(a)cmu.edu) or Taylor (abeltj(a)upmc.edu) ______________________________________________________________ loriholt Professor, Department of Psychology | Neuroscience Institute | Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition Carnegie Mellon University loriholt(a)cmu.edu | www.psy.cmu.edu/~holtlab/ pronouns: she, her, hers

Jan. 5, 2021

Digital Info Day - International Master & PhD in Computational Neuroscience @ BCCN Berlin - 27.01.21

by Graduate Programs

Dear Computational Neuroscientists, Please share the following event information with anyone who may be interested. We at the Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience (BCCN) Berlin will hold a "Digital Info Day" to discuss our International Master & Doctoral Programs in Computational Neuroscience on Wednesday, January 27th, at 3pm (CET). The event will consist of talks by: * Prof. Dr. Klaus Obermayer (head of the programs) * Lisa Velenosi (teaching coordinator) * Current master and doctoral students Attendees will also have the opportunity to meet & discuss with current students and ask any questions or concerns that they may have. See our website <https://www.bccn-berlin.de/events-list/information-day-international-gradua…> for a more detailed schedule and registration link. Best regards and happy new year, Lisa Velenosi -- Lisa Velenosi Teaching Coordinator Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin Philippstraße 13, Haus 6; 10115 Berlin; Germany Tel: +49 (0)30 2093 6773 Technische Universität Berlin Marchstraße 23; Raum 5.061; 10587 Berlin; Germany Tel: +49 (0)30 314 72006 SFB1315 - Network Outreach Coordinator PhD & Postdoc Cohort

Jan. 5, 2021

NEURAL COMPUTATION - December 1, 2020

by Terry Sejnowski

Neural Computation - Volume 32, Number 12 - December 1, 2020 available online for download now: http://www.mitpressjournals.org/toc/neco/32/12 http://cognet.mit.edu/content/neural-computation ----- Articles Resonator Networks Outperform Optimization Methods at Solving High-dimensional Vector Factorization Spencer Kent, E. Paxon Frady, Friedrich T Sommer, and Bruno A. Olshausen Resonator Networks for Factoring Distributed Representations of Data Structures E. Paxon Frady, Spencer Kent, Bruno A. Olshausen, and Friedrich T Sommer Differential Covariance: A New Method to Estimate Functional Connectivity in fMRI Tiger W. Lin, Yusi Chen, Qasim Bukhari, Giri P. Krishnan, Maxim Bazhenov, and Terrence J. Sejnowski Letters Synchrony and Complexity in State-related EEG Networks: An Application of Spectral Graph Theory Amir Hossein Ghaderi, Bianca R. Baltaretu, Masood Nemati Andevari, Vishal Bharmauria, and Fuat Balci Toward a Unified Framework for Cognitive Maps Woori Kim, Yongseok Yoo Active Learning for Level Set Estimation Under Input Uncertainty and Its Extensions Yu Inatsu, Masayuki Karasuyama, Keiichi Inoue, and Ichiro Takeuchi Redundancy-aware Pruning of Convolutional Neural Networks GuoTian Xie Analyzing and Accelerating the Bottlenecks of Training Deep SNNs With Backpropagation Ruizhi Chen, Ling Li ------------ ON-LINE -- http://www.mitpressjournals.org/neuralcomp MIT Press Journals, One Rogers Street, Cambridge, MA 02142-1209 Tel: (617) 253-2889 FAX: (617) 577-1545 journals-cs(a)mit.edu ------------

Jan. 4, 2021

WorldWideNeuRise, an online seminar series promoting early-career researchers

by William Podlaski

We are very pleased to announce the new seminar series WWNeuRise that explicitly targets PhD students and postdocs (https://neurise.github.io/) WWNeuRise aims to give early career scientists an opportunity to share their exciting work with a large audience and make connections with people interested in similar questions. The seminar series will be hosted on WWNeuro and sponsored by eLife. The first seminar block, entitled "Neuroscience at the intersection of experiment and theory", will start in January 2021 and features six exciting talks by Nicolas Meirhaeghe (Jazayeri lab, MIT) Federico Stella (Battaglia lab, Donders Institute) Soledad Gonzalo Cogno (Moser lab, NTNU) Zoe Ashwood (Pillow lab, Princeton University) Claire Hales (Robinson lab, University of Bristol) Arseny Finkelstein (Svododa lab, Janelia HHMI) For more information, please visit the WWNeuRise website ( https://neurise.github.io/) or twitter (https://twitter.com/WWNeuRise) We are looking forward to seeing you all in January! The organising committee, Ellen Boven (Apps lab, U Bristol) Christina Buetfering (Häusser lab, U College London) Lucie Descamps (Kentros lab, NTNU) Gily Ginosar (Ulanovsky lab, Weizmann Institute) Loreen Hertäg (Sprekeler lab, TU Berlin) Joram Keijser (Sprekeler lab, TU Berlin) Bill Podlaski (Machens lab, Champalimaud)

Jan. 4, 2021

Call for community project proposals and mentors for INCF's participation in GSoC 2021 - expression of interest due January 15

by Malin Sandström

Hello all, ------- Please forward this email to prospective mentors you might have in your network ---- INCF will be applying again to Google Summer of Code, for the 11th time running. Last year was a record year in the number and diversity of projects, we hope to do at least as well this year! A note on scope: we are looking for open source project ideas with some sort of *neuro connection* - fixes or extensions to big/broadly applicable or small/niche tools used by neuroscience researchers, efforts and initiatives in the broad field of computational neuroscience. If your project supports or implements *neuroscience standards or best practices*, we are especially happy (but all projects are treated equally, when it comes to slot assignments). This year, we are *also looking for mentors who come without their own projects *and are willing to take on student-proposed projects that fit their interests. As you may have seen earlier this year, Google has announced some changes to the program <https://opensource.googleblog.com/2020/10/google-summer-of-code-2021-is-bri…>. Projects will now be SHORTER (10 weeks instead of 12) and entry thresholds for students will be diversified, which will allow more varied student backgrounds. In compensation, there will be more projects. This means, if you have a running project from previous years that you want to continue, you may need to *re-scope* its contents and aims a bit, maybe even split it in two (independent) parts. With a shorter time span and a more varied student body, where not all students will be as near to full-fledged computer scientists, we will need to put a bit more effort into *introductions, support *and *confidence-building*. INCF will help with this, please refer interested students to us at an early stage so we can onboard them into our 'potential students' community. Another important change: this time (and in years forward), we aim to *keep all prospective students in the INCF community*, regardless of if they are accepted to a project or not. They may well be candidates for next year, and also, since you will be putting actual effort into project discussions, we want to make sure it is useful. Also, the usual reminder: there is no guarantee that INCF is accepted this year until we hear from Google on *March 9*. Please be clear with this in your communication with students. The* timeline <https://summerofcode.withgoogle.com/how-it-works/>* is similar to the years before: Applications open near the *end of January (29th)*, they close near *mid February (19th)*. We aim to have a live project ideas list in mid January. Orgs are announced on *March 9*, and student applications are open *March 21 - April 19*. *Important*: last year we were near peak capacity in the number of project ideas on our final list, with a flurry of last-minute activity. We therefore want interested mentors to contact us (gsoc(a)incf.org or malin(a)incf.org) *early* with a declaration of interest and a short summary of the intended project, latest *January 15*. If you want to mentor but don't have a project idea, you are still welcome to join our list of potential mentors for ideas that originate with students. Actual project descriptions should ideally come by *January 22*, a week before we officially go live with the project list on *January 29*, but we will take on late requests from *previous mentors only* (including mentors of previous non-accepted projects) on a case-by-case basis if they are well described and properly scoped. Project template: Each submission should come *by email* and contain: 1) An *informative title* with relevant keywords (good-to-have: name of tool/project, name of programming language) 2) A *project description* including a brief general intro, motivation, aims, scope and skills/skill level needed. Please indicate 2-5 tech keywords (Python, C++, Java, SQL, REST, CUDA, ...) 3) Name of *lead mentor* + a *named co-mentor or backup mentor* who would be able and willing to back the main/contact mentor up in mentoring in case something unforeseen happens (can be more than one, as long as you are internally clear on who does what) 4) Any planned *longer absences* during the lead up/student interaction period (*February 1 - April 19*, especially the last week) or the project period (May 17 - *August 30*), and the plan for covering them. 5)* Format*: your choice - txt, doc, docx, pdf or a link to a webpage with the full description(s). Anything that can be copied and pasted. NB: Project ideas will be posted on *Neurostars.org* after the ideas list goes live, and prospective mentors are expected to *join the forum and be available* for questions from students during the run up to the announcement (late Jan - early March) and the student interactions period (March-April). This can be handled by email, mostly, if you prefer, once you have set your NeuroStars account up. Questions and project submissions: please email *malin(a)incf.org <malin(a)incf.org>* AND cc *gsoc(a)incf.org <gsoc(a)incf.org>*. Happy new year of coding! /Malin -- Malin Sandström, PhD Community Engagement Officer malin.sandstrom(a)incf.org International Neuroinformatics Coordinating Facility Karolinska Institutet Nobels väg 15 A SE-171 77 Stockholm Sweden http://www.incf.org

Jan. 4, 2021

Postdoctoral fellow – Systems Neuroscience of Alzheimer’s Disease

by Williamson, Ross S

Dear all, Apologies for the cross-posting. A postdoctoral position is available in the Williamson and Thathiah laboratories at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine to investigate the links between hearing loss and the pathophysiology of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The information from our senses is used throughout everyday life to guide the decisions we make and the actions that we take. For example, the sound of sirens when driving leads to a decision regarding an appropriate motor action (whether or not, and where, to pull over). The neural circuits that underlie these cognitive processes (accumulation of sensory evidence, short-term memory, perception decision-making, etc.) can be severely altered by disease. Hearing loss is prevalent in >40% of individuals older than 60 years and is considered to be the most heavily contributing modifiable risk factor to dementia. It is our hope that by identifying and studying the neural circuits involved, we will provide insight to drive subsequent therapeutic intervention strategies that may lead to the repair (or prevention) of damage. The Williamson Laboratory uses a variety of state-of-the-art tools to probe the neural circuits of awake mice, including two-photon calcium imaging and high-channel count electrophysiology (both with single-cell optogenetic perturbations), head-fixed virtual reality behaviors, and statistical approaches for neural characterization. A significant focus of the lab is to understand how sensory information is used to guide purposeful behavior in models of health and disease. Details on the research focus and approaches of the Williamson laboratory can be found here: https://www.williamsonlaboratory.com/research/ The Thathiah Laboratory uses molecular, cellular, and behavioral approaches along with optogenetic tools to investigate the mechanisms of AD pathogenesis. Recently, the Thathiah lab teamed up with the Williamson lab to investigate the putative causal relationship between hearing loss, disease pathogenesis, and cognitive impairment using our complementary research approaches in AD mouse models. Details on the research focus of the Thathiah laboratory can be found here: https://www.neurobio.pitt.edu/people/amantha-thathiah Both laboratories are embedded within the Departments of Neurobiology and Otolaryngology, are members of the University of Pittsburgh Brain Institute, the Pittsburgh Hearing Research Center, and are affiliated with the Center for Neuroscience (CNUP) and the Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition (CNBC). The Thathiah laboratory is a member of the Pittsburgh Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases (PIND), the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC), and the Aging Institute. Postdoctoral fellows will be part of a highly supportive and diverse research environment with excellent career development opportunities. The University of Pittsburgh was ranked third in terms of total NIH funding received in 2018. The Global Livability Index (The Economist) recently ranked Pittsburgh as the second most livable city in America. The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, ancestry, age, veteran status, disability unrelated to job requirements, genetic information, military service, or other protected status. Requirements: Applicants must have a Ph.D. in Neuroscience or a relevant field and must be eligible for employment in the US. We are looking for individuals with an excellent record of research achievements and expertise at the intersection of two or more of the following areas: electrophysiology, two-photon imaging, quantitative behavior, and computational neuroscience. Experience with molecular and biochemical techniques is preferred but not required. Excellent verbal and written communication skills, technical expertise, and scientific creativity are essential. Applications will continue until the position is filled. Contact: Interested candidates should send a brief statement of research interests, a current CV, and the names and contact information of three references to: Dr. Ross Williamson: rsw(a)pitt.edu<mailto:rsw@pitt.edu> Dr. Amantha Thathiah: amantha(a)pitt.edu<mailto:amantha@pitt.edu> Thanks, Ross ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ross S. Williamson, Ph.D. | Assistant Professor | Otolaryngology, Neurobiology Pittsburgh Hearing Research Center | Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition University of Pittsburgh | Biomedical Science Tower | W1448 www.williamsonlaboratory.com<http://www.williamsonlaboratory.com>

Dec. 29, 2020

Postdoc at International Centre for Translational Eye Research

by Andrzej Foik

Dear all, I would like to repost our announcement about the postdoc we are looking for. we are looking for a postdoc in the neuroinformatics or bioinformatics area. Please, spread the word to your friends if you can. The Ophthalmic Biology Group searches for candidates with a Ph.D. degree experienced in computational biology techniques such as neuronal network modeling, electrophysiological data analyses and/or bioinformatics, and DNA/protein modeling. Candidates should be interested in translational research and the development of new therapies to cure blindness or other diseases. The postdoctoral scholar will have a direct impact on lab development and its success in publishing in high impact factor journals. The person will be also responsible for performing dynamic research to create a competitive research group. The position will be assigned to the Ophthalmic Biology Group led by Andrzej Foik Ph.D. focusing on the development of new viral therapies, visual information processing in the visual system before and after plasticity that happens due to vision recovery or disease. https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/580785 https://ichf.edu.pl/en/job/international-centre-for-translational-eye-resea… Best regards, Andrzej Foik -- Andrzej Foik, PhD Group Leader Ophthalmic Biology Group International Centre for Translational Eye Research (ICTER) Institute of Physical Chemistry PAS ul. Kasprzaka 44/52, 01-224 Warszawa mobile: +48 695 497 065 office: +48 22 343 3204 email: afoik(a)ichf.edu.pl; andrzejfoik(a)gmail.com NIP: 525-000-87-55 www.icter.pl The controller of your personal data is the Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences with its registered office in Warsaw, NIP: 5250008755 (the "Institute"). The Institute will process your data for the purpose of carrying out scientific and research activities, providing services and contact with the Institute, on the basis of a contract (in connection with the performance of the contract or in order to take action on your request before the contract is concluded – Article 6, paragraph 1, letter b) of GDPR), the legitimate interest of the Institute (Article 6, paragraph 1, letter f) of the GDPR) and legal provisions (Article 6, paragraph 1, letter c) of the GDPR) - depending on the circumstances. You have the right to request access to your data, receive a copy of it; rectify (correct) it; delete it; limit its processing; transfer it; lodge a complaint to the supervisory body; withdraw your consent for processing at any time (withdrawal of consent does not affect the lawfulness of the processing carried out prior to its withdrawal) or to lodge an objection to data processing. More information is available on the Institute's website. http://ichf.edu.pl/gen_inf/gen_en/GDPR%20-%20General%20Information%20Clause… -- Andrzej Foik, PhD Group Leader Ophthalmic Biology Group International Centre for Translational Eye Research (ICTER) Institute of Physical Chemistry PAS ul. Kasprzaka 44/52, 01-224 Warszawa mobile: +48 695 497 065 office: +48 22 343 3204 email: afoik(a)ichf.edu.pl; andrzejfoik(a)gmail.com NIP: 525-000-87-55 www.icter.pl The controller of your personal data is the Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences with its registered office in Warsaw, NIP: 5250008755 (the "Institute"). The Institute will process your data for the purpose of carrying out scientific and research activities, providing services and contact with the Institute, on the basis of a contract (in connection with the performance of the contract or in order to take action on your request before the contract is concluded – Article 6, paragraph 1, letter b) of GDPR), the legitimate interest of the Institute (Article 6, paragraph 1, letter f) of the GDPR) and legal provisions (Article 6, paragraph 1, letter c) of the GDPR) - depending on the circumstances. You have the right to request access to your data, receive a copy of it; rectify (correct) it; delete it; limit its processing; transfer it; lodge a complaint to the supervisory body; withdraw your consent for processing at any time (withdrawal of consent does not affect the lawfulness of the processing carried out prior to its withdrawal) or to lodge an objection to data processing. More information is available on the Institute's website. http://ichf.edu.pl/gen_inf/gen_en/GDPR%20-%20General%20Information%20Clause…

Dec. 28, 2020

New Journal: Mathematical Neuroscience and Applications

by Zachary Kilpatrick

We are pleased to announce the creation of "Mathematical Neuroscience and Applications". The aim of this new journal is to publish the best work in mathematical neuroscience and its applications and making it broadly available to the scientific community in a completely open fashion, i.e. at no costs for readers and authors (no APCs). The webpage of the journal can be found at https://mna.episciences.org/ <https://secure-web.cisco.com/1Th57tM0Q4wnQK5WU9a83gEk5eiepY75pxIXyIVdMZmATN…> where more information such as how to submit an article, or the list of Editorial Board Members, https://mna.episciences.org/review/staff <https://secure-web.cisco.com/1CXJhkD3WpGFVRfTHEqp6vfR8XHQDkEeIIbSjzi2e5bXzh…> , is available. This is the Diamond Open Access model which is made possible in our case thanks to the support of Episciences, https://www.episciences.org/# <https://secure-web.cisco.com/1EwusptV_q2y1ZQTKNt9O1K0__jJocYNjvm6c6ar0ARXwJ…> Editorial Board Members of MNA are looking forward to publishing your work. Feel free to reach out to us with any questions. Olivier Faugeras (Editor in Chief), Inria, France Peter Ashwin, University of Exeter, UK Paul Bressloff, University of Utah, USA Stephen Coombes, University of Nottingham, UK Carina Curto, Pennsylvania State University, USA Susanne Ditlevsen, University of Copenhagen, Denmark Antonio Galves, University of São Paulo, Brasil Zachary Kilpatrick, University of Colorado Boulder, USA Carlo Laing, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand Eva Löcherbach, Paris I University, France Andre Longtin, University of Ottawa, Canada Benoit Perthame, Sorbonne University, France Patricia Reynaud-Bouret, Côte d'Azur University, France Andrey Shilnikov, Georgia State University, USA Wilhelm Stannat, Technische Universität, Berlin, Germany Etienne Tanré, Inria, France Michèle Thieullen, Sorbonne University, France Stephan A Van Gils, Universiteit Twente, Netherlands Romain Veltz, Inria, France Martin Wechselberger, University of Sydney, Australia

Dec. 27, 2020

ANDA 2021 - G-Node Advanced Neural Data Analysis Course, April 19-29, 2021

by Thomas Wachtler

ANDA 2021 - G-Node Advanced Neural Data Analysis Course April 19 - 29, 2021 _Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, this 4th ANDA course will be held as an online course_ Techniques to record neuronal data from populations of neurons are rapidly improving. Simultaneous recordings from hundreds of channels are possible while animals perform complex behavioral tasks. Analysis of such massive and complex data becomes increasingly challenging. This advanced course aims at providing training in state-of-the-art analysis approaches in systems neuroscience. The course is addressed to excellent master and PhD students and young researchers who are interested in learning advanced techniques in data analytics and in getting hands-on experience in the analysis of electrophysiological data. Internationally renowned researchers will give lectures on statistical data analysis and data mining methods with accompanying exercises. Students will define and perform their own analyses on provided data to solve a challenge. Participants are required to have a strong interest in data analysis, a background in a mathematical or related field, knowledge of algebra, matrix operations, and statistics, and need to have solid programming experience (preferably in Python). Faculty · Michael Denker, Jülich Research Center, Germany · Udo Ernst, Univ. Bremen, Germany · Sonja Grün, Jülich Research Center, Germany · Björn Kampa, RWTH Aachen Univ., Germany · Adam Kohn, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, USA · Jakob Macke, TU Munich, Germany · Luca Mazzucato, Univ. of Oregon, Eugene, USA · Martin Nawrot, Univ. of Cologne, Germany · Yifat Prut, Hebrew Univ. Jerusalem, Israel · Hansjörg Scherberger, German Primate Center, Göttingen, Germany · Thomas Wachtler, LMU Munich, Germany Topics covered Single neuron properties and statistics · Stochastic processes · Surrogate methods · Detection of spatio-temporal patterns · Unitary Events · Statistical analysis of massively parallel spike data · Higher-order correlation analyses · Elephant toolbox · Spike-LFP relationship · Population coding · State space analysis · Machine learning · Data mining · Research data management and reproducibility Application deadline: January 31, 2021 For further information see http://www.g-node.org/anda

Dec. 23, 2020

Announcing the 2nd Brain-Computer Interface Un-Conference (2nd BCI-UC)

by Moritz Grosse-Wentrup

We cordially invite you to the 2nd BCI Un-Conference (BCI-UC) on February 10 and 11, 2021, from 03:00 pm to 08:00 pm (CET)! https://bciunconference.univie.ac.at/2nd-bci-uc/ The BCI-UC is an online un-conference that provides rapid dissemination of novel research results in the BCI community. The BCI-UC does not publish conference proceedings. As such, submitted abstracts can report novel as well as already published work. The BCI-UC does not have a program committee that reviews submitted abstracts. Instead, all registered participants can vote which of the submitted abstracts they would like to see presented at the un-conference. Registration and attendance are free-of-charge. The second BCI-UC will feature keynotes by Marco Congedo [3] on Riemannian transfer learning and by Camille Jeunet on user-centered BCI design [4]. All presentations of the first BCI-UC, which >300 participants attended, can be re-watched at [2]. Registration and abstract submission are open as of today [1]. Voting on submitted abstracts begins on January 13th. Abstract submission remains open until January 25th, 11:59 pm (CET). The voting phase ends on January 27th, 11:59 pm (CET). We will invite the authors of the top-voted abstracts to present their work at the un-conference. For the 2nd BCI-UC, we solicit two types of submissions: * _Presentations_ are applications for 20 minutes slots by a single presenter. * _Mini-symposia_ are applications for 60 minutes slots by multiple presenters on a coherent topic, possibly including a panel discussion. Submissions are text-only. The length and format of the submissions are up to the authors -- use whatever format you consider best for attracting up-votes! Voting procedures will not distinguish between the two submission types, i.e., the community decides on the fraction of presentations vs. mini-symposia. Join us in supporting this novel community-driven dissemination of research results! The BCI-UC committee: Moritz Grosse-Wentrup Anja Meunier Philipp Raggam Jiachen Xu Links: 1. https://bciunconference.univie.ac.at/register-vote/ 2. https://bciunconference.univie.ac.at/1st-bci-uc/ 3. https://sites.google.com/site/marcocongedo 4. https://camillejeunet.wordpress.com/ -- Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. Moritz Grosse-Wentrup Research Group Neuroinformatics Faculty of Computer Science University of Vienna Hörlgasse 6, A-1090 Wien, Austria moritz.grosse-wentrup(a)univie.ac.at +43-1-4277-79610 http://neural.engineering/

Dec. 23, 2020

Open Position at Goettingen University - Postdoctoral Researcher (f/m/d) - SPP 2205

by von Behren, Christina

Dear list, We would like to draw your attention to the postdoc opportunity below: The Department of Data-driven Analysis of Biological Networks at the Georg-August-Universität Göttingen invites applications for a position as Postdoctoral Researcher (f/m/d) This position is available starting from March 1st, 2021. It is a full time position with a limited contract of 3 years with the possibility of an extension for one additional year. Salary and working hours will be according to the German grade 13 TV-L (100 %, currently 39,80 hours per week). The position will be associated with the group of Prof. Michael Wibral. We are recruiting a Postdoc for the interdisciplinary research project "Evolutionary Convergence of Hierarchical Information Processing" funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) within the research initiative SPP2205 "Evolutionary optimization of neuronal processing". The project aims to establish the common information theoretic principles of computation in hierarchical neural systems that are conserved across species from drosophila, via rodents to primates and humans. We are looking for candidates with an excellent PhD in neuroscience, cognitive science, physics, computer science or a related field who are committed to pursuing a career in research. The successful applicant will develop and apply novel information theoretic measures to electrophysiological neural recordings and calcium imaging signals to investigate signatures of predictive hierarchical information processing. The ideal candidate should have excellent skills in scientific writing, experience with the application of information theory to biological data, and should have demonstrated her/his ability to work independently. Prior experience with predictive coding theory and experiments are plus. Proven coding skills in a language relevant to data analysis (e.g. Python, Julia, R, Scala, Java), prior experience with research-data management systems (RDMS) are also considered as an advantage. We expect the job holder to establish a local database that organizes the vast amount of research data in this project. We offer the opportunity to become a member of a vibrant community dedicated to innovative research and teaching at the frontier of the exact and biological sciences, and to connect to the latest developments in information theory, including partial information decompositions. The Göttingen Campus is a leading center of biophysics and neuroscience in Europe hosting numerous internationally renowned research institutions, including the University and its Medical Center, the three life science Max Planck Institutes, the European Neuroscience Institute, the German Primate Center, and the Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience (BCCN) Göttingen. The University of Göttingen is an equal opportunities employer and places particular emphasis on fostering career opportunities for women. Qualified women are therefore strongly encouraged to apply in fields in which they are underrepresented. The university has committed itself to being a family-friendly institution and supports their employees in balancing work and family life. The mission of the University is to employ a greater number of severely disabled persons. Applications from severely disabled persons with equivalent qualifications will be given preference. Please submit your application in digital form only and send all relevant documents in one single PDF-document, including a letter of interest, your curriculum vitae with a list of publications, copies of your certificates and contact information of at least two references to christina.vonbehren(a)uni-goettingen.de<mailto:christina.vonbehren@uni-goettingen.de> by January 15th, 2021. If you have any questions, please contact Prof. Dr. Michael Wibral, via e-mail: michael.wibral(a)uni-goettingen.de<mailto:michael.wibral@uni-goettingen.de>. Please note: With submission of your application, you accept the processing of your applicant data in terms of data-protection law. Further information on the legal basis and data usage is provided in the Information General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)<https://www.uni-goettingen.de/de/document/download/e0b7459b97d917e68e3464b8…> ------ Campus Institute for Dynamics of Biological Networks Bernstein Centre for Computational Neuroscience Goettingen University of Goettingen Postal address: Max Planck Institute of Experimental Medicine Hermann-Rein-Str. 3 37075 Goettingen Germany

Dec. 22, 2020

Scientist position in modeling at the Allen Institute

by Anton Arkhipov

Join us to analyze world-class experimental data and build the next generation of brain models! This opening is in the lab of Anton Arkhipov at the Allen Institute (Seattle, WA). One position is already taken, but one is still available: Scientist I - Bio-realistic Modeling of Reconstructed Cortical Tissue See details and apply here: https://alleninstitute.hrmdirect.com/employment/job-opening.php?req=1415274 The Scientist will focus on data analysis and modeling of structure, activity, and computations in mouse cortical circuits. This project will take advantage of unprecedented experimental datasets from the Allen Institute that contain a systematic characterization of synaptic connections between the cell types (https://portal.brain-map.org/explore/connectivity/synaptic-physiology) and a connectome of individual neurons coupled with dense recordings of activity in the mouse visual cortex (https://microns-explorer.org<https://microns-explorer.org/>). The Scientist will work collaboratively with colleagues to integrate these data into new, highly realistic network models of cortical circuits, use the models to explore theoretical predictions, and provide them as a resource to fuel future theoretical, modeling, and experimental work in the community.

Dec. 22, 2020

[JOB] Postdoctoral Fellow in Concussion Neuroscience, Machine learning and Cloud Computing

by Franco Pestilli

We would appreciate if you could share the ad below to relevant list. Drs. Nicholas Port and Franco Pestilli are seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow or Research Associate to join a multi-institutional team of Neuroscientists, Computer Scientists, and Engineers to work on a unique project to apply Machine learning and Cloud computing to improve our understanding of concussion and mild Traumatic Brain Injury. Applicants are invited to apply for this research Postdoctoral Fellow or Research Associate, non-tenure track position with a proposed start date of summer/fall 2021. The primary goal of the project is to use brainlife.io, and advanced machine learning methods to analyze behavioral and clinical outcomes, anatomical and diffusion weighted imaging from a large dataset (the NCAA/DOD CARE Consortium Advanced Research Core). The plan is to build predictive modeling tools available on brainlife.io that can be freely used by clinicians around the world to help in patient care management. Opportunities exist to join several additional concussion, machine learning, informatics and neuroimaging projects with the labs of Drs. Port and Pestilli. The position will be based in Dr. Port’s new, state-of-the-art laboratory within the dedicated Research Center for Elite Athletic Development in the new 66,000 square-foot South-End-Zone edition to Indiana University’s Memorial Stadium (https://iuhoosiers.com/facilities/the-excellence-academy/21 https://president.iu.edu/media/photos/2018/excellence-academy-dedication/in…) A major research university, Indiana University currently enrolls over 38,000 undergraduates and 10,000 graduate and professional students on the Bloomington campus, and has over 114,000 students in the University system. The School of Optometry, Program in Neuroscience and Cognitive Science Program are internationally recognized, vibrant research programs with a very collegial environment. The Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences has a research dedicated 3T Prisma, which Dr. Port uses regularly. A diverse community, Bloomington is located in a beautifully wooded and hilly area of the state, where cultural and recreational opportunities abound, housing costs are low, schools are excellent, and commute times are short. Additional information on the community of Bloomington can be found at https://www.visitbloomington.com/. The Postdoctoral Fellow position requires a PhD in Neuroscience, Computer Science, Engineering, Informatics, Vision Science or related scientific field by the time of appointment. For the Research Associate position, a minimum of a Masters degrees and 5+ year of appropriate work experience is required. Salary and rank will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. For consideration, please submit a letter of application, curriculum vita, and the names and contact information for at least three references. Interested candidates should review the application requirements and submit their application at: http://indiana.peopleadmin.com/postings/10224 Applications received by Jan 11, 2021, will be assured priority consideration; however, the search will remain open until the position is filled. Best regards, Franco FRANCO PESTILLI, PhD | Associate Professor Department of Psychology <https://liberalarts.utexas.edu/psychology/index.php> | College of Liberal Arts <https://liberalarts.utexas.edu/> | The University of Texas at Austin <https://www.utexas.edu/> he/him | pestilli(a)utexas.edu <mailto:pestilli@utexas.edu> | web <https://liberalarts.utexas.edu/psychology/faculty/fp4834> | github <https://github.com/francopestilli> | brainlife.io <https://brainlife.io/>

Dec. 22, 2020

Tenure-track faculty position in computational/theoretical neuroscience at UChicago

by Brent Doiron

*Tenure-track Faculty in Computational/Theoretical NeuroscienceThe University of Chicago: Biological Sciences Division: Department of Neurobiology* Position Description The University of Chicago's Grossman Center for Quantitative Biology and Human Behavior and the Department of Neurobiology seek faculty in computational/theoretical neuroscience. The appointee will be a core member of the newly-launched Grossman Center for Quantitative Biology and Human Behavior and will lead a ‘dry’ computational lab alongside a growing group of other computational neuroscientists. The Grossman Center seeks faculty who will establish deep and extensive collaborations with the vibrant experimental neuroscience community at the University of Chicago. Those developing computational models and analysis methods at the cellular, circuits, systems, or cognitive levels are especially welcome to apply. Appointment as a tenure-track assistant professor is expected, but we will consider appointments as a tenured associate or full professor. The University of Chicago is currently engaged in a major expansion in neuroscience, with computational neuroscience being an area of focus. The University offers a rich intellectual environment that includes a strong translational neuroscience community and affiliations with Argonne National Laboratory and the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole. The Division, other academic units of the University, and the School of Medicine, are all contained within one compact campus in Chicago's Hyde Park. Appointees will have access to state-of-the-art core facilities and to outstanding colleagues and graduate students affiliated with numerous degree-granting programs within and outside the biological sciences. Prior to the start of employment, qualified applicants must have a doctoral degree or equivalent. To be considered, those interested must apply through the University of Chicago’s Academic Recruitment job board, which uses Interfolio to accept applications: http://apply.interfolio.com/82120. Applicants must upload a CV including a bibliography, contact information for 3 references, a statement outlining research goals, and a teaching statement that can include a description of the candidate’s experience in teaching diverse students [the University’s Diversity Statement can be found at https://provost.uchicago.edu/statements-diversity] Review of complete applications will begin February 1 2021 and continue until the position is filled. Equal Employment Opportunity Statement We seek a diverse pool of applicants who wish to join an academic community that places the highest value on rigorous inquiry and encourages diverse perspectives, experiences, groups of individuals, and ideas to inform and stimulate intellectual challenge, engagement, and exchange. The University’s Statements on Diversity are at https://provost.uchicago.edu/statements-diversity. The University of Chicago is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disabled/Veterans Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, status as an individual with a disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or other protected classes under the law. For additional information please see the University's Notice of Nondiscrimination. Job seekers in need of a reasonable accommodation to complete the application process should call 773-702-1032 or email equalopportunity(a)uchicago.edu with their request. -- Brent Doiron Professor of Neurobiology and Statistics Director of the Grossman Center for Quantitative Biology and Human Behavior University of Chicago Chicago IL

Dec. 21, 2020

Postdoctoral Position at MassachusettsGeneral Hospital

by Xin Yu

*Postdoctoral Research Fellow Position at Massachusetts General Hospital* The Athinoula A. Martinos Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology at Massachusetts General Hospital is offering a postdoctoral position based on an NIH-funded Brain Initiative project developing novel multi-modal neuroimaging methodology in animal models. This position is open from Jan 1st. 2021 until filled. Potential candidates will be considered based on the following two research directions: *Research Direction #1 Multi-modal neuroimaging in animal brains, (Biologists/biomedical engineers/electrophysiologists) * a) Implement the MRI/EEG/calcium recording methods to specify brain state fluctuation correlated to pupil dynamics in awake rodents b) Target specific nuclei with deep brain optogenetic stimulation methods to study circuit-specific brain state neuromodulation. c) Develop an advanced fiber-optic imaging device for MRI compatible concurrent brain dynamic signal recordings, e.g., Ca2+, Glutamate, dopamine, and other neuromodulators. Experience with viral transfection, 2-PM or optical fiber recordings, or *in vivo. / in vitro. *electrophysiology in animal models (rodents) is highly desirable. The candidates should bear experience or strong interests in brain functional imaging, e.g. task-based BOLD fMRI. *Research Direction #2 Advanced fMRI and computational method development (Bio-engineering and computational neuroscientists)* a) Develop and optimize the high spatiotemporal fMRI method with high field MRI (>11.7T). b) Advanced resting-state fMRI analysis method development based on the neural network-based learning schemes. (being familiar with recurrent neural network design and implementation, e.g. ESN, GRU, et al.) c) Machine learning-based multi-modal brain signal dynamic signal analysis, e.g. LFP, Calcium, fMRI, pupil dynamics, et al. Candidates with strong computational skills and fMRI data processing experience are highly encouraged to apply for this position. The candidate should have strong teamwork skills to fit in a multi-disciplinary group. Please send your CV, contact information of three references, and a cover letter describing your background, interests, and research goals to Dr. Yu by e-mail: xyu9(a)mgh.harvard.edu. Please include “Postdoc Application for Multi-modal fMRI” in the subject line of your email. We welcome trainees with high motivation, curiosity, and scientific maturity. Also, Dr. Yu’s lab has extensive experience to support trainees to apply for international scholarships and help junior researchers to build their academic careers. Here is the selected publication in 2019-20 from Yu lab: 1. Chen Y, Sobczak F, Pais-Roldán P, Schwarz C, Koretsky AP, Yu X. Mapping the Brain-Wide Network Effects by Optogenetic Activation of the Corpus Callosum. Cereb Cortex. 2020 Oct 01; 30(11):5885-5898. PMID: *32556241 <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32556241>*. 2. Sobczak F, He Y, Sejnowski TJ, Yu X. Predicting the fMRI Signal Fluctuation with Recurrent Neural Networks Trained on Vascular Network Dynamics. Cereb Cortex. 2020 Sep 17. PMID: *32940658 <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32940658>*. 3. Drew PJ, Mateo C, Turner KL, Yu X, Kleinfeld D. Ultra-slow Oscillations in fMRI and Resting-State Connectivity: Neuronal and Vascular Contributions and Technical Confounds. Neuron. 2020 09 09; 107(5):782-804. PMID: *32791040 <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32791040>*. 4. Pais-Roldán P, Takahashi K, Sobczak F, Chen Y, Zhao X, Zeng H, Jiang Y, Yu X. Indexing brain state-dependent pupil dynamics with simultaneous fMRI and optical fiber calcium recording. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2020 03 24; 117(12):6875-6882. PMID: *32139609 <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32139609>*. 5. Ovsepian SV, Jiang Y, Sardella TCP, Malekzadeh-Najafabadi J, Burton NC, Yu X, Ntziachristos V. Visualizing cortical response to optogenetic stimulation and sensory inputs using multispectral handheld optoacoustic imaging. Photoacoustics. 2020 Mar; 17:100153. 6. Handwerker J, Pérez-Rodas M, Beyerlein M, Vincent F, Beck A, Freytag N, Yu X, Pohmann R, Anders J, Scheffler K. A CMOS NMR needle for probing brain physiology with high spatial and temporal resolution. Nat Methods. 2020 01; 17(1):64-67. PMID: *31768059 <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31768059>*. 7. Chen X, Sobczak F, Chen Y, Jiang Y, Qian C, Lu Z, Ayata C, Logothetis NK, Yu X. Mapping optogenetically-driven single-vessel fMRI with concurrent neuronal calcium recordings in the rat hippocampus. Nat Commun. 2019 11 20; 10(1):5239. PMID: *31748553 <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31748553>*. 8. He Y, Wang M, Yu X. High spatiotemporal vessel-specific hemodynamic mapping with multi-echo single-vessel fMRI. J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 2020 Oct; 40(10):2098-2114. PMID: *31696765 <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31696765>*. 9. Chen Y, Pais-Roldan P, Chen X, Frosz MH, Yu X. MRI-guided robotic arm drives optogenetic fMRI with concurrent Ca2+ recording. Nat Commun. 2019 06 10; 10(1):2536. PMID: *31182714 <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31182714>*. 10. Pais-Roldán P, Edlow BL, Jiang Y, Stelzer J, Zou M, Yu X. Multimodal assessment of recovery from coma in a rat model of diffuse brainstem tegmentum injury. Neuroimage. 2019 04 01; 189:615-630. PMID: *30708105 <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30708105>*.

Dec. 21, 2020

PhD Position in Human Clinical Neurophysiology in Bonn, Germany

by Thomas Reber

PhD Position in Human Clinical Neurophysiology We are offering a PhD position (pay grade 65% E13), starting immediately, for 4 years. Will consider Neuroscientists, Psychologists, Biologists, Physicists, Clinicians, Mathematicians, Engineers, Computer Scientists. Our work in the field of Clinical Neurophysiology focuses on investigating the mechanisms during the generation, propagation, and termination of epileptic seizures at the level of single neurons, small neuronal ensembles, and local field potentials, with special focus on the piriform cortex as a major hub between the temporal and frontal lobe. Our group at the Department of Epileptology at the University of Bonn's Medical School uses the novel technology of single unit recordings via micro-electrodes in epilepsy patients, who have been implanted with temporal lobe electrodes for diagnostic purposes. This method allows us to record action potentials from single neurons as well as local field potentials. After neurosurgical removal of the seizure-generating tissue, human slices of the very same structures that were previously recorded from in vivo can be used for in vitro analysis techniques such as patch clamp or Calcium imaging. The neuroscientific focus of the University of Bonn with numerous labs in the field of animal electrophysiology and human research furthermore offers close interaction with the research institutes Life & Brain, LIMES, caesar, and the newly founded DZNE. The PhD position is embedded in the Bonn International Graduate School of Neuroscience (BIGS) and the collaborative research grant "Synaptic Micronetworks in Health and Disease" (SFB 1089). The student's work comprises acquisition and analysis of single unit activity and local field potentials during epileptic seizure in order to monitor emergence, spread and cessation of these events. Advanced programming skills (e.g., experience with Matlab or Python) are absolutely mandatory. Experience with patch clamp or Ca imaging is welcome. A background in neuroscience, medicine, or biology is not obligatory, the necessary knowledge can be acquired during the thesis work. Please email applications and cv to: Florian Mormann, MD, PhD Lichtenberg Professor of Cognitive and Clinical Neurophysiology University of Bonn, Department of Epileptology Venusberg-Campus 1 53127 Bonn, Germany Phone +49 228 287 15738 Email: florian.mormann(a)ukbonn.de http://epileptologie-bonn.de/cms/front_content.php?idcat=324

Dec. 21, 2020

Computational Psychiatry Professor position, Tübingen

by Peter Dayan

The University of Tübingen and the University Medical Center, Tübingen are seeking a full (W3) professor in Computational Psychiatry: Please see: https://www.academics.com/jobs/full-professor-w3-for-computational-psychiat… [the closing date for applications is 28th January 2021] There is the opportunity for close links between this position and the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics - and also with the highly active wider neuroscience, psychiatry and machine learning communities across Tübingen.

Dec. 19, 2020

Open position for a PhD-student in Computational Neuroscience with Prof. Laurenz Wiskott at the Institute for Neural Computation, Bochum, Germany

by Laurenz Wiskott

____________________________________________________________________________ Open position for a PhD-student with Prof. Laurenz Wiskott at the Institute for Neural Computation, Bochum, Germany ____________________________________________________________________________ Ruhr-Universität Bochum is one of the leading research universities. The university draws its strengths from both the diversity and the proximity of scientific and engineering disciplines on a single, coherent campus. This highly dynamic setting enables students and researchers to work across traditional boundaries of academic subjects and faculties. The Institute for Neural Computation is a central research institute at the Ruhr-University Bochum, see https://www.ini.rub.de/. It focuses on the dynamics and learning of perception and behavior on a functional level but is otherwise very diverse, ranging from neurophysiology and psychophysics over computational neuroscience to machine learning and technical applications. We are looking for an excellent PhD student (m/f/d) for the following research topic: The project has the goal to understand the neural basis of navigation in rodents. Building on existing models the PhD student (m/f/d) shall develop a model of the hippocampus for storing episodic sequences and apply it to navigational experience. The load of teaching will be calculated according to §3 of Lehrverpflichtungsverordnung (state of North Rhine-Westphalia). The appointment will be for three years with an option for extension. Anticipated starting date is April 1, 2021. Salary is 29,87 h/w of salary scale TV-L E12/13. Informal inquiries can be addressed to Prof. Dr. Laurenz Wiskott <laurenz.wiskott(a)rub.de>. Applications (CV, transcript of records for MSc and BSc, statement of purpose) should be sent as a single pdf file to Prof. Dr. Laurenz Wiskott <laurenz.wiskott(a)rub.de>. Travel expenses for interviews cannot be refunded. https://www.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/en/information-collection-personal-data-appl… At Ruhr-Universität Bochum, we wish to promote careers of women in areas in which they are underrepresented, and we would therefore like to encourage female candidates to send us their applications. Applications by suitable candidates with severe disabilities and other applicants with equal legal status are likewise most welcome.

Dec. 19, 2020

Postdoctoral position in computational neuroscience at Hay Lab (KCNI, UofT)

by Etay Hay

Postdoctoral position in computational neuroscience at Hay Lab (KCNI, UofT): We will study cortical processing in health and depression in pre-clinical animal models using large-scale simulations of rat cortical microcircuits (in collaboration with the Blue Brain Project). The position is for 2 years, with anticipated start time in June 2021. Interested applicants with publications and experience in computational neuroscience, who have completed their PhD in the last 5 years, are invited to send their CV to Dr. Etay Hay (etay.hay(a)camh.ca) In support of diversity, women are particularly encouraged to apply. Hay lab for brain microcircuit modelling is located at Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics, within the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (camh). We are fully affiliated with the University of Toronto, and situated at the main campus, downtown Toronto. Etay Hay, PhD Independent Scientist, Krembil Centre for Neuroinformatics Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) Assistant Professor, Department of Psychiatry and Department of Physiology, University of Toronto CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message. AVIS DE CONFIDENTIALITÉ : Ce message électronique, ainsi que tout fichier qui y est joint, est reserve à l'usage exclusif du destinataire visé et peut contenir des renseignements confidentiels et privilégiés. Toute lecture, utilisation, divulgation ou distribution non autorisée est interdite. Si vous n'êtes pas le destinataire visé, veuillez en aviser l'expéditeur par retour de courriel et détruire toutes les copies du message original.

Dec. 19, 2020

PhD Positions at the University of Vermont

by Dave Jangraw

Dr. David Jangraw is seeking PhD students for his new research group, the Glass Brain Lab. The lab's focus is "naturalistic neuroengineering": the use of new technology to study the human brain in realistic situations. By understanding the brain as it operates in real life, we can pave the way for devices that detect problematic brain states in real-time and provide help or support, a sort of pacemaker for the brain. EEG, fMRI, eye tracking, and machine learning will be central to this effort. Sample projects will study mindless reading, attentional reorienting in virtual environments, and automated labeling of psychotherapy techniques. If you are/know a bright undergrad interested in emerging tech and human brain imaging, please get in touch! Our home department gives degrees in Electrical and Biomedical Engineering, but students seeking degrees in Neuroscience, Computer Science, or related fields will also be considered. Applications are due 1/15/21. For more information: - Hiring page: https://github.com/djangraw/hiring/tree/master/UVM-GradStudent - Lab site: https://uvm.edu/~brainlab

Dec. 18, 2020

PhD Studentships in be.AI - University of Sussex’s Leverhulme Doctoral Scholarship Programme in Biomimetic Embodied AI

by Thomas Nowotny

Dear all, The University of Sussex invites applications for PhD studentships within the be.AI Leverhulme Doctoral Scholarship Programme (www.sussex.ac.uk/ccnr/be_ai) which will bring together researchers from the humanities, life sciences and computing to pursue artificial intelligence (AI) in its original definition of understanding natural intelligence by emulating it in artificial systems. In our unique interdisciplinary centre, we will advance understanding of how the interaction between brain, body and environment gives rise to intelligence and how this insight can be used to build novel artificial intelligence. As a be.AI Scholar you will: * Be funded for 3.5 years with a a tax free living allowance at the standard Research Council rate – currently £15,009 per year– and UK fees * Be eligible for generous financial support of up to £4,000 per year for training and research expenses, such as conference trips and experimental costs * Be eligible to apply for one of three 12 month postdoctoral research fellowships, available only to completing Leverhulme be.AI scholars * Benefit from supervision by world-leading researchers in many different aspects of AI * Benefit from taught courses in topics, such as ethics and data science. The Programme will fund three intakes of 6 students per year, starting in September 2021 (application deadline 31st January 2021). You will be registered within one of the participating schools (Life Sciences, Engineering and Informatics, Psychology, Philosophy, Media Film & Music) but will be encouraged to perform cross-disciplinary research with academics across Schools. In be.AI, you will work in a community of like-minded students and researchers supported by your own research seminars, invited lectures by world leading speakers, as well as student-led conferences and cohort building events. We are passionate about creating an interdisciplinary cohort of researchers, so we expect successful applicants to see beyond their disciplinary boundaries and embrace the opportunity to work at the intersection of multiple fields. For further details, including how to apply, see http://www.sussex.ac.uk/ccnr/be_ai Kind regards, Thomas Nowotny, Andrew Philippides, Paul Graham Directors of be.AI -- Prof. Thomas Nowotny CCNR, Sussex Neuroscience Phone: +44-1273-678593 Engineering and Informatics, Fax: +44-1273-877873 University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QJ sussex.ac.uk/informatics/tnowotny<http://sussex.ac.uk/informatics/tnowotny> <../../owa/redir.aspx?C=9e11bb0e527242938402b42d9b5498ea&URL=http%3a%2f%2fsussex.ac.uk%2finformatics%2ftnowotny> I support the University of Sussex Community Pledge, as I continue to help those around me during the pandemic. Small acts of collaboration, kindness and integrity can make a big difference. www.sussex.ac.uk/community-pledge<http://www.sussex.ac.uk/community-pledge>

Dec. 17, 2020

PhD position at the University of Helsinki: Sample-Efficient Probabilistic Machine Learning

by Luigi Acerbi

*Doctoral position in Sample-Efficient Probabilistic Machine Learning (4 years, fully funded)* The Machine and Human Intelligence research group <https://www.helsinki.fi/en/researchgroups/machine-and-human-intelligence> led by Assistant Professor Luigi Acerbi is looking for a PhD candidate eager to work on new machine learning methods for smart, robust, sample-efficient probabilistic inference, with applications to computational and cognitive neuroscience. The candidate will join a newly established research group at the Department of Computer Science of the University of Helsinki (Finland) with strong links to the Finnish Center for Artificial Intelligence (FCAI) <http://fcai.fi/>. Our group is developing novel machine learning approaches for approximate Bayesian inference that use only a small number of likelihood evaluations, which can be a game-changer for complex computational models or when resources are limited. A state-of-the-art framework being developed in our group is Variational Bayesian Monte Carlo (VBMC) <https://github.com/lacerbi/vbmc>, which combines Gaussian process surrogates, active learning, variational inference and Bayesian quadrature (Acerbi, *NeurIPS*; 2018, 2020). Promising thesis projects include extending the representational power of VBMC (e.g., discrete variables, more complex posteriors, higher dimension); exploiting recent advances in Gaussian process inference for superior scalability; combining VBMC with Bayesian deep learning; strengthening the connections with simulator-based inference; and exploring the theoretical properties of the framework. The position is full-time, funded for four years and will be filled as soon as possible, with a negotiable starting date in early 2021. The starting salary is 2350-2700 euros/month, depending on previous qualifications and experience. Application deadline: *January 10, 2021*. For more details and how to apply, see: https://www.helsinki.fi/en/researchgroups/machine-and-human-intelligence/ph… -- Luigi Acerbi, Ph.D. Assistant Professor of Machine and Human Intelligence Department of Computer Science, University of Helsinki Lab: http://www.helsinki.fi/machine-and-human-intelligence

Dec. 17, 2020

Cluster hire: Two Canada Research Chairs in Computational Neuroscience, University of Calgary, Canada

by Joern Davidsen

Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in Complex Neural System Modelling Applications are invited from emerging leaders in the area of Complex Neural System Modelling, for a Tier II Canada Research Chair position in the Department of Physics & Astronomy at the University of Calgary. The successful candidate will be appointed at the rank of Assistant Professor (tenure-track) and will be nominated for a CRC Tier II Chair, which would provide a research stipend and protected time for research for up to 10 years. In alignment with the University’s Eyes High strategic vision and in support of its strategic academic and research priorities of interdisciplinarity, leadership, internationalization and creation of a dynamic research environment, the incumbent will join a university-wide community of world-class scholars under the Brain and Mental Health research strategy and the newly established Computational Neuroscience Platform. Current faculty members in that area maintain research programs in complexity science and critical brain dynamics, network neuroscience and complex network theory, dynamical systems theory and computational neuroscience, biological learning and memory formation, neuromorphic systems and nanotechnology, large data and bioinformatics, medical image processing and machine learning, and quantum neuroscience. Link: https://careers.ucalgary.ca/jobs/5915163-canada-research-chair-tier-ii-in-c… Deadline: To receive full consideration, applications should be received by February 15, 2021. Canada Research Chair (Tier II) in Computational Behavioural Neuroscience The Department of Psychology in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Calgary invites applications for a Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) Canada Research Chair (CRC) Tier II in Computational Behavioural Neuroscience. The successful candidate will be appointed at the rank of Assistant Professor (Tenure-track) in the Department of Psychology. The anticipated start date is July 1, 2021. The Chair will establish and maintain an active and externally funded research program. The Chair will be expected to undertake research that investigates the neural control of behavior in model systems, and use computational techniques as an integral component of their data collection and/or analysis. Candidates with research programs directed toward understanding the mechanisms of experience-dependent plasticity of neural circuits underlying behavior are of particular interest. The Chair’s research program will be aligned with both the University of Calgary’s and the Faculty of Arts’ strategic plans. Additionally, the Chair will play an important role in teaching and research supervision of students in Psychology undergraduate and graduate programs. Service to the department, faculty, and University, is also expected, particularly in helping to build a diverse and inclusive community. Link: https://careers.ucalgary.ca/jobs/5915457-canada-research-chair-tier-ii-in-c… Deadline: Applications are accepted until January 27, 2021 --- Dr. Jörn Davidsen Professor of Physics & Humboldt Research Fellow University of Calgary www.ucalgary.ca/davidsen<http://www.ucalgary.ca/davidsen> www.ucalgary.ca/complexity<http://www.ucalgary.ca/complexity>

Dec. 17, 2020

Algorithms and SW Engineering positions at SynSense

by Dylan Muir

SynSense is advertising several positions in our Algorithms and Applications team, to be based in Zürich, Switzerland or in Chengdu or Shanghai, China. Please see here for details: https://www.synsense-neuromorphic.com/join-us <https://www.synsense-neuromorphic.com/join-us> Our Algorithms team at SynSense is responsible for developing applications for our low-power ML inference hardware. We build, train, test and deploy ML models; collect and wrangle data sets. As part of this work we write and maintain several open-source Python packages, with accompanying automated unit testing, documentation and deployment to PyPI and Conda Forge. * Software Engineer — Package management and Python development We are looking for highly motivated candidates willing to take the lead on SW Engineering tasks and work as part of our Algorithms team. We hope that you will also contribute ML algorithms and ideas to our team, based on your experience. * Algorithms and Applications Engineer — Signal processing We are working on a variety of sound processing tasks, for implementation in smart home devices. We are looking for signal processing engineers to help us implement low-power algorithms for audio front-ends based on microphone arrays. * Algorithms and Applications Engineer — Vision applications SynSense has world-leading hardware for ultra-low-power vision processing, aimed at “edge” deployment such as in mobile phone handsets, IoT and smart home devices. We need ML Engineers to help us design, build and deploy the applications for the next generation of vision processing. You may be based in our Zürich office, or in our Shanghai or Chengdu offices. SynSense is a small but growing startup, with a healthy mix of academic and industry experts. We have a very open-minded approach to our work. Your opinions and experience won’t just be highly valued — they will be crucial for us to advance as a company. We are a highly diverse and international team, and strongly encourage applicants that will increase our diversity. We are an equal-opportunity employer. For more details of the positions and how to apply, see our website: https://www.synsense-neuromorphic.com/join-us <https://www.synsense-neuromorphic.com/join-us> Best regards Dylan Muir

Dec. 16, 2020

Post-doctoral position

by Steve Weisberg

Post-doctoral position available in the Spatial Cognition and Navigational Neuroscience Lab at the University of Florida. The SCANN Lab at the University of Florida is hiring a postdoctoral researcher to do cognitive neuroscience with a general focus on spatial navigation. Please see the full job ad for more information and contact Steven Weisberg (stevenweisberg(a)ufl.edu) for more information. We will accept applications until the position is filled. https://scannlab.psych.ufl.edu/2020/12/07/the-scann-lab-is-recruiting-a-pos… -- --------------------------------------------- *Steven M. Weisberg, PhD * Pronouns: he/him/his Assistant Professor of Psychology University of Florida Director: SCANN Lab <http://scannlab.psych.ufl.edu>

Dec. 16, 2020

Open faculty position in computational neuroscience at the University of Washington

by Adrienne L Fairhall

*Assistant Professorship in computational or theoretical neuroscience at UW* The Department of Physiology & Biophysics at the University of Washington has announced a search for a full-time faculty member at the assistant professor (tenure track) level with a 12-month service period. This position will be in the UW Center for Computational Neuroscience. We seek an individual to specialize in computational or theoretical neuroscience (note that this position is not suitable for an experimentalist due to limitations of space and startup). The successful applicant will take part in the growth of the Center, which serves as the theoretical and computational core of campus programs in neurobiology and neural engineering. We are open to a wide range of computational and theoretical approaches. The University of Washington is an excellent environment for computational neuroscience, with an active group of researchers working in this area distributed across multiple campuses, a Neuroscience program with highly quantitative experimental partners working in a wide array of systems, and excellent programs in bioengineering, mathematical biology, AI and machine learning. We have close relationships with UCSF and Berkeley through the Weill Neurohub, and with the Allen Institute for Brain Science. The UW CNC serves as the focus of a network of computational neuroscience centers in the Pacific Northwest, Canada and France. For more information, please see http://compneuro.washington.edu and https://depts.washington.edu/pbiopage/. We are committed to creating a departmental climate that embraces and benefits from the diversity of all individuals. Candidates should include a statement about how they will contribute to this environment (detailed instructions on our website). Review of applications will begin on January 4, 2021 and continue until the position is filled. The anticipated start date is July 1, 2021. Qualifications Candidates must have a Ph.D. or foreign equivalent in mathematics, physics, computer science, neuroscience or a related field. Application Instructions Application packages, including a curriculum vitae, a description of research accomplishments and plans, three letters of reference, diversity statement, and up to two papers or manuscripts as PDFs must be submitted electronically through Interfolio.

Dec. 15, 2020

PhD studentship on the modulation of visual processing by behaviour (Schröder Lab, University of Sussex, UK)

by Sylvia Schröder

The Schröder Lab <https://www.sussex.ac.uk/research/labs/schroeder-lab/> at the University of Sussex, UK, offers a *PhD studentship for 42 months* starting in September 2021. We study how behaviour and internal states like arousal influence visual processing in the early visual system, in particular the retina and the superior colliculus. Based on recent discoveries that even the earliest visual signals in the brain are not purely visual (Schröder et al. 2020, Neuron <https://www.cell.com/neuron/fulltext/S0896-6273(20)30318-4>), we want to understand how the integration of visual and behavioural signals could benefit the processing of visual input and ultimately help the animal to reach its behavioural goals. Our lab works with mice as model system and uses two-photon imaging of neurons and their presynaptic inputs (axon terminals), high-density electrophysiology (Neuropixels probes), and opto-/chemogenetic manipulations to address these questions. Available projects include: (1) To discover how visual responses of different cell types in the retina and superior colliculus (receiving direct retinal input) are modulated by behaviours like running and by different states of arousal; (2) To discover the mechanisms underlying this behavioural modulation, focusing on the effects of neuromodulators like noradrenaline and serotonin. Details of the projects will be shaped by the skills and interests of the candidate. We strongly encourage collaborations with other groups at Sussex Neuroscience such as Leon Lagnado <https://lagnadolab.com/>, Tom Baden <https://badenlab.org/> and Miguel Maravall <http://www.sussex.ac.uk/lifesci/maravalllab/index>. Please submit a formal application *by 15th January, 2021*, using our online application system at http://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/phd/apply, including a CV (2-3 pages), degree transcripts and certificates, statement of interest (1 page) and names of two academic referees. On the application system use Programme of Study – PhD Neuroscience. Please make sure you include the project title and Supervisor’s name with your statement of interest on the application form. This School funded position, which covers fees and a stipend at standard RCUK rates, is open to Home / EU applicants. Ideal candidates will have a strong background in neuroscience with additional experience of quantitative data analysis. Alternatively, the candidate has a background in a physics, engineering or computer science and has a keen interest in neuroscience and performing experiments. Eligible applicants will have recently received an MSc and/or a First or high 2:1 BSc in a relevant subject. Candidates for whom English is not their first language will require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall, with not less than 6.0 in any section. Contact Emma Chorley for application enquiries (lifesciphd(a)sussex.ac.uk) Contact Sylvia Schröder <S.Schroeder(a)sussex.ac.uk> for enquiries about the project. -- Sylvia Schröder, PhD Cortical Processing Laboratory <http://www.ucl.ac.uk/cortexlab/> | University College London Cruciform Building, Gower Str, London WC1E 6AE Schröder Lab <https://www.sussex.ac.uk/research/labs/schroeder-lab/index> | University of Sussex

Dec. 15, 2020

Postdoctoral fellow in Computational Neuroscience investigating mechanisms of sensorimotor integration.

by Ausborn,Jessica

Dr. Jessica Ausborn’s group at Drexel University College of Medicine, in the Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy is seeking a postdoctoral fellow for an exciting new research project to understand the underlying mechanisms of sensorimotor integration. The project involves computational modeling integrated with anatomical, electrophysiological, and behavioral data within highly accessible sensorimotor circuits of Drosophila melanogaster. The interdisciplinary collaboration with the experimental group of Dr. Katie von Reyn (School of Biomedical Engineering) will involve a variety of computational techniques utilizing cutting-edge datasets. It includes the development of biophysically detailed and more abstract mathematical models at the single neuron and network level, together with machine learning and data science techniques, to identify and describe the algorithms computed in neuronal pathways that perform sensorimotor transformations. The Ausborn laboratory is part of an interdisciplinary group of Drexel’s Neuroengineering program that includes computational and experimental investigators. This collaborative, interdisciplinary environment enables us to probe biological systems in a way that would not be possible with either an exclusively experimental or computational approach. https://drexel.edu/medicine/about/departments/neurobiology-anatomy/research… Applicants should forward a cover letter, curriculum vitae, statement of research interests, and contact information of three references to Jessica Ausborn (ja696(a)drexel.edu<mailto:ja696@drexel.edu>). Salary will be commensurate with experience based on NIH guidelines. -------------------------------------- Jessica Ausborn Assistant Professor Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy Drexel University College of Medicine 2900 W. Queen Lane Philadelphia, PA 19129 Phone: (215) 991-8310

Dec. 15, 2020

2 open Postdoc positions in Embodied Cognitive Science at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology

by Sébastien Lerique

Dear all, Two positions for Postdoctoral scholars are now open at the Embodied Cognitive Science Unit at OIST (Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology). Applications are welcome until the positions are filled. Note that applications for these roles as Unit technician or Staff scientist are also welcome. Please see the full announcements for details: - https://www.oist.jp/careers/data-scientist-embodied-cognitive-science-unit-… - https://www.oist.jp/careers/neuroscientist-embodied-cognitive-science-unit-… Please spread the word! Best wishes, Sébastien Lerique

Dec. 14, 2020

Worldwideneuro Seminars, jobs, and worldwideneuro mail list subscription.

by Tim Vogels

Dear colleagues, Please forgive the announcement. for the seminars on worldwideneuro.com <http://worldwideneuro.com/>. I wanted to quickly let you know that you can easily receive the full weekly programme by subscribing to our mailing list. We send one email per week, on Monday mornings, so, very low spam levels. To join, send a blank email to worldwideneuro+subscribe(a)googlegroups.com <mailto:worldwideneuro+subscribe@googlegroups.com> Please let us know if you are interested in hosting a seminar series on worldwideneuo, It’s easy and a matter of minutes to add your series. Also: If your are looking for a job, or you are looking to fill one, consider posting it on world-wide.org/jobs <http://world-wide.org/jobs> Finally, while you are reading this, please note that World Wide Neuro is hosting 26 (great) seminars this week + next Monday, across 23 series. Please find the details below and mark the dates. All the best, Tim Vogels ------------ Tim Vogels Professor vogelslab.org <http://vogelslab.org/> @tpvogels +43 2243 9000 2170 Talks this week: 🗓 Monday, December 14, 2020 — 10:00 GMT Prof Fabrice Crivello > Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives - CNRS UMR 5293 - Université de bordeaux ○ Defining new multimodal neuroimaging marker for grey matter characterization <https://www.world-wide.org/seminar/1796/> hosted by ICM Paris Brain Institute 🗓 Monday, December 14, 2020 — 12:00 GMT Dr Johanna Jackson > UK Dementia Research Institute at Imperial College London ○ Targeting the synapse in Alzheimer’s Disease <https://www.world-wide.org/seminar/1731/> hosted by Imperial Centre for Neurotechnology 🗓 Monday, December 14, 2020 — 12:00 GMT Professor Gloria Patricia Cardona-Gómez > School of Medicine at University of Antioquia, Medellín, Colombia ○ Phospholipid regulation in cognitive impairment and vascular dementia <https://www.world-wide.org/seminar/1660/> hosted by IIBCE on Brain Science 🗓 Monday, December 14, 2020 — 13:00 GMT Professor Elaine Del-Bel > Professor of Physiology,Department of Morphology, Physiology and Basic Pathology, School of Dentistry, Ribeirão Preto (FORP), University of São Paulo. ○ What about antibiotics for the treatment of the dyskinesia induced by L-DOPA? <https://www.world-wide.org/seminar/1659/> hosted by IIBCE on Brain Science 🗓 Monday, December 14, 2020 — 15:00 GMT Israel Nelken > Edmond and Lily Safra Center for Brain Sciences, Jerusalem, Israel ○ Contextual effects in the representation of complex sounds: from the inferior colliculus to higher-order cortical fields <https://www.world-wide.org/seminar/1390/> hosted by LOOPS de Hoz - Hechavarria 🗓 Monday, December 14, 2020 — 15:30 GMT Ziad Hafed > Werner Reichardt Centre for Integrative Neuroscience, Tübingen, Germany ○ https://www.world-wide.org/seminar/1391 <https://www.world-wide.org/seminar/1391/> hosted by LOOPS de Hoz - Hechavarria 🗓 Monday, December 14, 2020 — 16:00 GMT Dr. Gérard Karsenty > Columbia University ○ Blurring the boundaries between neuroscience and organismal physiology <https://www.world-wide.org/seminar/1837/> hosted by Brain-Body Interactions 🗓 Tuesday, December 15, 2020 — 10:00 GMT Prof Wu Li > Beijing Normal University ○ Learning-induced changes in visual cortical processing <https://www.world-wide.org/seminar/738/> hosted by BIU Vision Science 🗓 Tuesday, December 15, 2020 — 13:30 GMT Prof Elizabeth Heller-Mesznik > University of Pennsylvania ○ https://www.world-wide.org/seminar/1821 <https://www.world-wide.org/seminar/1821/> hosted by IST Neuroscience 🗓 Tuesday, December 15, 2020 — 16:00 GMT Prof Giuseppe Testa > ○ Rethinking neuroconstructivism through brain organoids at single cell resolution <https://www.world-wide.org/seminar/838/> hosted by NeuroDev Disorders 🗓 Wednesday, December 16, 2020 — 08:00 GMT Virtual Opening > European University for Brain and Technology (NeurotechEU) ○ European University for Brain and Technology Virtual Opening <https://www.world-wide.org/seminar/1865/> hosted by Ad hoc 🗓 Wednesday, December 16, 2020 — 14:20 GMT PhD Charley Wu > Max Planck ○ Generalization guided exploration <https://www.world-wide.org/seminar/1718/> hosted by CompCogSci Darmstadt 🗓 Wednesday, December 16, 2020 — 16:00 GMT Moritz Helias > Juelich Research Center ○ Correlations, chaos, and criticality in neural networks <https://www.world-wide.org/seminar/1670/> hosted by WWTNS 🗓 Wednesday, December 16, 2020 — 16:00 GMT Prof Xinyu Zhao > University of Wisconsin–Madison ○ Targeting stem cells for neurodevelopmental disorders <https://www.world-wide.org/seminar/1347/> hosted by Seaver Autism Center 🗓 Wednesday, December 16, 2020 — 17:00 GMT Dr Melissa Coleman > Claremont McKenna ○ Neural Mechanisms of Coordination in Duetting Wrens <https://www.world-wide.org/seminar/1325/> hosted by Systems Neuroecology 🗓 Wednesday, December 16, 2020 — 17:00 GMT Prof Dirk Isbrandt > Deutsches Zentrum fur Neurodegenerative Erkrankunngen ○ Vulnerable periods of brain development in ion channelopathies <https://www.world-wide.org/seminar/299/> hosted by Experimental Epilepsy 🗓 Wednesday, December 16, 2020 — 17:15 GMT Prof Gina Poe > University of California, Los Angeles, Integrative Biology & Physiology ○ Sleep features for memory consolidation and network building across the lifespan <https://www.world-wide.org/seminar/1764/> hosted by Boston Sys Neuro 🗓 Wednesday, December 16, 2020 — 19:00 GMT Amanda McQuade > UC Irvine ○ Human TREM2 knockout microglia fail to activate towards Alzheimer’s disease pathology <https://www.world-wide.org/seminar/1472/> hosted by NeuroLaunchpad 🗓 Wednesday, December 16, 2020 — 19:30 GMT Dr. Erez Geron > NYU ○ Retrieval spikes: a dendritic mechanism for retrieval-dependent memory consolidation <https://www.world-wide.org/seminar/1473/> hosted by NeuroLaunchpad 🗓 Thursday, December 17, 2020 — 12:00 GMT Prof Gyorgy Buzsaki > NYU Neuroscience Institute, Langone Medical Center ○ Ways to think about the brain <https://www.world-wide.org/seminar/1745/> hosted by Champalimaud Colloquia 🗓 Thursday, December 17, 2020 — 16:00 GMT Udai Pandey > University of Pittsburgh ○ https://www.world-wide.org/seminar/1528 <https://www.world-wide.org/seminar/1528/> hosted by Neurodegeneration in Flies 🗓 Thursday, December 17, 2020 — 16:00 GMT Matthew Cobb > ○ https://www.world-wide.org/seminar/1308 <https://www.world-wide.org/seminar/1308/> hosted by WWNDev 🗓 Thursday, December 17, 2020 — 16:00 GMT Dr Mohamed Abdelhack > Washington University in St. Louis ○ Top-down Modulation in Human Visual Cortex <https://www.world-wide.org/seminar/1592/> hosted by SONA 🗓 Thursday, December 17, 2020 — 18:00 GMT Dr Sydney Trask > University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee ○ https://www.world-wide.org/seminar/1838 <https://www.world-wide.org/seminar/1838/> hosted by Next Gen Neuro 🗓 Thursday, December 17, 2020 — 18:00 GMT Prof Daphna Shohamy > Columbia University ○ How Memory Guides Value-Based Decisions <https://www.world-wide.org/seminar/1820/> hosted by Caltech SocDecNeuro 🗓 Thursday, December 17, 2020 — 20:00 GMT Prof Antonio Verdejo-García > Monash University, Australia ○ In-Love with Addiction Neuroscience <https://www.world-wide.org/seminar/1851/> hosted by ISAM-NIG In-love with Addiction Neuroscience World Wide Neuro is kindly supported by <https://elifesciences.org/> <https://journals.plos.org/plosbiology/> <https://fenskavlinetwork.org/> <https://www.phenosys.com/>

Dec. 14, 2020

PhD positions in dendritic computations (Poirazi lab)

by Yiota Poirazi

The Poirazi lab <http://www.dendrites.gr> at IMBB-FORTH, in Crete, Greece is recruiting *two PhD students *as part of the Marie Skłodowska Curie Innovative Training Network “SmartNets <https://www.smartnets-etn.eu>” The objective of SmartNets is to provide high-level training into the functioning of biological networks to a new generation of early stage researchers, to provide them with the skills necessary for thriving careers in a burgeoning area that underpins innovative technological development across a range of diverse disciplines. This goal will be achieved by a unique combination of “hands-on” research training, non-academic placements (industrial and non-profit organisations) and courses and workshops on both scientific and complementary -so-called “soft”- skills facilitated by the academic-non-academic composition of the consortium. SmartNets brings together neuroscientists, behavioural and cognitive scientists, physicists, computer scientists, and non-profit stakeholders in order to train the next generation of data scientists that will: 1) develop a fundamental understanding of the relationship between structure and function in biological networks and 2) translate this knowledge into novel technological solutions. ESRs will develop a unique interdisciplinary set of skills that will make them capable of analyzing networks at many levels and for many systems. *Mobility Rule*: PhD students must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the host for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays, and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention, are not taken into account. For more information about the positions and how to apply click below: Project 1: Role of dendritic nonlinearities in V1 network properties after visual learning <https://www.smartnets-etn.eu/role-of-dendritic-nonlinearities-in-v1-network…> Project 2: Role of dendritic nonlinearities in hippocampal network properties after contextual and spatial learning <https://www.smartnets-etn.eu/role-of-dendritic-nonlinearities-in-hippocampa…> - Vacancy terms: Full Time, Fixed Term starting from 1st of April 2021 for 1 year (renewable for 2 more years). - Living allowance: 34,800 € per annum (approximately 22,800 € Net). Depending on family status, successful candidates will also have mobility (600 € per month) and/or family (250 € per month) allowance, as provided by MSCA grants. - Deadline: midnight, 28th of February 2021. Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an (online) interview. For questions please contact Panayiota Poirazi, poirazi(a)imbb.forth.gr -- Panayiota Poirazi, Ph.D. Research Director Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB) Foundation of Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH) Vassilika Vouton, P.O.Box 1385, GR 70013, Heraklion, Crete GREECE Tel: +30 2810 391139 Fax: +30 2810 391101 Εmail: poirazi(a)imbb.forth.gr Lab site: www.dendrites.gr -- Panayiota Poirazi, Ph.D. Research Director Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology (IMBB) Foundation of Research and Technology-Hellas (FORTH) Vassilika Vouton, P.O.Box 1385, GR 70013, Heraklion, Crete GREECE Tel: +30 2810 391139 Fax: +30 2810 391101 Εmail: poirazi(a)imbb.forth.gr Lab site: www.dendrites.gr

Dec. 14, 2020

Starting a New Society for Contemplative Research

by Vago, David R (University)

Dear computational neuroscience colleagues, we have a request for you today and an opportunity to have input into a new initiative. A group of researchers in contemplative science and humanities are planning a think tank to discuss building a new association tentatively called "The Society for Contemplative Research." This would bring together humanists, contemplative scholars and scientists from many disciplines who are working on the experience and nature of contemplative practices and their applications across a wide range of human endeavors. This includes the neuroscientific and clinical study of mindfulness, meditation, compassion, empathy, prosocial behavior, contemplation and other mind-body practices, as well as their philosophical and cultural contexts. Towards this end, we have developed a survey that will help determine the level of interest in such an association and potential forms it could take. This information will be used to inform the Think Tank process happening in 2021. Therefore we are asking you to please fill out the attached survey, which will take around 10-12 minutes of your valuable time. Many thanks for this important contribution to advancing research and scholarship in the study of contemplation. Survey link: https://redcap.link/SCR<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fredcap.li…> If you have questions, please feel free to contact us at: contemplative.info(a)gmail.com<mailto:contemplative.info@gmail.com> Many thanks, MLI Think Tank Organizing Group (https://www.mindandlife.org/grant/international-society-for-contemplative-r…<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.minda…>) ============================== David R. Vago, Ph.D. | Director | Contemplative Neuroscience & Mind-Body Research Laboratory<https://www.contemplativeneurosciences.com/> Research Associate Professor | Department of Psychology | Vanderbilt Brain Institute | Vanderbilt University Director | AWARE Labs<https://www.contemplativeneurosciences.com/aware-labs/> | Contract Research and Consulting David.vago(a)vanderbilt.edu<mailto:David.vago@vanderbilt.edu> | P: 801-647-5906 [signature_1938336465]<https://medschool.vanderbilt.edu/brain-institute/person/david-r-vago-ph-d/>[mage result for vi4 vanderbilt]<https://nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vumc.…> ------- Research Associate, Department of Psychiatry | Brigham & Women’s Hospital | Teaching Affliate of Harvard Medical School Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory<http://neuroimaging.bwh.harvard.edu/> | dvago(a)bwh.harvard.edu<mailto:dvago@bwh.harvard.edu>

Dec. 12, 2020

Second fully-funded PhD position at the Vision Institute, Sorbonne University, Paris, France

by angelo.arleo＠inserm.fr

Second fully-funded PhD position at the Vision Institute, Sorbonne University, Paris, France Job description Applications are invited for a 3-year PhD position to develop data-analytic and computational modeling tools aiming at the early automated detection of biomarkers and risk assessment for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and other eye diseases. AMD was ranked by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a priority eye disease, and it is the main cause of blindness in western countries. Despite the prevalence, rate of growth, and impact of AMD, its diagnosis is made too late: 69% AMD patients ignore their condition and 78% have irreversible loss when first diagnosed. The main objective of this doctoral project is to cross-link cellular changes in the deep retina with visual symptoms of AMD patients. The project will combine state-of-the-art live high-resolution retinal imaging using adaptive optics, electroretinogram recordings, and fine metrics of AMD-related functional visual losses in order to discover potential biomarkers of AMD onset and/or stage evolution. This project relies on a tight collaboration between visual neuroscientists and clinical ophthalmologists and it builds on the existing integration of basic vision science expertise at the Vision Institute and clinical research expertise in the Clinical Investigation Center of the Quinze-Vingt National Hospital. Requirements and eligibility criteria Applicants should have a quantitative background (engineering, computer science, physics, applied mathematics), a keen interest in vision and be open to the possibility of conducting experiments with human patients. The ideal candidate is expected to have a strong expertise in computational models of vision, image analysis and programming (Matlab, C or Python). Previous experience in experimental data analysis and/or machine learning is a plus. Knowledge of French is desired (but not mandatory). Proficiency in oral and written English is required. Successful candidates are expected to work in an interdisciplinary environment with engineers, neuroscientists, and clinicians. Benefits The position corresponds to a full PhD appointment (36 months) with competitive salary and working conditions. It is funded by IHU FOReSight and AVIESAN-UNADEV. Working environment The Vision Institute is one of the top international centers for integrated research on vision and eye diseases. It is located at the heart of Paris, on the campus of the National Hospital Center for Ophthalmology of the Quinze-Vingts. It includes multidisciplinary research laboratories, which share state-of-the-art platforms for human and animal experimentation. It also harbors a Clinical Investigation Center, which fosters translational research. How to apply Applications should be sent to Angelo Arleo (angelo.arleo(a)inserm.fr <mailto:angelo.arleo@inserm.fr>) and Denis Sheynikhovich (denis.sheynikhovich(a)sorbonne-universite.fr <mailto:denis.sheynikhovich@sorbonne-universite.fr>). Angelo ARLEO FONTAINE, PhD Director of Research CNRS Head of the Aging in Vision and Action Lab, Director of the Chair Silversight, Institute of Vision, CNRS - INSERM - Sorbonne University, 17, rue Moreau F-75012 Paris, France Phone: +33 (0)1 53 46 26 52 Mobile: +33 (0)6 46 84 09 56 Email: angelo.arleo(a)inserm.fr Website: www.aging-vision-action.fr

Dec. 12, 2020

Stanford - Postdoctoral Fellowship in Computational Modeling of Cognition and Human Brain Function

by Mai-Phuong K Bo

Please post where appropriate. Thank you. The Stanford Cognitive and Systems Neuroscience Laboratory (scsnl.stanford.edu) invites applications for a postdoctoral fellowship in computational modeling of human cognitive, behavioral, and brain imaging data. The candidate will be involved in multidisciplinary projects to develop and implement novel neuro-cognitive computational frameworks, using multiple cutting-edge methods that may include computational cognitive modeling, Bayesian inference, dynamic brain circuit analysis, and deep neural networks. These projects will span areas including robust identification of cognitive and neurobiological signatures of psychiatric and neurological disorders, and neurodevelopmental trajectories. Clinical disorders under investigation include autism, ADHD, anxiety and mood disorders, learning disabilities, and schizophrenia. We seek talented and highly-motivated individuals with a strong background in at least one of these areas: computational, cognitive, and statistical modeling; deep learning algorithms and optimization (theory and practical implementations); statistical modeling and inference/machine learning as applied to cognitive and brain imaging data. The candidate will have access to multiple large datasets and state-of-the-art computational resources, including HPCs and GPUs. Please include a CV and a statement of research interests and have three letters of reference emailed to Prof. Vinod Menon at scsnl.stanford+postdoc(a)gmail.com<mailto:scsnl.stanford+postdoc@gmail.com>. Mai-Phuong Bo Lab & Recruitment Manager Stanford Cognitive & Systems Neuroscience Lab Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Sciences Email: maipbo(a)stanford.edu [cid:9a00c2c5-3f75-4d48-8d19-ec6a85fe9a8a]

Dec. 12, 2020

PhD positions in the lab of Rava Azeredo da Silveira in Basel

by Rava A. da Silveira

*Openings for PhD positions in the lab of Rava Azeredo da Silveira * *(Basel)* The lab of Rava Azeredo da Silveira invites applications for *PhD* *positions* at the Institute for Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel (IOB), an associated institute of the University of Basel. Research questions will be chosen from a broad range of topics in theoretical/computational neuroscience and cognitive science (see the description of the lab’s activity, below). Candidates with backgrounds in mathematics, statistics, artificial intelligence, physics, computer science, engineering, biology, and psychology are welcome. Experience with data analysis and proficiency with numerical methods, in addition to familiarity with neuroscience topics and mathematical and statistical methods, are desirable. Equally desirable are a spirit of intellectual adventure, eagerness, and drive. The positions will come with highly competitive work conditions and salaries. *Application deadline:* We will start reviewing applications on 20 December 2020. *How to apply:* Please send the following information *in one single PDF, to * *silveira(a)iob.ch* <silveira(a)iob.ch>*:* 1. letter on motivation and interests; 2. curriculum vitæ; 3. transcripts of undergraduate and Master grades. In addition, please arrange for three letters of recommendations to be sent to the same email address. In all email correspondence, please include the mention “APPLICATION-PHD” in the subject header, otherwise the application will *not* be considered. *** *The Silveira** Lab* focuses on a range of topics, which, however, are tied together through a central question: How does the brain represent and manipulate information? Among the more concrete approaches to this question, the lab analyses and models neural activity in circuits that can be identified, recorded from, and perturbed experimentally, such as visual neural circuits in the retina and the cortex. Establishing links between physiological specificity and the structure of neural activity yields an understanding of circuits as building blocks of cerebral information processing. On a more abstract level, the lab investigates the representation of information in populations of neurons, from a statistical and algorithmic—rather than mechanistic—point of view, through theories of coding and data analyses. These studies aim at understanding the statistical nature of high-dimensional neural activity in different conditions, and how this serves to encode and process information from the sensory world. In the context of cognitive studies, the lab investigates mental processes such as inference, learning, and decision-making, through both theoretical developments and behavioral experiments. A particular focus is the study of neural constraints and limitations and, further, their impact on mental processes. Neural limitations impinge on the structure and variability of mental representations, which in turn inform the cognitive algorithms that produce behavior. The lab explores the nature of neural limitations, mental representations, and cognitive algorithms, and their interrelations.

Dec. 11, 2020

Fully-funded PhD position at the Vision Institute, Sorbonne University, Paris, France

by angelo.arleo＠inserm.fr

Fully-funded PhD position at the Vision Institute, Sorbonne University, Paris, France Job description Applications are invited for a 3-year PhD position to develop clinical endpoints of daily-life activity for low vision patients in order to assess visual restoration. The therapeutic benefits of vision restoration are usually evaluated in clinical studies using conventional functional measures such as visual field and contrast sensitivity. However, these tests are not sufficient to characterize the impact of a visual pathology on patients’ quality of life and autonomy. This project will set forth a set of benchmark measures to evaluate a range of daily life functions (locomotion, spatial orientation, posture, balance, reading) in real conditions. The goal is to identify behavioral biomarkers of the benefit of vision restoration solutions (namely optogenetic therapy and retinal implants) in visually impaired patients. The PhD candidate will work hand-in-hand with clinicians of the National Hospital Center for Ophthalmology of the Quinze-Vingts and with researchers of the Vision Institute as well as the Streetlab company. The project will be supervised by Dr. Colas Authié and Dr. Angelo Arleo. Requirements and eligibility criteria Applicants should have a quantitative background (engineering, computer science, physics, applied mathematics), and a keen interest in behavioral neuroscience. The ideal candidate should have expertise in virtual reality, motor control, and biometric data analysis. Experience in low-vision or knowledge on machine learning and programming languages (Matlab, C or Python) are a plus. Knowledge of French is important (but not mandatory). Proficiency in oral and written English is required. Successful candidates are expected to work in an interdisciplinary environment with engineers, neuroscientists, and clinicians. Applicants must be in the first four years of their research career and they must not have lived in France more than 12 months during the last 3 years. Benefits The position is funded by the Marie Curie ITN project ENTRAIN-VISION. It corresponds to a full PhD appointment (36 months) with competitive salary and working conditions, monthly mobility allowance, and family allowance. It also provides continuing education, secondments in the private sector, training modules, and transferable skills courses. Working environment The Vision Institute is one of the top international centers for integrated research on vision and eye diseases. It is located at the heart of Paris, on the campus of the National Hospital Center for Ophthalmology of the Quinze-Vingts. It includes multidisciplinary research laboratories, which share state-of-the-art platforms for human and animal experimentation. It also harbors a Clinical Investigation Center, which fosters translational research. The Streetlab provides a panel of platforms (reproducing virtual and real environments) and standardized evaluation solutions to measure autonomy, mobility, and quality of life of visually impaired people. How to apply Applications should be sent to recruitment(a)entrain-vision.eu <mailto:recruitment@entrain-vision.eu> by January 11th, 2021, 1PM CET (Paris time). Please see https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/585147 <https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/585147> for details about eligibility criteria and application guidelines. For further inquiries, please contact Angelo Arleo (angelo.arleo(a)inserm.fr <mailto:angelo.arleo@inserm.fr>) and Colas Authié (colas.authie(a)streetlab-vision.com <mailto:colas.authie@streetlab-vision.com>). ***************************************************************** Angelo ARLEO FONTAINE, PhD Director of Research CNRS Head of the Aging in Vision and Action Lab, Director of the Chair Silversight, Institute of Vision, CNRS - INSERM - Sorbonne University, 17, rue Moreau F-75012 Paris, France Phone: +33 (0)1 53 46 26 52 Mobile: +33 (0)6 46 84 09 56 Email: angelo.arleo(a)inserm.fr Website: www.aging-vision-action.fr

Dec. 11, 2020