- Comp-neuro - lists.cnsorg.org

PhD position in Insect-Inspired AI at Edinburgh

by Barbara Webb

The Insect Robotics lab at the University of Edinburgh, led by Professor Barbara Webb, has a fully-funded PhD studentship (3 years fees and stipend) available to study 'Insect-Inspired AI'. The position could commence any time from now. The project will develop an alternative architecture for intelligent autonomous systems based on the insect brain. Insects are hugely successful at a number of tasks that are still major challenges for artificial intelligence, including rapid learning from minimal data and sophisticated navigation and robust coordination of behaviour in dynamic environments. The focus of the work will be to obtain a functional understanding of the computations occurring in the insect ‘mushroom body’ (MB) neuropil. Specifically, the PhD topic is to understand how the input and output organisation of the MB support adaptive and context dependent associative learning of complex sensory patterns for the control of behaviour. This will be applied to robot navigation tasks. A suitable candidate would have a strong first degree in computing, maths or engineering; ideally with some background in computational neuroscience, neuromorphic computing, robotics or similar topics; and a strong interest in obtaining biological understanding of brain mechanisms for control of behaviour. Interested candidates should in the first instance contact Professor Barbara Webb <B.Webb(a)ed.ac.uk>. More details about graduate study at the School of Informatics and the formal application process can be found here: https://www.ed.ac.uk/informatics/postgraduate/research-degrees -- The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, with registration number SC005336.

Oct. 19, 2020

NEURONUS 2020 IBRO Neuroscience Forum (8-11 December 2020, ONLINE)

by Michał Zaręba

*REGISTRATION for NEURONUS 2020 IBRO Neuroscience Forum is open only UNTIL OCTOBER 31! The fee has been lowered to 12€. The number of the participants is limited only to 1000 – hurry up! More information and registration forms can be found on our website: **http://neuronusforum.pl/* <http://neuronusforum.pl/>*.* With prominent speakers and an unique atmosphere of Krakow, one of the oldest and most beautiful Polish cities, NEURONUS IBRO Neuroscience Forums have established themselves in the European calendar of scientific events as a platform for communication between scientists from different fields of neuroscience. Unfortunately, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to move our event to the virtual plane. The program of the conference consists of numerous sessions on biological, cognitive, computational and medical aspects of neuroscience, creating a dynamic environment for sharing knowledge. The schedule of the meeting is further complemented with lectures by invited guests, and we invest a lot of effort to attract as influential neuroscientists as possible. This year’s keynote speakers include: - *Karl Friston *(University College London, the UK) - *Pico Caroni *(University of Basel, Switzerland) - *Karin Roelofs *(Radboud University Nijmegen, the Netherlands) - *Alejandro Schinder *(Leloir Institute, Buenos Aires, Argentina) - *Adam Hampshire *(Imperial College London, the UK) - *Dayu Lin *(New York University School of Medicine, the USA) Furthermore, a special panel concerning the Future of Neuroscience will be held. We have confirmed participation of three pioneering researchers: - *Viktor Jirsa *(Aix-Marseille University, France) - *Panayiota Poirazi* (Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Heraklion, Greece) - *Dominik Paquet *(Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, Germany) During the upcoming 11th edition of the conference, we will traditionally continue to put *emphasis on development of early-career researchers*. The main purpose of this event is to provide means for both young and experienced neuroscientists to share the latest discoveries, knowledge and experience in neuroscience, as well as make valuable contacts with scientists representing various fields of neurobiology. We actively promote young scientists through preferentially allocating oral presentations of their experimental results. We strongly encourage you to join this special initiative, and hope to see you soon! On behalf of the Organising Committee, Michał Zaręba

Oct. 19, 2020

PhD-positions in computational neuroscience at the University of Oslo as part of CompSci grant in EU Horizon 2020

by Gaute Einevoll

CompSci is a Doctoral Programme launched and managed by the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at the University of Oslo (UiO). It is partly funded by the EU Horizon 2020 under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action (MSCA) - Co-funding of Regional, National and International Programmes (COFUND). The CompSci Doctoral Program will recruit 32 PhDs in two calls. In this Call, we open for applications to the 1st cohort of 16 PhD fellowship positions, that will join our PhD programme starting autumn 2021 at UiO. The possible PhD-projects span over a wide range of topics where methods from computational science are applied to different fields in the natural sciences: https://www.mn.uio.no/compsci/english/projects/ Four of the possible projects in Call 1 are within computational neuroscience: * Bio-inspired neural networks for navigation<https://www.mn.uio.no/compsci/english/projects/bioscience/bio-inspired-neur…> Supervisors: Anders Malthe-Sørenssen<https://www.mn.uio.no/compsci/english/projects/supervisors/malthe-sorenssen…>, Gaute T. Einevoll<https://www.mn.uio.no/compsci/english/projects/supervisors/einevoll.html> * Large-scale recordings of neurons to reveal mechanisms of learning and memory<https://www.mn.uio.no/compsci/english/projects/bioscience/learning-and-memo…> Supervisors: Marianne Fyhn<https://www.mn.uio.no/compsci/english/projects/supervisors/fyhn.html>, Anders Malthe-Sørenssen<https://www.mn.uio.no/compsci/english/projects/supervisors/malthe-sorenssen…> * Large-scale network simulations of mouse visual cortex<https://www.mn.uio.no/compsci/english/projects/bioscience/neural-networks.h…> Supervisors: Gaute T. Einevoll<https://www.mn.uio.no/compsci/english/projects/supervisors/einevoll.html>, Marianne Fyhn<https://www.mn.uio.no/compsci/english/projects/supervisors/fyhn.html> * Modelling systems levels changes in brain aging induced by genome instability<https://www.mn.uio.no/compsci/english/projects/bioscience/brain-aging.html> Supervisors: Hilde Nilsen<https://www.mn.uio.no/compsci/english/projects/supervisors/nilsen.html>, Gaute T. Einevoll<https://www.mn.uio.no/compsci/english/projects/supervisors/einevoll.html> For information about how to apply, see https://www.jobbnorge.no/en/available-jobs/job/193610/compsci-call-1-marie-… . The application deadline for Call 1 is: January 3rd 2021 Questions about the individual projects should be sent to the supervisors listed above.

Oct. 18, 2020

Re: [Comp-neuro] Lecture video about Explainable and Reliable AI: Deep Learning and Adaptive Resonance

by Grossberg, Stephen

Dear Colleagues, On September 19, I gave a pre-recorded keynote lecture on Zoom to the 13th International Conference on Brain Informatics about Explainable and Reliable AI, a topic that's of considerable interest these days. The lecture's title and url are: Explainable and Reliable AI and Autonomous Adaptive Intelligence: Deep Learning, Adaptive Resonance, and Models of Perception, Emotion, and Action http://sites.bu.edu/steveg/files/2020/10/Grossberg-keynote-for-BI-on-9-19-2… The lecture can also be found on my web page sites.bu.edu/steveg along with a pdf of its powerpoint slides and various other lectures and articles. Best, Steve Grossberg Stephen Grossberg http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Grossberg http://scholar.google.com/citations?user=3BIV70wAAAAJ&hl=en https://youtu.be/9n5AnvFur7I https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_hBye6JQCh4 Wang Professor of Cognitive and Neural Systems Director, Center for Adaptive Systems Professor Emeritus of Mathematics & Statistics, Psychological & Brain Sciences, and Biomedical Engineering Boston University sites.bu.edu/steveg steve(a)bu.edu

Oct. 17, 2020

How to find your scientific neighbours, future colleagues

by Tim Vogels

Dear Colleagues, For those of you who are looking for a position as a postdoc (or faculty), consider posting your info to world-wide.org/neighbors <http://world-wide.org/neighbors>. It's a place to find your closest scientific neighbours, and maybe your next position. Fill in & submit your info, and a few minutes later we will post it, if you want to with the best matching labs. /neighbors <http://world-wide.org/neighbors> is an extension of the popular worldwideneuro.com <http://worldwideneuro.com/>, and currently works best for neuroscience matches. For those of you who are looking for postdocs and advertising positions for postdocs to HIRE, it may be interesting to also post your ads on world-wide.org/neighbors <http://world-wide.org/neighbors>. Posting your ad to the website will make it visible for a much longer time than a single fleeting email. And while you are here, come brows through the info on people looking for jobs. Finally, you can also just browse if you're just “curious”, and check out who your closest neighbours are. Or find some amazing talks on worldwideneuro.com <http://worldwideneuro.com/> or https://www.world-wide.org/Physics-of-Life/ <https://www.world-wide.org/Physics-of-Life/> If you want to, let us know if you like it, and what improvements you’d like to see. All the best, (Panos Bozelos and ) Tim Vogels ------------- Vogelslab.org <http://vogelslab.org/> IST, Austria

Oct. 17, 2020

Call for papers : Special Issue on Brain Simulation and Spiking Neural Networks ( Cognitive Computation - Springer)

by Vassilis Cutsuridis

*Call For Papers:Journal : Cognitive ComputationSpecial Issue : Brain Simulation and Spiking Neural Networks* https://www.springer.com/journal/12559/updates/18336610 *Scope and Motivation* During the past 10 years, many experiments have been implemented with the aim of improving our understanding on the brain’s structure and function. Alongside, simulation neuroscience has become an important strategy to investigate how the brain works. The Human Connectome Project in the US started in 2009 and aimed to provide a big human brain mapping dataset on which many brain models have already been tested. In the Human Brain Project in the EU, a large-scale virtual rodent brain simulation is being built with the purpose of revealing various brain activities. In Japan, whole human-scale brain simulations on the Fugaku supercomputer are being established to investigate how neural networks develop their learning process. On the other hand, the foundation of cognitive computing and control mechanism can be revealed from the simulations of brain circuits and the neural dynamics. Moreover, these are also critical to improve current artificial intelligent systems and for building brain intelligence level algorithms. In this special issue, we invite researchers to present their state-of-the-art approaches, introduce recent advances and therefore show the potential of brain-simulation-related technologies. *Guest Editors* Jordi Solé-Casals (jordi.sole(a)uvic.cat) Cesar F. Caiafa (ccaiafa(a)fi.uba.ar) Zhe Sun (zhe.sun.vk(a)riken.jp) Vassilis Cutsuridis (vcutsuridis(a)lincoln.ac.uk) *Topics* Topics include but are not limited to: • Brain Connectivity mapping and functional mapping • Data analysis methods for connectome data • Multi-scale neural system simulation • Neuromorphic hardware • High-performance computing system for large scale simulations • Neural system inspired spiking neural network • Neuro-robotics systems • Sensorimotor learning model *Deadlines* *Submissions Deadline*: *April 1, 2021* First notification of acceptance: June 1, 2021 Submission of revised papers: August 1, 2021 Final notification to the authors: Oct 1, 2021 Submission of final/camera-ready papers: Nov 1, 2021 Publication of special issue: Nov 22, 2021 *Submission Instruction:* Prepare your paper in accordance with the Journal guidelines: www.springer.com/12559. Submit manuscripts at: http://www.editorialmanager.com/cogn/. Select “SI: Brain Simulation and Spiking Neural Networks” for the special issue under “Additional Information.” Your paper must contain significant and original work that has not been published nor submitted to any journals. All papers will be reviewed following standard reviewing procedures of the Journal. *Author Resources* Authors are encouraged to submit high-quality, original work that has neither appeared in, nor is under consideration by other journals. All papers will be reviewed following standard reviewing procedures for the Journal. Papers must be prepared in accordance with the Journal guidelines: www.springer.com/12559 Springer provides a host of information about publishing in a Springer Journal on our Journal Author Resources <https://www.springer.com/gp/authors-editors/journal-author> page, including FAQs <http://www.springer.com/gp/authors-editors/journal-author/frequently-asked-…> , Tutorials <https://www.springer.com/gp/authors-editors/journal-author/journal-author-a…>along with Help and Support. <https://support.springer.com/en/support/home> Other links include: - editorial policies <https://www.springer.com/gp/authors-editors/journal-author/journal-author-h…> - publication policies <https://www.springer.com/gp/open-access/publication-policies> - copyright transfer <https://www.springer.com/gp/open-access/publication-policies/copyright-tran…> - self-archiving <https://www.springer.com/gp/open-access/publication-policies/self-archiving…> - OA funding <https://www.springernature.com/gp/open-research/funding> - open choice <https://www.springer.com/gp/open-access/springer-open-choice> - funder compliance <https://www.springer.com/gp/open-access/publication-policies/funder-complia…> - read and publish agreements <https://www.springer.com/gp/open-access/springer-open-choice/springer-compa…> - preprint sharing <https://www.springer.com/gp/open-access/preprint-sharing/16718886> - my publication process <https://www.springer.com/gp/authors-editors/journal-author/journal-author-h…> - production <https://www.springer.com/gp/authors-editors/journal-author/journal-author-h…> - publication <https://www.springer.com/gp/authors-editors/journal-author/journal-author-h…> - post-publication <https://www.springer.com/gp/authors-editors/journal-author/journal-author-h…> - ORCID <https://www.springernature.com/de/researchers/orcid?utm_source=springer&utm…> - Publons <https://www.springernature.com/gp/reviewers/publons> - article sharing <https://www.springernature.com/gp/researchers/sharedit> - citation alerts <https://www.springer.com/gp/authors-editors/journal-author/journal-author-h…> If you have additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. Best regards, Vassilis --- Dr Vassilis Cutsuridis Senior Lecturer School of Computer Science & Lincoln Sleep Research Center University of Lincoln Lincoln UK Tel: +44 (0) 1522 83 5701 Email: vcutsuridis(a)lincoln.ac.uk Web: http://staff.lincoln.ac.uk/vcutsuridis Personal website: http://www.vassiliscutsuridis.org/

Oct. 16, 2020

Free Online Seminar: How to build your own Connectome?

by Markus Butz-Ostendorf

Dear List, My apologies for cross-postings first of all! I would like to draw your attention to the first free online webinar on connectomics in clinical application with our novel neuroimaging software NICARA, particularly dedicated to human connectomics. Abstract at the end of this message. The seminar takes place online on Tue, 20 Oct 2020 at 3pm (CET). Participation is free of charge but registration is kindly requested via this link https://www.biomax.com/webinar With NICARA every neuroscientists can explore the beauty of connectomes and focus on connectome-related research questions without being a neuroimaging or neuroinformatics expert him- or herself. Register one of the limited NICARA demo accounts today via https://ssl.biomax.de/nicara/ Looking forward to meeting you online at the seminar! kind regards, Markus == Free Online Seminar Series: How to build your own Connectome? With our neuroimaging solution NICARA we help clinicians working in the field of mental disorders to classify their patients faster and even better than ever before. Pharmacologists can significantly speed up the evaluation of the clinical efficacy of new drugs and scientists can access data and publications quickly and easily, thus greatly accelerating the success of research, while saving costs. All of these experts face more or less the same problem: Extracting structural and functional brain connectivity form raw images is time consuming and requires extensive expert knowledge. With NICARA you have thousands of publicly available connectomes at your fingertips and the possibility to analyze your own data by creating individual connectomes on the fly. Explore the world of connectomics with NICARA and learn how you can easily build your own Connectome. Register today for free for one of our upcoming Online Seminars and Live Demos. for Clinicians: 20/10/2020, 3:00 pm for Scientists 10/11/2020, 3:00 pm for Pharmacologists 1/12/2020, 3:00 pm To register, please go to https://www.biomax.com/webinar and request your access data via the webinar page. We are looking forward to meeting you. -- Dr. rer. nat. Markus Butz-Ostendorf Innovation Manager Brain Science Senior Product Manager Biomax Informatics AG Robert-Koch-Str. 2, 82152 Planegg, Germany Registergericht: Amtsgericht München, HRB 134442 Vorstand: Dr. Klaus Heumann Vorsitzender des Aufsichtsrates: Prof. Dr. Hans-Werner Mewes Tel: +49 89 895574-862 Fax: +49 89 895574-825 Email:markus.butz-ostendorf@biomax.com Website:http://www.biomax.com PGP:https://ssl.biomax.de/pgp/

Oct. 16, 2020

PhD and PostDoc positions on physical models of biological computation

by elisabetta chicca

The Bio-Inspired Circuits and Systems (BICS) group at the University of Groningen, Netherlands headed by Prof. Elisabetta Chicca is inviting applications for PhD and PostDoc positions on physical models of biological computation. The positions will be embedded in a highly interdisciplinary, international research group lead by Prof. Elisabetta Chicca, who recently started a new group in the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE) at the University of Groningen. The BICS group aims to identify the principles of neural computation and implement them in fully parallel and low-power neuromorphic systems that offer the opportunity to overcome the limitations of traditional digital architectures. The successful candidate should have a background in physics, computer sciences, electrical engineering, neurosciences or some related field. Some modelling, programming or analog CMOS design experience is advantageous. Applications will be considered until the positions are filled. The application should include a cover letter stating the candidate’s research interests and how these fit to the research conducted in the BICS group; a CV outlining prior education, research experience, skills and publications; reprints (if available); academic transcripts; and names of two referees. Electronic submission is preferred (to be addressed to Prof. Elisabetta Chicca, e.chicca <e.chicca(a)rug.nl>ATrug.nl <e.chicca(a)rug.nl>). ------------------------------------------------------------ Prof. Dr. Elisabetta Chicca Full Professor Chair of Bio-Inspired Circuits and Systems (BICS) Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials CogniGron - Groningen Cognitive Systems and Materials Center University of Groningen Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen The Netherlands Phone: +31 50 363 8731 Office: 5113.0039 Secretary: Jeannette de Boer Phone: +31 50 363 4843

Oct. 16, 2020

Postdoctoral position in computational and statistical neuroscience

by John Pearson

Posting below. Interested candidates are also encouraged to reach out directly. The laboratories of Dr. Richard Mooney (https://www.neuro.duke.edu/mooney-lab) and Dr. John Pearson (http://pearsonlab.github.io<https://urldefense.com/v3/__http://pearsonlab.github.io/__;!!OToaGQ!5lp4UHC…>) at Duke University are seeking two (2) postdoctoral scholars in conjunction with an NIH BRAIN Initiative-funded project investigating the contributions of basal ganglia to vocal motor exploration and reinforcement learning. Candidates will combine state of the art viral, electrophysiological, imaging, and computational methods and work as part of a multi-institution team that also includes Dr. Carlos Lois, in the Division of Biology and Biological Engineering at CalTech, and Dr. Tim Gardner, in the Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact at the University of Oregon. The first postdoc, appointed in the Department of Neurobiology, will use behavioral, optogenetic, electrophysiological and optical imaging methods to explore how cortico-basal ganglia circuits contribute to vocal exploration and learning. Previous experience with imaging and electrophysiological methods is desirable, and experience using viral gene transfer methods to monitor and manipulate neural activity will be especially helpful. Candidates with strong quantitative skills and an interest in developing or improving computational skills are especially desired. This postdoc will work closely with a related postdoc hire in the Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, as well as team members across all institutions. The second postdoc, appointed in the Department of Biostatistics & Bioinformatics, will perform computational modeling of reinforcement learning in the birdsong system, including development of new statistical machine learning methods for the analysis of song, electrophysiology, and calcium imaging data. The postdoc will work closely with experimentalists to design studies, analyze data, and refine hypotheses. Candidates should hold a PhD in a quantitative discipline such as computational neuroscience, physics, statistics, or computer science. Previous experience in neurobiology is a plus but not required. This postdoc will work closely with a related postdoc hire in the Department of Neurobiology, as well as team members across the other institutions. John ------------------------------- John Pearson, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Center for Cognitive Neuroscience Electrical and Computer Engineering Neurobiology; Psychology and Neuroscience Duke University B255 LSRC Box 91003 Durham, NC 27708 919.613.8338 http://pearsonlab.github.io/

Oct. 16, 2020

Postdoc position on Biological Deep Learning

by Walter Senn

Dear all One postdoc position devoted to learning in deep cortical networks is available in the Computational Neuroscience labs at the University of Bern, Switzerland. Our research is focussed on biologically realistic models of spatio-temporal processing in recurrent cortical networks and their relation to reinforcement learning, Bayesian computing, and neuromorphic implementations. The position is focussed on formalizing the dendritic processing of cortical pyramidal neurons, in particular on combining top-down and bottom-up information streams within pyramidal neurons, and in integrating these neurons in deep networks. The position is part of a collaboration with Profs Fritjof Helmchen and Giacomo Indiveri (UniZH / ETHZ) supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation and is available from January 1st, 2021, for 2 years (extendable). We offer a stimulating environment with three research groups in theoretical and computational neuroscience, along with experimental neuroscience at the same Department of Physiology (physio.unibe.ch/gruppen.aspx <file:///Users/walter/Documents/Walter_Physio/admin/ownPositionAnnouncments/HBP_PosAnnouncments2020/physio.unibe.ch/gruppen.aspx>), as well as close collaborations with other labs in neuroscience, artificial intelligence and neuromorphic engineering. Ideal candidates should have a strong background in computational neuroscience, machine learning, applied mathematics and/or physics. Please send your CV, publication list, letter of motivation and contact information for at least two references to Walter Senn (walter.senn(a)unibe.ch <mailto:walter.senn@unibe.ch>) and Mihai Petrovici (mihai.petrovici(a)unibe.ch <mailto:mihai.petrovici@unibe.ch>), with cc to Virginie Sabado (virginie.sabado(a)unibe.ch <mailto:virginie.sabado@unibe.ch>). The first evaluation round will begin on November 8, 2020. The positions will remain open until filled. With best regards, Mihai Petrovici and Walter Senn

Oct. 15, 2020

postdoc on computational modelling of perceptual inference and psychophysics (Hyafil lab, CRM, Barcelona)

by Alexandre Hyafil

A postdoc position is available under the supervision of Alexandre Hyafil in the group of Computational Neuroscience at the *Center for Research in Mathematics (CRM),* Barcelona, Spain ( http://www.crm.cat/en/Research/ResearchGroups/Neuroscience/Pages/default.as…) The project will combine modelling and psychophysics (possibly neuroimaging) to study the mechanisms of propagation of belief in human perception. The candidate will benefit from the stimulating environment of Barcelona area in Theoretical and Systems Neuroscience and will have the opportunity of enjoying a lively city (should the pandemics permit). Our lab forms part of a larger interacting network of neuroscience labs in Barcelona ( http://www.barccsyn.org) Candidates should have a PhD in computational cognitive neuroscience or a related field. Prior experience with psychophysics, neuroimaging, machine learning and/or computational modelling will be valued. Financial support is provided by the Spanish Ministry of Science. Initial appointment: two years. *APPLICATION:* Send a curriculum and motivation letter with a list of two contacts for recommendation letter to alexandre.hyafil(a)gmail.com. Informal enquiries are welcome. *DEADLINE:* until the position is filled *STARTING DATE:* anytime before summer 2021

Oct. 15, 2020

PhD/Postdoc position in Tübingen, Deep nets + human neurophysiology data

by Jakob Macke

Dear colleagues, We have a position for a Ph.D. Student or Postdoctoral Researcher (m/f/d, E13 TV-L) in `Deep learning for studying population codes in the human brain’, starting as soon as possible. The initial fixed-term contract will be for 3 years with possible extension. Details at https://uni-tuebingen.de/en/196976. How do neural circuits in the human brain recognize objects, persons and actions from complex visual stimuli? To address these questions, we will develop deep convolutional neural networks for modelling how neurons in high-level human brain areas respond to complex visual information. We will make use of a unique dataset of neurophysiological recordings of single-unit activity and field potentials recorded from the medial temporal lobe of epilepsy patients. Our tools will open up avenues for a range of new investigations in cognitive and clinical neuroscience, and may inspire new artificial vision systems. The position is part of the BMBF-funded project DeepHumanVision in collaboration with the `Dynamic Vision and Learning’ Group at TU Munich (Prof. Dr. Laura Leal-Taixé) and the Cognitive and Clinical Neurophysiology Group at University Hospital Bonn (Prof. Dr. Dr. Mormann). Our group develop computational methods that help scientists interpret empirical data, with a focus on basic and clinical neuroscience research. We want to understand how neuronal networks in the brain process sensory information and control intelligent behaviour, and use this knowledge to develop methods for the diagnosis and therapy of neuronal dysfunction. We aim to work in an interdisciplinary, collaborative and supportive work environment which emphasizes diversity and inclusion. Tübingen has an internationally renowned research community in artificial intelligence, machine learning and computational neuroscience, including the Cyber Valley Initiative, the Tübingen AI Center, the Excellence Cluster Machine Learning, and the new MSc Program Machine Learning. We are situated in the AI Research Building, in close proximity to the Max Planck Institutes for Intelligent Systems and Biological Cybernetics, and participate in the two International Max Planck Research Schools (IMPRS) `Intelligent Systems’ and `Mechanisms of Mental Function and Dysfunction’. The position is open to candidates who have a PhD or Master’s in in a quantitative discipline (e.g. computer science, maths, statistics, physics, electrical engineering, computational neuroscience), a genuine interest in interdisciplinary work at the interface of machine learning and neuroscience, and strong programming skills (ideally Python/PyTorch). Prior experience in deep learning, and/or in analysing neurophysiological data with statistical methods is advantageous. The University seeks to raise the number of women in research and teaching and therefore urges qualified women academics to apply for these positions. Equally qualified applicants with disabilities will be given preference. The employment will be carried out by the central administration of the University of Tübingen. PhD applicants are also expected to apply to the IMPRS `Intelligent Systems’ https://imprs.is.mpg.de, Deadline also November 2. Please submit your application materials to mls-sekretariat(a)inf.uni-tuebingen.de, with subject `Application: Postdoc/PhD DeepHumanVision‘. Please include a CV, a brief statement of research interests, contact details of two referees and a work sample - anything that is genuinely your own work, e.g. a thesis, computer code, a research manuscript, an essay, or a publication. For postdoc applicants, we expect relevant prior publications. Application deadline: November 02, 2020. Best, Jakob Macke Prof. Dr. Jakob Macke Chair of Machine Learning in Science Excellence Cluster `Machine Learning: New Perspectives for Science’ Department of Computer Science University of Tübingen Adjunct Senior Research Scientist, Department of Empirical Inference Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems Tübingen Jakob.Macke(a)uni-tuebingen.de Office: Franziska Weiler, mls-sekretariat(a)inf.uni-tuebingen.de www.mackelab.org/tuebingen

Oct. 15, 2020

Positions in Probabilistic Data Science / Machine Learning Lab, Oldenburg University, Germany

by Jörg Lücke

Dear list, The Machine Learning Lab at the University of Oldenburg, Germany, is seeking to fill the position of a Researcher in Probabilistic Data Science. We look for somebody who has already obtained a PhD degree or is close to obtaining one. The only definitive source of information is here: https://uol.de/stellen/?stelle=67593 The application deadline is Oct 20 but we very likely also accept applications until the end of next week. We are seeking somebody with knowledge on probabilistic generative modeling. Best wishes, Jörg Lücke -- Jörg Lücke (PhD) Professor and Head of the Machine Learning Lab Department of Medical Physics and Acoustics School of Medicine and Health Sciences University of Oldenburg 26111 Oldenburg Germany www.uol.de/ml

Oct. 14, 2020

COSYNE 2021: Abstract submission is now open

by Tomas Hromadka

==================================================== Computational and Systems Neuroscience 2021 (Cosyne) MAIN MEETING ONLINE 24 - 26 February 2021 www.cosyne.org ==================================================== IMPORTANT DATES Abstract submission is now open Abstract submission deadline: 12 November 2020 ---------------------------------------------------- MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT ---------------------------------------------------- The annual Cosyne meeting provides an inclusive forum for the exchange of empirical and theoretical approaches to problems in systems neuroscience, in order to understand how neural systems function. Cosyne 2021 will take place online, February 24 - 26, 2021. Please note that the dates have changed slightly from the initial announcement. The goal of this year’s meeting is to promote early stage investigators. Therefore, there are no invited talks from established researchers. The format will include featured contributed talks chosen from submitted abstracts, and interactive poster-like presentations (short recorded presentation + live interactions). More details to follow. All abstract submissions will be reviewed as in previous years, but reviewing will be fully double blind. The deadline for Abstract submission will be November 12, 2020. Cosyne topics include but are not limited to: neural basis of behavior, sensory and motor systems, circuitry, learning, neural coding, natural scene statistics, dendritic computation, neural basis of persistent activity, nonlinear receptive field mapping, representations of time and sequence, reward systems, decision-making, synaptic plasticity, map formation and plasticity, population coding, attention, and computation with spiking networks. When preparing an abstract, authors should be aware that not all abstracts can be accepted for the meeting. Abstracts will be selected based on the clarity with which they convey the substance, significance, and originality of the work to be presented. ---------------------------------------------------- COSYNE 2021 TUTORIAL ---------------------------------------------------- Cosyne 2021 main meeting will be preceded by an online Cosyne Tutorial Session led by Kanaka Rajan (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai) on 23 February 2021. More details will be posted on www.cosyne.org. ORGANIZING COMMITTEE General & Program Chairs: Anne-Marie Oswald (U Pittsburgh) and Srdjan Ostojic (Ecole Normale Superieure Paris) Diversity Chairs: Eva Dyer (Georgia Tech, Emory) and Eric Shea-Brown (U Washington) Publicity Chair: Adam Calhoun (Princeton) Tutorial Chair: Il Memming Park (Stony Brook) Development Chair: Michael Long (NYU) EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Stephanie Palmer (U Chicago) Zachary Mainen (Champalimaud) Alexandre Pouget (U Geneva) Anthony Zador (CSHL) PROGRAM COMMITTEE Athena Akrami (UCL) Demba Ba (Harvard) Omri Barak (Technion) Brice Bathellier (Paris) Yoram Burak (Hebrew University) Christine Constantinople (NYU) Saskia De Vries (Allen Institute) Victor de Lafuente (UNAM Mexico) Jan Drugowitsch (Harvard) Tatiana Engel (CSHL) Annegret Falkner (Princeton) Kevin Franks (Duke) Tim Hanks (UC Davis) Ann Hermundstad (Janelia) Andrew Leifer (Princeton) Sukbin Lim (Shanghai) Scott Linderman (Stanford) Mackenzie Mathis (EPFL Lausanne) Ida Momennejad (Microsoft) Cris Niell (U Oregon) Il Memming Park (Stony Brook) Adrien Peyrache (McGill Montreal) Kanaka Rajan (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai) Robert Rosenbaum (Notre Dame) Christina Savin (NYU) Marshal Shuler (Johns Hopkins) Daniela Vallentin (Max Planck Munich) CONTACT meeting [at] cosyne.org COSYNE MAILING LISTS Please consider adding yourself to Cosyne mailing lists (groups) to receive email updates with various Cosyne-related information and join in helpful discussions. See Cosyne.org -> Mailing lists for details.

Oct. 14, 2020

Online Mentoring Job Offer

by Maryam

WE WANT YOU ! ScienceBeam, which is a designer and manufacturer of neuroscience applications and organizer of neuroscience educational courses, is looking for professional, experienced and authentic mentors from all around the world for online courses. Required fields: ➢ Neuroscience ➢ Neuro-Biofeedback ➢ EEG/ERP/QEEG ➢ Cognitive Science ➢ Programming (MATLAB, Bio-Signal processing, etc.) If you are as passionate about mentoring as you are about the above-mentioned fields, and can give a few hours per week in return for an honorarium, we would love to hear from you. Apply now and send your resumes to: workshop(a)sciencebeam.com WhatsApp No: +8613380781282

Oct. 13, 2020

Ph.D. program (with details) in Computational/Experimental Neuroscience in Tuebingen, Germany

by Zhaoping Li

(I apologize for a previous message sent without details): Join our interdisciplinary PhD program and experience a vibrant and international training environment in Neuroscience! see https://www.kyb.tuebingen.mpg.de/imprs-mmfd for more details. Application deadline 30th Nov. 2020 More details International Max Planck Research School The Mechanisms of Mental Function and Dysfunction The ‘International Max Planck Research School (IMPRS) for The Mechanisms of Mental Function and Dysfunction’ (MMFD) provides state-of-the-art training and research under the guidance of leading neuroscientists, psychologists, psychiatrists and computational scientists in Tübingen. Excellent graduates with a Bachelor´s degree will enjoy an unparalleled opportunity to start their research career in neuroscience. What´s it all about? The IMPRS is a joint project of the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics <https://www.kyb.tuebingen.mpg.de/2549/en> and the University of Tübingen <https://uni-tuebingen.de/en/>. It is embedded in the Graduate Training Centre of Neuroscience (GTC) <https://www.neuroschool-tuebingen.de> and thus benefits from more than 20 years of successful cooperation in the training of young neuroscientists. The IMPRS-MMFD offers a combined MSc/PhD program to outstanding BSc graduates. IMPRS students will not only receive an admission to one of the GTC´s regular MSc programs, but additionally a commitment of the IMPRS faculty to offer them a PhD position after their successful MSc graduation. The direct access to the IMPRS doctoral program for those students who are already holding a MSc degree and have already been admitted by the Graduate Training Centre is also possible. Prerequisite is the primarily supervision by one of the IMPRS faculty members (see: Application). Teaching and research in the IMPRS and at the GTC of Neuroscience are conducted entirely in English. The IMPRS MMFD was launched in January 2020 and is one of about sixty International Max Planck Research Schools <https://www.mpg.de/en/imprs> run by the Max Planck Society <https://www.mpg.de/en> in partnership with various universities and research institutions. IMPRS programs provide an extraordinary framework and working environment for graduate students, and they provide unique opportunities for interdisciplinary research projects.

Oct. 9, 2020

postdoc position in dynamical models of learning in working memory (Kilpatrick, CU Boulder)

by Zachary Kilpatrick

We are seeking a postdoctoral fellow to work on a BRAIN/NIMH/NIBIB funded project developing and validating neural circuit models of experience-driven computations in working memory. Our group is in the Department of Applied Mathematics at the University of Colorado Boulder, and we have affiliations with the Institute of Cognitive Science and School of Medicine. The start date would likely be in Spring or Summer 2021. The position is fully funded till September 2023, with a possible extension contingent on funding. Interested applicants should contact Zack Kilpatrick (zpkilpat(a)colorado.edu <mailto:zpkilpat@colorado.edu>), along with a CV and list of 3 or more references. The aim of this project is to understand how task-relevant experience is encoded in neuronal circuits through plasticity-driven changes to network architecture (building off ideas in Kilpatrick (2018) Sci Rep <https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-25958-9>). Our mechanistic neural circuit models will be validated using data from humans (psychophysical response) and non-human primates (response + large-scale neural recordings) from the Gold (Penn), Buschman (Princeton), and Bays (Cambridge) labs. Candidates must have a strong background developing, simulating, and mathematically analyzing dynamical/mechanistic neural network models. We will build and analyze neural field models of large-scale activity using a combination of methods from stochastic processes, asymptotics, Bayesian inference, and numerical PDEs. Experience working with psychophysics and/or neural recording data is a plus but not required. Models will be fit using Bayesian parameter estimation and model comparison. Within our group, you could also work on a side project or two in decision-making, stochastic dynamics, social networks, and/or social foraging. Outside of work, the great outdoors in and around Boulder can’t be beat with over 40,000 acres of public open space, 1hr to skiing at Eldora Mtn Resort, 1hr to Rocky Mtn Natl Park, and tons of hiking and climbing. Boulder is consistently rated one of the most bike-able cities in the nation. We also have a very active local food scene with multiple restaurants receiving James Beard nominations this year. Non-stop international flights to Germany, Italy, France, Switzerland, the UK, Japan, Mexico, and Canada are a 45 minute bus ride away at Denver Airport. ---------- Zachary P Kilpatrick, PhD (he/him/his) Associate Professor University of Colorado Boulder Department of Applied Mathematics http://www.colorado.edu/amath/zpkilpat <http://www.colorado.edu/amath/zpkilpat>

Oct. 8, 2020

Postdoctoral position in Computational Neuroscience, Italian Institute of Technology

by Stefano Panzeri

A postdoctoral position in computational neuroscience is available at Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia in Italy to work with Stefano Panzeri ( https://www.iit.it/people/stefano-panzeri) The successful candidate will conduct research in the laboratory of Neural Computation of Prof. Panzeri and in collaboration with Prof. Christopher Harvey at Harvard Medical School. We investigate, by developing and using advanced data analysis methods and neural network models, how circuits of neurons in the brain encode information and use it to produce appropriate behaviors. The Neural Computation laboratory offers a wide range of interdisciplinary expertise in computational neuroscience, including both advanced neural analysis techniques and neural network modeling. The laboratory also offers a thriving, ambitious research environment which is well funded (including several grants from the NIH Brain Initiative). This gives successful candidates ample opportunities for advanced training and personal scientific growth. We seek candidates holding a PhD in a numerate or neuroscientific discipline, with a solid computational background and a keen interest in neuroscience. They must be highly motivated and creative individuals who want to work in a dynamic, multi-disciplinary research environment and be willing to interact with both experimental and theoretical neuroscientists. For recent publications relevant to this project, see: Runyan C. A., et al (2017) Distinct timescales of population coding across cortex, *Nature*: 548: 92-96. G. Pica, et al (2017) Quantifying how much sensory information in a neural code is relevant for behavior, *Neural Information Processing Systems (NIPS 2017)* Panzeri S., et al (2017) Cracking the neural code for sensory perception by combining statistics, intervention and behaviour. *Neuron* 93: 491-507 Chettih and Harvey (2019) Single-neuron perturbations reveal feature-specific competition in V1. *Nature* 567, 334 Chong, E. et al (2020) Manipulating synthetic optogenetic odors reveals the coding logic of olfactory perception. *Science* 368, 1329. The deadline for applications is *Oct. 27th, 2020*. Applications will be examined as soon as they are received and until the position is filled. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to email Stefano Panzeri ( stefano.panzeri(a)iit.it) as soon as possible, to informally inform him of their interest for the position and initiate a discussion about research projects. Formal applications should be submitted, before the deadline, through the following web site: https://iit.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobdetail.ftl?lang=en&job=20000039 Thanks Stefano Panzeri

Oct. 8, 2020

Two research fellow positions in Neuromorphic Olfaction

by Michael Schmuker

We have two Research Fellow positions available, funded through the NSF/MRC NeuroNex grant “Odor to Action”, an international consortium of 16 world-leading research groups from the US, Canada, and the UK. The consortium will apply their joint expertise in computational and experimental neuroscience, behavioural studies, fluid dynamics, and fragrance chemistry to unlock how brains use natural stimuli to generate adaptive natural behaviours. Apply to join an interdisciplinary team of computational neuroscientists, AI researchers and computer scientists to investigate the neuro-computational principles of the sense of smell and translate them into approaches for machine and robot olfaction. Our team will investigate real-time machine olfaction using biologically realistic spiking networks, on neuromorphic hardware, embodied in robots, performing olfactory navigation in real time. We will also use machine learning to analyse experimental data provided by collaborators and to gain a deeper insight into fragrance space. For more information and to apply, please head to https://www.jobs.herts.ac.uk <https://www.jobs.herts.ac.uk/> , search for job vacancy 029755. Informal inquiries via email are welcome! — Dr Michael Schmuker AFHEA Professor of Neural Computation Biocomputation Group University of Hertfordshire https://biomachinelearning.net

Oct. 6, 2020

Post-doc in Computational Neuroscience, University of Bologna, Italy

by Silvia Ferrara

The ERC Project INSCRIBE Invention of Scripts and their Beginnings<https://site.unibo.it/inscribe/en>, based at the University of Bologna, Italy, seeks candidates for a postdoctoral position in interdisciplinary research with expertise in computational neuroscience. The selected candidate will straddle the borders of neuroscience, cognition and the evolution of graphic codes, in order to apply quantitative methods to large databases with the goal of establishing commonalities worldwide in the evolution of symbols from a broadly cognitive, and more specifically, motor-driven and visual perspective. The ideal candidate will have earned a PhD in either neuroscience or neural computational sciences, with extensive skills in statistical methods. His/her research results will be published in general audience, as well as specialized open-access, peer-reviewed journals, and will be presented at scientific conferences. The position is renewable on a yearly basis, up to three consecutive years and can be held remotely. Deadline: 28 October 2020. For more information on how to apply: https://site.unibo.it/inscribe/en/jobs or contact: s.ferrara(a)unibo.it. Thank you Silvia Ferrara Full Professor Department of Classical Philology University of Bologna Via Zamboni 32, 40126 Bologna, Italy https://www.unibo.it/sitoweb/s.ferrara ERC Consolidator 2017 Principal Investigator INSCRIBE Invention of Scripts and their Beginnings<https://site.unibo.it/inscribe/en> Resident Fellow, Institute of Advanced Studies (ISA) University of Bologna Senior Research Fellow, Sapienza School for Advanced Studies (SSAS) Sapienza, University of Rome

Oct. 6, 2020

Call For Abstracts - Workshop on Affective Shared Perception (WASP)

by Pablo Vinicius Alves De Barros

Dear all, We are delighted to invite you to submit an abstract, and to participate in our Workshop on Affective Shared Perception (WASP), hosted by the International Conference on Developmental Learning and Epigenetic Robotics (ICDL-EPIROB2020). Please find below all the information! Cheers, Pablo I. Aim and Scope Our perception of the world, in particular, the ones which are influenced by affective understanding, depends both on sensory perception and prior knowledge. Most of the current research on modeling affective behavior as computer models ground their contribution to pre-trained learning models, which are purely data-driven, or on reproducing existing human behavior. Such approaches allow for easily reproducible solutions that fail when applied to complex social scenarios. Understanding shared perception as part of the affective processing mechanisms will allow us to tackle this problem and to provide the next step towards a real-world affective computing system. The goal of this workshop is to present and discuss new findings, theories, systems, and trends in computational models of affective shared perception. The workshop will feature a multidisciplinary list of invited speakers with experience in different aspects of social interaction, which will allow a rich and diverse debate about our overarching theme of affective shared perception. The workshop is scheduled to happen on the 30th of October of 2020 virtually. It will start at 15h00 CET and it will have a total duration of 3h30min. The participation is free, and a Zoom room will be available shortly before the workshop starts. II. Registration The registration to the workshop is free, but to guarantee a place to attend the workshop, please register here: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=XkYvv3Ufb0u-Kb9TJzvB2u5… III. Potential Topics Topics include, but are not limited to: - Affective perception and learning - Affective modulation and decision making - Developmental perspectives of shared perception - Machine learning for shared perception - Bio-inspired approaches for affective shared perception - Affective processing for embodied and cognitive robots - Multisensory modeling for conflict resolution in shared perception - New psychological findings on shared perception - Assistive aspects and applications of shared affective perception IV. Invited Speakers Prof. Dr. Ginevra Castellano - Uppsala University, Sweeden Prof. Dr. Ellen Souza - Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, Brazil Prof. Dr. Yukie Nagai - The University of Tokyo, Japan V. Submission Prospective participants in the workshop are invited to submit a contribution as an abstract with a maximum of 350 words. Submission information: https://www.whisperproject.eu/wasp2020 The abstracts will be peer-reviewed by experts from all over the world. To encourage the integration with the local affective computing communities, we will allow student abstracts to be submitted in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Each accepted abstract will be presented as a 5 min video (in English!) that will be shared on the workshop's social media. During the workshop, all the videos will be streamed and the authors will have a joint live Q/A with the audience for 60minutes. Participants can also opt-in for participating in our Frontiers Research Topic on Affective Shared Perception ( https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/16086/affective-shared-percepti…) The same abstract sent to the workshop can be sent as an abstract submission to the research topic. If you want to opt-in for the research topic, only English submissions will be accepted. - Abstract submission deadline: 12th of October - Notification of acceptance: 17th of October - Frontiers Research Topic Abstract Deadline: 24th of October - Video submission: 24th of October VI. Organizers Pablo Vinicius Alves De Barros, Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), Genova, Italy Alessandra Sciutti, Italian Institute of Technology (IIT), Genova, Italy VII. Acknowledgment The workshop is organized in the framework of the Starting Grant wHiSPER (G.A. No 804388) funded by the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme. ---------------------------------------- Dr. Pablo Barros Postdoctoral Researcher - CONTACT Unit Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia – Center for Human Technologies Via Enrico Melen 83, Building B 16152 Genova, Italy email: pablo.alvesdebarros(a)iit.it website: https://www.pablobarros.net<http://www.pablobarros.net><https://www.p> twitter: @PBarros_br

Oct. 5, 2020

GEM2021 - Registration open

by Vinita Samarasinghe

Registration has opened! *GEM 2021**- Generative Episodic Memory: Interdisciplinary perspectives from psychology, neuroscience and philosophy* https://for2812.rub.de/gem2021 <https://for2812.rub.de/gem2021> 16-18 February 2021 The workshop will take place in virtual space and is free of charge. The main workshop will be preceded by a PhD symposium, for which submissions are now being accepted via EasyChair https://easychair.org/cfp/gem2021 <https://easychair.org/cfp/gem2021> Keynote Speakers: Karl-Heinz Bäuml - University Regensburg, Germany Dorthe Berntsen - Aarhus University, Denmark Amy Criss - University of Syracuse, USA Dorothea Debus - University of Konstanz, Germany David Huber - University of Massachusetts, USA Sarah Robins - University of Kansas, USA Call for papers The DFG-funded research consortium “FOR 2812 – Constructing scenarios of the past” https://for2812.rub.de <https://for2812.rub.de> is proud to announce a call for papers for its first workshop on generative episodic memory. We invite submissions for talks and posters https://easychair.org/cfp/gem2021 <https://easychair.org/cfp/gem2021>. Episodic memories are widely regarded as memories of personally experienced events. Early concepts about episodic memory were based on the storage model, according to which experiential content is preserved in memory and later retrieved. However, overwhelming empirical evidence suggests that the content of episodic memory is – at least to a certain degree – constructed in the act of remembering. Even though very few contemporary researchers would oppose this view of episodic memory as a generative process, it has not become the standard paradigm of empirical memory research. This is particularly true for studies of the neural correlates of episodic memory. Further hindering progress are large conceptual differences regarding episodic memory across different fields, such as neuroscience, philosophy, and psychology. This interdisciplinary workshop therefore aims to bring together researchers from all relevant fields to advance the state of the art in the research on generative episodic memory. FOR 2812 “Constructing scenarios of the past: A new framework in episodic memory” consists of 9 researchers. Seven from the Ruhr University Bochum and two from the University of Münster. The consortium adopts an interdisciplinary approach and investigates generative episodic memory from a conceptual, modeling, and experimental perspective using a common conceptual framework: scenario construction. Paper submission deadlines [GMT +1 (CET)]: Abstract submission - 15.11.2020 Notification of acceptance - 19.12.2020 Submission guidelines: Abstracts must be submitted in English and be no longer than 1 page. Submitted work must be original and unpublished. Abstracts must be submitted electronically through the GEM 2021 paper submission site on EasyChair https://easychair.org/cfp/gem2021 <https://easychair.org/cfp/gem2021>. Authors will receive confirmation of receipt of their abstracts including an ID number after submission. You can edit your submission at any time before the deadline. We will consider only the final version. Program committee: Nikolai Axmacher - Faculty of Psychology - Ruhr University Bochum Sen Cheng - Institute for Neural Computation - Ruhr University Bochum Gerald Echterhoff - Faculty of Psychology - University of Münster Albert Newen - Faculty of Philosophy - Ruhr University Bochum Ricarda Schubotz - Faculty of Psychology - University of Münster Markus Werning - Faculty of Philosophy - Ruhr University Bochum Laurenz Wiskott - Institute for Neural Computation - Ruhr University Bochum Oliver Wolf - Faculty of Psychology - Ruhr University Bochum All questions regarding the workshop should be emailed to for2812(a)rub.de Coordinator - Vinita Samarasinghe Secretary - Christiane Dahl -- Vinita Samarasinghe M.Sc., M.A. Science Manager Arbeitsgruppe Computational Neuroscience Institut für Neuroinformatik Ruhr-Universität Bochum, NB 3/26 Postfachnummer 110 Universitätstr. 150 44801 Bochum Tel: +49 (0) 234 32 27996 Email: samarasinghe(a)ini.rub.de

Oct. 5, 2020

Postdoc position in learning and decision making in Chicago

by Thorsten Kahnt

A postdoc position is available in the Kahnt Lab at Northwestern University. The work will involve neuroimaging (fMRI), neurostimulation (TMS), and computational modeling to study learning and decision making in humans. Research in the Kahnt Lab (www.Kahntlab.org) focuses on the neural systems supporting learning, decision making, and olfaction in humans. Experimental techniques include behavioral testing, fMRI, diffusion MRI, olfactory psychophysics, and TMS. We utilize advanced data analysis techniques and computational modeling. The ideal candidate will have relevant research experience and will bring a unique perspective and background to the lab. Start date is flexible, but a start in 2020 is preferred. Please send your application package (cover letter, CV, and 1-3 selected publications) as a single PDF to thorsten.kahnt(a)northwestern.edu. Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled. For more information see: www.kahntlab.org/s/postdoc_job_posting_2020-5e32.pdf Thorsten Kahnt, PhD Assistant Professor Department of Neurology Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine 320 E Superior St, Searle 11-463 Chicago, IL 60611 thorsten.kahnt(a)northwestern.edu kahntlab.org twitter.com/kahntlab

Oct. 4, 2020

Misha Mahowald Prize 2020

by Terry Sejnowski

Reminder: Misha Mahowald Prize 2020 image The Misha Mahowald Prize <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://mahowaldprize.org/__;!!GX6Nv3_Pjr8b-17q…> recognizes outstanding research in neuromorphic engineering. The Prize is named for the late Misha Mahowald, one of the most influential pioneers of the field of neuromorphic engineering. The award is considered annually. The competition is open to any individual or research group worldwide. The Prize is for a project, not persons. Entries will likely to fall into one or more of the following categories: * a neuromorphic circuit, device or system * a neuromorphic algorithm or operating principle * a tool which promotes the use of neuromorphic engineering technology The entry may be a summary of a published or unpublished paper, or a description of a project, product or service. Every project will be considered on its own merits, regardless of the development budget or the group who worked on it. We strongly encourage everyone who has developed a novel contribution to the field to enter, no matter how large or small the project. Projects can be submitted even if they are still in progress. They will be judged according to the results achieved at the time of submission. The submission of revised versions of projects that have been unsuccessful in previous years, is strongly encouraged. 2020 Prize * The value of the 2020 Prize will be $10,000. * The prize is decided by a Jury of internationally recognized experts under the chair of Prof. Terry Sejnowski * The submission document is limited to 4 A4 pages. This will be a brief description of the work: its novelty, _reality_, performance, and its potential impact. Include links to relevant images/tables/original papers, etc. * Details can be found here <https://urldefense.com/v3/__https://mahowaldprize.org/submission/__;!!GX6Nv…> * The submission deadline is 23:59 UTC 31 October 2020. * The decision of the Jury concerning the 2019 Prize will be announced in December 2020. The prize is administered by /iniForum/, a Swiss association and events management company that promotes education, research and applications of brain-like computation. Contact: info(a)iniforum.ch <mailto:info@iniforum.ch>

Oct. 2, 2020

PhD/post-doc opening on Neuro-AI in Montreal, Canada

by Muller Eilif

I'm happy to announce the Architectures of Biological Learning Lab is Hiring! I'm looking for exceptional candidates at the MSc, PhD or post-doc level to work on "Dendritic Algorithms for Perceptual Learning". The project will employ simulations of pyramidal neurons and plasticity, and deep convolutional networks to study representation learning in the neocortex. Prior experience with Python, NEURON, and/or PyTorch would be an asset. This project will be undertaken in collaboration with Profs. Yoshua Bengio (UdeM, Mila), Roberto Araya (UdeM, CRCHUSJ), and Blake Richards (McGill, Mila). Montreal, Canada is a thriving international hub for Artificial Intelligence and Neuroscience research, with a booming AI industry. It's where Donald O. Hebb originally formulated Hebbian Learning. It's also a vibrant, funky, cosmopolitan yet affordable city of over 4 million, referred to as "Canada's Cultural Capital" by Monocle magazine. In 2017, Montreal was ranked the 12th-most liveable city in the world by the Economist Intelligence Unit in its annual Global Liveability Ranking, and the best city in the world to be a university student in the QS World University Rankings. For more details and instructions how to apply, please visit: https://bit.ly/3l1PGFH --- Eilif B. Muller, Ph.D.<https://research.chusj.org/en/Axes-de-recherche/Bio?id=a7716033-22af-49a0-8…> IVADO Assistant Research Professor Department of Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal Associate Faculty Member - Quebec Artificial Intelligence Institute (Mila) Centre de recherche du CHU Sainte-Justine 3175 Côte Sainte-Catherine, Montréal QC H3T 1C5, Canada

Oct. 1, 2020

POSTDOC POSITIONS IN COMPUTATIONAL NEUROSCIENCE IN PARIS AND BASEL

by Rava A. da Silveira

*Several postdoctoral openings in the lab of Rava Azeredo da Silveira **(Paris & Basel)* The lab of Rava Azeredo da Silveira invites applications for *Postdoctoral Researcher* positions at ENS, Paris, and 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). One of the postdoc positions to be filled in Basel will be part of a collaborative framework with Michael Woodford (Columbia University) and will involve projects relating the study of decision making to models of perception and memory. 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:* For full consideration, please apply by 30 October 2020. *How to apply:* Please send the following information *in one single PDF, to * *silveira(a)iob.ch* <silveira(a)iob.ch>*:* 1. letter of motivation; 2. statement of research interests, limited to two pages; 3. curriculum vitæ including a list of publications; 4. any relevant publications that you wish to showcase. 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-POSTDOC” in the subject header, otherwise the application will *not* be considered. *** *ENS,* together with a number of neighboring institutions (College de France, Institut Curie, ESPCI, Sorbonne Université, and Institut Pasteur), offers a rich scientific and intellectual environment, with a strong representation in computational neuroscience and related fields. *IOB* is a research institute combining basic and clinical research. Its mission is to drive innovations in understanding vision and its diseases and develop new therapies for vision loss. IOB is an equal-opportunity employer with family-friendly work policies. *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.

Sept. 30, 2020

COSYNE 2021: Meeting announcement and call for abstracts

by Tomas Hromadka

==================================================== Computational and Systems Neuroscience 2021 (Cosyne) MAIN MEETING ONLINE 27 February - 01 March 2021 www.cosyne.org ==================================================== ---------------------------------------------------- MEETING ANNOUNCEMENT ---------------------------------------------------- The annual Cosyne meeting provides an inclusive forum for the exchange of empirical and theoretical approaches to problems in systems neuroscience, in order to understand how neural systems function. Cosyne 2021 will take place online, February 27 - March 1, 2021. The goal of this year’s meeting is to promote early stage investigators. Therefore, there are no invited talks from established researchers. The format will include featured contributed talks and an interactive poster-like presentations (short recorded presentation + live interactions). More details to follow. All abstract submissions will be reviewed as in previous years, but reviewing will be fully double blind. The deadline for Abstract submission will be November 12, 2020. Cosyne topics include but are not limited to: neural basis of behavior, sensory and motor systems, circuitry, learning, neural coding, natural scene statistics, dendritic computation, neural basis of persistent activity, nonlinear receptive field mapping, representations of time and sequence, reward systems, decision-making, synaptic plasticity, map formation and plasticity, population coding, attention, and computation with spiking networks. IMPORTANT DATES Abstract submission opens: 11 October 2020 Abstract submission deadline: 12 November 2020 When preparing an abstract, authors should be aware that not all abstracts can be accepted for the meeting. Abstracts will be selected based on the clarity with which they convey the substance, significance, and originality of the work to be presented. ORGANIZING COMMITTEE General & Program Chairs: Anne-Marie Oswald (U Pittsburgh) and Srdjan Ostojic (Ecole Normale Superieure Paris) Diversity Chairs: Eva Dyer (Georgia Tech, Emory) and Eric Shea-Brown (U Washington) Publicity Chair: Adam Calhoun (Princeton) Development Chair: Michael Long (NYU) EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Stephanie Palmer (U Chicago) Zachary Mainen (Champalimaud) Alexandre Pouget (U Geneva) Anthony Zador (CSHL) CONTACT meeting [at] cosyne.org COSYNE MAILING LISTS Please consider adding yourself to Cosyne mailing lists (groups) to receive email updates with various Cosyne-related information and join in helpful discussions. See Cosyne.org -> Mailing lists for details.

Sept. 30, 2020

(on behalf of Loren Frank) faculty position @ UCSF

by Peter Dayan

The Department of Physiology at UCSF is seeking a visionary neuroscientist to join our vibrant and collaborative discovery research community. This open-rank, tenure-track faculty position is part of a multi-year UCSF institutional initiative that began in 2018 to foster equity and inclusion in biomedical research and to promote the success of our diverse student population. Since launching this effort, UCSF has tripled the number of underrepresented faculty in our basic sciences departments and this critical mass will continue to grow. Candidates are expected to hold a Ph.D. and/or M.D., to have demonstrated significant research accomplishment and potential, and to be committed to the mentorship of students, with a particular emphasis on candidates with demonstrated success mentoring students from groups that are historically underrepresented in biomedical science. We encourage outstanding candidates who are early in their postdoctoral research training to apply, even if their main findings are not yet published. The successful candidate will be expected to establish a dynamic and interactive research program focused in the field of integrative neuroscience, which could include molecular, genetic, cellular, systems, behavioral, computational, and engineering approaches. The candidate would become a member of the Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, the Center for Integrative Neuroscience, and the Weill Institute for Neuroscience at UCSF. The candidate would be expected to join the UCSF Neuroscience Graduate Program and, if so desired, one or more of our other top-ranked interdisciplinary graduate programs (see https://graduate.ucsf.edu/list-programs) The candidate, like all faculty at UCSF, will also be expected to contribute to graduate teaching, to be a leader in inclusive mentoring practices, and to participate in activities that promote equity and inclusion at our institution and in the broader scientific community. Service and teaching expectations are comparable to those of any other UCSF tenure-track faculty position. Faculty appointment will be made at a professorial rank commensurate with current academic standing. UCSF offers competitive salaries, research set-up funds, and recruitment allowances, and has numerous opportunities for faculty development and further training in mentorship. Applications must be submitted online and include the following documents in a single PDF: (1) cover letter briefly describing how the candidate fits the position; (2) curriculum vitae; (3) 1-page summary of research accomplishments demonstrating the candidate’s scientific leadership through their contribution to their project(s) and describing the potential impact of their work on the field of neuroscience; (4) 2-page description of future research plans that includes both high risk / high reward projects and an NIH-fundable program; and 5) a statement of personal experiences with, and contributions to, issues related to social and racial justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, with particular attention to demonstrated success with formal and informal mentoring of individuals from historically underrepresented groups. We encourage candidates to describe specific mentoring strategies to support the success of all trainees in their research group. Copies of major publications that demonstrate the candidate’s ability to carry out creative and impactful work should be included. Applicants should request three to five letters of recommendation describing how the candidate meets the criteria in this job description. We encourage recommenders to provide explicit examples to illustrate their statements. We expect candidates to provide a letter from their postdoctoral and graduate advisors but will consider candidates who can provide justifications when these will be lacking. Review will begin on December 1, 2020 and continue until the position is filled. Please direct inquiries about the position and suggestions of potential candidates to Dr. Loren Frank (loren(a)phy.ucsf.edu) As an institution that values diversity, UC San Francisco especially encourages application from historically excluded groups, including but not limited to racially underrepresented individuals, women, and individuals with a commitment to mentoring historically excluded groups in the sciences. UC San Francisco seeks candidates whose experience, teaching, research, or community service that has prepared them to contribute to our commitment to diversity and excellence. The University of California is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status. Please apply online at https://aprecruit.ucsf.edu/JPF03083.

Sept. 29, 2020

postdoc/PhD students needed

by Alexey Kuznetsov

*POSTDOCTORAL POSITION* *Indianapolis, Indiana, United States* A postdoctoral position and/or PhD student positions are available for a cutting-edge project on computational modeling of habit formation. The project takes place in the excellent collaborative environment of the Indiana Alcohol Research Center and studies the influence of alcohol on habits. The post-doc will develop a model of the cortico-striatal brain circuitry affected by alcohol. The post-doc will work with Prof. Kuznetsov (Mathematics Dept. IUPUI) and collaborate with experimentalists Prof. Atwood (IUSM) and Prof. Lapish (Psycology Dept. IUPUI). The position is available beginning December 2020 for one year. The continuation is contingent upon the availability of funds. *Qualifications*: Applicants should have a Ph.D. in Mathematics, Physics, or a related field, a background in Dynamical Systems, programming experience and working knowledge in Computational Neuroscience. Experience in modeling the basal ganglia is desirable. *How to Apply:* Send your CV, list of publications, research statement, and contact information for three references to Prof. Alexey Kuznetsov via e-mail: askuznet(a)iupui.edu. IUPUI is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution. Individuals who require a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in the application process must notify Cindy Ritchie at 402 N. Blackford Street, LD 270, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202 or call (317) 274-6920, a reasonable time in advance. IUPUI strongly encourages applications from women and underrepresented minorities. Additional information about IUPUI and the Department is available at www.iupui.edu and www.math.iupui.edu. -- Alexey Kuznetsov Associate Professor Dept. of Mathematical Sciences, IUPUI Science Building, LD 270, 402 N. Blackford St., Indianapolis, IN

Sept. 28, 2020

Postdoctoral position at BU (Nancy Kopell) and MIT (Emery Brown)

by McCarthy, Michelle M

Dear Comp-Neuro Community, The Kopell lab at Boston University has an open position (2 years with the possibility of renewal) for a postdoctoral associate to work on computational models concerning mechanisms of anesthesia, with experimental work to be done in the labs of Emery Brown, Earl Miller and others. The models are physiologically detailed (Hodgkin-Huxley based), linking anesthetic-mediated changes in physiology to changes in brain rhythms and their coordination both locally and across the brain; the models further link the brain rhythms to changes in consciousness. The work is relevant to sleep and brain disorders. Programming proficiency and modeling experience is necessary and some neuroscience training is desirable. Please send inquiries and applications to Xiaoshi Shi (xiaoshi(a)bu.edu<mailto:xiaoshi@bu.edu>) and nk(a)bu.edu<mailto:nk@bu.edu>. Nancy Kopell Department of Mathematics and Statistics Boston University, Boston MA 02215

Sept. 28, 2020

Two Cardiac Simulation/Computational Neuroscience postdoc computer modeling positions are available for development of a novel ICNS (intrinsic cardiac nervous system) simulation project.

by Salvador Dura

Our new NIH SPARC Initiative ICNS project aims to build and establish a new model of RAGP (right atrial ganglionic plexus) The work is being done as a collaboration between SUNY Downstate (Brooklyn, NY), and Jefferson University (Philadelphia, CT) under the auspices of a 2-year NIH SPARC Initiative grant. The two new postdocs will work closely together - one focusing primarily on cell-level modeling and the other primarily on network but with both expected to work in both areas. Candidates should have a strong background in computer programming, with demonstrated proficiency in Python. Strong interest, though not necessarily research experie nce, in neuroscience is a must. Some experience with NEURON and NetPyNE is desirable. Job Types: Full-time or Contract contact: bill.lytton(a)downstate.edu<mailto:bill.lytton@downstate.edu> -- William W. Lytton, MD SUNY Distinguished Professor Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY bill.lytton(a)downstate.edu; http://neurosimlab.com ________________________________________________________________

Sept. 28, 2020

Postdoc with Sonia Bishop in Computational Psychiatry at UC Berkeley

by Peter Dayan

Postdoc in Computational Psychiatry at UC Berkeley The UC Berkeley Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute is looking to hire a postdoctoral researcher to work on an exciting, newly funded, five-year NIH project. This project brings together researchers with expertise in computational psychiatry, computational and cognitive neuroscience and clinical science from the Psychology Department and Helen Wills Neuroscience Institute at UC Berkeley and from the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics in Tübingen, Germany. Faculty involved include Professor Sonia Bishop (Psychology & HWNI, UC Berkeley), Professor Anne Collins (Psychology & HWNI, UC Berkeley), Professor Sheri Johnson (Psychology, UC Berkeley) and Professor Peter Dayan (MPI, Tübingen, Germany). This provides an exciting opportunity for a postdoctoral candidate to work at the cutting edge of computational psychiatry research and to take on a pivotal role in this team. The aim of the project is to use a computational approach to delineate component processes contributing to probabilistic decision-making across positive and negative valence domains, to investigate their neural substrate (using fMRI), and to relate abnormalities in these processes and alterations in associated neural function to dimensional measures of psychopathology. In addition, we aim to develop tasks and models that can be shared with the broader computational psychiatry and RDoC community. For pertinent theoretical and empirical work by team members please see: http://bishoplab.berkeley.edu/bishop_2018.pdf http://bishoplab.berkeley.edu/Browning_et_al_NatNeuroscience_2015.pdf https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32710256/ The successful applicant will have the opportunity to take an early lead on studies conducted as part of this 5-year project and to contribute intellectually to their development and direction. The postdoc will be based within the Computational Psychiatry and Affective Cognitive Neuroscience laboratory at UC Berkeley (please note, given Covid, there may be an opportunity for remote working in year 1 - feel free to inquire). The CPACN lab is located within the new Berkeley Way West (BWW) building which houses the Department of Psychology and multiple cognitive neuroscience, computational and clinical research groups, providing a rich and stimulating scientific community. BWW is within a 2 minute walk of the H. Wheeler Brain Imaging Center, located within the Li Ka Shing Center for Biomedical and Health Sciences which is home to two 3T MRI scanners and one 7T scanner. There will also be the opportunity for annual collaborative trips to the Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics in Tübingen, Germany. We are looking for an individual who is strongly motivated to pursue an academic career and is excited by the opportunities for personal and career development this position can provide. In addition to regular interactions with, and training by, members of the project team, the successful applicant will be able to take advantage of the many opportunities provided by the broader scientific community at UC Berkeley, including participation in weekly seminars and advanced computational modelling and fMRI courses provided by the HWNI and Psychology Department. There are also many opportunities for more informal interactions with members of the local scientific community. We seek postdoctoral applicants with established computational modelling skills and a PhD in cognitive science, cognitive neuroscience or a related discipline. Experience with fMRI is preferred but not required. Strong programming skills (ideally in python or matlab) are required. Candidates should have a track record of productivity and show potential for success in working in a team environment. Good knowledge of the computational psychiatry, decision-making, or computational neuroscience literatures is desirable. Qualified postdoctoral applicants should submit a current CV, a personal statement describing their experience and interests, and contact information for three references to sbishop(a)berkeley.edu (informal enquiries also welcome). At UC Berkeley, postdoctoral salaries start at $50,760/year depending on prior post-doctoral experience, and the University offers medical insurance and benefits. The position is available at this time but a delayed start is also negotiable. An initial appointment for a one-year period will be made with potential for extension for a further two years (or longer) depending on successful performance. UC Berkeley is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer with a strong institutional commitment to excellence through diversity.

Sept. 28, 2020

Join us at the NMC 3.0 conference, Oct 26-30, submissions open now

by Brad Wyble

Dear Neuroscience Community, We are excited to announce the launch of Neuromatch Conference (Oct 26-30). The Neuromatch team has been working hard to bring a virtual conference that accepts submissions from all areas of neuroscience, and where all relevant submissions are accepted as a talk! Our goal with this conference is to provide a place where neuroscientists from all over the world get to share research ideas and come together as a community! We’re working hard to make it the most inclusive neuroscience meeting that has ever existed. The deadline for submissions is October 2, 2020, so we encourage you to get your abstracts ready now! There is a $25 registration fee but this is waivable (no validation required) for anyone who cannot pay to attend for any reason. Please view our website for more information regarding submission and registration: neuromatch.io <http://neuromatch.io/>j The conference will be organized by themes, tailored to fit your area of research best. These themes will be: Theme A: Developmental Disorders and Injury Theme B: Excitability, Synapses, and Glia Theme C: Sensory & Motor Systems, and Physiology & Behavior Theme D: Cognition, Motivation and Emotion Theme E: Computation and Techniques Theme F: History, Education, and Society We developed algorithms that will allow us to place you in a virtual room with other scientists and attendees who are interested in similar topics, therefore ensuring an audience that is excited about your talk. The talks will have two formats, and you will be able to choose which one you prefer - Traditional Talk: 12-minute talk plus 3-minute Q&A - Interactive Talk: 5-minute talk plus 10-minute Q&A (this talk is focused on discussion) We hope that you will attend the Neuromatch Conference and consider submitting your abstract for presentation! We would love to hear from you and see everyone’s latest results.. Best wishes, The Neuromatch Team Please follow our social media and visit our website for regular updates @Neuromatch <https://twitter.com/neuromatch?lang=en> @Neuromatch <https://www.instagram.com/neuromatch/> neuromatch.io -- Brad Wyble Associate Professor Psychology Department Penn State University http://wyblelab.com

Sept. 27, 2020

2 postdoc positions in computational neuroscience

by Alain Destexhe

Dear Colleagues, Please pass on these two positions that we have for postdocs in computational neuroscience at the Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience - many thanks. best, Alain ---------------- 2 POSTDOC POSITIONS AVAILABLE Two postdoc positions are available for computational and theoretical studies in the framework of the Human Brain Project. The theoretical work associated to these two postdoctoral positions consists of (1) investigating models and mathematical techniques to model decision making phenomena (in collaboration with Rubem Moreno-Bote in Barcelona), and (2) investigate models of sensory perception, up to consciousness (in collaboration with Fanis Panagiotaropoulos and Stan Dehaene at NeuroSpin). Both postdocs will be supervised by A. Desyexhe and will work in tight collaboration with the European Institute for Theoretical Neuroscience (EITN). DETAILS OF THE FIRST POSTDOC POSITION: We are seeking for a postdoc position in the framework of a project called "COREDEM", and which was recently integrated in the Human Brain Project European flaghsip. COREDEM aims at conceiving decision making models based on electrophysiological recordings in human and monkey, and ultimately test these models on neuromorphic and neuro-robotic applications. The project comprises a significant computational neuroscience component consisting mainly of two laboratories, Alain Destexhe at the CNRS and Paris-Saclay University, and Ruben Moreno-Bote at the UPF in Barcelona. We will consider spiking models that will compare parallel and sequential strategies to decision making, in a way constrained by unit recordings in monkey and human. Mean-field models will be derived from the spiking models, and such mean-field models will be incorporated in large-scale models of interacting brain areas. Both spiking and mean-field models will be integrated in neuromorphic SpiNNaker computers to be simulated in real time, to open the possibility of being used in real-time applications such as neuro-robotics. The postdoc can begin as early as January 2021, and latest on March 2021, and will be for a 2-year period. We expect that candidates have prior experience either in computational neuroscience, or in decision making. The working environment is the Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience (NeuroPSI) of the CNRS, which comprises 22 research labs in experimental and computational neuroscience, mixed in the same environment. The postdoc will thus interact on a daily basis with experimentalists and theoreticians, and regular visits to the experimental labs of COREDEM (Stefano Ferraina from Rome and Tom Theys from Leuven) are planned. The postdoc will also interact strongly with the researchers and staff of Destexhe's lab at NeuroPSI, and will actively participate to the activities of the EITN. DETAILS OF THE SECOND POSTDOC POSITION: We are seeking for a postdoc position in the framework of a project called "BRICON", and which was recently integrated in the Human Brain Project European flaghsip. BRICON aims at investigating mechanisms of sensory perception and consciousness based on a strong interaction between computational models and experiments on human and monkey. The model will consider how the state of the brain interacts with external input and allows neural activity related to external input to propagate (or not) between brain areas. We will constrain the model based on unit recordings obtained in awake monkey collected by the experimental teams (Fanis Panagiotaropoulos and Stanislas Dehaene, NeuroSpin center). Models will start with conventional spiking neural networks, which then will be converted into population models using mean-field techniques. These mean-field model will then form the basis of whole-brain models simulated using The Virtual Brain platform of the HBP. The postdoc can begin as early as January 2021, and latet on June 2021, and will be for a 20 month period. We expect that candidates have prior experience either in computational neuroscience, or in sensory perception. The working environment is the Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience (NeuroPSI) of the CNRS, which comprises 22 research labs in experimental and computational neuroscience, mixed in the same environment. The postdoc will thus interact on a daily basis with experimentalists and theoreticians, and regular visits to the experimental labs of BRICON (Panagiotaropoulos and Dehaene), who are working next-door in the NeuroSpin center. The postdoc will also interact strongly with the researchers and staff of Destexhe's lab at NeuroPSI, and will actively participate to the activities of the EITN. Interested candidates should send a CV and two recommendation letters at Alain Destexhe or email for more details. alain.destexhe (at) cnrs.fr Alain Destexhe Department of Integrative and Computational Neuroscience (ICN), Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience (NeuroPSI), CNRS, Bat 33, 1 Avenue de la Terrasse, 91198 Gif-sur-Yvette, France.

Sept. 27, 2020

SMILES virtual workshop @ICDL 2020: extended DEADLINE

by Xavier Hinaut

The SMILES (Sensorimotor Interaction, Language and Embodiment of Symbols) Workshop will take place virtually at the ICDL 2020, on 2nd & 3rd November 2020. * Call for abstracts and papers: - *** Deadline: extended to 12th of October 2020 *** - paper abstracts: 2 pages - long papers: 4-6 pages - Submissions: smiles.conf(a)gmail.com <mailto:smiles.conf@gmail.com> - Papers format: free format, but similar shape to ICDL conference https://cis.ieee.org/publications/t-cognitive-and-developmental-systems/tcd… <https://cis.ieee.org/publications/t-cognitive-and-developmental-systems/tcd…> - Workshop dates: 2nd & 3rd November 2020 afternoons (1 to 6 pm CET) * Workshop Short Description On the one hand, models of sensorimotor interaction are embodied in the environment and in the interaction with other agents. On the other hand, recent Deep Learning development of Natural Language Processing (NLP) models allow to capture increasing language complexity (e.g. compositional representations, word embedding, long term dependencies). However, those NLP models are disembodied in the sense that they are learned from static datasets of text or speech. How can we bridge the gap from low-level sensorimotor interaction to high-level compositional symbolic communication? The SMILES workshop will address this issue through an interdisciplinary approach involving researchers from (but not limited to): - Sensori-motor learning, - Emergent communication in multi-agent systems, - Chunking of perceptuo-motor gestures (gestures in a general sense: motor, vocal, ...), - Sensori-motor learning, - Symbol grounding and symbol emergence, - Compositional representations for communication and action sequence, - Hierarchical representations of temporal information, - Language processing and acquisition in brains and machines, - Models of animal communication, - Understanding composition and temporal processing in neural network models, and - Enaction, active perception, perception-action loop. * More info - workshop website : https://sites.google.com/view/smiles-workshop/ <https://sites.google.com/view/smiles-workshop/> - contact: smiles.conf(a)gmail.com - organizers: Xavier Hinaut, Clement Moulin-Frier, Silvia Pagliarini, Joni Zhong, Loo CHU KIONG, Michael Spranger, Tadahiro Taniguchi - ICDL conference website: https://cdstc.gitlab.io/icdl-2020/ <https://cdstc.gitlab.io/icdl-2020/> Xavier Hinaut Inria Researcher (CR) Mnemosyne team, Inria LaBRI, Université de Bordeaux Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives +33 5 33 51 48 01 www.xavierhinaut.com

Sept. 25, 2020

Postdoctoral position data/knowledge management for open neuroscience

by Andrew Davison

Dear colleagues, A postdoctoral position in neuroscience data curation is available within the Neuroinformatics research group of the Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience, led by Dr Andrew Davison. The Human Brain Project is developing an open data repository for neuroscience, following the FAIR principles of Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reusability. The role of our group is to strongly focus on Reusability, by ensuring that all datasets have high quality, in-depth metadata so that they can be used in model building, model validation, and further analysis, and by providing tools to facilitate data re-use. The position is available immediately, and is funded until 31st March 2023, with future extensions possible. Salary depends on experience, and will be on the standard CNRS research scale. Application is through the CNRS jobs portal: https://emploi.cnrs.fr/Offres/CDD/UMR9197-ANDDAV-006/Default.aspx?lang=EN Informal inquiries may be addressed to Andrew Davison (andrew.davison(a)cnrs.fr) Activities: The successful candidate will be responsible for developing and improving metadata schemas, protocols, and curation workflows for neural activity data (including patch clamp recordings, fluorescence imaging, multi-electrode array recordings and fMRI), and for coordinating the in-depth curation process. The project will involve intensive collaboration with other researchers, curators and software developers within the research group, within the Human Brain Project, and in the wider neuroscience/neuroinformatics communities. Qualifications: Applicants should have a PhD in either neuroscience, computer science, library/information science, or a closely related discipline, or be nearing completion of PhD studies in one of these domains. Experience with experimental methods in neuroscience, semantic web technologies and/or information management approaches will be of particular benefit. Knowledge of computer programming, in particular using the Python language, would also be an advantage. Knowledge of French would be helpful but is not required, as English is the working language of the project. Context: The Paris-Saclay Institute of Neuroscience (https://neuropsi.cnrs.fr/en/institute-home/) is part of the CNRS and Université Paris-Saclay, situated in Gif-sur-Yvette in the Paris region. The Davison team (https://neuropsi.cnrs.fr/en/icn-home/andrew-davison/) develops tools and methods for data sharing, modelling and simulation in neuroscience and brain-inspired computing. This position is funded by the Human Brain Project, an EU Flagship research project, within which more than 100 universities and research institutions collaborate to build a digital research infrastructure for neuroscience, brain-inspired computing and medicine.

Sept. 25, 2020

International Symposium on Artificial Intelligence and Brain Science 2020 Online

by Kenji Doya

We are going to hold an online symposium that brings together researchers in the forefront of AI and neuroscience. All talks will be made accessible as pre-recorded movies and we will have two-hour live discussion sessions on October 10-12, 2020. Registration is free and open till September 30. Please register from the web site below. ******** International Symposium on Artificial Intelligence and Brain Science http://www.brain-ai.jp/symposium2020/ Time below is in UTC (i.e., 10pm-0am Japan, 2pm-4pm UK, 9am-11am EDT, 6am-8am PDT) <Saturday, October 10th> 13:00 Get connected 13:15 Greetings: Kenji Doya (OIST) 13:30 Discussion on Keynote: Josh Tenenbaum (MIT) 14:00 Discussion on Session 1: Deep Learning and Reinforcement Learning Chair: Jun Morimoto (ATR) Discussant: Shunichi Amari (RIKEN) Speakers: Yann LeCun (NYU, Facebook), Yutaka Matsuo (U Tokyo), Doina Precup (McGill U) David Silver (DeepMind), Masashi Sugiyama (RIKEN AIP/U Tokyo IRCN) <Sunday, October 11th> 13:00 Discussion on Session 2: World Model Learning and Inference Chair: Hiroaki Gomi (NTT) Discussant: Mitsuo Kawato (ATR) Speakers: Ila Fiete (MIT), Karl Friston (UCL), Yukie Nagai (U Tokyo IRCN) Maneesh Sahani (Gatsby Unit), Tadahiro Taniguchi (Ritsumeikan U) 14:00 Discussion on Session 3: Metacognition and Metalearning Chair: Masayuki Matsumoto (Tsukuba U) Discussant: Keiji Tanaka (RIKEN) Speakers: Matthew Botvinick (DeepMind), Ryota Kanai (ARAYA), Angela Langdon (Princeton U) Hiroyuki Nakahara (RIKEN CBS), Xiao-Jing Wang (NYU) <Monday, October 12th> 13:00 Discussion on Session 4: AI for Neuroscience and Neuromorphic Technologies Chair: Takatoshi Hikida (Osaka U) Discussant: Kunihiko Fukushima (FLSI) Speakers: Jim DiCarlo (MIT), Yukiyaku Kamitani (Kyoto U), Rosalyn Moran (King’s College London) Terry Sejnowski (Salk Institute), Hidehiko Takahashi (Tokyo MDU) 14:00 Discussion on Session 5: Social Impact and Neuro-AI Ethics Chair: Masamichi Sakagami (Tamagawa U) Speakers: Anne Churchland (UCLA), Kenji Doya (OIST), Arisa Ema (U Tokyo IFI) Hiroaki Kitano (SONY CSL), Stuart Russell (UC Berkeley) Sponsor: KAKENHI Project on Artificial Intelligence and Brain Science (http://www.brain-ai.jp) Co-sponsors: RIKEN AIP (https://aip.riken.jp/?lang=en) U Tokyo IFI (https://ifi.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/) U Tokyo IRCN (https://ircn.jp/en/) Contact: ncus(a)oist.jp ---- 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

Sept. 24, 2020

You are invited to DSP online course

by Maryam

You are invited to “DIGITAL SIGNAL PROCESSING Online Course” Dear researcher; ScienceBeam, which is a forefront technology provider of neuroscience applications, would like to take the opportunity to invite you for 10-sessions “DIGITAL SIGNAL PROCESSING Online Course” that is going to start on October 18,2020. During this course you will learn: • Discrete-time signals and systems • Z-Transform • Transform of continuous-time signals • Transform analysis of linear time invariant systems • Structures for discrete-time systems • Filter design • The discrete Fourier Transform • Computation of the discrete Fourier transform Dr. Luu Gia Thien is an experienced lecturer at Ho Chi Minh City with a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) focused in Digital signal processing from University of Orléans, France. Registration is open until October 5th. Special discount is considered for students. You won’t want to miss this! Don’t hesitate and register from the link below: https://sciencebeam.com/luu-gia-thien-course/ If you need more information please contact us via Whatsapp or Mail: Whatsapp number: +86 133 8078 1282 Email: workshop(a)sciencebeam.com www.sciencebeam.com

Sept. 24, 2020

Software engineer position in human brain project

by Eloy Retamino

Position: Neuro-robotics Software Engineer Location: Granada, Spain At the Applied Computational Neuroscience (ACN) Group [1], headed by Prof. Eduardo Ros and part of the Computer Architecture and Technology Department at University of Granada, we are engaged in developing robot controllers from models and techniques drawn from neuroscience. Concretely we focus on the exploration of models of the cerebellum and their application in robot control. We are looking for a software engineer to contribute to our tasks in the Human Brain Project (HBP) [2]. HBP is an ambitious, 10 years long research project funded by the European Commision and targeting the exploration of human cognition and its relation to brain structures and activity. The project is developing a series of simulation platforms to facilitate different levels of research in neuroscience. At UGR we participate in the design and development of the Neuro-Robotics Platform (NRP) [3], a research infrastructure which enables embodied simulated experiments in neuroscience in which a spiking neural simulator and a physics simulator run synchronously and communicate in a closed loop fashion. As a member of our group you will contribute to the development of the NRP in the last stage of the HBP. *Your tasks* Contribute to the full cycle development of the NRP. We have some interesting challenges in this last part of the HBP and need a motivated person with experience and passion for software architecture design, physics and neural simulation and robotics. As well, the NRP is built as a production grade software product and we try to take seriously all steps in the development, including unit testing, quality assurance and continuous integration. Depending on your profile you will focus more on particular tasks suiting your experience with the possibility of learning and applying new skills. *Your profile* * Basic skills: - Demonstrable excellent Python and C/C++ programming skills - Experience and participation in collaborative software projects - Experience and passion in robotics, machine learning, neural simulation and/or physics simulation is a big plus - Good spoken and written English skills * Additional skills: - Experience in other programming languages - Version Control software (eg. GIT) - Robotics oriented middlewares and frameworks (eg. ROS) - Experience in Software Architecture design - Experience in Real Time systems design - QA and devops experience *Our offer* - You will participate in an international research project of great relevance and collaborate with top european institutions - Contract of two and a half years with a competitive salary according to experience. Offered brute salary range is 1600 - 2400 €, to be concreted according to relevant experience and skills. - Short trips within Europe as part of the project activities. - Very nice and friendly atmosphere in the group - You will be based on Granada, an exciting and cultural city at the South of Spain half an hour away from mountains, snow and the beach If you are interested in joining our group and HBP send your application to Eloy Retamino (retamino at ugr.es) including your CV and a motivation letter. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Also, applications without a dedicated motivation letter will not be considered. [1] http://acn.ugr.es [2] https://www.humanbrainproject.eu [3] https://neurorobotics.net

Sept. 23, 2020

International Max Planck Research Schhol NeuroCom: Call for applications

by Martin Bogdan

Call for applications: International Max Planck Research Schhol NeuroCom: Call for applications The International Max Planck Research School on Neuroscience of Communication: Function, Structure, and Plasticity (IMPRS NeuroCom) invites excellent students holding a master's degree (or equivalent) to pursue a PhD in the field of cognitive neuroscience and methods in cognitive neuroscience. The IMPRS NeuroCom is based at the Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, and Leipzig University. It also closely partners with the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, and the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience at University College London, UK. Deadline for applications is 15 November 2020. Interviews will take place in January 2021. Start date is flexible, but not later than autumn 2021. For more information about our graduate school please visit: http://imprs-neurocom.mpg.de/home/ . The IMPRS NeuroCom aims to recruit and educate motivated, independent, self-organised and highly talented scientists who wish to extend their knowledge and research experience in a structured 3-year PhD programme in order to pursue a successful career in cognitive neuroscience, clinical neuroscience, neurophysics, or other methods in cognitive neuroscience. Students are expected to hold an excellent master's degree (or equivalent) in a wide spectrum of potential disciplines such as cognitive neuroscience, psychology, medicine, neurobiology, linguistics, computer science, engineering, mathematics, physics, biochemistry, or related fields. The master’s degree should have been awarded by an internationally recognised university. Students nearing completion of their master’s degree are also encouraged to apply. Research experience in an area that is related to the graduate school’s scope is essential for successful candidates. Proficiency in oral and written English is crucial. The IMPRS NeuroCom offers its doctoral students outstanding research opportunities in a very international and multidisciplinary environment. It includes access to state-of-the-art cognitive and imaging neuroscience facilities, e.g. 7T MRI scanner, four 3T MRI scanners including a Connectom MRI scanner equipped with ultra- strong gradients (one of only four worldwide), a 306 channel MEG system, several TMS, TDCS, NIRS, and EEG systems. Research projects and teaching at IMPRS NeuroCom are assigned to four thematic modules (Language and Communication, Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience, Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, and Neuroimaging Physics and Signal Processing). Our faculty is very interdisciplinary and comprises more than 30 highly- renowned researchers from our participating research organisations performing high-end research related to one of the four modules. Applications will be evaluated by the IMPRS NeuroCom faculty members in two stages. Firstly, candidates will be selected for interviews based on their written applications, with a focus on academic qualifications, personal references, research experience and interests, and suitability to the programme. Secondly, interviews with the IMPRS NeuroCom faculty members will take place in January 2021. The Max Planck Society is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals. Salary is based on the guidelines of the German public sector pay scale (TVöD). With almost 600,000 inhabitants, Leipzig is the largest city in the federal state of Saxony. In more than 800 years of recorded history, Leipzig emerged as a city of classical music, trade fairs, academic education, and —recently—modern arts. With its many parks, forests, canals and lakes, Leipzig is a perfect place for recreation, sports, and leisure time, and it offers plenty of opportunities for social life. Only recently Leipzig was listed by the New York Times as one of the 52 places to go in 2020. For more information about our graduate school please visit: http://imprs-neurocom.mpg.de/home/ . -- ************************************************************************** Prof. Dr. Martin Bogdan Institut für Informatik Neuromorphe Informationsverarbeitung Universität Leipzig Augustusplatz 10 D-04109 Leipzig Germany Postadresse: PF 100920 D-04009 Leipzig Tel: (++49) 341 97 32208 Fax: (++49) 341 97 32252 E-mail: bogdan(a)informatik.uni-leipzig.de https://ti.informatik.uni-leipzig.de/ ************************************************************************** Denken Sie selbst, sonst tuen es Maschinen für Sie! 'Nihil est ab omni parte beatum' (Horaz) El problema de la humanidad es que los estúpidos están seguros de todo y los inteligentes están llenos de dudas **************************************************************************

Sept. 23, 2020

Postdoctoral Position in Cognitive Robotics at UC Irvine

by Jeffrey Krichmar

Dear Colleagues, We have an opening for a postdoctoral scholar position in the Cognitive Anteater Robotics Laboratory (CARL) at the University of California, Irvine. The position is for research projects on neurobiologically inspired models of navigation, which are to be implemented on indoor and outdoor robots. Applicants should have a strong computer science background, robotics experience, as well as an interest in neuroscience and/or cognitive science. The specific Federally funded projects include: · Cognitive Maps in Rats, Robots and Men · Advantages of Varying Navigational Abilities in Humans and Robots More information about the lab, recent publications, software, and videos can be found at: · http://www.socsci.uci.edu/~jkrichma · https://www.youtube.com/user/cognitiveroboticsuci/videos Interested candidates can find specific application requirements and the online application for this position at: · https://recruit.ap.uci.edu/JPF06408 Your cover letter should specify that you are interested in the postdoctoral position with Jeff Krichmar. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me at: jkrichma(a)uci.edu About UCI (www.uci.edu) In 1965, the University of California, Irvine was founded with a mission to catalyze the community and enhance lives through rigorous academics, cutting-edge research, and dedicated public service. Today, we draw on the unyielding spirit of our pioneering faculty, staff and students who arrived on campus with a dream to inspire change and generate new ideas. We believe that true progress is made when different perspectives come together to advance our understanding of the world around us. And we enlighten our communities and point the way to a better future. At UCI, we shine brighter. Jeff Krichmar Department of Cognitive Sciences 2328 Social & Behavioral Sciences Gateway University of California, Irvine Irvine, CA 92697-5100 jkrichma(a)uci.edu http://www.socsci.uci.edu/~jkrichma

Sept. 22, 2020

[Call for Papers] Shared Visual Representations in Human and Machine Intelligence (SVRHM) NeurIPS 2020 Workshop

by SVRHM Workshop

The goal of the Second Workshop on Shared Visual Representations in Human and Machine Intelligence (SVRHM) at NeurIPS 2020 is to discuss and disseminate relevant findings and parallels between the computational neuro/cognitive science and machine learning/artificial intelligence communities. In the past few years, machine learning tools — especially deep neural networks — have permeated the vision/cognitive/neuro science communities to become the leading computational models that describe many cognitive tasks. Huge strides are also being made in the machine learning/artificial intelligence community with biologically inspired algorithms providing large efficiency gains in both computational and learning capabilities. However, many mysteries remain with regards to the alignment of human and machine perception, and there are cases where we see divergent rather than convergent representations. To resolve such questions, this workshop aims to bring fruitful discussions between scientists and engineers with multi-disciplinary backgrounds to review the recent progress in shared visual representations in both humans and machines, and in doing so identifying road-blocks and areas of interest to further accelerate the growth of both fields. The workshop will include a series of talks and panel discussions from a diverse group of speakers from both industry and academia who will share their research at the intersection of humans and machines that pushes the field of vision forward. The aim of our Call for Papers is to bring together scientists and engineers to share their work in progress at the Poster Session that are applicable to the scope of the Workshop. For the first time this year, the 4 highest scoring papers will also be awarded an Oral Presentation entry in the program. The following areas provide a sense of suitable topics for 4-5 page paper submissions: - Biological inspiration and inductive bias in vision - Human-relevant strategies for robustness and generalization - New datasets (e.g., for comparing humans/animals and machines) - Biologically-driven self-supervision - Perceptual invariance and metamerism - Biologically-informed strategies to mitigate adversarial vulnerability - Foveation, active perception, and attention models - Intuitive physics - Biologically inspired Generative Models - Perceptual and cognitive robustness - Nuances and noise in perceptual and cognitive systems - Creative problem-solving - Differences and similarities between humans and deep neural networks - Canonical computations in biological and artificial systems - Alternative architectures for deep neural networks - Reverse engineering of the human visual system via deep neural networks We will be awarding a new *NVIDIA Titan RTX* *3080* as the *Diversity in AI Best Paper Award* and an *Oculus Quest* *2* as the *Breakthrough in Biologically-Driven Generative Models Award* respectively at the conference. Link to the workshop with additional details for the Call for Papers: https://www.svrhm.com https://www.svrhm.com/call-for-papers Link to Paper workshop submission: https://openreview.net/group?id=NeurIPS.cc/2020/Workshop/SVRHM The submission deadline is October 4th, 2020. Questions regarding the workshop should be sent to: svrhm2020(a)gmail.com Sincerely, The Organizers Arturo Deza, Joshua Peterson, Apruva Ratan Murty, Tom Griffiths The SVRHM workshop is currently sponsored by MIT’s Center from Brains, Minds and Machines (CBMM), National Science Foundation (NSF), NVIDIA, Facebook Reality Labs (Oculus) and MIT’s Quest for Intelligence.

Sept. 22, 2020

Full Prof Post in AI

by Thomas Wennekers

Dear All Please have a look at the following advertisement for a Professorship in AI at the University of Plymouth (UK). https://hrservices.plymouth.ac.uk/tlive_webrecruitment/wrd/run/ETREC107GF.o… https://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/CBH704/professor-in-artificial-intelligence-mach… Stay Well! Thomas Wennekers ________________________________ [http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/images/email_footer.gif]<http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/worldclass> This email and any files with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the recipient to whom it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient then copying, distribution or other use of the information contained is strictly prohibited and you should not rely on it. If you have received this email in error please let the sender know immediately and delete it from your system(s). Internet emails are not necessarily secure. While we take every care, University of Plymouth accepts no responsibility for viruses and it is your responsibility to scan emails and their attachments. University of Plymouth does not accept responsibility for any changes made after it was sent. Nothing in this email or its attachments constitutes an order for goods or services unless accompanied by an official order form.

Sept. 21, 2020

M2/PhD pisition in Optical analysis of sodium currents in the axon initial segment

by luiza filipis

Stage « Master 2 » : Optical analysis of sodium currents in the axon initial segment We propose a Master 2 (M2) stage that can be extended to a 3-4 years PhD project on the study of the sodium currents that generate the action potential in neurons. To this aim, we use cutting-edge optical techniques entirely developed by our group and NEURON modeling. The stage will take place at the Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire de Physique in the campus of the University of Grenoble. This stage, of 4-6 months, is available for students at the final year of the University to start in February or March 2021.We will offer this opportunity to a brilliant student motivated to begin a career in scientific research. A PhD scholarship is already available starting in October 2021 to apply the research of the M2 project to investigate mutations of the sodium channel Nav1.2 associated with neurological diseases. For an overview of the activity and of the achievements of our group, visit the website: http://marco-canepari.wix.com/neuron-imaging-team Applications of students, with a very high academic profile based on the notes obtained the entire university history, from different backgrounds (physics, biology, medicine or chemistry) will be equally considered. The application for the stage, in English or French, must be sent to: marco.canepari(a)univ-grenoble-alpes.fr and must include: • A motivation letter • A CV with contact details • The detailed marks of the entire academic history • (Optional) a reference letter from an academic who knows well the student The deadline for the application is October 10th 2020, but the call for applications will close before if a suitable candidate is found. -- Luiza Filipis,PhD Equipe MOTIV Laboratoire Interdisciplinaire de Physique (LIPhy), Université Grenoble Alpes et CNRS UMR 5588, Bat. E45, 140 avenue de la physique, Domaine univ., 38402 St Martin d'Hères cedex, FRANCE 33(0)476514731, Fax +33(0)476635495. luiza.filipis(a)univ-grenoble-alpes.fr http://marco-canepari.wix.com/neuron-imaging-team

Sept. 21, 2020

Announcement: 2nd Elephant User Workshop for Reproducible Data Analysis in Electrophysiology, Nov 17-19, 2020

by Michael Denker

***2nd Elephant User Workshop*** --Accelerate Structured and Reproducible Data Analysis in Electrophysiology-- Virtual Event Nov 17-19, 2020 Summary: This event delves into challenges in the reproducibility of neuroscience workflows dealing with classical electrophysiological activity data, such as spiking data or local field potentials, from experiment or simulation. The training will cover the complete cycle from generating structured and consistent data and metadata, accessing the data, pre-processing, setting up analysis workflows, up to the tracking of the provenance of the analysis results. In this context, the e-infrastructure services of EBRAINS offer a mature data, software and compute services ecosystem with community-driven tools developed in the framework of the Human Brain Project. In the first part of the workshop, participants will be trained in the use of tools covering the following topics: * reading and manipulating electrophysiology data in Python using Neo [1] * analysis of such data using Elephant [2] * best practices for integrating metadata into your workflow to aid the analysis process * best practices for structuring analysis results * tracking data analysis pipelines using the HBP Knowledge Graph [3] * collaboration and sharing documents using the HBP Collaboratory [4] In the second part of the workshop, participants will work together with a tutor in small groups, on their own data and on particular personal interests in the scope of the workshop. To this end, participants are asked to provide a small abstract describing the data set they would like to bring and work on (contents of the dataset, data format, data size...) and the topic they are interested in. The latter may, for example, be related to: annotating the dataset with metadata for collaboration and sharing, working with the dataset in the Neo framework, or performing a certain kind of analysis with the data set. The goal of each group is to get started addressing the topic, identify solutions together with the tutors, and implement a first prototype of the required functionality. For more information and registration, check out: https://www.humanbrainproject.eu/en/education/participatecollaborate/infras… Organizers: Andrew Davison | French National Centre for Scientific Research, France Michael Denker | Forschungszentrum Jülich, Germany Martina Schmalholz | Heidelberg University, Germany References: [1] Neo, https://neo.readthedocs.io [2] Elephant, https://elephant.readthedocs.io [3] HBP Knowledge Graph, https://kg.ebrains.eu [4] HBP Collaboratory, https://wiki.humanbrainproject.eu -- Dr. Michael Denker Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-6) Tel: +49 2461 61-9471 Computational and Systems Neuroscience & Fax: +49 2461 61-9460 Institute for Advanced Simulation (IAS-6) Theoretical Neurosciencewww.csn.fz-juelich.de Jülich Research Centre and JARA 52425 Jülich, Germany ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Forschungszentrum Juelich GmbH 52425 Juelich Sitz der Gesellschaft: Juelich Eingetragen im Handelsregister des Amtsgerichts Dueren Nr. HR B 3498 Vorsitzender des Aufsichtsrats: MinDir Volker Rieke Geschaeftsfuehrung: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Wolfgang Marquardt (Vorsitzender), Karsten Beneke (stellv. Vorsitzender), Prof. Dr.-Ing. Harald Bolt ----------------------------------------------------------------------

Sept. 21, 2020

PhD positions in Math Biology & Computational Neuroscience at NJIT

by Victor Matveev

Dear all, The Department of Mathematical Sciences at New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) is inviting candidates to apply to one of our doctoral program tracks: (1) Applied Mathematics or (2) Applied Probability & Statistics. The Department's research focus spans Mathematical Biology and Computational Neuroscience, Scientific Computing, Fluid Dynamics, Materials Science, Wave Propagation, Applied Analysis, Applied Probability & Statistics, including Biostatistics and Data Science. Teaching and research assistantships are available, and include a tuition waiver and a competitive stipend. Application target date is December 15, 2020 but ongoing review will continue until all available positions are filled. To apply, please visit our homepage: https://www.njit.edu/graduatestudies/department-mathematical-sciences/ For more information, please email us (math(a)njit.edu, CC: shahriar(a)njit.edu, matveev(a)njit.edu) PhD Program advertisement flyer is available here: http://web.njit.edu/~matveev/NJIT_DMS_PhD_flyer.pdf Sincerely, -- Admissions Committee, Department of Mathematical Sciences, NJIT -- _____________________________________________ Victor Matveev, Professor Applied Math, Biophysics, Neuroscience Department of Mathematical Sciences Graduate Faculty, Dept of Biological Sciences New Jersey Institute of Technology Newark, NJ 07102-1982 Office: Cullimore Hall 616 E-mail: matveev(a)njit.edu http://web.njit.edu/~matveev/

Sept. 21, 2020

Two open postdoc positions in Rutledge Lab at Yale

by Rutledge, Robb

The Rutledge Lab in the Department of Psychology at Yale is accepting applications from prospective postdocs for 3-year postdoc positions with a flexible start date. Our lab uses computational models to study reinforcement learning, decision making, and affective states like happiness. We explore these questions using a combination of brain scanning, pharmacology, and large-scale smartphone-based experiments in healthy and clinical populations. Our previous app The Great Brain Experiment had over 100,000 users. We are looking for postdocs for a NIMH-funded project using longitudinal smartphone-based data collection with tasks and surveys in people with depression and control participants (N>600) including a subset (N>200) with fMRI data. Collaborators for rsfMRI: Avram Holmes (Yale), Faith Gunning and Conor Liston (Cornell Weill) Machine learning: Zeb Kurth-Nelson (DeepMind) Clinical and longitudinal: Akshay Nair (UCL), John Krystal, Leying Guan and Ralitza Gueorguieva (Yale) Further details can be found on our website (www.rutledgelab.org) Interested applicants are encouraged to contact Dr Rutledge directly (robb.rutledge(a)yale.edu) with a CV, a brief description of research interests, and a list of three references (names and email addresses).

Sept. 18, 2020

Registration, abstracts - Brain Criticality Virtual Meeting October 6 – 9 2020

by Plenz, Dietmar (NIH/NIMH) [E]

Brain Criticality Virtual Meeting October 6 – 9 2020 https://braincriticality.org/ Organizers: Dietmar Plenz, Lucilla de Arcangelis, Dante Chialvo, Demian Battaglia This meeting intends to gather recent contributions in the field of systems neuroscience, with the purpose of further discussing the role of criticality and its implications in the dynamics of large neuronal populations, functional and structural connectivity, development and learning, robustness of system operation. Recent advances in selective recording and perturbation approaches involving large populations of neurons offer unique opportunities to test these predictions, challenge current interpretations of large data sets and trigger novel theoretical developments. The meeting will take place virtually. Registration is free but limited and allows interactively participating to discussions and submitting contributed abstracts. A free live streaming will also be offered. Deadline for registration is October 2nd, 2020 Abstracts submitted before Sunday September 27th will be considered for spotlight oral presentation. Remaining abstracts will be presented as virtual posters Follow us on FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/BrainCriticalityorg-121887946321170 Twitter https://twitter.com/brain_crit

Sept. 17, 2020

Postdoc positions in Neural Control of Speech Production, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School.

by Bush, Alan

The Brain Modulation Laboratory (www.brainmodulationlab.org<https://www.brainmodulationlab.org/>) within the Department of Neurosurgery at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, headed Dr. Mark Richardson, seeks to recruit a highly motivated and outstanding candidate to fill a postdoctoral associate position. This 3 to 5-year position is funded through a recently awarded NIH-NINDS U01 grant to Principal Investigator Mark Richardson, MD, PhD. The successful candidate will work in a highly interdisciplinary team, studying the role of cortical-basal ganglia networks during speech production, based on the analysis of intra operative local field potential and micro-electrode recording data acquired in the context of Deep Brain Stimulation implantation surgery. Co-investigators include Frank Guenther (BU), Nathan Crone (Johns Hopkins), Lori Holt (CMU), Julie Fiez (Pitt), and Rob Turner (Pitt). Experience in electrophysiology, speech comprehension and/or production research, and a solid background in computational neuroscience is required. Interested applicants please use following link https://neurojobs.sfn.org/job/27234/post-doctoral-associate/ Project Summary: Modulating how we speak is critical for effective communication. The production and modulation of speech, like other behaviors, relies on basal ganglia-thalamocortical networks, not merely on cortical processes. Current knowledge about how the basal ganglia modulate speech, however, is primarily theoretical, due to a lack of empirical data. Theoretical models for speech production, in turn, remain underdeveloped. Notably, no models of speech production include the subthalamic nucleus (STN), a basal ganglia node that has been implicated in multiple cognitive processes relevant to speech production (e.g. action selection/suppression, gain modulation, and motor learning). Using access to the brain that can only be provided by deep brain stimulation (DBS) surgery, we initiated studies to understand how motor speech information is encoded within the STN-cortical network. We established a novel experimental paradigm to simultaneously record primary motor electrocorticography (ECoG) and STN activity in subjects who are awake and speaking. In our initial project, we discovered separate populations of STN neurons whose inhibition or excitation was selective for either speech planning or production, respectively [1]. We also found that STN population activity tracks with specific articulatory motor features and with vocal gain adjustment [2]. Our discoveries indicate multiple roles for STN activity in speech planning and modulation, consistent with nonhuman primate data that STN neurons are functionally diverse and that the STN is innervated broadly from cortical areas critical for speech production in humans. We propose to build on our foundational results by exploring how a broader cortical-STN network participates in speech production. Specifically, we have developed a protocol for simultaneous recording of high-density ECoG from the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG), ventral sensorimotor cortex (vSMC), superior temporal gyrus (STG) and the STN. Our preliminary data support the hypothesis that these cortical speech areas communicate with the basal ganglia not only through cortical-striatal direct and indirect pathways, but also through a hyperdirect pathway to STN. These findings include the STG, consistent with evidence for basal ganglia participation in auditory processing. To uncover seminal knowledge about how cortical-basal ganglia dynamics shape speech, we will use intracranial electrophysiology to define the connectivity of speech-related cortex to the STN, while evaluating the role of cortical-STN and cortical-GPi dynamics in two basal ganglia functions critical for speech: motor sequence learning and gain modulation. Our invasive human neuroscience approach is unique in its ability to define, for the first time, a broad cortical-basal ganglia network for modulating speech. Establishing a neurobiological framework for cortical-basal ganglia network control of these processes will represent an order of magnitude change in our understanding of mechanisms for modulating speech, in turn informing how we model the dynamics of other human behaviors modulated by the basal ganglia. 1. Lipski, W. J. et al. Subthalamic Nucleus Neurons Differentially Encode Early and Late Aspects of Speech Production. Journal of Neuroscience 38, 5620–5631 (2018). 2. Chrabaszcz, A. et al. Subthalamic nucleus and sensorimotor cortex activity during speech production. The Journal of Neuroscience 2842–18 (2019). doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2842-18.2019 Alan Bush, PhD Research Scientist, Department of Neurosurgery, Massachusetts General Hospital. Instructor, Harvard Medical School. 55 Fruit Street, Thier 429 | Boston, MA 02114 The information in this e-mail is intended only for the person to whom it is addressed. If you believe this e-mail was sent to you in error and the e-mail contains patient information, please contact the Mass General Brigham Compliance HelpLine at http://www.massgeneralbrigham.org/complianceline . If the e-mail was sent to you in error but does not contain patient information, please contact the sender and properly dispose of the e-mail.

Sept. 17, 2020

Senior Scientist – Stroke position at the NeuroRestore center (Lausanne, Switzerland)

by Milekovic Tomislav

Senior Scientist – Stroke position at the NeuroRestore center (Lausanne, Switzerland) Location The Defitech Center for interventional Neurotherapies (NeuroRestore) is 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. We conceive, develop and apply medical therapies aimed to restore neurological functions. To this end, we integrate 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, we are committed to validate our medical therapy concepts. Our overarching goal is to see our medical therapies used every day in hospitals and rehabilitation clinics worldwide. Opportunity Over the last decade, research labs under the NeuroRestore umbrella have achieved breakthroughs for the treatment of spinal cord injury and Parkinson’s disease. Our recent studies indicate that similar approaches may lead to novel therapies for stroke. Therefore, we decided to build a strong research core focused on gaining deeper understanding of stroke and resulting neurological deficits, and on developing therapies that leverage the gained understanding to replace or restore motor functions impacted by stroke. 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 concepts of medical therapies, with the capacity to push successfully proven concepts into the technology transition phase. Position Summary The Senor Scientist – Stroke will bring their expertise and experience to build and then lead the stroke research core of the NeuroRestore center. They will develop original research projects across the whole stroke therapy development spectrum, starting from mechanistic understanding of stroke and resulting neurological and motor deficits, over preclinical tests of therapy concepts designed to take advantage of uncovered mechanisms, to clinical validation of therapies designed to alleviate motor deficits secondary to stroke. They will form and lead teams of NeuroRestore postdoctoral scientists, doctoral students, engineers and clinicians to execute these projects. They will train other scientists in their expert techniques and supervise junior scientists working on their projects. They will disseminate the results of their projects through research publications and conference talks and support preparation of scientific conference presentations and publications of other NeuroRestore personnel that works on stroke-related projects. They will take part in writing grant application that will support stroke-related projects. Responsibilities - Identify unmet clinical needs of stroke survivors and monitor the development of the medical neurotech sector to find opportunities for novel, feasible and rapidly realizable stroke therapies - Conceive, organize and plan out research projects - Form and leads teams to execute conceived research projects - Utilize their academic / clinical industry network to form collaborations that will help execute conceived research projects - Assess the project needs, identify relevant personnel and resources, and take part in hiring technical and scientific personnel to build skilled project teams - Train the NeuroRestore personnel in their area of expertise - Run project progress meetings, report on project progress, plan and manage the dissemination of project results - Take part in writing of funding applications to initiate new projects, strengthen / accelerate ongoing projects, or enhance ongoing collaborations - Develop and maintain connections with science labs and clinical centers to facilitate rapid animal and clinical testing of concepts and prototypes of medical treatments - Manage efforts to obtain regulatory approvals for animal studies and clinical trials to validate the concepts of medical therapies - Represent the Neurorestore Center at symposiums and conferences through talks and presentations Personal Traits - Passionate about the development of neurotechnologies that aim to alleviate movement disabilities of stroke - Thriving in a cutting edge, fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment - Self-starter and independent worker with an ability to identify innovative approaches and solutions - Attention to detail - Independent thinker and passionate problem solver Skills - Ability to independently conceive original research projects - Capacity to supervise several research projects in parallel - Capability to successfully lead research teams, and maintain collaborations with external partners - Strong verbal and written presentation skills in English - Experience with leading animal research projects and/or projects under the framework of clinical trials and studies - Track record of obtaining regulatory approvals for animal studies and/or clinical trials - Strong experience with writing project proposals, project progress reports and research articles - Experience in disseminating project progress through talks, presentation and publications - Experience in physiological signal acquisition and signal analysis - Capacity to identify skill gaps and hire personnel to fill them - Experience with writing, filling and obtaining patents - Advanced presentation skills (PowerPoint, Photoshop, Illustrator) - Willingness to travel in order to form / maintain collaborations - Possessing a strong academic, clinical, regulatory and industry network and the ability to use it to organize collaborative projects Experience - Doctoral degree (PhD) - 6 or more years of experience working in the fields of neuroscience / neuroengineering (including the PhD studies) - 3 or more years of experience in stroke-related research - Strong publication record in the stroke field 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.

Sept. 16, 2020