- Comp-neuro - lists.cnsorg.org

Open Faculty Positions in Cognitive and Information Sciences at the University of California, Merced

by David Noelle

Four Open Faculty Positions Assistant Professor of Cognitive and Information Sciences University of California, Merced The Department of Cognitive and Information Sciences (CIS) at the University of California, Merced seeks applicants for four (4) tenure-track faculty positions at the Assistant Professor level. CIS is a highly interdisciplinary group offering bachelor’s degrees in Cognitive Science and Philosophy as well as an intensive research-based PhD in Cognitive and Information Sciences. We seek outstanding scholars who will establish and maintain creative research paradigms, participate actively in the development of interdisciplinary programs, and teach and mentor effectively at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Applicants must have either a strong research record or evidence of the potential to develop an independent and innovative research program. We are especially seeking candidates whose research involves one or more of the following areas: (1) Cognitive and Data Science, (2) Language, Communication, and Culture, and (3) Applied Ethics. Applicants must hold a PhD in a relevant discipline, such as Cognitive Science, Psychology, Philosophy, Neuroscience, Linguistics, Computer Science, or Anthropology, by the position start date, which is anticipated to be July 1, 2019. Applications must be received no later than November 15, 2018 to be considered. For further information, please visit “https://aprecruit.ucmerced.edu/apply/JPF00699”.

Sept. 6, 2018

Hearst Postdoc position at Rhodes College in Memphis

by Blustein_Daniel

Dear Colleagues! We are hiring for a unique post-doctoral position in any area of neuroscience for someone from an historically underrepresented minority group. The position has teaching and research responsibilities and can convert to a tenure-track appointment after two years. The ad is below and I'm happy to answer any questions. Sincerely, Dan Blustein Assistant Professor of Psychology Neuroscience Program Rhodes College Phone: 901-843-3963 | Twitter: @bloostein | web: www.danblu.com Neuroscience Hearst Post-Doctoral Fellowship Ad (2018-2019) Rhodes College invites applicants for a two-year William Randolph Hearst Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Neuroscience<http://www.rhodes.edu/neuro> (area of specialization open) for aspiring faculty from historically underrepresented minority groups in higher education. The position will begin in Fall 2019. Candidates completing a successful two-year fellowship will be considered for conversion to a tenure-track appointment. Rhodes College greatly values diversity of faculty, staff, and students. In 1988 Rhodes College received a gift from the William Randolph Hearst Foundations to establish a fellowship for aspiring faculty from underrepresented minority groups. A primary goal of the fellowship is to provide teaching and research experience at a liberal arts college and mentorship toward a successful teacher-scholar career. The successful candidate will contribute to an interdisciplinary Neuroscience major that includes faculty from Biology, Psychology, Chemistry, and Philosophy. Candidates must have earned a Ph.D. in Neuroscience or a related field (e.g., Biology, Psychology, Chemistry) by August 2019. Teaching responsibilities will include 3 lecture or seminar courses per year, including an introductory lecture course in Neuroscience, and a senior seminar course for Neuroscience majors. Research will be supported by start-up funds and lab space. Extensive opportunities for collaborative research are available through our partnerships with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, University of Memphis, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, and Le Bonheur Children's Hospital. Founded in 1848, Rhodes College is a highly selective, private, residential, undergraduate college, located in Memphis, Tennessee. We aspire to graduate students with a lifelong passion for learning, a compassion for others, and the ability to translate academic study and personal concern into effective leadership and action in their communities and the world. We encourage applications from candidates interested in helping us achieve this vision<https://www.rhodes.edu/content/rhodes-vision>. Rhodes College values an inclusive and welcoming environment. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity<http://handbook.rhodes.edu/diversity> (http://handbook.rhodes.edu/diversity) in the workforce. Memphis has a metropolitan population of over one million and provides multiple opportunities for research and for cultural and recreational activities<http://www.rhodes.edu/content/our-city> (http://www.rhodes.edu/content/liberal-arts-city) Please apply online at jobs.rhodes.edu<https://jobs.rhodes.edu/>. A complete application includes a cover letter, a curriculum vitae, a statement of teaching philosophy, a research plan, graduate transcripts, up to three representative publications, three letters of recommendation, and a separate statement that addresses how your experiences with teaching, scholarship, and/or service might contribute to a college community that includes a commitment to diversity and inclusion as one of its core values. Please address in your cover letter your interest in a postdoctoral fellowship like the William Randolph Hearst Teaching Fellowship and in teaching at a liberal arts college. Review of completed applications will begin on November 16th and continue until the position is filled. The online application system will solicit letters of recommendation electronically from the candidate's recommenders, once their contact information has been entered and all other required application materials have been submitted. Rhodes College policy requires background checks before candidates can be brought to campus for interviews. For further information, please contact Dr. David Kabelik, kabelikd(a)rhodes.edu<mailto:kabelikd@rhodes.edu>.

Sept. 5, 2018

Workshop- Sept 28th, 2018. Latest Advances in Understanding Complex Spatial Navigation

by Fellous, Jean-Marc - (fellous)

WORKSHOP - Friday Sept 28th, 2018 INSERM U1208, Bron/Lyon, France Latest Advances in Understanding Complex Spatial Navigation in Animals, Computational Models and Neuro-inspired Robots The goal of this one-day workshop is to discuss the latest advances in understanding the neural mechanisms of complex spatial navigation using experimental studies in Animals, Computational Neuroscience and Neuro-robotics. The format of the workshop will be 30 minute presentations giving emphasis on studies that relate at least 2 of the 3 techniques (Animals, Computational Neuroscience and Neuro-robotics). The succinct presentation format will allow for ample time for discussion of current and future advances in the area, and collaboration opportunities. Registration is free but required. The workshop will be limited to 30 people. Registration : http://spaq2018.robolat.org/registration Website : http://spaq2018.robolat.org/ Schedule (subject to change, please check the website): 8:45: Peter Dominey: Introduction and Welcome 9:00: Jean-Marc Fellous - Complex Spatial Navigation and the Dorso-Ventral Hippocampal Axis 9:30: Peter Dominey - Cortico-Hippocampal Interaction for Synthesis of Novel Adaptive Experiences 10:00: Alfredo Weitzenfeld - Multi-Scale Spatial Navigation 10:30 - 11:00 Break 11:00: Laurenz Wiskott - Self-Organization of Place Cells in the Hippocampus 11:30: Philippe Gaussier - The Hippocampo-cortical Loop: Spatial and Temporal Dimensions of information Processing 12:15 - 14:00 Lunch 14:00: Sidney Wiener - Navigational Rule and Strategy Related Activity in the Hippocampal-Prefrontal-Striatal System, and Neuromodulator Relations 14:30: Mehdi Khamassi - Hippocampal Replays under the Scrutiny of Reinforcement Learning Models: From Theory to Neurorobotics Experimentation Back to Biology 15:00: Jeff Krichmar - Conjunctive Coding in an Evolved Spiking Model of Retrosplenial Cortex 15:30 - 16:00 Break 16:00: Francesco Battaglia - Chasing Cell Assemblies in Cortico-Hippocampal Neural Ensembles 16:30: Michael Arbib - From Visual Construction and Spatial Navigation to Episodic Memory and Imagination 17:00 - 17:30 Discussion Sponsored by the National Science Foundation and the Agence Nationale pour la Recherche (CRCNS-ANR Collaborative grant) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Sept. 5, 2018

EEG Basic Oscillations Workshop

by TORRALBA CUELLO, MIREIA

Dear all, It is our pleasure to announce the first edition of Barcelona EEG Basic Oscillations Workshop (BEBOW) that will take place in UPF next 26-28th September in Barcelona. The BEBOW is organized by the Multisensory Research Group, part of Cognition and Brain Center and aims at enabling students to perform time-frequency analysis of the EEG (electroencephalography) signal for neurocognitive research. The workshop will cover experimental design and how to perform time-frequency analysis from a theoretical and a practical point of view. It is addressed to master and PhD students, and post-docs who already have some experience with EEG/ERP analyses. You can find more information in the website of BEBOW <https://eventum.upf.edu/21978/detail/barcelona-eeg-basic-oscillations-works…> . Mireia Torralba Cuello Multisensory Research Group Center for Brain and Cognition, Universitat Pompeu Fabra Address: Edifici Mercè Rodoreda 24.313 c\ Ramon Trias Fargas, 25-27 08005 Barcelona http://www.mrg.upf.edu Tel +34 935422745

Sept. 5, 2018

NEURON Course at SFN 2018 meeting

by Ted Carnevale

Space is still available for the NEURON course at this year's meeting of the Society for Neuroscience. Are you a lab director trying to decide whether to add computational modeling to your research program? A grad student or postdoc who is just getting started in modeling? An established NEURON user who wants to find out about NEURON's latest features? If so, this one-day course is for you! The course starts with a practical introduction that reviews basic concepts and presents a workflow for building and using models of cells and networks, and moves on to topics that include: --how to speed up simulations --how to use Python with NEURON (and take advantage of NEURON's GUI!) --how to model reaction-diffusion with the RxD class For more information and the registration form, see https://neuron.yale.edu/neuron/static/courses/sd2018/sd2018.html --Ted

Sept. 5, 2018

High Performance Computing workshop at SFN 2018 meeting

by Ted Carnevale

This year's workshop on High Performance Computing Resources for Parallel Simulations and Data Analysis will be held on Saturday, Nov. 3, from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM in downtown San Diego as a satellite to the 2018 meeting of the Society for Neuroscience. It will feature presentations from developers and users of powerful hardware and software tools for dealing with computationally-intensive modeling and data analysis tasks. For more information and a link to the registration form, see https://neuron.yale.edu/neuron/static/courses/nsg2018/nsg2018.html The registration deadline for this workshop is Friday Oct. 12, but you should sign up early because space is limited. --Ted

Sept. 4, 2018

Postdoctoral position available in computational muscle modelling

by Sang-Hoon Yeo

Postdoctoral position available: Active spring muscle model - a new phenomenological model of skeletal muscle mechanics Understanding Machina Carnis, how our muscles mechanically generate movement, is one of the fundamental research questions in human movement science and also has significant implications in many application areas. Phenomenological muscle models, such as the Hill-type muscle model, have been widely used in studies on motor control and biomechanics. However, the performances of such models in predicting the dynamic contractile behaviours of the muscle, such as eccentric or sub-maximal contractions, are known to be far from accurate. This BBSRC (Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, United Kingdom)–funded postdoctoral research associate will join Dr Sang-Hoon Yeo’s research group to develop a new phenomenological model of the skeletal muscle mechanics. The key idea is to incorporate a newly proposed “active spring model” that involves titin as the third filament, together with actin and myosin filament, that actively regulates the mechanical behaviour of the muscle (see figures below). This new model is expected to be effectively utilized in various areas involving musculoskeletal simulation models, where the current prevalent use of the Hill-type model is identified as a major limiting factor. For two years starting in early 2019, the research associate will lead the first stage of the study focusing on in-vitro muscle/fiber experiments and model development. The research programme includes one-month visits to two prominent muscle biomechanics laboratories: 1) Prof Walter Herzog’s lab in University of Calgary (Calgary, Canada) and 2) Prof Kiisa Nisikawa’s lab in Northern Arizona University (Flagstaff, USA) to carry out data collection. Based on the collected data, the research associate will lead the data analysis, computational modelling and simulation of a new muscle mechanics model, and will also collaborate with other research associates to apply the developed muscle model to human biomechanics. The host institution, The University of Birmingham, is a Russell Group university in the vibrant City of Birmingham, United Kingdom. The university has produced eleven affiliated Nobel laureates and is also known as a cradle of modern muscle mechanics, dating back to the seminal work of Peter Rack and David Westbury. The School of Sport Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, where the research associate will be based, is a world-leading research institution in sport science, ranked 5th in the world (QS World Ranking, Sport-related subject). This highly interdisciplinary project is waiting for an ambitious and open-minded individual with substantial experience in computational motor control and muscle/musculoskeletal biomechanics. Individuals whose expertise lies in engineering and physical science and want to apply your skills in muscle biomechanics are also strongly encouraged to apply. Experience in wet-lab work is preferred but not strictly required. If you are interested to apply, please contact the principal investigator Dr Sang-Hoon Yeo (s.yeo(a)bham.ac.uk) to initiate discussion. Best wishes, Sang-Hoon -- Dr Sang-Hoon Yeo Lecturer in Biomechanics and Motor Control School of Sport, Exercise & Rehabilitation Sciences The University of Birmingham Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom +44(0)121 414 8748

Sept. 4, 2018

Job ad: tenure-track open rank faculty positions in Cognitive Science

by Rajeev Raizada

http://www.sas.rochester.edu/bcs/jobs/faculty.html Cognitive Scientist, Open Rank, University of Rochester The Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences at the University of Rochester is seeking to hire multiple faculty members in the area of decision making and cognitive or sensorimotor planning at the Assistant (tenure-track) or Associate Professor level. Areas of interest include the roles of learning, prediction, memory, and attention in guiding goal-directed behavior, especially within complex, naturalistic environments. We are primarily interested in candidates using neuroimaging, computational (e.g., Bayesian decision theory, reinforcement learning), behavioral (including technology-driven approaches such as virtual reality), and/or developmental approaches. Both individuals and teams are encouraged to apply. Successful candidates will join a dynamic department with interests in the study of perception, motor control, learning, cognition, language, and development through combined neurobiological, computational, and behavioral research (http://www.sas.rochester.edu/bcs/) she or he will also be part of a university–wide community engaged in graduate and undergraduate education. Candidates should hold a PhD degree (or equivalent) in cognitive science, psychology, neuroscience, or another relevant domain, and should have considerable research experience. Applicants should submit a CV, a statement of research and teaching interests, and contact information for three referees via the following website: http://www.rochester.edu/faculty-recruiting. In addition, team applications should include a joint statement that describes the research synergies of the team. Questions concerning this position can be addressed to Robert Jacobs (rjacobs(a)ur.rochester.edu) and Duje Tadin (dtadin(a)ur.rochester.edu) co-chairs of the search committee. Review of applications will begin on November 1, 2018. The University of Rochester is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a strong commitment to diversity, and actively encourages applications from candidates from groups underrepresented in higher education. EOE / Minorities / Females / Protected Veterans / Disabled

Sept. 4, 2018

An Amazing Job Opportunity at Apple!

by Burak Yildiz

We are looking for a Senior Systems Neuroscientist to join a great team of researchers at Apple in the San Francisco Bay Area. It's a unique opportunity to do research in industry. Please apply at this link: https://jobs.apple.com/us/search#&ss=Neuroscientist&t=0&so=&lo=0*USA&pN=0&o… Thanks, Burak Yildiz Sr. Research Scientist at Apple

Sept. 4, 2018

[meetings] Call for Participation : Workshop on Continual Unsupervised Sensorimotor Learning - Tokyo - September 17th

by Nguyen, Sao Mai

Call for Participation Workshop on Continual Unsupervised Sensorimotor Learning at IEEE ICDL-Epirob 2018 - Tokyo - September 17th Website : http://conferences.au.dk/icdl-epirob-2018-workshop/ ============================================================ Invited Speakers - Jochen Triesch, Frankfurt Institute of Advanced Studies, Germany - David Ha, Google Brain - Lorenzo Jamone, Queen Mary University of London, UK Scope As the algorithms for learning single tasks in restricted environments are improving, new challenges have gained relevance. They include multi-task learning, multimodal sensorimotor learning in open worlds and lifelong adaptation to injury, growth and ageing. In this workshop we will discuss the developmental processes involved in the emergence of representations of action and perception in humans and artificial agents in continual learning. These processes include action-perception cycle, active perception, continual sensory-motor learning, environmental-driven scaffolding, and intrinsic motivation. The discussion will be strongly motivated by behavioural and neural data. We hope to provide a discussion friendly environment to connect with research with similar interest regardless of their area of expertise which could include robotics, computer science, psychology, neuroscience, etc. We would also like to devise a roadmap or strategies to develop mathematical and computational models to improve robot performance and/or to attempt to unveil the underlying mechanisms that lead to continual adaptation to changing environment or embodiment and continual learning in open-ended environments. The primary list of topics covers the following (but not limited to): - Emergence of representations via continual interaction - Continual sensory-motor learning - Action-perception cycle - Active perception - Environmental-driven scaffolding - Intrinsic motivation - Neural substrates, neural circuits and neural plasticity - Human and animal behaviour experiments and models - Reinforcement learning and deep reinforcement learning for life-long learning - Multisensory robot learning - Multimodal sensorimotor learning - Affordance learning - Prediction learning Organizers: - Nicolás Navarro-Guerrero, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark - Sao Mai Nguyen, IMT Atlantique, France - Erhan Öztop, Özyeğin University, Turkey - Junpei Zhong, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Japan Nguyen Sao Mai nguyensmai(a)gmail.com Researcher in Cognitive Developmental Robotics http://nguyensmai.free.fr

Sept. 3, 2018

[journals] CfP : Special Issue on Continual Unsupervised Sensorimotor Learning

by Nguyen, Sao Mai

Dear Colleagues, IEEE Transactions on Cognitive and Developmental Systems is currently running a Special Issue entitled " Continual Unsupervised Sensorimotor Learning". Dr. José Antonio Iglesias Martínez, Assoc. Prof. We would like to invite you to prepare a research article or a comprehensive review to be published in this special issue. AIM AND SCOPE Although machine learning algorithms continue to improve at a rapid pace enabling technologies and products such as autonomous driving cars and sophisticated image and speech recognition, it is often forgotten that these applications represent tailored solutions to specific tasks. Thus it is not clear if or how these autonomous systems can pave the road to general purpose machines envisioned by many. The pursuit for higher levels of autonomy and versatility in robotics is arguably lead by two main factors. Firstly, as we push robots out of the labs and productions lines, it becomes increasingly difficult to design for all possible scenarios that a particular robot might encounter. Secondly, the cost of designing, manufacturing, and maintaining such systems becomes prohibitive. As the algorithms for learning single tasks in restricted environments are improving, new challenges have gained relevance in order to get more autonomous artificial systems. These challenges include multi-task learning, multimodal sensorimotor learning and lifelong adaptation to injury, growth and ageing. Addressing these challenges promise higher levels of autonomy and versatility of future robots. This special issue on Continual Unsupervised Sensorimotor Learning is primarily concerned with the developmental processes involved in unsupervised sensorimotor learning in a life-long perspective, and in particular the emergence of representations of action and perception in humans and artificial agents in continual learning. These processes include action-perception cycle, active perception, continual sensory-motor learning, environmental-driven scaffolding, and intrinsic motivation. The special issue will highlight behavioural and neural data, and cognitive and developmental approaches to research in the areas of robotics, computer science, psychology, neuroscience, etc. Contributions might focus on mathematical and computational models to improve robot performance and/or attempt to unveil the underlying mechanisms that lead to continual adaptation to changing environment or embodiment and continual learning in open-ended environments. Contributions from multiple disciplines including cognitive systems, cognitive robotics, developmental and epigenetic robotics, autonomous and evolutionary robotics, social structures, multi-agent and artificial life systems, computational neuroscience, and developmental psychology, on theoretical, computational, application-oriented, and experimental studies as well as reviews in these areas are welcome. THEMES This special issue aims to report state-of-the-art approaches and recent advances on Continual Unsupervised Sensorimotor Learning with a cross-disciplinary perspective. Topics relevant to this special issue include but are not limited to: Emergence of representations via continual interaction Continual sensory-motor learning Action-perception cycle Active perception Environmental-driven scaffolding Intrinsic motivation Neural substrates, neural circuits and neural plasticity Human and animal behaviour experiments and models Reinforcement learning and deep reinforcement learning for life-long learning Multisensory robot learning Multimodal sensorimotor learning Affordance learning Prediction learning SUBMISSION Manuscripts should be prepared according to the “Information for Authors” of the journal found at http://cis.ieee.org/component/content/article/7/131-ieee-transactions-on-au…. Submissions must be done through the IEEE TCDS Manuscript center: https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/tcds-ieee. Please select the category “SI: Continual Unsupervised Sensorimotor Learning”. IMPORTANT DATES 6th January 2019 – Paper submission deadline 15th March 2019 – Notification for authors 31st May 2019 – Deadline revised papers submission 30th June 2019 – Final notification for authors 31st July 2019 – Deadline for camera-ready versions September 2019 – Expected publication date More information on Continual Unsupervised Sensorimotor Learning http://projects.au.dk/socialrobotics/news-events/show/artikel/special-issue… GUEST EDITORS Nicolás Navarro-Gerrero Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark nng(a)eng.au.dk Sao Mai Nguyen IMT Atlantique, Francenguyensmai(a)gmail.com Erhan Öztop Özyeğin University, Turkeyerhan.oztop(a)ozyegin.edu.tr Junpei Zhong National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Japanjoni.zhong(a)aist.go.jp ---- Nguyen Sao Mai nguyensmai(a)gmail.com Researcher in Cognitive Developmental Robotics http://nguyensmai.free.fr

Sept. 3, 2018

2 open PhD positions in Sprekeler & Kempter labs on models of memory consolidation

by Richard Kempter

Dear all, 2 PhD positions are open in the labs of Henning Sprekeler (TU Berlin) and Richard Kempter (HU Berlin), respectively, to be filled as soon as possible. Both positions are part of the recently established collaborative research center "Mechanisms and disturbances in memory consolidation: >From synapses to systems" https://fis.hu-berlin.de/converis/portal/Project/401700446?auxfun=&lang=en_… The project B01 in this research center focuses on developing computational models of systems memory consolidation, both conceptually and constrained by data from rodents and flies. The two PhD students are expected to collaborate closely. The ideal candidate has a background in computational neuroscience, strong mathematical and programming skills, and a keen interest in synaptic plasticity, learning and memory. If you are interested, please contact Henning Sprekeler or Richard Kempter. Please send the usual application documents (CV, letter of motivation, certificates of BSc and MSc, 2 references) until September 13, 2018. Interviews will take place on September 24/25 and/or September 28, i.e. around the Bernstein Conference in Berlin. Best wishes, Henning & Richard --- Prof. Dr. Henning Sprekeler (TU Berlin) Modelling of cognitive processes Technische Universität Berlin & Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin Sekr. MAR 5-3 Marchstr. 23 10587 Berlin, Germany Email: h.sprekeler(a)tu-berlin.de https://www.cognition.tu-berlin.de/menue/members/henning_sprekeler/ Phone: +49 (0)30 314 73557 Prof. Dr. Richard Kempter (HU Berlin) Theoretical neuroscience Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin & Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin Philippstr. 13, Building number 4 D-10115 Berlin, Germany Email: r.kempter(a)biologie.hu-berlin.de http://itb.biologie.hu-berlin.de/~kempter/index.html Phone +49-(0)30-2093-98404

Sept. 3, 2018

EEG and Machine Learning Postdoctoral Position at Stanford for Personalized Medicine

by Sanggyun Kim

*EEG and Machine Learning Postdoctoral Position at Stanford for PersonalizedMedicine* The Laboratory of Amit Etkin, MD PhD at Stanford University is currently accepting applications for a postdoctoral fellow focused on machine learning and other sophisticated analyses of electroencephalography (EEG) data. This position is funded by an NIH Director’s Pioneer Award. The focus of the position is on creating and applying a variety of data analytic approaches to large EEG data sets (across individuals, or longitudinally within- individual) for the purpose of prediction of clinical outcome and tracking of clinical change. Particular emphasis is on connecting signal processing methodology to the classification challenges, potential use of deep learning, and building on applications from other related areas (e.g. brain-computer interface or other decoding efforts). It is anticipated that this work will contribute to development of clinic-translatable biomarkers, and will be part of FDA approval-directed efforts ongoing in the lab. The successful applicant will have a PhD in Engineering, Statistics, Computer Science, Neuroscience, Neurophysiology, Psychology, or related fields. Advanced experience with EEG data analysis and/or machine learning is required. Additionally, strong quantitative skills and a programming background are important. Duties will also include manuscript preparation, presentation of findings at conferences, and contribution to the preparation of grants. Laboratory and Stanford resources are extensive, MRI scanners, simultaneous EEG/fMRI, multiple high density EEG setups, and concurrent transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS)/fMRI and concurrent TMS/EEG setups. Salary commensurate with experience. More information about our ongoing studies can be found at: http://etkinlab.stanford.edu. To apply, please send a curriculum vitae, a statement describing research interests and relevant background and the names of three recommenders, as well as relevant reprints/preprints of research articles to: Amit Etkin, MD, PhD Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Stanford Neurosciences Institute Stanford University amitetkin(a)stanford.edu

Sept. 1, 2018

The Journal of Mathematical Neuroscience - recent articles

by Stephen Coombes

The Journal of Mathematical Neuroscience publishes research articles on the mathematical modelling and analysis of all areas of neuroscience. The new Impact Factor of the journal is 2.414 The current list of journal articles is available at http://www.mathematical-neuroscience.com/ : Stochastic Hybrid Systems in Cellular Neuroscience Paul C. Bressloff and James N. Maclaurin https://mathematical-neuroscience.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s13408-… Data Assimilation Methods for Neuronal State and Parameter Estimation Matthew J. Moye and Casey O. Diekman https://mathematical-neuroscience.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s13408-… Bifurcations of Limit Cycles in a Reduced Model of the Xenopus Tadpole Central Pattern Generator Andrea Ferrario, Robert Merrison-Hort, Stephen R. Soffe, Wen-Chang Li and Roman Borisyuk https://mathematical-neuroscience.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s13408-… What Is Required for Neuronal Calcium Waves? A Numerical Parameter Study Markus Breit and Gillian Queisser https://mathematical-neuroscience.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s13408-… Investigating the Correlation–Firing Rate Relationship in Heterogeneous Recurrent Networks Andrea K. Barreiro and Cheng Ly https://mathematical-neuroscience.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s13408-… All articles are Open Access. ------------------------------------------------------- Stephen Coombes Professor of Applied Mathematics School of Mathematical Sciences Nottingham, UK Tel: 0115 846 7836 http://www.maths.nott.ac.uk/~sc/ ------------------------------------------------------- This message and any attachment are intended solely for the addressee and may contain confidential information. If you have received this message in error, please contact the sender and delete the email and attachment. Any views or opinions expressed by the author of this email do not necessarily reflect the views of the University of Nottingham. Email communications with the University of Nottingham may be monitored where permitted by law.

Aug. 28, 2018

Frontiers Research Topic on Data Assimilation

by Axel Hutt

Announcement of the Frontiers Research Topic -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Data Assimilation of Nonlocal Observations in Complex Systems -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Natural complex systems exhibit spatio-temporal dynamics on multiple scales that are difficult to predict and understand. To gain deeper insights into the system's dynamics and to be able to predict its evolution, observations of that system are analyzed which allows to derive or motivate models that fit that system. In general, one may distinguish two types of data. The so-called in-situ or local observations capture direct measurements of the system itself, such as temperature at a specific height in the atmosphere or electric potentials in biological cells. Other observations are not measured at a certain location but represent the integral of some relevant quantities manifesting the system's activity. Examples in meteorology for such nonlocal observations are satellite radiances, slant delays and radio occultation based on GPS data, or radar reflectivities. In biological systems, the non-invasive measurement techniques provide nonlocal observations, such as electro- and magnetoencephalogram or Magnetic Resonance Imaging. In addition to observations, realistic models are essential to improve the understanding of natural complex systems and to predict their dynamical evolution. To merge both models and observations, it is essential to develop techniques that optimally estimate the system activity well-adapted to a model and observed data. Data assimilation comprises a number of methods to merge diverse experimental data with an underlying model. Data assimilation optimally combines observations and a model to achieve a certain goal, such as optimal fitting of model parameters or providing optimal forecasts of the system's dynamics. Since the recent years have shown an increasing number of observation techniques capturing integrals of system activity, data assimilation of nonlocal observations becomes more and more important. The present Research Topic aims to bring together recent theoretical work in data assimilation of nonlocal observations with a strong link to specific applications. This article collection reflects the state-of-the-art in this research field. Examples of theoretical topics (as an unconstrained open list) are Kalman filters, variational assimilation techniques, regression techniques and stochastic optimization techniques. Applications may range from the parameter estimation in genetic regulatory networks over prediction of brain dynamics to weather forecast. We invite you to submit an abstract until November 30, 2018 and the manuscript until June 30, 2019. Contributions will be published as soon as they are accepted and synchronously gathered in the Research Topic volume. For more information, do not hesitate to contact us (email of Axel Hutt: digitalesbad(a)gmail.com) The organisers Lili Lei (Nanjing University) Marc Bocquet (Ecole des Ponts ParisTech) Alberto Carrassi (Nansen Environmental Remote Sensing Center) Axel Hutt (Deutscher Wetterdienst) Roland Potthast (Deutscher Wetterdienst) -- Axel Hutt Directeur de Recherche Deutscher Wetterdienst - German Meteorological Service Research and Development, Department FE 12 (Data Assimilation) Frankfurter Strasse 135, 63067 Offenbach, Germany Tel.: +49 69 8062 2750 http://www.geocities.ws/digitalbath/

Aug. 27, 2018

LACONEU Summer School - January 2019

by Patricio Orio

----------------------------------------------------------------------- We have the pleasure to invite Graduate and Undergraduate students to participate in: ----------------------------------------------------------------------- LACONEU 2019 V Latin American Summer School in Computational Neuroscience Special Topic: Complex Systems and Network Connectivity January 7-25th, 2019 Valparaíso - CHILE http://www.laconeu.cl ----------------------------------------------------------------------- The principal aims of LACONEU 2019 Summer School are to disseminate and to develop Computational Neuroscience in Latin America, gathering researchers and students with common interests in the beautiful and historical city of Valparaiso, in Chile. LACONEU 2019 expects to foster a collaborative exchange between the attendees, researchers and students, based on fundamental theoretical and practical knowledge, and thus, to help the establishment of strong, long-term collaborations. This version also includes a WORKSHOP on January 16th, 2019 CONFIRMED SPEAKERS: - Demian Battaglia, Theoretical Neuroscience Group, INT, France - Joana Cabral, University of Oxford, UK - Bruno Cessac, INRIA Sophia-Antipolis, France - Dante Chialvo, Universidad Nacional de San Martín, Argentina - Rodrigo Cofré, Universidad de Valparaíso, Chile - Mauro Copelli, Federal University of Pernambuco, Brazil - Maxime Descoteaux, Université de Sherbrook, Canada - Wael El-Deredy, Universidad de Valparaíso, Chile - Pamela Guevara, Universidad de Concepción, Chile - María-José Escobar, Universidad Técnica Federico Santa María, Valparaíso, Chile - Henrik Jensen, Imperial College London, UK - Thierry Mora, École Normale Superiéure, France - Patricio Orio, Universidad de Valparaíso, Chile - Adrián Palacios, Universidad de Valparaíso, Chile - Tomás Pérez Acle, Fundación Ciencia y Vida, Chile - Peter Robinson, The University of Sydney, Australia - Fernando Rosas, Imperial College London, UK - Inés Samengo, Centro Atómico Bariloche e Instituto Balseiro, Argentina IMPORTANT DATES - Call for Applications: June 8th, 2018 - Application submission deadline: September 15th, 2018 (visit the webpage to see the details) - Acceptance notification: October 31st, 2018 TRAVEL GRANTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR LATIN AMERICAN STUDENTS Looking forward to see you in January! *Prof. Patricio Orio* Centro Interdisciplinario de Neurociencias de Valparaíso *CINV* Facultad de Ciencias, *Universidad de Valparaíso, Chile* +56 32 299 5538 / 32 250 8040

Aug. 24, 2018

Postdoc at RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Japan

by Taro Toyoizumi

A postdoc position is available at Lab for Neural Computation and Adaptation, RIKEN Center for Brain Science, Japan http://toyoizumilab.brain.riken.jp/ to work with Taro Toyoizumi. Job: https://cbs.riken.jp/en/careers/20180817_w929_t_toyoizumi_r.html Our lab is interested in modeling activity-dependent synaptic plasticity and dynamic information processing by the neurons in the brain. We seek highly motivated postdoctoral researchers with a strong analytical background and interest in neuroscience. Applicants should have a PhD in physics, neuroscience, mathematics, computer science, engineering, or a related area. Applicants should email a CV and a list of publications to toyoizumilab(a)ml.riken.jp In addition, applicants should organize two letters of recommendation, to be sent by the referees to toyoizumilab(a)ml.riken.jp

Aug. 23, 2018

NEST 2.16.0 released

by Hans Ekkehard Plesser

Dear colleagues! I am very excited to inform you that we have released version 2.16.0 of NEST, the Neural Simulation Tool, today. NEST 2.16.0 is the result of 89 merged pull requests by 39 developers since we released NEST 2.14.0 in October 2017. Most notably, this release includes a new infrastructure for the storage of connections, which reduces the memory consumption and network build times (Jordan et al., 2018) and extends the rate model framework for novel use-cases (Senden et al., 2018). As usual, it also includes numerous bug fixes and minor improvements. At the same time, the we have tried to minimize changes to the user interface, so scripts that worked with NEST 2.14.0 should work with NEST 2.16.0 as well. One exception is that global spike detectors have been removed, but this should be relevant only for users on petascale machines. For a detailed list of changes, please see https://github.com/nest/nest-simulator/releases/tag/v2.16.0 The citation for NEST 2.16.0 is Linssen, Charl, Lepperød, Mikkel Elle, Mitchell, Jessica, Pronold, Jari, Eppler, Jochen Martin, Keup, Chrisitan, … Plesser, Hans Ekkehard. (2018, August 27). NEST 2.16.0 (Version 2.16.0). Zenodo. http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1400175 We would like to encourage you to switch to NEST 2.16.0 as soon as possible and are looking forward to hearing about your experiences! On behalf of the NEST Initiative, I would like to thank all developers who have contributed to NEST 2.16.0 and especially our release managers Dennis Terhorst and Jochen Eppler for wrapping it all up! Best regards, Hans Ekkehard Plesser President, The NEST Initiative -- Dr. Hans Ekkehard Plesser Associate Professor Faculty of Science and Technology Norwegian University of Life Sciences PO Box 5003, 1432 Aas, Norway Phone +47 6723 1560 Email hans.ekkehard.plesser(a)nmbu.no Home http://arken.nmbu.no/~plesser

Aug. 21, 2018

Human Neocortical Neurosolver: A new tool for circuit level investigation of MEG/EEG data

by Stephanie Jones

We are excited to announce the first release of a new user-friendly software package for circuit level interpretation of human EEG/MEG data: Human Neocortical Neurosolver (HNN). The foundation of HNN is a computational neural model that simulates the electrical activity of the neocortical cells and circuits that generate the primary electrical currents underlying EEG/MEG recordings. HNN is a free open source package that was designed for researchers and clinicians, without computational neural modeling experience, to develop and test hypothesis on the circuit origin of their data. We provide tutorials on how to import your data and to begin to understand the underlying neural mechanisms. The tutorials focus on some of the most commonly measured signals, including event related potentials and low frequency alpha, beta and gamma rhythms. We are eager to help users get started and have developed a user forum for feedback and questions. HNN is distributed at https://hnn.brown.edu <https://hnn.brown.edu/>. HNN is being developed by a collaborative team at Brown, MGH and Yale. HNN developments are funded by the National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering through the BRAIN Initiative: Theories, Models, and Methods of Analysis of Complex Data from the Brain. ******************************************* Stephanie R. Jones, PhD - on behalf of the development team Associate Professor Brown University Department of Neuroscience Stephanie_Jones(a)Brown.edu https://www.brown.edu/research/labs/jones/

Aug. 21, 2018

Full-time industry position: Computational Neuroscience / Neuromorphic Machine Learning

by Dylan Muir

aiCTX is an ultra-low-power neuromorphic computing startup / spin-off of the Institute of Neuroinformatics of the University of Zurich and the ETH Zurich. aiCTX has an immediate opening for a Neuromorphic Machine Learning R&D Engineer We are looking particularly for comp. neurosci. researchers, with a background in theory and/or modelling of spiking neural networks. This position is for a full-time on-going contract, in Zürich Switzerland. We also have paid internships available for qualified candidates. Please see the job posting for more details, and to apply: http://bit.ly/aiCTX_job2 <http://bit.ly/aiCTX_job2>

Aug. 17, 2018

Funded mathematics PhD position - Designing the dynamics of coupled oscillators - University of Exeter

by Purcell, Sarah

Funded mathematics PhD position - Designing the dynamics of coupled oscillators University of Exeter<https://www.exeter.ac.uk/>, UK Supervisors: - Dr Christian Bick<http://empslocal.ex.ac.uk/people/staff/cb618/> - Dr Kyle Wedgwood <http://emps.exeter.ac.uk/mathematics/staff/kcaw201> The University of Exeter's College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences is inviting applications for a fully-funded PhD studentship to commence in September 2018 or as soon as possible thereafter. For eligible students the studentship will cover tuition fees in full plus an annual tax-free stipend of at least £14,777 for 3.5 years full-time, or pro rata for part-time study. The student would be based in the Department of Mathematics in the College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences in Exeter. Networks of interacting oscillatory units are abundant in nature and technology. Their function and dynamics governs crucial aspects of our lives, ranging from the stability of power grids to the dynamics of the human brain. The dynamics of oscillator networks depends on (1) which oscillators interact with which other oscillator and (2) how oscillators interact with one another. This project will contribute to the question how the interplay between these two factors shape the network dynamics. The main aim of this PhD project is to develop theoretical and numerical approaches how oscillator networks can be designed to have specific interactions. This will allow to generate networks that exhibit a range of synchronized and locally synchronized dynamics. Moreover, the supervisor is currently collaborating with the experimental group of Istvan Z Kiss in St Louis (USA) who are working on electrochemical oscillators. Hence, there may be an opportunity to help implement the theoretical results in real-world experimental systems. The studentship will be awarded on the basis of merit for 3.5 years of full-time study to commence in September 2018 or on a mutually agreed date as soon as possible thereafter, and is subject to confirmation of funding. For full details please see the PhD advert<https://www.exeter.ac.uk/studying/funding/award/?id=3189>. If you have any questions, please get in touch with Dr Christian Bick<http://empslocal.ex.ac.uk/people/staff/cb618/> or Dr Kyle Wedgwood. <http://emps.exeter.ac.uk/mathematics/staff/kcaw201>

Aug. 17, 2018

Postdoc available in Brinkman group at Stony Brook University

by Braden Brinkman

A postdoctoral position is available in Braden Brinkman's group in the Department of Neurobiology and Behavior at Stony Brook University, located on Long Island in New York State. The Brinkman group studies mathematical models of sensory coding and network dynamics, with a focus on how environmental and physiological constraints shape coding and computation in the brain. For more information on our work and the department, please visit https://medicine.stonybrookmedicine.edu/node/14355 Candidates must have a strong background in quantitative methods; background in statistical physics is a plus. Please submit applications through Stony Brook's jobs portal here (job # 1802370): https://stonybrooku.taleo.net/careersection/post_docs/jobdetail.ftl?job=180… Complete applications must include 1. C.V. including a list of publications/preprints, research experience, and education 2. A 1-2 page summary of previous research accomplishments 3. A 1-2 page description of future research goals and interests 4. 2-3 references letters from scientists familiar with the candidates work Items 1-3 may be attached through the online application portal. Letter writers should send letters directly to braden.brinkman(a)stonybrook.edu Deadline for applications is Sept 1. Please email braden.brinkman(a)stonybrook.edu with any questions.

Aug. 16, 2018

Contrat post-doctorant 2018-2020 - Laboratoire FrontLAB, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Epinière (ICM), PARIS (FR)

by Bénédicte BATRANCOURT

*Contrat post-doctoral 2018-2020* Laboratoire FrontLAB, Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle Epinière (ICM), PARIS Inserm, U 1127, CNRS, UMR 7225, Sorbonne Universités, UPMC Univ Paris 06, UMR S 1127 https://icm-institute.org/fr/ L’Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière (ICM) est un centre de recherche de dimension internationale, innovant dans sa conception comme dans son organisation. En réunissant en un même lieu malades, médecins et chercheurs, l’objectif est de permettre la mise au point rapide de traitements pour les lésions du système nerveux afin de les appliquer aux patients dans les meilleurs délais. D’un point de vue scientifique, les équipes de recherche sont indépendantes, mais alliées entre elles par des Programmes Transversaux de Recherche favorisant la mutualisation des compétences. La recherche se décline selon trois modèles : la recherche fondamentale orientée vers les domaines fondamentaux d’une discipline, la recherche clinique dans laquelle le sujet participe à des protocoles pour améliorer la connaissance d’une pathologie ou d’une thérapeutique et la recherche translationnelle qui permet aux patients de bénéficier plus rapidement des innovations diagnostiques et thérapeutiques. La recherche à l’ICM couvre 4 domaines scientifiques majeurs : Neurosciences Moléculaires et Cellulaires, Neurophysiologie intégrée, Neurosciences Cognitives, Neurosciences Cliniques et Translationnelles. Dans notre équipe FRONTlab (Richard LEVY, Bruno DUBOIS), nous travaillons sur les fonctions mentales élaborées par les lobes frontaux. L’un des enjeux majeurs des neurosciences est de connaître en profondeur les fonctions frontales afin de *comprendre comment sont élaborés et contrôlés nos comportements les plus complexes* (prise de décision, planification raisonnement, créativité, jugement moral, interactions sociales…). Une connaissance approfondie des lobes frontaux est aussi indispensable pour mieux traiter les nombreuses maladies neurologiques et psychiatriques s’accompagnant d’une atteinte des lobes frontaux (maladie d’Alzheimer, AVC, traumatismes crâniens, dépression, schizophrénie…). Nos objectifs sont de mieux cerner l’implication des lobes frontaux dans le comportement humain et les fonctions intellectuelles les plus élaborées, et de transférer les connaissances acquises vers la pratique médicale. Nous proposons un contrat de postdoctorant de 2 ans afin de participer au développement du projet ECOCAPTURE, permettant d’évaluer l’apathie de façon quantitative et objective, par l’observation du sujet en condition proche de la vie réelle. L’étude ECOCAPTURE se déroule dans la plate-forme de recherche de psychologie expérimentale de l'ICM (PRISME) qui est consacrée à l'exploration fonctionnelle du comportement humain dans des situations écologiques. L’étude ECOCAPTURE a débuté en septembre 2017, et porte sur 75 patients (Démence Fronto-Temporale, Parkinson, Dépression) et 60 volontaires sains. A ce jour 16 participants ont été inclus (8 patients et 8 volontaires sains). Dans cette étude et la phase dite de laboratoire, *l’apathie est évaluée en condition observationnelle* grâce à un système qui enregistre le comportement du sujet à l’aide d’un système à base de vidéo et de capteurs, durant une session expérimentale de 45 mn « proche de la vie réelle » qui se déroule dans une salle d’attente, selon un scénario contrôlé. L’objectif principal de l’étude ECOCAPTURE est de montrer que l’outil ECOCAPTURE basé sur des enregistrements vidéo et des capteurs d’activité et de mouvements, possède une valeur d’outil diagnostique de l’apathie. La méthode générale concerne en l’extraction de métriques comportementales à partir des données vidéo et des données extraites d’un accéléromètre 3D afin de différencier le comportement des patients de celui des sujets volontaires sains. L’étude ECOCAPTURE est la première étape d'un programme en trois phases visant à mieux évaluer l'apathie en situation « proche de la vie réelle » et à proposer de nouveaux traitements. La première phase dite « de laboratoire » a pour objectif la mise en œuvre d’un outil diagnostic de l'apathie produisant une « signature simple du comportement dirigé vers un but » ou « signature comportementale de l’apathie » permettant d'évaluer l'apathie, en situation de vie quotidienne, de façon objective (un marqueur d'apathie). Nous espérons que la création et la validation de cet outil ECOCAPTURE rendra possible dans une deuxième phase, son utilisation en clinique ainsi qu’une évaluation au domicile *ECOCAPTURE@home* avec un système de capteurs embarqués : un « holter d'apathie ». Une troisième phase visera à proposer un traitement des conséquences de l'apathie dans la vie quotidienne. L’objectif de ce contrat postdoctoral est de développer la deuxième phase : *ECOCAPTURE@home*. Nous recherchons un candidat titulaire d’un doctorat en neurosciences, sciences cognitives ou en bioinformatique, de formation : psychologue, neuropsychologue, neurologue, psychiatre, éthologue ou ingénieur biomédical. Le candidat devra posséder plusieurs compétences parmi la liste suivante : neuropsychologie, éthologie, mesure du comportement, instruments neuropsychologiques, qualités psychométriques d’un outil d’évaluation, capteurs et actigraphie, statistiques, fusion de données, classification. Une bonne connaissance de la langue française est indispensable afin de permettre les interactions avec les patients et leurs aidants. Ce contrat permettra à un chercheur motivé de participer à un projet multidisciplinaire et très original, de collaborer avec des chercheurs de disciplines diverses, de bénéficier d’un environnement scientifique international et stimulant, et de participer à la vie de l’équipe FrontLAB constituée d’un groupe de 12 PI chacun responsable d’un projet dédié à la compréhension du lobe frontal, et accueillant chaque année de nombreux étudiants. *La rémunération sera établie en fonction du barème de rémunération des contractuels Inserm* Merci d’envoyer votre CV avec une lettre de motivation et les noms et emails de deux personnes de référence à Bénédicte BATRANCOURT ( benedicte.batrancourt(a)upmc.fr) avant le 30 septembre 2018. Bénédicte Batrancourt ICM, UPMC, INSERM UMR_S 1127, CNRS UMR 7225 Hôpital Pitié-Salpêtrière 47 Boulevard de l’Hôpital F-75651 PARIS Cedex 13 Tel : 01 57 27 41 59 Tel : 06 60 44 79 79 benedicte.batrancourt(a)upmc.fr http://icm-institute.org ----------------------------------- Afin de contribuer au respect de l'environnement, merci de n'imprimer ce mail qu'en cas de nécessité.

Aug. 16, 2018

Up to 5 PhD fellowships in Cognitive Neuroscience at SISSA, Trieste, Italy

by Alessandro Treves

SISSA is an elite postgraduate research institution, focused on Maths, Physics and Neuroscience. It operates in English: many among its students and faculty are not Italian. Campus above Trieste, overlooking the Gulf. Research approaches in the CNS PhD https://phdcns.sissa.it/ span the range from cognitive psychology and imaging in humans to behavioural neuroscience and multiple single-unit recording in rats, mathematical and computational modeling; with research groups led by Domenica Bueti, Davide Crepaldi, Mathew Diamond, Chris Mathys, Raffaella Rumiati, Alessandro Treves and Davide Zoccolan. Allied approaches are pursued in other SISSA PhDs. All admitted students receive a 4-year fellowship and engage full-time in research based in Trieste, with limited coursework in the first few months, talks and seminars throughout the year and a TEX event in the summer, see https://indico.sissa.it/event/26/ Admission exam Sept 13-4, 2018; Deadline for applications: Aug 31, 2018. -- Alessandro Treves http://people.sissa.it/~ale/limbo.html SISSA - Cognitive Neuroscience, via Bonomea 265, 34136 Trieste, Italy +39-040-3787623 Ambassador (BlaBlaCar) +39-349-2504602

Aug. 16, 2018

Save the date ICTALS2019 (IWSP9), Exeter, UK, September 2nd – 5th 2019

by Goodfellow, Marc

Dear All, The International Conference for Technology and AnaLysis of Seizures, 2019 (ICTALS2019) will take place at the University of Exeter, September 2nd – 5th 2019. The goal of this conference is to bring together neurologists, neuroscientists, researchers from quantitative disciplines and people with lived experience of epilepsy in order to work as a community to advance our understanding of epilepsy and develop practical ways to improve diagnosis and treatment. This is the second ICTALS conference, which is an evolution of the previous International Workshop on Seizure Prediction (IWSP) series. The theme for this year’s conference will be: “The Epilepsy Journey: from first seizure to treatment and beyond”. We will emphasise how advances in our understanding of the dynamics of brain networks can be used to make a difference to people with epilepsy at all points of their journey: from elucidating the causes of the first seizure to diagnosing epilepsy, understanding how ictogenic networks give rise to recurrent seizures and how this insight can inform personalised treatment. To encourage this focus on translatable output of research we will seek to include all relevant communities. In addition to focussing on current scientific, clinical and technological advances, we will take steps to increase accessibility for people with lived experience of epilepsy. We have begun to create a webpage for the conference, which we will populate with further information in due course. You can find this at: http://exeter.ac.uk/ictals2019 In the mean time, please save the date above in your diary and we will follow up with further information, including registration and programs over the next few months. Best wishes Marc Goodfellow (on behalf of the local organising committee). https://emps.exeter.ac.uk/mathematics/staff/mg401

Aug. 15, 2018

MRC Skills Development Fellowships at the University of Exeter

by Purcell, Sarah

Dear Colleagues, The University of Exeter<http://www.exeter.ac.uk/> is delighted to be partnering with the Medical Research Council<https://mrc.ukri.org/> (MRC) to offer exceptional candidates the opportunity to hold a 3 year Skills Development Fellowship, commencing between November 2018 and March 2019. MRC Skills Development Fellowships are prestigious personal awards, aimed at exceptional early career researchers with a strong background in mathematical, statistical, computational or biophysical modelling and analysis, or for more advanced researchers from a biomedical or clinical background who are seeking to develop strong quantitative skills. The University of Exeter has a wide variety of opportunities to develop these quantitative skills in the context of neuroscience and neurology, endocrinology and metabolism, and primary care population and health services research. Successful applicants will be housed within the brand new £52M Living Systems Institute<https://www.exeter.ac.uk/livingsystems/> where they will be co-located with 8 other MRC Fellowship holders. They will receive 3 years of funding with substantial budgets for travel, skills development and consumables as determined by their project needs. As part of the Fellowship candidates will also have the opportunity to spend up to a year in an internationally leading second research centre. Additionally, candidates will receive a £5,000 career development budget from the University of Exeter. Full details of this opportunity are available from www.exetermrcsdf.ac.uk<http://www.exetermrcsdf.ac.uk/> and in the information video<https://youtu.be/LKgl1WqiRgU>. Applications are now open with a closing date of 13th September 2018. Please do share these details with any potentially interested parties.

Aug. 15, 2018

Funded postdoc positions: Synaptic and network mechanisms of visual perception

by Haider, Bilal

The Haider Lab in the Dept. of Biomedical Engineering (BME) at Georgia Tech & Emory University seeks highly motivated and skilled postdoctoral fellows for a 3-5 year NIH funded project examining synaptic and network mechanisms supporting sensory perception. The position is available immediately and conforms to NIH standards for salary and benefits. The project offers significant opportunity to use cutting-edge research techniques in vivo during visual perception. These include 1) neural population recording with high-density silicon electrodes, 2) optogenetic circuit manipulation, and 3) whole-cell patch-clamp recording during behavior. The ideal candidate has expertise in patch clamp or multi-electrode electrophysiology in vitro or in vivo, and quantitative skill in data acquisition and analysis (preferably with MATLAB). Candidates should have excellent written and verbal communication skills, an inquisitive mindset, and enthusiasm to work in a multi-disciplinary team. The position is funded for up to 5 years, pending satisfactory performance upon annual review. We are enthusiastic to form a diverse, international research group. All candidates will be mentored for independent career development. There is a strong, multidisciplinary concentration of labs focusing on Neuroscience at GT and at Emory. Atlanta is vibrant, green, diverse, and one of the most affordable and livable major cities of the US. Applications should include a CV, a brief statement of research goals, expected date of availability, and names and contact information of three references. Please email materials to bilal.haider(a)bme.gatech.edu Further information and recent lab publications can be found at haider.gatech.edu Bilal Haider, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Coulter Dept. of Biomedical Engineering Georgia Tech & Emory University 313 Ferst Drive, Suite 3104 Atlanta, GA 30332 tel: +1 404 385 4935 fax: +1 404 385 5044 site: haider.gatech.edu<http://haider.gatech.edu/> twitter: @haiderlab<https://twitter.com/haiderlab>

Aug. 14, 2018

Postdoctoral Research Fellow roles - EPSRC Centre for Predictive Modelling in Healthcare, University of Exeter

by Purcell, Sarah

2 Postdoctoral Research Fellow roles - EPSRC Centre for Predictive Modelling in Healthcare University of Exeter, UK Two Research Fellows are required to support the EPSRC Centre for Predictive Modelling in Healthcare<http://emps.exeter.ac.uk/mathematics/research/pmh/> (CPMH). The roles are available from 01 October 2018, or a mutually agreeable date soon thereafter, for a period of up to 24 months. The CPMH is a £2M award which brings together outstanding scientists from mathematics, statistics, computer science and our medical school. With an additional £7M in research funding, the interface between mathematics, computer science and healthcare is one of the most rapidly expanding areas within the University. The Centre forms part of the Quantitative Biology and Medicine Initiative, which currently consists of 15 PDRAs, 9 fellowship holders, and 10 PhD students. The successful candidates are expected to focus on one of the following areas, depending on their interests and background: (a) Transient dynamics of networks with multiple time scales: there are significant mathematical challenges from disease modelling that require the development of new techniques to understand transient behaviour in multiple timescale systems, especially for systems where there is not a simple factorization into fast and slow subsystems. (b) Numerical investigation of models of cardiac diseases: involving multi-scale excitable and transient dynamics, with a focus on re-entrant arrhythmias specifically concerning development and improvements of antiarrhythmia pacing, low-voltage defibrillation and catheter ablation. [In partnership with cardiologists at the RD&E Hospital, Exeter]. (c) Mathematical modelling and analysis of EEG in dementia: EEG analysis has shown promise in differentiating people with dementia from healthy older adults, and therefore could provide indications for early diagnosis. We will use mathematical models to better understand why differences in EEG occur and combine models and analysis to build improved diagnostic markers. [In partnership with colleagues in Bath, Bristol & Reading]. (d) Mathematical modelling and analysis of polygenic disease: conditions such as diabetes and dementia depend on the simultaneous presence of several genes; they are not inherited as simply as single-gene diseases and therefore require the development of new mathematical approaches to improve diagnosis via e.g. the interpretation and uncertainty quantification of proportions of patients in large data sets (e.g. UK Biobank) using genetic risk scores. [In partnership with diabetologists and neurologists from the Medical School]. For full details please see the job advert<https://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/BLL261/postdoctoral-research-fellow/>. Application deadline: 20 August 2018. For further information please contact Centre Manager Sarah Purcell, email S.Purcell(a)exeter.ac.uk<mailto:S.Purcell@exeter.ac.uk> or telephone 01392 726447.

Aug. 13, 2018

PhD deeplearning in neuroimaging - Amsterdam

by Rajat Thomas

PhD student “Deep learning analysis of neuroimaging data” The job Amsterdam UMC (University of Amsterdam) has a vacancy for a PhD student. The aim of the project is to develop deep neural network (DNN) analysis of neuroimaging data to enable neuroimaging biomarker development. Neuroimaging data consist of thousands of features but the training of DNNs is typically hampered by limited samples. You will use large existing datasets (>10.000 subjects) for the development of DNN analysis and test the resulting models in smaller samples to develop neuroimaging biomarkers for psychiatric disorders. Our department The project is a collaboration with Phillips Research and funded by a public-private partnership grant from the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO). You will closely collaborate with experts in DNN and neuroimaging data analysis from Philips. The project is embedded within the Department of Psychiatry of the Amsterdam UMC, and you will be supervised by Dr. Rajat Thomas (deep learning) and Prof. Guido van Wingen (neuroimaging). Your experience We are looking for a highly talented and dedicated PhD student with a (nearly completed) Master’s degree in a computer science, artificial intelligence, bioinformatics, mathematics, statistics, engineering, or related discipline. You have a strong background in mathematics, statistics, and programming, preferably in one of the major frameworks for deep learning like TensorFlow, Pytorch and/or Keras, and preferably have experience with medical image analysis. You have good communicative skills and are well able to work independently as well as in a team. You are proficient in English in speech and writing. Dutch is a plus but not required. Our offer We offer a challenging research project and excellent resources for the duration of 4 years. The starting date is preferably around December 2018. Compensation is according to the collective agreement (CAO-UMC), and amounts from EUR 2.279,- gross per month in the first year to EUR 2.919,- in the fourth year. You will be employed by AMC Medical Research BV. Your application For more information, please contact Dr. Rajat Thomas (r.m.thomas(a)amc.nl) or Prof. Guido van Wingen (g.a.vanwingen(a)amc.nl) Please apply online before September 8 at https://werkenbijamc.nl/vacatures/phd-student-deep-learning-analysis-of-neu…

Aug. 10, 2018

Postdoc deeplearning in medical imaging - Amsterdam

by Rajat Thomas

Postdoctoral / Ph.D. researcher “Deep learning analysis of neuroimaging data” The job Amsterdam UMC (University of Amsterdam) has a vacancy for a postdoctoral researcher. The aim of the project is to develop deep neural network (DNN) analysis of neuroimaging data to enable neuroimaging biomarker development. Neuroimaging data consist of thousands of features but the training of DNNs is typically hampered by limited samples. You will use large existing datasets (>10.000 subjects) for the development of DNN analysis and test the resulting models in smaller samples to develop neuroimaging biomarkers for psychiatric disorders. Our department The project is a collaboration with Phillips Research and funded by a public-private partnership grant from the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO). You will closely collaborate with experts in DNN and neuroimaging data analysis from Philips. The project is embedded within the Department of Psychiatry of the Amsterdam UMC, and you will be supervised by Dr. Rajat Thomas (deep learning) and Prof. Guido van Wingen (neuroimaging). Your experience We are looking for a postdoctoral fellow with a (nearly completed) PhD in computer science, artificial intelligence, bioinformatics, mathematics, statistics, engineering, or related discipline. You have a strong background in mathematics, statistics, and programming in one of the major frameworks for deep learning like TensorFlow, Pytorch and/or Keras, and preferably have experience with medical image analysis. You have excellent communicative skills in written and spoken English (Dutch is a plus but not required) and are well able to work independently as well as in a team. You have an interest in neuroscience and developing biomedical applications, and as postdoctoral researcher will assist in the supervision of junior researchers. Our offer We offer a challenging research project and excellent resources for the duration of 1 year with a possible extension of 2 years. The starting date is preferably around December 2018. Compensation is according to the collective agreement (CAO-UMC), depending on education and experience. You will be employed by AMC Medical Research BV. Your application For more information, please contact Dr. Rajat Thomas (r.m.thomas(a)amc.nl) or Prof. Guido van Wingen (g.a.vanwingen(a)amc.nl) Please apply online at https://werkenbijamc.nl/vacatures/postdoctoral-researcher-deep-learning-ana…

Aug. 10, 2018

ESI SyNC Conference 2018 - Integrative Mechanisms of Cognitive Neuroscience | DEADLINE APPROACHING

by André Castro

Dear all, this is a kind reminder that ESI Sync 2018 is approaching. The registration deadline is 15th August and only a limited number of places are available. This year’s theme is "Integrative Mechanisms in Cognitive Neuroscience: Crossroads to the Brain”. The conference will begin in the morning of 30th August and end in the evening of 31st August 2018 at the Ernst Strüngmann Institute in Frankfurt, Germany. Our confirmed invited speakers are the following: - David Melcher (University of Trento, Italy) -- "Temporal rhythms of visual perception" - Dimitri Kullmann (UCL, UK) -- "Hippocampal gamma oscillations: dynamical properties and closed-loop manipulation" - Matteo Carandini (UCL, UK) -- "Local and global neural correlates of vision, action, and reward" - Biyu He (NYU, US) -- ''Large-scale brain dynamics underlying visual perceptual awareness'' - Tobias Donner (UKE, Germany) -- tba - Wim Vanduffel (KU Leuven, Belgium) -- "Optogenetic interrogation of the attention network in primates" - Anitha Pasupathy (University of Washington, US) -- "Encoding things and stuff: multiplexed form and texture signals in primate V4" - Floris de Lange (Radboud University, Netherlands) -- "How do prior expectations influence sensory computations?" - Hannah Monyer (Heidelberg University, Germany) -- ''GABAergic neurons – the cellular substrate for local and long-range synchrony'' - James Bisley (UCLA, US) -- ''The complementary roles of areas LIP and FEF in guiding eye movements'' This year we have the pleasure to announce as our special guest the choreographer Ildikó Tóth! In order to register, please fill out the registration form (that can be found at http://www.esi-frankfurt.de/registration/ ) and email it to events(a)esi-frankfurt.de. Please see our [website](http://www.esi-frankfurt.de/esisync/esisync-home/) for more details and updates on the programme. Organising Committee: Wolf Singer Pascal Fries André Castro Tommaso Tosato Ana Broggini Miriam Mueller Renata Vajda

Aug. 9, 2018

Final call and reminder - workshop on Computational Neuroscience and Robotics: University of York, 3-5 Sep 2018.

by David Halliday

The SPANNER workshop on Astrocyte-Neuron interactions, Spiking Neural Networks and Autonomous robotics is still accepting applications to attend. Due to sponsorship we can offer free registration, including meals at this 2.5 day workshop. We have invited speakers from USA, EU and UK. We are still accepting abstracts for contributed talks. Overnight accommodation will be provided for PhD students and early career researchers and PhD student travel bursaries are available. Up to date information is on the web site: https://www.york.ac.uk/spanner-workshop We warmly invite you to the historic city of York next month.

Aug. 8, 2018

PhD positions in CRC 1330 Hearing Acoustics

by Seeber, Bernhard

Dear colleagues, on behalf of Dr. Ewert I am pleased to announce two open positions in the Medical Physics Group at the University of Oldenburg, Germany, funded by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) as part of newly established collaborative research centre CRC1330 Hearing Acoustics. Further information can be found here: PhD Position in the area of of auditory-object-based perception modelling for complex scenes: https://www.uni-oldenburg.de/stellen/?stelle=66162 PhD Position in the area of psychoacoustics in complex audio-visual virtual environments: https://www.uni-oldenburg.de/stellen/?stelle=66163 Both projects aim to transition from classical lab testing of hearing with simplified stimuli to using life-like realistic scenarios. Applications are requested no later than August 31, 2018. Many thanks, Stephan Ewert (Bernhard Seeber)

Aug. 7, 2018

Extension Call for Abstracts: New Deadline August 31 - Cognitive Computing - Merging Concepts with Hardware

by Prof. Dr. Gordon Pipa

Upon demand and the holiday period in August we extend the Deadline for submissions of abstracts until the end of August. New Deadline for Abstract submission: August 31 Call for participation and contributions: COGNITIVE COMPUTING: MERGING CONCEPTS WITH HARDWARE December 18-20, 2018, Hannover, Germany http://www.cognitive-comp.org/ ** An interdisciplinary networking event / scientific conference ** We would like to draw your attention to an upcoming scientific community event. The aim of this conference is to work towards a general, productive, and rigorous theory of “computing” in non-digital, nonlinear physical substrates. Biological brains and unconventional computing machines would become understandable as different instantiations of the same underlying principles. Three scientific communities, namely - cognitive and computational neurosciences, - theory of computation, and - nonlinear materials, devices and systems have since long been exploring diverse facets of such principles of non-digital computing. But differences in terminology, discipline-specific objectives and a scattered spectrum of formal methods have handicapped cross-fertilization. Everything in this conference is geared toward stimulating linkages between these fields: - single-track with few but rather long oral presentations, - long break and poster session times for person-to-person interaction, - keynote and plenary speakers with interdisciplinary renown, - a limited (200) number of participants, - a splendid setting in the Castle of Herrenhausen, a heritage of the Kings of Hannover, with adjoining hectares of classical French gardening. Invited and confirmed speakers: - Kwabena Boahen, Stanford University - Joanna J. Bryson, Univ. of Bath and Princeton University - Chris Eliasmith, University of Waterloo - Edward A. Lee, UC Berkeley - Demetri Psaltis, EPFL Lausanne - Pieter Roelfsema, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam & Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience - Susan Stepney, University of York - Ipke Wachsmuth, University of Bielefeld - David Wolpert, Santa Fe Institute We solicit the submission of 2-page abstracts, with themes oriented toward our five topical sessions: - applications of unconventional computing systems, - theoretical concepts and mathematical foundations, - neuromorphic hardware, - novel physical substrates, - guides from neuroscience for computing technologies. In addition to latest specific achievements, we specifically encourage survey / introductory / didactic contributions. Detailed information can be found on http://www.cognitive-comp.org/ and in the Call for Abstracts that is posted there. Timelines: - Abstract submission: July 31 - Notification of acceptance: September 30 - Final abstract for online publication: October 31 Registration fees: - Students (incl. PhD students): 150 Euro - Others (academic): 300 Euro - Industry: 900 Euro Contributors of accepted oral presentations will be exempted from fees and will receive travel refunding. The event was made possible by the generous support from the Volkswagen Foundation, Germany’s largest private organization for the advancement of scientific research. The organizers: - Daniel Brunner (photonics, neuromorphic architectures; CNRS / University of Burgundy - Franche-Comté) - Herbert Jaeger (machine learning, nonlinear dynamics; Jacobs University Bremen) - Stuart Parkin (nano systems, quantum electronic materials; Max-Planck-Institute for Microstructure Physics, Halle) - Gordon Pipa (neuroinformatics and cognitive computing; University of Osnabrück)

Aug. 6, 2018

One postdoc and two PhD positions in Emmy-Noether group "Decision Neuroscience of Human Cooperation" in Hamburg, Germany

by Christoph Korn

Dear all, I would be very grateful, if you could circulate the following job announcements. One postdoc and two PhD positions are available within the newly funded Emmy-Noether research group "Decision Neuroscience of Human Cooperation" led by Christoph Korn. *Research topic and group:* The group's aim is to investigate the decision-making and learning processes relevant for successful social cooperation between humans. The planned projects rely on a variety of theoretical and methodological approaches including computational modeling of behavioral data, evolutionary game theory, model-based and multivariate analyses of fMRI data, pupillometry, virtual reality, and testing of psychiatric patients. The group is based at the Institute of Systems Neuroscience (head: Prof. Christian Büchel) at the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf in Hamburg, Germany. Psychiatric patients are tested in collaboration with Sabine Herpertz and her lab at the Heidelberg University Hospital. You can find more information here: http://christoph-korn.net/ *What the group offers:* - Opportunity to get hands-on supervision for learning various data acquisition and analysis techniques - Dynamic, interdisciplinary, and international research environment within the Institute of Systems Neuroscience - Research-dedicated T3 MR scanner (PRISMA), eye-tracking and VR laboratories, excellent infrastructure for behavioral testing - Multiple training opportunities within the institute (e.g., https://goo.gl/pU44vP) - Possibility to join the local graduate school, which is a member of national and international networks - Possibility of research stay with collaboration partners in the US *Your profile:* - You are interested in investigating how cooperation, decision-making, and learning relate to human brain activity and how they go awry in psychiatric disorders. - You like to design experiments, devise models, and analyze various types of data. - You have experience in conducting and analyzing behavioral experiments with human participants. - You are fluent in English. For the postdoc position and for one of the PhD positions, knowledge of German is not necessary. *Requirements for the postdoc position:* - A PhD (completed or close to the completion) in neuroscience, cognitive science, psychology, economics, medicine, or a related discipline. - Experience in conducting and analyzing neuroimaging experiments (including familiarity with SPM, FSL, or similar programs). - Experience in using programming languages such as Matlab, R, or Python. - Experience in writing and publishing peer reviewed scientific papers. *Requirements for the PhD positions:* - A Master of Science or an equivalent degree in neuroscience, cognitive science, psychology, economics, medicine, or a related discipline. - Experience in programming and in conducting or analyzing neuroimaging experiments is a big plus. - One of the PhD candidates will be (partly) based in Heidelberg to test psychiatric patients. This position is ideal for applicants with an interest in clinical psychiatry and requires knowledge of German to interact with patients. *Application and job specifications:* Applications will be accepted until the positions are filled. The first review of applications will be in the beginning of September 2018. Preferred starting date is January 2019 but later starting dates may be possible. Salary depends on experience and is based on German regulations (the postdoc position is remunerated with the factor 100%, the PhD positions with the factor 65%). The appointments will be initially for 3 years with the possibility for continuation. The group is committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive environment. If you are interested, please send one pdf-document including your CV, a brief statement of research interest, and the contact details of two academic referees to *c.korn(a)uke.de <c.korn(a)uke.de>*. Informal inquiries are welcome. Looking forward to hearing from you, Christoph

Aug. 3, 2018

A biologically motivated and more powerful alternative to locality-sensitive hashing

by Rod Rinkus

I believe this community will be interested in a new downloadable Java app that I 've just made available on my web site (on this page <http://www.sparsey.com/CSA_explainer_app_page.html>), which describes an alternative, biologically motivated/plausible, way to achieve the goals of locality-sensitive hashing (LSH). This alternative model, called Sparsey, achieves a more graded notion of similarity preservation than LSH, and has many other advantages as well. Sparsey has a natural correspondence to the brain's cortex, centering on the idea that all items of information are stored as sparse distributed codes (SDCs), a.k.a., cell assemblies, in superposition in mesoscale cortical modules, e.g., macrocolumns (though other structures, e.g., mushroom bodies, are also candidates). Briefly, Sparsey preserves similarity from input space to SDR code space (measured as intersection size) as follows. - The process of choosing an SDC takes the form of Q independent softmax choices, one in each of the Q WTA competitive modules (CMs) that comprise the SDR coding field. - The familiarity (inverse novelty) of the input, denoted "G", which is in [0,1], is computed. This is an extremely simple computation. - The amount of noise in those Q softmax choice processes is modulated as a function of G. Basically, the softmax is over the distribution of input summations of the competing cells (in a given CM), but we use G to modulate (i.e. sharpen vs. flatten) those distributions. - When G is near 1 (perfect familiarity), the distributions are greatly sharpened, causing the expected number of CMs in which the cell with the highest input summation wins (and thus, the expected intersection of the resulting SDR with the closest matching previously stored SDR) to increase towards Q. When G is near 0 (completely novel), the distributions are flattened, causing the expected number of CMs in which the cell with max input summation wins (and thus, the expected intersection of the resulting SDR with the closest matching previously stored SDR) to decrease towards chance. In other words, this G-based modulation of the distributions, which can be viewed as varying the amount of noise in the choice process, achieves similarity preservation. I encourage members of this community to explore the app to understand this simple and more powerful alternative to LSH. I welcome your feedback. Sincerely, Rod Rinkus -- Gerard (Rod) Rinkus, PhD President, rod at neurithmicsystems dot com Neurithmic Systems LLC <http://sparsey.com> 275 Grove Street, Suite 2-400 Newton, MA 02466 617-997-6272 Visiting Scientist, Lisman Lab Volen Center for Complex Systems Brandeis University, Waltham, MA grinkus at brandeis dot edu http://people.brandeis.edu/~grinkus/ <http://people.brandeis.edu/%7Egrinkus/>

Aug. 2, 2018

Postdoc position in Geometric Methods for Deep and Reinforcement Learning at RIST

by Luigi Malagò

=========================================================== *Subject*: Postdoc position in Machine Learning (1 year, renewable up to 2 years) *Institution*: RIST - Romanian Institute of Science and Technology, Cluj-Napoca *Keywords*: Deep Learning, Reinforcement Learning, Stochastic Optimization, Optimization over Manifolds, Information Geometry, Riemannian Geometry *Application deadline*: 15 August 2018 (applicants are encouraged to apply earlier) *Salary*: around 2200 euro net *Official announcement*: http://rist.ro/en/details/news/postdoc-positio ns-in-deep-learning-and-machine-learning.html =========================================================== Dear colleagues, the Romanian Institute of Science and Technology (RIST) has an opening for a postdoc position, in the context of the DeepRiemann project “Riemannian Optimization Methods for Deep Learning”, funded by European structural funds through the Competitiveness Operational Program (POC 2014-2020). The appointments will be for 1 year, with possible extensions up to 2 years. The DeepRiemann project aims at the design and analysis of novel training algorithms for Neural Networks in Deep Learning, by applying notions of Riemannian optimization and differential geometry. The task of the training a Neural Network is studied by employing tools from Optimization over Manifolds and Information Geometry, by casting the learning process to an optimization problem defined over a statistical manifold, i.e., a set of probability distributions. The project is highly interdisciplinary, with competences spanning from Machine Learning to Optimization, Deep Learning, Statistics, and Differential Geometry. The objectives of the project are multiple and include both theoretical and applied research, together with industrial activities oriented to transfer knowledge, from the institute to a startup or spin-off of the research group. The positions will be part of the new Machine Learning and Optimization group https://rist.ro/en/teams.html, which performs research at the intersection of Machine Learning, Stochastic Optimization, Deep Learning, and Optimization over Manifolds, using geometric methods based on Information Geometry. The group is one of two newly-formed groups in Machine Learning at RIST. The official job announcement can be seen here: http://rist.ro/en/details/news/postdoc-positions-in-deep-lea rning-and-machine-learning.html Informal inquiries can be sent to Dr. Luigi Malagò <malago(a)rist.ro>, principal investigator of the DeepRiemann project. Application deadline: 15 August 2018 (applicants are encouraged to apply earlier) best regards, Luigi Malagò

Aug. 2, 2018

PhD positions at the Univ. of Leicester (for UK/EU candidates only)

by Okun, Michael (Dr.)

Fully Funded PhD Studentships (for UK/EU candidates only) to work at Prof. Quian Quiroga's lab at the Centre for Systems Neuroscience, University of Leicester, UK ( www.le.ac.uk/csn ). The Centre for Systems Neuroscience at the University of Leicester, UK, offers up to 2, 3-Year Fully Funded (stipend plus fees) PhD positions for UK/EU candidates, to study single cell recordings in humans – performed in epileptic patients for curative surgery. The project will investigate concept cells (a.k.a. Jennifer Aniston neurons) – that means, neurons in the hippocampus and surrounding areas that selectively fire to specific concepts, like different pictures and the written or spoken name of a particular person (e.g. Quian Quiroga et al, Nature 2005; Quian Quiroga Nature Reviews Neuroscience 2012), which are involved in declarative memory functions. The successful candidate will contribute to performing recordings with patients in collaborating hospitals and the analysis of the data to investigate the role of these neurons in memory formation. Candidates should have very good quantitative skills (data processing, and programing e.g. in Matlab) and a strong background or interest in neuroscience. They should be able to work both independently and as part of a research team within the Centre for System Neuroscience at Leicester and with our external collaborators. Informal enquiries are welcome and should be made to Emma Hawkins, Research Centre Manager, eeh18(a)le.ac.uk or 0116 252 3249. Interested candidates should send their curriculum vitae and a brief description of their scientific interests to Emma Hawkins (eeh18(a)le.ac.uk) The closing date for the applications is Friday 5th September. Interviews are anticipated to take place on the 12th September.

Aug. 2, 2018

CfP : Workshop on Continual Unsupervised Sensorimotor Learning, IEEE ICDL 2018

by Nguyen, Sao Mai

*2nd Call for Contributions* IEEE ICDL -2018 workshop on Continual Unsupervised Sensorimotor Learning 17th September 2018, Tokyo, Japan Website : http://conferences.au.dk/icdl-epirob-2018-workshop Participants are invited to submit short papers (max 4 pages) following the standard IEEE conference template. Selected contributions will be presented during the workshop as spotlight talks and in a poster session. Authors will be invited to submit extended versions of their papers for a special issue on Continual Unsupervised Sensorimotor Learning at IEEE TCDS. ================================================================== Scope As the algorithms for learning single tasks in restricted environments are improving, new challenges have gained relevance. They include multi-task learning, multimodal sensorimotor learning in open worlds and lifelong adaptation to injury, growth and ageing. In this workshop we will discuss the developmental processes involved in the emergence of representations of action and perception in humans and artificial agents in continual learning. These processes include action-perception cycle, active perception, continual sensory-motor learning, environmental-driven scaffolding, and intrinsic motivation. The discussion will be strongly motivated by behavioural and neural data. We hope to provide a discussion friendly environment to connect with research with similar interest regardless of their area of expertise which could include robotics, computer science, psychology, neuroscience, etc. We would also like to devise a roadmap or strategies to develop mathematical and computational models to improve robot performance and/or to attempt to unveil the underlying mechanisms that lead to continual adaptation to changing environment or embodiment and continual learning in open-ended environments. The primary list of topics covers the following (but not limited to): - Emergence of representations via continual interaction - Continual sensory-motor learning - Action-perception cycle - Active perception - Environmental-driven scaffolding - Intrinsic motivation - Neural substrates, neural circuits and neural plasticity - Human and animal behaviour experiments and models - Reinforcement learning and deep reinforcement learning for life-long learning - Multisensory robot learning - Multimodal sensorimotor learning - Affordance learning - Prediction learning Invited Speakers - Jochen Triesch, Frankfurt Institute of Advanced Studies, Germany - Emre Ugur, Boğaziçi University, Turkey (to be confirmed) - Yukie Nagai, Center for Information and Neural Networks, Japan (to be confirmed) - David Ha, Google Brain (to be confirmed) Call for Papers: Prospective participants in the workshop are required to submit a contribution as a short paper (max 4 pages) Submissions must be in PDF following the standard IEEE conference style <https://www.ieee.org/conferences/publishing/templates.html>. Send your PDF manuscript indicating [ICDL-EPIROB 2018] in the subject to: erhan.oztop(a)ozyegin.edu.tr Selected contributions will be presented during the workshop as spotlight talks and in a poster session. Contributors to the workshop will be encouraged to submit extended versions of the manuscripts to a special issue at IEEE Transactions on Cognitive and Developmental Systems (TCDS). Submissions will be peer reviewed consistent with the journal practices. Important Dates: Paper submission deadline: 5th August 2018 Notification of acceptance: 20th August 2018 Camera-ready version: 9th September 2018 Half-day workshop: 17th September 2018 Organizers: - Nicolás Navarro-Guerrero, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark - Sao Mai Nguyen, IMT Atlantique, France - Erhan Öztop, Özyeğin University, Turkey - Junpei Zhong, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Japan Nguyen Sao Mai nguyensmai(a)gmail.com Researcher in Cognitive Developmental Robotics http://nguyensmai.free.fr

July 31, 2018

[CFP] IROS-2018 Workshop: Towards Intelligent Social Robots: From Naive Robots to Robot Sapiens

by Amir Aly

CALL FOR PAPERS **Apologies for cross posting ** We are pleased to call for papers for the IROS-2018 workshop: "*Towards Intelligent Social Robots: From Naive Robots to Robot Sapiens*" In conjunction with the *IEEE/RSJ International Conference on Intelligent Robots and Systems (IROS)** - Madrid - Spain - October * *5th, 2018* *Webpage: **http://intelligent-social-robots-ws.com/* <http://intelligent-social-robots-ws.com/> *I. Aim and Scope *Robots that cook creatively, clean up our rooms dutifully, entertain our guests wittily and keep us company loyally. Robots that assist human users in their daily chores and provide support in times of need. Researchers around the world have envisioned such robot companions for a long time. Thanks to numerous innovations in sensor technology and software development, robots are now increasingly able to plan complex tasks in unknown environments, learn from experience and adapt to changes in the environment. The greatest challenges in robotics now lie in the development of robot skills and high-level AI-based functionalities that enable robots to work effectively in close collaboration with humans. Aside from the numerous technical challenges, which must be overcome before this vision can become a reality, multi-disciplinary research efforts are also invested into the social engineering of robots. In order to engineer “smart” robots that we accept, trust and welcome into our homes, it is paramount that we identify and investigate the factors that affect social interactions between humans and robots. For this purpose, computer scientists, AI researchers, engineers and psychologists tackle important questions that will determine whether robots will be perceived as helpful and reliable companions or as irritating nuisances. How should robots look, behave and communicate with us? What are our expectations of robot behavior in a social context? How can robots learn using the capabilities of their environments to achieve tasks and to address the needs of their human co-inhabitants? What kind of robot intelligence is required for what kind of tasks? In this workshop, participants will discuss with seasoned experts and young researchers what defines social and artificial intelligence for “smart” robots and how modern technological advances can equip robots with such intelligence. As such, this workshop aims to shed light on the intersection between cognitive science, artificial intelligence, and robotics research both from the theoretical and technical perspectives. Recent advances and possible avenues for future research in the field of “smart” robotics are principal topics of discussion during the workshop. ** *This workshop is endorsed by the IEEE Technical Committees*: *Human-Robot Interaction and Coordination, Cognitive Robotics, and Robot Learning*. *II. Keynote Speakers * 1. * Angelo Cangelosi *– University of Manchester/Plymouth – UK 2. *Yiannis Aloimonos *– University of Maryland – USA 3. * Selma Sabanovic *– Indiana University – USA 4. *Michael Beetz* – University of Bremen – Germany 5. *Matthias Scheutz *– Tufts University – USA *III. Submission * 1. For paper submission, use the following EasyChair web link: *Paper Submission <https://easychair.org/account/signin.cgi?key=75348348.9VXAN4Pe7LmBAKCx;time…>* . 2. Use the IEEE style (two-column format – US letter): *IEEE Templates <https://www.ieee.org/conferences/publishing/templates.html>*. 3. Submitted papers should be limited to 2-6 pages maximum. The primary list of topics covers the following points (but not limited to): - Multimodal human robot interaction - Cognitive modeling of human behavior - Cognitive architectures and strategies for intelligent interaction with the environment - AI and machine learning approaches applied to human-robot-environment interaction - Cloud robotics and ubiquitous computing - Ambient assisted living - Human intention recognition and prediction - Robot acceptance - Social engineering - Language learning, embodiment, and social intelligence - Computational modeling for high-level human cognitive functions - Predictive learning from sensorimotor information - Multimodal interaction and concept formulation - Language and action development - Learning, reasoning, and adaptation in collaborative human-robot tasks - Affordance learning - Learning by demonstration and imitation - Language and grammar induction in robots * IV. Important Dates * 1. Paper submission: *20-August-2018 * 2. Notification of acceptance: *30-August-2018* 3. Camera-ready version:* 7-September-2018 * 4. Workshop: *5-October-2018* *V. Organizers * 1. *Amir Aly *– Ritsumeikan University – Japan 2. *Sascha Griffiths *– Hamburg University – Germany 3. * Verena Nitsch *– Bundeswehr University – Germany 4. *Katerina Pastra* – Cognitive Systems Research Institute – Greece 5. *Tadahiro Taniguchi* – Ritsumeikan University – Japan ---------------------- *Amir Aly, Ph.D.* Senior Researcher Emergent Systems Laboratory College of Information Science and Engineering Ritsumeikan University 1-1-1 Noji Higashi, Kusatsu, Shiga 525-8577 Japan

July 31, 2018

3 Independent Academic Fellowship positions Computational Neuroscience

by Mark van Rossum

Academic Fellowship positions The University of Nottingham is a research intensive university ranked in the top 10 in the UK and in the top 30 of Europe. It has a strong tradition in Cognition, Perception, Mathematical Biology, and structural and functional Imaging. To support further development across these areas, and stimulate new research opportunities, the University has recently made a major investment in Computational Neuroscience. As part of this investment we are inviting applications for three independent fellowships (3 years). The positions are ideal for researchers with a strong vision that are planning to develop their own research group in a supportive, interdisciplinary environment with outstanding research facilities. We are interested in candidates working across a broad spectrum of research topics areas in Computational Neuroscience, including functional neuroimaging, neural networks, and models of cognition. Research methodologies could include numerical simulation, machine learning, theoretical neuroscience, and innovative data analysis. The Fellows will be based in the School of Psychology and/or Mathematical Sciences. For the online application form see https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/jobs/currentvacancies/ref/SCI219418 Informal inquiries: Prof Mark van Rossum, mark.vanrossum(a)nottingham.ac.uk, or Prof Mark Humphries, lpzmdh(a)exmail.nottingham.ac.uk. -- Mark van Rossum, Professor, Schools of Psychology and Maths, U Nottingham Psych Bldg Rm LG.19, 44-115-74 86851, 44-7722049644 This message and any attachment are intended solely for the addressee and may contain confidential information. If you have received this message in error, please contact the sender and delete the email and attachment. Any views or opinions expressed by the author of this email do not necessarily reflect the views of the University of Nottingham. Email communications with the University of Nottingham may be monitored where permitted by law.

July 31, 2018

CFP: Workshop on Crossmodal Learning for Intelligent Robotics in conjunction with IEEE/RSJ IROS 2018

by Pablo Barros

**Apologies for cross-posting** 1st CALL FOR PAPERS for the international workshop: * Crossmodal Learning for Intelligent Robotics * in conjunction with IEEE/RSJ IROS 2018 * Madrid, Spain - Friday 5 October 2018 * * Website: http://www.informatik.uni-hamburg.de/wtm/WorkshopCLIR18/index.php * I. Aim and Scope The ability to efficiently process crossmodal information is a key feature of the human brain that provides a robust perceptual experience and behavioural responses. Consequently, the processing and integration of multisensory information streams such as vision, audio, haptics and proprioception play a crucial role in the development of autonomous agents and cognitive robots, yielding an efficient interaction with the environment also under conditions of sensory uncertainty. Multisensory representations have been shown to improve performance in the research areas of human-robot interaction and sensory-driven motor behaviour. The perception, integration, and segregation of multisensory cues improve the capability to physically interact with objects and persons with higher levels of autonomy. However, the multisensory input must be represented and integrated in an appropriate way so that they result in a reliable perceptual experience aimed to trigger adequate behavioural responses. The interplay of multisensory representations can be used to solve stimulus-driven conflicts for executive control. Embodied agents can develop complex sensorimotor behaviour through the interaction with a crossmodal environment, leading to the development and evaluation of scenarios that better reflect the challenges faced by operating robots in the real world. This half-day workshop focuses on presenting and discussing new findings, theories, systems, and trends in crossmodal learning applied to neurocognitive robotics. The workshop will feature a list of invited speakers with outstanding expertise in crossmodal learning. II. Target Audience This workshop is open to doctoral students and senior researchers working in computer and cognitive science, psychology, neuroscience and related areas with the focus on crossmodal learning. III. Confirmed Speakers 1. * Yulia Sandamirskaya * Institute of Neuroinformatics (INI), University and ETH Zurich 2. * Angelo Cangelosi * Plymouth University and University of Manchester, UK 3. * Stefan Wermter * Hamburg University, Germany IV. Submission 1. Topics of interest: - New methods and applications for crossmodal processing (e.g., integrating vision, audio, haptics, proprioception) - Machine learning and neural networks for multisensory robot perception - Computational models of crossmodal attention and perception - Bio-inspired approaches for crossmodal learning - Crossmodal conflict resolution and executive control - Sensorimotor learning for autonomous agents and robots - Crossmodal learning for embodied and cognitive robots 2. For paper submission, use the following IEEE template: <http://ras.papercept.net/conferences/support/support.php>* 3. Submitted papers should be limited to *2 pages (extended abstract)* or *4 pages (short paper)*. 4. Send your pdf file to barros(a)informatik.uni-hamburg.de AND jirak(a)informatik.uni-hamburg.de Selected contributions will be presented during the workshop as spotlight talks and in a poster session. Contributors to the workshop will be invited to submit extended versions of the manuscripts to a special issue (to be arranged). Submissions will be peer reviewed consistent with the journal practices. V. Important Dates * Paper submission deadline: August 15, 2018 * Notification of acceptance: September 5, 2018 * Camera-ready version: September 15, 2018 * Workshop: Friday 5 October 2018 VI. Organizers * German I. Parisi * Hamburg University, Germany * Pablo Barros * Hamburg University, Germany * Doreen Jirak * Hamburg University, Germany * Jun Tani * Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, Japan * Yoonsuck Choe * Samsung Research & Texas A&M University, TX, USA -- Dr.rer.nat. Pablo Barros Postdoctoral Research Associate - Crossmodal Learning Project (CML) Knowledge Technology Department of Informatics University of Hamburg Vogt-Koelln-Str. 30 22527 Hamburg, Germany Phone: +49 40 42883 2535 Fax: +49 40 42883 2515 barros at informatik.uni-hamburg.de https://www.inf.uni-hamburg.de/en/inst/ab/wtm/people/barros.html https://www.inf.uni-hamburg.de/en/inst/ab/wtm/

July 30, 2018

Four-year PhD in Computational Psychiatry at University College London

by Hrvoje Stojic

Four-year PhD in Computational Psychiatry at University College London The International Max Planck Research School on Computational Methods in Psychiatry and Ageing Research (https://www.mps-ucl-centre.mpg.de/en) seeks applicants for PhD fellowships to be based at University College London (UCL). The PhD programme is strongly interdisciplinary and invites applications from potential students with a broad range of backgrounds including, but not limited to, neuroscience, mathematics, statistics, machine learning, computer science, physics, psychology, and medicine. This is an international doctoral programme of the Max Planck UCL Centre for Computational Psychiatry and Ageing Research, which has sites in London and Berlin. The programme offers unique training in concepts and methods from computer science and statistics in relation to substantive research questions in cognitive neuroscience, psychiatry, and lifespan psychology. Training involves seminars, methods workshops, participation in summer schools, and collaboratively supervised research. Students will take one module per semester for the first two years of the programme on topics that range from psychiatry and decision science to advanced computational and statistical methods. The main focus of the London site is to address cognitive and theoretical neuroscience questions relevant to understanding psychiatric disorders. Methods include neuroimaging and pharmacology, computational modelling of behaviour (learning, decision-making, emotion), and large-scale smartphone- and internet-based data collection. Students will have a primary supervisor within the Centre and possible supervisors include Tobias Hauser (http://v1.tobiashauser.ch/) and Quentin Huys (https://quentinhuys.com/) Collaboration is encouraged within the Centre and with other UCL departments including the Wellcome Centre for Human Neuroimaging (https://www.fil.ion.ucl.ac.uk/) and Gatsby Computational Neuroscience Unit (http://www.gatsby.ucl.ac.uk/) We offer a generous four-year studentship stipend of £23,263 (tax free) per year, PhD registration fees at the current Home/EU rate, research expenses, and funds for travel to conferences or courses. (If you are an international student please note that this studentship only covers UK/EU fees and you will need to provide the difference between UK/EU and overseas fees.) Students will participate in international summer schools, seminars and workshops linked to the Berlin site, and have the opportunity to conduct a research project of up to 6 months in Berlin. Requirements: This is a highly competitive programme. Successful applicants should have, or expect to get, at least an upper 2nd class degree (or the foreign equivalent), and should have some familiarity with computational and statistical methods. Students wishing to undertake a PhD with Quentin Huys are expected to take and pass courses (http://www.gatsby.ucl.ac.uk/teaching/courses/index.html) at the Gatsby Computational Unit. The next intake of students will be October 2018 (with the possibility for a later start date). UCL is committed to employing more people with disabilities and especially encourages them to apply. UCL also seeks to increase the number of women in those areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply. Deadline: 26 August 2018. Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed in early September 2018 via Skype. HOW TO APPLY. Please send: 1) a CV, 2) a statement of why you want to do the PhD (no more than 1 page), 3) a copy of your strongest piece of academic work (e.g., thesis, publication). Please also arrange for two reference letters to be sent to us by referees. Your surname should be the first word in the subject line of these emails. The statement should indicate which of the named supervisors you would be most interested in having as a primary supervisor (multiple faculty can be listed as potential supervisors). Please ensure that your surname is the first word in the subject line of the email and that all documents are clearly labelled with your surname and the type of document. All documents and references should be sent to MaxPlanckPhD(a)ucl.ac.uk by 26 August 2018 at midnight. Questions about the programme can be directed to MaxPlanckPhD(a)ucl.ac.uk.

July 30, 2018

PhD Studentship, University College London, Centre for Medical Image Computing (CMIC)

by Andre Altmann

We are looking to fill a 4-year PhD studentship in the field of imaging genetics to work on drug resistant Epilepsy: Epilepsy is a group of neurological conditions that share the common characteristic of epileptic seizures. There are many types of epilepsy and many types of seizure. The diagnosis of epilepsy typically follows the occurrence of two or more seizures. While anyone can develop epilepsy at any point in life, it is most commonly diagnosed in children and people over 65 years of age. Currently, about 60 million people are suffering from epilepsy worldwide and over 500,000 in the UK alone. Anti-epileptic drugs (AED) are intended to reduce the frequency of seizures or even completely eliminate them. If AED treatment works, it allows people living with epilepsy to lead normal lives. However, in about one third of people none of the available drugs or combinations of drugs stop the seizures. These cases are considered treatment-resistant epilepsies and the underlying biology is still poorly understood. In this project, the successful candidate will help to advance knowledge about drug-resistant epilepsy. Using a large database of neuroimaging data from people with epilepsy, the first aim is to establish the imaging signature of drug-resistant epilepsy compared to drug-responsive epilepsy. That is, which brain regions show different cortical thickness or structural and functional connectivity changes in resistant vs responsive epilepsy? The second phase of the project involves an imaging-genetics approach to elucidate the genetic origin of drug-resistant epilepsy, which may help to identify drug targets for currently drug-resistant epilepsy. More information on requirements and the medical imaging CDT can be found here: http://medicalimaging-cdt.ucl.ac.uk/news/machine-learning-based-investigati… Kind regards, Andre

July 30, 2018

ANDA 2019 - G-Node Advanced Neural Data Analysis Course, April 1-18, 2019, Jülich, Germany

by Thomas Wachtler

ANDA 2019 - G-NODE ADVANCED NEURAL DATA ANALYSIS COURSE April 1 - 18, 2019 Haus Overbach, Juelich-Barmen, Germany Techniques to record neuronal data from populations of neurons are rapidly improving. Simultaneous recordings from hundreds of channels are possible while animals perform complex behavioral tasks. The analysis of such massive and complex data becomes increasingly challenging. This advanced course aims at providing deeper training in state-of-the-art analysis approaches in systems neuroscience. The course is addressed to excellent master and PhD students and young researchers who are interested in learning advanced techniques in data analytics and in getting hands-on experience in the analysis of electrophysiological data. Internationally renowned researchers will give lectures on statistical data analysis and data mining methods with accompanying exercises. Students will define and perform their own analyses on provided data to solve a challenge. Participants are required to have a strong interest in data analysis, a background in a mathematical or related field, knowledge of algebra, matrix operations, and statistics, and need to have solid programming experience (preferably in Python). FACULTY · Moshe Abeles, Bar-Ilan Univ, Israel · Izhar Bar Gad, Bar-Ilan Univ, Israel · Michael Denker, Juelich Research Center and RWTH Aachen Univ, Germany · Sonja Grün, Juelich Research Center and RWTH Aachen Univ, Germany · Björn Kampa, RWTH Aachen, Germany · Tatiana Korotkova, MPI and University of Cologne, Germany · Christian Machens, Champalimaud Centre for the Unknown, Portugal · Martin Nawrot, University of Cologne, Germany · Yifat Prut, Hebrew Univ Jerusalem, Israel · Alexa Riehle, CNRS, Marseille, France · Alexander Thiele, University of Newcastle, UK · Thomas Wachtler, G-Node, LMU Munich, Germany TOPICS COVERED Single neuron properties and statistics · Stochastic processes · Surrogate methods · Detection of spatio-temporal patterns · Unitary Events · Statistical analysis of massively parallel spike data · Higher-order correlation analyses · Spike-LFP relationship · Population coding · State space analysis · Machine learning · Data mining · Data management, reproducibility, data sharing · Elephant toolbox REQUIREMENTS Applicants should be familiar with linear algebra, probability, differential and integral calculus and experienced using Python or Matlab. Preparatory reading material will be provided. Students should bring their own laptops and should be able to install software on their system. Students that do not have a suitable laptop should indicate this immediately after acceptance to the course. We will be able to provide a small number of laptops for the time of the course. COURSE FEE A course fee of 1000 Euros will be charged to cover costs for accommodation and meals. Limited financial support may be available for students that otherwise would not be able to attend, which is to be indicated in the application. HOUSING Accommodation in 2-bed rooms for students will be provided at the course site. HOW TO APPLY The application should include · a letter of motivation (max 1 page) · curriculum vitae (please indicate the relevant courses you have taken) · description of programming experience · a letter of recommendation. Please send all documents as a single PDF file to <advanced-course(a)g-node.org>. APPLICATION DEADLINE Applications must be received by SEPTEMBER 30, 2018. Early application is encouraged. For further information see http://www.g-node.org/anda2019 ORGANIZERS · Sonja Grün, Juelich Research Center and RWTH Aachen Univ, Germany · Martin Nawrot, University of Cologne, Germany · Yifat Prut, Hebrew University Jerusalem, Israel · Thomas Wachtler, G-Node, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Germany

July 30, 2018

Call for participants – workshop on Computational Neuroscience and Robotics: Astrocyte-Neuron interactions, Spiking Neural Networks and Autonomous robotics. University of York, 3-5 Sep 2018.

by David Halliday

This 2.5 day workshop in the historic city of York is accepting applications for participation. We have invited speakers from USA, EU and UK. Due to sponsorship from EPSRC we can offer free registration for all participants. Free accommodation is available for PhD, early career researchers and workshop presenters. Travel bursaries for registered PhD students are also available. For an up to date list of speakers and details of how to register see the website: https://www.york.ac.uk/spanner-workshop We are still accepting abstracts for posters or contributed talks. Further details: https://www.york.ac.uk/spanner-workshop

July 30, 2018

Cognitive Computing - Merging Concepts with Hardware - Call for Abstracts: Deadline Approaching: July 31

by Prof. Dr. Gordon Pipa

- - - Call for Abstracts: Deadline Approaching: July 31 - - - COGNITIVE COMPUTING: MERGING CONCEPTS WITH HARDWARE December 18-20, 2018, Hannover, Germany http://www.cognitive-comp.org/ ** An interdisciplinary networking event / scientific conference ** We would like to draw your attention to a slightly unorthodox scientific community event that could be realized with the generous support from the Volkswagen Foundation, Germany’s largest private organization for the advancement of scientific research. The aim of this event is to work towards a general, productive, and rigorous theory of “computing” in non-digital, nonlinear physical substrates. Biological brains and unconventional computing machines would become understandable as different instantiations of the same underlying principles. Three scientific communities, namely • cognitive and computational neurosciences, • theory of computation, and • nonlinear materials, devices and systems have since long been exploring diverse facets of such principles of non-digital computing. But differences in terminology, discipline-specific objectives and a scattered spectrum of formal methods have handicapped cross-fertilization. Everything in this conference is geared toward stimulating linkages between these fields: • single-track with rather few, rather long oral presentations, • long break and poster session times for person-to-person talking, • keynote and plenary speakers of interdisciplinary renown, • a limited (200) number of participants, • a splendid setting in the Castle of Herrenhausen, a heritage of the Kings of Hannover, with adjoining hectares of classical French gardening. Invited speakers: • Kwabena Boahen, Stanford University • Joanna J. Bryson, Univ. of Bath and Princeton University • Chris Eliasmith, University of Waterloo • Edward A. Lee, UC Berkeley • Demetri Psaltis, EPFL Lausanne • Pieter Roelfsema, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam & Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience • Susan Stepney, University of York • Ipke Wachsmuth, University of Bielefeld • David Wolpert, Santa Fe Institute We solicit the submission of 2-page abstracts, with themes oriented toward our five topical sessions: • applications of unconventional computing systems, • theoretical concepts and mathematical foundations, • neuromorphic hardware, • novel physical substrates, • guides from neuroscience for computing technologies, encouraging survey / introductory / didactic contributions (besides the standard discipline-specific result reports which are also possible). Detailed information can be found on http://www.cognitive-comp.org/ and in the Call for Abstracts that is posted there. Timelines: • Abstract submission: July 31 • Notification of acceptance: September 30 • Final abstract for online publication: October 31 Registration fees: • Students (incl. PhD students): 150 Euro • Others (academic): 300 Euro • Industry: 900 Euro Contributors of accepted oral presentations will be exempted from fees and will receive travel refunding. The organizers: • Daniel Brunner (photonics, neuromorphic architectures; University of Besançon) • Herbert Jaeger (machine learning, nonlinear dynamics; Jacobs University Bremen) • Stuart Parkin (nano systems, quantum electronic materials; Max-Planck-Institute for Microstructure Physics, Halle) • Gordon Pipa (neuroinformatics and cognitive computing; University of Osnabrück)

July 30, 2018

PhD Studentship, University of Osnabrueck- Research Training School on Computaional Cognition

by Prof. Dr. Gordon Pipa

We are looking for 9 PhD candidate for Research Training School funded by the DFG (German science foundation) on "Computational Cognition". The positions are to be filled by October 1, 2018 for a period of 3 years. More information: http://computational-cognition.eu/ https://www.uni-osnabrueck.de/universitaet/stellenangebote/stellenangebote_d etail/109_ikw_phd_candidates.html The RTG Computational Cognition aims at reintegrating Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence. PhD students of the RTG will be educated in both subjects in order to combine the findings of these fields and thus to get a better understanding of human and machine intelligence. Research fields involved in the RTG are Neuroinformatics, Neurobiopsychology, Bio-Inspired Computer Vision, Knowledge-Based Systems, Cognitive Natural Language Processing & Communication, Cognitive Modeling, Artificial Intelligence, Psycho/Neurolinguistics, Computational Linguistics and Cognitive Computing. The RTG will focus on the integration of two research fields and has a focus on machine learning, deep learning and dynamical systems, computer vision combined with experimental methods including EEG and Eye tracking. Detailed information on the core areas of the offered PhD projects can be obtained from the spokesmen of the RTG, Prof. Dr. Gordon Pipa (gpipa(a)uni-osnabrueck.de) and Prof. Dr. Peter König (pkoenig(a)uni-osnabrueck.de) The RTG will be incorporated into the Cognitive Science PhD program founded in 2002. PhD students of the RTG will take advantage of an interdisciplinary environment, which nevertheless focuses on a common research topic and offers a broad range of methodological synergies between the projects. Required Qualifications: Applicants are expected to have an academic degree (Master/Diploma), experience in at least one of the domains listed above, proven experience in interdisciplinary work as well as a good command of the English language. Osnabrück University has been certified as a family-friendly university committed to helping working/studying parents and carers balance their family and work life. The university aspires to ensure equal opportunities for men and women and strives to work towards a gender balance in schools or departments where new appointments are made. If equally qualified candidates apply, preference will be given to those with special needs. Applications with the usual documentation should be submitted by e-mail in a single PDF file to the director of the Institute of Cognitive Science, Prof. Dr. Kai-Uwe Kühnberger (kkuehnbe(a)uni-osnabrueck.de) with a cc to office(a)ikw.uni-osnabrueck.de no later than August 23, 2018.We will consider applicants who have: Best Gordon ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------- Professor and Chair of the Neuroinformatics Department Dr. rer. nat. Gordon Pipa Institute of Cognitive Science, Room 50/218 University of Osnabrueck Wachsbleiche 27, 49090 Osnabrück, Germany tel. +49 (0) 541-969-2277 fax (private). +49 (0) 5405- 500 80 98 home office. +49 (0) 5405- 500 90 95 e-mail: gpipa(a)uos.de webpage: http://www.ni.uos.de research gate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Gordon_Pipa/?ev=prf_act linkedin: https://de.linkedin.com/in/gordon-pipa-47771539 Personal Assistent and Secretary of the Neuroinformatic lab: Anna Jungeilges Tel. +49 (0)541 969-2390 Fax +49 (0)541 969-2246 Email: anna.jungeilges(a)uni-osnabrueck.de visit us on http://www.facebook.com/CognitiveScienceOsnabruck https://twitter.com/#!/CogSciUOS

July 30, 2018

PhD position in Neuroscience available immediately (Italy / USA)

by Marco Tamietto

A new European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator grant starts at the University of Torino, Italy, for 5 years (~ 2 million euros). The grant “LIGHTUP – Turning the cortically blind brain to see” is awarded to prof. Marco Tamietto (www.marcotamietto.com) The project investigates the neural correlates of visual awareness and of non-conscious vision in patients with *blindsight* and in non-human primates (macaques) with V1 destruction. To this aim, a broad range of methods will be used, including 3T and 7T (f)MRI, neurophysiological recordings and brain stimulation (TMS). The project is embedded in an outstanding international and interdisciplinary context, including the University of Oxford (UK), Tilburg University (NL) and NIH (USA), with granted access to their excellent facilities. We offer a full-time PhD Student post for 4 years. Applications of highly motivated candidates with interests in systems neuroscience, vision sciences and neuroimaging are welcomed. The successful applicant will be appointed by the University of Torino, but he/she will be expected to spend a significant amount of time at the NIH in Bethesda (USA). In fact, the PhD student will be co-supervised by prof. M. Tamietto and prof. D. Leopold, and the position is specifically focused on behavioural and fMRI studies in non-human primates. For further information please visit http://www.marcotamietto.com or contact Prof. M. Tamietto (marco.tamietto(a)unito.it) or Prof. D. Leopold ( leopoldd(a)mail.nih.gov)

July 27, 2018

[Deadline Approaching] CfP: CI Methods in Processing and Analysis of Neuronal Big Data at BI 2018, Texas, Dec. 7-9.

by Mufti Mahmud

*[Apologies for cross posting.]* *Call for Paper for Special Session on* *Computationally Intelligent Methods in Processing and Analysis of Neuronal Big Data* *11th Brain Informatics Conference (BI 2018), Arlington, Texas, USA, December 7-9, 2018* *Web: http://uta.engineering/conferences/bi-2018/ <http://uta.engineering/conferences/bi-2018/>* Organizers: *Mufti Mahmud1, M Shamim Kaiser2, Ning Zhong3, Nitish V Thakor4* *1 **Computing and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, NG11 8NS – Nottingham, UK* 2*Institute of Information Technology, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, 1342 – Dhaka, Bangladesh* 3*Dept. of Life Science and Informatics, Maebashi Institute of Technology, 371-0816 - Maebashi-City, Japan* *4**Singapore Institute for Neurotechnology, National University of Singapore, 117456 – Singapore; &* *Dept. of Biomedical Engineering, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, 21205 – MD, USA* *Introduction:* The brain receives and processes information simultaneously coming from diverse sources. The neurons, being the basic information processing units, interconnect to each other to form hierarchical and/or parallel pathways. Technologies related to neural systems engineering have been employed to study these pathways along with processing and modelling of neuronal data for disease diagnosis and brain decoding purposes. Combining both experimental and computational approaches in recent years, thanks to the advancements in neurotechniques, scientists can access large amount of neuronal data and apply computationally intelligent and nature-inspired machine learning techniques including deep learning and reinforcement learning on those data to suggest next generation experimental design aiming to decipher brain’s information processing capabilities and diagnose its diseases. *Scope:* Developing data-intensive and intelligent tools, as well as sophisticated neurotechniques, to process and analyse the neuronal big data is one of the biggest challenges posed to today’s multidisciplinary brain science community. To share recent progress in decoding neuronal information processing, both in healthy and diseased brain, this special session aims to provide a forum for scientists from diverse disciplines including – computer, electrical, biomedical, and neuro engineering – who are looking for more relevant information in interpreting brain functions and diagnosing diseases using expert and computationally intelligent systems. This special session expects to attract papers on recent research progress in the area of intelligent computational tools and techniques in acquiring and processing neuronal big data. The focus areas include, but not limited to, the following: Ø Neural systems engineering and technology to study neural pathways; Ø Processing and modelling of neuronal data for disease diagnosis and brain decoding; Ø Bio-inspired methods for network analysis and pattern recognition in neural data; Ø Novel machine learning techniques for neuronal big data analysis; Ø Application of deep and reinforcement learning to neuronal big data analysis; Ø Computationally intelligent techniques for neuroscience applications; Ø Neuroinformatics (including cloud computing and real-time systems); Ø Cognitive science applications (learning, workload, decision making, etc.) and data analytics; Ø Computational and imaging methods for human brain connectome; and Ø Information analysis in human brain machine interface (invasive, noninvasive). *Submission of papers:* Submit Springer Lecture Notes in Computer Science (LNCS) complaint – 10 page – pdf paper to the Special Session following the steps below: Ø Prepare the paper as per the Springer LNCS template from: http://www.springer.com/us/computer-science/lncs/conference-proceedings-gui… Ø Visit https://wi-lab.com/cyberchair/2018/bi18/scripts/ws_submit.php?subarea=S Ø Select the link: Special session on Computationally Intelligent Methods in Processing and Analysis of Neuronal Big Data Ø Select the link Submit a New Paper (TYPE I Submission) Ø Provide paper details (i.e., Author(s), Paper Title, Abstract, Keywords, PDF file to upload). *Important dates:* Ø Paper submission deadline: *30 July 2018* Ø Decision notification: *30 August 2018* Ø Special Session date: *7 December 2018* Ø Conference dates: *8-9 December 2018*. With kindest regards, *Mufti Mahmud, PhD* | (Senior) Lecturer of Computing & Technology <https://www.ntu.ac.uk/sat/about/academic_teams/comp_tech.html> | School of Science & Technology <https://www.ntu.ac.uk/sat/> | Nottingham Trent University <https://www.ntu.ac.uk/> Office: ERD200 | Erasmus Darwin Building | Clifton Campus | NG11 8NS – Nottingham | United Kingdom Phone: +44 (0)115 84 83202 | Email: mufti.mahmud(a)ntu.ac.uk Meeting requests: https://doodle.com/mufti <http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2037-8348> http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2037-8348 https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=L8em2YoAAAAJ&hl=en https://sites.google.com/site/muftimahmud/ https://www.ntu.ac.uk/staff-profiles/science-technology/mufti-mahmud Senior Member, IEEE <https://www.ieee.org/> & ACM <https://www.acm.org/> Associate Editor, IEEE Access <http://ieeeaccess.ieee.org/> Editorial Board Member, Cognitive Computation <https://www.springer.com/biomed/neuroscience/journal/12559> & Big Data Analytics <https://bdataanalytics.biomedcentral.com/> Student consultation hours: Drop-in sessions on Thursdays between 11.00 am and 12.30 pm. Appointments for a different time can also be arranged through email.

July 24, 2018