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PhD Studentship in Computer Science -- University of Surrey, UK
by a.gruning＠surrey.ac.uk Sept. 29, 2017

Sept. 29, 2017

% PhD Studentship in Computer Science % Studentship start date: January 2018 % Application deadline: September 30, 2017 # Funding amount Fee waiver and a stipend of £16,000 per annum for a Home (UK/EU) student # Position Summary Applications are invited for a cutting-edge 3-year Ph.D. project in the Department of Computer Science, University of Surrey, UK in a number of areas, including machine learning especially deep learning and neural networks, complex systems, and evolutionary computation, with application to biomedicine, transport, security and design optimisation. Applications are particularly welcome to one of the following highlighted projects: 1. Neural networks for biomedicine. The project will focus on constructing a framework for the formulation of bio-inspired learning rules for deep learning neural networks. Its aim is to develop a mathematical and conceptual framework within which bio-inspired learning algorithms can be formulated clearly and concisely for ease of their application, understanding, and generalisation. This project will build upon an ongoing project, namely the Human Brain Project (HBP), a multi-billion Flagship project funded by the EU Horizon 2020. This project area will be co-supervised by Dr Clive Cheong Took and Dr André Grüning. 2. Modelling and controlling the dynamics and time evolution of complex systems. The aim of this PhD is to develop a computational framework for maximising the effect of external interventions in a complex system, and do so in a predictable and trusted manner. Such systems include: transportation networks; social networks; multi-modal patient care systems; social-ecological systems; and many others where there are no single points of control or failure. The core objective is to bring together formal verification and machine learning and develop approaches that allow model checking and scenario appraisal in complex systems. This project area will be co-supervised by Dr Sotiris Moschoyiannis and Dr Clive Cheong Took. For more about the NICE group, see http://www.surrey.ac.uk/cs/research/nice. # Department of Computer Science The Department of Computer Science at the University of Surrey, within the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, has an international reputation for research and teaching. Our research excellence is reflected from the fact that Surrey’s research in computer science has been consistently ranked World Top 150 and UK Top 10 in the SJTU ARWU Subject Ranking in Computer Science since 2012. Similarly, Surrey’s Computer Science subject is ranked at 6 th position in the UK according to the latest Guardian University Guide 2018, which focuses more on teaching excellence. Research in the Department is focused on two main areas: Nature Inspired Computing and Engineering (NICE) and Secure Systems. The NICE group is internationally leading in the area of evolutionary computation, machine learning, brain-inspired computing and complex systems with application to optimisation, data analytics, image processing, swarm robotics, healthcare and bioinformatics. The Secure Systems 1 International (non-UK/EU) students are also eligible to apply, but will be expected to bring additional funding to cover the difference (currently £14,815 per year) between UK/EU and international fees: see https://www.surrey.ac.uk/postgraduate/pgr-fees. # Qualifications To apply you should have at least an upper second class honours degree (or overseas equivalent) in Computer Science, or a suitable technical science or engineering subject such as Computer Engineering and Electronic Engineering. Preference will be given to those with appropriate MSc or equivalent research/industrial experience in relevant areas. Experience in a relevant area is not required, but advantageous. The candidate is expected to have solid mathematical knowledge, including calculus and linear algebra. Hands-on skills in one of the programming languages is expected, such as Matlab, Python, Java, or C/C++. In addition, the applicant must have good communication skills and be fluent in English. We look for a candidate that is self-motivated, engaging, and is a team player. # Application Procedure The application process requires the submission of a CV, two letters of recommendation or contact information of two referees, copies of degree certificates and transcripts from all university-level courses taken. More information about how to apply can be found in the Computer Science PhD page by clicking on the ‘apply online’ button. In addition to the above, as part of your application, you are also required to upload the following documents: - Statement of purpose (1-3 pages) where you introduce yourself, explain why you want to pursue a PhD, present your qualifications and describe your future research plans; - Research proposal describing your research area of interest and motivation in one of the relevant areas. Shortlisted applicants will be contacted directly to arrange a suitable time for an interview. For any questions regarding the application process or an informal discussion about the position especially the highlighted projects, please contact the named supervisors of the specific project given before. For more general queries about the studentship contact Dr Andre Gruning <a.gruning(a)surrey.ac.uk> Surrey continuously strives to be an attractive employer. We acknowledge, understand and embrace diversity. # Useful links: Potential PhD Supervisors and their research interest and publications: - https://www.surrey.ac.uk/cs/people/clive_cheong_took/ - https://www.surrey.ac.uk/cs/people/andre_gruning/ - https://www.surrey.ac.uk/cs/people/sotiris_moschoyiannis/ - https://www.surrey.ac.uk/cs/people/yaochu_jin - https://www.surrey.ac.uk/cs/people/paul_krause - https://www.surrey.ac.uk/cs/people/hongying_tang PhD in Computer Science at Surrey: - http://www.surrey.ac.uk/postgraduate/computer-science-phd - https://www.surrey.ac.uk/department-computer-science/study/postgraduate-res… - https://www.surrey.ac.uk/department-computer-science/study/postgraduate-res… The NICE group - http://www.surrey.ac.uk/cs/research/nice -- Brief? Here's why: http://emailcharter.org<http://emailcharter.org/> Dr Andre Gruning Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor) Postgraduate Research Director Department of Computer Science University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH United Kingdom

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NIH/NSF funded postdoc (U Penn/U Houston/CU Boulder)
by Zachary Kilpatrick Sept. 28, 2017

Sept. 28, 2017

We are seeking a postdoctoral fellow to join an NIH/NSF funded interdisciplinary project that includes Joshua Gold (University of Pennsylvania), Krešo Josić (University of Houston), and Zack Kilpatrick (University of Colorado, Boulder). Our aim is to understand how the brain accumulates evidence in dynamic environments. The project is guided by the overriding hypothesis that brain networks involved in decision-making computations incorporate learned expectations of the environment to implement adaptive decision-making. We seek a candidate who can work at the interface of experimental, computational, and theoretical neuroscience. As part of an interdisciplinary team, The candidate will develop models of neural circuits that approximate normative evidence accumulation in dynamic environments. The candidate will also help to validate these models, using behavioral data from humans and neural recordings from primates performing dynamic decision tasks. For further information please contact Krešimir Josić (josic(a)math.uh.edu <mailto:josic@math.uh.edu>) or Zack Kilpatrick (zpkilpat(a)colorado.edu <mailto:zpkilpat@colorado.edu>)

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Winter School on Deterministic & Stochastic Models in Neuroscience in Toulouse: December 11 to 15, 2017
by Zachary Kilpatrick Sept. 28, 2017

Sept. 28, 2017

We are glad to announce that from the 11th to the 15th of December 2017 will take place a Winter School on Deterministic and Stochastic Models in Neuroscience at the Institut de Mathématiques de Toulouse in France. The main objective of this event is to organise a winter school around stochastic and deterministic models arising in neuroscience by providing a series of lectures given by internationally reknown speakers for a broad audience (graduate students, PhD students, Postdoctorates, researchers and professors) along with specific research talks. This winter school will showcase some recent and ongoing modeling problems in neuroscience with a strong emphasis on the stochastic and deterministic methods developped to treat them. There will be two lectures dedicated to stochastic methods and two for deterministic ones. The research talks will complement and enlarge these courses with for example topcis on neural field equations, numerical methods or kinetic models of neuronal networks. The webpage of the event can be found here: http://www.cimi.univ-toulouse.fr/mib/en/School-DSMN <http://www.cimi.univ-toulouse.fr/mib/en/School-DSMN> Please note that there will be financial support for a selected number of students (graduate students, PhD students, Post-doctorates) covering local expenses: hotel, metro tickets and food. Students can apply here: http://www.cimi.univ-toulouse.fr/en/registration-winter-school-deterministi… <http://www.cimi.univ-toulouse.fr/en/registration-winter-school-deterministi…> The registration for the winter school is free but mandatory. Lunches and a diner buffet will be covered by the conference. Scientific organizers Patrick Cattiaux & Grégory Faye

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Theoretical/Statistical Neuroscience Faculty Openings at Columbia
by Allison Ong Sept. 28, 2017

Sept. 28, 2017

Dear Colleague, Columbia has announced a search for two faculty positions in theoretical/statistical neuroscience that are described below (also attached). We would appreciate it if you could forward this information to any interested candidates. We will start to evaluate applications on December 1, 2017. Here is a link to the announcement and the site for applying: academicjobs.columbia.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=65051 Thanks and Best Wishes, Larry Abbott and Liam Paninski *Two Junior Faculty Position in Theoretical / Statistical Neuroscience* The Department of Neuroscience, the Department of Statistics, and the Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute at Columbia University invite applications for two tenure-track positions at the Assistant or Associate Professor level, to begin in 2018. One position will focus on theoretical neuroscience with an appointment in the Department of Neuroscience. The other position will focus on the application of statistics to neuroscience with an appointment in the Department of Statistics. Both positions will include appointments as well as office and laboratory space in the Center for Theoretical Neuroscience and the Grossman Center of the Statistics of Mind within the Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute housed in the Jerome L. Greene Science Center at Columbia. The Zuckerman Institute brings together scientists from diverse backgrounds whose research focuses on brain function, wiring, and development. We are seeking dynamic scientists interested in exploiting this multidisciplinary environment by interacting with Zuckerman Institute faculty as well as with others in the Columbia neuroscience, biological sciences, physical sciences, statistics, and machine learning communities, including the Data Science Institute. Zuckerman Institute faculty will function as full members of their home departments: tenure will be granted by the home department and faculty will contribute to teaching in their home departments and the Zuckerman Institute. Candidates will be expected to show expertise and an ability to lead a research program in theoretical and/or statistical neuroscience. Applicants are expected to have a strong record of scientific achievement and to demonstrate the ability to engage in innovative research and teaching. Applicants should hold a PhD in neuroscience, statistics, or a related area. Applications should be submitted through this link: academicjobs.columbia.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=65051 The following documents should be uploaded with your application: cover letter, CV, research plan, teaching statement, three letters of reference or a listing of at least three references that can be contacted, and the inclusion of one or two publications. Women and minorities are strongly encouraged to apply. We will start to evaluate applications on December 1, 2017. Columbia University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer --Race/Gender/Disability/Veteran.

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Postdoctoral position in theoretical neuroscience at NYU
by Cristina Savin Sept. 27, 2017

Sept. 27, 2017

Applications are invited for a postdoctoral scholar position in the Savin group at NYU. We are looking for an innovative and enthusiastic researcher with a strong quantitative background (e.g. Math, Physics, Computer Science) and experience in Neuroscience research and/or Machine Learning. The lab uses theoretical tools based on machine learning and statistics to study the neural correlates of learning and memory at the circuit level. For information about recent publications and ongoing projects see: www.cns.nyu.edu/~csavin <http://www.cns.nyu.edu/~csavin> Potential topics include: - probabilistic computation in neural circuits and its neural signatures, with a focus on learning - circuit level models of memory that aim to explain human memory behavior The postdoc will be part of a large and intellectually vibrant community of researchers from the Center for Neuroscience and the Centre for Data Science at NYU. The position is funded for 2 years, with an initial one-year appointment and expectation of extension contingent on satisfactory progress. Please submit your application to csavin(a)nyu.edu <mailto:csavin@nyu.edu> including: - CV - a statement of research interests - contact details of three people that are familiar with your work

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Postdoctoral position in Virtual Neuroprosthesis
by Emmanuelle Tognoli Sept. 27, 2017

Sept. 27, 2017

http://www.ccs.fau.edu/~tognoli/virtualNeuroprosthesis.html The BioRobotics Lab at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) invites applications for a NIH NIBIB-funded Postdoctoral position to develop a Virtual Neuroprosthesis aimed at providing a sense of touch in amputees and limb-absent people. Candidates should have a PhD in one of the following degrees: mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, biomedical engineering, bioengineering or related, with interest and/or experience in transdisciplinary work at the intersection of robotic hands, biology, and biomedical systems. Prior experience in the neural field will be considered an advantage, though not a necessity. Underrepresented minorities and women are warmly encouraged to apply. The postdoctoral researcher will be co-advised across the department of Mechanical Engineering and the Center for Complex Systems & Brain Sciences through an interdisciplinary team whose expertise spans Robotics, Microfluidics, Behavioral and Clinical Neuroscience and Orthopedic Surgery. The position will be for one year with a possibility of extension based on performance. Salary will be commensurate with experience and qualifications. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. The application should include: (1) a cover letter with research interests and experiences, (2) a CV, (3) names and contact information for three professional references. Qualified candidates should send contact: tognoli(a)ccs.fau.edu -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.

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PostDoctoral Position at the LMU (Munich) : dissection of functional cortical network dynamics
by Anton Sirota Sept. 27, 2017

Sept. 27, 2017

*Post-Doctoral* position is available *immediately* at the laboratory of Prof. Anton Sirota at the Ludwig-Maximilians University München (Germany) for the research project that is part of international interdisciplinary collaborative research consortium BrainCom (http://www.braincom-project.eu) The goal of the project is to identify decoding capacity of the network dynamics across cortical circuits derived from the multichannel surface and depth cortical field potential recordings for applications to neuroprosthetics. As a corollary, we aim to develop, for the first time, experimentally-derived circuit-level forward model for the depth and surface cortical field potentials. The project will combine extracellular recordings using newly-developed very large scale high density multichannel arrays with optogenetic circuit-specific manipulation and quantitative behavior analysis in rodents, as well as novel analytical approaches. Project will be integrated into diverse and innovative research program of the Sirota lab (http://cogneuro.bio.lmu.de) Our laboratory is part of Bernstein Centre for Computational Neuroscience Munich (http://www.bccn-munich.de) Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (http://www.synergy-munich.de) and the Graduate School of Systemic Neurosciences (http://www.gsn.uni-muenchen.de) Applicants are expected to be highly motivated, hard working, creative and capable of independent, analytical and critical thinking. PhD in neuroscience and a strong background in physics, computer science or engineering are required. Solid experience in in vivo electrophysiology, optogenetics and computational neuroscience is highly desirable. Strong quantitative and technical skills are a must. Good knowledge of signal processing and machine learning is a plus. Proficiency in English and good written and oral communication skills are a prerequisite. Good social and teamwork, as well as excellent organizational skills, are expected. Candidates are expected to have first author peer-reviewed publication record. Employment is according to the state employees salary scheme (TV-L/E13) and is initially for 1 year with the option for extension.Candidate selection will be open until the position is filled. LMU Munich is an equal opportunity employer. Applications of women and disabled persons, given similar qualification, are preferred. Applications should include a full CV, a 1 page statement of past experience, research interests, and career goals, along with contact information of at least 2 referees. Please, send your application electronically as a single PDF file to Dr Anton Sirota at sirota(a)bio.lmu.de

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Postdoctoral positions in theoretical neuroscience
by Brent Doiron Sept. 27, 2017

Sept. 27, 2017

The Doiron group at the University of Pittsburgh (www.math.pitt.edu/~bdoiron) is currently seeking up to two postdoctoral fellows to work on cutting edge problems in theoretical neuroscience. Research topics include: 1) The genesis and consequences of neuronal variability in cortical networks 2) Biologically realistic modeling of assembly formation in cortical circuits 3) How learning and memory impact population codes All projects will involve heavy collaboration with several prominent experimental groups (primate and rodent) both in Pittsburgh as well as abroad. The positions are 3-year terms (contingent upon satisfactory progress) with competitive salary and benefits packages offered by the University of Pittsburgh. The successful candidate will join the Mathematics department at the University of Pittsburgh (www.math.pitt.edu) and will have strong ties to the Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition in Pittsburgh (http://www.cnbc.cmu.edu) Candidates should have a Ph.D. in computational neuroscience, mathematics, physics, or engineering and have an excellent track record of scholarship. The University of Pittsburgh is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from under-represented groups. Interested persons should send their CV, a cover letter stating research interests and career goals, and names and contact information of two references to bdoiron(a)pitt.edu . The competition will remain open until the positions are filled. Best Brent -- Professor of Mathematics Center for the Neural Basis of Cognition University of Pittsburgh 301 Thackeray Hall Pittsburgh, PA, 15260 www.math.pitt.edu/~bdoiron

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Job Announcement: Computational Neuroscience RA
by Stacie Warren Sept. 26, 2017

Sept. 26, 2017

Dear Colleagues, A Computational Neuroscience Research Assistant position is currently available at Palo Alto University to support the Clinical Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience Programs directed by Stacie L. Warren, PhD and Tilman Schulte, PhD. This is an exciting opportunity to work on a range of cognitive and affective studies that focus on executive function, emotion regulation, stress responsivity, reward processing, and aging on neural circuitry. Populations of interest include healthy adults, adults with or at risk for developing psychopathology, and neurological disorders. Opportunities to develop and apply novel data analysis techniques, to co-author research publications, and to assist with similar studies in children through a partnership with Stanford University are also available. Primary Responsibilities: Developing software/scripts to implement algorithms for data quality control, preprocessing, analysis, and management. Developing and implementing statistical/mathematical modeling (e.g., machine learning algorithms) to characterize high-dimensional datasets. Assisting with analyzing neuroimaging research data using neuroimaging-specific programs and/or software (e.g., FSL, Freesurfer, SPM, AFNI). Qualifications: BA/BS in a relevant field by the time of appointment. Proficiency in programming (e.g., Matlab, Python, C/C++, java) and shell scripting. Proficiency with Linux OS and file system. Experience with any of the following: signal and image processing, machine learning, statistical/mathematical modeling. Excellent organizational and interpersonal communication skills are required. Strong background in biomedical engineering, computer science, applied mathematics, statistics, computational neuroscience, quantitative psychology, or related subjects. Experience in neuroimaging data analysis is desired. A two-year commitment is required. This is a full-time position with a competitive salary and benefits. To apply, send a CV, a cover letter stating your research interests and career goals, and contact information for three references to swarren(a)paloaltou.edu. Review of applications will begin immediately. -- Stacie L. Warren, Ph.D. Assistant Professor Clinical Psychology Ph.D. Program Palo Alto University 1791 Arastradero Rd. Palo Alto, CA 94304 email: swarren(a)paloaltou.edu <staciewarren3(a)gmail.com>

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Postdoctoral positions in neural coding - IIT Rovereto, Italy
by Stefano Panzeri Sept. 26, 2017

Sept. 26, 2017

We are seeking candidates for up to three postdoctoral position in computational neuroscience in the Neural Computation Laboratory at the IIT ( http://cncs.iit.it/labs/neural-computation ) directed by Stefano Panzeri ( https://www.iit.it/people/stefano-panzeri) and located in Rovereto (Trento), Italy. This laboratory aims to crack the neural code using neural network modeling and computational analyses of neurophysiological experiments. The laboratory offers a range of strongly interdisciplinary expertise in computational neuroscience, including information theory and other types of advanced single-trial neural analyses, advanced spectral analysis, and biophysically plausible neural network modeling. The successful candidate will develop and use tools for the analysis of large-scale simultaneous recordings of the spiking activity of cells in the cortex to understand how populations of neurons carry information. The successful candidate would have the opportunity to benefit from an extensive set of existing collaborations with leading neurophysiological laboratories, including those of Nikos Logothetis at Max Planck Tubingen (collaborating on oscillations, sensory information coding and neuromodulation), Tommaso Fellin at IIT (collaborating on Optogenetics, Neurophysiology and Neural coding), Mathew Diamond at SISSA (collaborating on the behavioral impact of information carried by spike timing), and Christopher Harvey at Harvard Medical School (collaborating on neural population dynamics and decision making). We are willing to consider candidates interested in any of the aspects of neural coding of interest to the laboratory. Candidates must hold a PhD in a numerate scientific discipline. They must be highly motivated and creative individuals who want to work in a dynamic, multi-disciplinary research environment and be willing to interact with both experimental and theoretical neuroscientists. For reference to recent work of the lab please see : Runyan C. A., et al (2017) Distinct timescales of population coding across cortex, Nature: 548: 92-96. Panzeri S., et al (2017) Cracking the neural code for sensory perception by combining statistics, intervention and behaviour. Neuron 93: 491-507 Safaai, H., et al (2015) Modelling the effect of Locus Coeruleous firing on single trial cortical state dynamics and sensory processing. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 112(41): 12834–12839 Zuo Y, et al (2015) Spike timing and spike rate make complementary contributions to perceptual decisions in rat S1 and S2 cortex. Current Biology 25: 357-363 Besserve M, et al (2015) Shifts of gamma phase across primary visual cortical sites reflect dynamic stimulus- modulated information transfer. PLoS Biology 13(9): e1002257 The formal deadline for applications is Oct 15th 2017. However, interested candidates are advised to contact informally Stefano Panzeri ( stefano.panzeri(a)iit.it) *as soon as possible*. The formal application should be sent by email to selezioni(a)iit.it and to Stefano Panzeri (*stefano.panzeri(a)iit.it) <stefano.panzeri(a)iit.it)>*. The formal application should contain the applicant’s CV, a brief statement of research interests, and names and email addresses of 2 or 3 referees. Thanks Stefano Panzeri

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