Junior Scientist Workshop on Mechanistic Cognitive Neuroscience
Organized by Hannah Haberkern, Misha Ahrens, Gowan Tervo, Alla Karpova, Josh Dudman and Vivek Jayaraman, this interactive workshop provides an exciting opportunity for graduate students and recent PhDs interested in the mechanistic basis of cognition to present their research to a diverse audience and discuss ideas for the future, while also discovering potential independent early-career options at Janelia.
With a collaborative and stimulating format, the workshop will focus on the neural mechanisms underlying complex, flexible behavior. We encourage applications from junior scientists pursuing research aimed at understanding how cognitive processes and behavior are implemented at the level of circuits, cells, and molecules. This meeting is open to a broad array of ideas and approaches in a variety of animal models. The agenda will be thematically tuned to explore some of the issues raised by participants, with a general emphasis on studies of cognition broadly construed (e.g. navigation, learning, decision making, planning, etc.).
Over the course of the week, attendees will present their work, partake in lively discussions on key problems and obstacles in the field, and indulge in informed speculation about conceptual and technical approaches that might be useful for future progress. While the meeting is intended for junior scientists, we will also host a few plenary talks from established investigators. As in previous years, we anticipate a lively meeting, with participants from diverse backgrounds actively contributing to discussions and debates. We aim to ensure that discussions are freewheeling, but also respectful and inclusive, and that the atmosphere is both fun and productive. We see the interactions at this workshop as a unique learning opportunity for participants to critically evaluate their own methods and approaches. Attendees should also feel free to come with half-baked ideas and expect an audience keen on talking them through those ideas!
This workshop will run alongside our Junior Scientist Workshop on Theoretical Neuroscience, with joint events that encourage informal conversations between both groups. We hope such interactions with help participants bridge the conceptual and pragmatic gaps between theory and experiment.
To maintain the small group atmosphere that we believe is necessary for extensive interactions and discussion, space in the workshop is limited. Participants are expected to stay for the duration. We especially encourage applications from women and those who identify with groups underrepresented in science.
Janelia will cover the cost of accommodation, meals and reasonable travel expenses.
Application Instructions
To be considered, applicants must apply online and provide:
- Research Abstract
- Answers to four Scientific Thought Questions
- Current CV
- Recommendation Letter
Application deadline: July 12, 2019 (11:59 p.m. ET)
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Conference Childcare
Janelia offers safe and reliable onsite daycare for the children of our conference attendees in our Children's Learning Laboratory, with personalized care and extended hours to accommodate the conference schedule. Read more about our childcare options.
