PhD student position in Cognitive Modelling available at ILLC (Faculty of Humanities)

Publicatiedatum

21 januari 2013

Opleidingsniveau

Universitair

Salarisindicatie

€2.042 (first year) to €2.612 (final year), gross per month based on 38 hours per week

Sluitingsdatum

15 februari 2013

Functieomvang

for 30.4 hours per week

Vacaturenummer

13-017

The Institute for Logic, Language and Computation (ILLC) currently has a PhD fellowship available, appointment starting on 1 April 2013. Applications are now invited from excellent candidates wishing to conduct interdisciplinary research in the Brain & Cognition priority area of UvA. The successful candidate is expected to write a dissertation in logic, computer science and/or cognitive science, using theoretical tools to model cognitive phenomena. The possible topics include, but are not restricted to, computational cognitive modelling of language, applying logic and complexity in cognitive science, social cognition and modelling working memory.

ILLC's central research area is the study of fundamental principles of encoding, transmission and comprehension of information. Research at ILLC is interdisciplinary, and aims at bringing together insights from various disciplines concerned with information and information processing, such as logic, mathematics, computer science, linguistics, cognitive science, artificial intelligence, musicology and philosophy. For the research carried out by the individual staff members of ILLC, see People at ILLC and check their personal webpages.

Brain & Cognition - UvA research priority area

Research in the area of cognition is very well represented within several faculties of the University of Amsterdam in research teams that include psychologists, neurobiologists, neurologists, psychiatrists, behavioral economists, logicians, and linguists. They study cognition at the level of the neurons and neural systems involved, as well as at the level of the regulation of behavior, the theoretical modelling of behavior, and cognitive disorders. The ILLC participates in the research priority area Brain & Cognition with its research program on Cognitive Modelling.

Job Description

• Complete and defend a PhD thesis within the official appointment duration (see text below).
• Regularly present intermediate research results at international workshops and conferences, and publish them in proceedings and journals.
• Collaborate with the researchers in other relevant parts of ILLC and Brain & Cognition research area.
• Participate in the organization of research activities and events at ILLC, such as conferences, workshops and joint publications.

Requirements

• A Master's degree with excellent grades in a relevant field, such as logic, computer science, mathematics, artificial intelligence, linguistics, philosophy, or cognitive science.
• Good academic writing and presentation skills.
• Good social and organizational skills.

Further Information

You are welcome to contact Dr. Jakub Szymanik to discuss your plans ahead of applying formally.

Appointment

The PhD candidate will be appointed at the Faculty of Humanities at University of Amsterdam. The appointment is for 4 years for 0,8 fte (also possible: 3 years and 3 months 1,0 fte) under the terms of employment currently valid for the Faculty. In the first instance, a contract will be given for 16 months, with an extension for the following 32 months on the basis of a positive evaluation. Starting date of the contract will be April 1st 2013.

The salary for the position (on a full-time base) will be € 2.042 during the first year (gross per month) and will reach € 2.612 during the fourth year, in accordance with the CAO for Dutch universities.

Job Application

Applications for the PhD position should include:

• a research proposal;
• a letter of motivation;
• an up-to-date CV;
• a list of grades obtained for your Bachelor and Master (or equivalent) programmes;
• names and contact details of two academic referees;
• a writing sample, e.g. a paper you have published, MSc thesis or a term paper.

The research proposal should outline what kind of research you wish to undertake and why you believe the Brain & Cognition priority area within ILLC would provide the right environment for your PhD studies.

Applications should be submitted electronically by clicking 'Apply Now' and stating the job vacancy number in the subject field. Completed applications should be submitted by 23.59 hours (CET) on February 15th 2013. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted. Selected candidates will be invited for the interviews in the first week of March.

No agencies please