Assistant professor in Computational Linguistics (Universitair Docent)

The Institute for Logic, Language and Computation ( ILLC) invites applications from excellent researchers in the field of Machine Learning for Natural Language Processing for a tenured Assistant professorship at the Faculty of Science of the University of Amsterdam (UvA).

The ILLC is a research institute at the UvA in which researchers from the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Humanities collaborate. Its central research area is the study of fundamental principles of encoding, transmission and comprehension of information. Research at the ILLC is interdisciplinary and aims at bringing together insights from various fields concerned with information and information processing, such as computational linguistics, computer science, artificial intelligence, logic, philosophy, mathematics, linguistics, cognitive science, and music cognition. The institute occupies a leading position internationally in its areas of research. A considerable part of the research is made possible by external funding from Dutch and European organizations.

The ILLC is home to a leading research group in Computational Linguistics with a long history in statistical natural language processing since the early 1990s. Current research includes computational pragmatics and dialogue modelling (Raquel Fernandez), information retrieval (Jaap Kamps), statistical morpho-syntactic parsing and machine translation (Khalil Sima’an), computational semantics (Ekaterina Shutova) and computational cognitive science (Willem Zuidema).

We are looking for an excellent researcher with proven expertise in Machine Learning for Natural Language Processing to join our team. We are particularly interested in candidates with expertise and experience in developing and applying deep neural networks and Bayesian inference to NLP tasks including machine translation, and syntactic and semantic parsing. Experience with and willingness to interact with research in information theory, cryptography, game theory, formal semantics, and/or cognitive science would be a plus.

Job description

You will be expected to fulfil the following tasks, taking into account the current general research: teaching 60:40 ratio applicable at the ILLC:

• develop an independent line of research in Machine Learning for NLP, resulting in contributions published at leading international venues;
• teach and develop teaching activities in the fields of computational linguistics / NLP and machine learning. Relevant programmes include: BSc Artificial Intelligence, MSc Artificial Intelligence, MSc Logic;
• (co-)supervise Bachelor's and Master's students;
• build-up and coordinate a research-team and supervise PhD candidates;
• initiate and contribute to proposals for raising substantial external funding;
• contribute to research valorization and outreach activities;
• contribute to management tasks in education and research at the institute.

Requirements

We expect you to have the following qualifications:

• a relevant PhD degree;
• experience in research and excellent research skills in computational linguistics / NLP and machine learning, evidenced by a track record of publications in renowned international conferences and journals;
• team spirit and a strong affinity with the ILLC’s multidisciplinary environment;
• teaching experience at university level and demonstrable didactic abilities and / or training in natural language processing. All permanent staff are required to have a University teaching qualification (the so-called Basis Kwalificatie Onderwijs, BKO, or equivalent). If you do not yet have this qualification, you should obtain it during the probation period;
• ability to develop the management skills required for general academic administration, organization and coordination tasks.
• excellent communication and social skills;
• an excellent command of English and willingness to learn the Dutch language. You are expected to attain a basic level of Dutch within two years, while a higher level is required for promotion to a higher academic position.

Further information

For questions, you may contact:

• Jelle Zuidema, chair of the selection committee

Appointment

The vacancy is for a permanent Assistant professorship, with a two-year probation period. Based on a full-time appointment (38 hours per week), the gross monthly salary will range from €3,475 to €5,405, depending on your expertise and previous experience (scale 11 to 12). The salary will be augmented with an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus. The Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO) is applicable.
The starting date of the appointment should be preferably by autumn 2018.

Job application

The University of Amsterdam strives for a better gender balance in its staff. Female candidates will therefore be given preference in case of equal suitability. Women are strongly encouraged to apply.

You may only submit your application by electronic mail to application-science@uva.nl. Please quote 'Assistant professor ILLC, vacancy 18-185' in the subject line.

Please include the following material grouped in one single PDF attachment:

• letter of interest discussing briefly past research, research plans and your vision on teaching (max 1 page);
• curriculum vitae, including list of publications and teaching and supervision experience; highlight and provide URLs for 1 or 2 publications that are representative of your work.

Applications must be received at the latest Sunday 29 April 2018.

We will ask shortlisted candidates for additional information, including a more extensive research statement and names, affiliations, and email addresses of three academic referees. #LI-DNP