4 PhD / PostDoc positions in the Institute of Neural Information Processing, Ulm University, Germany
Friedhelm Schwenker
In the Institute of Neural Information Processing of the Faculty of Engineering, Computer Science and Psychology of Ulm University there will be
4 PhD / PostDoc positions in the field of
Learning Systems
from October 2016 in the newly established research group on
“Learning Systems”. The group is interested in the
mathematical foundations of intelligent behavior in
cognitive systems, including both biological and artificial
systems, in particular the information-processing principles
underlying learning and decision-making. This requires a
combined theoretical and experimental approach. In our
theoretical line of work we use methods from machine
learning, statistics, physics, information theory and
decision theory to investigate the effects of limited
resources on learning and decision-making (“bounded
rationality”). In our experimental line of work we
investigate sensorimotor behavior in humans by using virtual
reality technology and robotic interfaces to study learning
and decision-making quantitatively under controlled
conditions. This interdisciplinary approach unites aspects
from both basic and applied research. On a basic level we
aim at a quantitative understanding of embodied
intelligence, in particular the emergence of cognition from
sensorimotor interactions by processes of abstraction and
structure learning. On an applied level we are interested in
both autonomous robotic systems and
human-machine-interactions, as sensorimotor learning and
decision-making in artificial systems constitute a
cutting-edge technical challenge. The research group is
supported by the ERC-project BRISC (Bounded Rationality in
Sensorimotor Coordination)
https://erc.europa.eu/projects-and-results/erc-funded-projects/BRISC
funded by the excellence programme of the
European Research Council, in which we aim at a novel
information-theoretic understanding of sensorimotor
interactions in psychological and technical systems. Previous
publications of the group can be found under http://www.kyb.tuebingen.mpg.de/research/rg/braun.html
Ulm University with its more than 10,000 students is Baden-Württemberg’s youngest university. It offers attractive career prospects in a highly innovative research, teaching and work environment at the same time facilitating the reconciliation of work and family life. Embedded within the novel international “Cognitive Systems”-Master’s course, the research group “Learning Systems” is part of the university’s priority programme on human-machine-interaction. Beyond the university, there are plenty of opportunities to cooperate within the SFB Transregio 62 and with international partners in Great Britain and the United States.
The applicants should have a strong
mathematical background, hold a Diploma or Master’s degree
in natural science, mathematics, economics, psychology,
computer science, engineering or similar and have a keen
interest in artificial and natural intelligence.
The positions are paid according to German tariff TV-L E13. Exceptional candidates with a Bachelor’s degree can also be considered, albeit with an individual pay scale regulation.
The University of Ulm is an equal opportunity employer:
Handicapped individuals are strongly encouraged to apply,
and so are women in areas in which they are
underrepresented.
The positions will be filled as soon as possible. Candidates
should send a CV, a brief statement of interest and a copy
of their highest degree to Prof. Dr. Dr. Daniel Alexander
Braun daniel...@uni-ulm.de .
Institute of Neural Information Processing
Faculty of Engineering, Computer Science and Psychology
University of Ulm
James-Franck-Ring
D-89081 Ulm
Germany
phone: +49 (0)731 50 - 24151
fax: +49 (0)731 50 - 24156
email: daniel...@uni-ulm.de