[ACT-R-users] PhD position in Groningen

[Niels Taatgen]

4 year PhD position in Cognitive Modeling - University of Groningen

Cognitive models as believable game opponents

The goal of the project is to create cognitive models of how people  
play games, and use such models to create computer opponents that  
behave like human opponents. The main challenge of computer (AI)  
opponents in games has most often been to create an opponent that is  
smart enough to be able to compete with human players. However, as the  
classical case of chess illustrates, this does not necessarily mean  
that the computer plays like a human. Creating an opponent that plays  
like a human has the advantage that it creates a much richer game  
experience, especially if the computer player is capable of learning,  
and can adapt its expertise to the expertise of the player. A pilot  
project with the game of Set (http://www.ai.rug.nl/~niels/set-app/index.html 
) has already demonstrated these virtues. From a scientific point of  
view, studying human cognition in the context of games offers broad  
opportunities to gain insights in how players reason about games and  
their opponents.
The project will consist of experimental work with human subjects to  
gain insight in human performance and learning in games, using eye- 
tracking to collect fine-grained data, cognitive modeling using the  
ACT-R cognitive architecture, and construction of computer game  
opponents. Earlier work on the Set game will serve as a starting point  
of the project, and will be extended to other games as the project  
progresses.

Environment
The project will be supervised by Prof. dr. Niels Taatgen (http://www.ai.rug.nl/~niels/ 
), and will be carried out in the Cognitive Modeling group (http://research.ai.rug.nl/index.php/cogmod 
) of the Artificial Intelligence department of the University of  
Groningen. A monthly stipend will be provided of approximately 1400  
Euro. The four-year Ph.D project will be carried out within the school  
of behavioral and cognitive neuroscience. Assistance with stay permits  
in the Netherlands for non- EU citizens will be provided by the  
university.

Requirements
We are looking for a candidate with a degree in Cognitive Science,  
Artificial Intelligence, Cognitive Psychology or Computer Science with  
experience in programming and a keen interest in psychological  
processes. In addition, it is advantageous to have experience with  
cognitive modeling.

Applications
Write your application, together with a curriculum vitae and the names  
of two references as (preferably PDF) attachment by e-mail to n.a.taatgen at rug.nl 
  On November 2, the received applications will be examined, but  
applications arriving after that date may still be considered, until a  
suitable candidate has been found. Information about the scholarship,  
work content etc may be provided by Prof.dr. N.A. Taatgen, +31 50  
3636435 or email n.a.taatgen at rug.nl).

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Niels Taatgen - Professor
University of Groningen, Artificial Intelligence
web: http://www.ai.rug.nl/~niels     email: niels at ai.rug.nl
Telephone: +31 50 3636435
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