[ACT-R-users] Two PhD positions in Groningen

[Hedderik van Rijn]

Two PhD positions in Groningen:

* Cognitive models as believable game opponents (advertised earlier,  
but please note the chance of deadline!)

* The Role of Attention and Memory in Temporal Performance

Please see below for the extended descriptions.



4-year PhD position in Experimental Psychology/Cognitive Modeling -  
University of Groningen

The Role of Attention and Memory in Temporal Performance

Although no specific sense has been identified that registers time,  
humans, as most animals, have a very accurate system that governs the  
perception of time. However, attention strongly influences time  
perception such that if attention is diverted from the temporal task  
during the production of a previously learned interval, estimates of  
that temporal interval are significantly lengthened and  more  
variable. This phenomenon is often used in applied settings to assess  
mental workload: If estimated times during work become longer and more  
variable, it is assumed that mental workload is increased.

The goal of this project is to explain these findings in terms of the  
theory of temporal cognition proposed in Taatgen, Van Rijn & Anderson  
(2007), Van Rijn & Taatgen (2008), and Meijering & Van Rijn (2009).  
According to this theory, attention or mental workload does not  
influence time perception itself, but rather affects the more general  
aspects of cognitive performance.

The project will consist of experimental work with human subjects to  
gain insight in the role of attention and memory processes in temporal  
cognition, using behavioral studies (e.g., eye-tracking studies), ERP  
and/or TMS studies, and possibly cognitive modeling using the ACT-R  
cognitive architecture. Earlier work on time perception will serve as  
a starting point of the project.

Environment

The project will be supervised by dr. Hedderik van Rijn (http://www.van-rijn.org/ 
) and prof. dr. Addie Johnson, and will be carried out in the Human  
Performance & Ergonomics group of the Department of Psychology of the  
University of Groningen. The HP&E group is an internationally oriented  
research group with multiple researchers working on topics related to  
attention, memory and task performance. Close collaboration is  
expected with the Cognitive Modeling group (http://research.ai.rug.nl/index.php/cogmod 
) of the Artificial Intelligence department. A monthly stipend will be  
provided of approximately 1400 Euro. The four-year Ph.D project will  
be carried out within the Graduate School of the Faculty of  
Behavioural and Social Sciences and research school  of Behavioural  
and Cognitive Neuroscience. Assistance with residence permits in the  
Netherlands for non-EU citizens will be provided by the university.

Requirements

We are looking for a non-Dutch candidate with a degree in Cognitive  
Science, Experimental/Cognitive (Neuro)Psychology or Artificial  
Intelligence, with a keen interest in model-based explanations of  
human cognitive performance. Candidates should have experience with at  
least two of the following domains: analyzing complex data,  
programming, or ERPs. In addition, it is advantageous to have  
experience with cognitive modeling. The candidate must be able to  
start no later than 15 December, 2009.

Applications

Send your application, together with a curriculum vitae and the names  
of two references as (preferably PDF) attachment by e-mail to d.h.van.rijn at rug.nl

Deadline for applications is October 4th. On October 4th, the received  
applications will be examined, but applications arriving after that  
date may still be considered, until a suitable candidate has been  
found. We are aiming for a quick selection process.

Information about the scholarship, work content etc. can be obtained  
by writing to dr. D. H. van Rijn, +31 50  363 6290 or email d.h.van.rijn at rug.nl 
.


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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 .a.taatgen at rug.nl 
   On October 4th, 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).