Job in Computational Modelling of Cognition

[hb5]

RESEARCH ASSOCIATE IN COMPUTATIONAL MODELLING OF COGNITION (R03/15)
Research IA scale : 20,311-27,339 pounds p.a.

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate post at
the University of Kent at Canterbury, UK, to work on an EPSRC funded
project entitled "Computational Modelling of Salience Sensitive
Control in Humans and Artificial Systems" (details of which can be
found on the following web-page,
http://www.cs.ukc.ac.uk/people/staff/hb5/attention.html).

The project is a collaboration with the Medical Research Council's
Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit in Cambridge. The objective of the
research is to construct computational models of the time course of
human attention.  This will particularly focus on simulating data
arising from ongoing empirical studies of the Attentional Blink and
the Psychological Refactory Period, which are being carried out at the
Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit. A diverse set of modelling
notations will be employed including neural networks, temporal logic
and process algebra. These models will not only increase our
understanding of human attention, they will also allow us to construct
computer interfaces that are more sensitive to the human user and to
develop robots that perform more effectively in dynamically changing
environments.

Applicants should have or should be in the process of finishing a PhD.
Due to the cross disciplinary nature of the research, a suitable
candidate could have studied in any of the following areas: Cognitive
Psychology, Cognitive Neuroscience, Artificial Intelligence, Computer
Science, Electronics, Physics, etc. Most importantly though we seek an
applicant who is open to cross-disciplinary influences.

The skills that will be employed in the research project are diverse,
and include,

- Connectionist modelling of cognitive processes.

- An understanding of the human perception and attention systems.

- Formal specification techniques, as employed in computer science,
such as process algebra and temporal logic.

- Expertise in robotics and human computer interaction.

Due to the diverse nature of this skill set, it is very unlikely that
we will find a single candidate that combines all these skills,
consequently a candidate with even a small subset of these skills is
still encouraged to apply.

The post is available from 1 June 2003 for a period of 3 years.

Further particulars and an Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form can be
downloaded here:

http://www.ukc.ac.uk/registry/personnel/vacancies/research.html#r0315

Alternatively you can telephone the Personnel Office for further
particulars and application details on +44-(0)1227 827837 (24 hours)
or e-mail: personnel at ukc.ac.uk quoting Ref. No.R03/15. Text phone
users please telephone +44-(0)1227 824145.

Informal enquires can be directed to Dr Howard Bowman
(H.Bowman at ukc.ac.uk).

Further details about the Computer Science Department can be found at
http://www.cs.ukc.ac.uk/

Closing date for applications: 12 noon Friday 14 March 2003