Connectionists: 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.braun at uni-ulm.de 
<mailto:daniel.braun at uni-ulm.de> .


Prof. Dr. Dr. Daniel Alexander Braun
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 <tel:%2B49%20%280%29731%2050%20-%2024158>
fax: +49 (0)731 50 - 24156 <tel:%2B49%20%280%29731%2050%20-%2024156>
email: daniel.braun at uni-ulm.de <mailto:daniel.braun at uni-ulm.de>

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