Connectionists: PostDoc position at HU Berlin in (Self)-Aware Robots for Tool Invention

[Verena V. Hafner]

Dear colleagues,

the Adaptive Systems Group at Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin is looking for a highly motivated PostDoctoral Research Fellow (Computer Science/Robotics/AI/ML) within the EU project METATOOL.

For more details about the position and the application procedure please check the description below.

Best wishes,
Verena Hafner

-- 
Prof. Dr. Verena V Hafner (she/her)
Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany
http://adapt.informatik.hu-berlin.de/



Postdoctoral Research Fellow 
(monthly salary equivalent to E13 TV-L HU, third party funding, ad interim until 2024-12-31, prolongation might be possible)

The EU project METATOOL aims to provide a computational model of synthetic awareness to enhance adaptation and achieve tool invention. This will enable a robot to monitor and self-evaluate its performance, ground and reuse this information for adapting to new circumstances, and finally unlock the possibility of creating new tools. Under the predictive account of awareness, and based on both neuroscientific and archeological evidence, we will develop a novel computational model of metacognition based on predictive processing (metaprediction) and validate its utility in real robots in two use case scenarios: conditional sequential tasks and tool creation. At Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, we will develop and investigate computational models for tool-use and tool invention based on predictive processing paradigms. The models will be evaluated and implemented in robots interacting with tools in a real physical environment.

Job Description:

Participation in the EU project METATOOL (A metapredictive model of synthetic awareness for enabling tool invention) 

Requirements: 
- completed PhD in Computer Science or related fields (Computational Neuroscience, Cognitive Sciences, Robotics, AI, Machine Learning). 
- prior knowledge in computational modelling / machine learning / developmental robotics 
- scientific track record 
- in-depth programming skills in Python 
- very good scientific writing and presentation skills 
- very good command of English (spoken and written) 
- ability to work in a team, communication and organisational skills
- strong interest in developmental robotics and interdisciplinary research

Please send your application (with cover letter, curriculum vitae, relevant certificates and contact details of two references), quoting the reference number DR/135/22, to: Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Institute for Computer Science, Prof. Dr. Verena Hafner, Unter den Linden 6, 10099 Berlin, Germany or preferably by e-mail in a single PDF file to hafner at informatik.hu-berlin.de.

HU Berlin seeks to increase the proportion of women in research and teaching, and specifically encourages qualified female researchers to apply. 

Applications are considered until November 24, 2022.

Please visit our website (https://adapt.informatik.hu-berlin.de/news/news.html) for more information about the position and www.hu-berlin.de/stellenangebote for the legally binding German version.