Connectionists: PhD & Postdoc positions

[Angela Yu]

Prof. Angela Yu <https://www.psychologie.tu-darmstadt.de/intelligent-systems/yu_lab/index.en.jsp> recently moved from UCSD to TU Darmstadt <https://www.tu-darmstadt.de/index.en.jsp> as the Alexander von Humboldt AI Professor <https://www.tu-darmstadt.de/cogsci/ccs_news/archiv/detailseite_news_archiv_243328.en.jsp>, and has a number of PhD and postdoc positions available in her growing “Computational Modeling of Intelligent Systems <https://www.psychologie.tu-darmstadt.de/intelligent-systems/yu_lab/index.en.jsp>” research group. Applications are solicited from highly motivated and qualified candidates, who are interested in interdisciplinary research at the intersection of natural and artificial intelligence. 

Prof. Yu’s group uses mathematically rigorous and algorithmically diverse tools to understand the nature of representation and computations that give rise to intelligent behavior. There is a fair amount of flexibility in the actual choice of project, as long as the project excites both the candidate and Prof. Yu. For example, Prof. Yu is currently interested in investigating scientific questions such as: 
How is socio-emotional intelligence similar or different from cognitive intelligence? Is there a fundamental tradeoff, given the prevalence of autism among scientists and engineers? How can AI be taught socio-emotional intelligence?
How are artificial intelligence (e.g. as demonstrated by large language models) and natural intelligence (e.g. as measured by IQ tests) similar or different in their underlying representation or computations?
What roles do intrinsic motivations such as curiosity and computational efficiency play in intelligent systems?
How can insights about artificial intelligence improve the understanding and augmentation of human intelligence?
Are capacity limitations with respect to attention and working memory a feature or a bug in the brain? How can AI system be enhanced by attention or WM?

More broadly, Prof. Yu’s group employs and develops diverse machine learning and mathematical tools, e.g. Bayesian statistical modeling, control theory, reinforcement learning, artificial NN, and information theory, to explain various aspects of cognition important for intelligence: perception, attention, decision-making, learning, cognitive control, active sensing, economic behavior, and social interactions. Participants who have experience with two or more of the technical areas, and/or one or more of the application areas, are highly encouraged to apply. 

As part of the Centre for Cognitive Science at TU Darmstadt <https://www.tu-darmstadt.de/cogsci/ccs/members/members_ccs.en.jsp>, the Hessian AI Center <https://hessian.ai/about/#researchers>, as well as the Computer Science Department <https://www.informatik.tu-darmstadt.de/fb20/organisation_fb20/professuren_und_gruppenleitungen/index.en.jsp>, Prof. Yu’s group members are encouraged and expected to collaborate extensively with preeminent researchers in cognitive science and AI, both nearby and internationally.
All positions will be based at TU Darmstadt, Germany. Starting dates for the positions are flexible. Salaries are commensurate with experience and expertise, and highly competitive with respect to U.S. and European standards. The working language in the group and within the larger academic community is English. Fluency in German is not required; the university provides free German lessons for interested scientific staff.

A master’s degree in cognitive science, machine learning/AI, or a related field, is required for PhD applicants; those with only a bachelor’s degree should enquire about working with Prof. Yu as a master’s student and/or research assistant. Postdoc candidates should have a PhD in cognitive science, machine learning/AI, computational neuroscience, or a related field, as well as having conducted published research with mathematical rigor and broad impact in cognitive science and/or AI.
Interested candidates should send to Prof. Yu (angela at angelayu.org <mailto:angela at angelayu.org>) and her assistant Ms. Anita Schilz (anita.schilz at tu-darmstadt.de <mailto:anita.schilz at tu-darmstadt.de>) a CV, undergraduate and graduate transcripts, contact info for 2-4 references, as well as a statement of research detailing the candidates’ research interest and expertise, as well as an explanation why the candidate and Prof. Yu’s group are a particularly good fit for each other (references to prior published research appreciated). Please highlight in the email how the candidate has met the aforementioned requirements. The subject of the email should be “PhD/Postdoc application for computational modeling of intelligent systems.”

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Prof. Dr. Angela Yu
Alexander v. Humboldt AI Professor
Center of Cognitive Science &
Hessian AI Institute
Technical University of Darmstadt
Germany

Adjunct Professor
Dept. of Cognitive Science &
Halıcıoğlu Data Science Institute
UC San Diego
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