Postdoc position Cognitive Systems in Interaction (1,0 fte, 2.5 years)

Vacancy number 209395

The Postdoc position is available in the Multi-agent Systems Group in the Institute of Artificial Intelligence (ALICE) at the University of Groningen. The candidate will join the five-year Vici project of prof.dr. Rineke Verbrugge, comprising six researchers.

The Vici project ‘Cognitive systems in interaction: Logical and computational models of higher-order social cognition’

Software agents are capable of recursion in their social reasoning: A thinks about what B knows, about what B thinks that A knows, and so on. However, humans lose track of such reasoning after only two or three levels. If software agents work together with human team-mates, they need to take into account the limits of their social cognition.

In the Vici project, we investigate children's development and adults' limitations in applying higher-order reasoning, using a close-knit combination of empirical research and formal modeling. Whereas first-order social cognition has been intensely investigated, higher-order social cognition is far less well-understood. This Vici project aims to apply improved understanding of higher-order social reasoning to design realistic logics, ready for implementation in systems supporting mixed human-computer teams.

The Postdoc project: Why is it so hard to apply higher-order social cognition?

Adults apply first-order social cognition (“Mary doesn’t know that I ate the chocolate”) seemingly without effort. In contrast,they find it hard to apply second-order social cognition (“Mary knows that I know that she ate the chocolate”), and even harder to apply third- and higher-order social cognition. In this Postdoc project, we investigate what causes this phenomenon. What are the bottlenecks in moving from level 1 to level 2 and from level 2 to level 3?

The Postdoc combines behavioral experiments and computational cognitive modelling in ACT-R to investigate the bottlenecks in moving from first-order social cognition tohigher orders. On the basis of the theory and the modeling results, new ideas for experiments are developed so as to test predictions. Experiments with a dual task help to investigate the role of goal-related memory in socialcognition. Finally, the Postdoc constructs an integrated computationalcognitive model of adults learning to apply higher-order social cognition.

Requirements and duties

We seek an energetic Postdoc candidate, to carry out this fundamental research project at the forefront of the interdisciplinary combination of cognitive science, logic, and artificial intelligence. The candidate has a Ph.D. degree in cognitive science, artificial intelligence, psychology or logic, with a strong interest and proven skills in computational cognitive modeling. Good analytical skills and a positive attitude towards interdisciplinary work are required. Objective of the temporary 2.5 years position is the production of a number of research articles in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Teaching duties of 10% of the time are foreseen, for example, supervision of master’s theses.

Additional conditions of employment

The University of Groningen offers a salary between € 2.379,- and €3.755,- gross per month. The Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Engineering (ALICE) at the University of Groningen provides a stimulating research environment, with good facilities and high quality training and teaching.

Additional information

For more information you may contact prof.dr.Rineke Verbrugge, L.C.Verbrugge@rug.nl

Additional information about the Multi-agent Systems Group can be obtained through the following link: http://www.ai.rug.nl/alice/mas/MAS/

Application

Letters in English language, including a personal motivation, curriculum vitae, and the names and addresses of three referees (including telephone number and email address) must be sent before January 15th, 2010 to: vmp@rug.nl . Please, also send an electronic copy of your application to: L.C.Verbrugge@rug.nl