[visionlist] PhD & Postdoc Positions in Cognitive Science & AI

[Angela Yu]

Prof. Angela Yu's "Computational Modeling of Intelligent Systems" Group, TU Darmstadt

After 14 years as faculty at the University of California San Diego, Prof. Angela Yu joined TU Darmstadt as an Alexander von Humboldt AI Professor in 2023. Multiple PhD and postdoctoral positions are immediately available in her research group.

Research Focus

Prof. Yu's group investigates the intersection of natural and artificial intelligence using mathematically rigorous approaches to understand the representations and computations underlying intelligent behavior. The research particularly addresses challenges of inferential uncertainty and opportunities of volitional control. The group employs diverse methodological tools including Bayesian statistical modeling, control theory, reinforcement learning, and information theory to develop theoretical frameworks explaining key aspects of cognition: perception, attention, decision-making, learning, cognitive control, active sensing, economic behavior, and social interactions.

Current Research Questions

How is socio-emotional intelligence similar or different from cognitive intelligence? 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 representational 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 features or bugs in the brain? How can AI systems be enhanced by attention or WM?
How does the brain achieve computational efficiency and efficacy with little labeled data and energetic needs?

Academic Environment

Prof. Yu brings extensive expertise in computational neuroscience and cognitive science, with substantial experience in computational modeling and cross-disciplinary collaborations. Her research enhances the Centre for Cognitive Science at TU Darmstadt and hessian.AI (the Centre for Artificial Intelligence of Hesse). Group members will have opportunities to collaborate with leading researchers across cognitive science, AI, neuroscience, and related fields not only in Darmstadt but also in nearby research hubs (Frankfurt, Mainz, Marburg, Gießen, Heidelberg, Tübingen).

Position Details

Start date: flexible (immediately available)
Compensation: Highly competitive with U.S. and European standards, based on experience and expertise
Language requirements: English fluency required; German proficiency not necessary
Location: Darmstadt, an international city with a diverse academic community
Application Process

Interested candidates should email the following to Prof. Yu (angela at angelayu.org) and her secretary (Ms. Anita Schilz (anita.schilz at tu-darmstadt.de)
CV
Undergraduate and master's transcripts (unofficial versions acceptable)
Contact information for 2-4 references
Research statement explaining specifically why you and Prof. Yu's research group would be a good mutual fit


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prof. Dr. Angela Yu
Alexander v. Humboldt AI Professor
Centre of Cognitive Science &
Dept. of Computer Science
Technical University of Darmstadt
Hessian Center for AI (Hessian.ai)
https://www.psychologie.tu-darmstadt.de/intelligent-systems 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://visionscience.com/pipermail/visionlist_visionscience.com/attachments/20250410/df41c89f/attachment.html>