29.774, Support: Computational Linguistics: PhD, Utrecht University

[The LINGUIST List]

LINGUIST List: Vol-29-774. Fri Feb 16 2018. ISSN: 1069 - 4875.

Subject: 29.774, Support: Computational Linguistics: PhD, Utrecht University

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Date: Fri, 16 Feb 2018 14:01:20
From: Maaike Schoorlemmer [m.schoorlemmer at uu.nl]
Subject: Computational Linguistics: PhD, Utrecht University, Netherlands

 Institution/Organization: Utrecht University 
Department: LLC/UiL OTS 

Level: PhD 

Duties: Research,Project Work
 
Specialty Areas: Computational Linguistics 
 

Description:

The Utrecht Institute of Linguistics (UiL OTS) invites applications for a PhD
position in computational semantics in the research program ‘Forests and
Trees: the Formal Semantics of Collective Categorization’, a five-year
research program funded by an ERC Advanced Grant from, led by PI Yoad Winter.
The project aims to investigate the mechanisms underlying our linguistic
ability to conceptualize collections, as exemplified by the sentence “the
Rockies are near” which categorizes a collection of mountains by estimating
distance from the nearest mountain in the Rockies. Collective categorization
forms an important probe into the connections between grammar and the mind,
and is crucial for artificial intelligence. For instance, a command to a
domestic robot such as “take those books out of their packages and arrange
them alphabetically on the shelf” requires the robot to act on individual
books while understanding internal relations within the collection. Spatial
collective categorization is also important for natural language interfaces of
Geographic Information Systems.

The research program takes an interdisciplinary approach and makes use of
insights from linguistics and psychology, and methods from computational
linguistics/natural language processing. The program consists of three work
packages: in psycholinguistics, formal semantics and computational
linguistics. This opening concerns a PhD position in the computational work
package, to be carried out with the collaboration of Tejaswini Deoskar
(ILLC/UvA and UU) and Joost Zwarts (UU).

This project makes use of large language corpora and modern machine learning
methods in order to analyse spatially-based concepts expressed in language
(“the Rockies are far”, “the books are inside the box”, “the soldiers are
surrounded”). The project’s methodology involves an interaction between
data-driven machine learning and semantic parsing, as well as principles in
formal semantics for analysing spatially-based collective categorization. The
PhD candidate will have the opportunity to study the above topic based on
their own expertise and research ideas, while keeping to the broad goals of
the project. The project offers collaboration with a broader team of NLP
researchers (Khalil Sima’an, Jelle Zuidema, James Hampton).

Requirements:
Applicants should hold, or be about to complete, an excellent Master's degree
in computational linguistics, computational psycholinguistics, artificial
intelligence, computer science, or a related field. Candidates should have a
strong background in artificial intelligence, machine-learning and computer
science as well as an interest in formal semantics. Candidates with an
interdisciplinary background are particularly encouraged to apply. Good
programming skills, proficiency in spoken and written English, as well as a
keen interest in problem solving and research are essential.

Tasks for the PhD candidate include:
- completion and defence of a PhD thesis within four years. 
- regular presentation of intermediate research results at workshops and
conferences.
- publication of at least two peer-reviewed articles in established
international journals or conference proceedings.
- help with organizational tasks connected to the project, such as the
organization of conferences and workshops.
- participation in all training programmes and expert meetings scheduled for
the project.
- participation in selected training programmes scheduled for the Research
Institute, Graduate School and the National Research School. 
For further details about the program, the research environment and conditions
as well as the requirements on candidates and applications please check the
application website.
 

Application Deadline: 15-Mar-2018 

Web Address for Applications: https://www.uu.nl/en/organisation/working-at-utrecht-university/jobs 

Contact Information: 
	Dr Maaike Schoorlemmer 
	m.schoorlemmer at uu.nl  


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