23.2599, Support: Computational Linguistics: PhD Student, University of Amsterdam

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LINGUIST List: Vol-23-2599. Mon Jun 04 2012. ISSN: 1069 - 4875.

Subject: 23.2599, Support: Computational Linguistics: PhD Student, University of Amsterdam

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Date: Mon, 04 Jun 2012 15:22:03
From: Willem Zuidema [w.h.zuidema at uva.nl]
Subject: Computational Linguistics: PhD Student, University of Amsterdam

E-mail this message to a friend:
http://linguistlist.org/issues/emailmessage/verification.cfm?iss=23-2599.html&submissionid=4547643&topicid=12&msgnumber=1
 Institution/Organization: University of Amsterdam 
Department: Institute for Logic, Language & Computation 
Web Address: http://www.illc.uva.nl/ 

Level: PhD 

Duties: Research
 
Specialty Areas: Computational Linguistics 
[Other] 

Description:

PhD Position on Modelling Artificial Language Learning

We offer

A fully-funded PhD position for four years, at the Institute for Logic, Language and 
Computation of the University of Amsterdam, under supervision of dr. Willem 
Zuidema.

Tasks

You will be one of three PhD students in a multidisciplinary team consisting of 
biologists, linguists and computer modellers. In the project, we investigate which 
aspects of the cognitive abilities of humans underlying language are unique among 
animals. We adopt the artificial language learning paradigm and study both 
experimentally and theoretically similarities and differences in the pattern 
recognition and learning abilities of human infants, human adults and non-human 
animals, in particular songbirds (zebra finches). Together, the three PhD-projects 
will test how factors such as perceptual biases, computational constraints, 
memory limitations, etc. influence successful learning.

In this specific PhD-project you will develop computational and mathematical 
models of artificial language learning, and try to account for the experimental data 
obtained by psychologists, linguists and biologists. Much of the data you will work 
with will come from the two other PhD-projects -- involving experiments with 
zebrafinches and human infants -- that run parallel to yours. From the start you will 
also be involved in helping to design these experiments, and in analysing the data. 
Further tasks include writing articles on your findings and helping to organise an 
international conference on the topic. The project should lead to a dissertation 
(PhD thesis) to be defended at the University of Amsterdam.

Requirements

The candidate should have a degree in computational linguistics, artificial 
intelligence, cognitive science, computer science, mathematical psychology or 
equivalent, and strong computational skills combined with a real interest in 
experimental data. You should preferably have experience in computational 
modelling of cognitive processes and/or Bayesian data modelling. You must be 
proficient in spoken and written English, have good communication skills and a 
strong interest in a scientific career. 

Application Deadline: 17-Jun-2012 

Web Address for Applications: http://www.illc.uva.nl/LaCo/segmentsrules/ 

Contact Information: 
	Willem Zuidema 
	w.h.zuidema at uva.nl  





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