Lecturer or Reader in Computational Cognitive Science

Closing date: 12/01/2023, 5pm

The Opportunity:

Applications are invited for a Lecturer/Reader position (comparable to Assistant/Associate Professor) in Computational Cognitive Science in the School of Informatics at the University of Edinburgh, as part of an expansion in cognition, neuroscience, and AI.

The successful candidate will have (or be near to completing) a PhD in a relevant area, an established research agenda and the enthusiasm and ability to undertake original research, to lead a research group, and to engage with teaching and academic supervision. We are seeking current and future leaders in the field.

In the case of exceptional applicants, appointments may be available as a Reader (Grade UE09). Job descriptions for each level are outlined below. The level of appointment would be determined by the selection panel following interview in Edinburgh in early 2023.

All applications must contain the following supporting documents:

• Teaching statement (1-2 pages)
• Research statement (2-3 pages)
• Full CV and publication list, which should identify the applicant’s 3 most relevant/representative publications

Please note that two references will be sought for all shortlisted candidates. Please indicate on your application form if you are happy for your referees to be contacted.

Feedback will only be provided to interviewed candidates.

Further Information

We seek candidates with inter-disciplinary research interests, who seek to answer questions about cognition using computational methods, and have an interest in advancing the state of the art in AI by understanding how humans excel in domains that remain challenging for computers.

The candidate's research programme should complement the School's contributions in computational neuroscience, cognitive science, robotics, and artificial intelligence. There are ample opportunities to collaborate with researchers in foundational sciences such as systems neuroscience and cognitive psychology.

The candidate's research focus might involve, for example:

• Judgment, decision-making, and planning

• learning and memory

• cognitive or neural development

• motor control
• comparative cognition

• social cognition
• vision and perception

Candidates should demonstrate a strong technical and empirical track record and should be able to teach undergraduate and master’s level courses in cognitive science. Ideally, they will also be able to teach courses in AI and machine learning.

Your skills and attributes for success:

UE08 Lecturer:

• PhD or equivalent (such as extensive industry experience), and experience as an established academic in Computational Cognitive Science or a related field

Candidates who are close to completing their PhD (ie. thesis submission is imminent), and who otherwise meet the selection criteria, will be considered.

• Ability to undertake original research, including leading a research group.
• Ability to attract research funding as an independent researcher.
• A track record of first author and/or collaborative publications in high quality journals and international conferences.
• Strong relevant research and teaching skills.

The ability to engage with a range of teaching mediums including online and distance learning.

UE09 Reader*: as above and including:

• Proven ability to provide leadership for activities in delivering the School’s objectives.
• Extensive experience in research, postgraduate supervision and teaching.
• Proven ability to foster and embed a strong student-focused culture.

.*PhD must be completed for a Reader appointment.

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