The Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn is an international research university that offers a wide range of degree programs. With 200 years of history, about 38,000 students, over 6.000 employees, and an excellent domestic and international reputation, Bonn University is among Germany’s leading universities.
The University of Cambridge in the UK is one of the world’s oldest and most successful Universities, with an outstanding reputation for academic achievement and research. Based at Cambridge, with partners in the University of Oxford, Imperial College, and UC Berkeley, the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence is an interdisciplinary research centre addressing the challenges and opportunities posed by artificial intelligence.
Starting on 01.06.2019 and preliminarily limited to a fixed contract until 31.05.2024, the Center for Science and Thought (CST, Bonn) and the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence (CFI, Cambridge) is seeking a
Postdoc Research Associate (100%)
The extraordinary problem-solving capacity of modern computers combined with our increasingly detailed understanding of animal cognition raises fundamental questions about the nature of intelligence itself. By integrating the study of machines, humans and other animals, and drawing on a range of disciplines, from psychology to (neuro-)biology to computer science, the Kinds of Intelligence Programme aims to develop a critical approach to defining the notions of thought and intelligence.
The position will be based for the first 2 and a half years in Cambridge, with regular travel to Bonn, and then for the second 2 and a half years in Bonn, with regular travel to Cambridge.
Your responsibilities:
- Independent research and participation in group research projects at the intersection of philosophy, cognitive science and artificial intelligence,
- Production of high-quality publications in the relevant fields,
- Support of research, teaching and administration at CFI and CST,
- While at Bonn, four hours of teaching per week per semester (4 SWS),
- Organisation of conferences and workshops,
- Regular travel between Bonn, Cambridge and other research institutions.
Your qualifications:
- A PhD in Philosophy or the Cognitive Sciences, or a PhD with a substantial element of these fields,
- Area of expertise: philosophy of mind, philosophy of cognitive science,
- At least one of the following areas of competence: artificial intelligence, machine
learning, data science, neural networks, epistemology, metaphysics/ontology, philosophy of science, psychology, - Native speaker or near-native command of the English language,
- Motivated, flexible, team-oriented and interested in continued professional development.
We offer:
- A varied and challenging position with one of the biggest employers in the areas in an international, interdisciplinary research environment,
- Opportunity to pursue a Habilitation,
- Participation in the university-wide pension system (VBL),
- Access to the extensive university sports programme,
- An excellent transport infrastructure with subsidised travel for university employees,
- A salary based on the German 13 TV-L scale.
The University of Bonn is committed to diversity and equal opportunity. It is certified as a family-friendly university. It aims to increase the proportion of women in areas where women are under-represented and to promote their careers in particular. It therefore urges women with relevant qualifications to apply. Applications will be handled in accordance with the Landesgleichstellungsgesetz (State Equality Act). Applications from suitable individuals with a certified serious disability and those of equal status are particularly welcome.
The University of Cambridge is committed in its pursuit of academic excellence to equality of opportunity and to a pro-active and inclusive approach to equality, which supports and encourages all under-represented groups, promotes an inclusive culture, and values diversity. The full statement of the University’s Equal Opportunities Policy and Codes of Practice can be found at:
www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/personnel/policy/equal.html
The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
If you are interested in filling this position, please send your complete application documents (1. letter of intent, 2. CV including a full publication list, 3. research proposal for a project within the Kinds of Intelligence
Programme, 4. a writing sample of min. 7.000 words) by 10.04.2019, 23:59h to cst@uni-bonn.de with the application code 08/19/3.202. Before sending your application, please combine and convert all of your documents into a single PDF file. For further information please contact Jan Voosholz (Tel.: +49 228/73-62042; voosholz@uni-bonn.de).