2 PhD and 3 post-doc positions, Barcelona, ERC Grant on reference with neural networks

* Job openings: 2 PhD student and 3 post-doc positions on
computational approaches to reference with memory-enhanced neural
networks *
Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain
Updates about this job: http://tinyurl.com/jobs-amore
Applications are welcome for 2 PhD student and 3 post-doc positions on
computational approaches to reference with memory-enhanced neural
networks. The positions are for at most 4 years, and will be funded by
a 5-year European Research Council Starting Grant awarded to the
project AMORE: A distributional MOdel of Reference to Entities
(gboleda.utcompling.com/research-1/projects/amore).
PROFILES
We seek outstanding researchers with a genuine interest in how human
language, communication, and cognition work, with any of the following
backgrounds: Machine learning, specifically deep learning (of special
interest are recurrent models and models with dynamic trainable
memories); Computer Vision and the integration of Language and Vision;
Computational semantics, formal semantics, and computational
approaches to discourse (particularly on topics related to reference,
including DRT or similar frameworks, coreference and anaphora,
conceptual aspects of meaning, and distributional semantics).
Advanced programming and mathematical skills are required for 2 of the
3 post-doc positions, at least basic skills for the other
one. Experience and interest in dataset construction, especially via
crowdsourcing, is a plus. For PhD positions, experience on specific
project topics is not required. All researchers are expected to have
excellent analysis and abstraction skills, and an interest in working
in an interdisciplinary environment.
If you think that your background is relevant to the research program
of the project (see gboleda.utcompling.com/research-1/projects/amore)
and you have good programming and quantitative skills, please do get
in touch even if you do not fit the profiles above.
RESEARCH ENVIRONMENT
Universitat Pompeu Fabra is a small, research-oriented, highly
international institution (www.upf.edu), placed 15th worldwide in
Times Higher Education ranking "150 under 50".
The project will be carried out at the Department of Translation and
Language Sciences in the Communication Campus of UPF
(www.upf.edu/campus/en/comunicacio), rich in researchers working on
Linguistics, Computer Science, and Cognitive Science, and specifically
on Computational Linguistics / Natural Language Processing. The AMORE
team will strengthen the already strong profile of the university in
these areas.
Barcelona is a unique city, with a Mediterranean and cosmopolitan
culture, and very livable (www.upf.edu/barcelona/en).
DATES AND APPLICATION
PhD positions start October 2017; earlier starting date possible, as a
research assistant. Post-doc positions available starting February 1st
2017, and open until filled. Applications received by December 15 2016
will receive full consideration.
Applications including a letter of motivation (at most 1 page)
explaining why you are interested in this position and how your
profile fits the project, CV, and the names and e-mail addresses of
two referees should be sent as a single PDF file to Gemma Boleda
(gemma DOT boleda AT upf DOT edu). We aim at building a diverse team;
all applications are welcome, especially those of female researchers
and members of other underrepresented collectives.