Phd Candidate: Computational Cognitive Science at

3 weken geleden


Nijmegen, Nederland Radboud Universiteit Voltijd

Employment
0.8 - 1.0 FTE
Gross monthly salary
€ 2,770 - € 3,539
Required background
Research University Degree
Organizational unit
Faculty of Social Sciences
Application deadline
22 May 2024

In this PhD project, titled ’Cognitive capacities and machines: Why do calculators exist, if AGI cannot?’, you will adopt various theoretical and meta-theoretical methodologies (including literature review, conceptual engineering and formal analysis) to study and characterise: 1. What are cognitive capacities? 2. What kinds of cognitive capacities, if any, can exist in sociotechnical artefacts and/or is there always a human in the loop? 3. And which epistemologies provide a way out of the conundrum of hyperempiricism, such that we can have a sound and coherent science of cognitive capacities?

We are living in a time of AI hype. Many believe that artificial general intelligence (AGI) is around the corner, and that we already have systems with genuinely human-like cognitive capacities (van Rooij, Guest, et al., 2023). However, exactly what cognitive capacities are is never formally or coherently pinned down, leaving AI vulnerable to hype. Using conceptual, formal, historical, and meta-theoretic analyses, this project aims to build a protective belt.

A small part of the position (0.1FTE) will involve contributions to education, for example in the form of thesis supervision and teaching assistantships for courses (such as AI as a Science, Theoretical Modelling for Cognitive Science).

**Other relevant work by the team**:
Guest, O. (2024). What makes a good theory, and how do we make a theory good? Computational Brain & Behavior.
Guest, O., & Martin, A. E. (2021). How computational modeling can force theory building in psychological science. Perspectives on Psychological Science. 16(4), 789-802.
Guest, O., & Martin, A. E. (2023). On logical inference over brains, behaviour, and artificial neural networks. Computational Brain & Behavior,6(2), 213-227.
van Rooij, I., Guest, O., Adolfi, F. G., de Haan, R., Kolokolova, A., & Rich, P. (2023). Reclaiming AI as a theoretical tool for cognitive science. PsyArXiv.
Blokpoel, M., & van Rooij, I. (2021). Theoretical modeling for cognitive science and psychology.
Blokpoel, M. (2018). Sculpting computational-level models. Topics in cognitive science, 10(3), 641-648.
Profile
You should have a Master’s degree in Cognitive Science, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Psychology, Philosophy, Sociotechnical Studies, or a similar field.
You have strong conceptual skills and an interdisciplinary mindset.
You have a passion for conceptual and formal theoretical research.
You are excited to develop computational thinking and to master the meta-theoretical skills needed for this research project.
You are committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), including the decolonisation of teaching and research.
We are

You will conduct your research at the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour. The Donders Institute is a world-class interfaculty research institute that houses more than 700 researchers devoted to understanding the mechanistic underpinnings of the human mind. Research at the Donders Institute is focused around four themes: 1. Language and communication, 2. Perception, action and control, 3. Plasticity and memory, 4. Neural computation and Neurotechnology. The Donders Institute has been assessed by an international evaluation committee as excellent and recognized as a ‘very stimulating environment for top researchers, as well as for young talent’. The Donders Institute fosters a collaborative, multidisciplinary and supportive research environment with a diverse international staff.

Specifically, you will be embedded in the Computational Cognitive Science group at the Cognitive Science and AI department of the Donders Centre for Cognition. In this group we aim at advancing the theoretical foundations of computational explanations in cognitive science (i.e. the multidisciplinary study of cognition). By taking a meta-theoretical and meta-science perspective we also contribute to critical reflection on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) techniques (computational modelling, in particular) in science and society. The Cognitive Science and AI department values diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and the Computational Cognitive Science group aims towards decolonising our research practices.

**Relevant websites**:
Radboud University

At Radboud University, we aim to make an impact through our work. We achieve this by conducting groundbreaking research, providing high-quality education, offering excellent support, and fostering collaborations within and outside the university. In doing so, we contribute indispensably to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. To accomplish this, we need even more colleagues who, based on their expertise, are willing to search for answers. We advocate for an inclusive community and welcome employees w



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