PhD position Computational cognitive modeling of language processing strategies (1.0 FTE)
Apply nowPhD position Computational cognitive modeling of language processing strategies (1.0 FTE)
The Center for Language and Cognition Groningen (CLCG) at the Faculty of Arts of the University of Groningen (The Netherlands) invites applications for a fully-funded four-year interfaculty PhD position (1.0 FTE) in the field of cognitive science, (computational) psycholinguistics and artificial intelligence. The PhD candidate will work on the project “Computational cognitive modeling of language processing strategies”. This PhD project is part of the NWO project “Unraveling Language Learning in Autism” and is jointly supervised by Prof. Petra Hendriks (Linguistics) and Dr Jacolien van Rij (Artificial Intelligence).
PhD position Computational cognitive modeling of language processing strategies (1.0 FTE)
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What are you going to do?
In the PhD project, you will develop and use computational models to investigate how autistic children learn and process referring expressions. Autistic individuals may arrive at the same interpretation as neurotypical individuals, but via different processing paths. One way to elucidate these different processing paths and the issue of whether they yield viable compensatory strategies for autistic individuals is to computationally simulate learning and processing strategies. Certain strategies may be suboptimal under the time constraints and cognitive demands of everyday conversation. This is especially relevant for autistic individuals, who often need more time for processing.
The computational simulations will be implemented within the domain-general cognitive architecture PRIMs (e.g., Toth, Hendriks, Taatgen, & van Rij, 2022), which is both a theory of cognition and an implementation framework. It includes widely accepted assumptions about human perception, memory, cognitive processing, and learning.
Toth, A. G., Hendriks, P., Taatgen, N. A., & van Rij, J. (2022). A cognitive modeling approach to learning and using reference biases in language. Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence, 5, 933504.
As a PhD student, you will carry out the following tasks:
- Carry out academic research in cognitive science, (computational) psycholinguistics and artificial intelligence as specified in the project description.
- Engage in regular meetings with the supervisors to discuss the progress of the PhD project.
- Write four publishable articles/chapters, with supervisory guidance.
- Complete the PhD dissertation in the specified timeframe (4 years).
- Present research findings at national and international conferences, workshops and seminars.
- Collaborate with project members in the NWO project “Unraveling Language Learning in Autism”.
- Participate in the activities of the relevant research groups (e.g., the Semantics and Cognition group and the Cognitive Modeling group) at the University of Groningen.
- Teach in one of the relevant programmes at the Faculty of Arts.
- Move to Groningen or its immediate vicinity.
Who are you?
For this PhD project, we are looking for someone who has:
- A Research Master’s or Master’s degree in cognitive science, (computational) psycholinguistics, or artificial intelligence.
- Demonstrable experience in programming, e.g. in Python.
- Preferably experience with cognitive architectures and some background in linguistics.
- Interest in interdisciplinary research, and motivation to work as part of a team of researchers from different fields.
- A clear motivation for pursuing PhD research.
- Excellent academic writing skills in English.
What can you expect from us?
- In accordance with the collective labor agreement for Dutch universities, we offer a salary of at least € 3.059 (Promovendus) up to a maximum of € 3.881 (Promovendus) gross per month for a full-time employment contract.
- 232 vacation hours per year, based on a 38-hour workweek (1.0 FTE). You can also work more or fewer hours in exchange for more or fewer free hours. For example, with a 40-hour workweek, you save 96 extra free hours, and with a 36-hour workweek, you lose 96 hours.
- End-of-year bonus of 8.3% and 8% holiday allowance.
- Extensive opportunities for personal and professional development.
- Contract duration: A temporary 1.0 FTE appointment for a specified period of four years. The candidate will first be appointed for twelve months. After 11 months, an assessment will take place of the candidate’s results and the progress of the PhD project, in order to decide whether employment will be continued.
Where will you be working?
At the University of Groningen (RUG), researchers across all branches of science and technology work on scientific challenges and societal issues. Lecturers train their students for meaningful careers in science or beyond. Interdisciplinary research and education, knowledge sharing, and collaboration with companies, government institutions, and societal organizations are highly valued at this top 100 university. RUG aims to be an open academic community with an inclusive and safe working environment that invites you to contribute your value.
The Faculty of Arts is a large and dynamic faculty located in the heart of the city of Groningen. More than 5,500 students and 900 staff work every day at the frontiers of knowledge. The Faculty offers a diverse range of academic programmes, with 16 Bachelor’s programmes and over 40 Master’s programmes. With its strong international orientation, the Faculty conducts research in fields including archaeology, cultural studies, history, international relations, journalism, literature, and linguistics. If you would like to learn more about the Faculty of Arts, visit rug.nl/let.
The Center for Language and Cognition Groningen (CLCG) is a research institute within the Faculty of Arts of the University of Groningen. It is the institutional home for all the linguistic research carried out within the faculty.
CLCG is also affiliated with various research schools. These are Dutch organizations which seek to coordinate scientific activity on a supra-faculty or even national, level.
Application procedure
After submitting your application, you will receive a confirmation by email.
The selection committee assesses your application and you will receive a response at the latest two weeks after the closing date.
We would like to get to know each other better in a first interview, which can take place either online or on location.
We may schedule a second interview with you. Depending on the position, this interview can be complemented with an assessment or guest lecture.
After a positive interview, we will discuss the terms of employment together. When everything is completed, we are happy to welcome you at the University of Groningen!
Interested?
Does this sound like a challenge that suits you? Then apply immediately!
Do you meet our qualification criteria? If yes, you’re requested to upload the following documents:
Applications should be made in English and contain the following materials:
- Curriculum vitae.
- Letter of motivation.
- A document (1- 2 A4) with ideas about the project.
- Contact details of two academic referees.
- Copies of (Re)Master’s diploma and list of grades.
- An English language certificate (in case your Master’s degree is not in English).
- In case you haven’t graduated yet, a letter from you Master’s thesis supervisor stating the expected date of graduation.
Please send in your application as two PDF files (one for the (Re)MA thesis, and one for all other documents).
Interviews with selected candidates will be held in the second half of January 2026. The selected candidate is expected to start in May 2026 or soon after. We allow 3 months from selection in case of visa applications.
Do you have any questions or need more information?
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Questions about the content of the job?
Petra Hendriks
Full Professor
P.Hendriks@rug.nl -
Questions about your application process?
Marjolein Talsma
Management/Office-assistant
m.w.talsma@rug.nl
Information about applying
When scheduling meetings, we will take your schedule into account as much as possible.
The University of Groningen considers social safety important. We strive to be a university where staff and students feel respected and at home, regardless of differences in background, experiences, perspectives, and identity. For more information, see also our page about our diversity policy.
Acquisition is not appreciated.
Our selection procedure follows the guidelines of the NVP application code
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