As a postdoctoral researcher, you will work on the NWO InDeep project on the interpretability of deep learning in the context of speech recognition models. The work will take place at Radboud University and Tilburg University, and may involve collaboration with industrial partners. Your main task will be to compile a scientific framework based on psycholinguistic/computational models of speech recognition and use this framework to interpret deep learning models, for example, by investigating if the units identified can help assess and improve automated speech recognition.

More generally, your research aims to further strengthen the relation between speech research and the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI), and supports understanding of how humanities knowledge can play a role in AI, by investigating, for example, algorithmic biases and algorithmic predictions contradicting human logic. In addition, you will assist in the coordination of the InDeep consortium.

• PhD in computer science, computational linguistics, machine learning, speech and audio processing, or a related field. If you expect to obtain your degree before September 2021, you will also be eligible.
• Demonstrable knowledge of machine learning in general as well as practical experience of working with deep learning models and toolkits (e.g. Pytorch).
• Experience in NLP and/or speech processing.
• Good command of scripting languages (Python), Linux.
• Excellent knowledge of English and good academic writing skills.
• A competitive track record in academic publishing.
• Experience of working with Kaldi (is a plus).

Fixed-term contract: 10 months.

• Employment: 0.8 - 1.0 FTE.
• The gross monthly salary amounts to a minimum of € 3,746 and a maximum of € 5,127 based on a 38-hour working week, depending on previous education and number of years of relevant work experience (salary scale 11).
• In addition to the salary: an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• Duration of the contract: you will be employed for 10 months at Radboud University Nijmegen and, after a positive evaluation, at Tilburg University for 24 months.
• The intended start date is 1 September 2021.
• You will be able to use our Dual Career and Family Care Services. Our Dual Career and Family Care Officer can assist you with family-related support, help your partner or spouse prepare for the local labour market, provide customized support in their search for employment  and help your family settle in Nijmegen.

Additional employment conditions
Work and science require good employment practices. This is reflected in Radboud University's primary and secondary employment conditions. You can make arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home. You are also able to compose part of your employment conditions yourself, for example, exchange income for extra leave days and receive a reimbursement for your sports subscription. And of course, we offer a good pension plan. You are given plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes.

Radboud University

We want to get the best out of science, others and ourselves. Why? Because this is what the world around us desperately needs. Leading research and education make an indispensable contribution to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. This is what unites the more than 22,000 students and 5,000 employees at Radboud University. And this requires even more talent, collaboration and lifelong learning. You have a part to play!

Faculty of Arts

The Faculty of Arts consists of ten departments in the areas of Language and Culture, History, History of arts, Linguistics, and Communication and Information Studies, which together cater for about 2,400 students and collaborate closely in teaching and research. 
Research at the Faculty of Arts is embedded in two research institutes: the Institute for Historical, Literary and Cultural Studies (HLCS) and the Centre for Language Studies (CLS). You will be hosted at the Centre of Language and Speech Technology (CLST), which is part of CLS, and the Tilburg Centre for Cognition and Communication, which is part of Tilburg University's School of Humanities and Digital Sciences.

You will work in a team-driven environment. We like to collaborate, inform each other about achievements, challenges and drawbacks in our projects, and learn from each other as much as we can.