Modern intelligent systems are expected to make increasingly autonomous decisions to aid humans in complex situations, such as health care, the workplace, or education. Importantly, functional support in these settings may require systems to consider differences in experience and psychosocial needs of multiple stakeholders. Consequently, for Human-centered AI system to operate in these circumstances they need to dynamically estimate how people think and feel during social interactions in the real world, often without them providing explicit feedback.

For this purpose, we are looking for a colleague to develop an independent research line on data-driven approaches to Cognitive-Affective User-modeling. We specifically welcome applications from candidates interested in interdisciplinary research with experience in linking multimodal signal processing with concepts from cognitive psychology.

A particular challenge for robust user-modeling relates to the broad range of contexts under which interactions with intelligent systems may occur in real-world applications: the specifics of different situations can have a strong influence on human cognitive processing and may need to be considered accordingly when such intelligent systems need to operate  reliably. For this reason, a research portfolio involving context-sensitive approaches to user-modeling is highly desirable.

The Socially Perceptive Computing (SPC) Lab, in which the vacancy is currently held, is actively involved in studying the development of data-driven approaches for behavioral analysis of relationships and social dynamics in dyadic and group interactions. Building on an interdisciplinary foundation in the behavioral sciences (mainly cognitive and social psychology), its research aims to develop artificially intelligent systems that are able to understand and support humans in their daily social activities. A core competence of the research group is large-scale data collection in ecologically-valid environments, and experience in such activities benefits applicants.

As an assistant professor, you will initiate, perform, and supervise high-quality research in Human-centered Artificial Intelligence; teach and co-develop inspiring and high-quality courses in Bachelor and Master Programs; initiate and contribute to externally funded research projects; assist in the supervision of Ph.D. students, and contribute to the strategic planning and management of the lab, group, and the department.

You will be part of a larger team of scientists working towards understanding and designing human-centered technological innovations. We highly value collegiality in daily scientific discussions and look forward to welcoming a new colleague into this culture. Specifically, SPC Lab members interface closely with the Pattern Recognition and Computer Vision Labs as well as members of the Interactive Intelligence Group.

[Specific Requirements]

• Motivated researcher with a Ph.D. in Human-Centered AI or related themes with experience in interdisciplinary research
• Postdoctoral research experience.

[Highly Desired]

• Experience with interdisciplinary research
• Experience with (context-sensitive) modeling of cognitive-affective processes from multimodal sensor data.
• Experience with collecting ecologically valid datasets.

[Generic Requirements]    

• Ability to conduct high-quality academic research, reflected in demonstrable outputs, such as journal papers and conference contributions.
• Motivated to teach, contribute to teaching processes, and develop excellent teaching skills. Teaching at both BSc and MSc levels.
• Strong cooperation skills and ability to work in an interdisciplinary team.
• Effective communication, organization, and leadership skills, including coaching and mentoring of students and staff.
• Informed vision on teaching and learning within your own discipline. In possession of University Teaching Qualification (UTQ or in Dutch, BKO), or willing to obtain this within a few years.
• Written and Verbal proficiency in English

Fixed-term contract: 6 years.

A tenure-track position is offered for six years. In the fifth year we’ll decide if you will be offered a permanent faculty position, based on performance indicators agreed upon at the start of the appointment. We expect that you have the potential to grow towards an Associate Professor and/or Full Professor role in the future.

Inspiring, excellent education is our central aim. We expect you to obtain a University Teaching Qualification (UTQ) within three years if you have less than five years of teaching experience. This is provided by the TU Delft UTQ programme.
TU Delft sets high standards for the English competency of the teaching staff. The TU Delft offers training to improve English competency. If you do not speak Dutch, we offer courses to learn the Dutch language within three years.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, a discount on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

For international applicants we offer the Coming to Delft Service and Partner Career Advice to assist you with your relocation. An International Children's Centre offers childcare and there is an international primary school.

Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) brings together three disciplines - electrical engineering, mathematics and computer science. Combined, they reinforce each other and are the driving force behind the technology we use in our daily lives. Technology such as the electricity grid, which our faculty is helping to make future-proof. We are also working on a world in which humans and computers reinforce each other. We are mapping out disease processes using single cell data, and using mathematics to simulate gigantic ash plumes after a volcanic eruption. There is plenty of room here for ground-breaking research. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position. In total, more than 1,100 employees and 4,000 students work and study in this innovative environment.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science.