Context
The position of full professor in Computational Linguistics will be realized in the Department of Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence at Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences (TSHD). The department currently consists of 110 staff members and PhDs and is expected to grow further in the coming years. TSHD is tasked with further development of digital sciences in connection to humanities and social sciences, as well as integrating technological advances in research and education. The newly established chair will play an important role in representing Tilburg University in the domain of digital sciences, particularly artificial intelligence, at a national level. Moreover, the chair holder is expected to be active in the strategic networks and activities of the Netherlands AI Coalition and NWO.

Description of the position
Within the Department of Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence (DCA), research activities are organized into five research units: (1) computational linguistics, (2) human–artificial intelligence interaction, (3) deep learning for perception, (4) computational modeling of brain and behavior, and (5) data science for safety and security. The envisioned chair in Computational Linguistics will lead the group focusing on computational linguistics, which currently consists of 14 staff members at lecturer-, assistant professor and associate professor level, and 10 PhD students. This group’s current research lines are inclusive and sustainable machine translation, multi-modal language learning and computational methods for linguistic and behavioural research. Collaboration takes the form of joint supervision of research assistants, BA and MA thesis projects, PhD students and postdocs on the themes mentioned above, as well as interdisciplinary grant acquisition. The group members can conduct their research work in the newly established labs in MindLabs, in collaboration with other educational and industry partners. Within TSHD, the chair collaborates with researchers of the Department of Communication and Cognition (DCC) at TSHD who explore various cognitive and social aspects of human communication from a technological point of view, with an ongoing collaboration with the Computational Language Generation group. At an international level, the chair ensures that researchers at DCA are members of international consortia with groups focusing on research in relevant domains. Specifically, the chair is a part of an active network of researchers exploring the topic of developing interpretable, responsible and pro-social language technologies.

What are we looking for?

• A PhD in a discipline relevant to the field of Computational Linguistics and several years of practical experience at the level of associate professor or full professor.
• Demonstrable experience in setting up and conducting interdisciplinary research.
• Experience in supervising scientific research, including as a (co-)supervisor of PhD students.
• An excellent track record in the field of Computational Linguistics with national and international visibility, evidenced by publications of high quality and sufficient quantity.
• Proven experience in and ability to collaborate within own university and with external partners.
• A successful record in obtaining large scientific grants and the ability to successfully complete research projects and studies. 
• Affinity and experience in a management position or in a more senior administrative position within the faculty or university and experience in leading scientific projects. 
• Demonstrated vision on connected leadership and the ability to recognize and embrace inclusiveness and diversity.
• Experience in teaching and information transfer in the context of university education in the domain of Computational Linguistics and Artificial Intelligence.
• Excellent didactic skills, good student evaluations and experience in developing new educational materials.
• A command of the Dutch language and of the English language at the level of CEFR C-2.
• Excellent presentation and communication skills.

The candidate will be appointed as an full professor at Tilburg University. Tilburg University offers excellent employment conditions with attention to flexibility and (personal) development. We make clear agreements about career paths and offer all kinds of facilities and arrangements to maintain an optimal balance between work and private life. The university actively pursues a policy for inclusive and interdisciplinary teams in which diverse talents are recognized and valued. The regulations and employment conditions of Tilburg University apply to remuneration and other employment conditions, in accordance with the university job classification as Professor 2.

The gross salary varies between €6,648 and €9,680 per month (full-time) based on Professor scale 2 of the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities. University employees are entitled to a holiday allowance of 8%, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3% of the gross annual income, and 41 days of holiday per year (based on full-time employment). We reimburse the full costs for sustainable commuting: walking, cycling, public transport or transport with a fully electric car.

Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences

Research and education at the Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences (TSHD) has a unique focus on humans in the context of the globalizing digital society, on the development of artificial intelligence and interactive technologies, on their impact on communication, culture and society, and on moral and existential challenges that arise. The School of Humanities and Digital Sciences consists of four departments: Communication and Cognition, Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence, Culture Studies and Philosophy; several research institutes and a faculty office. Also the University College Tilburg is part of the School. Each year around 275 students commence a Bachelor or (Pre) Master Program. The School has approximately 2000 students and 250 employees.

Tilburg School of Humanities and Digital Sciences

For more information about the vacancy, please feel free to contact the Head of Department Prof. dr. M. Šafář Postma, marie.postma@tilburguniversity.edu.