Two (2) postdoctoral fellowships available, one in AI/computer science and one in psychology/education, to contribute to research on innovative, AI-based educational technologies for students on the autism spectrum.
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, and Vanderbilt Kennedy Center
Through a collaboration between Vanderbilt University's Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science and the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development, we are exploring new ways to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and educational technologies in the classroom to help middle school students on the autism spectrum improve their theory of mind and social reasoning skills.
We are seeking two (2) postdoctoral researchers to contribute to this project: one with a background in AI, computer science, or related disciplines; and one with a background in psychology, education, or related disciplines.
* AI/computer science position: The postdoctoral fellow will work with a staff software engineer and other researchers on the project team to help lead the design and development of the new educational technology platform. This position will involve research in artificial intelligence, including symbolic modeling of social reasoning concepts as well as behavioral data analytics and data mining.
* Psychology/education position: The postdoctoral fellow will work with experts in special education and other researchers on the project team to help lead the design and execution of evaluation studies of the new educational technology platform, working with students on the autism spectrum and also with special education teachers. The position will involve both quantitative and qualitative research methods, including innovative approaches using behavioral data analytics to measure student learning.
Both postdoctoral researchers will be members of Vanderbilt's Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence and Visual Analogical Systems and will work closely with faculty mentor Maithilee Kunda as well as with other faculty and student researchers in computer science and special education at Vanderbilt. This is a three-year project that has been recommended for funding (final approval pending).
The initial postdoctoral fellowships will be for one year, with the possibility of extensions to a second and third year based on performance. The positions include stipends, health insurance coverage, and support for professional travel to conferences as well as to early-career mentoring events.
Qualifications for AI/computer science position: * Candidates are expected to have a PhD and publication record in computer science, cognitive science, or a related discipline, as well as research experience in artificial intelligence (any area).
Qualifications for psychology/education position: * Candidates are expected to have a PhD and publication record in psychology, education, or a related discipline, as well as research experience in designing and conducting human participant studies.
For both positions, prior experience in research related to autism, special education, and/or social cognition is a plus but is not required. Candidates from underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply.
To apply, please send a cover letter, CV, and list of three references by email to Maithilee Kunda.
Applications will be reviewed immediately, with a potential start date of July 1, 2018.