Two positions available--one in AI/computer science/data science and one in psychology/education, for research on AI-based visuospatial assessments for enhancing workforce recruitment for individuals on the autism spectrum.
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science
Two (2) postdoctoral fellowships available, one in AI/computer science/data science and one in psychology/education, to contribute to research on innovative, AI-based visuospatial cognitive assessments for enhancing workforce recruitment and job matching for individuals on the autism spectrum.
We are doing research to develop and evaluate integrated, AI-enabled technologies for measuring a person's visuospatial cognitive skills in new ways and then using these measurements to predict performance on workplace-relevant tasks. Many people on the autism spectrum show strengths in visuospatial cognitive skills, but these strengths are not fully understood, including how they differ from person to person and how they map onto workplace-relevant capabilities. Understanding visuospatial cognitive skills in individuals on the autism spectrum or other neurodiverse conditions has high potential impact for enhancing the neurodiversity of the workforce by enabling more effective programs for the recruitment, selection, and retention of such candidates in the public and private sectors.
We are seeking two (2) postdoctoral researchers to contribute to this project: one with a background in AI, computer science, data 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 staff software engineers and other researchers on the project team to help lead the design and development of the new cognitive assessment system, including data analysis and visualization using both traditional methods as well as methods from machine learning.
* Psychology/education position: The postdoctoral fellow will work with experts in psychology, business, and other researchers on the project team to help lead pilot data collection as well as the design and execution of evaluation studies of the new assessment platform. The position will involve both quantitative and qualitative research methods, including innovative approaches using behavioral data analytics, UX research, design of data visualizations, etc.
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, psychology, business, etc., at Vanderbilt and Vanderbilt University Medical Center. This is a two-year project.
The initial postdoctoral fellowships will be for one year, with the possibility of extensions to a second year based on performance. The positions include stipends, health insurance coverage, and support for participation in conferences and early-career mentoring events.
Qualifications for AI/computer science/data science position: * Candidates are expected to have a PhD and publication record in computer science, data science, or related disciplines.
Qualifications for psychology/education position: * Candidates are expected to have a PhD and publication record in psychology, education, or related disciplines, as well as research experience in designing and conducting human participant studies.
For both positions, prior experience in research related to autism, employment, and/or visuospatial cognition is a plus but 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 on a rolling basis.