Cluster of Excellence Science of Intelligence
Reference number: SCIoI-C5-50A
starting at 01/06/23; limited for 3 years; applications deadline 24/11/22; salary grade E 13 TV-L
The University of Potsdam, Faculty of Human Sciences, Professorship School Peda gogy with the project “Adaptivity in learner-teacher interaction” invites applications for the following position subject to funding commitment.
The possible start is June 01, 2023. The salary is determined by the collective bargaining agreement for public employees in Germany (TV-L 13 Ost). The position is for 40 hours per week (100 %). This is a temporary position limited to a term of 3 years/36 months in accord ance with Section 2 subsection 1 of the Academic Fixed-Term Contract Law (WissZeitVG).
The Universität Potsdam invites applications for a PhD position for the Cluster of Excellence “Science of Intelligence”.
What are the principles of intelligence, shared by all forms of intelligence, no matter whether artificial or biological, whether robot, computer program, human, or animal? And how can we apply these principles to create intelligent technology? Answering these questions - in an ethically responsible way - is the central scientific objective of the Cluster of Excellence Science of Intelligence (https://www.scioi.de), where researchers from a large number of analytic and synthetic disciplines - artificial intelligence, machine learning, control, robotics, computer vi sion, behavioral biology, psychology, educational science, neuroscience, and philosophy - join forces to create a multi-disciplinary research program across universities and research insti tutes in Berlin. Interdisciplinary research projects have been defined (https://www.scienceofintelligence.de/research/projects), which combine analytic and synthetic research and which ad dress key aspects of individual, social, and collective intelligence.
Working field: Adaptivity in learner-teacher interaction
In social interactions between human learners and teachers, it is of central importance that the teacher develops a model of the learner that refers to knowledge, motivation, and emotion of the learner - such a model allows to match tasks and the provision of learning support to the learner. In turn, the learner needs to develop a model of the teacher that informs about the knowledge, teaching style and individual differences such as trustworthiness or patience of the teacher. The development of such a mutual understanding is a core component of successful social interactions in learning contexts. However, it is empirically not well researched in instructional psychology how learners and teachers build such mutual models of each other – and thus, how tasks, materials, learning content and social interactions can be adapted to the characteristics of the learner or the teacher. In robotics, on the other hand, the characteristics of synthetic learners and teachers can be changed, therefore the question is more, how the characteristics of learners and teachers can optimally be adapted to the requirements of the task, the current context, and specific characteristics of their interaction partners. In this project, we aim to investigate whether, and how principles of adaptive social interaction among humans can be transferred to social interactions between humans and artificial agents (HRI), and between artificial agents (RRI). The project focuses on adaptive learning strategies in Human-Robot Interaction and in Robot[1]Robot Interaction. One aim is to better understand adaptive learning strategies. As a part of this, we are interested how certain characteristics of the learner interact with certain characteristics of the teacher, and of the task. Video- and questionnaire data will be analyzed to examine social interactions in the learning context between humans and robots. We are especially interested in the motivational states of the learner and of the teacher and their interaction with teaching styles, such as level of guidance or difficulty of tasks.
Responsibilities: Doctoral project “Adaptivity in learner-teacher interaction”
The project focuses on adaptive learning strategies in Human-Robot Interaction and in Robot-Robot Interaction. One aim is to better understand adaptive learning strategies. As a part of this, we are interested how certain characteristics of the learner interact with certain characteristics of the teacher, and of the task. Video- and questionnaire data will be analyzed to examine social interactions in the learning context between humans and robots. We are especially interested in the motivational states of the learner and of the teacher and their interaction with teaching styles, such as level of guidance or difficulty of tasks.
Prerequisites:
Applicants must hold a Diploma/Master’s degree in Psychology, Educational Research, Hu man Factors or related sciences and should have background in following topics:
Experimental research / psychological experiments
Skills in using/writing scripts (e.g. SPSS; Mplus)
Excellent writing skills (research papers)
Knowledge in research on Human-Robot Interaction is an advantage
First experiences in research projects and knowledge of research processes
We offer you varied and challenging tasks in a dynamic team as well as attractive working conditions. Find out more about the wide range of offers and benefits for our employees on the internet at https://www.uni-potsdam.de/de/arbeiten-an-der-up/. For further insights into the
University of Potsdam, please visit our homepage at https://www.uni-potsdam.de/en/. Prof. Dr. Rebecca Lazarides will be happy to provide you with further information regarding the
job advertisement via e-mail rebecca.lazarides@uni-potsdam.de.
Under the laws of the federal state of Brandenburg, employees under this contract are permit ted to dedicate at least 33% of their contract time to their own academic qualification.
The University of Potsdam aims to increase the proportion of women in research and teaching and therefore invites qualified female applicants to apply. The University of Potsdam values
the diversity of its members and pursues the goals of equal opportunities regardless of gender,
nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion/belief, disability, age, sexual orientation or identity.
In the case of equal suitability, women within the meaning of Section 7 (4) BbgHG (Branden burg Higher Education Act) and people with severe disabilities will be given preferential con sideration. Applications from abroad and from persons with a migration background are ex pressly welcome.
Application procedure:
Applications should include: motivation letter, curriculum vitae, transcripts of records (for both BSc and MSc), copies of degree certificates (BSc, MSc), abstracts of Bachelor-, Master-thesis, list of publications and one selected manuscript (if applicable), two names of qualified persons who are willing to provide references, and any documents candidates feel may help us assess their competence.
Applicants should send their application materials, by November 24th, 2020 at the latest,
either by mail to the University of Potsdam, Professur für Schulpädagogik, Karl-Lieb knecht-Straße 24-25, 14476 Potsdam, Germany, or via email to ina.tausche@uni-pots dam.de with the subject line, “Job Title – requisition number".
Please go here for the legally binding German version of this job advertisement.
