PhD Position: Neuromorphic Human-Computer Interaction at the Human Media Lab

Employment 1.0 FTE

Gross monthly salary € 2,770 - € 3,539

Required background Research University Degree

Organizational unit Faculty of Science

Application deadline 13 October 2024

Are you passionate about revolutionizing Human-Computer Interaction? Could you see yourself developing real-time, energy-efficient AI inspired by the human brain? And are you interested in exploring Bayesian models of human behavior for cutting-edge Neuromorphic HCI? If so, apply for this PhD position at the Human Media Lab!

Recent developments in Large Language Models (LLMs) have shown promise for the delivery of user experiences that fulfil the long-standing concept of the digital assistant in Apple’s 1987 Knowledge Navigator video. However, there are many outstanding issues that impede progress towards a seamless interaction with digital assistants. For one, the input of data about the user’s ongoing behaviour is not available to LLMs. This means LLMs can have difficulty reasoning about everyday user activities. Secondly, available data is not used to train the model in real-time. Thirdly, current AI does not explicitly understand the uncertainty that underlies human behaviour. This means LLMs have difficulty reasoning about the reliability of their inferences, which can lead to difficulties in real-time decision making. Finally, training LLMs is costly from both a computational and environmental perspective. 

As a PhD candidate in the emerging field of Neuromorphic HCI, you will work towards the goal of developing a more real-time, interactive and energy-efficient AI that is directly inspired by models of the human brain. Your research will be based on insights derived from computational neuroscience, such as the use of predictive coding strategies to predict user intent. Your approach will rely on the use of Bayesian methods, in which existing knowledge of user states is integrated with observations from sensory modalities using probabilistic models. The specific focus of your PhD research will be determined by your interests and competencies. Possible topics include:

Development of novel algorithms for real-time AI based on Bayesian models of human behaviour; Development of applications of real-time AI in simple yet effective augmented reality tools; Scientific empirical validation of models or prototypes in a way that evidences their effectiveness.

We offer the opportunity to work at the bleeding edge of AI and HCI research and to collaborate with leading experts in Human-Computer Interaction and Computational Neuroscience (Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour) as well as with universities around the world. You will work in a dynamic research environment focused on innovation and real-world impact.

You will be supervised by Professor Roel Vertegaal to conduct research on your topics of interest and publish your results in top-ranked international academic conferences and journals. Beyond academia, your research will have the potential to impact commercial applications.

You will spend about 10% of your time (0.1 FTE) assisting with teaching a course on Neuromorphic Human-Computer Interaction at Radboud University. This will typically include tutoring practical assignments, grading coursework, and supervising student projects.

Profile

• You hold or will soon hold a Master’s degree in Human-Computer Interaction, AI/Computational Neuroscience, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering or a related field from a top school.
• You have excellent empirical, programming, maker or electrical engineering skills.
• You have an interdisciplinary mindset, with a strong interest in AI for human factors as well as programming/engineering/making skills.
• You are proficient in English and have good communication, presentation and writing skills in English.

We are

You will be working at the Human Media Lab of the Faculty of Science at Radboud University (Nijmegen, Netherlands). With over 2 billion active users, you may have encountered some of the Human Media Lab’s interaction techniques such as the attention-aware features in smartphones (iPhone), foldable smartphones and computers, Apple Vision Pro Personas, or interactive drone displays. HML’s goal is to make people’s lives better by improving their emotional experiences with technology, tapping into technologically undervalued human skills that also help reduce our carbon footprint. 

You will join the Institute for Computing and Information Sciences and its Computer Science Graduate School during your PhD. Radboud University is located in Nijmegen, one of the greenest and most culturally vibrant cities in the Netherlands, a tech savvy country in Europe consistently ranked as having the highest quality of life in the world. Centrally located and easily accessible by rail, with nearby airports in Düsseldorf, Eindhoven and Amsterdam, our campus makes for an excellent travel base.

Radboud University

At Radboud University, we aim to make an impact through our work. We achieve this by conducting groundbreaking research, providing high-quality education, offering excellent support, and fostering collaborations within and outside the university. In doing so, we contribute indispensably to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. To accomplish this, we need even more colleagues who, based on their expertise, are willing to search for answers. We advocate for an inclusive community and welcome employees with diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. Will you also contribute to making the world a little better? You have a part to play.

If you want to learn more about working at Radboud University, follow our Instagram account and read stories from our colleagues.

Faculty of Science
The Faculty of Science (FNWI), part of Radboud University, engages in groundbreaking research and excellent education. In doing so, we push the boundaries of scientific knowledge and pass that knowledge on to the next generation.

We seek solutions to major societal challenges, such as cybercrime and climate change and work on major scientific challenges, such as those in the quantum world. At the same time, we prepare our students for careers both within and outside the scientific field.

Currently, more than 1,300 colleagues contribute to research and education, some as researchers and lecturers, others as technical and administrative support officers. The faculty has a strong international character with staff from more than 70 countries. Together, we work in an informal, accessible and welcoming environment, with attention and space for personal and professional development for all.

We offer

• We will give you a temporary employment contract (1.0 FTE) of 1,5 years, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, your contract will be extended by 2.5 years (4-year contract).     
• You will receive a starting salary of €2,770 gross per month based on a 38-hour working week, which will increase to €3,539 in the fourth year (salary scale P).
• You will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8,3% end-of-year bonus. 
• You will be able to use our Dual Career and Family Support Service. The Dual Career Programme assists your partner via support, tools, and resources to improve their chances of independently finding employment in the Netherlands. Our Family Support Service helps you and your partner feel welcome and at home by providing customised assistance in navigating local facilities, schools, and amenities. Also take a look at our support for international staff page to discover all our services for international employees.
• You will receive extra days off. With full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the statutory 20. 

Additional employment conditions

Work and science require good employment practices. Radboud University's primary and secondary employment conditions reflect this. You can make arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home. You are also able to compose part of your employment conditions yourself. For example, exchange income for extra leave days and receive a reimbursement for your sports membership. And, of course, we offer a good pension plan. We also give you plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes.

Practical information and applying

You can apply only via the button below. Address your letter of application to Roel Vertegaal. In the application form, you will find which documents you need to include with your application.

The first interviews will take place in the first week of October. The preferred starting date of your employment will be decided upon by mutual agreement.

We can imagine you're curious about our application procedure. It describes what you can expect during the application procedure and how we handle your personal data and internal and external candidates.