PhD position (m/f/d)

We are a young, innovative University in the heart of the Ruhr Metropolitan Region. Excellent in both research and teaching, we are open-minded and develop sustainable ideas for the future. We stand for diversity, promote individual’s capabilities, and are committed to educational justice that deserves the name.

The University Duisburg-Essen offers at the Campus Duisburg in the Faculty of Computer Science, Department of Human-centered Computing and Cognitive Science (HCCCS) a

PhD position (m/f/d)

(Full-time 100 %, Salary: TV-L 13)

Proposed starting date: January 1st, 2025
Duration of contract: 3 years
Working hours: 100 % of a full-time position (part-time employment is possible)
Application deadline: 2024-10-03

Your tasks:

Participation in the research group “Computational Methods in Modeling and Analysis of Learning Processes” with a focus on:

Theory-informed Design of Personalized Computational Proxies for Learning in Intelligent Learning Environments

The position will emphasize on the following subtasks:

• computational representations using artificial intelligence of theoretical paradigms of how learning happens, such as the Zone of Proximal Development and its proxies, for example, the Grey Area approach (see Chounta, I. A., Albacete, P., Jordan, P., Katz, S., & McLaren, B. M. (2017). The “Grey Area”: A computational approach to model the Zone of Proximal Development. In Data Driven Approaches in Digital Education: 12th European Conference on Technology Enhanced Learning, EC-TEL 2017, Tallinn, Estonia, September 12–15, 2017, Proceedings 12 (pp. 3-16). Springer International Publishing)
• co-authoring and conducting research as part of third-party funded projects
• participation in the preparation and implementation of courses, and teaching
• participation and organization of community events such as conferences and summer schools, and events for PhD and early-career researchers (for example, workshops) as a means to establish a personal research network and disseminate own and group work

As part of the activity, the opportunity for further scientific qualification (phD) is offered.

Your profile:

• completed academic degree in Computer Science, Engineering (or related discipline) of at least 8 semesters
• very good knowledge of English
• basic knowledge regarding research methods
• basic programming experience

Helpful prior knowledge:

• in-depth knowledge of quantitative research methods (preferably R), programming experience in web technologies and web-based analytics (preferably Python), machine learning, network analysis and data mining

We offer:

• a vibrant, multifaceted field of activity in a research-intensive environment with international partners
• a pleasant working atmosphere in a dynamic team
• an interesting, responsible job with great creative potential and the opportunity to build up an international network of employees in the USA, Europe and Japan
• the possibility for earning a PhD with numerous support offers
• family friendliness through childcare facilities for your children
• counselling for family caring responsibilities
• a broad training and further education programmes, individual training
• a very good public transport connections and free car parking
• attractive sports and health programmes (university sports)
• the possibility of home office

The University of Duisburg-Essen pursues the goal of promoting the diversity of its members (see http://www.uni-due.de/diversity)

It aims to increase the proportion of women among academic staff and therefore strongly encourages relevantly qualified women to apply.

In accordance with the State Equal Opportunities Act, women with equal qualifications are given preferential consideration.

Applications from suitable severely disabled persons and persons of equal status within the meaning of § 2 Para. 3 SGB IX are welcome.

Please send your application with the usual documents (cover letter, curriculum vitae, list of scientific publications, documents on your scientific and professional career, copies of certificates, presentation of your own research profile as well as third-party funds acquired) to Prof. Irene-Angelica Chounta, University of Duisburg-Essen, e-mail: irene-angelica.chounta@uni-due.de, quoting the reference number 504-24 as a single, coherent PDF file.

www.uni-due.de