Assistant professor in Computational Linguistics

The Institute for Logic, Language and Computation (ILLC) invites applications from excellent researchers in the field of Computational Linguistics / Natural Language Processing for a tenured Assistant professorship at the Faculty of Science of the University of Amsterdam (UvA). Depending on their level of seniority, candidates may instead be considered for an Associate professorship.

The ILLC is a research institute at the UvA in which researchers from the Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Humanities collaborate. Its central research area is the study of fundamental principles of encoding, transmission and comprehension of information. Research at the ILLC is interdisciplinary and aims at bringing together insights from various fields concerned with information and information processing, such as computational linguistics, computer science, artificial intelligence, logic, philosophy, mathematics, linguistics, cognitive science, and music cognition. The institute occupies a leading position internationally in its areas of research. A considerable part of the research is made possible by external funding from Dutch and European organizations.

The ILLC is home to a leading research group in Computational Linguistics with a long history in statistical natural language processing since the early 1990s. Current research includes computational and digital humanities (Rens Bod), probabilistic parsing and grammar induction (Tejaswini Deoskar), computational pragmatics and dialogue modelling (Raquel Fernández), information retrieval (Jaap Kamps), statistical morpho-syntactic parsing and machine translation (Khalil Sima’an), optimality theory and discourse (Henk Zeevat), and computational cognitive science (Willem Zuidema).

We are looking for an excellent researcher in the field of Computational Linguistics / Natural Language Processing to join our team. We are particularly interested in candidates with expertise in deep neural networks and other machine learning techniques. A track record in statistical computational semantics and willingness to interact with formal semanticists and cognitive scientists would be a plus.

Job description

The selected candidate will be expected to fulfil the following tasks:

• develop an independent line of research in computational linguistics / NLP, resulting in contributions published at leading international venues;
• teach and develop teaching activities in the fields of computational linguistics / NLP and machine learning (40%). Relevant programmes: BSc Artificial Intelligence, MSc Artificial Intelligence, MSc Brain and Cognitive Sciences, MSc Logic;
• (co-)supervise Bachelor's and Master's students;
• (co-)supervise PhD candidates;
• contribute to raising external funding;
• contribute to management tasks at the institute.

Requirements

Applicants must have the following qualifications:

• relevant PhD degree;
• experience in research and excellent research skills, evidenced by a track record of publications in renowned international conferences and journals;
• team spirit and a strong affinity with the ILLC’s multidisciplinary environment;
• teaching experience at university level and demonstrable didactic abilities and / or training. All permanent staff are required to have a University teaching qualification (the so-called Basis Kwalificatie Onderwijs, BKO, or equivalent). If the successful candidate does not yet have this qualification, it should be obtained during the probation period;
• ability to develop the management skills required for general academic administration, organization and coordination tasks.

Further information

For questions, please contact:

• Raquel Fernández, chair of the selection committee

Appointment

The vacancy is for a permanent Assistant professorship, with a two-year probation period. Based on a full-time appointment (38 hours per week), the gross monthly salary will range from €3,427 to €5,330 depending on expertise and previous experience (scale 11 - 12). More senior candidates who have the necessary qualifications, showing a strong record of academic leadership and funding acquisition, may be considered for an Associate professorship. The salary will be augmented with an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus. The Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities is applicable. The starting date of the appointment should be as soon as possible, preferably by autumn 2017.

Job application

Applications may only be submitted by electronic mail to application-science@uva.nl. Please quote 'Assistant professor ILLC, vacancy 17-143' in the subject line.

Please include the following material grouped in one single PDF attachment:

• letter of interest discussing in some detail past research, research plans and your vision on teaching (max 2 pages);
• curriculum vitae, including list of publications and teaching and supervision experience; highlight and provide URLs for 1 or 2 publications that are representative of your work;
• names, affiliations, and email addresses of three academic referees.

Applications must be received ultimately at 15 May 2017. Interviews will be held in the period of 5 to 9 June 2017.

The University of Amsterdam strives for a better gender balance in its staff. Female candidates will therefore be given preference in case of equal suitability. Women are strongly encouraged to apply.
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