This position is for a postdoctoral researcher on the Horizon Europe project EMPOWER. This project will develop novel technological support for the education of children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). Specifically, EMPOWER creates a novel focusing on Executive Function (EF) and Emotional Self-Regulation as two key sets of skills to support in educational interventions. The core output of EMPOWER is thus an educational platform, co-created by all involved stakeholders, facilitating the improvement of these skills in children with NDDs. The platform will be tested and evaluated in school settings with all stakeholders involved according to the strict standards of a randomised clinical trial. In addition to technological advances, the lessons learned from the development and deployment of this platform will provide valuable insights into the needs and possibilities for training teachers in the use of new technologies as well as input into future policies governing technology in education, including, in particular, refined ethical frameworks.

You will develop machine learning and AI algorithms that enable the full functionality of the UPBEAT platform. You will liaise with other project partners developing the platform itself as well with clinical psychologists and researchers in special education who will define the platform's functionality and behaviour. Specifically, you will co-create the platform's sensing and data acquisition abilities so as to be able to track variables of interest (particularly regarding executive function and emotional self-regulation) as defined by the clinical and educational experts.

EMPOWER involves deploying machine learning algorithms to support a vulnerable population. You will therefore make sure you remain aware of relevant legal, ethical and moral challenges and issues, and your research will contribute to a better understanding of the possibilities and limitations in this regard. In this, you will be joined by a second postdoctoral researcher focusing on the societal implications of technology like that developed in EMPOWER.

Profile

• You hold a PhD degree in AI, machine learning, cognitive science, or a closely related discipline.
• You have excellent programming and modelling skills.
• You should have an understanding of, and an interest in, the ethics and societal implications of AI and technology, especially for the support of vulnerable populations.
• You are able to work well in an interdisciplinary team.
• You have an excellent command of written and spoken English.
• Previous experience with user models in human-technology interaction (e.g. human-agent interaction or human-robot interaction) is desirable.

We are

Radboud University

We offer

• It concerns an employment for 1.0 FTE.
• The starting maximum gross monthly salary is €3,974 on a full-time basis (salary scale 11.0). Note that in the case of employment commencing prior to a doctorate having been officially awarded, researchers will be employed on salary scale 10.3, with a gross monthly salary of €3,413 on a full-time basis.
• You will receive 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• It concerns a temporary employment for 2 years with possibility of contract extension.
• You will be able to use our Dual Career and Family Care Services. Our Dual Career and Family Care Officer can assist you with family-related support, help your partner or spouse prepare for the local labour market, provide customized support in their search for employment and help your family settle in Nijmegen.
• Working for us means getting extra days off. In case of full-time employment, you can choose between 29 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the legally allotted 20.

Additional employment conditions

Would you like more information?

Practical information and applying

• A letter of motivation.
• Your CV, including the contact details of two references who may be contacted for further information.
• An extended abstract summarising your PhD work.
• Your favourite publication from your PhD research.