Postdoc Modeling the Dynamics of Decision making and its Interplay with Memory

Robots in interactions with humans need to predict their behavior and safely navigate around them. Such predictions can be especially hard when humans exhibit sudden shifts in behavior, often under stress and time pressure. For instance, a pedestrian can decide not to cross the road in front of an autonomous vehicle but then change their mind. Such sudden choice reversals could have particularly strong impact in high-stakes human-in-the-loop applications such as human-robot interactions in traffic. What are the mechanisms of humans’ changes-of-mind in dynamic tasks under time pressure? How do our past experiences affect such decisions? How can we model the ‘stress factor’ mathematically? In this project, your aim will be to 1) develop a neurally plausible cognitive model to explain changes-of-mind in dynamic decision-making and its interplay with memory, and 2) collect a large-scale online dataset on dynamic decision-making to evaluate the model. This proof-of-concept study will break through the fundamental limitations of the current models and will establish the basis for real-life applications of neurally plausible decision making models.

In this project, you will be able to develop your skills in mathematical modeling and numerical simulation. You will work in the Faculty of Mechanical Engingeering jointly at the Department of Cognitive Robotics and the Delft Center for Systems and Control, supervised by Dr. Matin Jafarian and Dr. Arkady Zgonnikov.

Need to have

• PhD in computational cognitive neuroscience or, alternatively, in applied mathematics or control engineering with motivated interest in human cognition
• Strong teamwork skills-and interest in highly interdisciplinary research
• Affinity with teaching and supervising students
• Solid programming skills
• Ability to take initiative
• Proficiency in verbal and written English

In addition, experience with one or more of the following topics is considered a plus: dynamical systems, stochastic differential equations, decision making, memory.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (salary indication: € 4.036 - € 5.090  per month gross). The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service . This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

This postdoc position has a fixed-term contract of 12 months.

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

From chip to ship. From machine to human being. From idea to solution. Driven by a deep-rooted desire to understand our environment and discover its underlying mechanisms, research and education at the 3mE faculty focusses on fundamental understanding, design, production including application and product improvement, materials, processes and (mechanical) systems.

3mE is a dynamic and innovative faculty with high-tech lab facilities and international reach. It’s a large faculty but also versatile, so we can often make unique connections by combining different disciplines. This is reflected in 3mE’s outstanding, state-of-the-art education, which trains students to become responsible and socially engaged engineers and scientists. We translate our knowledge and insights into solutions to societal issues, contributing to a sustainable society and to the development of prosperity and well-being. That is what unites us in pioneering research, inspiring education and (inter)national cooperation.

Click here  to go to the website of the Faculty of Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering. Do you want to experience working at our faculty? These videos  will introduce you to some of our researchers and their work.

For informal inquiries about this vacancy, please contact Matin Jafarian ([email protected] ) and Arkady Zgonnikov ([email protected] ).

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply by 15 January 2024 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• Cover letter including your motivation to apply for this position and a brief but specific description of how you plan to contribute to this project
• Detailed CV, including a list of academic publications and contact information of three persons willing to provide a recommendation letter for you (no need to upload the letters, we will request them only in case you are shortlisted for this position)

A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.

You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.

Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.