Postdoctoral researcher in human emotion recognition

Postdoctoral researcher in human emotion recognition
Postdoctoral researcher in human emotion recognition

Published	Deadline	Location
31 Mar	24 Apr	Maastricht

The Department of Advanced Computing Sciences (DACS) at Maastricht University, the Netherlands, is looking for a postdoctoral researcher in the field of deep learning and, more specifically, multimodal human behavior and emotion recognition. The successful candidate will conduct research and develop self-supervised methods for multimodal human emotion recognition in human-machine interaction environments, with a special focus on AR/VR.
Job description

The position is embedded in the Cognitive Systems group of the Department of Advanced Computing Sciences , and the successful candidate will work together with PhD candidates, other postdoctoral researchers, and senior researchers. The candidate will conduct research in deep learning and, specifically, will contribute towards the development of methods and algorithms from the area of self-supervised learning. The final goal is the development of a series of techniques for human emotion recognition in the absence of widely annotated data. The position is supported by a large-scale, multi-disciplinary Horizon Europe project, which brings together universities, companies, and end-users, all active in the fields of AI and XR (eXtended Reality), aiming at designing novel human-to-machine interactions within XR. Maastricht University is playing a key role in the project, mainly focusing on automated human behavior recognition using the latest AI methods.  

The successful candidate will:

1. Support the group’s activities in R&D within the area of multimodal, self-supervised learning, for automated human emotion recognition and contribute to the integration of these methods in broader platforms and tools that are currently developed as part of the EU project.

2. Support in day-to-day project-related activities, onsite and online meetings, as well as in the preparation of project reports, deliverables and presentations.

3. (Co-)author scientific, peer-reviewed papers, submitted to top conferences and journals in the field of AI and human behavior recognition.

Specifications

• max. 38 hours per week
• €3974—€5439 per month
• Maastricht View on Google Maps

Maastricht University (UM)

Requirements

A PhD degree (already completed or near completion) in AI and specifically in deep learning, with a focus on computer vision, human activity/emotion recognition, NLP, or any other related field.

Excellent programming skills with a focus on deep learning packages (Python) are required.

Experience in programming for VR/AR and/or Unity3D applications will be appreciated.

Solid experience and interest in latest advances in AI, especially in the field of Deep Learning, with proven experience (e.g. through publications, prior projects, etc.).

Excellent command of English.

Team spirit is also very important, since a large team will work on the project, both within the department, as well as across other institutes in Europe.

Strong presentation, writing, communication and organization skills are required for this position.

Conditions of employment

Fixed-term contract: we offer a full-time position for a period of one year initially, and a possibility for a contract extension beyond this, subject to performance. The preferred starting date is June 1st, 2023.

The salary is stipulated in the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities: a minimum of €3.974 and a maximum of €5.439 per month, for a full-time position of 38 hours a week. On top of this, there is an annual holiday allowance (8% of annual income) and an annual end-of-year bonus (8.3% of annual income).

The terms of employment of Maastricht University are set out in the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO). Furthermore, local UM provisions also apply. For more information: https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/about-um/working-um

Employer

Maastricht University | is renowned for its unique, innovative, problem-based learning system, which is characterized by a small-scale and student-oriented approach. Research at UM is characterized by a multidisciplinary and thematic approach, and is concentrated in research institutes and schools. Maastricht University has around 22,000 students and about 5,000 employees. Reflecting the university's strong international profile, a fair amount of both students and staff are from abroad. The university hosts 6 faculties: Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Faculty of Law, School of Business and Economics, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Faculty of Psychology and Neuroscience.

Living and working in Maastricht | Situated in the heart of Europe and within 30 kilometers from the German and Belgian borders, Maastricht and its 120,000 inhabitants have a strong international character. It is a safe and family-friendly city with a history spanning more than 2,000 years. The city’s rich past is reflected everywhere in the streets: the ratio of monuments-to-inhabitants is roughly 1:73. If you are unfamiliar with the Netherlands, UM’s Knowledge Centre for International Staff will gladly assist you with practical matters such as housing.

Department

The Faculty of Science and Engineering | Maastricht University heavily invests in the growth of its STEM research and education. The Faculty of Science and Engineering – which houses the Department of Advanced Computing Sciences – is one of the focal points of these developments. Within the Faculty of Science and Engineering, over 260 researchers and more than 2,700 students work on themes such as data science and artificial intelligence, circularity and sustainability, and fundamental physics. 

https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/fse

Department of Advanced Computing Sciences | The Department of Advanced Computing Sciences is Maastricht University’s largest and oldest department broadly covering the fields of artificial intelligence, data science, computer science, mathematics and robotics. Over 100 researchers work and study in the Department of Advanced Computing Sciences, whose roots trace back to 1987. The department’s staff teaches approximately 800 bachelor’s and master’s students in 3 specialized study programmes in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. 

https://www.maastrichtuniversity.nl/dacs

Additional information

Applicants are asked to send in their application before April 24, 2023. Depending on your current location, you may be invited for an interview via MS Teams or in person.

Informal inquiries concerning this position can be directed to: Dr. Enrique Hortal Quesada, [email protected]

Working at Maastricht University

Maastricht University distinguishes itself with its innovative education model, international character and multidisciplinary approach to research and education.

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Apply via postal mail

[email protected]

Don't forget to mention AcademicTransfer and the job number: AT2023.150 in your letter.

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Application procedure

You can send your application to [email protected]

• A motivation letter and a summary of major achievements, as well as  programming/ research/ grant proposal preparation experience (total not exceeding 1.5-2 pages),
• curriculum vitae,
• publication list,
• summary (max 1 page) of PhD dissertation,
• the names and contact details of at least two persons who can provide recommendation letters (preferably in a single PDF document) via academic transfer

Maastricht University is an international organisation, embracing a diverse student and staff population. We strongly believe that diversity is our advantage and creating an inclusive working climate in which students and staff feel a valued member of the UM community is therefore a top priority. UM values diversity within its community, therefore we encourage all qualified applicants, including minorities, women, people with disabilities, and members of other groups underrepresented in academia to apply. In case this vacancy appeals to you, but you are doubting whether you might be the right person for this position, please do apply.