In the Science, Engineering and Technology Group of KU Leuven, Faculty of Engineering Science, Department of Computer Science, Section Declarative Languages and Artificial Intelligence (DTAI), there is a full-time academic vacancy in the area of neurosymbolic artificial intelligence.
We are looking for internationally oriented candidates with an excellent research record and with educational competence within the field of computer science and artificial intelligence.
The research field of artificial intelligence (AI) has recently seen several breakthroughs. Deep learning and large language models lead to unprecedented possibilities. Yet purely data-driven approaches still have their limitations. They can make very accurate predictions, but they are very fragile: they often require enormous amounts of data, they are easy to manipulate, they can only use existing knowledge to a limited extent, they are not transparent, etc. There is consensus that modern AI should combine the ability to learn and to reason. Automatic reasoning has been studied for decades, leading to advanced methods based on more symbolic (logical and probabilistic) knowledge. But knowledge-based systems are also limited: manually encoding all relevant knowledge is not feasible, some knowledge must be generated automatically. There is therefore a need for an integrated approach that combines learning and reasoning, and that combines subsymbolic with symbolic inference: the so-called neurosymbolic approach. Neurosymbolic models are more suitable for enabling cognitive systems: AI systems that combine unconscious processes with conscious processes - in line with Kahneman's “fast and slow thinking”.
Depending on your record and qualifications, you will be appointed to or tenured in one of the grades of the senior academic staff: assistant professor, associate professor, professor or full professor. In principle, junior researchers are appointed as assistant professor on the tenure track for a period of 5 years; after this period and a positive evaluation, they are permanently appointed (or tenured) as an associate professor.
For more information on the contents of the job, please contact:
- Prof. Dr. ir. Stefan Vandewalle, Chair of the Department of Computer Science (Stefan.Vandewalle@kuleuven.be, +32 16 32 76 54)
- Prof. Dr. ir. Hendrik Blockeel, head of the Section DTAI (Hendrik.Blockeel@kuleuven.be, +32 16 32 76 43)
Additional information about the department and the section is available at www.cs.kuleuven.be and dtai.cs.kuleuven.be.
You can submit your application online only through our online application system. If you have problems submitting your application online, please contact: solliciteren@kuleuven.be.
Add to your application following documents (more information is available on the KU Leuven job site):
- your biosketch in which you indicate your added value as an academic for research, education and service to society of your past career and of your future activities (maximum 2 pages);
- a file on your five most important publications or realizations;
- an extensive cv including a full publication list and if applicable a portfolio of your architectural projects;
- your research plan with focus on the development of your research line and research team in relation with the colleague-researchers of the entity of employment (maximum 4 pages);
- your vision on academic education and its organization (maximum 2 pages);
- your contribution to society by outreach and public communication on science and technology, internal representation in boards and councils and service activities directly in relation to your developed expertise (maximum 1 page);
- your vision on leadership (maximum 1 page).
KU Leuven is committed to creating a diverse environment and is therefore an equal opportunity employer. It explicitly encourages candidates from groups that are currently underrepresented at the university to submit their applications.
KU Leuven places great importance on research integrity and ethical conduct and will therefore ask you to sign an integrity statement upon appointment.
KU Leuven strives for an inclusive, respectful and socially safe environment. We embrace diversity among individuals and groups as an asset. Open dialogue and differences in perspective are essential for an ambitious research and educational environment. In our commitment to equal opportunity, we recognize the consequences of historical inequalities. We do not accept any form of discrimination based on, but not limited to, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, ethnic or national background, skin colour, religious and philosophical diversity, neurodivergence, employment disability, health, or socioeconomic status. For questions about accessibility or support offered, we are happy to assist you at this email address.
KU Leuven is an autonomous university. It was founded in 1425. It was born of and has grown within the Catholic tradition.
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