The Applied Informatics Group, Faculty of Technology, Bielefeld University is looking for PhD
candidates for a project position within the EU Initial Training Network ?RobotDoc“ in the area of Social
Learning and Interaction.

We are looking for a PhD candidate for the following project:
Development of dialogical rules. The verbal and cognitive development of infants is rooted
in dialog with other people (e.g. parents, peers). However, there is little research on how
infants develop the capability for dialogue. We hypothesize that contingency is a fundamental
mechanism that may help infants to develop their basic interactive capabilities such as turntaking
(Masataka 2003). These capabilities guide their attention to opening phases of a
dialogue, and even regulate their emotions. This project proposes to use the mechanism of
contingency to build a system that can learn dialogical rules through interaction by analyzing
the effects of its own dialogue contributions. In this project, experimental studies on children’s
dialogical capabilities are planned.

We invite applications from motivated young scientists coming from the areas of computer science,
linguistics, psychology, robotics, mathematics, cognitive science or similar, that are willing to contribute
to the cross-disciplinary research agenda of our research group. Research and development are
directed towards understanding the processes and functional constituents of cognitive interaction, and
establishing cognitive interfaces and robots that facilitate the use of complex technical systems.
Bielefeld University provides a unique environment for research in cognitive and intelligent systems by
bringing together researchers from all over the world in a variety of relevant disciplines under the roof
of central institutions such as the Excellence Center of Cognitive Interaction Technology (CITEC) or
the Research Institute for Cognition and Robotics (CoR-Lab).

Successful candidates should hold an academic degree (MSc/Diploma) in a related discipline and
have a background in experimental work (because of planned experimental studies with children) as
well as have a strong interest in social robotics. All applications should include: a short cover letter
indicating the motivation and research interests of the candidate, a CV including a list of publications,
and relevant certificates of academic qualification.

Bielefeld University is an equal opportunity employer. Women are especially encouraged to apply and
in the case of comparable competences and qualification, will be given preference. Bielefeld University
explicitly encourages disabled people to apply. Bielefeld University offers a family friendly environment
and special arrangements for child care and double carrier opportunities.

Please send your application with reference to the offered position (RobotDoc) no later than
15.7.2009 to Ms Susanne H?ke (shoeke@techfak.uni-bielefeld.de).

Contact:
Susanne H?ke
AG Applied Informatics
Faculty of Technology
Universit?tsstr. 21-23
33615 Bielefeld
Germany
Email: shoeke@techfak.uni-bielefeld.de