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Senior Research Fellow (Speech and language technology, cognitive science) / Yliopistotutkija (Puheen ja kognition tutkimusryhmä)

Published date more than one year ago
Posted: more than one year ago
Company Tampere University
Company: Tampere University
End date Nov. 30, 2022
Due date: Nov. 30, 2022
Location Tampere
Location: Tampere



Tampere University and Tampere University of Applied Sciences create a unique environment for multidisciplinary, inspirational and high-impact research and education. Our universities community has its competitive edges in technology, health and society. www.tuni.fi/en  

Speech and Cognition research group (SPECOG) is part of Computing Sciences at Tampere University within the Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences. SPECOG focuses on interdisciplinary research at the intersection of speech and language technology and cognitive science. We combine advanced signal processing and machine learning methods with empirical large-scale infant data to the study of child language development. We also study how human-like perceptual learning can be applied in artificial intelligence (AI) systems. SPECOG collaborates with several internationally leading research groups within and across disciplinary boundaries, including joint research with psychologists, linguists, phoneticians, and computer scientists. Read more about SPECOG

Job description 

We are inviting applications for the position of a Senior Research Fellow on the topic of computational modelling of child language development. The position is associated with a project titled “Modeling Child Language Development using Naturalistic Data at a Scale (L-SCALE)”, where the aim is to develop new practices to training and evaluation of computational models of infant language learning using realistic infant data. These data may include long-form child-centred audio recordings, infant-caregiver interaction transcripts, and meta-analyses conducted across a range of behavioural experiments. While the job is located in Finland, the project has a notable emphasis on international collaboration with key partners around the world. 

The work will be conducted as a member of the SPECOG research group led by Dr. Okko Räsänen. We are looking for candidates who are interested in human and/or machine language processing, and who are willing to contribute to our cross-disciplinary research efforts in understanding language learning in humans through computational means. 

In this position, the candidate is expected to: 

  • Carry out high-quality research on computational modelling of early language development and contribute to the development of ecologically plausible model training and evaluation practice. 
  • Work in close collaboration with other members of the research group, and 
  • Advise undergraduate/graduate projects on topics related to your own research (with flexibility according to personal interests and career aspirations). 

Requirements 

The candidate is required to hold a doctoral degree (e.g., PhD or D.Sc.) in language technology, psycholinguistics, cognitive science, computer science, phonetics, or other relevant area, and have at least five years of successful research and teaching experience after the doctoral degree. 

A successful candidate must have strong expertise and experience in speech and language technology or from child language research using statistical and computational methods. Fluent programming (at least Python, Matlab, or R) and oral and written English skills are also required. 

The candidate must be capable of carrying out independent academic research at the highest international level. Competence must be demonstrated through several existing publications in internationally recognised peer-reviewed journals and conferences in areas relevant to the position. Experience from supervising research and from acquisition of external funding is also expected. 

Strong motivation towards understanding the underpinnings of human language learning and processing is a must. Experience from computational modelling or use of statistical models in empirical research are considered as an advantage.   

Tampere University is a unique, multidisciplinary and boldly forward-looking, evolving community. Our values are openness, diversity, responsibility, courage, critical thinking, erudition, and learner-centredness. We hope that you can embrace these values and promote them in your work. 

We offer 

The position will be filled for a fixed-term period of 3 years, but a shorter period can be negotiated according to applicant’s career plans. Starting date is also negotiable but should not be later than March 2023. A trial period of 6 months is applied to all new employees. 

The salary will be based on both the position requirements and the employee's personal performance in accordance with the Salary system of Finnish universities. According to the criteria applied to teaching and research staff, the position of a senior research fellow is placed on level 6-7 of the job requirements scale. In addition to the basic salary, a supplementary salary will be paid according to personal performance, depending on the selected candidate’s qualifications and experience. A typical starting salary for Senior Research Fellow is approximately 4,000-4,200 €/month (level 6) or 4,600-4,800 €/month (level 7). A trial period applies to all our new employees. 

Tampere University offers many benefits to its employees, e.g., occupational health services, flexible working hours, high-quality sport services and affordable lunch opportunities on campus. Please read more about Working at Tampere Universities. You can also find more information about us and working and living in Tampere by watching Tampere Higher Education Community - our academic playground.  

Finland is among the most stable, free and safe countries in the world, based on prominent ratings by various agencies. Tampere is the largest inland city of Finland, and the city is counted among the major academic hubs in the Nordic countries. Tampere region is the most rapidly growing urban area in Finland and home to a vibrant knowledge-intensive entrepreneurial community. The city is an industrial powerhouse that enjoys a rich cultural scene and a reputation as a centre of Finland’s information society. Tampere is also surrounded by vivid nature with forests and lakes, providing countless opportunities for easy-to-access outdoor adventures and refreshment throughout the year.   

Read more about Finland and Tampere:   

How to apply 

Please submit your application through our online recruitment system. The closing date for applications is 30th November 2022 at 23:59 EET / UTC +2. Please write your application and all accompanying documents in English and attach the in PDF-format. 

Applications should include the following documents: 

  • Curriculum Vitae according to TENK guidelines 
  • List of publications according to Academy of Finland guidelines 
  • A letter of motivation (max. 1 page) 
  • Doctoral diploma in original language and also with official translation in English (if original language is other than Finnish or English) 
  • Potential letters of recommendation (max. 3) 
  • Other possible material that supports your application

Please name all your documents as “surname_CV” ; ”surname_list_of_publications” etc. Only the applications sent through our online recruitment system and containing the requested attachments in the instructed format will be considered in the recruitment process. 

The most promising candidates will be interviewed in person before the final decision.  

For more information: 

Please contact Associate Professor Okko Räsänen (okko.rasanen@tuni.fi). 

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Tampereen yliopisto ja Tampereen ammattikorkeakoulu muodostavat yhdessä Suomen toiseksi suurimman monitieteisen, innostavan ja vaikuttavan tutkimus- ja oppimisyhteisön. Korkeakouluyhteisömme osaamiskärjet ovat tekniikka, terveys ja yhteiskunta. Lue lisää: www.tuni.fi 

Informaatioteknologian ja viestinnän tiedekunnan Speech and Cognition research group (SPECOG) -tutkimusryhmä etsii yliopistotutkijaa. 

Tehtävänkuvaus 

Tehtävä liittyy hankkeeseen nimeltä "Varhaisen kielenoppimisen laskennallinen mallinnus suuren mittakaavan realistista kieliaineistoista", joka keskittyy lasten varhaisen kielenoppimisen mallinnukseen laskennallisin keinoin.  

Yliopistotutkijana teet korkeatasoista tutkimusta varhaisen kielenkehityksen laskennallisen mallinnuksen aihepiirissä, erityisesti keskittyen aiempaa realistisempien laskennallisten mallien opetusaineistojen sekä arviointimenetelmien kehitykseen. Työskentelet tiiviissä yhteistyössä muiden tutkimusryhmän jäsenten kanssa sekä neuvot ja ohjaat kandi- ja maisteritason tutkimusprojekteja ja opinnäytetöitä oman tutkimuksesi aihepiirien osalta (opetuksen ja ohjauksen määrä on joustavasti neuvoteltavissa uratoiveiden mukaan). 

Tehtävä täytetään 3 vuoden määräajaksi, mutta lyhyempi määräaikaisuus on neuvoteltavissa hakijan urasuunnitelmien mukaan. 

Hakuohjeet 

Lue tarkemmat tiedot tehtävästä ja hakuohjeet yllä olevasta englanninkielisestä ilmoituksesta. 

Jätäthän hakemuksesi yliopiston sähköisellä hakulomakkeella (linkki löytyy tämän ilmoituksen alta). 

Hakuaika tehtävään päättyy 30.11.2022 klo 23.59

Lisätietoja tehtävästä antaa: 

Tenure track -professori Okko Räsänen (okko.rasanen@tuni.fi).