Hello,

Could you please distribute the following job offer? Thanks.

Best,

Pascal

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3-year PhD position in Computational Models of Semantic Memory and its Acquisition (Inria and University of Lille, France)

We invite applications for a 3-year PhD position at the University of Lille in the context of the recently funded research project "COMANCHE" (Computational Models of Lexical Meaning and Change). The position is funded by Inria, the French national research institute in Computer Science and Applied Mathematics.

COMANCHE proposes to transfer and adapt neural word embeddings algorithms to model the acquisition and evolution of word meaning, by comparing them with linguistic theories on language acquisition and language evolution. At the intersection between Natural Language Processing, psycholinguistics and historical linguistics, this project intends to validate or revise some of these theories, while also developing computational models that are less data hungry and computationally intensive as they exploit new inductive biases inspired by these disciplines.

The first strand of the project, on which the successful candidate will work, focuses on the development of computational models of semantic memory and its acquisition. Two main research directions will be pursued. On the one hand, we will compare the structural properties associated to different semantic spaces derived from word embedding algorithms to those found in human semantic memory as reflected in behavioral data (such as typicality norms) as well as brain imaging data. The latter data will then used as additional supervision to inject more hierarchical structure into the learned semantic spaces. One the other hand, we intend to experiment with training regimes for word embedding algorithms that are closer to those of humans when they acquire language, controlling the quantity as well as the linguistic complexity of the inputs fed to the learning algorithms through the use of longitudinal and child directed speech corpora (e.g., CHILDES, Colaje). In both cases, both English and French data will be considered.

The successful candidate holds a Master's degree in computational linguistics or computer science or cognitive science and has prior experience in word embedding models. Furthermore, the candidate will provide strong programming skills, expertise in machine learning approaches and is eager to work across languages.

The position is affiliated with the MAGNET team at Inria, Lille [1] as well as with the SCALAB group at University of Lille [2] in an effort to strenghten collaborations between these two groups, and ultimately foster cross-fertilizations between Natural Language Processing and Psycholinguistics.

Applications will be considered until the position is filled. However, you are encouraged to apply early as we shall start processing the applications as and when they are received. Applications, written in English or French, should include a brief cover letter with research interests and vision, a CV (including your contact address, work experience, publications), and contact information for at least 2 referees. Applications (and questions) should be sent to Angèle Brunellière (angele.brunelliere@univ-lille.fr) and Pascal Denis (pascal.denis@inria.fr).

The starting date of the position is 1 October 2022 or soon thereafter, for a total of 3 full years.

Best regards,

Angèle Brunellière and Pascal Denis

[1] https://team.inria.fr/magnet/ [2] https://scalab.univ-lille.fr/