Postdoctoral Position at the MCMP (Project “The Bayesian Approach to Robust Argumentation Machines”)

The Munich Center for Mathematical Philosophy (MCMP) and the Chair of Philosophy of Science at the Faculty of Philosophy, Philosophy of Science and Study of Religion at LMU Munich seek applications for a

3-year postdoctoral position

starting on October 1st, 2021.

The successful candidate has a background in artificial intelligence, cognitive science, computer science, mathematical social science, mathematical philosophy or statistics with an expertise in machine learning and big data and will work on the project "The Bayesian Approach to Robust Argumentation Machines” (188kb). The project is funded by the German Research Council (DFG) within the interdisciplinary priority program “Robust Argumentation Machines” and conducted together with the group of Prof. Ulrike Hahn at Birkbeck College.

This project seeks to use Bayesian Belief Networks for large-scale applications in the context of robust argumentation machines, adapting available computational tools and methods to the study of argumentation and develop new tools and methods where needed. More specifically, the project has the following four objectives: (1) To use machine learning tools to learn Bayesian networks from large data sets. (2) To develop adequate argument generation and evaluation algorithms from these Bayesian networks. (3) To set up tools for testing perceived argument quality of generated arguments. (4) To use these tools to test the arguments we generated.

The position is remunerated with a full-time employment contract under the German TV-L E13 salary scheme (conditions apply). We also provide funds to cover costs to attend some workshops and conferences.

The MCMP hosts a vibrant research community of faculty, postdoctoral fellows, doctoral fellows, master students, and visiting fellows. It organizes at least two weekly colloquia and a weekly internal work-in-progress seminar, as well as various other activities such as workshops, conferences, summer schools, and reading groups. The successful candidates will partake in the MCMP's academic activities and enjoy its administrative facilities and support. The official language at the MCMP is English and fluency in German is not mandatory.

We especially encourage female scholars to apply. LMU Munich endeavors to raise the percentage of women among its academic personnel. Among applicants chosen for interviews, given equal qualification, preference will be given to candidates with disabilities and minority scholars.

Applications (including a cover letter that addresses, amongst others, one's academic background, research interests, fit to the project and the proposed starting date, a CV, a list of publications, and a sample of written work of no more than 5000 words) should be sent by email (in one PDF document) to office.hartmann@lrz.uni-muenchen.de by 15 February, 2021. Additionally, two confidential letters of reference addressing the applicant's qualifications for academic research should be sent to the same email address from the referees directly. Candidates who have not finished their PhD at the time of the application deadline have to provide evidence (in the cover letter or in the reference) that they will have their PhD in hand at the time the position starts.

For further information, please contact Prof. Stephan Hartmann (S.Hartmann@lmu.de).