Postdoctoral Researcher: Multi-modal Workload Assessment in Air Traffic Control at the Donders Centre for Cognition - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

1. Introduction

Are you passionate about extracting information on human mental state from a myriad of different types of signals? Are you comfortable with signal processing and modelling techniques? We are looking for a postdoctoral researcher to join our European DIALOG project on smooth collaboration between air traffic controllers and artificial agents. 

2. Job description

The DIALOG project and this associated postdoctoral position are funded under the Single European Sky Air Traffic Management Research Joint Undertaking (SESAR JU). In the DIALOG project we work on an AI-based digital assistant that uses information from the air traffic controllers’ estimated state, traffic situation and general context to anticipate air traffic controllers’ needs and efficiently support their work. A description of the project is available upon request.

As a postdoctoral researcher at Radboud University, you will focus on air traffic controllers’ workload assessment using physiological data (e.g. heart rate measures, pupil dilation, electrodermal activity, and possibly EEG), and on fusing this data with information from other sources (context information as well as behavioural data, such as facial expression, eye tracking, voice). Rather than only combining data into one machine learning model, we foresee using novel approaches for data fusion, such as linking information to gaze location and extracting coordination patterns between different modalities.

You will work on designing, performing and analysing data from a semi-realistic air traffic control study in the lab, using knowledge from the literature and adding to it. You will collaborate with DIALOG partners in various countries in Europe who are expertised in air traffic control, voice processing and eye tracking.

In addition, you will have the opportunity to discuss and collaborate with partners on attention allocation assessment, task allocation by the AI-based digital assistant, and system validation strategies.

3. Profile

• You have a PhD degree in Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Cognitive Science, Neuroergonomics, Affective Computing, or a related field.
• You are experienced in setting up, running and analysing data from experiments that involve physiology, eye-tracking information, speech and/or camera images.
• You have experience estimating mental states such as workload, effort, attention, and fatigue from physiological or other continuous signals, using computational techniques (machine learning, AI).
• You have good organisational and communication skills.
• You are willing to learn and think across disciplines.
• You have good English writing and presentation skills.
• Experience in operational environment studies, especially in air traffic management, is a plus. 

4. We are

Your home base will be the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour. This institute is a world-class interfaculty research centre that houses more than 700 researchers devoted to understanding the mechanistic underpinnings of the human mind. Research at the Donders Institute is focused around four themes: 1. Language and communication, 2. Perception, action and decision-making, 3. Development and lifelong plasticity, 4. Natural computing and neurotechnology. Excellent, state-of-the-art research facilities are available for the broad range of neuroscience research that is being conducted at the Donders Institute. The Donders Institute has been assessed by an international evaluation committee as ‘excellent’ and recognised as a ‘very stimulating environment for top researchers, as well as for young talent’. The Donders Institute fosters a collaborative, multidisciplinary, supportive research environment with a diverse international staff. English is the lingua franca at the Institute.

In addition, you will interact and work with the five other partners in the DIALOG project, in particular with the French Aerospace Lab ONERA (Bertille Somon) and SINTEF - Applied research, technology and innovation (Amela Karahasanovic). Your network will be further expanded through affiliations of the local PIs involved: Anne-Marie Brouwer is also senior scientist at the Netherlands Organisation of Applied Scientific Research (TNO), and Tibor Bosse is also employed at the Behavioural Science Institute at Radboud University.

5. We offer

• We will give you a temporary employment contract of two years.
• Your salary within salary scale 11 depends on your previous education and number of years of (relevant) work experience. The amounts in the scale are based on a 38-hour working week.
• You will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8,3% end-of-year bonus. 
• You will be able to use our Dual Career and Family Support Service. The Dual Career Programme assists your partner via support, tools, and resources to improve their chances of independently finding employment in the Netherlands. Our Family Support Service helps you and your partner feel welcome and at home by providing customised assistance in navigating local facilities, schools, and amenities. Also take a look at our support for international staff page to discover all our services for international employees.
• You will receive extra days off. With full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the statutory 20. 

6. Practical information and applying

You can apply only via the button below. Address your letter of application, including names and contact details of two referees, to Prof. Anne-Marie Brouwer. In the application form, you will find which documents you need to include with your application.

The first interviews will take place on 26 June and 2 July. You will preferably start your employment on 1 September.

We can imagine you're curious about our application procedure. It describes what you can expect during the application procedure and how we handle your personal data and internal and external candidates. If you wish to apply for a non-scientific position with a non-EU nationality, please take notice of the following information.