Saarland University is a campus university with an international reputation for research excellence,
particularly in computer science and in the life sciences and nanosciences. The university is also
distinguished by its close ties to France and its strong European focus. Around 17,000 students, studying
over one hundred different academic disciplines, are currently enrolled at Saarland University. Saarland
University is officially recognized as one of Germany’s family-friendly higher-education institutions and
with a combined workforce of more than 4000 it is one of the largest employers in the region.
The Research Training Group "Neuroexplicit Models of Language, Vision, and Action" is inviting
applications for the following position commencing 01 October 2023
Academic research assistant (m/f/x)
Reference number W2298, salary in accordance with the German TV-L salary scale1, pay grade: E13 TV- L, duration
of employment: three years (can be extended further), volume of employment: 100 % of standard working time.
Workplace/Department:
The RTG "Neuroexplicit Models of Language, Vision, and Action" develops novel models that combine
neural and human-interpretable ("explicit") components to accurately solve tasks in natural language
processing, computer vision, and action-decision making. We aim to improve the state of the art through
the use of neuroexplicit models and investigate general machine learning design principles for effective
neuroexplicit models.
The RTG will fund up to 24 PhD students at a time and brings together multiple world-class research
institutions on the Saarland University campus. We aim to recruit internationally and create a tight-knit,
interdisciplinary research group through a joint qualification program. In addition, Saarland University
funds one postdoc position for an excellent young researcher who will pursue their own research agenda
in the area of neuroexplicit models and collaborate intensively with the PhD students, ideally across
research area boundaries.
For more information, see https://www.neuroexplicit.org/
1 TV-L = collective agreement on remuneration of public sector employees in the German Länder
The pay grade assigned to an employee depends on their professional qualifications and the number of years of service. Each pay grade is
further subdivided into levels. Entry-level employees with no previous experience will initially be assigned a level 1 rating. After one year at
level 1 of the E10 pay grade, an employee will move up to level 2. After a further two years, the employee will move to level 3, etc.
Job requirements and responsibilities: Your job will be to carry out research with international impact within and across the fields of natural language
processing ("Language"), computer vision ("Vision"), planning or reinforcement learning ("Action"), and machine
learning ("Foundations"). You will set your own research agenda in the area of neuroexplicit models and
collaborate intensively with the PhD students and PIs in the RTG.
- Language skills (according to GER): English C2
The successful candidate will also be expected to:
- Have demonstrated expertise in one or more of the research fields of the RTG through publications in
the top international venues of their field.
- Propose a research agenda with the potential for international impact, ideally cutting across the research
areas of the RTG.
- Exhibit strong social skills.
What we can offer you: A flexible work schedule allowing you to balance work and family, among other things the possibility of
- Secure and future-oriented employment with attractive conditions
- A broad range of further education and professional development programmes (for example language courses)
- An occupational health management model with numerous attractive options, such as our university sports
- Supplementary pension scheme (RZVK)
- Discounted tickets on local public transport services (‘Job-Ticket Plus‘ of the saarVV)
We look forward to receiving your meaningful online application include a single PDF with the following
information:
- a full CV
- Research statement outlining your research interests
- Names and e-mail addresses of two academic references
by 31.05.2023 to bewerbung@uni-saarland.de. Please include the reference number W2298 in the subject
line of the e-mail.
If you have any questions, please contact us for assistance.
Your contact:
Prof. Dr. Alexander Koller und Karina Walgenbach
https://www.neuroexplicit.org | info@neuroexplicit.org
Tel.: 0681-302-4344
Pay grade classification is based on the particular details of the position held and the extent to which the applicant meets the
requirements of the pay grade within the TV-L salary scale. Part-time employment is generally possible.
If you have obtained a foreign university degree, a proof of the equivalence of this degree with a German degree by the
Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen (ZAB) is needed before hiring. If necessary, please apply for this in time. You can
find more information at https://www.kmk.org/zeugnisbewertung.
Costs for any certificate evaluation by the ZAB can not be reimbursed in principle by University of Saarland.
We welcome applications regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion/belief, disability, age, and sexual
orientation and identity. In accordance with its policy of increasing the proportion of women, the University actively encourages
applications from women. Applications from severely disabled persons will be given preferential consideration in the event of
equal suitability.
When you submit a job application to Saarland University you will be transmitting personal data. Please refer to our privacy notice
for information on how we collect and process personal data in accordance with Art. 13 of the Datenschutz-Grundverordnung. By
submitting your application you confirm that you have taken note of the information in the Saarland University privacy notice.
