Hello, 

Could you please distribute the following job offer? Thanks. 

Best, 

Pascal 

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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 ([email protected]) and Pascal Denis 
([email protected]). 

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/ 

-- 
Pascal 

---- 
Pour une évaluation indépendante, transparente et rigoureuse ! 
Je soutiens la Commission d'Évaluation de l'Inria. 
---- 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 
Pascal Denis 
Equipe MAGNET, INRIA Lille Nord Europe 
Bâtiment B, Avenue Heloïse 
Parc scientifique de la Haute Borne 
59650 Villeneuve d'Ascq 
Tel: ++33 3 59 35 87 24 
Url: http://researchers.lille.inria.fr/~pdenis/ 
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 
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