1 Doctoral Research Assistant / Postdoctoral Researcher
SFB/TR 8 project I5-[DiaSpace], Universität Bremen
(1/2 TVL 13, approx. € 17,500 to € 25,000 p.a. gross)

The research project I5-[DiaSpace] is seeking a researcher in the area of natural language dialogue. The I5 project is concerned with natural and effective verbal interaction between agents (both human and artificial) who jointly address spatially-embedded tasks. Particular emphasis is given to the mutual negotiation of spatial reference frames, spatial perspectives, scale and granularity choices, and corresponding discourse strategies. The successful applicant will work primarily with empirical methods of linguistic, discourse-analytic and psycho¬linguistic investigation of dialogue in the spatial domain in order to help establish the mechanisms active in establishing natural dialogue flow in increasingly complex tasks. Since the results are gradually integrated in a flexible dialogue system enabling robots to interact naturally with humans, the successful applicant will also need to interact closely with computational dialogue modeling colleagues. Applicants should have a degree in linguistics or in a related field (diploma, MA, or Ph.D.).

Especially, applicants should have qualifications and/or interests in one or more of the following fields:


• Empirical discourse analysis
• Experimental data collection and transcription
• Spatial language and spatial cognition
• Human-robot / human-computer interaction
• Computer-based data handling, including particularly basic skills in XML and corpus annotation.

We offer the opportunity to gain research experience in a modern and enthusiastic research environment with strong interdisciplinary and international links. Responsibilities include project work and research, publication of research results, supervision of student projects, participation in the activities of the SFB/TR 8, and contribution to research proposals.

The position is available from January 2007 until the end of 2010. Extension is possible.

Application deadline: 01 December 2006 (or until a suitable candidate is found).

Universität Bremen is an equal opportunity employer. Women are especially encouraged to apply. Handicapped applicants with equal qualifications will be given preferential treatment.



Applications and questions about the position should be sent (preferably by email) to:
Dr. Thora Tenbrink <tenbrink@sfbtr8.uni-bremen.de>
SFB/TR 8 - Spatial Cognition Universität Bremen P.O. Box 330 440
28334 Bremen / Germany