A postdoctoral position is being offered as part of the ALMA Deltas II project led by Professor Kirsty Donald, Deputy Director of the University of Cape Town’s Neuroscience Institute (NI). The NI brings together neuroscientists, including clinicians and basic researchers, to create a multidisciplinary environment, geared towards improving our understanding of brain functioning and tackling brain disease.
The Neuroscience Institute and the AI Research Unit (AIRU) at the University of Cape Town is embarking on a joint research project in AI systems for scientific knowledge discovery in Neuroscience with specific emphasis on early childhood brain development. The project is looking to recruit an outstanding researcher in either Computer Science, Computational Neuroscience or an allied discipline who is interested in working on AI
Systems for Neuroscience.
The researcher will work across both AIRU and the NI at UCT but will be primarily supervised and attached to the SARChI Chair in AI Systems within the AI Research Unit. The project will explore various AI techniques, including deep neural networks, knowledge graphs, ontologies and Bayesian networks to develop novel hybrid AI mechanisms for continual learning, causal reconstruction and interactive scientific knowledge discovery for brain development in early childhood and more broadly in neuroscience.
The value of the fellowship is R 380 000 per annum. The position is a full-time in-person position based in Cape Town tenable for two years initially for one year and renewable for a second year subject to adequate performance in the first year. Regrettably, no relocation expenses are available. The fellowship carries no benefits and a directive for tax exemption will be applied for by UCT on behalf of the successful candidate.
South African citizens or individuals from other African countries. Applicants must have completed their doctoral study in the last five years. Applicants may not previously have held full-time academic posts.
- The applicant will be expected to have an outstanding profile in Computer Science or Computational Neuroscience or a related discipline, with evidence of interest and an ability to undertake research in the above-mentioned field.
- The successful candidate will be expected to publish at least one, but ideally two conference or journal publications during the fellowship tenure.
- The successful candidate will be required to enter into a Memorandum of Agreement with the University of Cape Town and a Memorandum of Understanding with their Principal Investigator.
The first deadline is 29 November 2024. The call will remain open until a suitable candidate is found.
Applications must include the following:
- A covering letter explaining the candidate\'s suitability and experience, as well as their availability.
- A brief research proposal which also highlights how your expertise and interests aligns with the research focus of the Chair.
- The applicant\'s full curriculum vitae and a full list of publications.
- The names and contact details of at least two academics who have taught, supervised or worked alongside the applicant.
- Certified copies of all academic transcripts (undergraduate, Honours (if (applicable), Masters (if applicable) and PhD).
The first application deadline is 26 November 2024. Please send through the above to BOTH Prof Kirsty Donald (kirsty.donald @ uct.ac.za) and A/Prof Deshen Moodley (deshen.moodley @ uct.ac.za). The call will remain open until a suitable candidate is found.
