PRR Project

Summary

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and computational modeling are present in almost every single instance of our daily lives: from the object and face recognition systems implemented in most social media apps or in self-driven cars and vehicle detection systems, to our internet search engines. AI and computational science have, in fact, become a centerpiece in contemporary society – we are witnessing fierce debates over AI’s reach that focus on important issues such as accessibility, security and ethical considerations, but also on how AI and computational models can be used to advance science and society.Here we propose the hiring of an Assistant Professor in Computational Neuroscience to establish a strong research program that builds upon the work done at CINEICC, and that focuses on computational models – e.g., deep learning convolutional neural networks (DNNs) and more semantic-based models (e.g., transformers) – to model neuroimaging (e.g., fMRI) and/or behavioral data, and further our understanding of how the brain processes complex high-level information. Specifically, we are looking for an individual whose research interests lie at the intersection of computational modeling, human neuroscience and neuroimaging, and cognitive science, with a specific focus on developing computational models in any of the major areas of cognition in humans (e.g., vision, language, attention, memory, decision making, social cognition, motor processes). The candidate should be able to contribute encoding/decoding models on human cognition and test those with relevant human and artificial (DNNs) data, relate multidimensional feature maps from different layers of a computational model with multivariate neural response patterns in humans elicited by high-level stimuli, and/or use these multidimensional feature maps and adversarial attacks to computational models to gain leverage on the units of cognition that give rise to mental experiences. The ideal candidate should have demonstrated research potential as evidenced by a strong publication track-record; show promise of developing and maintaining an active, externally-funded research program; show commitment to supervising students; and show the ability to work collaboratively within CINEICC. Such a profile would provide a major innovative branch of cognitive neuroscience at CINEICC, bringing a new level of understanding of mind-brain relationships.Computational approaches are, and have been historically, important contributors to the advances in Psychology. Major examples of these contributions came from the advent of connectionism, parallel distributed (PDP) models, and other computational models in the 1980s - e.g., the work of James McClelland and others on psycholinguistics; the computational models on vision and object recognition put forth by David Marr and Irving Biederman. All these have fundamentally shaped Cognitive Science and Psychology.It is evermore clear, however, that the role of computational modeling is far from historical and is a major area in Psychology going forward, especially in its intersection with neuroscience. In fact, the profile presented above is currently one of the most sought-after profiles in the best Psychology departments in the world. This is so because computational neuroscientists aim to uncover the principles underlying neural processes and behaviors through the lens of complex mathematical models and computational techniques. Thus, they lend a strong methodological background that can be used in our efforts to resolve some of the most complex societal issues, typically involving working with big data. Moreover, the presence of these profiles in Psychology departments and research centers has a spillover effect on researchers and students of all levels, preparing them for STEM fields, and providing them with a set of cross-sectorial skills that are increasingly in demand within and outside academia.While it is clear that Computational Neuroscience is becoming a major emergent field within leading Psychology departments and research centers worldwide, it is still completely absent in Portuguese Psychology departments and research centers. Importantly, CINEICC and the associated local department of Psychology (FPCE-UC) have been awarded the ERA (European Research Area) Chair project CogBooster, led by Alfonso Caramazza. CogBooster is set to help create a strong and permanent line of research that focuses on neuroscientific approaches to understanding cognitive processes. We strongly believe that the profile proposed here will be of central importance for the understanding of major cognitive processes, and thus is aligned with CINEICC’s strategic research program on neural underpinnings of high-level cognition, as well as with the ERA Chair CogBooster’s (and FPCE-UC) goals. Moreover, the hiring of such a researcher will pave the way towards stronger analytical and methodological research programs in Psychology in Portugal.