Research Fellow x 4 Psyhcology - University of Warwick

Vacancy Reference Number
1793711
Closing Date
12 Mar 2019
Salary
£30,395 to £39,609 per annum
Address
Department of Psychology, University of Warwick
Duration
Fixed term for 2 years in the first instance

4 x Fixed Term, Full-Time Contracts for 2 Years, each with the possibility for extension for 2 more years.

The University of Warwick is seeking to appoint four full-time, 2-year postdoctoral researchers (each with the possibility of an extension for another 2 years after successful evaluation) at the Department of Psychology, as part of the research grant ‘Searching for the Approximation Method Used to Perform Rational Inference by Individuals and Groups — SAMPLING’ funded by an ERC (European Research Council) Consolidator grant awarded to Dr. Adam Sanborn at the University of Warwick.

Over the past two decades, Bayesian models have been used to explain behaviour in domains from intuitive physics and causal learning, to perception, motor control and language. Yet people produce clearly incorrect answers in response to even the simplest questions about probabilities. How can a supposedly Bayesian brain paradoxically reason so poorly with probabilities? Perhaps brains do not represent or calculate probabilities at all and are, indeed, poorly adapted to do so. Instead they could be approximating Bayesian inference through sampling: drawing samples from a distribution of likely hypotheses over time.

This promising approach has been used in existing work to explain biases in judgment. However, different algorithms have been used to explain different biases, and the existing data does not distinguish between sampling algorithms. The first aim of this project is to identify which sampling algorithm is used by the brain by collecting behavioural data on the sample generation process, and comparing it to a variety of sampling algorithms from computer science and statistics.

The second aim is to show how how the identified sampling algorithm can systematically generate classic probabilistic reasoning errors in individuals, with the goal of upending the longstanding consensus on these effects. Finally, the third aim is to investigate how the identified sampling algorithm provides a new perspective on group decision-making biases and errors in financial decision making, and harness the algorithm to produce novel and effective ways for human and artificial experts to collaborate.

Skills/Experience required:

  • A PhD in Psychology, Statistics, Computer Science, Cognitive Science, Economics, Neuroscience, or other relevant subject (awarded or near completion). 
  • Demonstrable research excellence. 
  • Previous research on topics related to this project (i.e., Bayesian cognitive models, sampling algorithms, errors in probabilistic reasoning, and group decision-making biases). 
  • Capacity to work independently and within a group. 
  • Capacity to carry out research timely and to work to deadlines. 
  • Effective communication skills.

The successful candidates will be prepared to begin after the grant starts on 1st April 2019. All applications must be made online and accompanied by a CV and covering letter. References may be requested prior to shortlisting. 

If you have not yet been awarded your PhD but are near submission or have recently submitted your PhD, any offers of employment will be made as Research Assistant on level 5 of the University grade structure (£29,515). Upon successful award of your PhD and evidence of this fact, you will be promoted to Research Fellow on the first point of level 6 of the University grade structure (£30,395 pa).

Closing Date: 12 March 2019

For more information and to apply, click here