Role
We are looking for someone who can train large-scale models in a self-supervised regime, using data sampled from the infant and parent streams, and test the models’ performance in order to understand the benefits of a developmental curriculum for learning and the properties of the data that drive the performance. The successful candidate will also research aspects related to surprise and curiosity as they occur in human infant and machine learning.
The role holder will have an excellent command of spoken and written English.
Key duties and responsibilities will include:
To design and conduct research that: 1) leverages the multimodal data collected with infants and their parents to train large-scale models in a self-supervised regime, using data sampled from the infant and parent streams. Study various algorithms and analyse performance to understand the benefits of the developmental curriculum for learning and the properties of the data that drive the performance; 2) capitalizes on the unique multimodal data (namely the ECG and acceleration data synchronised with video and audio data), and the interdisciplinary expertise in machine learning and infant development, to study aspects related to surprise and curiosity as they occur in infant learning, as well as in self-supervised cross-modal learning.
Preprocess all data modalities and structure in a format (e.g. tfrecords) that can be used to efficiently run machine learning experiments; pseudo-label the data using pre-trained models; design suitable evaluations and visualization techniques to assess model performance qualitatively and quantitatively; interpret research results relative to existent empirical data and theoretical proposals; use of appropriate research techniques and methods; write up of research results for dissemination through publications, seminar and conference presentations; contribute to the identification of possible new ideas for research.
To undertake appropriate organisational and administrative activities connected to the research project, including those related to respecting the data protection legislation.
To assist in disseminating and promoting best practices for interdisciplinary research.
To disseminate research results from the project through high-quality journal articles and presentations at national and international conferences, and workshops.
Please see the job description for more information on key duties and responsibilities, as well as skills, experience, and qualifications needed for this position.
Interview date: To be confirmed
Start date: the start date of the position is January/February 2026 or sooner.
