Postdoctoral Researcher Position in Advanced Student Modeling and Tailored Large Language Models for Personalized Learning in Computer Science

The Advanced Student Modeling and Tailored Large Language Models for Personalized Learning in Computing Education research project is seeking a dedicated and talented individual for a 2-year salaried postdoctoral researcher position, with a potential extension for a year. The position is part of a project funded by the Research Council of Finland.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research with world-leading experts in computing education, specifically investigating tailoring large language models (LLMs) for personalized learning of programming. As a postdoctoral researcher, your research will focus on the two main focus areas of the project: 1) advanced student modeling which will inform the LLMs and 2) fine-tuning LLMs to provide pedagogically valid support for learners. Your work will focus on both of these areas. 

You will be given support for travel to present research at conferences, and you will also have the opportunity to advise a PhD student in the same project.

Ideal applicants have a strong computer science background with experience in using and fine-tuning LLMs, and have experience in designing and conducting computing education and/or human-computer interaction experiments. The research is interdisciplinary, so an interest and prior experience in teaching programming is considered an advantage. The applicant must have a PhD degree in Computer Science or a related field.

To apply, please prepare a cover letter detailing your interest and qualifications for the position, a CV, PhD degree, and a list of publications. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the position will be filled as soon as a suitable candidate is found, so don't delay.

Please write your application and all the accompanying documentation in English. Please attach only the following documents as a single PDF to your application:

• A cover letter describing your interest and qualifications for the position (max. 1 page). The letter must be specific to this call and address the research you would like to pursue within the general theme of the project.

• Curriculum vitae.

• List of publications.

• A copy of your PhD degree certificate and its English translation (Finnish and Swedish also accepted).

Submit your application through the Aalto University recruitment site ("Apply now!” button) by the 26th of January, 2025. 

The starting date of the position is in March 2025, or as agreed. Aalto University follows the salary system of Finnish universities, and the salary of a postdoc is in the range of 4000€ - 4400€/month (gross), depending on experience. The annual workload of research and teaching staff at Aalto University is currently 1612 hours.

Aalto University offers a wide range of staff benefits, such as occupational health care, flexible working hours, excellent sports facilities on campus, and several restaurants and cafés on campus with staff discounts. The position is located at the Aalto University Otaniemi campus which can be easily reached by public transport. For more information about living in Finland:
 

• https://www.aalto.fi/en/careers-at-aalto/living-in-finland

• https://www.aalto.fi/en/services/welcome-to-aalto-university-and-finland-info-package   

Aalto University is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and diverse research community. We are excited to review applications from candidates of all backgrounds and researchers from underrepresented groups are particularly encouraged to apply.
 

For further details about this position, please contact Senior University Lecturer Arto Hellas (arto.hellas@aalto.fi) and Academy Research Fellow Juho Leinonen (juho.2.leinonen@aalto.fi).

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