New post-docs on the Theoretical Foundations of Embodied Cognition

Call for expressions of interest:

Two new post-doctoral positions on the Theoretical Foundations of Embodied Cognition.
As part of a newly funded EU project, we are recruiting two postdoctoral researchers to work on theoretical and philosophical aspects of embodied cognition within our research group at the University of the Basque Country, in San Sebastián, Spain.
The new European project on “Extending Sensorimotor Contingencies to Cognition” (eSMCs) comprises a strong network of neuroscientists, AI experts, roboticists, cognitive scientists and philosophers. Its main objective is to extend notions of sensorimotor embodiment to more complex forms of cognitive performance using theoretical work as well as computational and robotic models. It will also involve behavioural and neurophysiological studies in healthy human subjects and those with movement dysfunction. The consortium includes Andreas Engel (Hamburg), Rolf Pfeifer (Zurich), Peter König (Osnabrück), Ezequiel Di Paolo (Basque Country), Danica Kragic (Stockholm), and Paul Verschure (Barcelona). The project also involves the participation of Alva Noë (Berkeley) and Karl Friston (UCL). The project will start early 2011.
Suitable candidates would have an interest in theoretical and philosophical aspects of embodied cognition including some of the following: sensorimotor theories of perception, non-representationalism, the extended mind, phenomenology of the body and enactive approaches to autonomy, agency and meaning. Candidates should have a theoretical background with a recent PhD in one of these areas. They should also demonstrate a willingness to engage in productive dialogue with empirical and modelling research. Experience in some form of modelling or empirical work is desirable but not required.
One post is due to start in the first quarter of 2011 and the other by mid-2011. The duration of each position is 3 years. Both researchers will work under the direction of Prof Di Paolo, but with important chances for local collaborations and exchanges across the network. The local group (led by Prof Alvaro Moreno) is renowned for its work on the philosophy of biology, complex systems and autonomy, and has recently started new lines on embodied cognition, intersubjectivity, and ethics.

At this stage, we invite informal expressions of interest (including a CV and short statement of research interests) which should be directed to Ezequiel Di Paolo by email at ezequiel_dipaolo @ ehu.es before November 30 2010.