DFKI (Education Technology) and University of Saarland: Job Openings

Join a stimulating international research team

For several open positions in research projects we are seeking

  • PhD students,
  • researchers and
  • software engineers
to join the ActiveMath group at the DFKI and/or the university in Saarbrücken, Germany. Some of the positions will be available in a European project starting mid 2003 that concentrates on further developing the ActiveMath system to a language-enhanced sophisticated web-based learning system. Another direction is challenging basic research for the effective support of mathematics learning such as support for construction of examples and counterexamples.

ActiveMath is a learning environment for mathematics. It is being developed at the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) and at the University of Saarland. The goal of the project's research and development is an intelligent, web-based, interactive learning system (for mathematics) that uses instruction as well as constructivist elements and is largely interactive. The group already developed the architecture, a versatile XML-based knowledge representation, and techniques for generating new-generation on-line interactive mathematics documents (textbooks, courses, tutorials) and e-learning. ActiveMath already applies AI-techniques such as adaptive course generation, user modelling, user-adaptive interfaces, interactive exercises with feedback, mathematical knowledge bases, and proof planning as well as distributed systems and web-communication in an education system for mathematics. See the project home page.

The research on mixed-initiative proof planning will cope with problems that arise when interactively planning proofs/solutions for mathematical problems. Techniques such as meta-reasoning, constraint solving, and hierarchical strategic proof planning have to be investigated, improved, and employed for an intelligent interaction with and feedback for a learner. The `mixed-initiative' part has to find out which activities are best performed by humans and which by the system.

We invite suitably qualified applicants who

  • have completed an above average Master's Degree in computer science, mathematics, or equivalent
  • have object-oriented programming experience (Java and XML is a plus)
  • enjoy teamwork and have a taste for interdisciplinary work
Applicants should have a strong background and interest in at least two of the following overlapping areas:
  • Intelligent tutor systems
  • Mathematics and maths didactics
  • Proof planning
  • Web technologies
  • User modelling
  • Language technology
Successful applicants will be able to contribute to a number research projects in the area of intelligent (maths) education systems for college and school level. They have the opportunity to make a PhD and to learn about a variety of technologies such as XSLT, servlets, browsers, XML, mathematical service tools, etc.

The positions will be available from July 2003 for a period of three years maybe with the option of further extension. University positions will be paid according to BAT2a on the German scale for federal employees. BAT2a amounts to an annual salary of 66 000.- to 86 000.- DM before tax strongly depending on age and family status. This amounts to 35 000.- to 50 000.- DM after tax and various other deductions depending on family status etc.

Please send your application (including a CV, a list of publications, and a list of realized projects) to Erica Melis at the following address:

PD.Dr. Erica Melis

DFKI GmbH
Stuhlsatzenhausweg / Building 36.1
D-66123 Saarbrücken
Germany

last modified May 3rd, 2001