25% off

Applykite25

Publisher
source

Anna Leshinskaya

1 week ago

PhD Positions in Cognitive Science, Machine Learning, and Moral Philosophy at University of California, Irvine University of California, Irvine in United States

I am recruiting PhD students in cognitive science, machine learning, and moral philosophy at UCI for Fall 2026.

University of California, Irvine

United States

email-of-the@publisher.com

Dec 28, 2025

Keywords

Computer Science
Cognitive Science
Philosophy
Combinatorics
Philosophy Of Mind
Moral Philosophy
Conceptualization
Computational Modelling
Ethical Decision Making
Large Language Models
Machine learning

Description

The Relational Cognition Lab at the University of California, Irvine, led by Anna Leshinskaya, is recruiting PhD students for Fall 2026 in the Cognitive Sciences program. The lab's research sits at the intersection of cognitive science, machine learning, and moral philosophy, focusing on combinatorial reasoning, moral decision-making, and conceptual cognition in both humans and large language models. The group employs cognitive mechanistic interpretability to analyze internal representations and processes in AI models, comparing them to human cognition. Research themes include moral reasoning as a lens for understanding combinatorial and relational thought, as well as the development of computational models of conceptual cognition and theory of mind. The position is funded, though specific financial details are not provided. Applicants should have a strong background in relevant fields and are encouraged to review the lab's website for more information. Applications should be submitted through the UCI portal, listing Anna Leshinskaya as a potential advisor. Suitable candidates will be invited for meetings after applying.

Funding

The position is funded, as indicated by 'our funded work,' but specific details about stipend amount, tuition coverage, or funding type are not provided.

How to apply

Apply through the UCI application portal for the Cognitive Sciences PhD program and indicate Anna Leshinskaya as a potential advisor. Review the lab website for research themes. Candidates will be contacted for meetings after applying.

Requirements

Applicants should have a strong background in cognitive science, computer science, philosophy, or related fields. Experience or interest in machine learning, computational modeling, or moral reasoning is preferred. Candidates must meet the University of California, Irvine's PhD program admission requirements, including academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, and English language proficiency if applicable.

Ask ApplyKite AI

Start chatting
Can you summarize this position?
What qualifications are required for this position?
How should I prepare my application?

Professors