POST DOCTORATE FELLOW - Natural Language Understanding - Brodbeck Winter 2026
Top Benefits
About the role
Job ID
Regular/Temporary
Temporary
Job Title
POST DOCTORATE FELLOW - Natural Language Understanding - Brodbeck Winter 2026
73249
Location
Central Campus
Open Date
12/17/2025
Job Type
Limited Term (=12 month)
Close Date
01/13/2026
Employee Group
Pos Doc (Union&NonUnion)
Favorite Job
Department
Computing and Software
Contract Duration
12.1 Months
Hours per Week
35
Target Number of Openings
1
Posting Details
Schedule
Monday-Friday, 35 hours/week
Education Level
PhD in Computer Science/Information Science or related fields
Career Level
Experienced
Anticipated Start Date
February 1, 2026
Job Description
Postdoctoral Fellowship
Studying Natural Language Understanding
Overview
Dr. Christian Brodbeck from the Department of Computing and Software (CAS) at the Faculty of Engineering is recruiting one (1) postdoctoral researcher for a research project on natural language understanding in a cognitive architecture, in a collaboration with Adderbee Research, at McMaster University
Adderbee has developed a cognitive architecture, built on symbolic computation and continuous learning as a core mode of operation. The collaborative development project between McMaster and Adderbee aims to improve natural language understanding through the application of cognitive and linguistic principles.
We are searching for applicants who are interested in cognitive architectures and natural language processing. The research fellow will work as a part of a team bridging academia and industry. The goal of the position is to assist in systematically evaluating and improve conversational language understanding, as well as extend reasoning skills to novel semantic/knowledge domains.
About the Department
McMaster’s department of Computing and Software is one of the top departments for Computer Science and Software Engineering in Canada. We have 40+ faculty members with expertise in computer systems, software engineering, theoretical computer science, security, privacy, machine learning, data analytics, scientific computing, and bioinformatics. The department mentors over 1,800 undergraduate students in three programs: computer science, software engineering, and mechatronics engineering. It also mentors more than 180 graduate students in master’s and doctoral programs.
Qualifications
The candidate must have and/or demonstrate the following skillset:
- Recently completed their Ph.D. in Computational Linguistics, Cognitive Science, Psychology of Learning, Linguistic Theory, or a related field
- Experience and interests in cognitive architectures, Natural Language Processing, and Natural Language Understanding
- A record of conference presentations and/or peer-reviewed publications as first author in these areas
- Familiarity with computational methods
- Strong coding skills (ideally including some Java experience)
Duration and Funding
The term of the fellowship is initially for 12 months, with the possibility of renewal depending on funding. Selection will be based upon the candidate's research potential and fit with the research group in the Department of CAS at the Faculty of Engineering. We prefer the start date of the Postdoctoral Fellowship to be February 1, 2026.
The successful applicant will be placed on a hybrid work arrangement, as agreed upon with the faculty supervisor. The annual minimum salary for this appointment is $60,000.00 CAD/year, with benefits, provided in accordance with McMaster University guidelines, and commensurate with experience. The normal hours of work are 35 hours per week.
How To Apply
To apply, please send your CV, a letter summarizing your research interests (up to 2 pages), email addresses of up to three references, and one example of a recent publication.
Send the full application package online via Mosaic. Start date is as soon as possible but flexible and will be determined by the faculty supervisor in consultation with the successful applicant.
We appreciate all replies to this advertisement, but only applicants under consideration will be contacted.
Equity and Diversity: We welcome individuals from marginalized communities in STEM fields as well as non-traditional pathways to computing research.
Employment Equity Statement
McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement.
The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.
The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.
As part of McMaster’s commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey - Statement of Collection for additional information.
Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact:
- Human Resources Service Centre at 905-525-9140 ext. 222-HR (22247), or
- Faculty of Health Sciences HR Office at ext. 22207, or
- School of Graduate Studies at ext. 23679
to communicate accommodation needs.
Hybrid Work Language
To ensure an ongoing and vibrant University community that meets the needs of our students, staff and faculty and supports the University mission, ability to work on-site continues to be a requirement for most University positions. The University is supportive of exploring flexible work arrangements that effectively balance operational needs and employee interests.
Interview Experience
At McMaster University, we believe in a comprehensive and inclusive interview process. Our interview methods encompass a variety of approaches that allow our hiring teams to provide a flexible and accessible experience for engaging with our candidates. Throughout your recruitment process at McMaster, you may be requested to participate in a variety of formats, that may include in-person, virtual or recorded interviews. If you have any questions as you move through the hiring process, please reach out to talent@mcmaster.ca or the HR contact associated with your position of interest.
About McMaster University
McMaster University, one of four Canadian universities listed among the Top 100 universities in the world, is renowned for its innovation in both learning and discovery. It has a student population of 30,000, and more than 185,000 alumni in 137 countries.
POST DOCTORATE FELLOW - Natural Language Understanding - Brodbeck Winter 2026
Top Benefits
About the role
Job ID
Regular/Temporary
Temporary
Job Title
POST DOCTORATE FELLOW - Natural Language Understanding - Brodbeck Winter 2026
73249
Location
Central Campus
Open Date
12/17/2025
Job Type
Limited Term (=12 month)
Close Date
01/13/2026
Employee Group
Pos Doc (Union&NonUnion)
Favorite Job
Department
Computing and Software
Contract Duration
12.1 Months
Hours per Week
35
Target Number of Openings
1
Posting Details
Schedule
Monday-Friday, 35 hours/week
Education Level
PhD in Computer Science/Information Science or related fields
Career Level
Experienced
Anticipated Start Date
February 1, 2026
Job Description
Postdoctoral Fellowship
Studying Natural Language Understanding
Overview
Dr. Christian Brodbeck from the Department of Computing and Software (CAS) at the Faculty of Engineering is recruiting one (1) postdoctoral researcher for a research project on natural language understanding in a cognitive architecture, in a collaboration with Adderbee Research, at McMaster University
Adderbee has developed a cognitive architecture, built on symbolic computation and continuous learning as a core mode of operation. The collaborative development project between McMaster and Adderbee aims to improve natural language understanding through the application of cognitive and linguistic principles.
We are searching for applicants who are interested in cognitive architectures and natural language processing. The research fellow will work as a part of a team bridging academia and industry. The goal of the position is to assist in systematically evaluating and improve conversational language understanding, as well as extend reasoning skills to novel semantic/knowledge domains.
About the Department
McMaster’s department of Computing and Software is one of the top departments for Computer Science and Software Engineering in Canada. We have 40+ faculty members with expertise in computer systems, software engineering, theoretical computer science, security, privacy, machine learning, data analytics, scientific computing, and bioinformatics. The department mentors over 1,800 undergraduate students in three programs: computer science, software engineering, and mechatronics engineering. It also mentors more than 180 graduate students in master’s and doctoral programs.
Qualifications
The candidate must have and/or demonstrate the following skillset:
- Recently completed their Ph.D. in Computational Linguistics, Cognitive Science, Psychology of Learning, Linguistic Theory, or a related field
- Experience and interests in cognitive architectures, Natural Language Processing, and Natural Language Understanding
- A record of conference presentations and/or peer-reviewed publications as first author in these areas
- Familiarity with computational methods
- Strong coding skills (ideally including some Java experience)
Duration and Funding
The term of the fellowship is initially for 12 months, with the possibility of renewal depending on funding. Selection will be based upon the candidate's research potential and fit with the research group in the Department of CAS at the Faculty of Engineering. We prefer the start date of the Postdoctoral Fellowship to be February 1, 2026.
The successful applicant will be placed on a hybrid work arrangement, as agreed upon with the faculty supervisor. The annual minimum salary for this appointment is $60,000.00 CAD/year, with benefits, provided in accordance with McMaster University guidelines, and commensurate with experience. The normal hours of work are 35 hours per week.
How To Apply
To apply, please send your CV, a letter summarizing your research interests (up to 2 pages), email addresses of up to three references, and one example of a recent publication.
Send the full application package online via Mosaic. Start date is as soon as possible but flexible and will be determined by the faculty supervisor in consultation with the successful applicant.
We appreciate all replies to this advertisement, but only applicants under consideration will be contacted.
Equity and Diversity: We welcome individuals from marginalized communities in STEM fields as well as non-traditional pathways to computing research.
Employment Equity Statement
McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement.
The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.
The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.
As part of McMaster’s commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey - Statement of Collection for additional information.
Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact:
- Human Resources Service Centre at 905-525-9140 ext. 222-HR (22247), or
- Faculty of Health Sciences HR Office at ext. 22207, or
- School of Graduate Studies at ext. 23679
to communicate accommodation needs.
Hybrid Work Language
To ensure an ongoing and vibrant University community that meets the needs of our students, staff and faculty and supports the University mission, ability to work on-site continues to be a requirement for most University positions. The University is supportive of exploring flexible work arrangements that effectively balance operational needs and employee interests.
Interview Experience
At McMaster University, we believe in a comprehensive and inclusive interview process. Our interview methods encompass a variety of approaches that allow our hiring teams to provide a flexible and accessible experience for engaging with our candidates. Throughout your recruitment process at McMaster, you may be requested to participate in a variety of formats, that may include in-person, virtual or recorded interviews. If you have any questions as you move through the hiring process, please reach out to talent@mcmaster.ca or the HR contact associated with your position of interest.
About McMaster University
McMaster University, one of four Canadian universities listed among the Top 100 universities in the world, is renowned for its innovation in both learning and discovery. It has a student population of 30,000, and more than 185,000 alumni in 137 countries.