8 July: fyi -- human-robot interaction, Plymouth, UK
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PhD opportunity - Human-Robot Interaction: science and technology of
autonomous social robots
This is the age of robots, where robots are not just found in
factories picking and placing things, but will enter our daily lives:
places where (almost) no robot has gone before. However, robots
currently have limited autonomous social capabilities. For this to
change, advances in artificial intelligence need to be matched up with
advances in robotics.
This PhD looks into the science and technology of action selection for
social humanoid robots. Given sensor input, prior knowledge and dose
of social cognition, would it be possible for the robot to
autonomously respond in a social manner? Currently almost all social
robots need a human hand to operate well: the "Wizard of Oz" idea,
where a human operator takes over when the robot is stuck. What is
needed to move away from WoZ and build fully autonomous social
interaction?
You will be working in the context of the DREAM project
(www.dream2020.eu), a multinational European
project which studies the science and tech behind the robot-enhanced
therapy (RET), specifically targeted at young children with Autism
Spectrum Disorders. DREAM uses a range of robots, but through its
collaboration with Aldebaran the use of the Nao humanoid is central to
our research.
Applicants should have (at least) a first or upper second class
honours degree in an appropriate subject and preferably a relevant MSc
or MRes qualification. We encourage applicants with a background in
computer science, artificial intelligence, robotics and/or cognition
science.
We expect candidates to be confident programmers (C++ experience
recommended): you will spend a considerable amount of time programming
and hacking robots and their artificial intelligence, which is not for
the fainthearted. A keen interest in science and discovery is a
prerequisite, as is not being afraid of international travel to
meetings and events.
Applications are invited for a three-year PhD studentship. The
studentship will start on October 1st 2014.
Funding Notes:
The studentship is supported for 3 years and pays a bursary of £17,913
for 2014/2015. The candidate will be liable for their own tuition fees
for the duration of the programme. For 2014/2015 fees will be £4,050
p.a. for Home/EU students and £14,000 p.a for overseas students.
If you wish to discuss this project further informally, please contact
Tony Belpaeme
(tony.belpaeme@plymouth.ac.uk). However,
applications must be made in accordance with the details shown below.
References:
For an application form and full details on how to apply, please visit
www.plymouth.ac.uk/postgraduate. Applicants should send a completed
application form along with a covering letter detailing their
suitability for the studentship, C.V., and 2 references to Carole
Watson, Graduate School, 305 Link Building, Plymouth PL4 8AA or e-mail
scienvresearch@plymouth.ac.uk.
The closing date for applications is 12 noon on 28 July
2014. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview in the week
of 25 August 2014: we will consider interviews through teleconference,
but warmly encourage you to visit Plymouth. We regret that we may not
be able to respond to all applications. Applicants who have not
received an offer of a place by 15 September 2014 should consider
their application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.
More details on and links to application site at
http://www.findaphd.com/search/ProjectDetails.aspx?PJID=55736
Good luck,
Tony Belpaeme
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