UK : University of Plymouth PhD Studentship on Human-Robot Interaction

Centre for Interactive Intelligent Systems (CIIS)

School of Computing, Communication and Electronics

FACULTY OF TECHNOLOGY

The University of Plymouth invites applications for a PhD Studentship on human-robot interaction to allow robots to learn concepts and language through human-robot tutelage. This research is part of the new EPSRC funded CONCEPT project (Linguistic and direct transmission of concepts in robot-human networks, more on http://www.tech.plym.ac.uk/SoCCE/CONCEPT/

You will focus on robot-human interaction, and will be tasked with setting up a robotic experiment, implementing interface software, studying and implementing visual processing for object recognition in space and time, studying and implementing the human-robot interaction for learning through linguistic interaction and running the experiments on the robotic setup. Your work will lead to a doctoral degree on human-robot interaction for social and linguistic learning.

You will join a strong international research team studying cognitive aspect of robots, see for example http://www.italkproject.org/

You should have a strong interdisciplinary interest in cognitive science, artificial intelligence and robotics and should have, or expect to obtain, a high grade Bachelors or Masters Degree in Computer Science and/or Robotics or a related field. You must have good programming skills and a strong motivation for research.

Full-time Home/EU tuition fees will be paid for the duration of the 3 year studentship. Overseas applicants are welcome to apply but should be aware that, if successful, they must be able to cover the difference between Home/EU and Overseas fees (approximately £6550) for the duration of the studentship.

The stipend for the studentship is at the standard EPSRC rate, which is currently £12940 (note that the stipend is not subject to UK income tax). Funding commences on 1 October 2008.

Informal enquiries regarding the project can be made to Dr Tony Belpaeme by email tony.belpaeme@plymouth.ac.uk or call 01752 586212.

To apply for this studentship please download an application form from www.plymouth.ac.uk/pghowtoapply. Please return your application form with copies of your qualifications and transcripts, two academic references, English language qualification (if appropriate), a covering letter and CV to:

Mrs C Watson, Research Administrator
Faculty of Technology
University of Plymouth
Drake Circus, Plymouth
Devon PL4 8AA
c.watson@plymouth.ac.uk tel: 01752 586040

CLOSING DATE: 12 NOON, MONDAY 18 AUGUST 2008