postdoc position in developmental robotics and motor learning

[Luc Berthouze]

The Cognitive Neuroinformatics group in the Neuroscience Research Institute at
the Japanese National Institute of Industrial Science and Technology, Tsukuba
(Japan) is seeking an outstanding postdoctoral researcher to join our lab for
two years starting between April 2004 and September 2004. Candidates should
have a solid background in robotics and computational modeling, and a keen
interest in developmental robotics and embodied cognition.  

The postdoc will be expected to contribute to our study of the acquisition of
motor skills in human infants. Our approach is interdisciplinary. On the one
hand, we exploit studies in developmental psychology to propose candidate
mechanisms; and, on the other hand, we use robots to test and validate those
hypotheses. The purpose of this approach is two-fold: (a) to contribute to the
understanding of the mechanisms underlying motor development in infants; (b)
to propose new methods for robot learning. Experience in using neural
oscillators to implement motor control models, and a good understanding of the
so-called "dynamical systems approach" will be highly appreciated.  

For more information, please consult our lab's website at:
	http://www.neurosci.aist.go.jp/~mechwa

The Neuroscience Research Institute, and more generally, AIST, provides an
excellent environment for interdisciplinary research, with groups engaged in
research in biology, neuroscience, psychology, cognitive science, and
robotics. See http://www.aist.go.jp (AIST website) and
http://www.neurosci.aist.go.jp (Neuroscience Research Institute) for more
information. 

Candidates should contact Luc Berthouze with a CV and a one-page statement of
research interests. If electronic submission is not possible, fax your
application to +81-298-615841, directed to the attention of Luc Berthouze.