Connectionists: PhD positions in interactive robotics

[Verena V. Hafner]

Dear Colleagues,

The INTRO project (INTeractive RObotics Research Network) is offering 10
research positions (8 PhD student positions starting in 2010 and 2
post-doctoral positions starting in 2011) in the interdisciplinary areas of
Interactive Robotics; Cooperative Robot Learning, Cognitive Human-Robot
Interaction (HRI) and Intelligent Interface Design. 

INTRO aims to create a new generation of robotic researchers with a broad
understanding of the research and technologies needed to build intelligent
robots that function in close interaction with humans in unstructured, changing
“real word” conditions. The training has a strong multidisciplinary
approach complemented by specialized domain knowledge. Young researchers will
work closely with industries, endowing them with insight and understanding of
the industrial product life-cycle and valuable hands-on experience of top-level
industrial robot development. By blending complementary skills, INTRO will
improve the career perspectives of young researchers, in both academic and
industrial sectors. This will be achieved through a transnational network of
universities and robot companies, with senior researchers from different
disciplines (robotics, artificial intelligence, cognitive sciences, human
factors) coming from different ‘schools-of-thought’ (computer sciences,
industrial engineering, psychology). 
Web site: http://introbotics.eu/

INTRO is funded by the European Commission as part of the FP7 program and
involves 6 partners:
–	Umeå University, Sweden
–	Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel
–	Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany
–	Space Applications Services, Belgium
–	Robosoft, France
–	University of the West of England, UK

Each PhD student will be stationed at one of the universities and will also
undergo a secondment and visit other partners. The post-doctoral researchers
will be stationed at one of the partner companies, with several visits to the
other partners’ institutions. The following positions are offered:
•	Umea University, Sweden 
- PhD2: Learning from Demonstration and Imitation
- PhD5: Emotional interaction
•	Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel
- PhD1: Learning inspired by cognitive psychology
- PhD8: Intelligent interface design
•	Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany 
- PhD3: Behaviour and intention recognition for human-robot learning
- PhD4: Dynamic gesture analysis
•	University of the West of England, UK 
- PhD6: Robot safety and interaction
- PhD7: Failure detection and recovery

Each recruited researcher will join a training program comprising the following
major components: An individual research project conducted in close cooperation
with researchers from the partner universities and industries; A network-wide
training program that includes regular courses and courses in complementary
skills (such as project management and proposal writing); Seminars and
workshops. 
The INTRO partners recognize the importance of gender equality and are
committed to it in all aspects of the project.

For more information on INTRO and the open positions, please visit
http://introbotics.eu/ 

According to Marie-Curie rules, applicants must be in their first 4 years
(full-time equivalent) since gaining a university degree which would entitle
them to embark on doctoral studies. 

An applicant for a positions must not be a citizen of the country in which the
associated university is located (exceptions apply, see below).

Each position has to be applied for separately. 

Common closing date for all applications: 15th of April 2010. 

Anticipated start date: 1st of September 2010 or earlier.


With best regards,
Verena Hafner

-- 
http://koro.informatik.hu-berlin.de/