Connectionists: One week left to apply: PhD at UH in Information and the Origin of Cognition

[Daniel Polani]

PhD studentships available at the University of Hertfordshire, UK

      Information and the Origin of Cognition:
    Principled Routes towards Artificial Intelligence and Robotics

Do you wonder about the nature of cognition? How organisms naturally
achieve such high levels of intelligence, when it requires the
smartest engineers to come up with elaborate, clever, energy- and
data-intensive solutions to achieve pertinent effects? What are we
missing in AI? And what can we do about that?

If so, then this PhD studentship might be of interest to you.

Overview
--------
Shannon information has been identified as a fundamental resource in
cognition and in decision-making, from molecular dynamics to animal
brains, up to Artificial Intelligence systems, all of which are driven
by the need to organize information.

We investigate the fundamental principles along which these
intelligent organizational processes take place, and how more powerful
capabilities can emerge spontaneously through informational principles
and how, in turn, these principles can be used to create and
understand more capable and transparent AI and robotic systems.

Topics
------
As a PhD candidate, you are interested in discovering the principles
behind the emergence and organization of cognition and its application
to Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, typically based on
information theory. Possible research questions include, but are by
far not limited to:

- modeling cognitive structure
- extracting structural generalizations
- enabling robust decision making, minimal and flexible robotic control
- agents that "want": intrinsic motivations, especially, but not
  limited to empowerment
- Artifical Life, including origin of life and cognition from first
  principles
- links to physics and complex systems in general

Candidates
----------
You will have a very strong first degree, a keen motivation to
contribute to a fresh, and fast-moving research area at
the boundaries of AI, robotics, biology, physics and psychology.

An outstanding background in one of the following or a related field
is essential: Computer Science, AI, Computational/Cognitive Robotics,
Physics, Mathematics or any other relevant discipline with a
considerable quantitative/computational component. You
will demonstrate excellent programming skills in at least one major
computer language. A mathematical/numerical background is highly
desirable.

Environment
-----------
The research will take place in the enthusiastic and creative
environment of the Adaptive Systems Research Group of the School of
Physics, Engineering and Computer Science at the University of
Hertfordshire; for interested candidates, there will also be the
special opportunity to collaborate with the School’s successful
humanoid robot RoboCup team, the Bold Hearts, and with research groups
world-wide.

Research in Computer Science at the University of Hertfordshire has
been recognised as excellent in REF 2021, with 90% of the research
submitted and all of the research impact rated as internationally
excellent or world leading.

The University of Hertfordshire provides a highly stimulating
environment, offering a large number of specialised and
interdisciplinary seminars as well as excellent general training and
researcher development opportunities. The University is situated in
Hatfield, in the green belt less than 25 minutes by train from Kings
Cross, London and with convenient access to several international
airports.

Studentships
------------
A limited number of studentships are available for exceptional
candidates in particular areas (£19,632 per annum bursary plus the
payment of the student fees). Applicants from inside and outside the
UK are eligible.

Further Information
-------------------
Please see the following link for more details on the project


https://www.herts.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/389659/Information_Cognition_Polani_Catenacci.pdf

Further details about the application and the programme can be found here:


https://www.herts.ac.uk/study/schools-of-study/physics-engineering-and-computer-science/engineering-and-computer-science/research-in-engineering-and-computer-science/the-phd-programme-in-computer-science

We invite you to also have a look at the other projects of the
Adaptive Systems Research Group and the Computer Science PhD
programme.

Application (please also see above website)
-------------------------------------------

Please download the application form from here:


https://www.herts.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0010/31105/uh-application-form_2022.pdf

Please note: You must download the application form to your computer
before you complete it. If you complete the form in the browser
window, the information you have entered may be lost when the form is
saved

Please email the application form to:

   doctoralcollegeadmissions at herts.ac.uk.

Applications should also include two references and transcripts of
previous academic degrees. We accept applications for self-funded
places throughout the year.

The next short-listing process for studentship applications will begin
on _1 May 2024_.

n.catenacci-volpi at herts.ac.uk
c.salge at herts.ac.uk
d.polani at herts.ac.uk
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