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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US">** PhD position in social robotics and machine learning**<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Ghent University, Belgium<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">Artificial Intelligence and Robotics<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">IDLab - imec<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US">Job description<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">The AIRO group (Artificial Intelligence and Robotics) of the IDLab at Ghent University is looking for a PhD student to help with our research on social robotics and machine learning.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Social robots are robots which interact with people in a natural manner by using speech, gestures, and facial expressions for example. As social robots use natural communication, they are easy to interact with and this knows many applications
in entertainment, services, education, collaborative robotics and therapy.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Now however, these robots are programmed by hand, as automatically generating verbal and nonverbal behaviour is still largely impossible. Our research aims to change that. The project will study how a robot can use generative deep learning
to observe video recordings of people interacting with each other, and learn which behaviours are appropriate under which circumstances. The goal is to have the robot learn to produce verbal and non-verbal behaviour at a level where people think the robot
is a worthy conversation partner.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">You will be supervised by Prof Tony Belpaeme (<a href="http://www.tonybelpaeme.me/">www.tonybelpaeme.me</a>) together with Prof Francis wyffels and Prof Joni Dambre. You will be part of a new, vibrant and interdisciplinary research team,
focusing on unconventional robotics, cognitive systems and machine learning. <o:p>
</o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Ghent University (<a href="https://www.ugent.be/en">www.ugent.be</a>) is a top 100 university in Belgium situated in the historical and trendy city of Ghent. With 41,000 students and 9,000 staff, the university is one of the largest universities
in the wide region. Ghent University’s mission is to combine high-quality education with internationally leading research and a pluralistic social responsibility. You will join the AIRO group which is part of IDLab, a research lab consisting of more than 300
researchers developing today the tech of tomorrow.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US">Profile of the candidate<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">You must have an MSc degree in computer science, electrical engineering, technical cognitive science or areas relevant to the research topic. Good programming skills are a must (C++, Python, or other), training in machine
learning is a bonus. You need a good command of English (spoken as well as written). The PhD position is highly interdisciplinary and requires an understanding and/or interest in psychology and social sciences.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Further details:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0cm" type="disc">
<li class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left:0cm;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
The position starts on 1 October 2018 and runs for 4 years.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:0cm;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
The net amount of the scholarship will be approximately €1900 per month, increasing to €2100 per month in the fourth year. You will also receive a holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus, and will enjoy full social security cover. Additional financial support
is available for attending conference and workshop.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:0cm;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
You will be affiliated with the Artificial Intelligence and Robotics group of the IDLab. While the research will be based in Ghent, occasional travel to international conferences will be required.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:0cm;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
You will be enrolled in the doctoral training programme offered by the Doctoral School of Engineering.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left:0cm;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1">
Ghent University encourages equal opportunities and will consider applications only based on your potential as an early career researcher.<o:p></o:p></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span lang="EN-US">How to apply<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US">For informal queries, do not hesitate to contact Tony Belpaeme (<a href="mailto:tony.belpaeme@ugent.be">tony.belpaeme@ugent.be</a>). Your application should include<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span lang="EN-US"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<ol style="margin-top:0cm" start="1" type="1">
<li class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="margin-left:0cm;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2">
a letter motivating your application.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="margin-left:0cm;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2">
a CV, copies of relevant exams, grades, master thesis work or publications.<o:p></o:p></li><li class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="margin-left:0cm;mso-add-space:auto;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2">
the names and contact details of at least 2 referees. Recommendation letter can be included with your application, but do not need to be at time of application.<o:p></o:p></li></ol>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Applicants should send their application to <a href="mailto:tony.belpaeme@ugent.be">
tony.belpaeme@ugent.be</a>. The application deadline is <b>31 May 2018</b>. Selected candidates will be invited for interview, which can be organised over Skype if necessary.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language:EN-GB">---------------------------<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language:EN-GB">Prof Tony Belpaeme<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language:EN-GB">University of Ghent (Belgium)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language:EN-GB">University of Plymouth (United Kingdom)<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language:EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language:EN-GB">IDLab, iGent Tower - Department of Electronics and Information Systems, Technologiepark Zwijnaarde 15, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium<br>
</span><span style="mso-fareast-language:EN-GB">School of Computing, Electronics and Mathematics, A318 Portland Square, PL4 8AA Plymouth, United Kingdom</span><span style="mso-fareast-language:EN-GB"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language:EN-GB"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language:EN-GB">E: <a href="mailto:tony.belpaeme@ugent.be">
tony.belpaeme@ugent.be</a> / <a href="mailto:tony.belpaeme@plymouth.ac.uk">tony.belpaeme@plymouth.ac.uk</a>
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language:EN-GB">W: <a href="http://tonybelpaeme.me/">
http://tonybelpaeme.me</a> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-fareast-language:EN-GB">T: @TonyBelpaeme <o:p>
</o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
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