<div dir="ltr"><div style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:-webkit-standard"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;font-size:medium;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:rgb(55,55,55)">Dear connectionists,</span><span style="font-family:Helvetica"><span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;font-size:medium;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-family:Helvetica"><span> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;font-size:medium;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:rgb(55,55,55)">One research associate and two funded Ph.D. positions are available at the Computer Science Department, School of Science, Loughborough University, UK, on the topics of the evolution of lifelong learning in neural networks. <br><br></span><span style="font-family:Helvetica"><span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;font-size:medium;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:rgb(55,55,55);border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0cm">Research</span></b><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:rgb(55,55,55);border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0cm">.  The aim is to develop new neuroevolution algorithms for lifelong learning. The objectives are to devise machine learning systems that autonomously adapt to changing conditions such as variation of the data distribution, variation of the problem domain or parameters, with minimal human intervention. The approach will use neuroevolution, neuromodulation, and other methodologies to continuously discover and update learning strategies, implement selective plasticity, and achieve continual learning.</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Helvetica"><span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;font-size:medium;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:rgb(55,55,55);border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0cm">For an overview of the research direction, see the paper: Born to Learn: the Inspiration, Progress and Future of Evolved Plastic Artificial Neural Networks <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/315710249_Born_to_Learn_the_Inspiration_Progress_and_Future_of_Evolved_Plastic_Artificial_Neural_Networks"><span style="color:rgb(55,55,55)">https://www.researchgate.net/publication/315710249_Born_to_Learn_the_Inspiration_Progress_and_Future_of_Evolved_Plastic_Artificial_Neural_Networks</span></a></span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Helvetica"><span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;font-size:medium;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:rgb(55,55,55);border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0cm">Application areas include a variety of automation and machine learning problems, e.g. vision, control, and robotics, with a particular focus on resilience and autonomy.</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Helvetica"><span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;font-size:medium;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:rgb(55,55,55);border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0cm"><br>Working environment. </span></b><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:rgb(55,55,55);border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0cm">The research associate and Ph.D. students, based at the Computer Science Department, will work in an international team with opportunities for collaboration and travel. They will have access to a number of robotic platforms such as mobile and flying robots, manufacturing robots, High Performance Computing clusters, and GPU computing. The Computer Science Department and robotics laboratories have ongoing collaborations with large industries and programs to promote start-ups. </span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Helvetica"><span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;font-size:medium;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:rgb(55,55,55);border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0cm">Loughborough University is ranked 7th in the UK in the 2019 League Table Ranking  </span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Helvetica"><a href="http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/loughborough/performance"><span style="color:rgb(25,130,209);border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0cm">http://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/loughborough/performance</span></a></span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:rgb(55,55,55);border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0cm"> ), and is located in Loughborough, a town well connected to London by a 1h20m journey by train. </span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Helvetica"><span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;font-size:medium;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:rgb(55,55,55);border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0cm"><br>Requirements.</span></b><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Helvetica"><span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;font-size:medium;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:rgb(55,55,55);border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0cm">Postdoc: A Ph.D. in Computer Science or related with a strong publication record, coding abilities, predisposition to work in a team and independence, passion for science, solid work ethics.  </span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Helvetica"><span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;font-size:medium;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:rgb(55,55,55);border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0cm">Ph.D. students: The ideal candidate holds (or is about to obtain) a first-class honour undergraduate/postgraduate degree (or equivalent) in Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics, Electrical or Electronic Engineering, or has authored publications in recognised conferences/journals. Independent working skills are valued as well as the capability of working in a team. Collegiality and interpersonal skills are essential. </span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Helvetica"><span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;font-size:medium;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:rgb(55,55,55);border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0cm">Excellent English language skills are also essential (see requirements here </span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Helvetica"><a href="http://www.lboro.ac.uk/international/englang/index.htm"><span style="color:rgb(25,130,209);border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0cm">http://www.lboro.ac.uk/international/englang/index.htm</span></a></span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:rgb(55,55,55);border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0cm">)</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Helvetica"><span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;font-size:medium;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:rgb(55,55,55);border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0cm"><br>Period and salaries. </span></b><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Helvetica"><span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;font-size:medium;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Helvetica">Postdoc position: until June 2020 (with possible extension) with a competitive salary at Grade 6 (<a href="http://www.lboro.ac.uk/services/hr/benefits/pay-rewards/">http://www.lboro.ac.uk/services/hr/benefits/pay-rewards/</a>)<span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;font-size:medium;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Helvetica">Start: as soon as possible. <span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;font-size:medium;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:rgb(55,55,55)">Ph.D. studentships:</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Helvetica"><span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;font-size:medium;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:rgb(55,55,55)">Scholarship: £14,777 per annum plus tuition fees at the UK/EU rate. </span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Helvetica"><span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;font-size:medium;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:rgb(55,55,55)">Start: August 2018 or shortly after.</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Helvetica"><span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;font-size:medium;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:rgb(55,55,55)">Duration: 3.5 years.</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Helvetica"><span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;font-size:medium;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:rgb(55,55,55);border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0cm"><span> </span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;font-size:medium;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><b><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:rgb(55,55,55);border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0cm">Enquiries and applications</span></b><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:rgb(55,55,55);border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0cm">. Interested candidates are invited to send preliminary enquiries to </span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Helvetica"><a href="mailto:a.soltoggio@lboro.ac.uk"><span style="color:rgb(25,130,209);border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0cm">a.soltoggio@lboro.ac.uk</span></a></span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:rgb(55,55,55);border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0cm"> including a CV, a university transcript of marks, a list of references, and a statement of about 300 words motivating their interest in this area of research.</span><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Helvetica"><span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;font-size:medium;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:rgb(55,55,55);border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0cm"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;font-size:medium;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:rgb(55,55,55);border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0cm"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;font-size:medium;font-family:Calibri,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:11.5pt;font-family:Helvetica;color:rgb(55,55,55);border:1pt none windowtext;padding:0cm"><br></span></p></div><div><br></div>-- <br><div class="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div>Dr.  Andrea Soltoggio<br><div><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div><div dir="ltr"><div>Lecturer in Artificial Intelligence<br></div><div><br></div><div>Department of Computer Science,</div><div>Centre for Data Science, </div><div>Centre for Information Management </div><div><br></div><div>Haslegrave Building, N.2.03</div><div>Loughborough University</div><div>LE11 3TU, UK</div><div><br></div><div>Phone: <a href="tel:%2B44%20%280%29%201509%20635748" value="+441509635748" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank">+44 (0) 1509 635748</a></div><div>Email: <a href="mailto:a.soltoggio@lboro.ac.uk" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank">a.soltoggio@lboro.ac.uk</a></div><div>Twitter: @asoltoggio</div><div>Web: <a href="http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/compsci/staff/dr-andrea-soltoggio.html" style="color:rgb(17,85,204)" target="_blank">http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/compsci/staff/dr-andrea-soltoggio.html</a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>
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