[ACT-R-users] Fully funded PhD. position in Cognitive Robotics

[Verena Nitsch]

Fully funded PhD. position in Cognitive Robotics

The Human Factors Institute (http://www.unibw.de/lrt11/front-page-en) of the
Universität der Bundeswehr in Munich, Germany, has an open position for a
full-time PhD student. The position can be held for 3 years and is paid
according to the German Civil Service Pay Scale (TVöD-13). The positions
requires residence in Munich and must result in a PhD thesis. Earliest
starting date is 1 March 2013. Applications are accepted until the post is
filled.

 

Research Topic:

Numerous applications have been conceived for autonomously acting robotic
systems, be it in form of explorative systems in space, service-and-care
robots, or search-and-rescue robots in disaster zones, to name but a few.
However, at present, robots lack the flexibility to react in unforeseen
situations. Currently, important perceptual and decision-making structures
are still designed by programmers before the robot begins its task, leading
to fragmented abilities and brittle performance. Hence, perhaps the greatest
challenge in the engineering of autonomously acting machines remains the
instillation of flexibility in the robot’s decision-making processes that
would allow it to adapt to the demands presented by a dynamically changing
environment at any given moment, whilst still pursuing a particular
operative goal (as opposed to purely reflexive systems). Although
considerable progress has been made in the domain of machine learning and
artificial intelligence in recent years, real-time learning and in
particular adaptive behavior of robots in unforeseen situations remain a
great challenge in robotics. Rather than focusing on the development of
increasingly complex machine learning algorithms, an alternative approach to
addressing this problem would be to investigate the cognitive processes of
humans, who excel at quickly making decisions that lead to adaptive behavior
in dynamic environments, and to transfer relevant processes to robotic
systems.  

Your objective will be to develop ACT-R models of specific human cognitive
processes and ascertain to which extent these models may serve to increase a
robot’s ability to display adaptive behavior in unforeseen situations.

 

Qualifications:

-          You are required to hold an excellent M.Sc. in Cognitive Science,
Computer Science, Psychology or a related discipline and should have some
programming knowledge.

 

-          You should be highly motivated and possess the competence to work
independently in a team, as well as enjoy facing interdisciplinary
challenges. 

 

-          Experience in the field of robotics and/or ACT-R is an advantage.

 

-          Fluency in written and spoken English (TOEFL 620, IELTS 7,5,
Cambridge Advanced CAE).

 

-          German language skills are useful, but not mandatory.

 

The University:

The Universität der Bundeswehr München, which has become an integral part of
both the national and international research communities, reflects
Humboldt’s ideal of a university that not only teaches but also conducts
research.

As a campus-style university with excellent facilities, the University
offers a broad spectrum of opportunities for scientific work and
cooperation, ranging from basic research to application-related research and
development projects. This interdisciplinary, interdepartmental team-work is
the basis of efficient, competitive and prestigious research work and
teaching. We cooperate, both nationally and internationally, with other
universities and academic institutions as well as with private and public
institutions. 

 

How to apply:

Please send your CV and motivation letter to:

verena.nitsch at unibw.de

 

The Universität der Bundeswehr is an equal opportunity employer. Whilst all
applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome
applications from groups currently underrepresented in the workforce.

 

For further information, please feel free to contact:

 

Dr. Verena Nitsch

Institut für Arbeitswissenschaft / Human Factors Institute

Fakultät für Luft- und Raumfahrttechnik / Faculty of Aeronautics and Space
Engineering (LRT11)

Universität der Bundeswehr München

Werner-Heisenberg-Weg 39

D-85577 Neubiberg

 

Tel. : +49 (0) 89 6004 2285

E-Mail: verena.nitsch at unibw.de

 

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