PhD positions in Robotics & Computational Neuroscience at EPFL

[Aude Billard]

Applications for two Research Assistant positions (PhD studentships) in
the fields of  Computational Neuroscience and Robotics are invited. The
successful applicants will join the Autonomous Systems Laboratory 3: (ASL3),
http://asl.epfl.ch. The group is part of the School of Engineering at
the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL).
http://www.epfl.ch/Eindex.html

Position I:  Neural Modeling of Human Imitation and Early Language
Acquisition
This project investigates human ability for imitation learning and gesture
recognition, and its role in early language acquisition. This project will
build neural models of the brain mechanisms involved in
visual-auditory-motor learning. The models will be driven by data from
brain imaging studies of human imitation and behavioral studies of
language acquisition in children. The neural models will be implemented
and validated on physical platforms (two humanoid robots), using
kinematics data of human motion and data on children's verbal and gestural
expressions. This work will be conducted in close collaboration with the
departments of Computer Science, Biokinesiology and Linguistics at the
University of Southern California.

Prerequisites: This position requires a BSc + MSc in Physics or
Mathematics (other engineering degrees can be considered if the candidate
shows a strong background in mathematics), prior knowledge of Artificial
Neural Network theory, good programming skills in C/C++ and Matlab, a
strong interest in Neuroscience and Artificial Intelligence, and fluency
in any two of the following: English, French or German.

Position II: Robot Programming Through Demonstration
Biological principles can improve the design of learning systems for robot
programming through demonstration. The core idea is that imitation
learning does not replace but complements motor learning techniques by
restricting the search space to a computationally tractable subset.
Imitation learning finds the key features of a task through a comparative
analysis of the multi-dimensional data set (e.g. joint space, Cartesian
space, visual space). This project is concerned with the design of robust
and flexible controllers to drive learning of abstract and goal-directed
imitation tasks in a multi-degrees of freedom humanoid robot. The
imitation tasks include manipulation of objects, reproduction of abstract
and communicative gestures, and learning of sport movements.

Prerequisites: This position requires a BSc + Msc in Physics,
MicroEngineering, Electrical or Mechanical Engineering (computer science
degrees can be considered if the candidate has a strong background in
mathematics and excellent algorithmic skills), prior knowledge of
Artificial Neural Network theory, good programming skills in C/C++ and
Matlab, a strong interest in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, and
fluency in any two of the following: English, French or German.

DURATION 48 months (4 years). The preferred starting date is April 1,
2003. The deadline for applications is January 31, 2003.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:

Applicants should send  a copy of their curriculum vitae, a copy of their
diploma, a copy of their publications (master thesis, diploma thesis and
any other available scientific publication), and the names of three
references. Applications should specifically refer by NUMBER and NAME to
the project, in which the candidate is interested. Applications should be
sent to the attention of:


Prof. Aude Billard,
Autonomous Systems Laboratory 3
STI - I2S - ASL3  - Batiment ME
EPFL - Swiss Federal Institute of Technology at Lausanne,
CH- Lausanne 1015 - Switzerland
Informal inquiries are also welcome and can be directed via email at:
aude.billard at epfl.ch
billard at usc.edu