Connectionists: Available Two PhD positions in Neural Control, Memory and Learning for Complex Behaviors of Walking Robots, University of Goettingen, Germany

[Poramate Manoonpong]

Emmy Noether Research Group for Neural Control, Memory, and Learning for 
Complex Behaviors in Multi Sensori-Motor Robotic Systems at the 
University of Göttingen is offering:


Two PhD positions 50% salary according to TV-L


The goal of this research group is to investigate and develop neural 
control, memory and learning together with proactive (anticipatory) 
decision making for the biomechanical walking robot AMOS 
(www.manoonpong.com). Thus one PhD student will mainly work on (Topic 1) 
neural motor control (i.e., antagonistic-muscle drive mechanisms and 
adaptive neural forward models) for natural movements and effective 
locomotion over difficult terrains of the robot. Another PhD student 
will focus on (Topic 2) neural memory and learning (i.e., neural 
short-term memory, STM and multiple plastic synapse mechanisms) for 
generating versatile proactive and memory guided behaviors including 
goal-directed navigation of the robot.


Applicants need to have a Master or Diploma degree in a field related to 
robotics, e.g., Electrical Engineering, Physics, Mechatronics, or 
Computer Science. Good programming skills (e.g., C, C++) are required.


Applications will be considered continuously until the positions are 
filled. The expected starting date is the 1st of March 2011 (or as soon 
as possible after this).  Students will be encouraged
to enter a PhD program and to finish their PhD thesis within 3-4 years. 
Salary is according to German TV-L.

Applicants should send their CV including a short summary of their 
research experiences and interests, copies of certificates as well as 
the name and contact details of two referees, by e-mail as a single PDF 
file to poramate at manoonpong.com.


Research environment: This Emmy Noether Research Group is located on the 
northern campus of University of Göttingen at the faculty of Physics 
http://www.uni-goettingen.de/de/70473.html

To get a better idea of related research, please visit www.manoonpong.com

For further information, please contact:

Dr.-Ing. Poramate Manoonpong

Georg-August-Universität Göttingen

Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience

Department for Computational Neuroscience

III Physikalisches Institut - Biophysik

Friedrich-Hund Platz 1

37077, Göttingen

Germany

E-Mail : poramate at manoonpong.com, poramate at physik3.gwdg.de