Connectionists: PhD studentship in rehabilitation robotics / computational neuroscience

[Steuber, Volker]

We invite applications for a PhD studentship in the Centre for Computer Science and Informatics Research at the University of Hertfordshire. The project will involve the design of adaptive rehabilitation and assistive robotics systems that are based on computational models of the cerebellum. For informal enquiries contact Dr Farshid Amirabdollahian (f.amirabdollahian2 at herts.ac.uk) or Dr Volker Steuber (v.steuber at herts.ac.uk). More information can be found on our webpages:

http://homepages.stca.herts.ac.uk/~fa08aap/ (Amirabdollahian)

http://homepages.stca.herts.ac.uk/~comqvs/ (Steuber)

and in our publications, for example

Radhika Chemuturi, Farshid Amirabdollahian and Kerstin Dautenhahn (2013). Adaptive training algorithm for robot-assisted upper-arm rehabilitation, applicable to individualised and therapeutic human-robot interaction. Journal of Neuroengineering and Rehabilitation 10:102.

Reinoud Maex and Volker Steuber (2013). An integrator circuit in cerebellar cortex. European Journal of Neuroscience 38, 2917-32. 

Volker Steuber and Dieter Jaeger (2012). Modeling the generation of output by the cerebellar nuclei. Neural Networks 47, 112-119.

Farshid Amirabdollahian and Garth Johnson (2011). Analysis of the results from use of haptic peg-in-hole task for assessment in neurorehabilitation. Journal of Applied Bionics and Biomechanics 8, 1-11.

Jason Rothman, Laurence Cathala, Volker Steuber and R. Angus Silver (2009). Synaptic depression enables neuronal gain control. Nature 457, 1015-1018.

Farshid Amirabdollahian, Rui Loureiro, Elizabeth Gradwell, Christine Collin, William Harwin, Garth Johnson (2007). Multivariate Analysis of the Fugl-Meyer Outcome Measures Assessing the Effectiveness of the GENTLE/S Robot-Mediated Stroke Therapy. Journal of Neuroengineering and Rehabilitation 4:4.

Applicants should have good computational and numerical skills and an excellent first degree in computer science, maths, physics, neuroscience, or a related discipline. Successful candidates are eligible for a research studentship award from the University (approximately GBP 13,600 per annum bursary plus the payment of the standard UK student fees). Applicants from outside the UK or EU are eligible, but will have to pay half of the overseas fees out of their bursary. Information about the current tuition fees can be found under http://www.herts.ac.uk/apply/fees-and-funding.

Research in Computer Science at the University of Hertfordshire has been recognized as excellent by the latest Research Assessment Exercise, with 55% of the research submitted being rated as world leading or internationally excellent. The Centre for Computer Science and Informatics Research provides a very stimulating environment, offering a large number of specialized and interdisciplinary seminars as well as general training opportunities. The University of Hertfordshire is situated in Hatfield, in the green belt just north of London.

Application forms should be returned to Mrs Lorraine Nicholls, Research Student Administrator, STRI, University of Hertfordshire, College Lane, Hatfield, Herts, AL10 9AB, Tel: 01707 286083, l.nicholls @ herts.ac.uk. The short-listing process will begin on 20 January 2014.