Connectionists: Open PhD/Post-doc Position in Autonomously Learning Robot Vision Systems

[Jochen Triesch]

We have an opening for a fully funded 3-year interdisciplinary PhD or Post-doc position at the Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies (FIAS) focusing on autonomously learning vision systems for a humanoid robot.

We are developing learning methods that allow a humanoid robot to learn to perceive its environment and interact with it in a completely autonomous fashion, much like humans and animals learn to see. The robot's learning is fueled by curiosity drives, making it want to acquire more and more knowledge about its environment and how it can interact with it. Topics include but are not limited to the autonomous learning of depth perception [1], object recognition [2], object tracking, segmentation, cue integration and social interaction skills [3]. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to work with the iCub robot (http://www.icub.org). FIAS provides a stimulating interdisciplinary environment with close collaborations with neuroscientists and psychologists. Please visit our group's web page for more information: http://fias.uni-frankfurt.de/de/neuro/triesch

We are seeking an outstanding and highly motivated PhD candidate or Post-doc for this project. Applicants should hold a Master or PhD degree in a relevant field such as engineering, computer science, physics, or mathematics. The candidate should have excellent programming skills (Matlab, Python, C/C++) and very good analytic skills. Knowledge of machine learning, computer vision, robotics, signal processing and statistics are desirable. Experience with programming Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) is a plus. The position can be filled immediately, and lasts 36 months.

The Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies is a research institution dedicated to fundamental theoretical research in various areas of science. It is embedded into Frankfurt's recently established natural science research campus. Frankfurt itself is the hub of one of the most vibrant metropolitan areas in Europe. Apart from its strong economic and financial sides, it boasts a rich cultural community and repeatedly earns high rankings in worldwide surveys of quality of living.

Applications should include a brief statement of research interests, CV including publications and relevant course work, transcripts, and contact information for at least two references. Send applications to Ms Gaby Ehlgen (ehlgen at fias.uni-frankfurt.de). Informal enquiries may be addressed to Jochen Triesch (triesch at fias.uni-frankfurt.de).


[1] A Unified Model of the Joint Development of Disparity Selectivity and Vergence Control. Zhao Y, Rothkopf CA, Triesch J, Shi B. IEEE Int. Conf. on Development and Learning and Epigenetic Robotics (ICDL), 2012. (Paper of excellence award.)
http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/articleDetails.jsp?tp=&arnumber=6400876

[2] Let it Learn: A Curious Vision System for Autonomous Object Learning. Chandrashekhariah P, Spina G, Triesch J. Int. Conf. on Computer Vision Theory and Applications (VISAPP), 2013.
http://fias.uni-frankfurt.de/~triesch/publications/ChandrashekhariahEtAl-VISAPP-2013.pdf

[3] Emergence of Mirror Neurons in a Model of Gaze Following. Triesch J, Jasso H, Deak GO. Adaptive Behavior 15(2):149-165, 2007.
http://fias.uni-frankfurt.de/~triesch/publications/TrieschEtAl-AdaptiveBehavior-2007.pdf


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Prof. Dr. Jochen Triesch
Johanna Quandt Research Professor
Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies
http://fias.uni-frankfurt.de/~triesch/