Connectionists: PhD Studentships in Information Processing and Self-Organization in Adaptive Biological and Artificial Systems at the University of Hertfordshire

[d.polani at herts.ac.uk]

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		      PhD Studentships Available on

	     INFORMATION PROCESSING AND SELF-ORGANIZATION
	    IN ADAPTIVE BIOLOGICAL AND ARTIFICIAL SYSTEMS

		   Adaptive Systems Research Group
		      School of Computer Science
		   University of Hertfordshire, UK

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PhD studentships are available in the Adaptive Systems Research Group
at the University of Hertfordshire in the topics of Artificial Life,
especially for the study of principles behind information processing
in adaptive, complex and self-organizing systems and the emergence and
growth of complexity, a research area which has witnessed a dramatic
increase of interest in the last years.

We use mathematical methods, with particular emphasis on an arsenal of
recently developed techniques based on Shannon's information theory,
to describe, understand or construct such systems in the context of
AI/robotics and biology. Questions of interest and possible research
directions include, but are not limited to:

  - information-theoretic approaches towards a mathematically founded
    understanding of information processing and the perception-action
    loop in agents; fundamental quantitative constraints governing the
    interaction between an agent and its environment

  - theoretically grounded pathways towards a systematic way to
    generate self-organization in complex systems and autonomous
    increase in complexity

  - biologically plausible methods based on information theory for
    creating Artificial Intelligence systems from first principles

  - generic models for intrinsic motivation generation and artificial
    creativity based on such principles

  - fundamental principles underlying biological (e.g. neural)
    computation (with opportunities to collaborate with the
    Biocomputation Research Group)

The prospective candidates should have a strong first degree, a keen
interest in contributing to a new, highly dynamic and quickly
expanding research area and a very strong background in Computer
Science, Physics, Mathematics, Statistics or another relevant
computational/quantitative discipline. In particular, they should
demonstrate excellent programming skills in one or more major computer
languages. A mathematical/numerical background would be desirable,
knowledge in at least one of the following fields would be a plus:
probability theory, information theory, differential geometry,
control, data modelling/neural network techniques.

The envisaged research will take place in the vibrant and enthusiastic
research environment of the Adaptive Systems Research Group in the
School of Computer Science at the University of Hertfordshire which
offers a large number of specialized and interdisciplinary seminars as
well as general training opportunities. 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 University of Hertfordshire is located in Hatfield, Hertfordshire
UK which is considered the "northern green belt" of London. Hatfield
is close to London (less than 25 minutes by train to Kings Cross), has
convenient access to Stansted, Luton and Heathrow airports, and is not
far from the historic town of St. Albans.

Successful candidates are eligible for a research studentship award
from the University (which includes approximately GBP 13,800 per annum
bursary and the payment of the standard UK/EU 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 at

  http://www.herts.ac.uk/apply/fees-and-funding

As start of the studentships we aim for 1. February 2015.

For informal inquiries on the research topic please contact: Dr.
Daniel Polani (E-mail: d.polani at herts.ac.uk)

Application forms are available from 

  http://homepages.stca.herts.ac.uk/~comqvs/ApplicationFormUHStudentship.doc

and should be returned to: 

  Mrs Lorraine Nicholls
  Research Student Administrator, STRI 
  University of Hertfordshire
  College Lane
  Hatfield, AL10 9AB Herts  
  Hertfordshire 
  UK
  
  Tel: +44 1707 286083
  Email: l.nicholls at herts.ac.uk

Applications should also include two references and transcripts of
previous academic degrees. 

The shortlisting process for the applications will begin on 10.
November 2014.