Connectionists: 2 Available PhD Positions in Artificial Intelligence and Neuro-Cognitive Robotics, Ritsumeikan University, Japan

[Amir Aly]

**Apologies for Cross Posting **

*2 Available PhD Positions in Artificial Intelligence and Neuro-Cognitive
Robotics at the Emergent Systems Laboratory, Ritsumeikan University, Japan*

The Emergent Systems Laboratory [Link <http://www.em.ci.ritsumei.ac.jp/en>]
at Ritsumeikan University in Japan (nearby Kyoto) announces 2 available PhD
positions in artificial intelligence and neuro-cognitive robotics as a part
of the new project: *"*Comparison and Fusion of Artificial Intelligence and
Brain Science*"*. The successful PhD candidates will be involved in
research about: *Understanding Neural Computation for Double Articulation
Analysis Bridging Sensory-motor Information and Natural Language in Human
Brain*, under the supervision of Tadahiro Taniguchi (Project Coordinator) [
Link <http://www.tanichu.com/profile>].

*I. Positions Description *

Human brain can analyze a two-layer hierarchical structure embedded in
speech signal called *double articulation structure* (i.e., speech signal
is segmented into words and phonemes in a hierarchical manner). However,
the computational process of double articulation analysis in human brain
has not been revealed in neuroscience. In artificial intelligence and
developmental robotics, we have not developed - yet - a robot that can
automatically learn language from human-robot and sensorimotor real-world
interactions in an unsupervised manner.

This project aims to contribute to :

   -

   Understanding the neural mechanism supporting human and robot language
   acquisition involving double articulation analysis.
   - Developing unsupervised machine learning methods for building the
   next-generation communicative robots.
   - Developing deep learning and Bayesian probabilistic models integrating
   language, planning, and sensorimotor behaviors.
   - Investigating theories bridging between deep learning and Bayesian
   nonparametrics.

Each PhD candidate is expected to contribute to a part of the project.

*II. Candidate Profile*

   -

   Good mathematical background.
   - English communication skill for daily discussion and writing papers:
   IELTS 6 (TOEIC 740).
   - Programming skills in C++, Python, or Matlab for machine learning and
   intelligent robot.
   - Applicants are expected to be interested in natural language, language
   acquisition, and the human cognitive neural system of social behavior.

*III. Application*

Please send your application to (adm at em.ci.ritsumei.ac.jp) no later than *31
October 2016*, including:

   -

   List of publications.
   - Copies of 2 major publications.
   - Outline of past research (free format).
   - Motivation letter (free format).
   - Outline of prospective research (free format).
   - 2 Reference letters.

Further details about the available positions and admission procedures are
available on:
*PhD Positions in Artificial Intelligence and Neuro-Cognitive Robotics
<http://www.em.ci.ritsumei.ac.jp/info/call-for-phd-candidates-research-assistants-%E5%8D%9A%E5%A3%AB%E8%AA%B2%E7%A8%8B%E5%BE%8C%E6%9C%9F%E5%AD%A6%E7%94%9F%EF%BC%88%E3%83%AA%E3%82%B5%E3%83%BC%E3%83%81%E3%83%BB%E3%82%A2%E3%82%B7>*
.

Ritsumeikan University is a fast growing international research environment
with interdisciplinary research areas, and is the biggest private university
in the west of Japan. The College of Information Science and Engineering is
the biggest college in the field of Information Science in Japan, and the
Graduate School is receiving a large number of KAKENHI Japanese
governmental research grants.
*IV. Related Papers*

[1] Tadahiro Taniguchi, Shogo Nagasaka, Ryo Nakashima, Nonparametric
Bayesian Double Articulation Analyzer for Direct Language Acquisition from
Continuous Speech Signals, IEEE Transactions on Cognitive and Developmental
Systems, Vol. PP (99) .(2016) DOI: 10.1109/TCDS.2016.2550591

[2] Tadahiro Taniguchi, Takayuki Nagai, Tomoaki Nakamura, Naoto Iwahashi,
Tetsuya Ogata, and Hideki Asoh, Symbol Emergence in Robotics: A Survey,
Advanced Robotics, Vol.30, (11-12) pp. 706-728 .(2016)
DOI:10.1080/01691864.2016.1164622

----------------------------------------------
Amir Aly, Ph.D.
Postdoctoral Research Associate
Emergent Systems Laboratory
College of Information Science and Engineering - Ritsumeikan University
1-1-1 Noji Higashi, Kusatsu, Shiga 525-8577
Japan
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