Connectionists: Vice Chancellor's 5-year Research Fellowship: Information Theory for AI and Robotics

[Daniel Polani]

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	     Vice Chancellor's 5-year Research Fellowship

      Research Fellow in Information Theory for AI and Robotics
	  School of Computer Science, College Lane, Hatfield
				   
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Vacancy details: 

UH7: GBP 32,004 - GBP 38,183 per annum, dependent on skills and experience.
FTE: Full Time, working 37 hours per week (1.0 FTE)
Duration of Contract: 5 years from October 2017

Qualifications required:

Very strong PhD degree in a quantitative research-oriented discipline,
examples are computer science, mathematics or physics, excellent
programming skills in at least one major computer language
(essential), and very strong mathematical background, with particular
emphasis on the areas of probabilistic modeling, information theory,
and/or stochastic control.

Description of the research activity and area:

The research will comprise information-theoretic approaches to
Artificial Intelligence and Robotics problems; this will include, but
not be limited, to established routes such as intrinsic motivation
generation, together with curious behaviour generation using
informational principles, control under informational constraints,
novel directions in utilizing information-theoretic methodologies for
principled approaches to cognitive modeling, both for the theoretical
analysis and the construction (in simulation or hardware) of
intelligent sensorimotor systems.

The research is based in the SEPIA (Sensor Evolution, Processing,
Information and Actuation) unit, which has a very strong international
profile in principled, especially informational, methods in Artificial
Intelligence and Artificial Life. The group’s facilities include a
RoboCup lab equipped with humanoid robots, playing fields, and 3D
printing facilities; there will be the opportunity to collaborate with
the RoboCup team, and EU Horizon 2020-funded projects socSMCs and
WiMUST.

The candidate is expected to regularly publish papers in high-tier
outlets (journals and conferences) and contribute to the REF outputs
of the School.

In accord with the CONCORDAT for professional development of
researchers, the candidate may be afforded the opportunity to
undertake a limited amount of appropriate teaching (upon mutual
agreement).

Skills and experience needed:

The Fellow will have established him/herself as an independent
researcher, capable of establishing a programme of research activity
within the scope of the project. S/he will have excellent oral and
written communication skills in both spoken and written English and a
track record of publications in high impact journals. The Fellow will
be expected to build capacity in the area of Information Theory and
participate in attracting external funding, previous success being a
desirable attribute. S/he should be able to establish good working
relationships, and work closely with members of the Centre and the
broader School of Computer Science, at the University of Hertfordshire
and with partner organisations as appropriate. The Fellow should have
knowledge of research methodology appropriate for the subject area and
knowledge of appropriate databases for the discipline and ability to
conduct literature searches in the discipline using appropriate
electronic resources.

The University offers a range of benefits including a pension scheme,
professional development, family friendly policies, child care
vouchers, a fee waiver of 50% for all children of staff under the age
of 21 at the start of the course, discounted memberships at the
Hertfordshire Sports Village and generous annual leave.

Pay scale :   	     Uh Grade 07 Academic 	
Contact person :     Professor Daniel Polani
Vacancy ID : 	     014833 	
Contact telephone :  +44 1707 284380
Closing date : 	     21-Aug-2017 	
Contact email :      d.polani at herts.ac.uk

To make a formal application, follow links and apply on-line: 

http://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/BCH970/research-fellow-information-theory-for-ai-and-robotics/