Connectionists: Research Fellow in Swarm Robotics

[Danesh Tarapore]

The University of Southampton currently has an excellent opportunity for a
research fellow at its School of Electronics and Computer Science.

Ranked in the top one percent of universities globally, the University of
Southampton has an international reputation for its research, teaching and
enterprise activities. Electronics and Computer Science is the leading
department of its kind in the UK, with an established track record for
world-leading research in computer science, electronics, and electrical
engineering. At the last Research Excellence Framework, Electronics and
Computer Science was first in the UK for the volume and quality of research
in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. The volume and quality of
Computer Science research is in the top 10 in the UK, with 100% of Computer
Science research impact rated as world-leading or internationally excellent.

Applications are invited for a Research Fellow in robotics at the Agents,
Interaction and Complexity Group. You will be working on an
interdisciplinary project that is seeking to develop algorithms for
resilient robot swarms, capable of rapidly -- in no more than a few minutes
-- recovering from faults and damages sustained by individual robots of the
swarm. This is to be achieved by developing a novel family of algorithms to
(i) creatively discover a large and diverse map of swarm robot behaviors,
and (ii) when damaged, efficiently select compensatory behaviors from the
map via trial-and-error reset-free learning. Through close collaboration
with academic and industry project partners, this research will ultimately
lead to the next generation of robot swarms, capable of sustained operation
for extended periods of time without human intervention. The developed
algorithms will be demonstrated on, (i) wheeled mobile robot, and (ii)
aquatic surface drone swarms.

The posts will be based in the Agents, Interaction and Complexity (AIC)
research group (www.aic.ecs.soton.ac.uk). You will be working with Danesh
Tarapore <https://www.ecs.soton.ac.uk/people/dst1m17> and will be joining
an internationally renowned team applying techniques from machine learning,
evolutionary computation, swarm robotics, multi-agent systems, and
autonomous systems to a range of complex real-world problems.

You should possess a PhD* in a relevant discipline (Computer Science,
Engineering, Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning or a
closely related discipline), or equivalent professional qualification and
experience, have established a strong research pedigree in your area (as
evidenced by publications in top quality journals and conferences) and
excellent coding, statistical and data analysis skills. In particular,
expertise in one or more of the following areas will be an advantage:
evolutionary computation and/or machine learning. Furthermore, you should
have a strong interest in the application of these techniques in swarm
robotic systems.

The posts will be for two years, starting in August 2018. Informal
inquiries may be made to Dr. Danesh Tarapore (d.s.tarapore at soton.ac.uk).

**Applications for Research Fellow positions will be considered from
candidates who are working towards or nearing completion of a relevant PhD
qualification. The title of Research Fellow will be applied upon successful
completion of the PhD. Prior to the qualification being awarded the title
of **Senior Research Assistant** will be given.*

*Application procedure*: You should submit your completed online
application form at www.jobs.soton.ac.uk. The application deadline will be
midnight on the closing date stated above. If you need any assistance,
please call Rosie McPhail (Recruitment Team) on +44 (0) 23 8059 4043.
Please quote reference 997118FP on all correspondence. References are
requested along with your application. This reference system is automated
so please ensure you provide the correct email address and allow time for
these to be received, prior to the close date, to assist the department
with shortlisting.

*Further details: *Please see Job Description and Person Specification
<https://jobs.soton.ac.uk/Upload/vacancies/files/18239/0939-18%20ERE%20Level%204%20-%20Research%20Pathway%20-%20Research%20Fellow%20-%20EPSRC%20New%20Investigator%20Award.docx>
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