Connectionists: PhD Studentships on Informational Principles in Artificial Intelligence and Artificial Life

[Daniel Polani]

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              PhD Studentships Available on

      PRINCIPLED APPROACHES TO ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE,
             ROBOTICS AND ARTIFICIAL LIFE

           Adaptive Systems Research Group
              School of Computer Science
           University of Hertfordshire, UK
        Contact: Daniel Polani (d.polani at herts.ac.uk)

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We invite applications for PhD studentships in the Adaptive Systems
Research Group at the University of Hertfordshire to investigate
principled approaches to Artificial Intelligence, with applications to
Robotics and/or Artificial Life. We particularly focus on
information-theoretic methods to study decision-making, feature
extraction, robust and flexible control, embodiment, intrinsic and
"altruistic" motivation models, generalization, but also origin of
life and cognition from first principles, and emergence of complexity
and self-organization.

The prospective candidates should have a very strong first degree; a
keen interest in delving into and contributing to a fresh and
fast-moving research area; and an outstanding background in Computer
Science, Computational/Cognitive Robotics, Physics, Mathematics,
Statistics or another relevant computational/quantitative discipline.
In particular, they should demonstrate excellent programming skills in
at least one major computer language. A mathematical/numerical
background would be highly desirable. Knowledge in at least one of the
following fields would be a plus: probability theory, information
theory, differential geometry, control, dynamical systems, data
modelling/neural network techniques.

The envisaged research will take place in the vibrant and enterprising
environment of the Adaptive Systems Research Group in the School of
Computer Science at the University of Hertfordshire; there will also
be the opportunity to collaborate with the socSMCs (Socializing
Sensorimotor Contingencies, FET Open) EU Horizon 2020 project,
and especially the School's successful humanoid robot RoboCup team,
the Bold Hearts.

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The school 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 50% of the research submitted being rated as internationally
excellent or world leading.

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 direct train to Kings
Cross), has convenient access to Stansted, Luton and Heathrow
airports, and, via the nearby historic town of St. Albans, also to
Gatwick airport.

Successful candidates are eligible for a research studentship award
from the University (which includes approximately GBP 14,553.00 per
annum bursary from 1 March 2018 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.

Closing date for application is the 8. January 2018, though excellent
applications may be considered after that date.

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

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Application forms are available under the following link (see under
"How to Apply"):


http://www.herts.ac.uk/apply/schools-of-study/computer-science/our-research/the-phd-programme-in-computer-science

The application form should be returned to:

Mrs Emma Thorogood
Research Student Administrator
University of Hertfordshire
College Lane
Hatfield, Herts
AL10 9AB
tel: +44 (0)1707 286083

doctoralcollegeadmissions at herts.ac.uk

Applications should also include two references and transcripts of
previous academic degrees. We accept applications for self-funded
places throughout the year.

The next short-listing process for studentship applications will begin
on 25 June 2018.
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