Connectionists: Two PhD positions in tactile robotics and computational neuroscience at University of Sheffield

[Hannes Saal]

Applications are invited for two three-year Early Stage Researcher
pre-doctoral positions on tactile processing for robotics and prosthetics.
The positions are part of the new H2020 Marie-Curie Network NeuTouch (
neutouch.eu). NeuTouch aims at improving artificial tactile systems, by
training a new generation of researchers that study how human and animal’s
tactile systems work, develop a new type of technology that is based on the
same principles, and use this technology for building robots that can help
humans in daily tasks and artificial limbs that can give the user the
sensation of real touch.

The two projects allocated to the University of Sheffield are:

1. Memory-based tactile perception and task-relevant action selection in
robots

The aim of the project is to develop, and implement in robots, a
biologically-inspired mathematical model of how spatiotemporal patterns of
tactile information can be efficiently encoded and recalled for the
selection of action and control of behavior.

The PhD will be under the main supervision of Professor Tony Prescott
(Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Engineering).

Key requirements are a good degree in a numerate discipline (e.g. Computer
Science, Mathematics, Physics), with experience of programming (ideally in
Python, C, or Matlab), a strong interest and/or experience in understanding
human/animal brain function, experience/strong interest in robotics.

2. A spiking model of realistic human tactile interactions

This project aims to improve current population spiking models of
peripheral tactile responses such that they can be directly coupled to an
appropriate touch sensor and deliver realistic tactile feedback in
real-time.

The PhD will be under the supervision of Dr Hannes Saal (Department of
Psychology, Faculty of Science).

Key requirements are a degree in Computer Science, engineering, or another
numerate discipline, with experience in programming (ideally Python or
Matlab); an interest in interdisciplinary work involving neuroscience,
robotics, and engineering.

For further details and application instructions, please see
https://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/BSR801/marie-curie-early-stage-researcher

The application deadline is 2 July 2019.

Best wishes,
Hannes Saal
--
Dr Hannes P Saal
Lecturer in Cognitive Science and Computational Modelling
Active Touch Laboratory
Department of Psychology & Sheffield Robotics
University of Sheffield
Pam Liversidge Building F.05
Sheffield S1 3JD
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)114 222 6504 <0114%20222%206504>
Web: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/psychology/staff/academic/hannes_saal
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