Connectionists: PhD and Senior Researcher positions in Psychology-Inspired Computing for Robot Assistants

[Jim Tørresen]

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One or two PhD and one or two Senior Researcher positions in Psychology-Inspired Computing for Robot Assistants
The goal of the positions is to create prediction methods for proactive planning of future robot actions and to design robot acting mechanisms for adaptive response ranging from quick and intuitive to slower well-reasoned. We combine sensing across multiple modalities with learned knowledge to predict outcomes and choose the best actions. The goal is to transfer these skills to intelligent systems in human-robot interactive scenarios to be supporting people in their own homes. This is with regard to everyday tasks and support in physical rehabilitation. Thus, it is relevant to work with implementation and research within robot perception and control for the robot tasks. In addition, user studies through human robot interaction experiments are to be performed. Three people (PhD fellows and researchers) are to be hired for the project and will complement in performing the above outlined research.
The positions are a part of the research project Predictive and Intuitive Robot companion (PIRC)<https://www.uio.no/ritmo/english/projects/pirc/> funded by the Research Council of Norway. The project is affiliated with the RITMO Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Rhythm, Time and Motion<https://www.uio.no/ritmo/english/> at the University of Oslo (see https://www.uio.no/ritmo/english/projects/pirc/ and https://www.uio.no/ritmo/english).

The PhD fellowship will be for a period of three years (possibly with an option for extension of the employment period by one year depending background and qualifications for additional duty work which typically includes work on courses). The planned start date is 15 August 2021. The Senior Researcher position will be for a period of three years starting 1 September 2021, with a possibility to be extended one year if continued external funding becomes available. We have several international collaborators and having a stay of up to 6 months with one of these could be possible for both positions. The University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest and highest rated institution of research and education with 28 000 students and 7000 employees.

Qualifications: Applicants must have a MSc (for the PhD fellowship) or a PhD degree (for the senior researcher position) or other corresponding education equivalent to a Norwegian MSc/doctoral degree in computer science, robotics, computational psychology or other relevant field. Thus, applicants should have a strong background in programming, as well as machine learning/artificial intelligence and/or robotics. Lack of knowledge in robot control and sensing can be compensated with knowledge and experience in human-robot interaction. Skills in psychology-inspired computing models, user-centered design, human behaviour modelling, human-robot interaction, motion tracking and analysis, and robot simulation, perception and control are considered advantageous. A number of partners are involved in the project so collaboration skills would also be assessed.

Pay grade (depending on qualifications and seniority):
PhD: NOK 482 200 – 526 000 per year, approx.: €46,300 − 50,500 / $56,700 − 61,900
Researcher: NOK 526 000 – 608 200 per year, approx.: €50,500 − 58,400 / $61,900 − 71,500
Announcements:

•       Doctoral Research Fellowship(s) in Psychology-Inspired Computing for Robot Assistants<https://www.jobbnorge.no/en/available-jobs/job/197564/doctoral-research-fellowships-in-psychology-inspired-computing-for-robot-assistants>

•       Researcher position in Psychology-Inspired Computing for Robot Assistants<https://www.jobbnorge.no/en/available-jobs/job/197522/researcher-position-in-psychology-inspired-computing-for-robot-assistants>

Deadline for applications:  15 February, 2021
Applications are to be submitted through a web page and NOT by e-mail.

Contact for more information:  Prof. Jim Torresen   E-mail:  jimtoer at ifi.uio.no<mailto:jimtoer at ifi.uio.no>
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