Connectionists: [Jobs] Funded PhD position: "Large non-verbal Language Models (LnvLM) for human-agent interaction and cooperation"

[Giacomo Spigler]

Dear colleagues,

We have an opening for a fully-funded Ph.D. researcher position (flexible
start date, but ideally September-November 2023).

The successful candidate will work on a project to build the first Large
non-verbal Language Model (LnvLM). The project will combine ideas and
methods from robotics, human-robot interaction, and deep learning, and in
particular deep reinforcement learning, imitation learning, and
reinforcement learning from human feedback.

The ideal applicant should have a strong interest in robotics and
artificial intelligence (e.g, deep reinforcement learning). Requirements
include strong algorithmic and programming skills (in particular a high
proficiency in Python), and a master’s degree in computer science,
robotics, artificial intelligence, or related fields.
Prior experience with deep reinforcement learning / robotics / human-robot
interaction is preferred but not required.

The PhD student will join the AI for Robotics Lab (AIR-Lab;
https://airlab-tilburg.github.io ) at the Department of Cognitive Science
and Artificial Intelligence of Tilburg University (Tilburg, The
Netherlands). AIR-Lab is a newly established research lab, co-directed by
Murat Kirtay (https://www.crossvalidate.me) and Giacomo Spigler (
http://spigler.net/giacomo), with a focus on recent advances in AI for
robotics to endow robots with advanced cognitive capabilities and
state-of-the-art performance. AIR-Lab members have access to a wide range
of state-of-the-art robot platforms, including a Franka Robot Arm, Humanoid
Robots (Pepper and Nao), Unitree Robot dogs, and in-house built robots.

The position is for a 4-years PhD, adhering to Dutch academic salary scales
(full-time monthly gross salary ranging from €2,541 in the first year to
€3,247 in the last year). Additional benefits include an 8% vacation
allowance and an 8.3% year end bonus. Researchers from outside the
Netherlands may qualify for a tax-free allowance equal to 30% of their
taxable salary (30% rule), for which the University will apply on their
behalf.

Interested candidates should visit https://tiu.nu/21598 for more
information and to apply for the position. Please include a motivation
letter, full CV, academic transcripts, and names of two academic
references. Questions can be directed to Dr. Spigler ( g.spigler <at>
tilburguniversity.edu ).

Applications will be evaluated in batches on a rolling basis, with the
first deadline set for June 16th. The position will remain open until
filled.

Kind regards,
Giacomo Spigler and Murat Kirtay

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Dr. Giacomo Spigler

AI for Robotics Lab (AIR Lab) - Department of
Cognitive Science and Artificial Intelligence
Dante building, room B124
Tilburg University
Tilburg, The Netherlands

http://www.spigler.net/giacomo
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