5 Year Research Position in Cognitive Robotics

University of Minho, Portugal (REFERENCE: C2007-UMINHO-ALGORITMI-09)

SUMMARY:
Within the framework of a prestigious national program for research (http://alfa.fct.mctes.pt/apoios/contratacaodoutorados/index.phtml.en),
the “Autonomous Robotics and Dynamical Systems Group” at the University of Minho offers a research position in Cognitive Robotics. Applicants should hold a PhD in Engineering, Computer Science, AI or a related field. Preference will be given to candidates with post-doctoral experience and solid background in robotics, computer vision or machine learning. A broader interest in computational/experimental neuroscience and cognitive science would be highly welcome.
DESCRIPTION:
This research position is flexible but intended to complement and strengthen the work on autonomous robots able to interact with humans in a natural and intelligent way. In the context of multi-disciplinary projects funded by the EU and the National Science Foundation (FCT), the group at UM develops dynamic robot control architectures based on the present knowledge of the neuro-cognitive mechanisms underlying joint action in humans. The person appointed to this post is expected to make new theoretical contributions relevant to human-robot interaction, and to develop together with the other group members working systems that validate the theory. Possible focus areas would be the modeling of reasoning processes in social interaction (action understanding, plan recognition, anticipation), cognitive vision and/or the control of anthropomorphic arm/hand systems. To learn more about the above mentioned projects and the work of the “Autonomous Robotics and Dynamical Systems Group” please visit http://www.dei.uminho.pt/pessoas/estela and http://www.mct.uminho.pt/erlhagen.
List of related projects under development:
- “JAST – Joint Action Science and Technology”, Integrated Project financed by the European Commission (refª IST-2-003747-IP).
- Learning to read the motor intention of others: towards socially intelligent robots” (Refª POCI/V.5/A0119/2005), with L.Fogassi, Università degli Studi di Parma, Italy.
- “Anthropomorphic robotic systems: control based on the processing principles of the human and other primates’ motor system and potential applications in service robotics and biomedical engineering” Financed by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology-FCT and University of Minho (refª CONC-REEQ/17/2001)
Collaborations:
- Istituto di Fisiologia Umana, Università degli Studi di Parma, Italy,
- Honda Research Institut Europe, GmbH, Offenbach, Germany,
- Nijmegen Institute for Cognition and Information, Netherlands,
- Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics, Tübingen, Germany,
- Technical University of Munchen, Department of Computer Science, Germany,
- Institut für Neuroinformatik, University of Bochum, Germany.
CONTRACT CONDITIONS:
The position can be filled immediately for duration of up to five years. The salary is highly competitive, in the order of 42.500 euros a year, including social security obligations. The position does not include teaching duties, but it is expected that the candidate contributes to the supervision and training of post-graduate students.
INFORMAL ENQUIRIES CAN BE DIRECT TO:
Prof. Wolfram Erlhagen
Dep. of Mathematics for S&T
University of Minho
4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
Fax: +351-253510401
Email: wolfram.erlhagen@mct.uminho.pt
Web: www.mct.uminho.pt/erlhagen
or
Prof. Estela Bicho
Dep. of Industrial Electronics
University of Minho
4800-058 Guimarães, Portugal
Fax: +351-253510189
Email: estela.bicho@dei.uminho.pt
Web: www.dei.uminho.pt/pessoas/estela
HOW TO APPLY:
By email to secalgoritmi@dei.uminho.pt
(with cc: estela.bicho@dei.uminho.pt ) with the following information:
- cover letter including a brief research statement
- a CV including a photo and list of publications
- 2-3 recent publications in electronic format
- documentation of previous studies and certified copies of
all university degrees received;
- contact information of three professional references
The deadline for the application is March 15, 2008