8 PhD positions in Robotics (INTRO project)

open_positions

New European robotics research network offers 10 positions starting this summer
http://introbotics.eu

The INTRO project (INTeractive RObotics Research Network) is offering 10
research positions (8 PhD student positions starting in 2010 and 2 post-doctoral
positions starting in 2011) in the interdisciplinary areas of Interactive
Robotics; Cooperative Robot Learning, Cognitive Human-Robot Interaction (HRI)
and Intelligent Interface Design.

INTRO aims to create a new generation of robotic researchers with a broad
understanding of the research and technologies needed to build intelligent
robots that function in close interaction with humans in unstructured, changing
"real word" conditions. The training has a strong multidisciplinary approach
complemented by specialized domain knowledge. Young researchers will work
closely with industries, endowing them with insight and understanding of the
industrial product life-cycle and valuable hands-on experience of top-level
industrial robot development. By blending complementary skills, INTRO will
improve the career perspectives of young researchers, in both academic and
industrial sectors. This will be achieved through a transnational network of
universities and robot companies, with senior researchers from different
disciplines (robotics, artificial intelligence, cognitive sciences, human
factors) coming from different `schools-of-thought' (computer sciences,
industrial engineering, psychology).

INTRO is funded by the European Commission as part of the FP7 program and
involves 6 partners. Each PhD student will be stationed at one of the
universities and will also undergo a secondment and visit other partners. The
post-doctoral researchers will be stationed at one of the partner companies,
with several visits to the other partners' institutions. The following positions
are offered:

Umea University, Sweden

- PhD2: Learning from Demonstration and Imitation

- PhD5: Emotional interaction

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel

- PhD1: Learning inspired by cognitive psychology

- PhD8: Intelligent interface design

Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Germany

- PhD3: Behaviour and intention recognition for human-robot learning

- PhD4: Dynamic gesture analysis

University of the West of England, UK

- PhD6: Robot safety and interaction

- PhD7: Failure detection and recovery

An applicant for any of the positions must not be a citizen of the country in
which the associated university/company is located.

Each recruited researcher will join a training program comprising the following
major components: An individual research project conducted in close cooperation
with researchers from the partner universities and industries; A network-wide
training program that includes regular courses and courses in complementary
skills (such as project management and proposal writing); Seminars and
workshops.

For general information on INTRO and the open positions, please visit
www.introbotics.eu or contact the program coordinator Dr. Thomas Hellström at
Umeå University: thomash cs.umu.se

The INTRO partners recognize the importance of gender equality and are committed
to it in all aspects of the project.

Each position has to be applied for separately.

Common closing date for all applications: 15th of April 2010.

Anticipated start date: 1st of September 2010 or earlier.

http://introbotics.eu