Sweden: Learning for Model Design Support in Multi-Agent

PhD Studentships in Learning for Model Design Support in Multi-Agent Simulation, University of Örebro, Sweden

A new 3-years PhD position is immediately available at the MoS Modeling and Simulation Center, University of Örebro, Sweden under the supervision of Dr. Franziska Kluegl.

The major part of the PhD studies can be dedicated to research in the area of Learning for Model Design Support in Multi-Agent Simulation: Developing Multi-Agent Simulation Model is a challenging task that is often done in a suboptimal try and error procedure. Our idea is that it can be supported by learning and adaptive agents cooperating with a human modeler. There are various interesting starting points for the development and application of learning agent architectures and mechanisms from Artificial Intelligence such as reinforcement learning, classification learning or evolutionary strategies. Simulated agents shall use such techniques for discovering non-valid situations, selecting interaction partners, revising decision rules, etc. The human modeler evaluates the suggestions of the learning agents or supports them by pointing to particular problematic or interesting situations. Such an interplay between learning agents and human modeler may result in an efficient model development process and finally to a valid Multi-Agent Simulation model. Ideas can be tested in interdiscilinary simulation projects for example in the area of pedestrian simulation.

In addition to interest in the topic, a strong theoretical background and solid programming skills, applicants should have the equivalent of a Masters degree in an appropriate field (for example: Intelligent Systems and Robotics, Computer Science, Physics or Applied Mathematics). It is not necessary to be familiar with the Swedish language but proficiency in written/spoken English is mandatory.

To apply for the position, please send a motivation letter along with an updated CV (including at least two academic references) by e-mail to Dr. Franziska Kluegl: franziska.klugl@oru.se

Applications can be sent immediately and will be considered until the position is fixed.

UK: PhD Studentships in Robotics

PhD Studentships in Robotics, University of Plymouth, UK

Studentship PhD Opportunities
Cognitive Modelling in Developmental Robotics
FACULTY OF TECHNOLOGY

Marie Curie Early-Stage Researchers (Two posts; Fixed-term)

To start 1st January 2010

Supervised by Professor Angelo Cangelosi
Centre for Robotics and Neural Systems
School of Computing and Mathematics, University of Plymouth, PL4 8AA
External collaboration with RobotDoc partners in EU, USA, Japan and Taiwan

RobotDoc (Robotics for Development of Cognition) is a multi-national doctoral training network for the interdisciplinary training on developmental cognitive robotics. The PhD students will develop advanced expertise of domain-specific cognitive robotics research skills and of complementary transferrable skills for careers in academia and industry. They will acquire hands-on experience through experiments with the open-source humanoid robot iCub, complemented by other existing robots available in the network’s laboratories.

The two PhD studentships at the University of Plymouth will be in the following topics:

(1) The emergence of symbol composition capabilities, and

(2) The grounding of abstract categories.

For further information contact Professor Angelo Cangelosi by email acangelosi[ at ]plymouth.ac.uk Background information on the supervisors’ research profiles can be found on the University of Plymouth website.

Applicants for the post should have a very good first degree in a computer science, or robotics, or in a cognitive science discipline. Applicants with a relevant Masters degree would be particularly welcome. The scholarship is for 3 years and the candidate will receive an annual salary starting from £19,645 per annum. A mobility, travel and career exploratory allowance will also be available.

The following conditions apply:

Applicants must be nationals of any country other than the UK.

Applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the UK for longer than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to their recruitment.

Early-stage researchers are defined as those who are, at the time of selection, in the first four years (full-time equivalent) of their research careers. This is measured from the date when they obtained the degree which would formally entitle them to embark on a doctorate, either in the country in which the degree was obtained or in the country in which the research training is provided, irrespective of whether or not a doctorate is envisaged.

Applicants should send a CV, a letter of application and contact details of two academic referees to carole.watson[ at ]plymouth.ac.uk Faculty of Science and Technology Research Office, Portland Square, Plymouth, Devon, PL4 8AA.

Closing Date: 12 Noon, Monday 21 September 2009

Denmark:PhD Scholarships in Information Technology

PhD Scholarships in Information Technology, The IT University of Copenhagen, Denmark

IT University of Copenhagen (ITU) invites applications for a number of PhD scholarships starting in February 2010 in any of the faculty groups represented at ITU.

FIRST Research School: theoretical computer science and fundamental software technologies, sensornets, databases, algorithms for large amounts of data, automated reasoning, business processes, category theory, complexity, concurrency, domain theory, distributed and mobile computing, model checking, planning, software engineering, scheduling, verification, test, and configuration; efficient computation, electronic health records and electronic voting, logical frameworks, software architectures, objectoriented methodology and notations, functional and object-oriented programming languages, proof assistants, semantics, ubiquitous computing, user interfaces , workflow languages. http://www.first.dk

Center for Computer Games Research: Game aesthetics, game ontology, games and narratives, game culture, game play, player communities, games and human computer interfaces/game testing, game artificial intelligence, player (cognitive and affective) modeling, computational intelligence and games. http://game.itu.dk/

Design of Organizational IT Group: Computer supported cooperative work, science and technology studies, health care IT, organizations and IT, globalization and technology, mutual shaping
of culture, organizations, people, and technologies, through practices of design and use. http://www.itu.dk/research/doit/

Innovative Communication Group: Advanced and innovative communication trends, historical and rhetorical methods of innovation, theories and applications of new media, design and development of interactive technologies in the contexts of prior and emerging cultures of information. http://www.itu.dk/research/inc/

Scholarships:
Applicants accepted will be employed and enrolled at the IT University for a period of 3 or 4 years.
Appointment and salary will be in accordance with the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC). For example, the basic salary of a 3 year PhD student amounts to DKK 24,594.08 per month.

Application deadline: October 7, 2009 at 12.00 noon (local time). The deadline is firm.

Applications and enclosures received at ITU after the application deadline will not be taken into
consideration.

Questions regarding this call may be directed to individual faculty members, or the ITU PhD
Administration, phdadm@itu.dk, phone: +45 7218 5065

The IT University invites all qualified candidates irrespective of age, gender, sexual orientation, religious affiliation or ethnic background to apply for the scholarships.

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