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.

For more information visit >>

France : PhD Scholarship in Computer Science

PhD Scholarship in Computer Science / Economy at IRIT and GREMAQ, Toulouse, France

Description:
We invite, applications for an interdisciplinary 3 years PhD position in computer science and economics. The projects title is: “Epistemic states, Trust and responsibility of economical agents: from theoretical aspects to experimental studies”

Project description:
Recently computer scientists’ interest in more and more complex systems has lead to an increased use of multi-agent approaches. Multi-agent analysis allows the investigation of the interaction of autonomous agents able to make decisions and to execute the necessary actions. The characterization of these agents is done with help of a number of theoretical models, among which modal (in particular epistemic) logics. This implies that the systems and their agents are described in terms of their knowledge, beliefs, goals and intentions.

The concept of trust has been recently studied at the same time in the domain of multi-agent systems as concerning interactions of economic agents. The interaction of economic agents has been traditionally studied concerning monetary profits for the involved actors. However, today it is widely believed that decisions in economic interactions are influenced by beliefs, trust and emotions.

The objective of this research project is to study situations requiring responsibility and trust with experimental economic paradigms. We will evaluate how and when responsibility will lead to trust when interactions are repeated. The resulting states will be formally characterized by using epistemological concepts of trust and responsibility.

The ideal candidate for this position should have training in either computer science or economics, with knowledge in at least one of the areas of formal logic, game theory, simulations.

The position will be co-supervised by Andreas Herzig (IRIT, Université Paul Sabatier, Toulouse) and Astrid Hopfensitz (GREMAQ, Université des Sciences Sociales, Toulouse). Both institutions are world renowned research institutions in their discipline and the candidate will have the opportunity to participate and interact with researchers from both fields. Monthly salary will be according to French standards (gross salary 1650 Euros, i.e. 1360 Euros of taxable income (with approximately 10% income tax to be subtracted)). Research language in Toulouse is English however some basic knowledge of French is an advantage.

For further questions please contact:

Andreas Herzig, http://www.irit.fr/~Andreas.Herzig

or Astrid Hopfensitz, http://hopfensitz.googlepages.com

Application Deadline: August 18, 2009

Contact:
Hopfensitz, Astrid
Toulouse School of Economics (GREMAQ)
astrid.hopfensitz[ at ]univ-tlse1.fr

Austria : PhD-position in Logistics/Supply Chain Management

PhD Studentships in Quantitative Methods / Logistics, University of Vienna, Austria

PhD-position in Logistics/Supply Chain Management and Quantitative Methods

The chair of Logistics and Supply Chain Management at the University of Vienna offers a PhD-candidate position in its expanding international research team. The position includes participation in the faculty’s PhD program in Logistics and Operations Management and the opportunity to conduct a research project under the supervision of experienced senior researchers. A four year scholarship, the possibility to spend some time at a foreign research institution, and to present research results at leading international conferences are provided. The position further offers the opportunity to gain teaching experience (all Logistics and Supply Chain courses are taught in English) and to disseminate the research results within projects with industry. Our research areas include supply chain inventory management (especially service parts and retail applications), supply chain coordination (using game theoretic approaches), and strategic network design.

The Department of Business Administration is, according to the latest ranking by Handelsblatt, the #1 research institution in Business Administration in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. The city of Vienna, according to the latest Mercer survey, offers the highest quality of life worldwide.

If you are interested you should have completed (or be close to completion) of a master degree (Diploma / Magister) in Business Administration, Mathematics, Statistics, Operations Research, Management Information Systems, or Mathematical Economics with excellent records. Please send us your full application, including

• letter of motivation,
• resumé,
• transcript of records,
• relevant certificates.

to alexandra.ederer@univie.ac.at

Application Deadline: July 13, 2009

Contact:
Minner, Stefan
University of Vienna
stefan.minner@univie.ac.at