Postdoc at UH

Research Fellow / Assistant in Emotion in Embodied Cognition and Action

University of Hertfordshire, UK
School of Computer Science, Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences

Post Reference: EN2155
Salary: £ 19,073 - £ 26,402 per annum, depending on qualifications and experience

Applications are invited for a research fellow / research assistant post. The postholder will pursue research into biologically-inspired computational (robotic) models of emotions within an Embodied Artificial Intelligent approach, and will be involved in administrative and support tasks related to the coordination of the work package “Emotion in Cognition and Action” as part of the European FP6 Network of Excellence HUMAINE (“Human-Machine Interaction Network on Emotion”, see the project website: http://www.emotion-research.net).

Building upon research carried out in the group, the successful candidate will conduct research into the adaptive value of different affective phenomena to modulate and control the behaviour and interactions of autonomous robots in physical and social environments. Suitable mechanisms and architectures underlying such affective phenomena will be investigated and implemented, taking inspiration from theories and findings from disciplines such as affective and cognitive neuroscience, biology, ethology, developmental psychology, and the psychology of emotion. This research will have a strong component of experimentation and testing using robotic scenarios and suitable methods for quantitative and qualitative analysis of results. The postholder will work as part of the Adaptive Systems Research Group (http://adapsys.feis.herts.ac.uk), a proactive and dynamic group with a strong research record in emotion modelling, adaptive behaviour, human-robot and human-machine interaction, and artificial life. Additional tasks include representing the group at research meetings and workshops, helping to organize project meetings, writing reports, assisting with editorial activities, and helping to coordinate work within the HUMAINE work package “Emotion in Cognition and Action” and across the Network.

Applicants should have excellent programming skills, experience programming robots, and a strong postgraduate degree (preferably a PhD, a minimum of a Master or equivalent) and research experience in areas related to biologically inspired robotics such as Adaptive Behaviour, Embodied Artificial Intelligence / Cognitive Science, Mobile Autonomous Robotics, or Artificial Life. Some knowledge of Psychology, Affective / Cognitive Neuroscience, Biology or related disciplines is desirable. The work to be carried out is most suitable for a post-doctoral research fellow, although candidates at a research assistant level with suitable background and experience will also be considered.

The position is full-time and based on a fix-term contract up to the end of the project (end of December 2007). The post is available immediately and will be filled as soon as possible.

The postholder will work under the scientific direction of Dr. Lola Cañamero, within the Adaptive Systems Research Group (http://adapsys.feis.herts.ac.uk), School of Computer Science (http://perseus.herts.ac.uk/prospectus/faculty_ei/dep_com/dep_com_home.cfm), Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences, University of Hertfordshire (http://www.herts.ac.uk).

Informal enquiries can be made to the research coordinator Dr. Lola Cañamero (http://homepages.feis.herts.ac.uk/~comqlc. E-mail: L.Canamero@herts.ac.uk. Phone: +44-1707-284308). Further details are also available at: http://recruitment.herts.ac.uk/recruit.

Formal applications must be sent to the Personnel Department of the University of Hertfordshire. You can apply for the above post online at http://recruitment.herts.ac.uk/recruit. Further details available from Personnel, telephone +44-(0)1707-284802 (24-hour voicemail) quoting the relevant reference number.

Closing Date: 22 September 2006.