[alife] Postdoctoral position at University of Hertfordshire

[Chrystopher Nehaniv]

UNIVERSITY OF HERTFORDSHIRE

Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Biologically-Inspired Computational and
Robotic Models of Emotions

Salary: GBP 20,311 - GBP 22,948 per annum (pay award pending) depending on
qualifications and experience.

Department of Computer Science

Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences                 (Ref: D6098=
AC)

Applications are invited for a postdoctoral research fellow post. The
postholder will pursue research into biologically-inspired computational
and robotic models of emotions, and will be in charge of administrative
tasks involved in coordinating the research programme of the work package
"Emotion in Cognition and Action" as part of the European Network of
Excellence HUMAINE ("Human-Machine Interaction Network on Emotion", visit
the project website: http://www.emotion-research.net). The successful
candidate will conduct research into the adaptive value of different
affective phenomena to modulate and control the behaviour and interactions
of autonomous agents (in particular robots) in physical and social
environments. Suitable mechanisms 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 have access to the
Robotics and Interactive Systems Laboratory, and 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, organizing a workshop, writing research
reports, and helping to coordinate research / project exemplars within the
HUMAINE work package "Emotion in Cognition and Action".

Applicants should hold a PhD in Computer Science, Cybernetics, Robotics or
related discipline and have excellent knowledge of and/or experience in
biologically-inspired artificial intelligence and robotics, solid
experience programming mobile robots, demonstrated ability to write
high-quality scientific documents, commitment to high-quality research
leading to major publications, and motivation and ability to work
proactively within a multi-disciplinary team. Previous exposure to areas
such as adaptive behaviour, affective/cognitive neuroscience, or the
psychology of emotion, and motivation and skills in organizing academic
meetings and research projects are highly desirable.

The position is full-time for an initial period of two years, with
possibility of extension until the end of the project (end of 2007). Start
date: April/May 2004.

Informal enquiries can be made to the research coordinator Dr. Lola
Ca=F1amero (http://homepages.feis.herts.ac.uk/~comqlc, E-mail:
L.Canamero at herts.ac.uk, phone: +44-1707-284308). Formal applications must
be
addressed to the Personnel Department at the University of Hertfordshire.

Closing Date: 10 March 2004.

You can apply for this job online at http://recruitment.herts.ac.uk/Recruit

Further details available from Personnel, telephone +44-1707-284802
(24-hour voicemail) quoting the reference number.