[alife] Research Fellow in Robot Swarm Mission Planning/Coordination

[Daniel Polani]

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     RESEARCH FELLOW IN ROBOT SWARM MISSION PLANNING/COORDINATION

		     University of Hertfordshire
		      School of Computer Science

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A Research Fellow position is available in the EU Horizon 2020 funded
project WiMUST (Widely scalable Mobile Underwater Sonar
Technology). As a part of a European project, this full-time research
post will allow the postholder to pursue research into and develop
software implementing novel information-theoretic methods for motion
planning, mission planning and coordination of multirobot swarms to
carry out mission control tasks. This includes developing simulation
models for multirobot swarms, motion planning, and reduced information
theory-based models for robustness and survivability, as well as
advanced machine learning algorithms for the control dynamics which
will be supporting the survivability-enhancing behavior; central is
also integration, deployment and testing on marine robotic
hardware. The candidate will also take responsibility in organizing
project-relevant workshops, and representing UH at consortium
meetings.

The development of the algorithms and software as well as learning and
adaptation algorithms suitable to run on physical robots forms a
central part in the research.  Applicants for the posts should have a
strong postgraduate degree (MSc or PhD) in a quantitative
research-oriented discipline, examples are computer science,
mathematics or physics. Applicants should have strong mathematical
background, with emphasis on probabilistic modeling, information
theory, stochastic control, and/or robot control and motion
planning. Excellent programming skills are essential. Experience with
the ROS robotic software framework, and/or developing and deploying AI
algorithms on real-world robots is a plus. Applicants will have a high
degree of motivation and, at the same time the ability to work both
independently and in collaboration with the other investigators in the
group.

The research will take place in the enthusiastic and enterprising
research environment of the Adaptive Systems Research Group in the
School of Computer Science at the University of Hertfordshire; there
will also be the opportunity to collaborate with the socSMCs
(Socializing Sensorimotor Contingencies, FET Open) EU Horizon 2020
project, as well as the School's successful humanoid robot RoboCup
team, the Bold Hearts.

The school offers a large number of specialized and interdisciplinary
seminars as well as general training opportunities. Research in
Computer Science at the University of Hertfordshire has been
recognized as excellent by the latest Research Assessment Exercise,
with 50% of the research submitted being rated as world leading or
internationally excellent.

The University of Hertfordshire is located in Hatfield, Hertfordshire
UK which is considered the "northern green belt" of London. Hatfield
is very close to London (less than 25 minutes by direct train to Kings
Cross), has convenient access to Stansted, Luton and Heathrow
airports, and, via the nearby historic town of St. Albans, also to
Gatwick airport.

Salary: UH6 - GBP 26,537 to GBP 31,656 pa depending on qualifications and experience
Duration of contract: fixed term contract running until 31st January 2018
FTE: Full-time position, working 37 hours per week.

Contact details: For informal queries about this role please contact
Dr Daniel Polani, Professor of Artificial Intelligence (D.Polani at herts.ac.uk)

Closing date: 1st June 2016 
Job Reference number: 013576
Apply via: http://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/ANR353/research-fellow/