One PhD Position on Robots and Smart Environments

[Alessandro Saffiotti]

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    ***** One PhD Position on Robots and Smart Environments *****

         Center for Applied Autonomous Sensor Systems (AASS)
                     Örebro University, Sweden
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In Short
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Applications are invited for a PhD student position in Computer Science
at Örebro University, Sweden.  The position is in the area of the
integration of robots and smart environments, with specific emphasis on
applications to elderly care.  The position is in the context of the EU
project Robot-Era, and it is for three years.  Application deadline is
October 15, 2011.

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About the Position
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The main task of the student will be to perform world-class research on
the integration of robots within and across smart environments.  This
includes the integration of robots in smart apartments, in smart
buildings, and in smart towns.  This type of integration will face the
student with a number of novel and challenging scientific issues.
These issues will be studied within the specific application domain of
assistance to elderly people, through the use of real test-bed
environments.  This domain will serve both as a source of inspiration
and as a place for validation of the scientific achievements.

The successful candidate will be employed as a PhD student with Örebro
University for an expected duration of three years.  He or she will
work within the local Robot-Era team at Örebro University, but will
also collaborate with the other European partners in the Robot-Era,
both remotely and through physical meetings and research visits.  A
limited amount of teaching may also be part of the PhD student's
duties.

More information can be found at http://aass.oru.se/CRS/positions.html

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About the Robot-Era Project
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Robot-Era ("Implementation and integration of advanced ROBOTic systems
and intelligent Environments in Real scenarios for the Ageing
population") is a European Union FP7 project.  The objective of
Robot-Era is to develop complete advanced robotic services integrated
in intelligent environments, which will actively work in real
conditions and cooperate with real people to provide favourable
independent living, improving the quality of life and the efficiency of
care for elderly people.  Robot-Era will demonstrate the general
feasibility and effectiveness of these systems, as well as their social
plausibility and acceptability by end-users.

The role of the AASS in Robot-Era will be to develop an advanced,
modular and customizable ambient intelligence infrastructure within
which the above services can be provided.  A unique feature of this
infrastructure will be that it will span across several environments,
ranging from homes to streets and public places, in order to provide
ubiquitous assistance to senior citizens.  AASS will also supervise the
development of one of the project's two testing sites: a smart
apartment inside a large residential facility for senior citizens.

The Robot-Era consortium consists of twelve European partners from
Sweden, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom, and it is coordinated by
Scuola Superiore Sant'Anna in Pisa, Italy.

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About the Working Place
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Örebro University (www.oru.se) is a young university which currently
enrolls more than 15,000 students.  It is located in Örebro, a city of
130,000 inhabitants situated in central Sweden.

The Center for Applied Autonomous Sensor Systems (AASS) is one of the
Strong Research Environments at Örebro University.  It carries out
multi-disciplinary research at the intersection of robotics, computer
science, machine learning and artificial intelligence.  The research
and human environment at AASS is young and enthusiastic.  Researchers
come from a dozen different countries, in Europe and worldwide, and
have different scientific and cultural backgrounds.  AASS also
frequently hosts international researchers and is involved in several
international projects.

AASS is internationally renowned for its research in cognitive robotic
systems and in ecologies of robots and smart environments.  Further
information about AASS and the Cognitive Robotic Systems lab can be
found at http://aass.oru.se and http://aass.oru.se/CRS.

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Prerequisites and Application Process
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In addition to a clear interest in one or more of the above research
topics, the successful applicant must have a strong background in
computer science, solid programming skills, and inclinations towards
cross-disciplinary research.  A Master's in computer science, computer
engineering or comparable field is required.  We particularly seek
candidates with experience in artificial intelligence, in robotic
systems, and/or in sensor networks.  Knowledge of the Swedish language
is not required, but proficiency in written and spoken English and good
communication skills are mandatory.

To apply for the position, please send a motivation letter along with
an updated CV (including at least two academic references) by email to
Prof. Alessandro Saffiotti <alessandro.saffiotti at aass.oru.se>.
Applications can be sent immediately and until October 15, 2011.  We
are looking forward to receiving your application!

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