Two PhD Positions on Hybrid Knowledge Representation

[Alessandro Saffiotti]

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   ***** Two PhD Positions on Hybrid Knowledge Representation *****

         Center for Applied Autonomous Sensor Systems (AASS)
                     Örebro University, Sweden
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In Short
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Applications are invited for two PhD student positions in Computer
Science at Örebro University, Sweden.  The positions are in the area of
hybrid knowledge representaiton and reasoning, planning and execution
monitoring in the context of the EU project RACE.  The positions are
for three years.  Application deadline is October 15, 2011.

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About the Positions
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The main task of the students will be to perform world-class research
on hybrid knowledge representation and reasoning, and hybrid planning
and plan execution monitoring, for robotic systems.  Hybrid in this
context means that the robot is capable of inferring new information
about its environment from a variety of information of different
nature.  For instance, the robot will consider flexible temporal
requirements (e.g., serving food while it is warm, but not too soon
after the previous course) together with causal requirements (e.g.,
serving a meal satisfies the goal of feeding the guests) and resource
constraints (e.g., dishes from the previous course must be cleared as
space must be made for the new course).  Such requirements should be
upheld both during planning and on-line execution monitoring.

The successful candidates will be employed as PhD students with Örebro
University for an expected duration of three years.  They will work
within the local RACE team at Örebro University, but they will also
collaborate with the other European partners in RACE, 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 RACE Project
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RACE, "Robustness by Autonomous Competence Enhancement", is a European
Union FP7 project.  The overall aim of RACE is to develop an artificial
cognitive system, embodied by a service robot, able to build a
high-level understanding of the world it inhabits by storing and
exploiting appropriate memories of its experiences.  Experiences will
be recorded internally at multiple levels: high-level descriptions in
terms of goals, tasks and behaviours, and sensory and actuator skills
at the lowest level.  RACE will develop methods for conceptualizing
acquired experiences so as to extend the robot's planning and execution
capabilities beyond preconceived situations.

AASS's role in RACE concerns (1) the development of knowledge
representation and reasoning schemes suited for reasoning about
multiple types of experiences; and (2) the use of this acquired and
inferred knowledge for plan generation and execution.  Constraint-based
techniques will be explored for both representation and reasoning and
planning/execution monitoring purposes, and in particular a meta-CSP
approach for integrating temporal, resource, causal and spatial
reasoning will be examined.

The RACE consortium consists of six European partners: the University
of Hamburg (Germany), the University of Leeds (UK), Örebro University
(Sweden), the University of Osnabrück (Germany), the University of
Aveiro (Portugal), and the technology transfer institution HITeC
e.V. (Germany).

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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.  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 theoretical
background in computer science, and solid programming skills.  A
Master's in computer science, computer engineering or comparable field
is required.  We particularly seek candidates with experience in
artificial intelligence, planning and constraint reasoning, and with
inclinations towards cross-disciplinary research.  Knowledge of the
Swedish language is not required, but proficiency in written and spoken
English is mandatory.

To apply for a 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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