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"Exegi monumentum aere perennius" (Horatius, Ode III-30) ---------- Forwarded message --------- From: Frank Foerster <[email protected]> Date: Wed, Jan 6, 2021 at 4:29 PM Subject: Fully Funded PhD studentship: Robotic Language Acquisition & Dialogue Systems To: <[email protected]> [Apologies for multiple copies due to cross-posting] ============ PhD studentship ROBOTIC LANGUAGE ACQUISITION & DIALOGUE SYSTEMS Adaptive Systems Research Group Centre for Computer Science and Informatics Research School of Engineering and Computer Science University of Hertfordshire, UK Contact: Frank Foerster ([email protected]) ============ Short-listings will start on 29 January 2021* Bursary £15,285 p.a. * application before this date is strongly encouraged We invite applications for a PhD studentship at the University of Hertfordshire, UK, under the supervision of Dr. Frank Foerster in the area of robotic language acquisition and potential applications to dialogue systems. We are particularly interested in pursuing research that connects to the following two topics, but alternative ideas will be considered too. Research Topics Topic 1: Socially driven Machine Learning in Robotic Language Acquisition We have developed a language acquisition approach that strongly relies on social cues similar to those present in child-directed speech (CDS). The big advantage of this approach is that it can cope with unconstrained robot-directed speech rather than relying on heavily structured and constrained natural language input by eliciting vocal behaviour from human participants similar to that found in CDS. We have reasons to believe that the application of reinforcement learning in its widest sense may lead to large improvements of the core learning algorithm. This research topic involves areas ranging from human-robot interaction, over machine learning, and social signal processing, to affective computing. Topic 2: Linking Robotic Language-Acquisition Research with Dialogue Systems Historically robotic language acquisition research has been mostly restricted to developmental robotics and similarly small research areas. More recently, the larger computer vision and dialogue systems communities have picked up on some of the ideas such as symbol grounding. So far, these approaches focused largely on the grounding ( = attaching meaning to) of referential words such as object labels, tangible actions and events. Part of our past research has focused on the grounding of non-referential words, including negation words, relating to “non-tangible” concepts such as affect or volition. We believe that dialogue systems could benefit from approaches in developmental robotics that focus on such “non-referential” utterances, and invite the prospective student to explore this space. Independent of the particular topic, we have recently become member of the HomeBank corpora, and would strongly encourage interaction and collaboration with developmental psychologists and psycholinguists. Person Profile You will have an excellent first degree and a very keen interest and motivation in language or language acquisition. Optimally you should have an excellent background in Computer Science, Computational/Cognitive Robotics, (computational) linguistics, artificial intelligence, or similar disciplines with a considerable quantitative/computational component. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the topic we will also consider applicants with a background in (developmental) psychology, philosophy, or pragmatics as long as you have some experience in programming, machine learning, or dialogue systems. Prior experience with topics such as reinforcement learning, or statistical learning more generally is highly desirable, but not essential if the quantitative background is otherwise very strong. The knowledge of later Wittgenstein is a big plus. More information including relevant papers are provided in the following PDF: https://www.herts.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/317440/Robotic-Language-Acquisition-and-Dialogue-Systems.pdf If you have questions or have alternative interested in applying, please contact Dr. Frank Foerster [email protected] ============ Research in Computer Science at the University of Hertfordshire has been recognised as excellent by the latest Research Assessment Exercise, with 50% of the research submitted being rated as internationally excellent or world leading. The University of Hertfordshire provides a very stimulating environment, offering a large number of specialised and interdisciplinary seminars as well as general training and researcher development opportunities. The University is situated in Hatfield, in the green belt just north of London. Hatfield is close to Central London (less than 25 minutes by direct train to Kings Cross), with convenient access to Stansted, Luton and Heathrow airports, and, via the nearby historic town of St. Albans, also to Gatwick airport. Application forms and submission instructions are available under https://www.herts.ac.uk/study/schools-of-study/physics-engineering-and-computer-science/engineering-and-computer-science/research-in-engineering-and-computer-science/the-phd-programme-in-computer-science Please note: You must download the application form to your computer before you complete it. If you complete the form in the browser window, the information you have entered may be lost when the form is saved. Eligibility ----------- Applicants must submit or obtain: - a completed application form, which can be obtained from website linked above - a research statement stating past experience/research background and interest and motivation/research ambition for current project - two academic references - copies of qualification certificates and transcripts - a copy of your passport Applications from outside the UK or EU are eligible for this studentship. The application form should be returned to: [email protected] ------------------------------ Have an AI-relevant announcement? Send it to [email protected] To unsubscribe from the SIGAI-ANNOUNCE list, click the following link: https://LISTSERV.ACM.ORG/SCRIPTS/WA-ACMLPX.CGI?SUBED1=SIGAI-ANNOUNCE&A=1 -- Você está recebendo esta mensagem porque se inscreveu no grupo "LOGICA-L" dos Grupos do Google. 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