۱-۲ positions as Postdoctoral research fellow is available at the Robotics and Intelligent Systems (ROBIN) group at the Department of Informatics, University of Oslo, Norway (Norway’s largest university department for education and research in Computer Science and related topics, see http://www.mn.uio.no/ifi/english), as a part of the Research Council of Norway funded project Multimodal Elderly Care Systems (MECS). The project aims at working with extending the capabilities of robot companions (in sensing, learning and prediction of future events) to be applied in elderly care at home.

The fellowships will be for a period of 3 years, possibly with an option for extension of the employment period by 4 months depending background and qualifications for additional duty work which typically includes work on courses (lecturing, preparation and organizing of exercises etc). We also have a number of international collaborators and having a stay of up to 6 months with one of these could be possible. The starting date is preferably no later than November 1st 2016.

Project description

The Robotics and Intelligent Systems research group focus on adaptive systems research often including biologically inspired methods. We target to apply these methods within robotics, programmable logic and applications like active music. We are interested in studying human and robotic motion using motion capture analysis and apply this knowledge in designing adaptive robotic or computing systems. We do rapid prototyping of robots with 3D-printers and milling machines.

In this project we are interested in making progress on equipping robot companions with complementary sensor systems to be able to sense the state of humans and their environment. Further, by modeling normal behavior and state of the human, we want to explore the possibility for predicting future non-normal behavior and events. This would be undertaken by an autonomous mobile robot compromising between privacy of the human and quality of the measurements. The candidate is planned to either be focusing on the sensing part or be working with behavior modeling and prediction. The candidate will be collaborating with a research fellow working in the other area and another research fellow specializing in user-oriented design methods for the robots.

Qualifications

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition of being a leading research faculty. Candidates for this fellowship will be selected in accordance with this, and expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.

The candidate must have a PhD or other corresponding education equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in computer science including robotics and machine learning/artificial intelligence (other degrees would be considered if qualifications match). Thus, applicants should have a strong background in programming and robotics and have knowledge about machine learning. Moreover, knowledge in the fields of motion tracking and analysis, sensor data analysis, biology-inspired techniques, rapid prototyping, simulation, and behavior modeling would be an advantage. The candidates should have experience with practical work as we expect the project to be working with testing and modifying robots for improved performance in their environment. In the application, please briefly describe the relevance of the Master/PhD thesis work and other project work relevant for the position. Please also briefly mention what part of the project you would be most qualified and motivated for working with. Applicants for the fellowship should have scientific publications, and both their quantity and quality (impact of the journal(s) and conference(s)) would be an important selection criteria.

The main purpose of post-doctoral research fellowships is to qualify researchers for work in top academic positions within their disciplines.

Please also refer to the regulations pertaining to the conditions of employment for post-doctoral fellowship positions:

http://www.uio.no/english/about/regulations/personnel/academic/regulations-employment-conditions-postdoc.html

A good command of English is required.

In summary, the selection of the candidate(s) for the position would be based on relevant knowledge and experience in the areas described above, education results and scientific publications.

Salary:

Position code 1352, NOK ۵۱۲ ۷۰۰ – ۵۶۷ ۱۰۰ per year, (Pay Grade: ۶۰ – ۶۵) depending on qualifications and seniority.

We offer:

a challenging and stimulating working environment

attractive welfare benefits

The application must include:

Application letter

CV (summarizing education, positions and academic work – scientific publications)

Copies of educational certificates, transcript of records and letters of recommendation

The most relevant and important publications and academic work that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee (maximum 5)

Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)

Foreign applicants are advised to attach an explanation of their University’s grading system. Please remember that all documents should be in English or a Scandinavian language.

In accordance with the University of Oslo’s equal opportunities policy, we invite applications from all interested individuals regardless of gender or ethnicity but would like to specifically encourage female candidates to apply.

UiO has an agreement for all employees, aiming to secure rights to research results a.o.

Region: Oslo

Job type: Fixed Term Contract

Working hours: Full-time

Working days: Day

Application deadline: ۱۰ August, 2016

Location: Oslo