A funded Ph.D. student position is available in the Flora-Robotica E.U. project due to start the 1st of April 2015. The overall aim of the project is to explore the potential of integrating plants and robots. E.g. can a robot exploit the phototaxis of a plant to deploy its solar panels effectively, can a robot support the plant to facilitate growth towards certain goals, can flora-robotica hybrids facilitate a strong interaction with a human user to create aesthetic as well as useful architecture.
The successful candidate will complement an international, interdisciplinary team of researchers with expertise in bio-inspired robotics, plant physiology, architecture, multi-robot coordination, modular robotics, embodied A.I., mechatronics, and evolutionary algorithms. The successful candidate will support the project by developing middleware for integrating the sensors and actuators of the system for a Linux capable platform (e.g BeagleBone Black). From this technical starting point the candidate is expected to explore fundamental scientific question related to creating an internet-connected social garden of flora-roboticas.
The successful candidate is expected to hold an education in computer science or similar and the preferred candidate has experience with:
- Interfacing to mechatronics using Linux
- Control of modular robots, multi-robot coordination, behavior-based control
- Evolutionary algorithms, neural nets, neuroevolution
- Crowd-sourcing
- Embodied artificial intelligence
The successful candidate will join ”Robotics, Evolution, and Art Lab (REAL)” which is a newly created research group at the IT University of Copenhagen (see https://real.itu.dk)
Requirements
The following qualifications are required:
- 3-year program: a Master’s degree equivalent to three years of bachelor level studies plus two years of Master level studies.
- 4-year program: a Bachelor degree plus one year of Master level studies.
Application
A successful applicant typically already has an established research track record inside the potential advisor's field. A competitive application usually includes:
- A cover letter including the name of a suggested advisor at ITU who is linked to the applicant's field of research;
- A statement of purpose, which provides evidence of independent thinking, novelty and originality, and a state-of-the-art grasp of the targeted research field matching the project description above
- Documentation of academic degree(s); grade transcripts that documents outstanding academic achievement;
- Curriculum Vitae, which must include two professional/academic references;
- A relevant scientific publication in a recognized, peer-reviewed, such as a major international conference or journal in the potential advisor's field, or evidence of an excellent research master thesis;
- A letter of recommendation from a leading international researcher that is professionally known to the potential advisor.
It is understood that even highly qualified applicants will satisfy these requirements to varying degrees, for example because of differences in publication cultures in various research fields.
Early contact with our faculty staff is strongly encouraged.
General information
The IT University of Copenhagen (ITU) is a teaching and research-based tertiary institution concerned with information technology (IT) and the opportunities it offers. The IT University has more than 70 full-time faculty members. Research and teaching in information technology span all academic activities which involve computers including computer science, information and media sciences, humanities and social sciences, cooperative work practices and technology studies, information systems, and the commercialisation of ICT.
Salary
Appointment and salary will be in accordance with the Ministry of Finance’s agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC).
Application procedure
Please read the guidelines for applicants carefully before filling in the application form. You can see the guidelines through this link:
Guidelines
You will need to submit one merged PDF file. Only complete applications will be processed and evaluated. Applications must be written in English. All other documents, such as transcripts must be accompanied by a translation in English or Danish.
You can only apply for this position through our e-recruitment system. Apply by clicking the button "Apply for position" in the job announcement on our website:
Vancancies
Questions related to the position may be directed to Kasper Støy, ksty@itu.dk/+45 7218 5368 and questions related to the application procedure may be directed to the Personnel Section, Kristina Køj-Udsen, kuds@itu.dk
The applicant will be assessed according to the Appointment Order from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation of 25 April 2008.
Please note that all application material will be destroyed after the assessment.
Application deadline: 26th January 2015, at 23:56 CET.
Applications/enclosures received at ITU after the application deadline will not be taken into consideration. If you submit an application, it is your responsibility to ensure that it arrives before the deadline so please allow sufficient time for upload of publications and other documents.
The IT University invites all qualified researchers regardless of age, gender, religious affiliation or ethnic background to apply for the positions.
Application Deadline : 26 January 2015