Open PhD/Post-doc Position in Autonomously Learning Robot Vision Systems

We have an opening for a fully funded 3-year interdisciplinary PhD or
Post-doc position at the Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies (FIAS)
focusing on autonomously learning vision systems for a humanoid robot.


We are developing learning methods that allow a humanoid robot to learn
to perceive its environment and interact with it in a completely
autonomous fashion, much like humans and animals learn to see. The
robot's learning is fueled by curiosity drives, making it want to
acquire more and more knowledge about its environment and how it can
interact with it. Topics include but are not limited to the autonomous
learning of depth perception [1], object recognition [2], object
tracking, segmentation, cue integration and social interaction skills
[3]. The successful applicant will have the opportunity to work with the
iCub robot (http://www.icub.org). FIAS provides a stimulating
interdisciplinary environment with close collaborations with
neuroscientists and psychologists. Please visit our group's web page for
more information: _http://fias.uni-frankfurt.de/de/neuro/triesch_

We are seeking an outstanding and highly motivated PhD candidate or
Post-doc for this project. Applicants should hold a Master or PhD degree
in a relevant field such as engineering, computer science, physics, or
mathematics. The candidate should have excellent programming skills
(Matlab, Python, C/C++) and very good analytic skills. Knowledge of
machine learning, computer vision, robotics, signal processing and
statistics are desirable. Experience with programming Graphics
Processing Units (GPUs) is a plus. The position can be filled
immediately, and lasts 36 months.

The Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies is a research institution
dedicated to fundamental theoretical research in various areas of
science. It is embedded into Frankfurt's recently established natural
science research campus. Frankfurt itself is the hub of one of the most
vibrant metropolitan areas in Europe. Apart from its strong economic and
financial sides, it boasts a rich cultural community and repeatedly
earns high rankings in worldwide surveys of quality of living.

Applications should include a brief statement of research interests, CV
including publications and relevant course work, transcripts, and
contact information for at least two references. Send applications to Ms
Gaby Ehlgen (ehlgen@fias.uni-frankfurt.de). Informal enquiries may be
addressed to Jochen Triesch (_triesch@fias.uni-frankfurt.de
<mailto:triesch@fias.uni-frankfurt.de>_).



[1] A Unified Model of the Joint Development of Disparity Selectivity
and Vergence Control. Zhao Y, Rothkopf CA, Triesch J, Shi B. IEEE Int.
Conf. on Development and Learning and Epigenetic Robotics (ICDL), 2012.
(Paper of excellence award.)_
http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/artic...number=6400876
<http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/xpl/artic...number=6400876>__

_[2] Let it Learn: A Curious Vision System for Autonomous Object
Learning. Chandrashekhariah P, Spina G, Triesch J. Int. Conf. on
Computer Vision Theory and Applications (VISAPP), 2013._
http://fias.uni-frankfurt.de/~triesch/publications/ChandrashekhariahEtAl-VISAPP-2013.pdf
<http://fias.uni-frankfurt.de/%7Etrie...ISAPP-2013.pdf>_


[3] Emergence of Mirror Neurons in a Model of Gaze Following. Triesch J,
Jasso H, Deak GO. Adaptive Behavior 15(2):149-165, 2007.
_http://fias.uni-frankfurt.de/~triesch/publications/TrieschEtAl-AdaptiveBehavior-2007.pdf
<http://fias.uni-frankfurt.de/%7Etrie...avior-2007.pdf>_

--
Prof. Dr. Jochen Triesch
Johanna Quandt Research Professor
Frankfurt Institute for Advanced Studies
_http://fias.uni-frankfurt.de/~triesch/
<http://fias.uni-frankfurt.de/%7Etriesch/>_