SCIENCE-JOBS-DE

2 Postdoctoral and 2 PhD Positions in Social Neuroscience of Human-Robot Interaction (Wales)

We invite applications for two PhD students and two post-doctoral positions in Social Cognitive Neuroscience and Human-Robot Interaction. The positions will be part of a research project exploring how experience-based plasticity is manifest in the brain and behaviour during prolonged interaction with humanoid robots.  This 5-year project includes developmental, ageing and cross-cultural perspectives and is funded by a starting grant from the European Research Council (ERC), led by Prof. Emily S. Cross. The project team will join the Social Brain in Action Laboratory, located within the internationally-renowned School of Psychology at Bangor University in scenic North Wales. The postdoc positions are funded for a period of up to 4 years each, and the PhD positions are funded for 3 years each. We anticipate a start date of 1 October 2016 for at least some of the positions, but are flexible in this regard. More information about all posts can be found at www.so-bots.com

POSTDOC POSITIONS:
We are seeking to appoint one research-led postdoc and one robotics/programming-led postdoc (see www.so-bots.com for more details on each post).  Start date for both positions: between 1 October 2016 - 1 February 2017. Funding is guaranteed for a minimum of 2 years, with a possibility of an up to 2-year extension as the project develops.

In the first instance, interested candidates should send a CV, detailed motivation letter and the names of 3 referees to e.cross@bangor.ac.uk . Please also send up to 3 publications or manuscripts in press that provide the clearest indications of your research contributions to date.

PHD POSITIONS:
We are seeking to appoint two PhD students.  The individual PhD projects are flexible depending on candidates’ interests and expertise, but should broadly relate to how long-term experience with artificial agents shapes social perception and interaction. Applicants are expected to have an outstanding undergraduate degree in experimental psychology or neuroscience and a relevant Masters qualification (if undergraduate programme was <4 years). Applicants should be highly motivated and creative with strong written and oral communication skills. Experience with human neuroscience techniques (fMRI, TMS, EEG) is preferred for these positions, and programming skills (e.g. Matlab) are desirable, especially if interested in fMRI.

Start date for both positions: between 1 October 2016 - 1 October 2017. Each studentship covers the full cost of tuition fees, a maintenance stipend for 3 years and an annual research allowance. Applications are accepted only via Bangor University’s online system: https://apps.bangor.ac.uk/applicant/

For more information about the Social Brain in Action Lab, visit www.soba-lab.com, and for more information on the Social Robots project, visit www.so-bots.com



Prof. Dr. Emily S. Cross
e.cross@bangor.ac.uk
Bangor University
Wales