Funding for 3 ½ years from October 2009 with a starting stipend of approx. £13,000. Funds for equipment and attending international conferences will also be available.
Expected Start Date: 1st October 2009
Closing Date: Monday 29th June 2009
Position to be held in the: Centre for Computational Neuroscience and Robotics (CCNR)University of Sussex BrightonBN1 9QG Returning to a location using visual landmarks is an importantcapability for animals as well as autonomous robots. Research at theinterface of Neuroethology and Artificial Intelligence/Robotics hasproved valuable for investigating theoretical and practical issues inanimal and robot navigation respectively. We seek a research student to investigate the implementation of insect-inspired models of navigation in the real world. For example: How can we emulate the longdistance navigation observed in insects? And, how sophisticated mustan artificial visual system be to deal with the complexity of natural scenes? Students will work in the Sussex Insect Navigation Group within the CCNR. We have successfully applied a range of techniques, from behavioural experiments through robotic models, to the questionof insect-inspired navigation. The successful applicant will beencouraged to develop their own research plan and use established ornovel methodologies as appropriate.We are seeking numerate applicants with an interest in Biology.
Applicants should have (or expect to gain) a good degree in a relevantdiscipline (e.g. computer-science, AI, neuroscience, biology, maths,physics, engineering).
Research experience in fields such as: autonomous robotics, computer vision, agent-based modelling, neuralnetworks and computational neuroscience, would be beneficial but notessential, as our primary criteria is academic potential.
Applicants must also be eligible for an EPSRC Doctoral Training Awardsee
for details
Interested candidates should contact Dr Andy Philippides(andrewop@sussex.ac.uk) or Dr Paul Graham (paulgr@sussex.ac.uk) forfurther information.
For more details about research within the CCNR visit:
and for the online applicationsystem:
Dr Paul GrahamCCNR, University of Sussex