[robocup-worldwide] Research Studentship: Information-Driven Self-Organization of Agents and Agent Collectives

[Daniel Polani]

RESEARCH STUDENTSHIP
--------------------
University of Hertfordshire, UK
Science and Technology Research Institute

Applications are invited from candidates for a PhD studentship on

 INFORMATION-DRIVEN SELF-ORGANIZATION OF AGENTS AND AGENT COLLECTIVES

Contact for informal inquiries: Dr. Daniel Polani
(E-mail: d.polani at herts.ac.uk)

PROJECT AND REQUIREMENTS:
-------------------------
Based on a family of recently developed powerful and generic
information-theoretic techniques and models, the project aim is to
develop principled methods for the systematic self-organization of
agents and collectives of agents. In particular, depending on the
candidate's interest and expertise, this may involve, but is not
limited to the development of principles for e.g. the systematical
adaptation of agent behaviours, information processing dynamics,
communication, as well as the construction of efficient optimization
techniques to implement these principles. The methods will be
developed in simulation with the potential to transfer the results to
hardware agents.

The prospective candidates should have a keen interest in contributing
new and promising research area which uses information theory to
develop adaptive and self-organizing systems in a systematic
fashion. For this, they should have a strong background in Computer
Science, Physics, Mathematics, Statistics or another relevant
computational discipline. In particular, they should demonstrate very
strong programming skills in one or more major computer languages. A
good mathematical/numerical background would be desirable, ideally
including probability theory and data modelling/neural network
techniques.

STUDENTSHIP INFORMATION
-----------------------
Successful candidates may be eligible for a research studentship award
from the University (equivalent to £13,290 per annum bursary plus the
payment of the standard UK student fees).

The envisaged research will take place in the vibrant and enthusiastic
research environment of the Science and Technology Research Institute
as a part of the Adaptive Systems Research Group in the School of
Computer Science at the University of Hertfordshire.  The university
is located in Hatfield, less than 25 minutes by train from London
Kings Cross and with convenient access to Stansted, Luton and Heathrow
airports and not far from the historic town of St.  Albans.

CONTACT AND APPLICATION
-----------------------
Contact for informal inquiries on the research topic: Dr. Daniel
Polani (E-mail: d.polani at herts.ac.uk)

For further information on the application process and an application
form, contact

Mrs Lorraine Nicholls
Research Student Administrator
STRI, Faculty of Engineering and Information Sciences
University of Hertfordshire
College Lane, Hatfield, Herts, AL10 9AB, UK.

Tel: 01707 286083
Fax: 01707 284185

or email:

L.Nicholls at herts.ac.uk

The short-listing process will begin on 20 November 2009. Interviews
will be held in the second week in December.