[robocup-worldwide] One fully funded research grant at the Institute for Systems and Robotics (IST, University of Lisbon)

[Rodrigo Ventura]

(please redistribute; apologies for cross-postings)

Dear all,

Applications are open for one fully funded research grant at the Institute for Systems and Robotics (ISR), Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), University of Lisbon, Portugal, targeting highly motivated students interested in pursuing a PhD degree on the same topic of this grant. The research produced during this grant is expected to contribute for a successful fully funded PhD studentship application to a Doctoral program in the University of Lisbon.

The research will be carried out in the context of the Space CoBot project (http://space-cobot.isr.tecnico.ulisboa.pt), addressing the challenges of designing an aerial robot for microgravity environments, namely inside space stations. The applicant will develop methods for autonomous mobile manipulation for free flying robots under microgravity, in collaborative tasks with astronauts. One such task includes handing off objects between the robot and the astronaut in a compliant way, tightly coupled with an effective human-robot interface. The experimental validation of this research is expected to be performed, both on our Space CoBot hardware-in-the-loop simulator, and on the Astrobee free flying robots from NASA (initially on simulation, and at a later stage, on the real platform once deployed in the ISS).

This studentship will be supervised by Prof. Rodrigo Ventura, faculty at IST and researcher at ISR (http://welcome.isr.tecnico.ulisboa.pt/), and will be integrated into the Space CoBot research team.

The research will be conducted at the Institute for Systems and Robotics (ISR/IST), home to more than 40 PhDs and part of the LARSyS (Laboratory for Robotics and Engineering Systems - http://www.larsys.pt). ISR/IST is engaged in a new generation of research challenges pushing the frontiers of knowledge, while offering world-class doctoral training with top universities (e.g. dual/joint degrees with MIT, EPFL, CMU) and fueling the collaboration with industry. ISR/IST develops state-of- the-art engineering solutions and projects with a clear societal impact, and has a long track record of participation in EU and other international projects. ISR/IST hosts 5 groups working in Robotics and Information Processing, Systems and Control Theory, Signal Processing, Computer Vision, Optimization, Intelligent Systems and Biomedical Engineering. (http://www.isr.tecnico.ulisboa.pt).

Requirements: the candidates are expected to have a MSc or equivalent degree with strong background in robotics, artificial intelligence, and computer science. Good programming skills are also expected. The working language is English, so good written and oral communication skills are also required.

Application:
	Deadline: 31-Jan-2017
	Duration: 10 months (full time), with possible extension
	Expected starting date: March, 2017
	Place: ISR/IST - Alameda campus, Lisbon, Portugal

To request further information and to apply, send an email to rodrigo.ventura (at) isr.tecnico.ulisboa.pt as soon as possible. Please include a CV, a statement of interest, a statement of academic qualifications, and at least one reference willing to provide a recommendation letter.

Best regards,

Rodrigo Ventura
Institute for Systems and Robotics
Instituto Superior Técnico
Lisbon, Portugal
http://users.isr.tecnico.ulisboa.pt/~yoda