/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////<br><br> PhD Studentships Available on<br><br> INFORMATION PROCESSING AND SELF-ORGANIZATION<br> IN ADAPTIVE BIOLOGICAL AND ARTIFICIAL SYSTEMS<br>
<br> Adaptive Systems Research Group<br> School of Computer Science<br> University of Hertfordshire<br><br>/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////<br><br>PhD studentships are available in the Adaptive Systems Research Group<br>
at the University of Hertfordshire in the topics of Artificial Life,<br>especially for the study of principles behind information processing<br>in adaptive, complex and self-organizing systems, a research area<br>which has witnessed a dramatic growth in the last years.<br>
<br>We use mathematical methods, with particular emphasis on an arsenal of<br>recently developed techniques based on Shannon's information theory,<br>to describe, understand or construct such systems in the context of<br>
AI/robotics and biology. Questions of interest and possible research<br>directions include, but are not limited to:<br><br> - information-theoretic approaches towards a mathematically<br> founded understanding of information processing and the<br>
perception-action loop in agents; fundamental quantitative<br> constraints governing the interaction between an agent and its<br> environment<br> - theoretically grounded pathways towards a systematic way to<br>
generate self-organization in complex systems<br> - biologically plausible, information-based methods for creating<br> Artificial Intelligence systems<br> - fundamental principles underlying biological (e.g. neural)<br>
computation (with opportunities to collaborate with the<br> Biocomputation Research Group)<br><br>The prospective candidates should have a keen interest in contributing<br>to a new and highly dynamic research area and a strong background in<br>
Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics, Statistics or another relevant<br>computational discipline. In particular, they should demonstrate<br>excellent programming skills in one or more major computer languages.<br>A mathematical/numerical background would be desirable, ideally<br>
including probability theory and data modelling/neural network<br>techniques. Successful candidates are eligible for a research<br>studentship award from the University (which includes approximately<br>GBP 13,500 per annum bursary and the payment of the standard UK<br>
student fees).<br><br>The envisaged research will take place in the vibrant and enthusiastic<br>research environment of the Adaptive Systems Research Group in the<br>School of Computer Science at the University of Hertfordshire which<br>
offers a large number of specialized and interdisciplinary seminars as<br>well as general training opportunities. Research in Computer Science<br>at the University of Hertfordshire has been recognized as excellent by<br>the latest Research Assessment Exercise, with 55% of the research<br>
submitted being rated as world leading or internationally excellent.<br><br>The University of Hertfordshire is located in Hatfield, Hertfordshire<br>UK which is considered the "northern green belt" of London. Hatfield<br>
is close to London (~25 minutes by train to Kings Cross), has<br>convenient access to Stansted, Luton and Heathrow airports and is not<br>far from the historic town of St. Albans.<br><br>Contact for informal inquiries on the research topic: Dr. Daniel<br>
Polani (E-mail: <a href="mailto:d.polani@herts.ac.uk">d.polani@herts.ac.uk</a>)<br><br>Application forms are available from <br><br> <a href="http://homepages.stca.herts.ac.uk/~comqvs/ApplicationFormUHStudentship.doc">http://homepages.stca.herts.ac.uk/~comqvs/ApplicationFormUHStudentship.doc</a><br>
<br>and should be returned to <br><br> Mrs Lorraine Nicholls,<br> Research Student Administrator, STRI <br> University of Hertfordshire<br> College Lane<br> Hatfield AL10 9AB Hertfordshire <br> UK<br> <br> Tel: 01707 286083,<br>
Email: <a href="mailto:l.nicholls@herts.ac.uk">l.nicholls@herts.ac.uk</a>.<br><br>The shortlisting process will begin on 1. July 2011.<br><br>