Research Fellowship in Robotic Biomimetic Oculomotor Control
https://drh.tecnico.ulisboa.pt/files/sites/45/bl84-2.pdf
The Computer and Robot Vision Lab of the Institute for Systems and Robotics at Técnico Lisboa invites applications for a 6 month research fellowship on Robotic Biomimetic Oculomotor Control. This fellowship is proposed in the context of a collaboration with the ERC project ORIENT, of Prof. John van Opstal from the Radboud University at Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
The ideal candidate should hold a degree (BSc, MSc) on Electrical, Computer, Mechanics, Aerospace, Biomedical or Physics Engineering, and be willing to apply and engage in an international PhD programme. The position comes with a monthly grant of 980€. Depending on the work achievements, after the 6 month grant the candidate can apply for the 3 year PhD grant.
Project background: Humans are extremely fast and efficient in relocating their gaze direction to different points in the visual field through saccadic eye movements. However, current robots are still unable to achieve similar performances. This project aims to bring robots closer to the human performance by exploiting modern control theory, computer vision, and machine learning algorithms, all applied to a novel 3D biomechanical system, which was designed according to the kinematics of the human eye. Simultaneously, we will uncover the neural mechanisms that biological systems may use to control complex motor systems with redundant degrees of freedom.
The work consists of the implementation of a oculomotor kinematics and dynamics control systems following biomimetic principles on a realistic mechanical model of a human eye. The work should culminate with the proposal of a workplan for a 3 year project at the level of a PhD.
The candidates are required to demonstrate good analytical, programming and writing skills. Knowledge on modelling, control, robotics, computer vision and/or machine learning will be highly considered.
Applications assembled to a single pdf file should contain:
(1) Cover letter (max 1 page)
(2) CV
(3) Certificate of academic degree with grades.
(4) Name and contact of two referees.
(5) Application form model B1 in https://drh.tecnico.ulisboa.pt/bolseiros/formularios/
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.
Applications are open from 16th April 2018 to 15th May 2018.
Applications should be sent to: alex AT isr.tecnico.ulisboa.pt [Subject line: Orient2018]
Official documents: https://drh.tecnico.ulisboa.pt/files/sites/45/bl84-2.pdf