We are hiring in the context of Behaviors.ai Project, A Postdoctoral Researcher in Human-Robot Interaction and/or Machine Learning and/or NLP.
Context:
Behaviors.ai (an Engine enHancing verbAl and nonVerbal InteractiOns of RobotS, based on Artificial
Intelligence) is an ANR Labcom funded project, which is a joint laboratory between the LIRIS-CNRS
research laboratory and Hoomano company, on the period 2017-2020 and which aim is to conduct
research and development, on making Human-Robot Interaction more empathic, intuitive and natural.
This project gathers expertise from LIRIS researchers (SMA Group) in Artificial Intelligence, constructivist
approaches for learning and from Hoomano, a specialized firm in software development for social
robots. Behaviors.ai targets to transfer fundamental research results, especially in developmental
learning, to mass-market applications in robots.
The project also benefits from two other collaborative transdisciplinary projects AMPLIFIER and
ETHICS.ai. developed by the research team and the perspective of building a European H2020 project
on a related topic.
In the current work, 4 main directions of research are explored:
• Evaluation of Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) by developing new measurement scales;
• Deep learning architectures for multi-modal perception (audio-visual data fusion);
• Artificial Empathy in Robots based on developmental sensori-motor learning;
• Explainability of Robot behavior in HRI setting;
Position description:
The successful candidate to this Postdoctoral Researcher offer is expected to contribute particularly to
the Machine Learning based part of the research, considering either the “Multi-modal perception” or
“the artificial Empathy” topics. For the first topic, we aim to develop new algorithms for audio-visual
fusion in the context of social robotics (online learning, noisy data, unsupervised learning, transfer
learning, ...). For the second one, we aim to add an NLP capability to the robot that will enrich its current
set of possible actions from which it will learn a consistent empathic behavior by experience.
Explainability is a topic that is transversal to the other topics and that is also for major interest in the
project.
We are also open to other research directions as long as they contribute to the global project aim of
improving verbal and non-verbal Human-Robot Interactions. So, do not hesitate to contact us to discuss
potential ideas that would be of both interest for you and for the project.
The targeted mission for this Postdoctoral research position is the achievement of research and the
supervision of the associated development, to endow the behaviors.ai engine with new developmental
learning algorithms that improve Human-Robot Interactions and to set a benchmarking framework for
the evaluation of the impact of learning algorithms on the smartness of Human-Robot Interactions.
Profile description:
We are looking for a Postdoctoral Researcher to join our project team composed of researchers,
engineers and practitioners in the field of AI and Social Robotics.
The ideal candidate will have the following skills and background:
- a PhD in one of these areas: AI, Machine learning, Human-Agent Interaction, Human-Robot Interaction,
considering both verbal (NLP-Based) and non-verbal (visual-based: gesture, gaze, motion, etc.)
interactions.
- autonomy and team spirit
- an experience with python and web standard will be a plus
- an experience with (social) robots will be a plus
Job duration :
6-8 months
Deadline:
open until filled (note that 2 to 3 months will be taken by the administration for the hiring
because of the ZRR procedure)
Working environment :
The recruited candidate will be employed by: Université Claude Bernard-Lyon 1,
at LIRIS-CNRS Laboratory, located at Nautibus (with regular missions to Hoomano offices in Lyon).
Salary :
Gross Salary per month according to the level of diploma and the experience in the domain
from 2320€ to 2784€ / month (corresponding to 1864-2236€ net salary / month).
To apply for this position, please send a motivation letter and your C.V. to "Salima Hassas"
<salima.hassas@univ-lyon1.fr> and "Amélie Cordier" <amelie.cordier@hoomano.com>.