Job description
A Doctoral Research Fellowship (SKO 1017) in in AI-based adaptive and synchronised robotics is available at RITMO Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Rhythm, Time and Motion at the University of Oslo.
RITMO is a Centre of Excellence funded by the Research Council of Norway. This interdisciplinary centre focuses on rhythm as a structuring mechanism for the temporal dimensions of human life. Methods from musicology, psychology, neuroscience, and informatics are combined to study rhythm as a fundamental property that shapes and underpins human cognition, behaviour and cultural expressions.
All RITMO researchers are co-located and work in a unique interdisciplinary constellation, with world-leading competence in musicology, psychology and informatics. It is expected that all members of the centre contribute to the general activities and collaborations within RITMO. The researchers have access to state-of-the-art facilities in sound/video recording, motion capture, eye tracking, physiological measurements, various types of brain imaging (EEG, fMRI), and rapid prototyping and robotics laboratories.
More about the position
The project will focus on applying AI-based methods to achieve robotic adaptation to a complex environment. In particular, we would like to focus on how robots can synchronise/entrain to the behaviour of other robots, humans, or events.
Building on previous work with the Self-playing guitars and Dr. Squiggles, and in the projects EPEC – Engineering Predictability with Embodied Cognition and COROBOREES – Collective Robotics through Real-time Entrainment of Evolved dynamical Systems, we are particularly interested in musical multi-robot settings where robots adapt to rhythms in the environment. The candidate will progress from simple to more complex structures using bio-inspired, or psychology-inspired artificial intelligence methods. The work can be carried out in simulated environments, but we also expect the algorithms to be applied in physical demonstrators, such as legged or other types of interactive robots or mechatronics systems.
The project will be part of an overall thematic area focused on rhythmic interaction, synchronisation, and entrainment in auditory and audiovisual contexts.
Applicants should upload a research outline, with research questions and theoretical and methodological approaches.
The candidate will be supervised by Kyrre Glette.
The appointment is for a period of three years, starting 1 February 2023. There might be a possibility to extend the appointment to 4 years depending on the qualifications of the recruited candidate, the Department’s need for teaching, or the centre’s need for assistance. The candidate will be enrolled in RITMO’s Career Development Programme.
Qualification requirements
- A Master’s degree or equivalent in computer science, robotics, music technology, or another relevant field. The applicant is required to document that the degree corresponds to the profile for the post. The degree must have been obtained by the time of application.
- Strong programming skills
- Experience with one or more of the following: artificial intelligence, robot experimentation, development and prototyping of robotic platforms, sound and music computing, collective robotics, dynamical systems, human-robot interaction.
- Excellent skills in written and oral English, see Language requirements.
- Personal suitability and motivation for the position
Applicants who have recently graduated with excellent results may be given preference.
Grade requirements
The norm is as follows:
- The average grade point for courses included in the Bachelor’s degree must be C or better in the Norwegian educational system.
- The average grade point for courses included in the Master’s degree must be B or better in the Norwegian educational system.
- The Master’s thesis must have the grade B or better in the Norwegian educational system.
- Fluent oral and written communication skills in English and optionally a Scandinavian language.
- English requirements for applicants from outside of EU/ EEA countries and exemptions from the requirements.
The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition of being a leading research faculty. Candidates for these fellowships will be selected in accordance with this, and expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.
The purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree. The fellowship requires admission to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. The application to the PhD programme must be submitted to the department no later than two months after taking up the position. For more information see:
Doctoral degree and PhD at the University of Oslo
Doctoral degree: PhD in Mathematics and Natural Sciences
In the evaluation of the applications, emphasis will be placed on:
- The applicant’s academic qualifications.
- The quality of the research outline and its relevance to the research objectives of RITMO.
- The applicant’s estimated academic and personal ability to complete the project within the time frame and contribute to the research objectives of RITMO.
- The applicant’s ability to complete research training.
- Collaboration skills and an ability to join interdisciplinary academic communities.
We offer
- Salary level 501 200-544 400 NOK per annum, depending on qualifications.
- A professionally stimulating working environment.
- Attractive welfare benefits
- Membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
How to apply
Applicants must submit the following attachments with the electronic application:
- Application letter describing the applicant’s qualifications and motivation for the position.
- Curriculum Vitae (complete list of education, positions, teaching experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activities, including a complete list of publications with links to the full version of published papers).
- Research outline, including relevant research questions and theoretical and methodological approaches (approximately 2-3 pages, see the template for research outline).
- Transcript of records of your Master’s degree. Applicants with education from a foreign university are advised to attach an explanation of their university’s grading system
- Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number).
Please note that all documents must be in English or a Scandinavian language.
Educational certificates, master theses and the like are not to be submitted with the application, but applicants may be asked to submit such information or works later.
The application with attachments must be delivered in our electronic recruiting system, jobbnorge.no. The application must be submitted by the deadline September 1 2022 (23:59 Central European Summer Time).
Short-listed candidates will be invited for an interview.
Formal regulations
See also regulations as well as guidelines for the application assessment process and appointments to research fellowships.
Following the Freedom of Information Act (Offentleglova) § 25, Chapter 2, demographic information about the applicant may be used in the public list of applicants even if the applicant opts out from the entry in the public application list.
The University of Oslo has an Acquisition of Rights Agreement for the purpose of securing rights to intellectual property created by its employees, including research results.
The University of Oslo aims to achieve a balanced gender composition in the workforce and to recruit people with ethnic minority backgrounds.
Contact information
Head of Administration Pia Søndergaard, e-mail: pia.sondergaard@ifikk.uio.no, phone number: +47 22 85 44 89
Foto: Colourbox
About the University of Oslo
The University of Oslo is Norway’s oldest and highest ranked educational and research institution, with 28 000 students and 7500 employees. With its broad range of academic disciplines and internationally recognised research communities, UiO is an important contributor to society.
RITMO Centre for Interdisciplinary Studies in Rhythm, Time and Motion is financed through the Research Council of Norway’s Centre of Excellence Scheme.
RITMO combines a broad spectrum of disciplines – from musicology, neuroscience and informatics – to study rhythm as a fundamental property of human cognition, behaviour and cultural expression. The Centre is organized under the Department of Musicology, in close collaboration with the Department of Psychology and the Department of Informatics.