PhD student in Computing Science with focus on Interaction with Autonomous Systems - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The Department of Computing Science is now looking for a Doctoral student in Computing Science with a focus on Interaction with Autonomous Systems.

The department has been growing rapidly in recent years. An inclusive and participatory environment are key elements in our growth. The 60 doctoral students within the department are a diverse group from different nationalities, backgrounds and fields. We offer very good employment conditions, and administrative and technical support, among other benefits. See more information at:
https://www.umu.se/en/department-of-computing-science/

Interested? We welcome your application until 2023-12-13.

Project description

Knowing when full autonomy will fail and collaboration with others is needed to successfully execute a task is a fundamental ability for humans to ensure efficiency, safety, and even survival. This ability is equally important for autonomous systems, such as robots or self-driving vehicles. Such systems operate in our public or private spaces. There, they will often be faced with ill-defined or ambiguous human requests, in particular if the human interaction partner is naïve with respect to the system's capabilities and inner workings. The systems’ success will depend as much on users' trust and willingness to cooperate as it will on the systems' technological and engineering capabilities. A crucial part of this will be the systems' ability to cope with misunderstandings, ambiguity, and errors in perception of the environment around them, in reasoning about a given situation, and in particular also in interaction with human users. The aim of this project is to develop mechanisms that allow for automatically identifying such conflicts and to devise strategies that allow for resolving them. These strategies are then to be evaluated in human-subject studies.
This project will make contributions to a successful, user-friendly interaction with autonomous systems and a satisfying, positive user experience.

This 4-year project is funded by the Swedish Research Council (Vetenskapsrådet, VR). You will work in the Spatial Cognitive Engineering group at the Department of Computing Science. The group conducts research in cognitive issues of human-computer interaction, human-in-the-loop computing, and smart assistance systems. We collaborate with several national and international research groups. We use principles and methods of Artificial Intelligence, Human-Computer Interaction, Cognitive Science, and Geographic Information Science.

Admission requirements

The general admission requirements for doctoral studies are a second-cycle level degree or completed course requirements of at least 240 ECTS credits, of which at least 60 ECTS credits are at second-cycle level. Alternatively, an equivalent education from abroad is required, or equivalent qualifications.

To fulfil the specific entry requirements for doctoral studies in computing science, the applicant is required to have completed at least 90 ECTS credits in computing science, or in subjects considered to be directly relevant for the specialization in question. Applicants who otherwise have acquired skills that are deemed equivalent are also eligible.

Candidates are expected to have very good knowledge in Artificial Intelligence and good programming skills. Having experience in (cognitive) robotics, human-computer interaction, or human-subject studies is a merit.

We expect an ability to work both independently and in a team, and an interest in interdisciplinary research. Working language in the group (and at the department) will be English.

About the position

The position provides you with the opportunity to pursue PhD studies in Computing Science for four years, with the goal of achieving the degree of Doctor in Computing Science. While the position is mainly devoted to PhD studies (at least 80% of the time), it may include up to 20% department service (usually teaching). If so, the total time for the position is extended accordingly, resulting in a maximum of five years.

The procedure for recruitment for the position is in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance (chapter 12, 2§) and the decision regarding the position cannot be appealed.

The expected starting date is 2024-04-01, or as otherwise agreed.

Application

Applications must be submitted electronically using the e-recruitment system of Umeå University.

A complete application should contain the following documents:

• A cover letter including a description of your research interests, your reasons to apply for the position, and your contact information
• A curriculum vitae
• Reprints / copies of completed BSc and/or MSc theses and other relevant publications, if any
• Copies of degree certificates, including documentation of completed academic courses and obtained grades
• Documentation and description of other relevant experiences or competences.
• Names and contact details of two references.

The application must be written in English or Swedish. Attached documents must be in pdf format. Applications must be submitted electronically using the e-recruitment system of Umeå University, and be received no later than 2023-12-13.

The Department of Computing Science values gender diversity, and therefore particularly encourages women and those outside the gender binary to apply for the position.

For additional information, please contact Associate Professor Kai-Florian Richter (kai-florian.richter@umu.se).