Dear CITASA members, We need to feel the following position as soon as possible: Researcher (postdoc) Socially interactive Robots(V51.059) at Designed Intelligence Department of Industrial Design The department of Industrial Design of the Technische Universiteit Eindhoven (TU/e), founded in 2001, is a rapidly growing department with over 400 students, both Bachelor and Master, and around 80 staff members. With a strong emphasis on research the ID department focuses on the design of intelligent products, systems, services and networks. These innovative products enable people to interact with their environment in an optimal and flexible way. The TU/e ID engineer, who has developed a wide range of competencies during his/her education, is capable of integrating technology, user aspects, design and business/marketing insights. This MSc-program is practice oriented, capable to deal with and aware of relevant issues as formulated by industry and society at large. Ambient Intelligence and Ambient (health) Care draw special attention within the TU/e and ID particular, and is an important research and application field. ID encompasses four areas in the near future: Technology covered by the Designed Intelligent (DI) group, User aspects, covered by User Centered Engineering (UCE) group, Design and Business. This position is situated within the group Designed Intelligence (DI). This group is focused on the involvement of (new) technologies in the field of ambient intelligence and ambient care. Tasks The Designed Intelligence (DI) group in the department of Industrial Design targets a long-term multidisciplinary collaboration with St. Marie hospital in Eindhoven, several schools for autistic children in Eindhoven region, and University of Tilburg in the multidisciplinary project on behavioral training of autistic children through robotic or other intelligently behaving toys. The application focus of this project is on the development of intelligent robots and robotic toys with social features that are equipped with brain-inspired models that will orchestrate intelligent social behavior. The models are to be inspired by recent findings on neurophysiologic mechanisms of social interaction between two people. The implementation of these models should emulate behavioral expression and interaction capabilities of physical robots or other behaving objects with sensory and action capabilities. These will be used for behavioral training of the social skills of autistic and typically developing children through play with robotic toys. To strongly propel this ambition, the postdoc position is meant as nucleus of a research cluster that should eventually include multiple PhD students and a number of masters student projects, and is expected to produce not only scientific results but also real-world effects. Requirements The candidate has to meet the following requirements: • A PhD in Computational neuroscience, Artificial intelligence, Computer science or in a related field. Industrial Design or Human –Robot interaction experience will add to the set of skills. • Programming skills and background in robotics are desirable. • Collaborative skills. • Good communication skills in English • Independent working style, and the ability to work in multidisciplinary teams Appointment and Salary We offer: • a full time temporary appointment for 2 years. • a gross salary between € 2.639 and € 3.597 gross per month (salary scale 10, CAO Dutch Universities) depending on your knowledge and experience • a broad package of fringe benefits (among other things excellent technical infrastructure, child care, saving schemes, and excellent sport facilities). Information Further information can be obtained from: • Dr. ir. E.I.Barakova, Dept of Industrial Design, phone +31 (0)40 247 3563, e-mail e.i.barakova@tue.nl <mailto:e.i.barakova@tue.nl> • Ms. J.A.C.L. Braat, personnel department, Dept of Industrial Design, phone +31 (0)40 247 5883 e-mail: j.a.c.l.braat@tue.nl <mailto:j.a.c.l.braat@tue.nl> . Application Please send a written application or e-mail, including a letter explaining your specific interest in the project and extensive curriculum vitae, to the following address: Technische Universiteit Eindhoven Department of Industrial Design Attn. Ms. JA.C.L. Braat, room HG 3.92 P.O. Box 513 5600 MB Eindhoven The Netherlands Or by e-mail to: j.a.c.l.braat@tue.nl <mailto:j.a.c.l.braat@tue.nl> Please include vacancy code V51.059 You can apply for this job before 17-10-2008 Emilia I. Barakova, Ph.D. Book Review Editor, JIN Faculty of Industrial Design, Eindhoven University of Technology Den Doleh 2 5612 AZ Eindhoven The Netherlands and Lab. for Dynamics of Emergent Intelligence RIKEN Brain Science Institute (BSI) 2-1, Hirosawa, Wako-shi, Saitama, 351-0198 Japan