EPSRC funded PhD: Insect-Inspired Robot Navigation in Natural Environments

Funding for 3 ½ years from October 2009 with a starting stipend of
approx. £13,000. Funds for equipment and attending international
conferences will also be available.

Expected Start Date: 1st October 2009
Closing Date: Monday 29th June 2009

Position to be held in the:
Centre for Computational Neuroscience and Robotics (CCNR)
University of Sussex
Brighton
BN1 9QG

Returning to a location using visual landmarks is an important
capability for animals as well as autonomous robots. Research at the
interface of Neuroethology and Artificial Intelligence/Robotics has
proved valuable for investigating theoretical and practical issues in
animal and robot navigation respectively. We seek a research student
to investigate the implementation of insect-inspired models of
navigation in the real world. For example: How can we emulate the long
distance navigation observed in insects? And, how sophisticated must
an artificial visual system be to deal with the complexity of natural
scenes? Students will work in the Sussex Insect Navigation Group
within the CCNR. We have successfully applied a range of techniques,
from behavioural experiments through robotic models, to the question
of insect-inspired navigation. The successful applicant will be
encouraged to develop their own research plan and use established or
novel methodologies as appropriate.

We are seeking numerate applicants with an interest in Biology.
Applicants should have (or expect to gain) a good degree in a relevant
discipline (e.g. computer-science, AI, neuroscience, biology, maths,
physics, engineering). Research experience in fields such as:
autonomous robotics, computer vision, agent-based modelling, neural
networks and computational neuroscience, would be beneficial but not
essential, as our primary criteria is academic potential.

Applicants must also be eligible for an EPSRC Doctoral Training Award,
i.e. the applicant must be a UK national, or an EU national who has
been resident in the UK for three years whilst engaged in higher
education study.

Interested candidates should contact Dr Andy Philippides
(andrewop@sussex.ac.uk) or Dr Paul Graham (paulgr@sussex.ac.uk) for
further information.

For more details about research within the CCNR visit:
www.informatics.sussex.ac.uk/ccnr

and for the online application system:
http://www.sussex.ac.uk/Units/publications/pgrad2009/applying