Post Doc position in Social cognition in human-robot interaction - (2200006B)

Project: Value-aware AI (VALAWAI)

Commitment & contract: 3 years, temporary

Location: Genoa, Italy, via Enrico Melen 83

ABOUT US

At IIT we work enthusiastically to develop human-centered Science and Technology to tackle some of the most pressing societal challenges of our times and transfer these technologies to the production system and society. Our Genoa headquarters are strictly interconnected with the other 11 centers around Italy and two outstations based in the US. We promote excellence in basic and applied research such as neuroscience and cognition, humanoid technologies and robotics, nanotechnology, materials for a truly multidisciplinary scientific experience.

YOUR TEAM 

You will be working in a multicultural and multi-disciplinary group, where cognitive and social neuroscientists, experimental psychologists, philosophers and roboticists collaborate, each with their own expertise, to carry out a common research vision.

The “Social Cognition in Human-Robot Interaction” research line is coordinated by Agnieszka Wykowska, who has extensive experience in cognitive neuroscience.

The research focuses on understanding human cognition in interaction with others – natural and artificial agents. With the use of neuroscience methods, and humanoid robots, we examine cognitive mechanisms such as attention, cognitive control, social decision making and sense of agency.

This postdoctoral position is part of a European project VALAWAI (VALue-Aware-AI), funded by Horizon Europe EIC-2021-PATHFINDERCHALLENGES, G.A. N. 101070930. The project addresses a question of what kind of mechanisms would give artificial agents capabilities that we usually associate with awareness, specifically awareness of the values that are usually implicit in human or machine intelligence.

The part of the project carried out at IIT will be related to social robots, iCub specifically. The question is how to make social robots become sensitive to the values of users and abide by social values compatible with society. It will do this by enabling the incorporation of a moral compass as a basic component of a social robot, so that it has the ability to represent value systems and make value judgements.

GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

• A PhD degree in Software Engineering or any other field related to robotics and AI

• Professional experience in robotics (academia or industry)

• Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English

• Ability to properly report, organize and publish research data

• Documented experience in coaching junior scientists

TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Excellent programming skills in C++ and Python

• Fluency in operating in GNU/Linux environments

• Proven experience with the iCub robot

• Proven knowledge of YARP and ROS middleware

• Experience with GitHub or other code versioning tools

ADDITIONAL SKILLS

• A strong publication record and the ability to properly report, organize and publish research data

• Experience with cognitive architectures, natural language processing or knowledge representation

• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research with limited supervision

• Demonstrated ability to work in a team and collaborate across disciplines

WHAT’S IN FOR YOU?

• Exciting research in a multicultural, international team, working with cutting-edge technologies (humanoid robots) and neuroscientific approach

• Interaction and exchange with other partners of the VALAWAI project across various sites in Europe (IIIA Barceloan, Sony CSL Paris, IDLAB Ghent)

• Opportunity to work with experts in various disciplines

• An equal, inclusive and multicultural environment ready to welcome you with open arms. Discrimination is a big NO for us!

• We like contamination and encourage you to mingle and discover what other people are up to in our labs! 

• If paperwork is not your piece of cake, we got you! There’s a specialized team working to help you with that, especially during your relocation! 

• If you want your work to have a real impact, in IIT you will find an innovative and stimulating culture that drives our mission to contribute to the improvement and well-being of society!

• We stick to our values! Integrity, courage, societal responsibility and inclusivity are the values we believe in! They define us and our actions in our everyday life. They guide us to accomplish IIT mission!

If you feel this tickles your appetite for change, do not hesitate and apply!

Please submit your application using the online form and including a detailed CV, list of publications, copy of PhD certificate, cover letter (outlining motivation, experience and qualifications) and contact details of 2 references.

Application’s deadline: 15.10.2022

Note: the position is contingent on the finalization of the Grant Agreement

We inform you that the information you provide will be used solely for the purposes of evaluating and selecting professional profiles in order to meet the requirements of Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia.

Your data will be processed by Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, based in Genoa, Via Morego 30, acting as Data Controller, in compliance with the rules on protection of personal data, including those related to data security.

Please also note that, pursuant to articles 15 et. seq. of European Regulation no. 679/2016 (General Data Protection Regulation), you may exercise your rights at any time by contacting the Data Protection Officer (phone Tel: +39 010 28961 - email: [email protected]  - kindly note that this e-mail address is exclusively reserved for handling data protection issues. Please, do not use this e-mail address to send any document and/or request of information about this opening).