PhD position in Argumentative Dialogsystem for Human-Robot deliberations

Challenge: Develop machine learning algorithms for human-robot conversation

Change: The ways humans and robots are interacting with one another today

Impact: Endow robots with a social-awareness 

One of the most pressing matters that holds back robots from taking on more tasks and reach a widespread deployment in society is their limited ability to understand human communication and take situation-appropriate actions. This PhD positions is dedicated to addressing this gap by developing the underlying data-driven models that enable a robot to engage with humans in a socially aware manner.

This position is specifically targeted at the development of an argumentative dialogue system for human-robot interaction.  The PhD candidate will explore how to fuse verbal and non-verbal behaviour to infer a person's perspective. The candidate will use, and further develop, reinforcement learning techniques in order to drive the robot's argumentative strategy for deliberating topics of current social importance such as global warming or vaccination.

The ideal candidate will have a keen interest in speech technology and reinforcement learning. He or she has strong interactive system background will design and run the experiments to evaluate the created hybrid-AI models through human-robot interaction.

Topics of interest:

1) long-term human-robot interaction

2) affective computing

2) NLP&argument-mining

• MSc in Computer Science or related field.
• At least 3 years of programming experience in python (java  or C++is a plus).
• Motivation to meet deadlines.
• Affinitty to design and social science research.
• Interest in collaborating with colleagues from Industrial Design.
• Willingness to teach and guide students.
• The ability to work in a team, take initiative, be results oriented and systematic.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements .

TU Delft offers TU Delft AI-Lab PhD-candidates a 5-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment after one year, followed by an additional contract for the remaining 3,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.  As a TU Delft AI lab PhD candidate you will be specifically deployed for AI-related education within the TU Delft AI labs programme. Approximately a fifth of your time will be allocated to developing ground-breaking learning materials and educating students in these new subjects. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2541 per month in the first year to € 3413 in the fifth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. 

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context. At TU Delft we embrace diversity and aim to be as inclusive as possible (see our Code of Conduct ). Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale.

Challenge. Change. Impact! 

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) brings together three disciplines - electrical engineering, mathematics and computer science. Combined, they reinforce each other and are the driving force behind the technology we use in our daily lives. Technology such as the electricity grid, which our faculty is helping to make future-proof. We are also working on a world in which humans and computers reinforce each other. We are mapping out disease processes using single cell data, and using mathematics to simulate gigantic ash plumes after a volcanic eruption. There is plenty of room here for ground-breaking research. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position. In total, more than 1,100 employees and 4,000 students work and study in this innovative environment.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science.

For further info on the content of the position please contact Dr. Catharine Oertel  

Interested applicants should uploud an up-to-date curriculum vitae, letter of motivation and the names and contact information (telephone number and email address) of two references.

The letter of application should summarise (1) why the applicant wants to do a PhD, (2) why the project is of interest to the applicant, (3) evidence of suitability for the job, and (4) what the applicant hopes to gain from the position.

Please apply before October 16, 2022.

• A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.

Challenge: Develop machine learning algorithms for human-robot conversation

Change: The ways humans and robots are interacting with one another today

Impact: Endow robots with a social-awareness 

One of the most pressing matters that holds back robots from taking on more tasks and reach a widespread deployment in society is their limited ability to understand human communication and take situation-appropriate actions. This PhD positions is dedicated to addressing this gap by developing the underlying data-driven models that enable a robot to engage with humans in a socially aware manner.

This position is specifically targeted at the development of an argumentative dialogue system for human-robot interaction.  The PhD candidate will explore how to fuse verbal and non-verbal behaviour to infer a person's perspective. The candidate will use, and further develop, reinforcement learning techniques in order to drive the robot's argumentative strategy for deliberating topics of current social importance such as global warming or vaccination.

The ideal candidate will have a keen interest in speech technology and reinforcement learning. He or she has strong interactive system background will design and run the experiments to evaluate the created hybrid-AI models through human-robot interaction.

Topics of interest:

1) long-term human-robot interaction

2) affective computing

2) NLP&argument-mining

• MSc in Computer Science or related field.
• At least 3 years of programming experience in python (java  or C++is a plus).
• Motivation to meet deadlines.
• Affinitty to design and social science research.
• Interest in collaborating with colleagues from Industrial Design.
• Willingness to teach and guide students.
• The ability to work in a team, take initiative, be results oriented and systematic.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements .

TU Delft offers TU Delft AI-Lab PhD-candidates a 5-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment after one year, followed by an additional contract for the remaining 3,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.  As a TU Delft AI lab PhD candidate you will be specifically deployed for AI-related education within the TU Delft AI labs programme. Approximately a fifth of your time will be allocated to developing ground-breaking learning materials and educating students in these new subjects. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2541 per month in the first year to € 3413 in the fifth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. 

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context. At TU Delft we embrace diversity and aim to be as inclusive as possible (see our Code of Conduct ). Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale.

Challenge. Change. Impact! 

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) brings together three disciplines - electrical engineering, mathematics and computer science. Combined, they reinforce each other and are the driving force behind the technology we use in our daily lives. Technology such as the electricity grid, which our faculty is helping to make future-proof. We are also working on a world in which humans and computers reinforce each other. We are mapping out disease processes using single cell data, and using mathematics to simulate gigantic ash plumes after a volcanic eruption. There is plenty of room here for ground-breaking research. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position. In total, more than 1,100 employees and 4,000 students work and study in this innovative environment.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science.

For further info on the content of the position please contact Dr. Catharine Oertel  

Interested applicants should uploud an up-to-date curriculum vitae, letter of motivation and the names and contact information (telephone number and email address) of two references.

The letter of application should summarise (1) why the applicant wants to do a PhD, (2) why the project is of interest to the applicant, (3) evidence of suitability for the job, and (4) what the applicant hopes to gain from the position.

Please apply before October 16, 2022.

• A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.