Doctoral student in Cognitive Science within the project Social Interaction with Autonomous Artefacts - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The doctoral programme

The doctoral student will be part of the multidisciplinary project Social Interaction with Autonomous Artefacts (Situated and embodied approaches to human-robots interactions) which is tied to the Cognitive Robotics Lab at LUCS (https://www.crl.lu.se/en/). The overarching aim of the project is to examine dynamic and developmental aspects of human-artefact interaction and the underlying mechanisms to clarify the function and influence of such interaction on human behaviour and forms of life.

One key aim of the project is to develop sustainable, reliable, humane, and inclusive models of interaction between children and social robots endorsing an embodied, situated perspective to investigate how children perceive, respond to and engage with social robots as they interact in an array of contexts (school, home, lab). The project seeks to integrate theories and methods from cognitive science, philosophy, developmental psychology and social robotics.

The doctoral project will therefore investigate the ecological, socio-cultural, and ethical aspects of how children interact with social robots, by combining knowledge and skills in cognitive modelling, philosophy, psychology and cognitive science, and using our humanoid robot platform Epi (https://www.epi-robot.org/).

The project is part of the Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program -- Humanities and Society (WASP-HS), financed by the Wallenberg Foundations. WASP-HS aims to realize excellent research and develop competence on the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence and autonomous systems with a strong investment on research in humanities and social science. See https://wasp-hs.org.

The doctoral position entails participation in WASP-HS Graduate School. See https://wasp-hs.org/graduate-school/.

Information about doctoral studies at the Joint Faculties of Humanities and Theology can be found at https://www.ht.lu.se/en/education/doctoral-studies/.

Work assignments

Doctoral education. Departmental work, such as teaching and administrative tasks, can be assigned.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for doctoral studies in each subject are specified in the relevant general syllabus, available at https://www.ht.lu.se/en/education/doctoral-studies/general-syllabi/.

Additional requirements for this doctoral position:

• background in Social Robotics, Psychology or in relevant areas of Philosophy
• demonstrated ability to contribute to Cognitive Science, Psychology or Philosophy in agreement with the specialisation of the project;
• excellent English proficiency.

A background or research experience in cognitive modelling, behavioural research and developmental psychology will be particularly considered.

Assessment criteria

The selection process will primarily take into account the applicants’ ability to benefit from third cycle studies. This is assessed against the criteria quality, quantity, progression and relevance.

Application

Instructions for applying for a doctoral student position can be found here: https://www.ht.lu.se/en/education/doctoral-studies/application-and-admission/.

The application must include:

• records of first- and second-cycle studies (Ladok transcript or other transcript of courses and grades)
• first- and second-cycle theses/degree projects
• a list of other relevant administrative and educational qualifications
• scholarly journal articles, reports or papers of relevance for the subject
• where applicable, documented skills in a language of relevance for the research studies
• project proposal (1500 words max. excluding references).

Please note that you need to upload all documents with your application in PDF format.

Type of employment
Limit of tenure, four years according to HF 5 kap 7§.