**Apologies for Cross Posting **

2 Available PhD Positions in Artificial Intelligence and Neuro-Cognitive Robotics at the Emergent Systems Laboratory, Ritsumeikan University, Japan

The Emergent Systems Laboratory [Link] at Ritsumeikan University in Japan (nearby Kyoto) announces 2 available PhD positions in artificial intelligence and neuro-cognitive robotics as a part of the new project: "Comparison and Fusion of Artificial Intelligence and Brain Science". The successful PhD candidates will be involved in research about: Understanding Neural Computation for Double Articulation Analysis Bridging Sensory-motor Information and Natural Language in Human Brain, under the supervision of Tadahiro Taniguchi (Project Coordinator) [Link].

I. Positions Description

Human brain can analyze a two-layer hierarchical structure embedded in speech signal called double articulation structure (i.e., speech signal is segmented into words and phonemes in a hierarchical manner). However, the computational process of double articulation analysis in human brain has not been revealed in neuroscience. In artificial intelligence and developmental robotics, we have not developed - yet - a robot that can automatically learn language from human-robot and sensorimotor real-world interactions in an unsupervised manner.

This project aims to contribute to :

• Understanding the neural mechanism supporting human and robot language acquisition involving double articulation analysis.

• Developing unsupervised machine learning methods for building the next-generation communicative robots.
• Developing deep learning and Bayesian probabilistic models integrating language, planning, and sensorimotor behaviors.
• Investigating theories bridging between deep learning and Bayesian nonparametrics.

Each PhD candidate is expected to contribute to a part of the project.

II. Candidate Profile

• Good mathematical background.

• English communication skill for daily discussion and writing papers: IELTS 6 (TOEIC 740).
• Programming skills in C++, Python, or Matlab for machine learning and intelligent robot.
• Applicants are expected to be interested in natural language, language acquisition, and the human cognitive neural system of social behavior.

III. Application

Please send your application to (adm@em.ci.ritsumei.ac.jp) no later than 31 October 2016, including:

• List of publications.

• Copies of 2 major publications.
• Outline of past research (free format).
• Motivation letter (free format).
• Outline of prospective research (free format).
• 2 Reference letters.

Further details about the available positions and admission procedures are available on:
PhD Positions in Artificial Intelligence and Neuro-Cognitive Robotics.

Ritsumeikan University is a fast growing international research environment with interdisciplinary research areas, and is the biggest private university in the west of Japan. The College of Information Science and Engineering is the biggest college in the field of Information Science in Japan, and the Graduate School is receiving a large number of KAKENHI Japanese governmental research grants.

IV. Related Papers

[1] Tadahiro Taniguchi, Shogo Nagasaka, Ryo Nakashima, Nonparametric Bayesian Double Articulation Analyzer for Direct Language Acquisition from Continuous Speech Signals, IEEE Transactions on Cognitive and Developmental Systems, Vol. PP (99) .(2016) DOI: 10.1109/TCDS.2016.2550591

[2] Tadahiro Taniguchi, Takayuki Nagai, Tomoaki Nakamura, Naoto Iwahashi, Tetsuya Ogata, and Hideki Asoh, Symbol Emergence in Robotics: A Survey, Advanced Robotics, Vol.30, (11-12) pp. 706-728 .(2016) DOI:10.1080/01691864.2016.1164622

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