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We are looking for a Research Associate to join our project which aims to imbue autonomous robots with a human-like ability to handle real-world ambiguities.

Mobile autonomous robots offer huge potential to help humans and reduce risk to life in a variety of potentially dangerous defence and security (as well as civilian) applications. However, there is an acute lack of trust in robot autonomy in the real world - in terms of operational performance, adherence to the rules of law and safety, and human values. Furthermore, poor transparency and lack of explainability (particularly with popular deep learning methods) add to the mistrust when autonomous decisions do not align with human "common sense".

We will be achieving this through the logical and probabilistic machine learning approach of Bayesian meta-interpretive learning (BMIL). This approach uses a set of logical statements (i.e., propositions, connectives, etc.) that are akin to human language. In contrast, the popular approach of deep learning uses complex multi-layered neural networks with millions of numerical connections. It is through the logical representation and human-like reasoning of BMIL that it will be possible to encode expert human knowledge into the perceptive world model and deliberative planner of the robot's artificial intelligence.

The human-like decision-making will be encoded in a variety of ways:

• By design from operational and legal experts in the form of initial logical rules;
• Through passive learning of new logical representations and rules during intervention by human overrides when the robot is not behaving as expected
• Through recognising ambiguities before they arise and active learning of rules to resolve them with human assistance.

About you

We are looking for someone with specialist knowledge relating to robotics, autonomy, sensing, real-time signal processing, machine learning, perception, computer vision, sonar, simulation, and experimentation. We also require you to have experience with the Robotics Operation System (ROS). You will also need a PhD degree in a subject area of direct relevance for the project (Engineering or Computer Science), or equivalent significant relevant experience and professional qualification.

More about the project

This role is part of a larger collaborative project on trustworthy autonomous robotic systems in defence and security. You will be working with Dr Alan Hunter and his research team at the University of Bath in the area of marine remote-sensing and autonomy. You will also be collaborating with Dr Alireza Tamaddoni-Nezhad and his team at the University of Surrey in the areas of logical and probabilistic machine learning.

Further Information

This role is full time 36.5 hours per week on a fixed term basis from May 2023 with an expected duration of 3 years.

For informal enquires please contact Dr Alan Hunter via email [email protected]

What we can offer you

• a very generous employer contributory pension scheme
• generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balance
• we are a family-friendly University and with an increasingly agile workforce, are open to flexible working arrangements
• an excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce
• a wide range of personal and professional development opportunities
• a number of support options available for new and existing staff to help with the cost of some immigration expenses which you may be eligible for: Relocation allowance, Visa Reimbursement, Interest-Free Loan.

We aim to be an inclusive university, where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equality and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students, so we encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on our teams.

We are very proud to be an autism friendly university and are an accredited Disability Confident Leader; committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff.

Find out from our staff what makes the University of Bath a great place to work. Follow us @UniofBath and @UniofBathJobs on Twitter for more information.