Phd on Child-personalized language teaching via social robot

For social robots to be able to interact and do language training for children, robots need to possess certain social and conversational skills that will enable them to interact naturally with a child, using language, gesture, and other cognitive and social skills that reflect aspects of the child’s behavior. You will be developing computational models for language teaching for children. Furhat Robotics is offering this Industry PhD position together with the Department of Computer Science in Manchester.


· This position is based in Stockholm, Sweden at Furhat Robotics AB.
· It's a full-time three-year contract.
· PhD enrolment at: Department of Computer Science in Manchester


Eligibility criteria
Early-stage researchers (ESR) are those who are, in the first four years (full-time equivalent) of their research careers. This is measured from the date when they obtained the degree which formally entitles them to embark on a doctorate, either in the country in which the degree was obtained or in the country in which the research training is provided, irrespective of whether or not a doctorate was envisaged. Eligible applicants must not hold a Doctoral Degree yet.


Applications must contain the following:
· An up-to-date CV, without gaps, in order for the selection committee to easily check the mobility and experience requirements. CVs that either do not clearly show the applicant’s past experience, or have gaps, will be considered ineligible;
· A letter exposing her/his motivation for the position;
· At least 1 reference letter (in English) from one former supervisor and/or professor;
· The scan of the degree (usually the master’s degree) which would formally entitles her/him to embark on a doctorate, either in the country in which the degree was obtained, or in the country in which the researcher will be recruited. If the degree has not been obtained yet, the applicant will have to provide a declaration of her/his university stating that the degree will be obtained before the expected starting date;
· Transcripts of records (document indicating the applicant’s ranking and marks within her/his master’s degree as well as the courses/modules she/he has followed).


Required skills:
Applicants should have a masters degree (or similar) in a subject relevant for the research, such as computer science, language technology, or cognitive science. Applicants are expected to have good skills in programming, and knowledge in experimental methods and statistics. Experience in education or language learning is a plus.