Call for Applications
Multiple Postdoctoral Research Positions in Human Robot Teaming
University of California San Diego and West Point
Application deadlines:
UC San Diego: No application deadline provided
West Point: For initial consideration, please send your materials no later than November 30, 2022
Drs. Laurel Riek (UC San Diego) and Ericka Rovira (West Point) are hiring postdoctoral researchers in human robot teaming. Each position is for one year, initially, but renewable for up to three years.
The positions are funded through a new ONR MURI called HUDDLE: Human Autonomy Teaming in Uncertain and Dynamic Environments. The project will develop and demonstrate theoretical foundations, models, and principles to facilitate the design of effective human robot teams. HUDDLE is transdisciplinary, and will draw on fields including robotics, AI, cognitive science, organizational psychology, and human factors.
Project work will involve collaborating with a transdisciplinary team of researchers from UC San Diego, Penn State, West Point, Princeton, UC Santa Barbara, Purdue, and Michigan State.
Applicants who wish to be considered for both positions should submit applications to each.
1. UC SAN DIEGO:
Description: We seek applicants interested in exploring how human teams coordinate and trust one another when engaging physically in dynamic environments (e.g., emergency medicine), and how robots can best support human teamwork. We seek to build data-driven models that reflect these coordination behaviors to inform the design of autonomous robots that are supportive and situationally aware. We are particularly interested in exploring longitudinal teaming across multiple types of tasks, and under uncertainty. We also seek candidates interested in exploring the design of robot social cues which can affect perceived trustworthiness, such as conveying intentionality, expressing uncertainty, etc.
Qualifications: Applicants should have a Ph.D. by time of appointment in Human Robot Interaction (HRI) or related areas, including Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Human Computer Interaction, or Human Factors. Applicants with technical backgrounds should have experience in systems engineering, software development, and working with large datasets. Applicants with social science or design backgrounds should have experience conducting HRI (or HCAI) studies with human participants. All applicants must have strong written and oral communication skills, and strong organizational and interpersonal skills. Experience mentoring undergraduate and graduate students is a plus.
Anticipated State Date: January 2023
Application Process: Please submit your materials (cover letter, CV, research statement or dissertation abstract, names of three references) via this google form: https://forms.gle/2dxMxsrTuD52HCc56
Additional Information / Questions: Please contact Dr. Laurel Riek, lriek@eng.ucsd.edu with the subject line “[Postdoc] Questions”.
2. WEST POINT:
Description: We are seeking a postdoctoral research associate with interests in human robot interaction, trust, and team cohesion. The overall goal of the research effort is to investigate successful human-robot teaming through research in trust evolution, team cohesion, and human robotic interaction with embodied robots.
Research efforts will be focused on developing high performing Human Autonomous Teams by experimentally assessing trust evolution processes and team cohesion development.
The postdoc will be located at West Point and will be engaged in all aspects of the research including experimental design; data collection; analysis; and preparing materials for presentations and publications.
Qualifications: Successful candidates must have an earned doctorate in an affiliated discipline such as human factors, applied psychology, or social robotics. Candidates must have experience conducting human robot interaction research with human participants. Strong communication skills – spoken and written – are critical and should be evidenced by publications and presentations. Organizational and interpersonal skills are very important for this position as the candidate will support undergraduate capstone research. Experience mentoring undergraduates and junior graduate students is a plus. Must be a U.S. citizen to apply.
Anticipated State Date: January 2023
Application Process:
1. Please send the following information to Dr. Ericka Rovira at Ericka.Rovira@westpoint.edu:
- curriculum vitae
- cover letter
- names of three references
2. Please submit an application at this website: https://www.zintellect.com/Opportunity/Details/ARL-R-CISD-300133
(Note, this is a generic link for multiple positions at West Point – your application will still be routed appropriately.)
For initial consideration, please send your materials no later than November 30, 2022.
Additional Information / Questions: Please contact Dr. Ericka Rovira at 845-938-5902; ericka.rovira@westpoint.edu