Call for Expressions of Interest
One-Year Postdoctoral Position in Human-Computer Interaction
PRIN 2022 COCOA project: Create a social robot-based interactive system (a “dining companion”)
Department of Computer Science
Sapienza University of Rome
Rome, Italy
https://it.linkedin.com/jobs/view/postdoctoral-fellowship-position-in-computer-science-engineering-at-sapienza-universit%C3%A0-di-roma-3778467652
Deadline: December 29, 2023
ABOUT US:
The Department of Computer Science is pleased to invite qualified candidates to express their interest in a one-year postdoctoral position in Human-Computer Interaction. Our institution is committed to advancing knowledge and fostering innovative research in Affective Computing and Social Signal Processing, and we are seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to join our team.
POSITION DETAILS:
- Position Title: Postdoctoral Researcher
- Duration: The position is initially for 12 months, with the possibility of extension to 18 months.
- Location: Sapienza University of Rome, Department of Computer Science
- Net Salary: between 1500€ and 2200€ per month, based on qualifications and contract duration (12 or 18 months)
WORK WITHIN THE PRIN 2022 COCOA PROJECT:
The successful candidate will become part of our research team, collaborating on research activities within the PRIN 2022 COCOA project. One of the project’s aims is to create a social robot-based interactive system (a “dining companion”) to maintain meaningful interaction with human commensals during a meal. Based on the existing literature in Affective Computing and Social Signal Processing, the postdoctoral researcher will develop social interaction models focusing on turn-taking, gaze, gestures, facial expressions, etc. The main goal will be to create and test interaction models in real-life scenarios where the robot can display nonverbal behavior (e.g., simulate gaze contact, perform expressive movements, generate expressive sounds).
RESPONSIBILITIES:
The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work closely with our research team in HCI and will be expected to:
- Conduct independent research
- Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals
- Collaborate with faculty and researchers involved in the COCOA Project
- Assist in the supervision of graduate students and contribute to departmental activities
QUALIFICATIONS:
To be considered for the postdoctoral position, candidates should meet the following qualifications:
- Having a Ph.D. in Computer Science or Computer Engineering from an internationally recognized institution would be preferable; candidates without a Ph.D. but with an outstanding track record in the same areas will also be considered
- Strong research background and publication record in Affective and Social Computing (experience with robot programming is a plus)
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively
- Excellent programming skills
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
GENDER BALANCE COMMITMENT:
The Department of Computer Science is dedicated to promoting gender balance in academia and research. We strongly encourage applications from individuals of all genders. We believe in fostering an inclusive and diverse research environment where the contributions of all researchers are valued equally.
APPLICATION DEADLINE AND INTERVIEW SCHEDULE:
Interested candidates are invited to express their interest by submitting the following documents to Prof Maurizio Mancini by December 29th, 2023. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews, which will be conducted in early January 2024. The successful candidate will be expected to take up the position between March and April 2024.
HOW TO APPLY:
Interested candidates are invited to express their interest by submitting the following documents to m.mancini@di.uniroma1.it:
- An updated CV with a list of publications
- A cover letter summarizing their research interests and briefly illustrating their motivation in applying for the position
CONTACT INFORMATION:
If you have any questions or want to submit your interest, do not hesitate to contact Prof Maurizio Mancini at m.mancini@di.uniroma1.it