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PhD student positions in computational neuroscience, Imperial College, London

IMPERIAL COLLEGE OF SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY AND MEDICINE
Department of Bioengineering

http://www.bg.ic.ac.uk/Vacancies/job_human_robotics.shtml

Two PhD Studentships in Human Robotics
Deadline: Available immediately

Supervisors: Dr Etienne Burdet

Applications are invited for 2 PhD positions in Human Robotics /
Computational Neuroscience / Psychophysics at Imperial College London.

Humans constantly learn new motor tasks and adapt to changing
environmental conditions, for example during growth. To study this motor
learning, we observe how human subjects control motion in force fields
produced by a robotic interface. We analyze force, trajectory, muscle
activation and brain activity during movement to develop computer models
for rehabilitation and to improve the control of robots interacting with
human motion (http://www.bg.ic.ac.uk/staff/burdet/,
http://guppy.mpe.nus.edu.sg/~eburdet/). Such research stems from and has
potential in neuroscience, robotics and rehabilitation.

The first position, requiring a background in physics/control/robotics, is
to develop computational models of the novel kind of learning we have
discovered (see e.g. Burdet et al., Nature 414:446-9, 2001). The developed
nonlinear adaptive controllers will mimic the observed muscle activity
patterns, and may lead to novel controllers for robotics rehabilitation
and dexterous robotic manipulation.

The second position, requiring background in neuroscience/psychology and
robotics/control, will design, realize and analyze experiments to
investigate the control of hand and finger movements using functional MRI
and a compatible robotic interface, with patients and healthy subjects.

A stipend and fees will be awarded. Students must satisfy the eligibility
criteria, including UK or EU residence for three or more years. However,
candidates from other nationalities with co-funding are welcome to apply.
The studentship is available with immediate effect. Applicants should
register their interest by sending a CV, letter of interest, copy (scan)
of academic transcripts, and if possible reference letters to Dr. Etienne
Burdet at e.burdet@imperial.ac.uk.

For further information please contact:

Dr Etienne BURDET 
Department of Bioengineering
Imperial College London, UK
South Kensington Campus
London, SW7 2AZ, UK

e.burdet@imperial.ac.uk 

http://www.bg.ic.ac.uk/staff/burdet/