[ecrea] Older Adults' Interaction with Robots - PhD student research position at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

*12-18 months PhD student research position *

*in Older Adults' Interaction with Robots*

**

*Department of Communication Studies*

*Department of Industrial Engineering and Management*

*The Center for Multidisciplinary Research in Aging*

*Agricultural, Biological, Cognitive Robotics Initiative*

*Ben-Gurion University of the Negev*

Ben-Gurion University of the Negev (BGU) is seeking outstanding 
candidates for a PhD student position in /Older adults' interaction with 
robots/, at The Departments of Communication Studies and Industrial 
Engineering and Management and The Center for Multidisciplinary Research 
in Aging. BGU is an internationally recognized research university that 
attracts outstanding faculty and researchers from around the world with 
over 19,000 students. The Dept. of Communication Studies includes a 
multidisciplinary faculty with expertise in new media, audience 
research, cultural diversity and disadvantaged populations. The Dept. of 
Industrial Engineering includes faculty experts in human factors and 
robotics. Advanced innovative multidisciplinary robotics research at BGU 
is conducted under the auspices of the ABC Robotics Initiative.

*SOCRATES
*The recruitment is done as part of SOCRATES (SOcial Cognitive Robotic 
Agents in The European Society), a Marie Skłodowska-Curie European 
Training Network (ETN) comprising 7 universities/research institutes: 
Umeå University and Örebro University in Sweden, Universität Hamburg and 
Fraunhofer IPA, Stuttgart in Germany, CSIC Barcelona in Spain, 
University West of England, and Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in 
Israel. Additional non-academic partners are: Pal Robotics, Adele 
Robots, Alfred Nobel Science Park, Urquhart-Dykes & Lord LLP, Center for 
Digital Innovation, UMINOVA, Asea Brown Boveri, S.A, and Fundació ACE.

In total 15 Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) were recruited as PhD 
students for research on various aspects of social robotics aiming at 
eldercare. The wide range of projects covers a spectrum from technical 
design of hardware and interaction methodology, to personalization, user 
studies, and robot ethics. The researchers receive training in both 
academic and entrepreneurial spirit and expertise, well suited for a 
career in both academy and industry. The training includes working on a 
research project related to older adults' interaction with robots, as 
well as courses, seminars, and workshops suited for the students' 
academic interests and progress. As part of the research project and 
time dependent, secondments at Örebro University, Sweden and/or at 
Fraunhofer IPA, Germany might be planned. An overview of the SOCRATES 
project can be found at www.socrates-project.eu 
<http://www.socrates-project.eu>.

*About the position*

The successful applicant will receive a competitive salary for a period 
of 12-18 months' full time research, provided that expected study and 
research results are achieved. No teaching is expected. The salary will 
be based on the standard Marie Skłodowska-Curie Early-Stage Researcher 
living and mobility allowances. *Starting date: ASAP.*

*Who can apply?*

1.Excellent MSC students, who already graduated their studies and 
interested in exploring the new and exciting field of Human-Robot 
Interaction.

2.PhD students, who have not yet graduated and interested in extending 
their work by including a component on older adults. In this case, the 
students will still be formally registered in their current university, 
and the time spent at BGU will be considered as student exchange.

*Admission requirements *

Candidates should have interest in understanding aging and human-robot 
interaction (although should not necessarily have background in such 
topics), be able to work independently as well as in collaboration with 
others, and be passionate about learning and developing knowledge in a 
novel and exciting area. The applicant must be skilled in both oral and 
written communication in English. Some background in social sciences 
and/or user studies is a significant advantage but not mandatory.

Once approved by BGU’s SOCRATES graduate committee the student must 
obtain a visa and working permit according to the Ministry of Interior 
requirements. Applicants aiming to pursue a PhD must be accepted to 
BGU’s graduate school 
(http://in.bgu.ac.il/en/kreitman_school/Pages/admission.aspx). The PhD 
candidate must submit a research proposal and go through a Qualification 
Exam within one year of studies on his/her research proposal. A PhD at 
BGU is usually 4 years; for funding in the following years the student 
can apply for BGU scholarships and awards 
http://in.bgu.ac.il/en/kreitman_school/Pages/Scholarships-and-Awards.aspx.

To promote mobility, the following rule applies: At the time of 
recruitment, the applicants must not have resided or carried out their 
main activity in Israel for more than 12 months during the last 3 years. 
Compulsory national service, work in international organizations, and 
short stays such as holidays are not taken into account. The applicants 
must not, at the time of recruitment, have spent more than 4 years doing 
research, and must not have been awarded a doctoral degree.

*Application
A complete application should contain the following documents:*

·A cover letter including a description of your research interests, your 
reasons to apply for the position, and your contact information.

·A curriculum vita.

·Copies of degree certificates, including documentation of completed 
academic courses and grades.

·Copy of completed MA/MSC thesis and other original research publications.

·Contact information for three persons willing to act as references 
(including your MA/MSC thesis advisor).

*Applications must be submitted electronically to the following email by 
November 30, 2018.*

*(socrates /at/ post.bgu.ac.il) <mailto:(socrates /at/ post.bgu.ac.il)>*

*Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.*

*For additional information about the position, please contact*: Prof. 
*Galit Nimrod* – (gnimrod /at/ bgu.ac.il) <mailto:(gnimrod /at/ bgu.ac.il)>, Prof. 
*Yael Edan* –(yael /at/ bgu.ac.il) <mailto:(yael /at/ bgu.ac.il)>

For general information about the SOCRATES project, please contact Prof. 
*Thomas Hellström* –(thomash /at/ cs.umu.se) <mailto:(thomash /at/ cs.umu.se)>

www.socrates-project.eu <http://www.socrates-project.eu>

www.bgu.ac.il <http://www.bgu.ac.il>

www.bgu.ac.il/abc-robotics <http://www.bgu.ac.il/abc-robotics>

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