PhD studentship: Machine Learning for Human-Robot Interaction

[Frank Förster]

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PhD studentship

MACHINE LEARNING FOR HUMAN-ROBOT INTERACTION

Robotics Research Group
Centre for AI and Robotics Research
School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science
University of Hertfordshire, UK
Contact: Frank Foerster (f.foe...@herts.ac.uk)

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Shortlisting will start on 14th November 2025 *

Bursary £20,700 p.a.

* application before this date is strongly encouraged


We invite applications for a PhD studentship at the University of Hertfordshire, UK, under the supervision of Dr. Frank Foerster in the area of machine learning for human-robot interaction.  We are particularly
interested in pursuing research that connects to the following topic, but alternative ideas will be considered too.

### Research Topic

Repair Mechanisms in (speech-involving) Human-Robot Interaction


More information including relevant papers are provided in the following PDF:
https://www.herts.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0005/447467/Foerster-ML4_HRI_2025.pdf


### Person Profile

You will have an excellent first degree and a very keen interest and motivation in human-machine interaction in general, and communicative interaction in particular. Optimally, you should have an excellent background in Computer Science, Computational/Cognitive Robotics, (computational) linguistics, artificial intelligence, or similar disciplines with a considerable quantitative/computational component.
Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the topic we will also consider applicants with a background in psychology, philosophy, or pragmatics as long as they have some experience in programming, machine learning, or dialogue systems.
Prior experience with topics such as reinforcement learning, or statistical learning more generally is highly desirable, but not essential if the quantitative background is otherwise very strong. The knowledge of later Wittgenstein is a big plus.


If you have questions, have alternative suggestions for a related, but distinct topic, and/or are generally interested in applying, please contact

Dr. Frank Foerster
f.foe...@herts.ac.uk

### About the research environment

Research in Computer Science at the University of Hertfordshire has been recognised as excellent by the latest Research Assessment Exercise, with 90% of the research submitted being rated as internationally excellent or world-leading.

The University of Hertfordshire provides a very stimulating environment, offering a large number of specialised and interdisciplinary seminars as well as general training and researcher development opportunities. The University is situated in Hatfield, in the green belt just north of London.
Hatfield is close to Central London (less than 25 minutes by direct train to Kings Cross), with convenient access to Stansted, Luton and Heathrow airports, and, via the nearby historic town of St. Albans, also to Gatwick airport.

Application forms and submission instructions are available under
https://www.herts.ac.uk/study/schools-of-study/physics-engineering-and-computer-science/engineering-and-computer-science/research-in-engineering-and-computer-science/the-phd-programme-in-computer-science

Applications from outside the UK or EU are eligible for this studentship.