PhD Scholarship – Natural Interaction Strategies for Long-Term Robot Use for Elderly Care
Job No.: 672833
Location: Clayton campus
Employment Type: Full-time
Duration: 3.5-year fixed-term appointment
Remuneration: The successful applicant will receive a tax-free stipend, at the current value of $35,013 per annum 2024 full-time rate, as per the Monash Research Training Program (RTP) Stipend www.monash.edu/study/fees-scholarships/scholarships/find-a-scholarship/research-training-program-scholarship#scholarship-details
- Be inspired, every day
- Drive your own learning at one of the world’s top 80 universities
- Take your career in exciting, rewarding directions
About the project
As the world’s population ages, many individuals encounter unique challenges tied to cognitive decline, highlighting the need for a more personalized and diverse approach to older adult care. There is growing evidence showing that social robots can improve care delivery at older adult care facilities and reduce behavioural symptoms such as apathy and social isolation. However, for robots to be successfully implemented in these environments, they need to behave verbally and non-verbally in appropriate and acceptable ways to older residents.
In collaboration with our industry partner, creator of companion robots that positively impact people’s lives, in this exciting project, you will investigate and develop novel algorithms for closed-loop (i.e., the algorithm can dynamically alter the robot’s behaviour in real-time interaction) generation of non-verbal behaviours of a social robot designed to interact with older adults. You will also conduct user studies in the lab and older adult care centres to validate and assess the influence of the improved robot communication capabilities on user engagement and perceived empathy, warmth, and friendliness.
The ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre for Optimal Ageing and Monash University
The successful candidate will be a member of the Industrial Transformation Training Centre (ITTC) for Optimal Ageing. The Centre is led by Monash University (Turner Institute, Monash Engineering, Monash Faculty of IT) and Federation University. The Centre seeks to inspire and train the next generation of leaders in the area of ageing, by providing direct experience with industry partners, as well as training and master classes in key areas of psychology and health sciences, engineering and information technology. The projects within the Centre are expected to accelerate research translation and industry engagement through the development and application of digital, robotics and sensor-based technology to address key challenges in ageing, which are to enhance cognition, promote independence and foster social connectedness. The expected outcome of this Centre is to equip the trainees with skills that expand Australia’s technical capability and will enable them to make key contributions to the sustainability and growth of the Medtech and Biotech sectors, and to provide significant capacity to address global challenges for 21st century innovation to optimise ageing.
Monash University is a member of Australia’s Group of Eight coalition, and is internationally recognized for excellence in research and teaching as one of the world's top 80 universities. Embedded in an ecosystem of health, academia and industry, it delivers the research outcomes, skilled workforce, technology and partnerships to improve human health locally and globally.
Supervisory team
You will be co-supervised by Dr Pamela Carreno-Medrano
research.monash.edu/en/persons/pamela-carreno-medrano (primary supervisor)
and Professor Dana Kulic
research.monash.edu/en/persons/dana-kulic (secondary supervisor).
Eligibility Requirements
Candidates will need to fulfil the Monash University minimum requirements for admission to a PhD detailed here: www.monash.edu/admissions/entry-requirements/minimum.
Candidate Requirements
- Undergraduate honours degree or Master's by research degree in a relevant discipline (Computer Science, Robotics, Engineering or others related to the PhD topic)
- Excellent programming and/or robotics background, with a keen interest in human-robot interaction
- Prior knowledge of robotics and machine learning (e.g., relevant courses, research experience) would be an advantage
- IELTS score of 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in each component
How to apply
For general instructions on how to apply for roles at Monash, please refer to 'How to apply for Monash Jobs'.
To express your interest in this scholarship and PhD research opportunity, we request candidates provide:
- A cover letter describing your research interests and why you would like to undertake a PhD (maximum one page)
- A CV including qualifications, academic achievements, list of publications, work history and references
- A copy of your academic transcript(s)
Enquiries: Dr Karen Little, karen.little@monash.edu, Business Manager, ITTC for Optimal Ageing
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