Behavioural Sciences and Technology

Project description:

Collaboration between humans and robots is rapidly increasing, creating a need for integrative work between engineering and psychology to improve robots' collaborative skills. One promising approach is to equip robots with cutting-edge cognitive computational models of their human collaborators' decision-making processes. These models would enable robots to account for latent factors guiding human decisions (e.g., beliefs, inferences, preferences, risk, confidence, caution), during collaborative tasks. This could enhance the efficiency of robots' observational learning and allow them to take actions that support and optimise human decision-making, ultimately improving teamwork and productivity.

The project will be supervised by Dr Milan Andrejevic, a Lecturer in Psychology, and Dikai Liu, a Distinguished Professor in Robotics from the University of Technology Sydney, and entail a collaboration with Prof. Jakob Hohwy, a Professor in Philosophy from Monash University.

Candidate requirements:

• Honours or Masters degree in: Psychology, Cognitive Science, Neuroscience, and a good grasp of statistics OR Engineering, Computer Science OR other related and relevant discipline and a strong interest in psychological science;
• Willingness to learn computational cognitive modelling approaches;
• Excellent academic writing skills;
• Experience with, and/or willingness to learn coding and using statistical software (R, Matlab, Python, and/or alike);
• Demonstrated work ethic.

Also desirable:

• A record of contributing to academic publications;
• Experience with mathematical / computational modelling

Scholarship: 

This project includes funding for a living stipend scholarship at the UTS rate of $37,000 per annum (tax-exempt) with fee waivers provided. 

Contacts: Milan Andrejevic and Dikai Liu

Duration: 3.5 years 

School: School of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering and Robotic Institute

Application Closing date: when filled

Domestic and International applications accepted.

Project description:

The nature of human thought and behaviour is on the cusp of a profound transformation. Pervasive technologies such as social media, artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things are fundamentally altering how we think, interact, and make decisions. Of particular concern is the rapid emergence of neurotechnology, which holds the potential to decode, interpret, and even influence our innermost thoughts, raising critical questions about mental privacy and personal autonomy.
This project will examine the impact of technology on mental processes and evaluate the growing risks posed by neurotechnology to mental privacy. 
Scholarships are available to highly motivated individuals from diverse academic backgrounds. Projects can be tailored to align with the candidate’s strengths, prior experience, and research ambitions. 
Successful candidates will gain a broad set of interdisciplinary skills and expertise in neurotechnology—an area poised to have a transformative societal impact. This experience will position candidates as key contributors in shaping the future of neurotechnology, privacy, and autonomy in an increasingly digital world.

Principal supervisor:

Associate Professor Kiley Seymour

Faculty of Health, Psychology

View A/Prof Kiley Seymour's profile

Candidate requirements:

• Qualifications and experience equal to one of the following 
  (i) an Australian First Class Bachelor (Honours) degree, 
  (ii) a Research Masters degree, or 
  (iii) equivalent overseas qualifications in cognitive science, psychology, philosophy, computer science, engineering or a related subject
  an interest in the intersection of neurotechnology and privacy
• Fluency in English
• Full-time dedication to the project

In addition to these requirements, candidates would preferably have expertise in:

• Acquisition/analysis of human brain or behavioural data (as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications and/or thesis research); and/or
• Good programming skills (preferably in Python or Matlab); and/or 
• Proven ability to communicate complex information effectively in writing, with a track record of publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Scholarship: 

• The project is supported by a UTS Strategic Allocation RTP scholarship available to domestic candidates only 
• Candidates receive a tax-free stipend of $37,000 (AUD) per annum for 3.5 years. 
• Tuition fees are covered. 
• Support for conference attendance and research costs is also available. 

Contacts: Associate Professor Kiley Seymour (primary supervisor). See profile and contact details here 

Duration: 3.5 years 

School: Graduate School of Health 

Application Closing date: when filled

Domestic applications only