We are looking for outstanding candidates with experience / interest in topics such as deep learning neural networks (NN), recurrent neural networks (RNN), GPU programming, evolutionary computation, RNN evolution, adaptive robotics, curiosity-driven learning & intrinsic motivations based on our theory of surprise and interestingness and the Formal Theory of Fun & Creativity, computer vision and 3D animation, reinforcement learning & policy gradients for partially observable environments, hierarchical reinforcement learning, statistical / Bayesian approaches to machine learning, statistical robotics, unsupervised learning, general artificial intelligence, universal learning machines. The general goal is to advance the state of the art in machine learning and AI.

The ProtoTouch (EU-PEOPLE) project investigates novel touch-based user interfaces (e.g., touch screens for mobile devices, touch pads for computers). In a consortium of 10 European research institutes, you will help to develop and apply machine learning methods such as deep learning neural networks to investigate the performance of novel tactile displays, and biological processes responsible for touch. (But as mentioned above, you will also collaborate with other lab members on other projects - we are one big family!) Candidates should have multidisciplinary research interests in areas like machine learning, electronic devices and neurophysiology. Candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity in Switzerland for more than 1 year in the 3 years immediately prior to their recruitment. They also must fulfil the Experienced Researcher requirements of the Marie Curie regulations. These impose very special constraints making it difficult to find ideal candidates: Experienced Researchers must, at the time of recruitment, be in possession of a doctoral degree or have at least 4 years of full-time equivalent research experience. Experienced researchers must ALSO have less than 5 years of full-time equivalent research experience. See page 4 of the Marie Curie guidelines (PDF).

Our international project partners include neuroscientists, mathematicians, psychologists, roboticists, and other experts from the UK, Germany, Italy, Scandinavia, France, and the US.

Preferred Start: Early 2014.

Official language at IDSIA is English.

Highly competitive salaries & low Swiss taxes. There is travel funding in case of papers accepted at important conferences. (Salaries for ProtoTouch follow EU-PEOPLE rules based on years of experience.) The occupancy degree is 100%. (Here a previous similar job announcement of 2009.) Standard salaries: Postdoc CHF 72,000 / year (>US$ 81,000 / year as of 16 Dec 2013); PhD student CHF 42,000 / year (>US$ 47,000). Low taxes. There is travel funding in case of papers accepted at important conferences.

Teaching? There is an opportunity (but no need) to participate in teaching courses (in English) on robotics or machine learning, e.g., in the master's program at the University of Lugano.

Requirements are also published within the "Direttive interne SUPSI" (direttiva 7A, Art. 2) and within "Regolamento del personale SUPSI" on the website www.supsi.ch (follow SUPSI, Documenti ufficiali).

IDSIA's location: just outside the beautiful city of Lugano in Ticino (pics), the scenic southern Swiss province. Milano, Italy's center of fashion and finance, is 1 hour away, Venice 3 hours.