2x Funded PhD Positions in Reinforcement Learning and Data Analytics

Multi-Agent Reinforcement Learning for Game AI and Robotic Control - EPSRC NPIF PhD studentship in partnership with Accelerated Dynamics
Overview:
Host instituition: University of York
Qualification type: PhD
Location: York
Funding for: UK citizens and EU citizens who have resided in the UK for the past three years (EPSRC eligibility requirements apply)
Duration: Funding is available for a minimum of 3 years and up to a maximum of 4 years
Funding amount: Full coverage of tuition fees and annual stipend at RCUK rate i.e. £14,553 for 2017/18
Hours: Full Time
Placed on: 30 June 2017
Closes: 30 July 2017
The project
The Internet of Things and connected devices are creating opportunities for increased automation. We are progressing to a point where everything is connected (from the smallest sensor to self-driving cars and aerial drones) but the way we interact with each of these is currently limited to one-one interactions.
This project will research and develop multi-agent reinforcement learning algorithms for controlling swarms of agents, enabling an individual to control vast numbers of connected devices simultaneously.
These algorithms will initially be tested in Starcraft to enable rapid iteration. Later in the PhD, using Accelerated Dynamics robotic platform, these algorithms will be tested in real world scenarios with swarms of aerial drones.
Research supervision
If successful, you will conduct your research under the supervision of:
Dr Sam Devlin, Research Fellow / Lecturer in Artificial Intelligence and Games.
Professor Peter Cowling, Director of Digital Creativity Labs and the Centre for Doctoral Training in Intelligent Games and Game Intelligence (IGGI)
Accelerated Dynamics (based in London).
You will be part of a large and internationally leading team who specialise in games and artificial intelligence. The team has a substantial track record in industrial-academic research, and have been very successful at delivering research results into commercial games. The team includes 23 permanent members of academic staff and 10 post-doctoral research associates within the Digital Creativity Labs, and currently 34 PhD students in the closely linked centre for doctoral training. The team is highly supportive and encourages cross-project collaboration, especially on joint publications and developing new research projects. You will collaborate closely with roboticists at Accelerated Dynamics, and there may be opportunities to spend time at their offices to maximise the two-way knowledge transfer between the student and the staff at Accelerated Dynamics.