PhD Studentship available in the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Robotics and AI for Net Zero (RAINZ) - Theory of Mind and Intention Reading in Human-Robot Interaction

Supervisors: Prof Angelo Cangelosi & Prof Andrew Weightman

This studentship is offered by the Robotics and Artificial Intelligence for Net Zero Centre for Doctoral Training (RAINZ CDT) which is a partnership between three of the UKs leading universities (University of Manchester, University of Glasgow and University of Oxford).

Robotics and Autonomous Systems (RAS) is an essential enabling technology for the Net Zero transition in the UK’s energy sector. However, significant technological and cultural barriers are limiting its effectiveness. Overcoming these barriers is a key target of this CDT.  The focus of the CDT’s research projects will be how RAS can be used for the inspection, maintenance, and repair of new infrastructure in renewables (wind, solar, geothermal, tidal, hydrogen) and nuclear (fission and fusion), and to support the decarbonization of existing maintenance and decommissioning of assets.

Year 1: You will spend the first year of the CDT at the University of Manchester undertaking taught MSc studies and research training.

Years 2 – 4: You will move to your host institute (University of Manchester, University of Glasgow, or University of Oxford) to undertake your PhD research.

About this Project

Year 1 MSc Course: MSc AI

Year 2 – 4 PhD Location: University of Manchester

Research Abstract: Interaction between people and robots, be this physical interaction (e.g. object handover, joint tool use, rehabilitation robots) or social interaction (e.g. joint problem solving) requires the robot's understanding of the human user's intention and goal. In psychology, we call this capability 'Theory of Mind', i.e. the representation of the other agent's mental states, preferences, and their intentions. Machine learning methods have been recently proposed to model intention reading and artificial Theory of Mind capabilities in robots. This project will use the latest deep learning methods to model the robot's capability to read and recognise the goal and intention of users to support human-robot collaboration in constrained environments.

Applicants should have a First or strong Upper Second-class honours degree (2:1 with 65% average), or international equivalent, in a Computer Science degree with a minimum of 50% Computer Science content.

Equality, diversity and inclusion is fundamental to the success of RAINZ CDT and is at the heart of all of our activities. We actively encourage applicants from diverse career paths and backgrounds and from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, neurodiversity, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, and transgender status. We also support applications from mature students who are returning from a career break.

Applications should be made through the RAINZ CDT website: www.rainz-cdt.ac.uk, where you can also find further information about the CDT.  Informal enquiries can be made by emailing rainz@manchester.ac.uk.

The application deadline is 17:00, 31^st January 2025.

The studentship covers full tuition fees at Home student rate and a maintenance grant for 4 years, starting at the UKRI minimum of £19,237 pa which may increase with indexation each year.

International applicants are welcome, although only Home student rates will be funded. The difference between International student rates and Home student rates needs to be covered through alternative funding sources, and we encourage all international applicants to consider this when applying.

Start date: 22^nd September 2025

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