NL
EN

PhD on improving human-robot collaboration (HRC) using brain-computer interfaces

  • Nieuwe Universiteitsgebouw (NU)
  • Amsterdam
  • 1 / 1
  • Faculty of Science
  • PhD
  • MSc
  • Closes on
    16-05-2025
  • Publishing date
    16-04-2025
Apply
Are you interested in creating intelligent robots that learn from a human brain signal? Join our team as a 4-year full-time PhD candidate and work on our project “Improving human-robot collaboration using brain-computer interfaces”!

Your function

You will work closely with Dr. Maryam Alimardani from the Department of Computer Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and Dr. Herke van Hoof from Amsterdam Machine Learning Lab (AMLab), University of Amsterdam on the topic of neuroadaptive human-robot collaboration. 

The project is focused on improving human-robot collaboration (HRC) using human brain signals as implicit feedback for robot learning. Specifically, we aim to employ EEG-based brain-computer interfaces (BCI) to extract brain responses associated with human perception of robot’s errors during a collaborative task. The extracted EEG response will then be employed in a Reinforcement Learning (RL) framework to optimize robot learning and behavior.

This project is part of the larger Hybrid Intelligence (HI) project with the goal to create responsible intelligent systems that work together with humans as teams while adapting to their strength and needs.

Within the context of the proposed projects, you will get the opportunity to:

  • Work in a dynamic and collaborative research environment at the VU Amsterdam.
  • Experience collaboration and network within the Hybrid Intelligence consortium.
  • Access to state-of-the-art research equipment including robots and wearable sensors in the lab.
  • Contribute to impactful research with real-world applications.
  • Get your research fully funded, including support for travel to conferences and publications.
  • Participate in innovative training modules, including a series of hands-on workshops that provide technical, transferable, and presentation skills, international conferences, and outreach activities.

Your profile

  • A Master’s degree (or equivalent) in artificial intelligence, computer science, or a related discipline, with excellent performance.
  • Eagerness to engage in interdisciplinary research.
  • Experience with machine learning techniques.
  • Experience with or enthusiasm for EEG sensors, signal processing techniques and BCIs.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Proficiency in programming languages such as Python and MATLAB.
  • Fluency in English (both written and spoken).
  • Good communication skills both verbally and written.
  • The ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative research team.
  • Prior experience in research and scientific projects.

As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

a) Note that this job opening is one of several job openings on the HI page with job openings. You can apply to more than just this one. If you do so, please inform the Hybrid Intelligence Centre’s Project Manager via email of the projects you are applying to.

b) We aim to create hybrid intelligence for everyone, see also our Diversity Statement. To do this, we need an inclusive and diverse team of researchers. We especially encourage people from underrepresented groups to apply for this job.

What do we offer?

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

  • a salary of minimum € 2.901,00 (PhD) and maximum € 3.707,00 (PhD) gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile PhD candidate. The exact salary depends on your education and experience.
  • a position for 1 FTE. Your employment contract will initially last 18 months with the possibility of extension after satisfactory evaluation (4 years in total).

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and regulations. Some examples:

  • A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
  • 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
  • solid pension scheme (ABP)
  • contribution to commuting expenses
  • hybrid working enables a good work-life balance

About us

Faculty of Science
Researchers and students at VU Amsterdam’s Faculty of Science tackle fundamental and complex scientific problems to help pave the way for a sustainable and healthy future. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, and from molecules to the moon: we cover the full spectrum of the natural sciences. Our teaching and research have a strong experimentally technical, computational and interdisciplinary nature.

We work on new solutions guided by value-driven, interdisciplinary methodologies. We are committed to research, valorisation and training socially engaged citizens of the world who will make valuable contributions to a sustainable, healthy future.

Are you interested in joining the Faculty of Science? You will join undergraduate students, PhD candidates and researchers at the biggest sciences faculty in the Netherlands. You will combine a professional focus with a broad view of the world. We are proud of our collegial working climate, characterised by committed staff, a pragmatic attitude and engagement in the larger whole. The faculty is home to over 11,000 students enrolled in 40 study programmes. It employs over 1,600 professionals spread across 10 academic departments.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research. Learn more about our codes of conduct

We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility.  Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.

Diversity
Diversity is the driving force of VU Amsterdam. VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.

We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.

Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.

Interested

Are you interested in this position and do you believe that your experience will contribute to the further development of our university?

Application documents

Please submit your application via the "Apply" button above. Include in your application:

  • a detailed CV (resume);
  • a motivation letter, emphasizing your specific interest and motivation to apply for our PhD position

You can also include supplementary documents such as

  • list of published articles 
  • recommendation letters
  • academic transcript of B.Sc. and M.Sc. education, including grades
  • a TOEFL or IELTS test results to verify sufficient mastering of the English language

Applications received by e-mail will not be considered.

Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.

Your function

You will work closely with Dr. Maryam Alimardani from the Department of Computer Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and Dr. Herke van Hoof from Amsterdam Machine Learning Lab (AMLab), University of Amsterdam on the topic of neuroadaptive human-robot collaboration. 

The project is focused on improving human-robot collaboration (HRC) using human brain signals as implicit feedback for robot learning. Specifically, we aim to employ EEG-based brain-computer interfaces (BCI) to extract brain responses associated with human perception of robot’s errors during a collaborative task. The extracted EEG response will then be employed in a Reinforcement Learning (RL) framework to optimize robot learning and behavior.

This project is part of the larger Hybrid Intelligence (HI) project with the goal to create responsible intelligent systems that work together with humans as teams while adapting to their strength and needs.

Within the context of the proposed projects, you will get the opportunity to:

  • Work in a dynamic and collaborative research environment at the VU Amsterdam.
  • Experience collaboration and network within the Hybrid Intelligence consortium.
  • Access to state-of-the-art research equipment including robots and wearable sensors in the lab.
  • Contribute to impactful research with real-world applications.
  • Get your research fully funded, including support for travel to conferences and publications.
  • Participate in innovative training modules, including a series of hands-on workshops that provide technical, transferable, and presentation skills, international conferences, and outreach activities.

Your profile

  • A Master’s degree (or equivalent) in artificial intelligence, computer science, or a related discipline, with excellent performance.
  • Eagerness to engage in interdisciplinary research.
  • Experience with machine learning techniques.
  • Experience with or enthusiasm for EEG sensors, signal processing techniques and BCIs.
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
  • Proficiency in programming languages such as Python and MATLAB.
  • Fluency in English (both written and spoken).
  • Good communication skills both verbally and written.
  • The ability to work both independently and as part of a collaborative research team.
  • Prior experience in research and scientific projects.

As a university, we strive for equal opportunities for all, recognising that diversity takes many forms. We believe that diversity in all its complexity is invaluable for the quality of our teaching, research and service. We are always looking for talent with diverse backgrounds and experiences. This also means that we are committed to creating an inclusive community so that we can use diversity as an asset.

We realise that each individual brings a unique set of skills, expertise and mindset. Therefore we are happy to invite anyone who recognises themselves in the profile to apply, even if you do not meet all the requirements.

a) Note that this job opening is one of several job openings on the HI page with job openings. You can apply to more than just this one. If you do so, please inform the Hybrid Intelligence Centre’s Project Manager via email of the projects you are applying to.

b) We aim to create hybrid intelligence for everyone, see also our Diversity Statement. To do this, we need an inclusive and diverse team of researchers. We especially encourage people from underrepresented groups to apply for this job.

What do we offer?

A challenging position in a socially engaged organisation. At VU Amsterdam, you contribute to education, research and service for a better world. And that is valuable. So in return for your efforts, we offer you:

  • a salary of minimum € 2.901,00 (PhD) and maximum € 3.707,00 (PhD) gross per month, on a full-time basis. This is based on UFO profile PhD candidate. The exact salary depends on your education and experience.
  • a position for 1 FTE. Your employment contract will initially last 18 months with the possibility of extension after satisfactory evaluation (4 years in total).

We also offer you attractive fringe benefits and regulations. Some examples:

  • A full-time 38-hour working week comes with a holiday leave entitlement of 232 hours per year. If you choose to work 40 hours, you have 96 extra holiday leave hours on an annual basis. For part-timers, this is calculated pro rata.
  • 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus
  • solid pension scheme (ABP)
  • contribution to commuting expenses
  • hybrid working enables a good work-life balance

About us

Faculty of Science
Researchers and students at VU Amsterdam’s Faculty of Science tackle fundamental and complex scientific problems to help pave the way for a sustainable and healthy future. From forest fires to big data, from obesity to malnutrition, and from molecules to the moon: we cover the full spectrum of the natural sciences. Our teaching and research have a strong experimentally technical, computational and interdisciplinary nature.

We work on new solutions guided by value-driven, interdisciplinary methodologies. We are committed to research, valorisation and training socially engaged citizens of the world who will make valuable contributions to a sustainable, healthy future.

Are you interested in joining the Faculty of Science? You will join undergraduate students, PhD candidates and researchers at the biggest sciences faculty in the Netherlands. You will combine a professional focus with a broad view of the world. We are proud of our collegial working climate, characterised by committed staff, a pragmatic attitude and engagement in the larger whole. The faculty is home to over 11,000 students enrolled in 40 study programmes. It employs over 1,600 professionals spread across 10 academic departments.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research. Learn more about our codes of conduct

We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility.  Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.

Diversity
Diversity is the driving force of VU Amsterdam. VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.

We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.

Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.

Questions about the vacancy?

Please contact

Maryam Alimardani

Associate Professor

Interested

Are you interested in this position and do you believe that your experience will contribute to the further development of our university?

Application documents

Please submit your application via the "Apply" button above. Include in your application:

  • a detailed CV (resume);
  • a motivation letter, emphasizing your specific interest and motivation to apply for our PhD position

You can also include supplementary documents such as

  • list of published articles 
  • recommendation letters
  • academic transcript of B.Sc. and M.Sc. education, including grades
  • a TOEFL or IELTS test results to verify sufficient mastering of the English language

Applications received by e-mail will not be considered.

Acquisition in response to this advertisement is not appreciated.

Questions about the vacancy?

Please contact

Maryam Alimardani

Associate Professor

Application procedure

Other interesting vacancies

Don't miss out on your dream job at VU Amsterdam

This website uses cookies

We, and third parties, use cookies on our website. We use cookies to ensure that our website functions properly, to store your preferences, to gain insight into visitor behavior, but also for marketing and social media purposes (showing personalized advertisements). By clicking 'Accept', you agree to the use of all cookies. In our Cookie Statement. you can read more about the cookies we use and save or change your preferences. By clicking 'Refuse' you only agree to the use of functional cookies.