Evolutionary Robotics: Generating diverse and functional robots by jointly optimising their body-plan and controllers

The PhD project will explore optimisation, learning and/or adaptation in the context of evolutionary robotics. Areas of interest include the co-evolution of morphology and control of robots the interaction of evolution and learning mechanisms to produce bodies and behaviours that are specialised to specific environments and tasks. Alternative projects might focus on adaptation of behaviour only, using learning methods (e.g. evolution, reinforcement learning) to adapt controllers in real time to adapt to new environments, or learning repertoires of behaviours to enable robust performance. Another promising area is in the use of state-of-the art methods from the quality-diversity literature to fully explore rich search spaces of both morphologies and controller. Projects can be conducted in simulation only but there is also the possibility to utilise our robotics laboratory to conduct experiments on physical robots. A software and hardware framework to jointly optimise the body and controllers of real robots developed by the ARE project will also be available for candidates to expand.

Academic qualifications 

A first-class honours degree, or a distinction at master level, or equivalent achievements ideally in Computer Science, Engineering, Robotics. 

English language requirement 

If your first language is not English, comply with the University requirements for research degree programmes in terms of English language. 

Application process 

Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the supervisor, Dr Leni Le Goff ([Email Address Removed]) to discuss the content of the project and the fit with their qualifications and skills before preparing an application. 

The application must include:  

Research project outline of 2 pages (list of references excluded). The outline may provide details about 

• Background and motivation, explaining the importance of the project, should be supported also by relevant literature. You can also discuss the applications you expect for the project results. 
• Research questions or 
• Methodology: types of data to be used, approach to data collection, and data analysis methods. 
• List of references 

The outline must be created solely by the applicant. Supervisors can only offer general discussions about the project idea without providing any additional support. 

• Statement no longer than 1 page describing your motivations and fit with the project. 
• Recent and complete curriculum vitae. The curriculum must include a declaration regarding the English language qualifications of the candidate. 
• Supporting documents will have to be submitted by successful candidates. 
• Two academic references (but if you have been out of education for more than three years, you may submit one academic and one professional reference), on the form can be downloaded here. 

Applications can be submitted here.

Download a copy of the project details here.