• Full-time, Fixed Term for 2 years
• Salary Level Academic B + 17% Superannuation and Flexible Working Arrangements
• Based at the Melbourne CBD campus, but may be required to work and/or be based at other campuses of the University

About You

The Research Fellow will support the research and development aims of the Collaborative project between RMIT and Agent Oriented Software (AOS) titled "Programming autonomous systems with resource and requirement constraints". Specifically, the research aims to develop representation languages and algorithms for programming Belief-DesireIntention (BDI) type agent software with resource and requirement constraints decoupled from the usual BDI plans.

This project will address this limitation by developing a specification language and reasoning algorithms to support the programming of autonomous behaviour in a way in which processes, goals, and constraints are all suitably integrated into a single proactive and reactive framework. The project will leverage the extensive expertise and tradition of both AOS and RMIT in intelligent agents and aims to draw techniques from various AI sub-fields, including agent-oriented programming, AI automated planning (including hierarchical planning), constraint programming, and machine learning. The research and requirements will be driven by one of the domain applications where AOS is currently applying its BDI agent technology, namely, the use of mobile robots (called "Kelpie") for weed management and removal in farms, a domain application where AOS is already applying its BDI agent technology. The project will involve both theoretical and conceptual work and development and experimental work.

The Research Fellow will work on all technical aspects of the project in order to:

1. Develop a representation of suitable constraints for operational hierarchical-type processes.
2. Develop algorithmic techniques for integrating the constraints into hierarchical agent-based systems.
3. Implement and evaluate a prototype exemplar of the techniques in C-BDI, the latest agent programming language and development framework being developed at AOS.

The Research Fellow will work with research teams and partnerships in the School and Research Institutes. You will be required to undertake research activities in line with the University's research strategy. The position will carry out independent and/or team research that has a significant impact in their specialisation and be acknowledged at a national level as influential in expanding the knowledge of their relevant discipline.

To be successful in this position, you'll have:

• PhD or equivalent in relevant field
• Emerging track record and recognition for quality research outputs which will contribute to existing Discipline and School research areas evidenced by publications, software systems, development of new research initiatives, competitive research funding, and industry links.
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills appropriate for interacting with higher degree by research candidates, staff and industry, together with a strong commitment to teamwork and multidisciplinary collaboration.
• Experience in one or more of the following AI sub-fields: agent-oriented programming; AI planning; constraint programming. Experience with BDI-type agent systems, high-level agent programming, and/or hierarchical HTN style planning is desirable but not required.
• Strong analytical and programming skills, and ability to carry out both theoretical and experimental work.

Please Note: Appointment to this position is subject to passing a Working with Children Check.

To Apply

Please submit your CV and covering letter addressing the Key Selection Criteria for this position by clicking on the 'Apply' link below. For further information about this position, please see Position Description below.

Applications close on 30 January 2022 at 11:59 pm.

Vaccination Requirements

Offers of employment from RMIT are conditional upon the applicant being fully vaccinated against COVID-19, partially vaccinated with a booking for a further dose by 26 November 2021 or medically exempt and providing satisfactory evidence of the same. You can access the Directions here: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/victorias-restriction-levels-covid-19.