PhD Position in Automated Modeling Support for Planning at the ANU, Canberra (Australia)

Pascal Bercher (Australian National University) is seeking a qualified PhD candidate to commence a project in non-hierarchical (classical) and hierarchical planning starting as soon as possible (early 2024 preferred).
Note that a Bachelor degree is sufficient to apply, provided it's equivalent to a first-class Honours with a significant research component (e.g., a Bachelor Thesis).

The project aims to provide automated modeling support in both classical and hierarchical task network (HTN) planning contexts. This involves both theoretical investigations (e.g., complexity theory) as well as the design and implementation of techniques to provide domain modelers with useful feedback, thus helping them to update their flawed or incomplete planning models. This is most likely done via SAT solving, Integer Linear Programming (ILP), or via heuristic search. We can adjust the focus based on your expertise and interests. Even with no prior background on AI Planning, you might be suitable for the position provided sufficient interest in Logic and/or graph theory or related disciplines.

The position is at the Australian National University (the ANU) in Canberra, Australia's capital. Your supervisory panel will consist of me as primary supervisor as well as two additional ones (potentially ANU-external). You will also have the opportunity to work with many other planning researchers at the ANU (see our planning group [1]) if you wish to do so.

Some key information at a glance:
•⁠ ⁠Scholarship: 36,652 AUD per year (tax-free).
•⁠ ⁠Duration: 3.5 years starting early 2024, with the option to extend by 1/2 year.
•⁠ ⁠Responsibilities: Just research! You will not have any other responsibilities such as teaching, though this can be done voluntarily if interested with additional per-hour payment.

For further details please visit my (Pascal Berger's) webpage at https://bercher.net/join-team/phd, which also states how to apply (but in a nutshell: just drop me an email). Please do not hesitate to reach out to me at pascal.bercher at anu.edu.au in case you have any questions about the position!