There are two PhD scholarships sponsored by MHR<https://mhrglobal.com/uk/en>. It is open to both UK and international students. The application must be completed by 7 April. Please forward the information to students who might be interested. They can contact me by email (kai.xu@nottingham.ac.uk<mailto:kai.xu@nottingham.ac.uk>) if there is any question. Project 1: Next generation HR: Conversational Interfaces and Large-Language Models for Empathic Human-Robot Interaction The project aims to explore how the use of AI could enhance various interface types beyond the usual web forms to better support staff training, facilitation and arbitration at meetings. This could take the form of an embodied conversational interface, using technology such as Large-Language Models (LLMs), integrated into a physical robot. The research goals are to investigate how LLMs can be adapted in real-time using multi-modal situational awareness, what capabilities an intelligent robot embodiment focussed on HR should have, and to understand how people would interact and behave around it. Project 2: Human-Centred AI for Productivity The project aims to explore the options to use human-centred AI to improve productivity, which is a core concern of many of sponsor’s customers. One possibility is to leverage the new data that is becoming available, such as user interactions with computer systems and those collected through wearables. The data will then be analysed with the latest AI and Machine Learning methods, with the goal to use the insight from the analysis to design the least intrusive intervention needed in a HR software solution setting that can improve productivity effectively and ethically. About MHR MHR (https://mhrglobal.com/uk/en). MHR is a specialist provider of software and outsourcing services for Human Resources (HR), payroll, finance, and business intelligence. They support the management, development, and payment of just over 10% of the UK workforce. Their R&D team are constantly looking to redefine the HR software market by developing new and innovative solutions to HR problems. Regards, Kai Dr Kai Xu Associate Professor Co-director of the Visualization, Text Analytics, and Graphics (VisTAG) Group School of Computer Science University of Nottingham, UK kai.xu@nottingham.ac.uk<mailto:kai.xu@nottingham.ac.uk> https://kaixu.me/ Book a Teams chat <https://outlook.office.com/bookwithme/user/86b31acc20a345da9ea76c5a4338d2ec@exmail.nottingham.ac.uk?anonymous&ep=pcard> This message and any attachment are intended solely for the addressee and may contain confidential information. If you have received this message in error, please contact the sender and delete the email and attachment. Any views or opinions expressed by the author of this email do not necessarily reflect the views of the University of Nottingham. Email communications with the University of Nottingham may be monitored where permitted by law.