PhD student position in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI): Rich and natural interaction
Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
Application deadline: 17 January 2016
http://www.chalmers.se/en/about-chalmers/vacancies/Pages/default.aspx?rmpage=job&rmjob=3496
INFORMATION ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT AND THE DIVISION
The Department of Applied Information Technology (AIT) offers education and carries out research within the areas informatics, interaction design, learning, communication, cognitive science and visualization in close collaboration with industry and public sector. Development of the individual’s knowledge and ability to analyze, understand and handle different aspects of IT, interaction between people and interaction between people and technology are at focus. AIT is located at Campus Lindholmen and is part of both the University of Gothenburg and Chalmers University of Technology. URL: http://ait.gu.se/english
The Division of Interaction Design concerns the interaction between people and products in which information technology is a central component. URL: http://ait.gu.se/english/interactiondesign
The t2i Lab is one of the research groups within the Division of Interaction Design; it is a group of researchers and graduate students exploring how emerging interactive technologies can benefit problem solving and collaboration. As we study novel and innovative forms of input and output, our efforts are oriented towards projects within mobile computing, medical visualization, interactive analytics, and motion capture. The t2i Lab has close ties with ETH Zurich (CH), University of Stuttgart (G), Lodz University (PL), and NUS Singapore (SG). URL: http://t2i.se/
INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROJECT
Wallenberg Autonomous Systems Program (WASP) is Sweden’s largest individual research program ever, and provides a platform for academic research and education, fostering interaction with Sweden’s leading technology companies. The program addresses research on autonomous systems acting in collaboration with humans, adapting to their environment through sensors, information and knowledge, and forming intelligent systems-of-systems. Software is the main enabler in autonomous systems, and is an integrated research theme of the program. WASP’s key values are research excellence and industrial relevance.
The intended research will be conducted in the field of smart and natural interaction with high dimensional data. From a human interaction perspective, offering user interfaces to control and benefit from digital cognitive companions is a novel and challenging task. In particular, the investigation will regard the shift from desktop humans-in-the-loop communication, where basic feedback is provided mostly in real-time for low-level control, to humans-on-the-loop applications, where tasks are achieved by massive remote autonomous systems (e.g., robots, physics-based simulations, etc.) without significant human intervention. Prioritized research topics leading to novel understanding of human perception, interactive 3D animation and visualization, and collaboration will include:
- Interaction with collaborative multiagent autonomous systems at variable levels of autonomy and user control;
- Smart seamless integration and effective use of tangible user interfaces, interactive surfaces/walls, projection on proximate surfaces and wearable interfaces;
- Perception-based optimization of physical simulation parameters for realistic 3D animation of human-like companions;
- Propose and validate strategies for how to employ these interfaces in order to optimally support application dependent mission critical decision timescales.
MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES
Your main responsibility as a PhD student is to pursue your own scientific studies and to develop your abilities and knowledge within the research fields covered by the project. You are expected to develop your own scientific concepts and communicate the results of your research verbally at scientific conferences and in written journal articles. You are also expected to take initiative, communicate, and collaborate well both inside the own research group, division, and with other WASP researchers.
The position includes certain departmental duties, typically in form of teaching, corresponding to about 20% of working hours.
POSITION SUMMARY
The main task is to address a clearly defined and consistent set of research topics through literature study, iterative system design, implementation, evaluation and re-design. These topics are described above under the position’s field of research. Further, you should also develop a good combination of research, innovation, and engineering skills.
The position is a full-time temporary employment and limited to a maximum of five years.
QUALIFICATIONS
By the starting date, the applicant should have a Master of Science degree in a relevant subject, such as for example Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or comparative qualification. You are expected to have excellent coding skills and knowledge in system design and preferably system evaluation. Computer Graphcis and/or Human-Computer Interaction and/or Visualisation as well as Visualisation, Computer Graphics, Simulation, coding languages and GPGPU will be meritorious. Excellent ability to speak, read and write English is mandatory.
Chalmers continuously strives to be an attractive employer. Equality and diversity are substantial foundations in all activities at Chalmers.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
The application should be marked with Ref 20150407 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as pdf-files, as below:
- Application: (Please name the document: APPLICATION, Family name, reference number)
− CV
− Other, for example previous employments or leadership qualifications and positions of trust.
− Two references that we can contact. - Personal letter/Qualifications: (Please name the document as: QUALIFICATIONS, family name, ref. number) 1-3 pages where you introduce yourself present your qualifications and describe your future research plans.
− Previous research fields and main research results.
− Future goals and research focus. Are there any specific projects and research issues you are primarily interested in? - Other:
− Copies of bachelor and/or master’s thesis.
− Attested copies and transcripts of completed education, grades and other certificates, eg. TOEFL test results.
Please use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form. The files may be compressed (zipped).
Application deadline: 17 January 2016
FOR QUESTIONS, PLEASE CONTACT:
Professor Morten Fjeld, head of research group, fjeld@chalmers.se
Assistant Professor Marco Fratarcangeli, marcof@chalmers.se
Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position.
Chalmers University of Technology conducts research and education in engineering sciences, architecture, technology-related mathematical sciences, natural and nautical sciences, working in close collaboration with industry and society. The strategy for scientific excellence focuses on our eight Areas of Advance; Built Environment, Energy, Information & Communication Technology, Life Science, Materials Science, Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, Production and Transport. The aim is to make an active contribution to a sustainable future using the basic sciences as a foundation and innovation and entrepreneurship as the central driving forces. Chalmers has around 11,000 students and 3,000 employees. New knowledge and improved technology have characterised Chalmers since its foundation in 1829, completely in accordance with the will of William Chalmers and his motto: Avancez!