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PhD student position

in Computer Science: HCI and Visualization

Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, opens a position for a PhD student in the area of human-computer interaction (HCI), 3D user interfaces (3DUIs), and interactive scientific visualization. This position is for an Early Stage Researcher (ESR) in a EU-FP7 Marie Curie Actions Initial Training Network called DIVA: Data Intensive Visualization and Analysis. The DIVA project is an international EU-FP7 Marie Curie Initial Training Network (ITN) with a focus on structured and collaborative research and teaching activities in Data Intensive Visualization and Analysis methodologies in data-driven science and technology application domains. DIVA involves three academic institutions (University of Zürich, University of Rostock, and Chalmers University of Technology), one research lab (CRS4), and two industrial partners (Diginext and Holografika).

About the project:

This position is for a research in a computer science PhD program in DIVA, specifically with a focus on HCI, 3DUIs, scientific visualization, and computer graphics. With the continuing advances in simulation techniques and interactive visualization, increasingly large 3D data sets can be processed and interactively displayed for real-time visual exploration. In this context the emphasis of the position is in ensuring real-time performance in interactive 3D applications through adaptive and parallel methods well adapted to current and future hybrid hardware platforms. Currently targeted application domains include the aerospace industry, advanced display systems, bio-medical imaging, geo-visualization, urban planning, architectural modeling, material science, molecular visualization, and more. Besides technical aspects, we will also focus on innovation in perceptual- and cognitive-motivated methods. That is, we will study how to best harness human capability by efficiently embedding users into the loop of data-intensive visualization systems. Concretely, that means how to best integrate 3D visualization into complex information spaces, leading to fully functional digital mockups.

About the position:

On the part of the applicant, this requires interest not only in HCI, 3DUIs, infovis, and computer graphics, but also in the task and data complexity of the targeted application. Readiness to collaborate with domain scientists and other institutions is key. Furthermore, a strong interest and good skills in learning new programming frameworks, 3rd-party code, and applied mathematics is necessary, as the targeted research project builds on other previously developed techniques. The activities of the position include not only research and continuing education for PhD students, but also support in teaching as well as in administrative tasks. The main goal is to conduct excellent research, generating results that are published and presented in top international journals and conferences, and to work towards eventually achieving a PhD degree through the writing and defense of a doctoral dissertation.

About the division:

The Division of Interaction Design is part of the Department of Applied Information Technology (http://www.chalmers.se/ait/EN/). The department has more than 80 faculty members and offers a number of successful degrees to students committed to scholarship in the wide area of applied information technology. We are located at Lindholmen Science Park, one of Sweden’s most dynamic hi-tech areas, just 5 minutes from downtown Gothenburg. Since 2011 our offices, educational studios, and research labs are located in the architecturally cutting-edge building, Kuggen. One of our research labs is the Tabletop Interaction Lab (t2i Lab, http://www.t2i.se/), which is where this project’s research will be carried out. Finally, the DIVA project involves frequent interactions, internships, workshops, and summer schools with the other international network partners. Hence the workplace incorporates short stays at other research labs and companies in other European countries and cities (i.e. Switzerland, Italy, Germany, France, Hungary).

Benefits:

Since the Training Network promotes mobility, applicants should not have lived, studied, or worked in Sweden the last 12 months. ESR fellows and PhD students are remunerated according to EU-FP7 regulations for Marie Curie ITNs, as well as local host regulations (pre-tax salary per month is 25.650 SEK). ESR and PhD appointments will be made in accordance with university guidelines. The same applies for benefits and vacation days. A maximum of 20% of your time will be devoted to other duties at the department, mainly teaching. The remaining time will be devoted to your own courses and research within the project, and you will be expected to obtain a PhD within a maximum of 5 years. Applicants will have to engage in the DIVA training and research activities and, if applicable, PhD students in an organized PhD training program at the host institution. 

Qualifications:

An MSc degree in computer science, computer engineering, or a closely related area from a research university is required to enter the PhD program. Prospective candidates should have an excellent background in computer science and HCI, as well as strong mathematical skills and a good knowledge of computer graphics. Exposure to user interface design and development is also preferred. As for all PhD studies, a genuine interest and curiosity in the subject matter and excellent analytical and communication skills, both verbal and written, are needed. Furthermore, since the research normally involves developing and testing analytical techniques, good programming skills are important. 

Application procedure:

The application should be marked with Ref 20110141 and written in English. The application should be sent electronically and be attached as three pdf-files, as below:

1.  Application: - CV, - attested copies of education certificates, including grade reports and other documents, English language test, e.g. TOEFL score, - letters of recommendation from academic institutions and/or previous employers (optional). Certified copies of transcripts are required.
2.  A letter of application detailing your specific qualifications for the position - information about your practical work experience in computer science or a closely related field, a statement of motivation, and a clear exposition of prior HCI and graphics experience.
3.  Publications: - relevant work such as bachelor's or master's thesis (or outline of a thesis under preparation).
The files may be compressed (zipped).

Application deadline: 2012-02-28 (or: until a candidate has been hired)
For questions, please contact Morten Fjeld, e-mail: fjeld@chalmers.se


URL for submission: