InfoLab21

School of Computing and Communications
Salary: £25,504 to £29,541
Closing Date: Wednesday 17 July 2013
Interview Date: To be confirmed
Reference: A730

We invite applications for a position in Lancaster University's School of Computing and Communications for research into shape-changing displays. The position is available on the GHOST (Generic and Highly Organic Shape-Changing inTerfaces, ghost-fet.com) project, a European Commission funded collaboration between Lancaster University, and the Universities of Copenhagen, Bristol, and Eindhoven.

The project will design, develop, and evaluate GHOSTs - shape changing devices that combine display surfaces with physical input and output. The project partners cross several disciplines: (a) the hardware and software design for shape change, using actuators and smart materials; (b) industrial and interaction design for such interfaces, to create physically appealing, useful, and usable devices; and (c) user experience evaluation to quantify and model users' performance with shape-changing displays.

At Lancaster University you will focus on the development and user-centered evaluation of hardware prototypes and supporting software architectures for large-scale shape-change. You will develop a range of prototypes using off-the-shelf motors, actuators, and sensors to produce shape-changing surfaces suitable for display projection and user input capture using sensors such as the Microsoft Kinect and the Leap Motion.

We seek applications from enthusiastic individuals who are strongly motivated to help push the boundaries of knowledge and technology in this research area. You will hold a PhD (or close to completion) or equivalent in Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Robotics, Mechatronics, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering or other relevant field. You need not have experience in both hardware prototyping and Human-Computer Interaction, but if not, you should demonstrate an enthusiasm and ability to learn new skills.

The position is available immediately for a fixed term until 31 December 2015.

Lancaster's School of Computing and Communications offers a stimulating environment for research development, with over 200 staff and PhD students.

Applicants are encouraged to contact Dr. Alexander before applying with a statement of research interest, to discuss the suitability of their experience and/or qualifications, and to obtain additional information about the position.

Contact:

Dr. Jason Alexander

School of Computing and Communications

Lancaster University

Lancaster LA1 4WA, UK

j.alexander@lancaster.ac.uk

Appy Online

For further information and to apply for this post please go to http://hr-jobs.lancs.ac.uk/Vacancy.aspx?ref=A730

Thu 20 June 2013