Positive Technology Journal

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Applications are invited for the following PhD student position at the Human-Technology Interaction group, Dept of Technology Management of the Eindhoven University of Technology, the Netherlands.

PhD student (full-time, 4 years) "Contextual and situational cues for situated social awareness in mediated social interaction"

Project description:

As social presence, communication efficacy and situated group awareness depend heavily on the availability of communication history, contextual information and social-emotional cues, communication can be enriched by making available such implicit communication data. To date, this kind of information has not been made explicitly available in social interaction.

Mixed reality technology and future mobile technologies and services map uniquely onto this problem space. Meaningful contextual and situational communication cues can be indexed and instantly be fed back into the communication process. The unique synergy of media technology and social and environmental psychology in the the present project will enhance our understanding of human communication, providing excellent opportunities for improving existing and future communication technologies as well as the task-related and socio-emotional outcomes of mediated communication.

In the project, the PhD student will work to identify the salience of contextual and situational information in mediated and media-assisted communication and to test the effects of making such information explicitly available to communicating parties, both at the individual and group level. After developing a coherent theoretical framework regarding the fundamental role of contextual information in social interaction, he/she will create laboratory tools for basic research into the effects of contextual cues and perform basic research into patterns of mediated and non-mediated communication within social groups, and how to translate these into meaningful synthesized and integrated indicators to enhance and enrich situated group awareness and social interaction.

The PhD student will contribute to project deliverables, and is expected to publish at conferences and in scientific journals. After 4 years a thesis must be written and a PhD degree should be obtained.

This PhD project is part of the European Union IST-FET Integrated Project 'PASION' - Psychologically Augmented Social Interaction Over Networks.

Requirements:

Given the multi-disciplinary character of this project, we are looking for an individual with multiple talents and skills. The candidate should hold a recent MSc in a technical domain (e.g., Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Human-Technology Interaction) and have demonstrable expertise and interest in social sciences and psychological research methodology. Or the candidate should hold a MSc/MA in psychology or communication research, with demonstrable expertise in (mobile) communication technology. Computer programming skills, experience in conducting experimental or survey research, as well as skills in statistics and methodology are highly desirable.

The successful candidate is able to demonstrate a strong interest in multi-disciplinary research, is creative, has excellent verbal as well as written communication skills, and works well in teams.

We offer:

* a full-time temporary appointment for a period of 4 years, with a start per February/March 2006;
* a gross monthly salary of EURO 1,877 during the first year up to EURO 2,407 during the fourth year of the appointment;

* a PhD program consisting of a number of mandatory courses, research seminars and specialized courses;
* a broad package of fringe benefits (a.o. an excellent technical infrastructure, child care, savings schemes, and excellent sports facilities);

* the university covers the costs of publishing your dissertation.

As part of an equal opportunity scheme, women are explicitly requested to apply. Attaining a PhD at the Technische Universiteit Eindhoven provides you with excellent career opportunities.

Information:

Further information about this position is available from dr.ir. Y.A.W de Kort, e-mail: y.a.w.d.kort@tue.nl, or dr. W.A. IJsselsteijn, e-mail: w.a.ijsselsteijn@tue.nl.

Application:

Interested candidates are requested to send a written application with a recent Curriculum Vitae to the managing director of the Department of Technology Management, ir. M.J.M. Verbruggen, Pav R.1.32, PO Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, the Netherlands (fax number: ძ.40.2475712), or send an e- mail to: pz@tm.tue.nl . Please include the job vacancy code: V39.392

Applications should be received by 6 January 2006.

Further information: Mrs. P.J. Evers, personnel officer, phone ძ.40.2475204, e-mail: mailto:pz@tm.tue.nl