Positive Technology Journal

The aim of this prize is to reward the presentation of strong methodological studies at the Cybertherapy conference. The recipient has to be a researcher who is new to the field of cyberpsychology. It is open to both oral / symposium or poster presentations and to researchers from all countries and disciplines.

The award is delivered by Stéphane Bouchard, chairholder of the Canada Research Chair in Clinical Cyberpsychology. It includes a certificate and a check of 1 000 $ US.

Details of the award and its rules are described in the attached document and on the Conference web site

Nicholas (Pasta and Vinegar) has announced that two postdoc positions are available at CRAFT (EPFL, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Lausanne):

Movement & Perception Lab, affiliated to CNRS and University of the Mediterranean is offering a permanent position, at the level of Assistant Professor. The lab's main topic is the study of central and peripheral mechanisms for the control and perception of human movements.

The candidate will be part of the development of Virtual Reality (Movelite) and Motion Analysis (Vicon) technological platforms, designed for experimental investigations of human movement production and perception.

Research topics include (but not limited to): Visual control of displacement, Spatial orientation, multi-sensory integration, immersion and presence, models of human motion

As concerns teaching, the candidate will be involved in Sports Sciences and in Human Movement Sciences courses. Teaching fields will include Neuroscience and Psychology. One objective will be to organize a course in Virtual Reality applied to the above scientific domains. The candidate will demonstrate his/her competence in Neuroscience and Psychology. Experience in Virtual Reality will be appreciated. International experience and indexed publications will be a plus.

Via Usability News

Deadine: 27 January 2006
Primary responsibilities include:
* Designing and conducting usability studies, analyzing the results of usability studies, identifying usability defects based on analysis, and reporting the results
* Analyzing the findings of user studies, performing the statistical analysis of data logs, and identifying potential design solutions
* Designing and creating user interface designs
* Representing and interpreting usability data and HCI research during the research and design process
* Writing academic papers for publication at international conferences

Qualifications should include:
* A minimum of 1 year of demonstrated experience conducting user-centered design projects in the commercial software industry
* A PhD in the field of human-computer interaction, including computer scientists with a focus on HCI
* International publications in ACM conferences
* Research design skills in experimental design and observational methods
* The ability to communicate and argue for results, methods, approaches both orally and in writing
* The ability to make group presentations
* The ability to work in an explorative R&D environment where the objectives are responsive to research findings

Please send a copy of your CV to jobs@instrata.co.uk

The University of Plymouth invites applications for a PhD Studentship (stipend to cover living expenses plus UK/EU fees) in the areas of Computational Neuroscience and/or Interactive Intelligent Systems. There are about twelve academic staff in the two Centres, and their work was awarded a rating of 5 (International Excellence) in the 2001 UK Research Assessment Exercise.

The primary areas of interest and expertise within the CTCN and CIIS include:

- Audition

- Biophysics and modelling of temporal brain dynamics

- Mathematical neuroscience

- Neural computation

- Sensorimotor control

- Vision

- Artificial life models of cognition

- Interactive robotics

- Information visualisation

- Computer music

- Semantic web

 
Applicants should have, or expect to obtain, a high grade Bachelors or Masters degree in computing, neuroscience, psychology/cognitive science, physics, mathematics or an allied discipline. The candidate should ideally possess good computational skills and must have a strong motivation for research.

For more information on the activity of the CTCN and CIIS, visit:

http://www.plymneuro.org.uk/

http://neuromusic.soc.plymouth.ac.uk/ciis.html

For informal enquiries contact Professor Mike Denham (m.denham@plymouth.ac.uk) or Dr. Angelo Cangelosi (a.cangelosi@plymouth.ac.uk). Applications should be sent via email to Mrs. Carole Watson (c.watson@plymouth.ac.uk; tel. +44 1752 233329), Senior Research Administrator, Faculty of Technology, University of Plymouth. Closing deadline for applications is March 20th, 2006. PhD will start in October 2006. Each application should include (1) detailed CV and (2) cover letter and (3) application form. The PhD application form can be downloaded here:

http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/pages/view.asp?page=5731

Via Pasta and Vinegar

CRAFT - School of Computer and Communication Sciences is looking for a PhD student. Here is the announcement:

PROJECT
Group mirrors provide users with a reflection of their collaborative processes. The noise sensitive table is an example of interactive furniture based on the concept of group mirror (http://craftsrv1.epfl.ch/research/interactivetable/). Its matrix of LED, embedded in the physical table, provides users with a representation of their social interactions. The table namely reflects turn-taking patterns when students work collaboratively. The peripheral perception of this feedback allows them reflecting on the group verbal interaction or on individual contributions and, finally, deepening learning and regulating their collaboration. The first prototype of the noise sensitive table showed the interest of the concept. Continuing this project now requires improving the software detecting speech configuration and develop adequate visual grammars for the feed-back. This project overlaps the domains of roomware and computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL).

POSITION
A PhD position, for 3 years is offered. The gross salary is approx. 3600 Swiss Francs per month. The PhD candidate will participate into a doctoral program at EPFL (12 credits).

PROFILE
The candidate will join the EPFL doctoral program in computer science. He must have a strong background in computers science and interest for research in collaborative activity, roomware or human-computer interaction. Knowledge in signal processing would also be appreciated. Working language is English.

FUNDING
This project in funded by an internal source for three years.

START
Spring 06 (as soon as possible)

Via VRPSYCH

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

Via VRPSYCH mailing list 

A one year post-doc position is available at INRIA in Grenoble on VR and 3D interaction.
The candidate should have defended his PhD less than 1 year ago and should have an excellent CV.
The post-doc is available "immediately".

For more information, contact as soon as possible:
Sabine Coquillart
Sabine.Coquillart@inria.fr
Tel: +33 (0)4 76 61 52 65

The Health e-Technologies Initiative is a $10.3-million National Program Office of The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The program of funded research aims to advance the discovery of scientific knowledge regarding the effectiveness of interactive applications (i.e., Internet, interactive TV and voice response systems, kiosks, personal digital assistants, CD-ROMs, DVDs) for health behavior change and chronic disease management.

Link to the initiative 

(thanks Regine)

From the Augmented Reality & Pervasive Computing Lab (Universität Graz) web site: 

Technische Universität Graz (TUG), Austria, invites applications for open research positions in the project Augmented Reality & Pervasive Computing Lab, aiming at the development of mobile augmented reality, wireless information systems, and ubiquitous computing infrastructures. This program is funded in part by theAustrian Ministry of Science (bm:bwk), the Austrian Science Funds, and the IST program of the EC. More details on the project are given in the summary below. We are looking for a candidate having some or most of the following qualifications:

• University degree, preferably MS (Diplom, DEA, or equivalent) in computer science, mathematics or related field; plus the intent to pursue a PhD at TUG or in collaboration with the candidate's home institute. Alternatively, we are also inviting applications from postdocs who are interested in continuing scientific work. Compensation will be based on qualification.
• Strong interest in research on virtual environments, augmented reality, humancomputer interaction, real-time graphics, and pervasive computing infrastructures. Some background in computer graphics, multimedia or networking is expected.
• Considerable experience with software development methodology and tools, in particular object-oriented programming, C++, OpenGL, Open Inventor, XML, MS Windows, Linux. Prior involvement in research or development projects is a plus.
• Fluency in English, good communication skills and capability of working in teams complete the profile of a successful candidate. Note that knowledge of German is not expected (but this may be your chance to learn it! :-). What do we offer in exchange:
• The opportunity of pursuing a funded PhD/research position in an exciting new field
• A lot of freedom to explore both your scientific and creative interests in the course of your work
• A very good working climate
• A chance to live in the beautiful city of Graz

Project Summary

In our everyday world we are not limited to our computer desktop. Information in the real world is perceived and processed in three dimensions, continuously and in real time. A human-computer interface that can capture these properties will be able to render a new level of services to the user, enabling the use of computers for new application domains and for new user populations. This „anywhere" and „anytime" requirement for pervasive computing cannot be fulfilled with miniature versions of desktop environments, such as provided by the ubiquitous cell phones, nor can it be realized by putting web kiosks around every corner. Therefore, what kind of user interface style can provide these radically different properties for the years to come?

The core of the proposed research is the following thesis: Augmented reality (AR), i. e., enhancing a user‘s perception of the real world with computer generated elements (e. g., explanations), can make working with computers in 3D as productive as the desktop metaphor in 2D. This thesis is motivated by the fact that AR allows to integrate the whole world into the interface – the world essentially becomes the interface. Therefore users are able to leave their physical desktops and computer desktops to interact with their environment and with other users. The AR platform Studierstube lead by the proposer is world-wide unique in its combination of augmented reality, 3D display and groupware elements. The proposed program work will expand the augmented reality platform Studierstube into a pervasive computing environment built on a variety emerging technologies.

Some important building blocks of this of this infrastructure are:

• Wearable computer with 3D augmented reality display
• Wireless spontaneous communication: among worn components, with the environment, with other users, indoors and outdoors
• Exact position tracking indoors and outdoors
• Integration into the environment, e. g., spontaneous usage of situated displays and devices
• Scalable situated multi-user displays based on inexpensive PC clusters and projectors.

A number of promising application areas is selected, for which applications will be developed that try out the new style of interfacing with the computer in practice:

• Navigation and guidance systems
• Tourist information systerms
• Building, campus, and office information systems
• Maintainence and repair support
• Planning, surveying and construction

Via Telemedicine Insider

Telemedicine Insider reports that the Health and Human Services Department has awarded three contracts totaling $17.5 million to public-private groups to accelerate the adoption of health IT and the secure portability of health data. HHS will award contracts for development of prototypes for a nationwide health information network later this month or in early November.

Tenured faculty position on Modeling of Cognitive Processes is available within the Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering of the Berlin University of Technology and the recently established Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience Berlin. The Berlin Bernstein Center, which is funded by the German federal government, integrates interdisciplinary research initiatives in the brain sciences and in AI across the city's three major universities and across several research institutes in Berlin, covering neuroscience, medicine, physics, mathematics, computer science and engineering. The Center plans to launch an international Master/PhD program in Computational Neuroscience by fall 2006.

The Department of Computer Science and Engineering is currently creating a focus area in AI and machine learning with at least four core faculty positions (Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Modelling of Cognitive Processes, Neural Information Processing) and several other labs with AI related research. The Department will introduce "intelligent systems" as an area of specialization in its new Master program in Computer Science by fall 2006.

A 12 month full-time contract for a research post will be available in the Department of Psychology at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Milano, Italy. The contract will start in February 2006.

The contract can be renewed for further 12-month periods. The research post is connected to a project entitled "Cognitive processes in media use" and is completely funded by the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart. The project is aimed at carrying out experimental investigations about the cognitive processes and the levels of consciousness which accompany the use of multimedia interactive tools. The project is being led by Professor Alessandro Antonietti

Requirements
Ph. D. degree in psychology or allied disciplines.
A clear interest in the topic of the project and proven qualifications for doing research.
Language skills: fluent English (written and speech). No previous knowledge of Italian is required.

Place
The research activities will be based in the Department and Faculty of Psychology at the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart in Milano.

Salary
The salary is 1,345.00 euros per month. The salary is free from taxes; An insurance deduction (5.00%) might be applied (it depends on the nationality of the candidate).

Applications
The official announcement will be delivered in January 2006.
The application forms and further particulars will available from January 2006 from the website of the Catholic University of the Sacred Heart

Candidates will apply by sending the following documents:
- the application forms
- curriculum vitae including list of publications
- the research plan (approximately 6 page written in English) that the candidate would carry out.

Informal enquiries can be made to:
Alessandro Antonietti
(Tel) ++39-02-72342909
(E-mail) alessandro.antonietti@unicatt.it

(Postal address) Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, Largo Gemelli 1, 20123 Milano, Italy

Via Medgadget

European Union has published a new call for proposals in the area of Networked Audio Visual Systems. In this field DG INFSO aims at supporting research and development of open, trusted and interoperable multimedia user platforms and devices. The main focus is notably on platforms used on broadcasting and on delivery of fully interactive services to the home user capabilities. These developments will lead to the concept of "extended home", where the users will enjoy seamless access to a diversity of multimedia content.

Important information:

Allocated budget: € 52,5 million
Closing Date(s): 20 December 2005 at 17h00 (Brussels local time)
OJ Reference: OJ C259 of 19.10.2005
Specific programme: Integrating and Strengthening the European Research Area
Activity area(s): Information Society Technologies (IST)

Via VRPsych list

Faculty Psychologist - Emory University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences announces a full time assistant professor position. Job duties include working on an NIMH-funded study exploring medication and virtual reality exposure therapy, administering CBT, program development, and supervision. Requirements: doctoral degree, APA approved internship, CBT experience, supervised postdoctoral year, and Georgia licensed or license eligible.

Application deadline 9/1/05 or until filled.

Send CV, letter of interest, publications, and 4 letters of recommendation to Barbara O. Rothbaum, Ph.D., ABPP, Psychiatry, The Emory Clinic, 1365 Clifton Rd, Atlanta, GA 30322.