The HCI Lab at Saarland University (http://hci.cs.uni-saarland.de) is inviting applications for a fully-funded doctoral researcher position in Fabrication.
We seek an outstanding candidate with strong technical skills and profound interest in Human-Computer Interaction to conduct research on how to interact with computers of the future. Work in the group involves conceiving innovative forms of interaction, implementing software and/or hardware prototypes, and empirically evaluating them in user studies.
In the HCI Lab, we explore the future of digital fabrication. We investigate how new materials, paired with 3D printing, laser cutting or textile processing, allow us to computationally fabricate functional user interfaces: objects or surfaces that can sense user input, display information, provide haptic output, or change shape. This opens up exciting opportunities for new generations of embedded, tangible and wearable user interfaces that are characterized by new functional properties, rich materials, flexible shapes, and a high degree of personalization.
The position is situated within this context, in an environment that offers much creative freedom and support to conduct cutting-edge research. You can shape the ideas you pursue, in one or several of the following areas:
- New fabrication techniques for interactive surfaces, objects or devices; e.g., based on 3D printing, laser cutting, inkjet printing, textile processing
- Computational design tools
- New materials for human-computer interaction
- Fabrication of e-textiles
- Soft robotics
- Printed sensors, displays, or actuators
- Personal fabrication
- Real-world exploration of fabrication approaches with user groups
- Applications of computationally fabricated user interfaces
The lab is part of the German Cluster of Excellence on Multimodal Computing and Interaction. We have a strong research focus, a strong presence at CHI and UIST, and ongoing collaborations with major international institutes. Saarbruecken is one of the top research sites in HCI, with 10 papers published at CHI 2019. You will work closely with members of the HCI lab and frequently interact with members of the Max Planck Institute for Informatics, the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence DFKI, and the Leibniz Institute for New Materials, all based on Saarland Informatics Campus in Saarbruecken (Germany).
Some papers from our group:
QUALIFICATIONS
A successful candidate has:
- a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Computer Science or a related area, or is about to receive it
- outstanding academic performance (rank at top of class)
- strong technical competencies in at least one of the following areas: mobile application development, machine learning, AR/VR, computer vision, computer graphics, embedded systems
- strong interest in human-computer interfaces; knowledge of user interface design and physical prototyping is an advantage
- excellent programming skills
- strong team working and critical thinking skills
- show aptitude for independent, creative work
- proficiency in English is a prerequisite; German language skills are not required, but a plus
POSITION
We offer a fully funded PhD researcher position. The start date is flexible, but summer/fall 2019 is preferred. Salaries are internationally competitive, based on state employees salary scheme TV-L E 13 (100%). They include health insurance, social insurance and contributions to the retirement pension plan. The successful candidate will be enrolled at the Saarbruecken Graduate School of Computer Science.
Your role will involve the design, prototyping, and/or evaluation of new interactive technology for digital fabrication, as well as writing up the results for academic publication. You will contribute to the leadership of ongoing projects, will have the opportunity to advise undergraduate and graduate students and contribute to the teaching activities of the lab.
ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT
Saarbruecken can count itself amongst the best locations for computer science research worldwide. In immediate proximity to each other on the Saarbrücken Campus, you find Saarland University’s Department of Computer Science, the two Max Planck Institutes for Informatics and for Software Systems, the German Excellence Cluster “Multimodal Computing and Interaction”, the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI), the Helmholtz CISPA center for IT security, and a few other research institutes, all in all with some 400 researchers. Together they attract talent from all over the world with the Saarbrücken Graduate School of Computer Science playing an important supporting role. You can find more information on http://saarland-informatics-campus.de/.
HOW TO APPLY
We start reviewing candidates on 3 June 2019. Applications will be considered until the position is filled. Please submit a cover letter (describing research experience, fit for position and future interests), your CV, a full list of publications, study transcripts, names and contact information of three references, and PDFs of three selected publications. Please send your application via e-mail to Kathrin Keim, keim@cs.uni-saarland.de. Should you have questions about the position, please contact Prof. Dr. Jürgen Steimle http://hci.cs.uni-saarland.de/juergen. Saarland University is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with the policy of increasing the proportion of women in this type of employment, we actively encourage applications from women. For candidates with equal qualifications, preference will be given to people with physical disabilities.
