[agents] [PhD student position TU Delft - 3TU Humans & Technology] Virtual Work Coach

[Marieke Peeters]

Dear all,

The /*3TU.Humans&Technology*/ research institute invites applications
for a PhD student position concerning research on a virtual work coach.
The PhD student will be located in the Interactive Intelligence group at
Delft University of Technology. We especially welcome applicants with a
master in computer science, human-computer interaction, human-technology
interaction, or a related area to apply for these positions.

A detailed description for the position can be found below, or can be
accessed through the following link:
http://recruitment2.tudelft.nl/vacatures/index.php?lang=en&id=562199&type=a

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*PhD in Virtual Work Coach*

*Department/faculty:*    Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and
Computer Science
*Level:*                 Master degree
*Working hours:*         38 hours per week
*Contract:*              4 years
*Salary:*                €2125 to €2717 per month gross

Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science

The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science
(EEMCS) is known worldwide for its high academic quality and the social
relevance of its research programs. The faculty’s excellent facilities
accentuate its international position in teaching and research. Within
this interdisciplinary and international setting the faculty employs
more than 1100 employees, including about 400 graduate students and
about 2100 students. Together they work on a broad range of technical
innovations in the fields of sustainable energy, telecommunications,
microelectronics, embedded systems, computer and software engineering,
interactive multimedia and applied mathematics. EEMCS: Your Connection
to the Future.


The Department of Intelligent Systems (INSY) conceptualizes computer
science methodologies to sense, abstract, learn, reason, elicit and
adapt data and their meaning in ways that respect human values in order
to increase human effectiveness, well-being and social innovation. At
the heart of the department is therefore research and teaching in
computer science theory, algorithms and solutions for information
processing systems that support human beings (e.g. biology).


Within the Department of Intelligent Systems, the Interactive
Intelligence section mainly focuses on enabling synergy between human
beings and cognitive technology by combining research on Artificial
Intelligence (including agent reasoning and computational intelligence)
with research on Cognitive Engineering (including quality of
experience). New developments find application in areas such as
negotiation, incident management, lifestyle experience, virtual reality
exposure therapy and social robots.

Job description

The 3TU research center Humans & Technology (H&T) has a vacancy for a
PhD candidate to be based at the Interactive Intelligence research group
of the Delft University of Technology.
Work environments can place various cognitive, social, and emotional
demands on employees. Unhealthy strategies and cognitions for coping
with these demands can have negative health consequences for employees.
One way to address this is by using behavior change support systems
(BCSS). These systems help individuals to alter their behavior,
attitude, and cognition to establish a healthier lifestyle, thereby
improving the employees’ vitality. Virtual coaches, i.e. intelligent
virtual agents, are examples of BCSS. They can provide, for example,
psycho-education about stress and how to cope with it. They can also
monitor the work environment and the employees using sensors and
experience sampling methods. As change processes spread out over longer
time periods, the virtual coach needs to build rapport and a long-term
relationship with the employee to be successful in creating and
maintaining long-lasting change.
The PhD student will participate, together with six other PhD students
and three post-doctoral researchers, in the Smart Social Systems and
Spaces (S4) research program of the 3TU H&T. The PhD student’s work will
focus on establishing (1) a virtual intelligent agent that coaches
employees in adapting health strategies to cope with work-related stress
demand, and (2) a virtual reality social training environment for employees.

Requirements

You have a university Master degree in the area of computer science,
human-technology interaction, human-computer interaction, or a related
area. Your performance in the Master degree program can be classified as
excellent. Experience with quantitative and qualitative research and
statistical analysis is an added advantage. You are comfortable with
programming in languages such as Java, Python and c#, and have an
interest in creating virtual reality applications. You have a creative
mind, work meticulously and have stamina. You have excellent
communication skills in spoken and written English, and preferably in
Dutch as well.

Conditions of employment

The TU Delft offers a customizable compensation package, a discount for
health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs
contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. An International
Children’s Center offers childcare and an international primary school.
Dual Career Services offers support to accompanying partners. Salary and
benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch
Universities.
As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School.
The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment;
an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor; and a
Doctoral Education Program aimed at developing your transferable,
discipline-related and research skills. Please visit www.phd.tudelft.nl
for more information.

Information and application

For more information about this position, please contact Willem-Paul
Brinkman, e-mail: W.P.Brinkman at tudelft.nl. Your application should
consist of the following: a cover letter (max. 1 page A4), emphasizing
your specific interests, qualifications and motivation for applying for
this position; a full Curriculum Vitae, including a list of all courses
attended and grades obtained; a short description (max. 1 page A4) of
your MSc research; a document proving fluency in English, if it is not
your native language.
Please e-mail your application by 19 October 2015 to A. J. Prummel,
Hr-eemcs at tudelft.nl.
When applying for this position, please refer to vacancy number EWI2015-33.

Apply for this position now by following this link:
http://recruitment2.tudelft.nl/vacatures/index.php?mail=apply&id=562199&lang=en&type=a

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Kind regards,
Marieke Peeters

-- 
M. (Marieke) M.M. Peeters (PhD)
Postdoc researcher
Intelligent Systems - Interactive Intelligence
Delft University of Technology
EWI / EEMCS - room HB 12.280
Mekelweg 4, 2628 CD, Delft
E m.m.m.peeters at tudelft.nl <mailto:m.m.m.peeters at tudelft.nl>
I http://mariekepeeters.com
Skype: mariekepeeters1981