24 November: fyi -- phd funding, NL
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The Eindhoven University of Technology and Fontys University of
Applied Sciences in the Netherlands seek candidates for a PhD position
in "Design Research on physical and social play" - The PLAYfit project.
This PhD is part of a collaborative nationally funded project called
'PLAYfit' which aims to create playful solutions that stimulate
secondary school students to be more physically active. The main goal
of the project is to explore whether and how teenagers can be
activated by translating aspects of gaming into physical concepts. The
PhD candidate will work on the design, development and validation of a
physical gaming environment that is tailored to the needs and
motivations of secondary school children.
The project is a collaboration between the Eindhoven University of
Technology (TU/e) and the Fontys University of Applied Sciences
(Fontys Hogeschool). The PhD student is jointly supervised by the
User-Centred Engineering Group of the Department of Industrial Design,
TU/e and the Serious Games lectorate of the Fontys Hogeschool. Other
stakeholders in the project are the Physical Activity and Health
lectorate of the Fontys Hogeschool and various companies.
The project will follow a user centred design approach in which
various stakeholders, such as secondary school students, gaming
experts and physical education teachers will be involved in all
stages. The project will have a strong focus on validation of the
concepts through design research and field studies especially with a
view to develop generalizable knowledge about how to structure and
facilitate this type of co-development process.
The PhD candidate will be participating in education, e.g. by
supervising student projects on topics related to the PLAYfit project.
Requirements
- A Master in Industrial Design, Information Sciences, Media Studies, with a strong background in human-computer interaction and/or gaming.
- Affinity with the topics of persuasion and tangible or graphical user interfaces are valued.
- Also valued is prior experience with design research and with setting up and executing user tests.
- Excellent social and communicative skills and affinity with teaching are expected.
- The candidate should be fluent in Dutch; good knowledge of English is required.
Appointment and Salary
The appointment is for 4 years, starting January 1, 2010, subject to
finalizing funding arrangements. As an employee of the university you
will receive a competitive salary as well as excellent employment
conditions (including excellent sport facilities and child care). The
research in this project must be concluded with writing a PhD
thesis. A salary is offered starting at EUR 2,042 per month (gross) in
the first year and increasing up to EUR 2,492 per month (gross) in the
last year. Moreover 8% bonus share (holiday supplement) and 8.3% bonus
share (end-of-the-year allowance) are provided annually. Assistance
for finding accommodation can be provided.
The PhD position will be carried out within the research group
User-Centered Engineering (Industrial Design, TU/e) and the lectorate
Serious Game Design (Fontys Hogeschool).
About TU/e Industrial Design
TU/e is one of Europe's leading research universities. The Eindhoven
area, in the southern part of the Netherlands, is one of Europe's top
'innovation ecosystems', with many high-tech companies and institutes,
such as Philips, ASML, NXP, DAF, OCE, and TNO. TU/e is closely
intertwined with many of these companies and institutes, and research
at TU/e is characterized by a combination of academic excellence and
industrial relevance.
The department of Industrial Design of the TU/e, founded in 2001, is a
department with about 500 students, both Bachelor and Master, and
around 150 staff members. With a strong emphasis on research the ID
department focuses on the design of intelligent products, systems,
services and networks. These innovative products enable people to
interact with their environment in an optimal and flexible way. The
User-Centered Engineering group focuses on advancing the understanding
of the user experience and developing innovative concepts for the
interaction of humans with intelligent systems, for example in the
domain of play and collaboration.
About Fontys University of Applied Sciences:
Fontys University of Applied Sciences offers more than 200 Bachelor
programs, some 40 Master programs, PhD opportunities and non-degree
courses in the following sectors: Fine Arts, Management, Education,
Health Care and Social Studies, Transportation and Logistics, Applied
Science and Technology. It is the largest educational institute in
West Brabant. The lectorate Serious Game Design is part of Fontys
School of ICT, with about 1900 students and 200 staff and offers
education in Game Design for around 300 students. Its research focuses
on gaming, open-ended play and curiosity-driven interaction for
education and sports especially in smart environments (Ambient
Intelligence).
Information
Further information about the project, including a full project description, can be obtained from:
- Dr. Ben Schouten, Lector Serious Game Design, phone: +31 (0)87 787 7742, e-mail: ben.schouten@fontys.nl
- Dr. ir. Tilde Bekker / Dr. Janienke Sturm, Dept. of Industrial Design, phone: +31 (0)40 247 5239 / 5298, e-mail: M.M.Bekker@tue.nl / J.Sturm@tue.nl
General information about the organization and the hiring process can be requested from:
- Ms. Julma Braat, personnel department Dept. of Industrial Design, phone: +31 (0)40 247 5883, e-mail: j.a.c.l.braat@tue.nl
- Mr. Robbert Pas, personnel department School of ICT, phone: +31 (0)87 787 0184, e-mail: r.pas@fontys.nl
Application
Technische Universiteit Eindhoven
Department of Industrial Design
Attn. Ms. J.A.C.L. Braat, room HG 3.93
P.O. Box 513
5600 MB Eindhoven
The Netherlands
Or by e-mail to: j.a.c.l.braat@tue.nl
Please include vacancy code V51.077
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