Bolsa de Investigação: ARDITI-MACBIOIDI2-2022-006-BI

Cargo/posição/bolsa: Bolsa de Investigação para Mestre;

Referência: ARDITI-MACBIOIDI2-2022-006;

Área científica genérica: Computer Science, Human Computer Interaction

Job description:

The ideal candidate would be a computer scientist, electric, electronic, or telecommunications engineer, or a closely related discipline with a background in one or more of the following fields: Game development, Human-Computer Interaction, or Signal processing. Experience in ICT for health, physiological sensors, Unity 3D, and/or full-body tracking technologies is required.

Applicants should fulfill the following requirements:

- MSc degree or equivalent in computer science, electric, electronic, or telecommunications engineering, or other relevant disciplines for the project;

- Registered in Ph.D. studies;

- Strong oral and written English communication skills, people skills, the ability to work independently as well as a team member and taking the initiative and being proactive;

- Willingness to participate and lead End—User evaluations with healthy, elderly, and patients.

If the degree was awarded by a foreign higher education institution, that degree must comply with the provisions of Decreto-Lei n.º 66/2018 of 16th August (approves the legal regime for the recognition of foreign higher academic degrees) and Portaria n.º 33/2019 of 25th January, and all formalities established therein must be complied with up to the date of hire.

Work plan:

The main task for the accepted candidate will be to conduct research on applications for elderly fitness using Virtual Reality (VR). The two core components of this research will be 1) the development of immersive VR gamified applications and simulations and 2) the creation of biofeedback adaptation by monitoring the status of the participants during the interaction in VR.

The main tasks will consist of the following:

• Using Mixed Reality (MR) technology and serious games will develop adaptive MR physical training tools that deliver online feedback on performance to prevent sedentarism, support active aging and provide personalized tools for function re-training in motor impaired patients.
• Monitoring of user state by means of biosensors, computer vision systems and exercise performance data. User state will be assessed in a transparent manner and data will be visualized through friendly user interfaces and shared with patients, clinicians and/or relatives.
• Supporting the development of HMD and CAVE-based virtual reality scenarios using the Unity game engine (https://unity3d.com/) for physical fitness and post-stroke rehabilitation.
• Creating study designs for VR-based experiments.
• Analysis of physiological signals.
• Performing/supporting clinical interventions of virtual-reality-based platforms.

Workplace:

The work will be conducted in the NeuroRehabLab, ARDITI (Funchal, Portugal), under the supervision of Prof. Sergi Bermúdez i Badia.

 Scholarship length:

The scholarship will have a length of 12 months (non-renewable), with an expected start date of January 1st, 2023.

 Monthly stipend:

The student will receive a stipend of 1 144,64 €/month free of taxes. ARDITI stipends and regulations are determined by ARDITI (https://cloud.arditi.pt/index.php/s/wJGZEAJWaQx6wcx?dir=undefined&path=%2FRegulamentos%2FBolsas&openfile=24051256).

 How to apply:

Candidates must send their application by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., no later than 7-12-2022. The subject of the email should be ARDITI-MACBIOIDI2-2022-006.

The following elements should be included in the email:

• Updated Curriculum Vitae.
• Motivation letter explaining how the candidature fulfills the application requirements.
• Proof of enrollment in a doctoral program (enrolled Ph.D. student) or in a university non-degree awarding program
• Certificate of completion of a master's degree, including the course names and grades.
• An optional list of projects (or previous experience) in the area will be a plus.

Selection Process:

The selection process will be based on the following:

• Motivation letter (10%)
• Curriculum Vitae (20%)
• Previous experience (30%)
• In the case of multiple candidates - Interviews (40%)

Recommendation letters are facultative but can contribute positively to the evaluation. Speaking and understanding Portuguese is strictly necessary as the candidate will collaborate with the local clinical partners and patients.

Selection Panel: Prof. Dr. Ana Lúcia Faria, Prof. Dr. Mónica Cameirão, Prof. Dr. Sergi Bermúdez i Badia (President).

Notification of results:

All candidates will be notified by email.

Notes:

• The selection process will be based on the principle of non-discrimination in respect of gender, age, nationality, religion, racial group, or any other possible discriminatory issue. Selection will be made only based on merit and following the European Charter for Researchers, the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers (Commission Recommendation, Brussels, 11.3.2005, 2005/251/EC) and the recommendations from the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA).
• ARDITI is a recognized "refugee welcoming organisation" by the European Commission, follows the European Charter for Researchers and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals.
• The deadline for application may be extended at any time without previous notice having in mind the requirements for the positions under this call.