Post doctoral researcher in the field of Enriched Expression of Humanoids

The University of Twente is an entrepreneurial research university. It was founded in 1961 and offers education and research in areas ranging from public policy studies and applied physics to biomedical technology. The University has approximately 2700 employees and 8000 MSc and BSc students and is the Netherlands’ only campus university.

The chair for Product Realization (Prof. dr. W.A. Poelman) was founded in 2008 as a reinforcement of the discipline Industrial Design Engineering at the University of Twente. The chair is embedded in the faculty of Engineering Technology and is part of the department of Design, Production and Management. At this moment the chair consists of a Professor, an assistant professor and several PhD students. The chair is connected to IMPACT, Institute of Mechanics, Processes and Control-Twente

In the policy of the chair a distinction is made between manufacturing technology, design technology and product technology. The chairs focus is on product technology, which means technology enabling product functions. Product technology is investigated in several application areas: light weight mobility, human safety, facilitation of communication and industrial building. This particular project is related to the subject of facilitating communication between (smart) machines and users.

Within this group we have a position for a:

Post doctoral researcher in the field of Enriched Expression of Humanoids

Project description

Man-made objects increasingly combine physical functions with Information technology. Humanoids probably form the most representative example of this phenomenon. However, in the wide range from a toaster to a humanoid there are many examples of products that have one thing in common: Together with the user, they form a man-machine system in which the correct exchange of information is indispensable.

Generally, objective information is exchanged, for which traditional technologies for perception and expression are applied. Looking at the machine part of the system, mostly simple physical controls (keys) and sometimes touch screens and also voice input are used. For expression, mainly sound generators and visual displays are applied. In the field of humanoids, we see that not only objective, but also subjective information is communicated between humans and machines. This type of information could also be characterized as implicit or tacit, but regardless what we call it, the expression technology currently used for machines is not suitable for this kind of information. Hence, the capability of expression of machines is still poor and should be enriched.

The project will be carried out in the chair for Product realization in close cooperation with Professor Stefano Stramigioli of the Faculty for Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS).For this research, there is also a strong cooperation with several chairs in the fields of material sciences and applied mechanics.

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Profile

The task in this appointment is to develop a research program in this field. We are looking for a highly motivated, enthusiastic fluently English speaking researcher with a Doctors degree in a field of expertise related to this project, e.g. micromechanics and or smart materials. We are looking for candidates with good team spirit, and excellent communication skills, who like to work in an internationally oriented environment.

Offer

We offer an interesting position for a period of one year in a dynamic and multidisciplinary environment. If the development of the research programm is succesfull, you could be appointed in a position in this project afterwards. Your salary will be in scale 10 or 11 (Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities) and will depend on your relevant experience in this field of expertise.

Information/application

More information on this PhD ship can be obtained from:

Prof.dr. W.A. Poelman e- mail: w.a.poelman@utwente.nl or telephone: 053-4892571

Please send your application, with Curriculum Vitae, motivation letter and references before 31^st of March 2010 topersoneelszaken@ctw.utwente.nl, with reference to vacancy number 10/034