Research Associate

Research Associate

19055BR

Cardiff School of Computer Science and Informatics

Research

Advert

Research Associate

Cardiff University School of Computer Science & Informatics

Applications are invited for a Research Associate post in the School of Computer Science & Informatics at Cardiff University, to lead the development of interactive prototypes to support physical activity in home environments as part of the EPSRC New Investigator Award project “Smart Cues Toolkit: Supporting Physical Activity at Home with Interactive Contextual Cues”, which is focused on exploring how smart devices grounded in behaviour change and habit formation research could support physical activity and lead to positive changes in behaviour.





The overall aim of this project is to develop a toolkit (including a set of interaction techniques, design patterns, recommended materials and form factors for smart cues; a set of validated prototypes; and case studies showcasing implementation challenges and solutions) that will help researchers and developers design behaviour change interventions by providing guidance on developing technologies that support habit formation at home. For this post, the specific focus will be on leading iterative design and development of interactive prototypes that will be deployed in participants homes in later stages of the project.

You will work closely with researchers from the Human-Centred Computing Research Section and our external collaborators. You will possess or be near the completion of a PhD in Human-Computer Interaction or a related area or have relevant industrial experience.

The position is full-time (35 hours per week), available from 1st October 2024 and is fixed term for 24 months.







The appointment will be made, dependent on relevant qualifications and experience, within the Grade 6 scale, currently starting at £39,347 per annum, with 4 annual increments up to £44,263 per annum.

For an informal discussion of the post please contact Dr Katarzyna Stawarz ([email protected]). For an informal discussion about the application process please contact Simon Hogg ([email protected]).

It is Cardiff University's policy to use the person specification as a key tool for shortlisting. Therefore, candidates must evidence they meet ALL the essential criteria and, where relevant, the desirable.

As part of the application process, you are asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement.





Please ensure that the evidence you are providing corresponds with the numbered criteria outlined in the person specification.

Please find a template for this document here: Supporting statement template - Research Associate.docx

When attaching the supporting statement to your application profile, please ensure you name it with the vacancy reference number: 19055BR.

Date advert posted: Friday, 27 September 2024

Closing date: Sunday, 27 October 2024

This post has previously been advertised to employees of Cardiff University only. We now invite external applications.

Please be aware that Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.







Cardiff University is committed to supporting all its employees in achieving the necessary balance between their work and their personal lives. As part of this commitment, the University has developed a flexible and responsive framework of support for staff in managing their work and personal commitments wherever possible. Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity. Our inclusive environment welcomes applications from talented people from diverse backgrounds. Cardiff University positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.

Applications may be submitted in Welsh,





and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.

Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at: Responsible research assessment - Research - Cardiff University

Job Description

Main function

To conduct research within Human-Computer Interaction and contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University, carrying out research leading to the publishing of high-quality research.





To pursue excellence in research and to inspire others to do the same.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Research

- To conduct research within Human-Computer Interaction and contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University by the production of measurable outputs including bidding for funding, publishing in national academic journals and conferences, and the recruitment and supervision of postgraduate research students.
- To develop low fidelity prototypes to support co-design activities, including home evaluation studies and to support home deployment.
- To develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research including research funding proposals.
- To attend and or present at conferences/seminars at a local and national level as required.






- To undertake administrative tasks associated with the research project, including the planning and organisation of the project and the implementation of procedures required to ensure accurate and timely reporting.
- To prepare research ethics and research governance applications as appropriate.
- To review and synthesise existing research literature within the field.
- To build and create networks both internally and externally to the university, to influence decisions, explore future research requirements, and share research ideas for the benefit of research projects.

Other

- To engage effectively with industrial, commercial and public sector organisations, professional institutions, other academic institutions etc.,





regionally and nationally to raise awareness of the School’s profile, to cultivate strategically valuable alliances, and to pursue opportunities for collaboration across a range of activities. These activities are expected to contribute to the School and the enhancement of its regional and national profile.
- To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to, and which will enhance performance.
- To participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world
- Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Qualifications And Education

- Postgraduate degree at PhD level (or nearing completion / submission) in a related subject area or relevant industrial experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

- An established expertise and proven portfolio of research and/or relevant industrial experience within the following research fields:
- Human-Computer Interaction and/or Digital Health
- Ubiquitous Computing and/or Tangible User Interfaces

- Knowledge of current status of research in specialist field and technical skills & experience in developing interactive prototypes, e.g. using Arduino or Raspberry Pi.
- Proven ability to publish in national conferences and/or other research outputs.
- Knowledge and understanding of competitive research funding to be able to develop applications to funding bodies.

Communication and Team Working

- Proven ability in effective and persuasive communication.
- Ability to supervise the work of others to focus team efforts and motivate individuals.

Other

- Proven ability to demonstrate creativity, innovation and team-working within work.
- Proven ability to work without close supervision.

Desirable Criteria

- Relevant professional qualification(s).
- Evidence of collaborations with industry.
- Proven ability to adapt to the changing requirements of the Higher Education community.
- Evidence of ability to participate in and develop both internal and external networks and utilise them to enhance the research activities of the School.

Additional Information

Additional Information

Internet of Things (IoT) technologies are increasingly being used to support health and wellbeing, although at present their primary function is monitoring users (e.g. to identify patterns in behaviour or detect falls). However, given the situated nature of IoT (i.e. sensors and devices embedded in the environment), they have a potential to support behaviour change interventions: long-term changes in behaviour require formation of new habits and habitual behaviours are driven by the environment and contextual cues. Therefore, IoT devices are ideal candidates to serve as “smart cues” that trigger desirable behaviours.

In this project, we want to explore how such smart cues could help support physical activity at home. As even small bouts of exercise are beneficial, incorporating movements in everyday routines and forming new habits could reduce sedentary behaviour and provide health benefits. However, since there is limited research on how IoT devices could support habit formation, it is not clear how best to use them as habit cues (especially at home) and, more broadly, how we could take advantage of IoT capabilities as part of behaviour change interventions.

Taking a human-centred design approach, this project aims to develop a toolkit that will help developers and researchers design IoT-based behaviour change interventions that aim to change habits in the home environment

Salary Range Min.

39,347

Salary Range Max.

44,263

Job Category

Academic - Research

Grade

Grade 6

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▶️ Research Associate
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