25 2014 Software systems for physical computing
There is a full-time academic vacancy in the Science, Engineering and Technology Group of KU Leuven, Department of Computer Science, Research Lab e-Media, Campus Group T at KU Leuven in the area of Software Systems for Physical Computing. We are looking for internationally oriented candidates with an excellent interdisciplinary research record and with educational competence within the field of physical computing.
The Department of Computer Science at KU Leuven (http://wms.cs.kuleuven.be/cs) is the largest of its kind in Flanders. Members of the department conduct research at a high international level in many fields of computer science. The department provides academic education in the fields of informatics, computer science, artificial intelligence, digital humanities and mathematical engineering.
The research activities of this vacancy are situated at the technology cluster Computer Science within the research group e-Media Lab (https://projects.groept.be/~emedia/). Educational activities are organized within the Faculty of Engineering Technology. The Faculty of Engineering Technology has a unique multi-campus approach with education offered on 7 different campuses across Flanders. Both the research activities and the educational activities for this position are mainly organized at the campus in the center of Leuven, i.e. Campus Group T. Campus Group T offers a highly international and exceptionally dynamic environment, only a stone's throw away from Brussels, the European capital. e-Media Research Lab focuses on how to build human-centred systems that capture and/or provide rich and playful user interactions, in the domain of health, learning or entertainment. e-Media has a specific focus on building systems that provide ‘serious fun’, hence systems that are entertaining or fun to use, yet have a serious purpose. e-Media also specializes in physical computing, or how to build intuitive computer systems that are adapted to the analogue world of the human body and its senses. As a true multi-disciplinary research lab, e-Media combines the complimentary expertise of computer scientists, electronics engineers, human science experts, and user experience designers. As a highly innovative research lab, e-Media cooperates with companies, hospitals and other high-tech knowledge centers in the region.
https://icts.kuleuven.be/apps/jobsite/vacatures/53913205?lang=en
The Department of Computer Science at KU Leuven (http://wms.cs.kuleuven.be/cs) is the largest of its kind in Flanders. Members of the department conduct research at a high international level in many fields of computer science. The department provides academic education in the fields of informatics, computer science, artificial intelligence, digital humanities and mathematical engineering.
The research activities of this vacancy are situated at the technology cluster Computer Science within the research group e-Media Lab (https://projects.groept.be/~emedia/). Educational activities are organized within the Faculty of Engineering Technology. The Faculty of Engineering Technology has a unique multi-campus approach with education offered on 7 different campuses across Flanders. Both the research activities and the educational activities for this position are mainly organized at the campus in the center of Leuven, i.e. Campus Group T. Campus Group T offers a highly international and exceptionally dynamic environment, only a stone's throw away from Brussels, the European capital. e-Media Research Lab focuses on how to build human-centred systems that capture and/or provide rich and playful user interactions, in the domain of health, learning or entertainment. e-Media has a specific focus on building systems that provide ‘serious fun’, hence systems that are entertaining or fun to use, yet have a serious purpose. e-Media also specializes in physical computing, or how to build intuitive computer systems that are adapted to the analogue world of the human body and its senses. As a true multi-disciplinary research lab, e-Media combines the complimentary expertise of computer scientists, electronics engineers, human science experts, and user experience designers. As a highly innovative research lab, e-Media cooperates with companies, hospitals and other high-tech knowledge centers in the region.
Research
More and more, interaction with computing systems is physical, taking the human body as a starting point. This implies that interaction with computers is no longer limited to a screen, a mouse and a keyboard. Rather, human movements and physical parameters are assessed via a myriad of sensors and after interpretation, they lead to an immersive response, adjusted to the analogue world of the human senses.
Such computing systems merging the digital and physical world, result in innovative computer applications that are already found in healthcare (e.g. games combining movement sensors and actuators to enable physical rehabilitation, learning (e.g. tangible manipulatives to support learning and embodied cognition), interactive art (e.g. kinetic sculptures that respond to visitor’s moves), etc.
Physical computing is about designing and building such intuitive, immersive, physical systems by combining software and hardware, to sense and respond to the analogue, human world.
Software systems for physical computing bridge sensor nodes and actuators. Moreover, software systems that enable physical computing are typically distributed over a diverse set of servers and/or mobile devices, and composed of a multitude of platforms and frameworks to connect components. Sensors collect human data, and possibly deliver data to storage systems, next the human data is analysed, sensor fusion and classification algorithms are applied quasi real-time, to enable a smart decision, to be communicated towards other devices and/or actuators in the system, and to arrive at a intuitive, immersive response for the human.
Obviously, efficient human data handling and storage is paramount for building such systems dealing with human data, as well as understanding which fusion/classification algorithms need to be applied. Moreover, in order to build physical computing systems, an iterative and hands-on approach is essential. To verify whether a computer system is truly intuitive and immersive is only possible through user testing. Building and testing prototypes is paramount in research on physical computing systems. Scientific knowledge is created through the design, building and evaluation of systems. Valorization of new systems by prototypes that prove to be reliable in the real world fits within the vision of the Faculty of Engineering Technology. These prototypes should be designed and implemented in close collaboration with the members of the research unit to support the specific needs (e.g. eHealth, eLearning) of on-going research activities and projects with industrial partners.
You develop a research programme, at an international level, in Software Systems for Physical Computing. In addition, you strengthen existing research lines and provide additional expertise to developing playful interactive applications. Therefore, you work together closely with the members of the research unit, and you set up collaborations within and outside of the department. You strive for excellence in your research and thusly provide a contribution to the continued development and the international character of the e-Media research lab. In addition, you acquire resources for applied research, in collaboration with industries. You also give the necessary attention to the valorization on behalf of government in applied research.
Teaching
You ensure high-quality education within the domain of engineering technology, with a focus on information and communication technology, with a clear commitment for the quality of the programme as a whole. You are enthusiastic about project-based, hands-on and interactive means of teaching. You also contribute to the pedagogic project of the faculty/university through the supervision of master theses and as a promoter of PhD students.
You develop your teachings in accordance with KU Leuven’s vision on activating and researched-based education and make use of the possibilities for the educationalist professionalization offered by the faculty and the university.
Service
You are prepared to provide scientific, social and internal services. Service to industry is particularly emphasized in the Faculty of Engineering Technology.
Requirements
You are passionate about sensing and controlling the physical world with computers. You are fascinated by all aspects of conceiving, designing and developing projects that fit within the physical computing realm: tinkering with sensors and actuators, working within a computer-aided design environments, understanding the variety of physical prototyping platforms, and software frameworks designed for physical computing.
You have a master degree in Computer Science or a similarly related degree and a PhD in Computer Science, with a strong affinity for data capturing (sensors), prototyping platforms, data storage and data analysis.
You have a strong applied research profile. The quality of your research is proven by publications in leading journals. You have a portfolio showcasing earlier research and work on physical computing systems. International experience is an important advantage. You are dedicated to building a research programme, at an international level, In addition, you look forward to strengthening existing research lines and providing additional expertise to the e-Media Research Lab.
You have demonstrable qualities related to academic education. Teaching experience is an advantage.
You possess organizational skills and have a cooperative attitude. You also possess leadership capacities within a university context.
The official administrative language used at KU Leuven is Dutch. If you do not speak Dutch (or do not speak it well) at the start of employment, KU Leuven will provide language training to enable you to take part in meetings.
Before teaching courses in Dutch or English, you will be given the opportunity to learn Dutch resp. English to the required standard.
Offer
We are offering full-time employment in an intellectually challenging environment. KU Leuven is a research-intensive, internationally oriented university that carries out both fundamental and applied scientific research. It is highly inter- and multidisciplinarily focused and strives for international excellence. In this regard, it actively works together with research partners in Belgium and abroad. It provides its students with an academic education that is based on high-quality scientific research.
You will work in Leuven, a historic, dynamic and lively city located in the heart of Belgium, within 20 minutes from Brussels, the capital of the European Union, and less than two hours from Paris, London and Amsterdam.
Depending on your record and qualifications, you will be appointed to or tenured in one of the grades of the senior academic staff: assistant professor, associate professor, professor or full professor. In principle, junior researchers are appointed as assistant professor on the tenure track for a period of 5 years; after this period and a positive evaluation, they are permanently appointed (or tenured) as an associate professor.
Interested?
For more information on the contents of the job, please contact Prof. dr. ir. Ronald Cools, department Chair Department of Computer Science, tel: +32 16 32 75 62, mail: [email protected], or Prof. dr. ir. Koen Eneman, campus chair Campus Group T Leuven, tel: +32 16 30 10 65, mail: [email protected].
You can submit your application until 31/01/2017, only through our online application system.
Please include a research statement (no more than 2 pages), demonstrating your added value for the research programme, to your motivation letter. In addition, please outline your vision of academic education in a teaching statement (no more than 2 pages).
If you have problems submitting your application online, please contact [email protected]
You can apply for this job no later than January 31, 2017 via the online application tool
More and more, interaction with computing systems is physical, taking the human body as a starting point. This implies that interaction with computers is no longer limited to a screen, a mouse and a keyboard. Rather, human movements and physical parameters are assessed via a myriad of sensors and after interpretation, they lead to an immersive response, adjusted to the analogue world of the human senses.
Such computing systems merging the digital and physical world, result in innovative computer applications that are already found in healthcare (e.g. games combining movement sensors and actuators to enable physical rehabilitation, learning (e.g. tangible manipulatives to support learning and embodied cognition), interactive art (e.g. kinetic sculptures that respond to visitor’s moves), etc.
Physical computing is about designing and building such intuitive, immersive, physical systems by combining software and hardware, to sense and respond to the analogue, human world.
Software systems for physical computing bridge sensor nodes and actuators. Moreover, software systems that enable physical computing are typically distributed over a diverse set of servers and/or mobile devices, and composed of a multitude of platforms and frameworks to connect components. Sensors collect human data, and possibly deliver data to storage systems, next the human data is analysed, sensor fusion and classification algorithms are applied quasi real-time, to enable a smart decision, to be communicated towards other devices and/or actuators in the system, and to arrive at a intuitive, immersive response for the human.
Obviously, efficient human data handling and storage is paramount for building such systems dealing with human data, as well as understanding which fusion/classification algorithms need to be applied. Moreover, in order to build physical computing systems, an iterative and hands-on approach is essential. To verify whether a computer system is truly intuitive and immersive is only possible through user testing. Building and testing prototypes is paramount in research on physical computing systems. Scientific knowledge is created through the design, building and evaluation of systems. Valorization of new systems by prototypes that prove to be reliable in the real world fits within the vision of the Faculty of Engineering Technology. These prototypes should be designed and implemented in close collaboration with the members of the research unit to support the specific needs (e.g. eHealth, eLearning) of on-going research activities and projects with industrial partners.
You develop a research programme, at an international level, in Software Systems for Physical Computing. In addition, you strengthen existing research lines and provide additional expertise to developing playful interactive applications. Therefore, you work together closely with the members of the research unit, and you set up collaborations within and outside of the department. You strive for excellence in your research and thusly provide a contribution to the continued development and the international character of the e-Media research lab. In addition, you acquire resources for applied research, in collaboration with industries. You also give the necessary attention to the valorization on behalf of government in applied research.
Teaching
You ensure high-quality education within the domain of engineering technology, with a focus on information and communication technology, with a clear commitment for the quality of the programme as a whole. You are enthusiastic about project-based, hands-on and interactive means of teaching. You also contribute to the pedagogic project of the faculty/university through the supervision of master theses and as a promoter of PhD students.
You develop your teachings in accordance with KU Leuven’s vision on activating and researched-based education and make use of the possibilities for the educationalist professionalization offered by the faculty and the university.
Service
You are prepared to provide scientific, social and internal services. Service to industry is particularly emphasized in the Faculty of Engineering Technology.
Requirements
You are passionate about sensing and controlling the physical world with computers. You are fascinated by all aspects of conceiving, designing and developing projects that fit within the physical computing realm: tinkering with sensors and actuators, working within a computer-aided design environments, understanding the variety of physical prototyping platforms, and software frameworks designed for physical computing.
You have a master degree in Computer Science or a similarly related degree and a PhD in Computer Science, with a strong affinity for data capturing (sensors), prototyping platforms, data storage and data analysis.
You have a strong applied research profile. The quality of your research is proven by publications in leading journals. You have a portfolio showcasing earlier research and work on physical computing systems. International experience is an important advantage. You are dedicated to building a research programme, at an international level, In addition, you look forward to strengthening existing research lines and providing additional expertise to the e-Media Research Lab.
You have demonstrable qualities related to academic education. Teaching experience is an advantage.
You possess organizational skills and have a cooperative attitude. You also possess leadership capacities within a university context.
The official administrative language used at KU Leuven is Dutch. If you do not speak Dutch (or do not speak it well) at the start of employment, KU Leuven will provide language training to enable you to take part in meetings.
Before teaching courses in Dutch or English, you will be given the opportunity to learn Dutch resp. English to the required standard.
Offer
We are offering full-time employment in an intellectually challenging environment. KU Leuven is a research-intensive, internationally oriented university that carries out both fundamental and applied scientific research. It is highly inter- and multidisciplinarily focused and strives for international excellence. In this regard, it actively works together with research partners in Belgium and abroad. It provides its students with an academic education that is based on high-quality scientific research.
You will work in Leuven, a historic, dynamic and lively city located in the heart of Belgium, within 20 minutes from Brussels, the capital of the European Union, and less than two hours from Paris, London and Amsterdam.
Depending on your record and qualifications, you will be appointed to or tenured in one of the grades of the senior academic staff: assistant professor, associate professor, professor or full professor. In principle, junior researchers are appointed as assistant professor on the tenure track for a period of 5 years; after this period and a positive evaluation, they are permanently appointed (or tenured) as an associate professor.
Interested?
For more information on the contents of the job, please contact Prof. dr. ir. Ronald Cools, department Chair Department of Computer Science, tel: +32 16 32 75 62, mail: [email protected], or Prof. dr. ir. Koen Eneman, campus chair Campus Group T Leuven, tel: +32 16 30 10 65, mail: [email protected].
You can submit your application until 31/01/2017, only through our online application system.
Please include a research statement (no more than 2 pages), demonstrating your added value for the research programme, to your motivation letter. In addition, please outline your vision of academic education in a teaching statement (no more than 2 pages).
If you have problems submitting your application online, please contact [email protected]
You can apply for this job no later than January 31, 2017 via the online application tool
