Interaction with Virtual Humans

Applications are invited for two PhD Research Studentships as part of an
EPSRC-funded project which is investigating the human factors problems
that occur when people interact directly with virtual humans (software
models of human beings) in immersive virtual reality (VR) design
environments. The project represents a collaboration between Roy Ruddle
and Professor Dylan Jones in the School of Psychology, and Professor
Duc-Truong Pham in Cardiff's School of Engineering. Both students will
be based in the School of Psychology. The posts are for 3 years and a
standard EPSRC stipend award will be made in each case. To be eligible,
students must be British or have a "relevant connection" with Great
Britain or Northern Ireland (for details see the EPSRC postgraduate
training handbook (http://www.epsrc.ac.uk/resgrant/resfram.htm).

The technological facilities used by the project will include Silicon
Graphics computers, immersive and desk-top displays, a full-body data
suit, magnetic position trackers, and professional-standard audio and TV
laboratories. The research students will have primary responsibility for
the design, running and analysis of behavioural experiments which
investigate aspects of direct interaction. During the project the
students will have some contact with our industrial partners (Land
Rover, TCAS Effects, Division, Simulation Solutions, and Transom
Technologies) and the Center for Human Modelling and Simulation at the
University of Pennsylvania.

Applicants must have (or expect to obtain) at least a II(i) Hons degree
or MSc in Psychology, Computer Science, or related subject. Experience
of UNIX, C++, C or Lisp would be an added advantage.

Please visit our web site at http://www.cf.ac.uk/uwc/psych for more
details about the School. Further details about the project can be found
on the project Web page
(http://www.cf.ac.uk/uwc/psych/ruddle/CARVEL/Human/).