Postdoctoral position in 3D User Interfaces in Canada

Postdoctoral position in 3D User Interfaces
Dept. of Computer Science and Engineering, York University
Toronto, Canada

We are seeking outstanding candidates with a background in three-dimensional (3D) User Interfaces to contribute to an ongoing project on pointing, targeting and manipulation on 3D displays. Knowledge in the area of human perception and motor control is an asset.

Stereo and 3D display systems are becoming more and more commonplace. Pointing at, tracking, targeting, and manipulation of objects in 3D displays are fundamental actions in many virtual environments and interactive simulations, including computer games. While these activities are understood fairly well in desktop systems and performance can be predicted reasonably accurately (e.g. via Fitts' law), the relevant findings and models do not generalize directly to large scale screens, stereo displays, touch screens, and combinations thereof. This research project investigates human performance for 3D pointing, tracking, targeting, and manipulation on 3D display systems. The work will be informed from 3D user interfaces& virtual reality, human-computer interaction, as well as human perception and motor control research.

The postdoctoral fellow will contribute to the implementation and design of user studies of 3D interaction. The candidate will also participate in the development and testing of new 3D pointing, tracking, targeting, and manipulation techniques. As applicable, the candidate will also be expected to learn about human perception and motor control. The fellow will also help supervise and coordinate graduate students.

The ideal applicant should be qualified at the PhD level (or equivalent) and must have excellent interpersonal, English writing and research skills, strong time management and organizational skills, the ability to prioritize and meet deadlines, and work both independently and as a member of the multidisciplinary research team.

The successful applicant will join world-class Human-Computer Interaction, 3D User Interface, and Human Perception communities at York University: the Interactive Systems Research Group (ISRG) and the Centre of Vision Research (CVR) . The candidate will be co-supervised by Wolfgang Stuerzlinger and another faculty member, as appropriate for the research project(s). The research performed by the postdoctoral fellow will be part of the following larger initiatives: GRAND NCE - Graphics, Animation and New Media Network of Centres of Excellence and CAN-ACT - NSERC CREATE Program in Computational Approaches in Neuroscience - Action, Control& Transformations .

Timescale of Appointment: 1 year, extendable contingent on funding.

Review of applicants begins August 15, 2011 until the position is filled.

Target start date: As soon as possible. Exact start date is negotiable.

Salary: CAN$ 50K/year

Submit curriculum vita, statement of research interests, and three letters of reference to . Informal inquiries are welcome, and may be made to Dr. Wolfgang Stuerzlinger