Research Fellow, Computer Science / HCI

Join the WellthLab at the University of Southampton as a highly motivated and interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Researcher with a strong background in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), computer science, or related fields.

Skills: You should have experience in developing interactive tools/applications for HCI research; comfort with electronics is a plus. You can also demonstrate competence in HCI methods including user study methodologies, experimental design work, ranging from in-lab to in-the-wild deployments, and qualitative and quantitative data analysis. Proficiency in programming (e.g., JavaScript, Python, React for iOS/Android) is important. Additional strengths would include experience with physiological sensing (e.g., EEG, breathing, HRV, tactile interfaces), and comfort with raspberry pi/Arduino for prototyping. Knowledge in motor learning, physiology, and neurology is an asset.

The WELLTHLAB Approach: Our approach, grounded in Inbodied Interaction, challenges mainstream paradigms of health tech by emphasising minimal dose interaction design: minimal-data capture, emphasis on skill-building – we talk about building technology to help people get off technology. Our lab operates within the School of Electronics and Computer Science, with strong interdisciplinary ties to physiology, sociology, psychology, medicine, and design. We collaborate with leading researchers worldwide and maintain a culture of critical reflection, technical excellence, and social impact.

The WellthLab Community Ethos: Our goal is to help you thrive as a researcher. Part of that mission is to help you develop project collaborations and take leadership roles in the projects you engage. We are therefore looking for people who have great attitude and skills, who can demonstrate these qualities, including from peer-reviewed papers, to demonstrated success in both teamwork and solo efforts.

Themes: There are a number of projects happening in the WellthLab at any given time. Some of the projects include:

• Health UnGuides: XB – how to help people build healthful heuristics rather than habits to thrive anywhere, anytime
• Audio XR: CERA – exploring how interaction with physical objects/environments, and audio rather than video-based AR can help enhance memory/learning
• Humanizing Computer Mediated Communication: Synthesizing co-presence - What does it mean to feel more “human” when online?
• Eliminating AGING– Elder Athletes and Incidental Interaction – Helping elders to build strength and balance by helping them do what they’re already doing at home – with unwearables.
• You are not a Plant - The future of healthful work – interactive systems to re-imagine workplaces aligned with how we’re wired to thrive.

We also have a particular interest in physical, peripheral, and environmental interactions and interface devices - with inspiration from Greenberg’s Phidgets. In this hiring round, we are particularly keen to engage researchers with a background in both HCI and at least in part in computer science, and who are passionate about building interactive technologies that enhance human capacity to thrive, to be resilient, anywhere, anytime, any age.

If you’re an HCI researcher, ready and keen to take on these kinds of complex challenges towards real-world impact, we encourage you to apply.

If you have any questions, please contact prof m.c. schraefel directly at mc@ecs.soton.ac.uk.

Applications for Research Fellow positions will be considered from candidates who are working towards or nearing completion of a relevant PhD qualification. The title of Research Fellow will be applied upon successful completion of the PhD. Prior to the qualification being awarded, the title of Senior Research Assistant will be given.

Please Note: Equality, diversity, and inclusion is central to the School of Electronics and Computer Science. The University of Southampton is in the top 1% of world universities and in the top 10 of the UK’s research-intensive universities. The University of Southampton is committed to sustainability and being a globally responsible university and has recently been awarded the Platinum EcoAward. The WellthLab itself is committed to social justice, sustainability, and contributing to a circular economy in all work.

We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and welcome applicants who support our mission of inclusivity. Apply by 11.59 pm GMT on the closing date.