Research Associate in Psychology and Human Computer Interaction (Imperial College London Dyson School of Design Engineering)

Job summary An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Research Associate to undertake quantitative work in Human-Computer Interaction aimed at improving the design of screen-based devices across cultures so they better support wellbeing. This is part of a new project of the Wellbeing Technologies Group (http://www.positivecomputing.org/) with a major consumer electronics company, so the successful candidate will have the opportunity to have a very... Job listing information Reference ENG02164 Date posted 23 May 2022 Closing date 24 June 2022 Key information about the role Location South Kensington Campus (map) Position type Full time, fixed term Salary £36,694 – £49,210 plus benefits Department Dyson School of Design Engineering Category Researcher / Non Clinical Researcher Job description Job summary An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Research Associate to undertake quantitative work in Human-Computer Interaction aimed at improving the design of screen-based devices across cultures so they better support wellbeing. This is part of a new project of the Wellbeing Technologies Group (http://www.positivecomputing.org/) with a major consumer electronics company, so the successful candidate will have the opportunity to have a very significant impact worldwide. The Postdoctoral Research Associate will be working with Professor Rafael Calvo, as well as Dr Celine Mougenot and Professor Sebastian Deterding at Imperial College London and Rune Nyrup at the University of Cambridge. The team will be developing theory and methods to ensure that computer systems support the satisfaction of psychological needs. Responsibilities and duties include developing research objectives and proposals; preparing human research ethics applications; developing and running questionnaire-based survey studies; analysing statistical data; writing presentations, reports and publications. The project combines quantitative motivational psychology, design research and studies on ethics and regulation. Duties and responsibilities Key Responsibilities The activities associated with this post are: Design and run quantitative survey-based studies on the impact of software systems on motivation, engagement and thriving in the user experience. Submit human ethics research applications for studies with internal and external partners. Collect data either through direct recruitment or through 3rd parties (e.g. YouGov) Develop questionnaires and check for their psychometric validity Analyse data using various statistical techniques, including path analyses. Draft, revise, and publish original research on HCI and motivational psychology Maintain accurate and complete records of all findings Assist with the writing of reports to research sponsors Present findings to colleagues Assist with the publication of findings Attend relevant workshops and conferences as necessary Develop contacts within the College and the wider community Promote the reputation of the Group, the Department and the College In addition, at Research Associate level: Take initiatives in the planning of research Write reports for submission to research sponsors Provide guidance to staff and students Contribute to bids for research grants Conduct and plan own scientific work with appropriate supervision Maintain highly organised and accurate record of experimental work Actively participate in the research programme of the Group Publish in high quality journals and present data at national and international meetings Participate in Group research meetings and internal seminars Collaborate with other allied scientists within Imperial College and elsewhere in London and abroad, as appropriate Contribute to the smooth running of the Group’s laboratories and, facilities with other scientists, clinicians, technicians and students within the laboratories Essential requirements Education PhD degree in Psychology, Human-Computer Interaction, or an equivalent field Knowledge & Experience Experience conducting quantitative psychological or user experience research. A track record of publishing for academic dissemination Evidence of previous work in multidisciplinary and multi-stakeholder environments. Experience in designing and conducting quantitative research studies, including getting human research ethics approval, collecting and managing data, and analysing quantitative data using advanced statistical methods. Understanding of the research process Experience in working in fast-paced collaborative research projects Skills & Abilities Willingness to work flexibly in order to achieve project demands. Ability to organise and prioritise own work and organise research within the project timetable Ability to conduct a detailed review of recent literature Ability to develop and apply new concepts Creative approach to problem-solving Excellent verbal communication skills and the ability to deal with a wide range of people Excellent written communication skills and the ability to write clearly and succinctly for publication Ability to organise own work with minimal supervision Ability to prioritise own work in response to deadlines Familiarity with advanced statistical techniques for survey analyses and validation Advanced computer skills, including statistical tools (e.g. SPSS, R), online surveys (e.g. Qualtrics), word-processing, presentation, spreadsheets, and the Internet Ability to direct the work of a small research team and motivate others to produce a high standard of work (Associate) Further information Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as Research Assistant within the salary range £36,694 - £39,888 per annum Documents* Calvo-PandHCI Advert.docx Research Associate JD.pdf If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Computeroxy

Job summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Research Associate to undertake quantitative work in Human-Computer Interaction aimed at improving the design of screen-based devices across cultures so they better support wellbeing. This is part of a new project of the Wellbeing Technologies Group (http://www.positivecomputing.org/) with a major consumer electronics company, so the successful candidate will have the opportunity to have a very...

Job listing information

Reference ENG02164
Date posted 23 May 2022
Closing date 24 June 2022

Key information about the role

Location South Kensington Campus (map)
Position type Full time, fixed term
Salary £36,694 – £49,210 plus benefits
Department Dyson School of Design Engineering
Category Researcher / Non Clinical Researcher

Job description

Job summary

The Postdoctoral Research Associate will be working with Professor Rafael Calvo, as well as Dr Celine Mougenot and Professor Sebastian Deterding at Imperial College London and Rune Nyrup at the University of Cambridge. The team will be developing theory and methods to ensure that computer systems support the satisfaction of psychological needs.

Responsibilities and duties include developing research objectives and proposals; preparing human research ethics applications; developing and running questionnaire-based survey studies; analysing statistical data; writing presentations, reports and publications. The project combines quantitative motivational psychology, design research and studies on ethics and regulation.

Duties and responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

The activities associated with this post are:

Design and run quantitative survey-based studies on the impact of software systems on motivation, engagement and thriving in the user experience.
Submit human ethics research applications for studies with internal and external partners.
Collect data either through direct recruitment or through 3rd parties (e.g. YouGov)
Develop questionnaires and check for their psychometric validity
Analyse data using various statistical techniques, including path analyses.
Draft, revise, and publish original research on HCI and motivational psychology
Maintain accurate and complete records of all findings
Assist with the writing of reports to research sponsors
Present findings to colleagues
Assist with the publication of findings
Attend relevant workshops and conferences as necessary
Develop contacts within the College and the wider community
Promote the reputation of the Group, the Department and the College

In addition, at Research Associate level:

Take initiatives in the planning of research
Write reports for submission to research sponsors
Provide guidance to staff and students
Contribute to bids for research grants
Conduct and plan own scientific work with appropriate supervision
Maintain highly organised and accurate record of experimental work
Actively participate in the research programme of the Group
Publish in high quality journals and present data at national and international meetings
Participate in Group research meetings and internal seminars
Collaborate with other allied scientists within Imperial College and elsewhere in London and abroad, as appropriate
Contribute to the smooth running of the Group’s laboratories and, facilities with other scientists, clinicians, technicians and students within the laboratories

Essential requirements

Education

PhD degree in Psychology, Human-Computer Interaction, or an equivalent field

Knowledge & Experience

Experience conducting quantitative psychological or user experience research.

A track record of publishing for academic dissemination

Evidence of previous work in multidisciplinary and multi-stakeholder environments.

Experience in designing and conducting quantitative research studies, including getting human research ethics approval, collecting and managing data, and analysing quantitative data using advanced statistical methods.

Understanding of the research process

Experience in working in fast-paced collaborative research projects

Skills & Abilities

Willingness to work flexibly in order to achieve project demands.

Ability to organise and prioritise own work and organise research within the project timetable

Ability to conduct a detailed review of recent literature

Ability to develop and apply new concepts

Creative approach to problem-solving

Excellent verbal communication skills and the ability to deal with a wide range of people

Excellent written communication skills and the ability to write clearly and succinctly for publication

Ability to organise own work with minimal supervision

Ability to prioritise own work in response to deadlines

Familiarity with advanced statistical techniques for survey analyses and validation

Advanced computer skills, including statistical tools (e.g. SPSS, R), online surveys (e.g. Qualtrics), word-processing, presentation, spreadsheets, and the Internet

Ability to direct the work of a small research team and motivate others to produce a high standard of work (Associate)

Further information

*Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as Research Assistant within the salary range £36,694 - £39,888 per annum