Vacancy for a PhD in the project CHASING: CHAllenging Speech training In Neurological patients by interactive Gaming

+ 01/10/2013: send your CV and motivation letter – BEFORE – 01/10/2013
+ 01/11/2013: starting date of the PhD project

For details on how to send your application see http://www.ru.nl/vacatures/details/details_vacature_0?recid=528554

Requirements :

• Degree in Computational or Applied Linguistics, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Informatics, Cognitive Science, or Education
• Programming skills, e.g. Python, Java, JavaScript, HTML5, C/C++
• An interest in e-Health, esp. gaming and speech technology for speech training
• A good command of the English language. Knowledge of Dutch is considered an advantage.
• Good communicative abilities
• Willingness to work in an international, multidisciplinary team

Job description
As a PhD student you will take part in the research project CHASING: ‘CHAllenging Speech training In Neurological patients through Interactive Gaming’. The goal of this project is to investigate the potentials of e-Health applications for speech training for neurological patients. Current results indicate the need to develop advanced, motivating training devices that provide guidance on articulation improvement and that allow the integrated benefits of intensified, independent speech training. Serious games are known to have strong motivational power. In this research project we aim to investigate to what extent serious games and game principles motivate and support neurological patients in speech training. To this end, an interactive, intuitive, user adaptive game for speech training which employs advanced speech technology and which is compatible with mobile platforms will be developed and tested.

You will first develop dedicated speech technology, esp. ‘automatic speech recognition’ (ASR) technology, and integrate it in the game. Next, you will carry out experiments with neurological patients, to study the effects of the game and how the game (incl. the speech technology) can be improved.

You are expected to start at Nov. 1st, 2013. It is a full time position for 4 years.
You will be part of a dynamic international and interdisciplinary team and will work in an inspiring research environment.

For more information, see:

• http://hstrik.ruhosting.nl/chasing-phd-vacancy/
• http://www.ru.nl/clst/
• http://www.ru.nl/cls/

Contact persons :

• Helmer Strik, w.strik@let.ru.nl, +31 24 3616104
• Lilian Beijer, L.beijer@maartenskliniek.nl, +31 24 3659718 / 3659140