Positions at University of UTRECHT - NL

[by way of Peter Brusilovsky]

UTRECHT UNIVERSITY/TNO HUMAN FACTORS

PROJECT 1
DEVELOPMENT OF A MODEL FOR NAVIGATING ON THE WEB

Institute of Information and Computing Sciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht

We are looking, within the Department for Information Science, for a 
candidate who will develop and test a cognitive model which explains 
the role of cognitive, motivational and emotional factors, besides 
contextual and interface factors, with regard to navigating on the 
Web and searching in a website. The first phase of the project aims 
at formulating a cognitive model indicating which factors are most 
important under which circumstances with regard to effectivity and 
efficiency of search behavior and satisfaction of users. The second 
phase of the project concentrates on designing means or tools for 
computer support in relation to the factors which appeared to be 
important in the model. Sitemaps and landmarks, for instance, will 
compensate for spatial problems. Therefore, users with low mental 
spatial abilities should profit by using such a tool. The efficacy of 
these means of support will be studied experimentally.

By means of empirical research individual capacities of users will be 
determined with selected and specifically constructed tests. These 
users will perform specific search tasks in a Web environment. The 
effectivity and efficiency of their search behavior and satisfaction 
will be registered. Also larger-scale surveys, as part of websites, 
will be presented and analysed. Statistical data analysis techniques 
will consist, among others, of multiple linear regression and LISREL 
analyses.

This project is part of the research programme 'The Design and Use of 
Digital Information' (www.cs.uu.nl/groups/IK/index/index.htm) 
conducted by the Department for Information Science, and will be 
carried out in close cooperation with TNO Human Factors 
(Soesterberg), see also project 2. The project should result after 4 
years in a dissertation. Information specifically on this project is 
available at dr. Herre van Oostendorp (herre at cs.uu.nl, phone +31 30 
2538357), Dept. for Information Science, Utrecht University, 
Padualaan 4, 3584 CH Utrecht, The Netherlands.

We ask a  candidate with a recent masters in Psychology (Experimental 
Psychology or Cognitive Ergonomics) with a strong interest in 
Human-Computer Interaction and statistical data analysis techniques 
such as regression analysis and LISREL.

PROJECT 2
PERSONAL ASSISTANT FOR MOBILE WEB-SERVICES

We are looking for a candidate who will develop a general, 
usage-centered design solution for high-grade accessibility of future 
Web-based services. He or she will further develop and test theory on 
personal assistants, available at home (e.g. via a PC) and on the 
move (e.g. via a handheld), that realize a user and context tailored 
interaction.
Via the World Wide Web, more and more services are available for an 
increasing group of users who will interact with these services from 
various locations and with various devices. For a successful 
interaction, the content and structure of the user interface should 
be attuned to the diversity of user needs, dialogue means and use 
contexts. It will not be possible to develop a universal, static user 
interface that can cope with this diversity. Therefore, various 
personalization concepts for (adaptive) user interfaces are currently 
being developed. However, theoretical and empirical foundation is 
lacking to predict which type of personalization will be effective 
and attractive for future mobile services. Central questions are:
  What kind of information (such as user profiles, information about 
other users, user's role, history, Web-profile, location and current 
device) needs a personal assistant for optimal selection and 
presentation of the Web-services' content to the individual user?
  How should the personal assistant present itself in order to 
optimize its effectiveness and efficiency, and the user satisfaction? 
For example, when and which type of animation or antropomorphization 
results in improved accessibility?

This project is part of the research programs 'Human Interfaces' of 
TNO Human Factors (Soesterberg, The Netherlands) and 'The Design and 
Use of Digital Information' of the University of Utrecht (Department 
of Information Science), see also project 1. Project 2 will be 
carried out mainly at TNO-HF. The project should result in a 
dissertation. Information on this project is available at dr. Mark 
Neerincx (neerincx at tm.tno.nl, phone +31 346 356 298), TNO Human 
Factors, Kampweg 5, P.O. Box 23, 3769 ZG Soesterberg, The Netherlands.

We are looking for candidates with interests in above-mentioned 
research themes and an academic background in Psychology, Cognitive 
Science or a related education with a substantial focus on 
human-computer interaction. Affinity for Internet-technology is 
desirable.


We offer for both projects a fulltime appointment of 4 years. The 
salary before tax is approx. Dfl 3000,- during the first year, 
increasing to approx. Dfl 4200,- for the fourth year, a comfortable 
budget for congress visits, excellent computer facilities, a 
contribution in promotion costs, and a customised package of 
additional courses.

Information for both projects is available at Prof.dr. Jrgen van den 
Berg (jurgen at cs.uu.nl, phone +31 30 2536415), Institute of 
Information and Computing Sciences, Faculty of Mathematics and 
Computing Science, Utrecht University, Padualaan 14, 3584 CH Utrecht, 
The Netherlands. www.cs.uu.nl/groups/IK