Post-Doc(s) & Researcher(s) positions – VIRTUAL REALITY FOR WELL-BEING

Research Personnel      ·        Nicosia      ·        Full time

Position:  Post-Doc(s) & Researcher(s) positions 
Category: An initial one-year or an initial two-years employment contract will be offered with the possibility for renewal depending on performance and project needs. 
Location: Limassol (or and Nicosia), Cyprus 
Preferred Start Date:  as soon thereafter. 
Application Deadline: Remain open until the positions are filled  
No. Of Positions: 5 (Research Associate and Senior Research Associate positions) 
Salary Range: Attractive renumeration based on qualifications, proven experience, and competences.    

About the position   

The ‘Virtual Reality for Well-Being’ multidisciplinary research group (MRG) targets research, technology development and innovation on Virtual Reality for well-being, broadly construed. ‘Well-being’ refers to the general social, economic, psychological, spiritual, or medical positive condition of an individual or a group.  

The group is a technology driven group aiming on advancing the technology of Virtual Reality and pushing its capabilities beyond the limits of the current state-of-the-art, with current interest of targeted applications in the domains of physio-psycho-social well-being. 

The ‘Virtual Reality for Well-Being’ group is an extension of GET Lab (getlab.org), an established research lab at the Cyprus University of Technology, and a founding lab of CYENS, with which there is a continuous tight collaboration and synergies. 

The successful candidates will have the opportunity to conduct fundamental and/or applied research in the aforementioned areas. Where applicable, candidates may also participate in the preparation of project reports and deliverables, research proposals for funding, software development, and travel abroad for dissemination activities. Furthermore, successful candidates will be encouraged to publish/present their research results in prestigious international conferences and journals. 

The successful candidates will work under the supervision of Despina Michael-Grigoriou, Associate Professor and GET Lab coordinator at the Cyprus University of Technology & the leader of the ‘Virtual Reality for Well-Being’ multidisciplinary research group at CYENS.  

Responsibilities of Research Associate/Senior Research Associate: 

• Conduct applied research and RTDI activities in the scientific field of Virtual Reality with applications in well-being domain.  
• Carry out the work for all stages of experimental studies, including but not limited to study design, implementation, data collection, data analysis & interpretation, manuscript writing etc.  
• Collaborate and work closely with other members and collaborators of the research group and the research lab for joint studies.  
• May also participate in the preparation of project reports and deliverables, research proposals for funding, software development, statistics analysis, travel abroad for dissemination and other related activities for RTDI purposes, as requested by the group leader.  
• Publish/present research outputs in prestigious international conferences and journals.  
• Others, supporting the group’s activities as requested by the group leader. 

General qualifications and requirements 

• University Degree, Bachelor’s degree or/and a postgraduate master’s level degree in a relevant field (e.g. Interactive Media, Computer Science, Information Technology, Computer Engineering, Neuroscience (with VR/well-being expertise), Psychology (with VR/well-being expertise), Communication Studies (with VR/well-being expertise) or other fields relate to VR or Well-Being),  from an accredited institution, is required.  
• PhD degree in a relevant field (e.g. Interactive Media, Computer Science, Information Technology, Computer Engineering, Neuroscience (with VR/well-being expertise), Psychology (with VR/well-being expertise), Communication Studies (with VR/well-being expertise), or other fields relate to VR or Well-Being from an accredited institution is desired for Research Associate Position and required for Senior Research Associate Position.  
• Ability to independently identify problems and carry out research work within the scope of the research group.   
• Ability to interact with stakeholders in application domains and identify opportunities for collaboration.   
• Excellent knowledge of both spoken and written English, especially in reading technical / research articles  
• Computer literate.  
• For non-EU applicants a work permit will be required. 

Profile of the ideal candidate – select relevant qualities required for specific role:  

• Self-motivated with the ability to take initiative and work independently.   
• Strong organizational, communication, presentation, and negotiation skills, having the ability to deal confidently and politely with enquiries.   
• Very good analytical skills coupled with attention to detail.   
• Dynamic, adaptable, hands-on and results driven. 
• A team player with an ability to work independently and under pressure.  
• High levels of commitment, energy, and drive. 
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills. 

Specific requirements for these Research Associate(s)/Senior Research Associate(s) positions:  

• a) Strong computer programming skills or/and excellent knowledge of a game engine (e.g. Unity)  and at least very good knowledge and skills of statistics  
  OR  b) At least very good programming skills or/and knowledge of a game engine 
  and excellent knowledge and skills of statistics 
• 1a) or 1b) is required. 
  • Familiarization/knowledge/understanding of 3D concepts is required. 
  • Previous experience with VR technologies or Well-Being aspects is required. 
  • Previous experience with biosignal acquisitions or/and sensor/sensing devices is desired.  
  • High-impact research publications on relevant topics (required for PhD holders/desired for non-PhD holders) 
  • Proven record of supervising junior researchers is required for the Senior Research Associate(s) positions and desired for Research Associate(s) position(s). 
  • Proven previous grant-writing experience (preferably successful proposals) is required for Senior Research Associate(s) position(s) and desired for Research Associate(s) position(s). 

Benefits 

Take advantage of this opportunity for your professional and personal development by being a part of our fast- growing Research and Innovation Centre of Excellence. A very attractive remuneration package will be offered to the successful candidate according to qualifications and experience. 

Application process  

For full consideration, interested applicants should submit the following items via the online application form and mention the position you are applying for: “Application for JOB TITLE”: 

Process for Research Associates:  

• A cover letter which clearly specifies 1) contact details, 2) employment availability date, 3) part-time or full-time availability, and 4) MRG(s) of interest in order of priority 
• A detailed curriculum vitae in English. 
• Copies of academic transcripts  
• Description of their academic and research experiences as well as any relevant industrial / innovation / entrepreneurship experience, where applicable (500 words maximum). 
• Contact details of two University professors or one University professor and one industry referee who will provide the letters. 
• Two (2) representative publications (if applicable). 
• Two (2) representative innovation outcomes / products (if applicable). 

Incomplete applications will not be accepted.  

In case you previously applied for a post at CYENS CoE, a new application is required. 

For general enquiries, applicants may contact the HR Department of CYENS, Centre of Excellence at  vacancies@cyens.org.cy . For academic matters related to the post, applicants may contact Associate Professor Despina Michael-Grigoriou at despina.grigoriou@cut.ac.cy.  

Positions: 5

Location: Limassol (or and Nicosia), Cyprus

Type: An initial one-year or an initial two-years employment contract will be offered with the possibility for renewal depending on performance and project needs.