PhD vacancy in project CHASING

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

For more (up-to-date) information, see:
  http://hstrik.ruhosting.nl/chasing-phd-vacancy/
  http://hstrik.ruhosting.nl/chasing/

* Requirements
  + Degree in Computational or Applied Linguistics, Computer Science,
Artificial Intelligence, Informatics, Cognitive Science, or Education
  + Programming skills, e.g. Python, Java, html5, php, javascript,
flash, 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 in the fall of 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.

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