项目介绍

2025年4月11日

Job description

The project is part of the DFF(Independent Research Fund Denmark) granted research project”Audio Only VR for Blind Gamers”. The research project investigate audio only Virtual Reality for blind gamers including the development of a game for implementation on an existing VR platform with personalized audio, and utilizing haptics as provided in the standard game controls.

The main tasks within this PhD project are:

1. Develop strategy for individualized earphone-based sound, which includes adequate representation of the physical environment(the acoustics of the listener’s ear and the room in the virtual world).
2. Implement solution for personalized 3D audio(including scanning of ear for mesh and computation, if favorable) for the participating blind gamers.
3. Transfer solution to gaming platform(Unity-based).
4. Develop game desing utilizing the key affordances of both audio and haptics(based on inter-mediate results from the parallel PhD project).
5. Implement game in experimental version for testing in with the participating blind gamers.
6. Evaluate results qualitatively and quantitatively with respect to authenticity, perceived immersion and flow.

The research questions, methodology, and project plan for the PhD project will be developed through supervision by Professor Dorte Hammershøi(main supervisor, and DFF project leader), Head of Acoustics and Hearing, Section for AI and Sound at Department of Electronic Systems, and by Professor Stefania Serafin, Head of Multisensory Experience Laboratory, Dept of Architecture, Design and Media Technology(Copenhagen campus). The PhD project is in very close collaboration with another PhD candidate in the DFF project, with main responsibilities for studying the user needs of the case population, and assessing user satisfaction and technology acceptance of the experimental solution.

Qualification Requirements:

• It is preferable if applicants are able to speak and understand Danish, as most users are recruited within a community and center of Danish vision-impaired people.
• Applicants must have training in signal processing and acoustics
• It is preferable if applicants have familiarity with VR technology platforms, or technology platforms with similar affordances(human-computer interaction through sound and haptics, and with dynamic monitoration of user movements and actions)
• Good written and spoken English language skills are mandatory for publication purposes.

The PhD project will be conducted under the auspices of the Acoustics and Hearing research group at Department of Electronic Systems(first part of study), and under the auspice of the Multisensory Experience Laboratory, Dept of Architecture, Design and Media Technology(second part of study).

You may obtain further information from Prof. Dorte Hammershøi, Department of Electronic Systems, email:dh@es.aau.dk, concerning the scientific aspects of the stipend.

PhD stipends are allocated to individuals who hold a Master’s degree. PhD stipends are normally for a period of 3 years. It is a prerequisite for allocation of the stipend that the candidate will be enrolled as a PhD student at the Technical Doctoral School of IT and Design in accordance with the regulations of Ministerial Order No. 1039 of August 27, 2013 on the PhD Programme at the Universities and Certain Higher Artistic Educational Institutions. According to the Ministerial Order, the progress of the PhD student shall be assessed at regular points in time.

Shortlisting will be applied. This means that subsequent to the deadline for applications the head of department supported by the chair of the assessment committee will select candidates for assessment. All applicants will be informed whether they will be assessed or not.

For further information about stipends and salary as well as practical issues concerning the application procedure contact Ms. Lisbeth Diinhoff, The Doctoral School at The Technical Faculty of IT and Design, email:ld@adm.aau.dk, phone:+45 9940 9589.

The application is only to be submitted online by using the”Apply online” button below.

AAU wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background or belief.

The hiring process at Aalborg University may include a risk assessment as a tool to identify potential risks associated with new hires, ensuring the safety, compliance, and integrity of the workplace.

For more information of The Technical Doctoral School of IT and Design:www.phd.tech.aau.dk

Wages and employment

Appointment and salary as a PhD fellow are according to the Ministry of Finance Circular of 15 December 2021 on the Collective Agreement for Academics in Denmark, Appendix 5, regarding PhD fellows, and with the current Circular of 11 December 2019 on the employment structure at Danish universities.

Ref number

8-24033G

Deadline

28.04.2025