[JOB] Research Consultancy in Animal-Computer Interaction

Position overview
A 6-months research consultancy is available to conduct research in the area of Animal-Computer Interaction (ACI – http://crc.open.ac.uk/Themes/ACI) starting in September 2013. The Towards Smart Kennels project is funded by UK’s leading canine welfare charity DogsTrust and led by The Open University (OU) in collaboration with the University of Lincoln (Lincoln). The research aims to identify requirements for the development of smart kennels, in order to overcome known welfare problems arising in the kennel environment and improve the welfare of kennelled dogs. In particular the project aims to investigate the possible integration of pervasive sensor systems, ambient intelligence and tangible interfaces to monitor a range of welfare indicators, providing adaptive stimulation for the dogs and afford them control over the kennel environment. If successful, this initial pilot project might be followed by a full project for the design and implementation of a functioning smart kennel.

Person specification
The successful candidate will have a Bachelor degree, Master or PhD in Ubiquitous or Pervasive Computing, Interaction Design (ID) or Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or other related areas. They will have working knowledge of ID and HCI research processes. In particular they will be proficient in applying qualitative research methods and analysing qualitative data, with an understanding of quantitative data. Digital prototyping skills (e.g. Arduino) would be advantageous. The successful candidate will also have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both written and oral. It is essential that they are comfortable around dogs and that they are not allergic to dogs. Having dog-handling skills would be advantageous but is not essential. In order to be eligible, the candidate will need to reside and have permission to work in the United Kingdom at least for the duration of the project, and to start working from early September 2013.

Job description
Primarily based at The Open University’s main campus in Milton Keynes, UK, the researcher will work part of the time at a canine rehoming centre in Loughborough to collect a range of data. With the aid of appropriate recording equipment, data gathering methods will include ethnographic observations as well as contextual and semi-structured interviews. Qualitative data might be analysed and triangulated using frameworks such as grounded theory, activity theory and theme recognition; statistical packages such as SPSS might be used for analysing quantitative data across the board. In collaboration with the project’s investigators, the researcher will present the finding in a report including proposals of design and implementation of possible technological interventions. The researcher will report to Dr Clara Mancini (Principal Investigator and head of the Animal-Computer Interaction Lab at the OU) and will be co-supervised by Prof Daniel Mills (Co-Investigator and professor of veterinary behavioural medicine at Lincoln), Prof Gerd Kortuem (Co-Investigator and professor of ubiquitous computing at the OU) and Dr Janet van der Linden (Co-Investigator and senior lecturer of pervasive computing at the OU).

Enquiries and application
For further information about the position and the project, please contact Dr Clara Mancini (Clara.Mancini@open.ac.uk<mailto:Clara.Mancini@open.ac.uk> or 01908 652 165).

To apply, candidates should email their Curriculum Vitae and a cover letter (discussing their interest in and suitability for the position) to
Clara.Mancini@open.ac.uk<mailto:Clara.Mancini@open.ac.uk> no later than the 20th of July 2013 (midnight UK time).

— The Open University is incorporated by Royal Charter (RC 000391), an
exempt charity in England & Wales and a charity registered in Scotland (SC
038302).