[Ieee_vis] Open PhD Position: Virtual reality exploration for multi-dimensional land use management

[Christoph Bartneck]

 Open PhD Position

*Virtual reality exploration for multi-dimensional land use management *

The goal of this PhD project is to explore how virtual-reality technology
and super-computing capability can be used to assist decision-makers in
understanding the impact of alternative optimal solutions in land
management. Over 50 years worth of spatial data showing land use changes
over time has been collected.  An evolutionary algorithm has been developed
to find optimal solutions for land use, using this data set. However the
output of this algorithm is difficult to visualize and understand. So the
PhD work will cover visualising this preprocessed multi-dimensional data on
a virtual reality (VR) immersive display. The system will allow users to
explore the solution space interactively using motion-tracking technology
and get greater understanding of the data set and evolved solutions. This
is a joint project between the University of Canterbury, SCION and the US
NSF-funded BEACON Center. This project has a duration of three years and is
funded by a *NZD 25K p.a. scholarship*.

The Eligible Student Should have the Following background:

·      MSc or first class honours graduate degree;

·      Programming in Python and C++ desirable;

·      Graphics programming ability

·      Experience with scientific visualization and/or virtual reality

·      Interest in GPU programming/CUDA development

·      Only for a full-time student.



About the Lab

The Human Interface Technology Laboratory New Zealand (HIT Lab NZ) is
developing and commercializing technology that improves human computer
interaction and by doing so unlocks the power of human intelligence. The
HIT Lab NZ conducts research with new emerging technologies such as
Augmented Reality, Next Generation Video Conferencing, Immersive
Visualization and Human-Robot Interaction. Interaction Design techniques
are used to adapt these technologies to the needs of end users and solve
real world problems. The end goal is to improve the user experience with
technology.



Duties

International applicants will be required to arrange for their NZ student
visa after an offer of a place. Please check
http://www.immigration.govt.nzfor information about what type of visa
might be most suitable and the
process of acquiring it. The university has various types of accommodation
available on campus. Please check http:/www.canterbury.ac.nz/accom/ for
information about the options and prices. International students should
also consult the International Student website at
http://www.canterbury.ac.nz/international/ to learn about the cost of
living, fees, and insurances.



Application.

Your application must include your *resume, academic records, two
references and your preferred starting date*. Please send you complete
application by *July 18th* to our online system at:
http://www.hitlabnz.org/index.php/jobs/job/34/1/table . Please contact
christoph.bartneck at canterbury.ac.nz if you have any questions about the
opening or the application process.
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