If you recently completed a Ph.D. degree in Modeling and Simulation, Human Factors, Human Computer Interaction, Computer Science or Cognitive Psychology, have experience with VR technologies and would like to work on exciting VR-related research projects (living in one of the most gorgeous and environment-friendly places in the US comes as a special bonus!), we have two positions available:

1. Title: 3D Display and Capture of Humans for Live-Virtual Training
   • Description: We are conducting research, development, and evaluation of work in both 3D display and sensing, initially aimed at Mixed/Augmented Reality-based live-virtual training, but with potential for broader impact. The first component of the work focuses on creating physically present virtual humans in 3D, without the need for HMDs or special time/phase/wavelength glasses. The second component of the work centers on a new idea for hybrid global/body-relative and cooperative estimation of full kinematic body and weapon posture, supporting multiple individuals working in close proximity during training exercises, for both kinetic and non-kinetic scenarios. This muti-institution research effort incorporates two distinct research activities that will be organized at the NPS MOVES Institute. One activity is aimed at obtaining a thorough understanding of a relevant training domain, its actors, and their specific needs (both current and projected); the domains include tactical cultural awareness training, urban warfighting (indoor and outdoor), fire drills on ships, and submarines. The second activity includes a series of user investigations on the basic elements of users acting in related environment in the context of the 3D display and sensing efforts. The latter includes a series of technology related user studies and conducting usability investigations, studies of sense of presence, and subjective acceptance of several different modalities of virtual 3D humans.
   • Keywords: Virtual reality; Human factors; Game-based systems; Virtual training simulations; Domain analysis; Presence in VR
   • Project: 3D Display and Capture of Humans for Live-Virtual Training
   • Citizenship: Open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents and non-U.S. citizens
   • NRC link
   • RO# (NRC Research Opportunity number): 62.10.03.B7338
   • How to apply: Application needs to be filed through NRC. Also contact the advisor (Prof. Amela Sadagic).

2. Title: Virtual Training Simulations in Support of Ground Troops Training (Urban Warfare Operations)
   • Description: The major thrust of our activities focuses on a domain analysis for training of ground troops in an outdoor urban environment and on user studies with virtual training simulations. The user studies planned in this project include two different activities: (1) design and testing of novel training methodologies and pedagogies in support of learning and training with simulations and game-based systems, and (2) validation of our solutions in the domain of artificial intelligence (simulated human performance). Both types of studies focus on training of ground troops for the urban warfare operations.
   • Keywords: Virtual reality; Human factors; Game-based systems; Virtual training simulations; Domain analysis; Training methodologies; Artificial intelligence; Human behavior modeling
   • Project: BASE-IT (Behavioral Analysis and Synthesis for Intelligent Training)
   • Citizenship: Open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents and non-U.S. citizens
   • NRC link
   • RO# (NRC Research Opportunity number): 62.10.03.B7337
   • How to apply: Application needs to be filed through NRC. Also contact the advisor (Prof. Amela Sadagic).

All applications need to be submitted through NRC - they have 4 annual application deadlines, and current nearest deadline is 1 May, 2011.

This is an opportunity to work within a unique DoD education and research institution - the first national university to offer the master and PhD degrees in M&S. Living in one of the most gorgeous and environment-friendly places in the US comes as a special bonus!

Links:

• The National Research Council: NRC
• Research Associateship Programs: link
• Naval Postgraduate School - NPS: link
• Modeling, Virtual Environments, and Simulation (MOVES) Institute: link
• California: link
• Monterey, California: link