Research Assistant in HCI project

Chatbots are now capable of providing technical support, taking orders, or even acting as virtual friends. This project is part of a larger EU project called HumaneAI and is based in the UCL Computer Science dept - see https://www.humane-ai.eu/. It is concerned with how conversational agents can be developed to augment human cognition, to scaffold and guide human thinking when making decisions. In particular, the focus is on helping people to reflect on their reasoning when deciding which investments to buy.

The RA will report to Prof Yvonne Rogers (y.rogers@ucl.ac.uk) and will help with developing and implementing two conditions for our system (a “recommender bot” and an “arguing against bot”) for helping novices build a portfolio that fits their profile. The prototype will then be evaluated through conducting a user study. 

Duties and responsibilities

• To build an interactive chatbot for supporting external thinking and reflection 
• To conduct user research and help run a user study
• To help design and build a prototype of an interactive chatbot that provides recommendations or contextually-relevant dialogues
• To help run online user studies
• The post holder will actively follow UCL policies including Equal Opportunities and Race Equality policies
• The post holder will maintain an awareness and observation of Fire and Health & Safety Regulations
• The postholder will carry out any other duties as are within the scope, spirit and purpose of the job as requested by the line manager.

Skills and experience

We are looking for a Human-Computer Interaction researcher with an MSc in Computer Science or related subject, programming skills to develop a chatbot, HCI skills to design a chatbot dialogue by working with users, integration with body movement and touch, experience in writing research papers.

Experience of publishing in HCI venues is desirable. Excellent organisational, research and writing skills are a prerequisite for this role. Ideal candidates will have an MSc/PhD/near completion in HCI or a related subject.

Additional information

Please note to be eligible to work within this role, you must have the right to work in the UK, be physically based in the UK and be able to travel to our London-based office for a RTW check (if required).

Deadline for applications:14 April 2024, h.23:59.

Interviews will be held soon after applications deadline.

To apply visit Unitemps.