Senior Postdoctoral Researcher in HCI, Ageing and Digital Health

Feb 12, 2021

Project Lead - Dr. Julie Doyle

Salary Scale - Salary commensurate with experience and not to exceed €47,264 p.a (pro rata)

Location - Dundalk Institute of Technology, Ireland

Duration - 36 months

We are seeking to recruit a highly motivated senior postdoctoral researcher to work on a Horizon 2020 funded project SEURO (Scaling EUROpean citizen driven transferable and transformative digital health). The SEURO project will build on the successful Horizon 2020 project ProACT which developed and trialled the ProACT platform – designed to support older adults with multiple chronic conditions to self-manage their health and wellbeing. The aim of SEURO is to evaluate the key factors necessary to prepare an EU region to successfully implement and scale the ProACT platform. The successful candidate will lead research into enhancing the design and functionality of the ProACT platform and will lead the trialling of the platform with older adults, their carers and healthcare professionals.

The successful candidate will join a well-established multidisciplinary research and development team based in Dundalk Institute of Technology working on applied age-friendly health and wellbeing technology solutions to support older adults. NetwellCASALA works closely with members of the community, health services, industry and academic partners to actively translate ideas into practical solutions that improves the lives of older people and those who care for them, whilst also creating new business opportunities and informing public policies. Postdoctoral staff within the centre are encouraged and supported in contributing to and writing research grants. Staff also have access to a wide array of training courses within DkIT to support career progression.

The successful candidate will collaborate with EU partners on the SEURO project. They will be required to attend project meetings, contribute to project reports and deliverables for the European Commission and disseminate the research through academic publications and presentations.

The role includes, but is not limited to, the following:

  • Conduct requirements gathering and co-design workshops with older people with multiple chronic conditions and related stakeholders.
  • Understand the needs of this user group and how to design technology for them.
  • Lead activities relating to updating the design of the existing ProACT care applications, ensuring that they are simple to use, intuitive and will encourage adoption and usage. Collaborate with software developers during the development process.
  • Contribute to the development of a behaviour change framework to maximise user engagement and scalability of the ProACT platform.
  • Lead a work package related to evaluating the updated platform in three Effectiveness Implementation Hybrid trials across Ireland, Belgium and Sweden. The successful candidate will lead activities around trial preparation and methodologies that will be common across all trial sites, and will be responsible for managing the trial in Ireland.
  • Conduct data collection as part of the trial and statistical analysis on findings.
  • Contribute to reports and publications on the research programme.
  • Attend project meetings with SEURO partners.
  • Undertake any other related research activities as required.

Essential Criteria

  • Hold a PhD or have equivalent experience in Human Computer Interaction, Interaction Design or a related discipline.
  • Evidence of a strong publication track record in line with experience.
  • Experience in designing digital applications and conducting user research including conducting interviews, focus groups, co-design workshops and usability testing.
  • Statistical analysis skills, including qualitative and quantitative.
  • Skills in both verbal and written communication, including proficiency in academic writing and public presentations.
  • Works proactively and demonstrates enthusiasm for research and a desire for career progression.
  • Ability to lead a research project.

Desirable Criteria

  • Prior postdoctoral experience (or equivalent).
  • Experience in working with older adults.
  • Experience in the field of digital health.
  • Experience in conducting and evaluating home-based studies of digital health technology.
  • Experience working on collaborative / European projects.
  • Knowledge of the principles underpinning successful grant application with a record of securing grant funding.

Start date: 01/05/2021

To apply go to DkIT Vacancies.

For informal enquiries contact the project lead julie.doyle@dkit.ie