About the Project
Application deadline: This opportunity will only remain open until a suitable candidate is identified- early application is therefore advised. Standard University research application closing dates apply http://www.coventry.ac.uk/research/research-students/application-dates/
Informal enquiries are essential before application; contact Dr. Maurice Hendrix to discuss this opportunity.
Congratulations on taking your first steps toward a Research Degree with Coventry’s Faculty of Engineering, Environment and Computing. As an ambitious and innovative University, we’re investing an initial £100m into our new research strategy, ‘Excellence with Impact’. Through original approaches from world-leading experts, we’re aiming for our research to make a tangible difference to the way we live. As a research student you are an integral part of Coventry’s lively and diverse research community and contribute to our reputation for excellence. With our exceptional facilities and superb support mechanisms you are afforded every opportunity for academic success.
THE PROJECT
Virtual environments delivered via VR headsets are gaining popularity for serious applications in different fields, such as healthcare and education, as technology becomes increasingly accessible. The potential for adapting the environment to the user is often cited as an important advantage when seeking to use a virtual environment for a serious application. To date efforts have mostly focused on difficulty balancing of the (gaming) task (Hunicke, R., 2005), with the aim of increasing flow and engagement. Content in virtual environments can be generated using algorithms via so called procedural content generation (Togelius et al., 2011), allowing for quick or even on the fly creation of different types of environments, for example in terms of realism, difficulty level types of environments etc. as required. Motion sickness, however, is a common problem when using VR headsets (Treleaven, J., et al., 2015), that affects individuals differently and that differs between different virtual environments. Little is known about the factors in these environments that influence motion sickness. In this PhD we will investigate how the use of procedural content generation and the choice of types of environments in terms of terrain and realism can affect motion sickness.
ABOUT THE CENTRE/DEPARTMENT
The School of Computing Electronics and Maths at Coventry University offers a world-leading research in Data Science and Computational Intelligence. Our strengths are in the fields of Machine Learning, Neural Networks, Fuzzy, Evolutionary and Distributed Systems. Members of national and international teams, our professors, readers and senior academics work with the industry to reach new heights of discovery in machine learning creating innovations that benefit society and solve global problems. The PhD candidate would have access to state of the art robotics and computing equipment. We are seeking top quality graduates to help us further expand our research capabilities and be part of an active researcher team. Excellent supervision in a nurturing, vibrant research environment will be offered to successful candidates in order to reach their highest potential when pursuing the PhD programme.
SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS
Successful applicants will have:
•A minimum of a 2:1 first degree in a relevant discipline/subject area with a minimum 60% mark in the Project element or equivalent with a minimum 60% overall module average, or
•A Masters Degree in a relevant subject area will be considered as an equivalent. The Masters must have been attained with overall marks at merit level (60%). In addition, the dissertation or equivalent element in the Masters must also have been attained with a mark at merit level (60%).
•The potential to engage in innovative research and to complete the PhD within a prescribed period of study
•Language proficiency (IELTS overall minimum score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component).
Additionally:
•Good programming skills in C# or a related language
•Some knowledge of game design would be beneficial
•A working knowledge of statistics for analysing surveys would be useful
•Some knowledge of a games engine (e.g. Unity3D) would be beneficial.
ELIGIBILITY & APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Application Procedure:
Application information can be found in our how to apply section. Before completing the application please contact Dr. Maurice Hendrix (cc'ing [Email Address Removed] when you do) for an initial informal discussion about the opportunity.
Eligibility:
All UK/EU/International students are eligible to apply that meet the academic requirements, the eligibility criteria can be found making an application page.
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