<name="top">Björn Þór Jónsson - Reykjavik University

Funded PhD Project: Exploration of Multimedia Metadata Space

Virtual reality (VR) presents a new approach for users to interact with computer systems and applications. Due to its recent emergence, however, the designers of complex systems are still learning how to design and optimize the user experience for VR. At the same time, multimedia analytics, a field aimed at analyzing and understanding multimedia collections, has been rapidly developing. In this project, the student will explore and expand a novel approach to multimedia analytics using both traditional and VR interfaces. The main components of the project will be (i) integrating several new exploration approaches to the data model prototype, including similarity search and interactive learning approaches, (ii) exploring the notion of imperfect data within the data model, and (iii) selecting some multimedia analytics application domain(s) and performing user studies with domain experts. The project requires full-stack prototype development, including server-side performance evaluations and optimisations. The resulting research outcomes must be published in relevant scientific venues.

Qualifications

A master's degree in CS or SE is mandatory.
Solid experience with full-stack software development is necessary.
Experience with VR and Unity development is useful.
Interest in user studies and working with domain experts is useful.

Application Process

The project is part of the MMX-VR project (http://staff.ru.is/bjorn/#main/mmx-vr.html) at Reykjavik University, which is supported by Icelandic Research Fund Grant 239772-051. The student will be supervised by Dr. Björn Þór Jónsson. Interested candidates should send mail to bjorn@ru.is.

About Reykjavik University (RU)

Reykjavík University has around 3.800 students and 300 faculty and employees in addition to numerous adjunct faculty in two schools: Technology and Social Sciences. We offer a welcoming and stimulating environment in which to work and live. The University is centrally located in Reykjavík, the capital city of Iceland. The role of Reykjavik University is to create and disseminate knowledge to enhance the competitiveness and quality of life for individuals and society, guided by good ethics, sustainability and responsibility. Education and research at RU are based on strong ties with industry and society. We emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration, international relations, and entrepreneurship.