{"id":206,"date":"2026-07-09T14:41:43","date_gmt":"2026-07-09T13:41:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/knowledge-media-institute\/?page_id=206"},"modified":"2026-07-09T14:41:43","modified_gmt":"2026-07-09T13:41:43","slug":"18488-post-doctoral-research-associate-in-haptics-and-image-processing","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/knowledge-media-institute\/18488-post-doctoral-research-associate-in-haptics-and-image-processing\/","title":{"rendered":"18488 – Post-Doctoral Research Associate in Haptics and Image Processing"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Knowledge Media Institute (KMi)
\u00a333,797 to \u00a340,322, Ref: 18488
Based in Milton Keynes
Full Time (Job share and flexibility on work hours can be considered), Fixed Term until 31 March 2024<\/strong>
Application closed on: Tuesday 27 July 2021<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are looking to hire a Research Associate with skills, experience or interest in Neural Networks (e.g. for image processing), Haptic Interfaces for feeling textures and Human Computer Interaction.

The position is advertised as part of a new interdisciplinary project on SENSE: Sensory Explorations of Nature in School Grounds, funded by the EPSRC. The project explores the design of haptic interfaces to explore the textures of nature.

The project will explore artificial intelligence (e.g. automated image recognition and processing) as a means to automatically identify textures such as feathers, scales or fur and create a haptic layer that can be rendered by a variable friction haptic screen. This will be used to engage school kids with nature and science learning. There is substantial scope for exploring your own ideas within this broad framework.

The successful candidate will have a PhD in topics related to Artificial Intelligence, machine learning, Haptics or Human Computer Interaction.

Key responsibilities include:

– Conduct research into automated image recognition and processing for pictures of flora and fauna
– Co-create (with other interdisciplinary researchers and end users) haptic interfaces to effectively render the textures in an image through touch
– Integrate developed technologies into php-based websites such as iSpot and BeeWatch.
– Publish findings in internationally leading conferences and journals.

Funding is available for a Full time researcher for 30 months, but could be extended for a part-time researcher.

The full summary of duties and person specification can be found within the Job Description.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To apply, please fill the application form below and also include a Covering Letter (a maximum of 2,500 words) and CV<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

<\/a> Download the Application for Employment Form (Short Version)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a> Download the Application for Employment (Accessible\/Short Version)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then email it to resourcing-hub@open.ac.uk<\/a> quoting the job reference number ‘.18488.’<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/a> Download Job Related Information for Ref: 18488<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We promote diversity in employment and welcome applications from all sections of the community.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hard copies and access details for disabled applicants are available from the Resourcing Assistant by email resourcing-hub@open.ac.uk<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Further details on The Open University’s employment conditions can be found at: http:\/\/www3.open.ac.uk\/employment\/benefits.asp<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Back to archive list<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Knowledge Media Institute (KMi)\u00a333,797 to \u00a340,322, Ref: 18488Based in Milton KeynesFull Time (Job share and flexibility on work hours can be considered), Fixed Term until 31 March 2024Application closed on: Tuesday 27 July 2021. We are looking to hire a Research Associate with skills, experience or interest in Neural Networks (e.g. for image processing), Haptic […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"unity_related_person":[],"unity_sdg":[],"unity_research_theme":[],"unity_strategic_priority":[],"unity_enabler":[],"unity_general_category":[],"unity_stem_unit":[],"unity_related_project":[],"unity_related_archived_project":[],"unity_related_event":[],"class_list":["post-206","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/knowledge-media-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/206","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/knowledge-media-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/knowledge-media-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/knowledge-media-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/13"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/knowledge-media-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=206"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/knowledge-media-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/206\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":207,"href":"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/knowledge-media-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/206\/revisions\/207"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/knowledge-media-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=206"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"unity_related_person","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/knowledge-media-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/unity_related_person?post=206"},{"taxonomy":"unity_sdg","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/knowledge-media-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/unity_sdg?post=206"},{"taxonomy":"unity_research_theme","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/knowledge-media-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/unity_research_theme?post=206"},{"taxonomy":"unity_strategic_priority","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/knowledge-media-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/unity_strategic_priority?post=206"},{"taxonomy":"unity_enabler","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/knowledge-media-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/unity_enabler?post=206"},{"taxonomy":"unity_general_category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/knowledge-media-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/unity_general_category?post=206"},{"taxonomy":"unity_stem_unit","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/knowledge-media-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/unity_stem_unit?post=206"},{"taxonomy":"unity_related_project","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/knowledge-media-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/unity_related_project?post=206"},{"taxonomy":"unity_related_archived_project","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/knowledge-media-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/unity_related_archived_project?post=206"},{"taxonomy":"unity_related_event","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/schools.stem.open.ac.uk\/knowledge-media-institute\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/unity_related_event?post=206"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}