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--></style></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoPlainText>Dear all,<br><br><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>are you passionate about exploring the intersection of auditory cognition and virtual reality? We have an open position for a motivated PhD student at RWTH Aachen University, Germany in the SPP AUDICTIVE (SPP 2236) program, focusing on listeners' cognitive performances within complex audiovisual immersive virtual environments!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><br><b>Start Date</b>: February 1st, 2026<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><b>Duration</b>: 3 years<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><br><b>Project Overview: <o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoPlainText>The project investigates how audiovisual variations in complex listening environments impact attention, speech intelligibility, and memory performance. The aim is to develop realistic virtual scenarios populated by embodied conversational agents (ECAs) to enhance our understanding of cognitive processes during social interactions.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>From a virtual reality perspective, we will work on tracking user attention during conversations with ECAs while analyzing signs of distraction. Building on these insights, we strive to explore effective strategies for regaining user attention after distractions and assess their impact on cognitive load and memory performance. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><br><b>What We Are Looking For:<o:p></o:p></b></p><p class=MsoPlainText>• A master’s degree in computer science or a related field is required.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>• Solid knowledge and experience in Unreal Engine is essential<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>• Experience with designing, conducting, and evaluating user studies would be advantageous. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>• Strong analytical skills and the ability to work collaboratively within an interdisciplinary team <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><b>How to Declare Your Interest Now!</b><br>If you are interested in contributing to research that bridges computer science, psychology, and acoustics, we welcome your application.<br>Send an application (CV, cover letter, proof of academic qualifications obtained) detailing your interest in this opportunity to <a href="mailto:boensch@vr.rwth-aachen.de">boensch@vr.rwth-aachen.de</a>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span lang=DE>Best,<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span lang=DE>Andrea Bönsch<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span lang=DE><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span lang=DE>--<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span lang=DE>Dr. Andrea Bönsch<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span lang=DE>[sie/ihr; she/hers]<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span lang=DE><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText>RWTH Aachen University<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>- Visual Computing Institute - Virtual Reality & Immersive Visualization <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>- Computer Science Department – LuFG i12 – Deputy Head of LuFG and Social VR Teamlead<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>- IT Center - Computational Science & Engineering – Co-Lead of Department<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <span lang=DE>Kopernikusstraße 6, 52074 Aachen, Germany<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span lang=DE> Phone +49 241 80-24922; Fax +49 241 80-6-24922; Mobile +49 170 5650437<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoPlainText><span lang=DE> </span>Email boensch@vr.rwth-aachen.de<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> URL www.vr.rwth-aachen.de<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>