Project details
We are seeking a talented and enthusiastic candidate to join the CfACTs PLUS Cluster: The Centre for Applied Creative Technologies PLUS – Transforming Healthcare and its Skill Development with Digital Technologies, working specifically on the project: AI-ACT: AI Augmented Clinical Training with Natural Language Processing.
AI-ACT aims to develop an AI-automated patient communication system using the Patient Simulation for Live Clinical Training (PSLCT) immersive XR platform developed by i3Simulations. The AI-ACT system will measure both quantitative and qualitative aspects of the training outcomes and team performance, with capacity to capture behavioural and psychological attributes dynamically, which can be used to customise the training experience. The aim is for the AI algorithms to quantify the communication data not only based on the XR content delivered, but also generate appropriate responses from the patient with contextual cues such as body language, mirroring real-life situations.
The objectives include:
(O1) to review machine learning methods that generate realistic patient responses and identify related rubric matrix for clinical skill development.
(O2) to develop the AI-ACT system with build-in functions for simulating patient responses based on content and context of the clinician’s communication / responses (i.e. patient responds to dialogue with heightened level of anxiety and pain, resulting in angry tone, change in blood pressure etc).
(O3) to carry out experiments and provide effective evaluation for the AI-ACT system.
The position will be suitable for any profile in computer science, engineering, mathematics, statistics or from other science disciplines with knowledge in machine learning and AI, preferably a person with experience of working with industry, basic knowledge of NLP and chatbot, and a track record of digital health related projects.
The researcher will have access to funding for international travel, e.g., for attending conferences, and research dissemination, while working in a supportive, collaborative, inclusive and non-discriminating working environment.
The researcher will be affiliated with the CfACTs PLUS Cluster based at the National Centre for Computer Animation, Faculty of Media and Communication. The group is very dynamic, ambitious, well networked and delivers state-of-the-art research in a range of machine learning and data science topics, publishing research results in prestigious venues.
View the full project description (pdf 148kb)
The closing date for applications is Tuesday 9 April 2024.
Supervisors
Prof Yang is currently a Professor, Deputy Head of Department, Programme Leader of MSc AIM at the National Centre for Computer Animation, Bournemouth University. He has over 30 years’ experience of research, education and professional practice in computer animation, machine learning, data mining, digital health, virtual reality and surgery simulation. He is passionate to promote the technical innovation of AI in animation production and has successfully developed new technique into animation production pipeline. He has produced more than 90 peer reviewed publications including many in prestigious journals and conferences. His muscle-based animation work has been well reported by some of the most prestigious international news outlets, including NewScientist and MIT Technology Review. As PI and Co-I, he has secured over 35 research grants from European Commission, Arts and Humanities Research Council, British Academy, Leverhulme, British Council, Newton Fund, Innovate UK, Wessex AHSN, Higher Education Innovation Fund. Prof Yang has supervised over 30 PhD students, postdocs, research assistant and international visiting scholars. Prof Yang has rich experience to manage teams with both artist and technician together, and collaborate closely with companies, like Disney Research, Double Negative. He has been appointed as external examiner for PhD viva for several times, including Imperial College London, the University of Edinburgh, Durham University, University of Sheffield, University of Bath, Cardiff University, University of Calgary (Canada), etc. He is a member of the Peer Review College of the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) UK and the Computer Science Evaluation Group of the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC). Prof Yang is a member of the Program Committee for several international conferences (SIGGRAPH Asia, CGI, CASA etc), conference program chairs (CGI2012, CASA2020/2022), journal reviewer for many top journals (TVCG, ACM ToG, C&G, Signal Processing, Pattern Recognition, Neurocomputing, IEEE Access) and conferences (SIGGRAPH, Eurographics, ISMAR, PG, CGI etc). He has given several invited talks and keynote presentations internationally.
Funding
A fully-funded Studentship includes a maintenance grant of £18,622 per year to contribute towards living expenses during the course of your research, as well as a fee waiver for 4 years.
Associated costs, such as for fieldwork and conference attendance, will also be met under the Studentship.
Academic support
The Research Development Programme, developed by the Doctoral College in line with the Researcher Development Framework (Vitae).An added benefit is the opportunity to meet researchers from other academic schools at BU through the activities of the Doctoral College and benefit from their experiences, skills, and perspectives.
Full entry requirements
The BU PhD and MRes Studentships are open to UK, EU and International students.
Candidates for a PhD Studentship should demonstrate outstanding qualities and be motivated to complete a PhD in 4 years and must demonstrate:
- Outstanding academic potential as measured normally by either a 1st class honours degree (or equivalent Grade Point Average (GPA) or a Master’s degree with distinction or equivalent
- An IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 minimum (with a minimum 6.0 in each component, or equivalent) for candidates for whom English is not their first language and this must be evidenced at point of application.
In addition to satisfying minimum entry criteria, BU will look closely at the qualities, skills and background of each candidate and what they can bring to their chosen research project in order to ensure successful completion.
Applicants will be asked to submit an online application form and a proposal (approximately 1500 words) outlining their understanding of the project for which they are applying, the approach they would envisage taking and what qualities they will bring to the research community.
Please note:
- current BU Doctoral students are not eligible to apply for a Studentship
- current MRes/MPhil students can apply, subject to satisfactory completion of their Research Degree prior to being able to take up the award
- PhD Studentships cannot be used to support BU staff to complete doctoral programmes.
International entry requirements
If English is not your first language, you will need to provide evidence that you can understand English to a satisfactory level. English language requirements for this course are normally:
IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5 (with a minimum 6.0 in each component) or equivalent.
View further information about our English language requirements.
A number of pre-sessional English and preparatory programmes are offered through our partner institution, Bournemouth University International College, and will get you ready for study at BU at the appropriate level.
You can also find further details of the international qualifications we accept, and what level of study they apply to, on our postgraduate entry requirements page.
How to apply
Click the green ‘Apply now’ button at the top of the page and complete the online application form. You can find further guidance about applying for a postgraduate research degree in our Postgraduate Research section.
The closing date for applications Tuesday 9 April 2024.
Careers
A research degree can open new career opportunities in commercial research and development, consultancy, or could lead you to starting your own business. You may alternatively consider a career in academia. You may wish to undertake research to contribute to your knowledge of a specialist subject, or develop your employability by enhancing your skills in project management and analysis.
