Research Assistant (Human-Computer Interaction)

Job Description

The Centre for Holistic Inquiry into Lifelong Learning (CHILL) at the National University of Singapore is seeking a motivated Research Assistant with expertise in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), technical product management, and hands-on development across hardware, software, and XR.

The Research Assistant will work closely with the Principal Investigator (A/Prof Suranga Nanayakkara). The successful candidate will be responsible for managing open-ended research and innovation projects end-to-end, effectively bridging the gap between user needs, technical implementation, and overall project goals.

Major responsibilities include:

1. Project & Product Management: Manage research and development projects end-to-end, independently defining scope, setting milestones, and delivering iteratively using agile methodologies (e.g., SCRUM).
2. Technical Implementation & Prototyping: Design and develop hybrid hardware-software demonstrators, interactive XR/VR applications, and multimodal interfaces (utilizing tools such as Unity, Flutter, and Python).
3. Human-Centered Research: Conduct qualitative user research, expert interviews, and usability evaluations to inform iterative, human-centered prototyping and MVP creation.
4. Stakeholder Collaboration: Facilitate feedback sessions, align internal teams and external stakeholders, and moderate project timelines to ensure successful deliverables.
5. Academic & Industry Engagement: Disseminate research outcomes via journal and conference papers, contribute to research grant proposals, and actively participate in industry project meetings and academic events.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Human Factors, Engineering Psychology, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a closely related field.
• Project Management: Proven experience in Technical Product/Project Management, with a strong grasp of Agile/SCRUM practices, milestone planning, and iterative delivery.
• Design & Prototyping: Proficiency in rapid prototyping, UI/UX design (Figma), and 3D modeling/CAD (Blender, Siemens NX, etc.).
• Programming & Integration: Strong hands-on development skills using languages and frameworks such as Dart/Flutter, C#, Python, and web technologies, along with experience in hardware integration (e.g., Raspberry Pi, CAN-Bus).
• Research Methods: Solid background in qualitative user research, human-centered design frameworks, and empirical research methods.
• Soft Skills: Excellent communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a diverse team environment.