[CEUD-ICT] Job: ICT Accessibility Researcher

[Mark Magennis]

The National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI) is recruiting an  
ICT Accessibility Researcher to work within the Centre for Inclusive  
Technology (CFIT) on the VICON project. VICON (Virtual User Concept  
for Inclusive Design of Consumer Products and User Interfaces) will  
address the needs of people with age-related sensory and physical  
impairments in the design of mobile phones, white goods and other  
Information and Communication Technologies. This is a 27 month fixed  
term contract.


ABOUT THE POSITION:

NCBI CFIT works to promote Digital Inclusion through the accessible  
design of information and communication technologies (ICTs) such as  
websites, digital television, mobile devices and consumer electronics.  
As part of its work, CFIT is involved in collaborative European  
research into Inclusive Design - the design of mainstream ICT products  
in a way that ensures they are also accessible to older people and  
people with disabilities such as sight loss. As an ICT Accessibility  
Researcher, you will report to and be guided by a senior CFIT  
consultant. For more about NCBI CFIT, see www.cfit.ie.

VICON aims to create and test a set of design and development software  
tools based on virtual user models. NCBI's role in this project is  
mainly in the specification of end-user requirements, the evaluation  
of design tools and prototype user interfaces and the application of  
results to improve the design tools.

During the period of employment, you will have opportunities to  
receive training in and contribute to CFIT's other areas of work,  
including the accessibility evaluation of websites and online  
applications.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

+ Contribute to the design of requirements gathering exercises and  
evaluations.

+ Carry out requirements gathering exercises involving a range of  
qualitative techniques such as ethnographic field studies, user  
observations, focus groups, questionnaires and interviews. Users will  
be older people with mild to moderate impairments in vision, hearing  
and dexterity.

+ Carry out evaluations of design tools and designed products using  
task-based user testing and observation, field trials and interviews/ 
questionnaires. Users will be both product designers and end-users.

+ Analyse the results of these activities and deliver written reports  
with recommendations.

+ Contribute to the writing and presentation of other project  
deliverables and research papers at international conferences.

+ Attend project meetings across Europe.

+ Other associated duties, as required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Applicants should have a research MSc, a PhD or 4 years full time  
research employment in a relevant discipline such as human computer  
interaction, ergonomics or psychology.

Essential skills and experience required:

+ Knowledge and experience in methods of qualitative research  
involving human subjects. One or more of: ethnographic field studies,  
observational studies, user testing, structured interviewing and  
questionnaires, focus groups.

+ Excellent planning and organising skills.

+ Written reporting and presentation skills.

+ Ability to work in a collaborative environment.

+ Ability to work both independently and under direction, bringing in  
your own ideas and approaches as well as taking on those of others.

+ Willingness to travel.

IDEAL ADDITIONAL SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

+ Experience and/or interest in working with older people and people  
with disabilities, particularly in the use of digital technologies.

+ Proven interest in the social impact of technologies.

+ Usability / ergonomics of hardware and software.

+ Interest and familiarity with current digital consumer technologies.

+ Knowledge of statistical analysis techniques and tools.

+ Web accessibility and related issues.

+ Web and software user testing.

DETAILS:

The position is available from April 2010 as a 27 month fixed-term  
contract and will be based in NCBI's head office in Whitworth Rd,  
Drumcondra, Dublin 9.
Hours of work are Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
As this is a collaborative European project, some travelling will be  
involved.
Annual salary is €35K - €42K depending on qualifications and experience.

APPLICATIONS:

Apply by Friday 12th February 2010 by sending an email describing why  
you want to work for NCBI CFIT on this project and attaching a CV  
describing your relevant qualifications and experience, to:

Helen Shanahan, recruitment at ncbi.ie

Any hard copy materials that you wish to accompany your application  
can be sent to:

Helen Shanahan
Senior HR Officer
NCBI Limerick
Midwestern Regional Office
Units 2 and 3, Parkview Court
Lord Edward Street
Limerick
Ireland



********************************************************************
National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI) is a company 
limited by guarantee (registered in Ireland No. 26293) .
Our registered office is at Whitworth Road, Drumcondra, Dublin 9.
NCBI is also a registered Charity (chy4626). 

NOTICE: The information contained in this email and any attachments 
is confidential and may be privileged.  If you are not the intended 
recipient you should not use, disclose, distribute or copy any of 
the content of it or of any attachment; you are requested to notify 
the sender immediately of your receipt of the email and then to 
delete it and any attachments from your system.

NCBI endeavours to ensure that emails and any attachments generated 
by its staff are free from viruses or other contaminants.  However, 
it cannot accept any responsibility for any such which are 
transmitted.  We therefore recommend you scan all attachments.

Please note that the statements and views expressed in this email 
and any attachments are those of the author and do not necessarily 
represent the views of NCBI


********************************************************************