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Perception of materials, objects and spaces through active EXPLORAtion An MSCA doctoral network funded by the HORIZON 2020 framework - project lifetime 2026-2030 |
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| Home | Consortium | PhD Candidates | Projects | Publications | Explora kits |
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Apply for a doctoral position now! |
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There are 14 doctoral positions opening (1 per project). Scroll down to find out more. All projects involve at least two secondments within the consortium.
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1. Dynamic updating of movement in haptic exploration of multifaceted objects
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| Description |
We will measure successive adaptation of haptic object exploration during varying sensory input in the perception of an objects shape and material properties. The goal is to understand how exploration strategies depend on perception of shape and materials, and to identify brain processes associated with exploration control.
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| Requires |
A Masters degree in psychology/cognitive sciences/ computer science or similar
Experience in:
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| Host |
 
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| PIs |
If you want to apply for this position, please find out if you meet the eligibility criteria listed here and get in touch with:
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2. Active exploration of iridescence and gloss
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| Description |
We will capture explorative behavior of human participants while they assess color and gloss of an object. Our goal is to understand
the effects of viewing & lighting geometry and surface properties on exploration behavior and perception.
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| Requires |
A Masters degree in psychology/cognitive sciences/ computer science or similar
Experience in:
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| Host |
 
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| PIs |
If you want to apply for this position, please find out if you meet the eligibility criteria listed here and get in touch with:
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3. Dynamic changes in material appearance
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| Description |
We will capture and model changes in material appearance during exploratory movements, and aim to establish links between physical material parameters, dynamic changes in the visual information and material appearance.
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| Requires |
A Masters degree in computer science/ engineering/ mathematics or similar
Experience in:
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| Host |
 
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| PIs |
If you want to apply for this position, please find out if you meet the eligibility criteria listed here and get in touch with:
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4. Exploratory hand and eye movements in the perception of special effects materials
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| Description |
We want to understand how exploratory interaction with an object modifies appearance special effects materials (e.g. glitter, pearlescence). We will identify dynamic image cues that correlate with perceptual characteristics and create standard scale for special effects material appearance for industry.
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| Requires |
A Masters degree in psychology/cognitive sciences/ computer science or similar
Experience in:
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| Host |
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| PIs |
If you want to apply for this position, please find out if you meet the eligibility criteria listed here and get in touch with:
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5. The impact of object reactivity and task guidance on exploration strategies and curiosity
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| Description |
We will measure and model the effects of object reactivity and task guidance on exploration strategies and curiosity. We want to understand how a virtual object (3D replica or 2D mockup) reacting through touch manipulation affects exploration strategies and identify spatiotemporal visual patterns that are sought in the context of shape and/or material perception tasks - individually and collaboratively.
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| Requires |
A Masters degree in computer science/engineering or similar
Experience in:
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| Host |
 
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| PIs |
If you want to apply for this position, please find out if you meet the eligibility criteria listed here and get in touch with:
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6. Computational models of multisensory integration during surface exploration
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| Description |
We will build mixed reality experiments, record and characterise exploratory hand movements during unconstrained surface exploration and model the integration of multisensory information & responses about object attributes.
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| Requires |
A Masters degree in psychology/ neuroscience/computer science/engineering/mathematics or similar
Experience in:
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| Host |
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| PIs |
If you want to apply for this position, please find out if you meet the eligibility criteria listed here and get in touch with:
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7. Cultural modulation in the perception of natural material-exploration sounds represented through sound symbolism
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| Description |
We will investigate how both vocal (sound-symbolic words) and non-vocal (naturally occurring material sounds) auditory cues can enhance material perception during active, multisensory exploration. To achieve this, we will identify fundamental material sounds both from nature and language that are essential for material recognition during active haptic exploration. We will use immersive technologies to understand cultural universals and differences in material perception by tracking how people explore and adapt to their multisensory environment.
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| Requires |
A Masters degree in psychology/ neuroscience/computer science/engineering/mathematics or similar
Experience in:
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| Host |
 
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| PIs |
If you want to apply for this position, please find out if you meet the eligibility criteria listed here and get in touch with:
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8. Planning and execution of exploratory actions in the visual perception of objects
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| Description |
We will measure and model how relevant object features during exploratory action preparation and execution are automatically enhanced by an action-modulated perception mechanism. We will identify the amount of perceptual information and the priority scale needed to accurately predict subsequent motor responses, and identify patterns of eye movements that are specific during visual perception of the object properties relevant for the subsequent exploratory action.
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| Requires |
A Masters degree in psychology/ neuroscience/computer science/mathematics or similar
Experience in:
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| Host |
 
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| PIs |
If you want to apply for this position, please find out if you meet the eligibility criteria listed here and get in touch with:
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9. Active visuo-haptic exploration of materials in a robotic biomimetic system
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| Description |
We will develop and implement models (reinforcement -&, deep learning, Bayesian approaches) of visuo-haptic active exploration of object properties and material qualities. We will test implementations against hypotheses derived from human experiments, and ultimately improve effective multi-modal robotic control.
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| Requires |
A Masters degree in robotics /computer science/engineering or similar
Experience in:
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| Host |
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| PIs |
If you want to apply for this position, please find out if you meet the eligibility criteria listed here and get in touch with:
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10. Effects of the lighting on and around artworks on the active exploration dynamics, on learning, and on perception
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| Description |
We want to understand the effects of lighting on and around artworks on the active exploration dynamics, on learning, and on perception of the pictorial light and materials in painted scenes. We will record and characterize exploratory eye and body movements during art (exhibitions) experiences and relate those to parameters of lighting design and perception.
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| Requires |
A Masters degree in psychology/cognitive science/industrial/lighting design /architecture computer science/engineering or similar
Experience in:
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| Host |
 
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| PIs |
If you want to apply for this position, please find out if you meet the eligibility criteria listed here and get in touch with:
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11. Modulation of aesthetic experience through haptic explorations
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| Description |
We will assess how exploratory haptic interaction with an object modifies the aesthetic dimensions which are typically qualified as subjective such as pleasantness and sensual quality. We will identify how such explorative qualities change over time with more frequent usage, with accompanied information and how context information modulates the perceived qualities. We will record, analyze and qualify hand-eye-coordination during exploratory haptic processes.
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| Requires |
A Masters degree in psychology/cognitive science/computer science or similar
Experience in:
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| Host |
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| PIs |
If you want to apply for this position, please find out if you meet the eligibility criteria listed here and get in touch with:
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12. Enhancing perceptual experience in XR environments
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| Description |
Based on rigorous psychophysical measurements, we will build quantitative models on the effect of different image parameters, such as color and luminance uniformity and binocular color similarity on perceived image quality, user experience, and immersion that can be applied in XR display design. We will characterize and model eye movement behavior in XR to advance dynamic display correction in XR.
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| Requires |
A Masters degree in psychology/cognitive science/computer science or similar
Experience in:
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| Host |
 
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| PIs |
If you want to apply for this position, please find out if you meet the eligibility criteria listed here and get in touch with:
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13. Multisensorial and pseudocues for material experiences
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| Description |
We want to understand how social, multisensorial material interactions can be translated to VR and XR
interactions. We will capture real-world material explorations and convert these into
interactive images based on pseudo-haptics. The goals are to understand the interaction between
exploration movement, multisensorial cues, and material properties and to enhance material experience
and object handling in shared VR/XR environments.
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| Requires |
A Masters degree in psychology/cognitive science/industrial/lighting design /architecture computer science/engineering or similar
Experience in:
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| Host |
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| PIs |
If you want to apply for this position, please find out if you meet the eligibility criteria listed here and get in touch with:
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14. Explorable and interactive STEAM kits for embodied inspiration and worldmaking
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| Description |
We will develop open-source, prototype kits for exploring patterns of sound, light, and motion. We will evaluate the construction and effectiveness of integrated physical components (scaffolds, actuators, sensors), digital-twin virtual elements, controlled by next-generation behavioural design software easily accessible to novice and expert users. The aim is to enable wide interdisciplinary and cross- sectoral access for tool development, research-creation and dissemination, including non-experts such as teachers, artists, and children. This project will be co-supervised by Philip Beesley (Professor of Architecture and multidisciplinary artist), Rob Gorbet (Professor in Knowledge Integration and mechatronics specialist), and Daniel Vogel (Professor in Computer Science and HCI researcher with an art and design background).
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| Requires |
A Masters degree in industrial/lighting design /architecture computer science/engineering or similar
Experience in:
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| Host |
 
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| PIs |
If you want to apply for this position, please find out if you meet the eligibility criteria listed here and get in touch with:
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-7-2025- |