Postdoctoral Researcher in Animal Behaviour, Assistive Technology and Epilepsy ref #002660

A multi-disciplinary team consisting of (1) computing researchers with expertise in real time processing of sensor data, using machine learning to detect events from sensor data, and app development to alert a subject when an event is detected from sensor data, (2) clinicians with specialisms in the management of epilepsy, (3) a charity with expertise in training assistance dogs to help people with physical needs and (4) a second charity that provides support, information and advice to people with epilepsy, has been established. Building on initial work described in (Radu et al., 2023) doi: 10.1145/3555776.3577656 this team with conduct a programme of research on training assistance dogs to signal when they scent that their owner is about to have an epileptic seizure and the dogs’ signalling motion (such as spinning) will be detected by a wearable sensor affixed to the dogs’ collars. A machine learning algorithm running in real time will detect this signalling motion and alert the dogs’ owners to move to a safe place before the seizure onset.

Applications are invited for a postdoctoral researcher / administrator to oversee and manage the research programme. This involves assisting with the recruitment of subjects, liaison with the charity which trains assistance dogs in order to match subjects with dogs, assisting with the deployment of wearable sensors by the dogs which detect their signalling behaviour when they scent an oncoming seizure, monitoring the effectiveness of the dogs in alerting their owners and measuring changes in the quality of life of the subjects.

Duties include:
• Conduct a programme of research into using trained assistance dogs for alerting their owners about impending epileptic seizures.
Liaise with both external and internal stakeholders, including academics, clinicians, charities and subjects. This will include a close working relationship and time spent working at the Epilepsy clinic at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, as well as a close working relationship and time spent working at the Irish Dogs for the Disabled charity in Cork. It will also include monitoring the performance of assistance dogs in seizure alerting and measurements of changes in the quality of life of the subjects
• Assist the Principal Investigator (PI) in achieving the project aims and goals and raising public awareness of the progress of the project. This includes preparation of project outputs, interim and final reports as required by the project schedule.
• Assist in and contribute to the writing of research publications emanating from the research work.
• Lead the development and submission of an ethics approval application for the work to be carried out.
• Assist with the development and submission of a data management plan to the research funding agency.
• Assist with the development and submission of a Data Protection Impact Assessment to the University’s Data Protection Office.
• Carry out administrative work associated with the programme of research as necessary.
• Other tasks relevant to successfully implementing the assigned research programme.
• Deliver research outputs and educational and public engagement (EPE) targets according
to project schedules.
• Attend and present results at project progress meetings.
• Participate in Insight Centre activities.