Visualisation dynamique du réseau d'interactions sociales à l'école maternelle // Dynamic Visualization of Social Interaction Network in Preschool - Job Opportunity at Université Grenoble Alpes

Saint-Martin-d'Hères, France
Contract
Entry-level
Posted: June 3, 2025
On-site
EUR 25,000-30,000 per year (typical French PhD stipend range for CIFRE or university-funded positions)

Benefits

Opportunity to work with cutting-edge AI and data visualization technologies in an academic research environment
Access to massive datasets comprising over 655 million RSSI signals representing real-world social interactions
Multi-disciplinary collaboration with experts in human-computer interaction, information visualization, and language acquisition
Contribution to groundbreaking research in social sciences and educational technology
Doctoral degree completion with potential for high-impact academic publications
Integration into the prestigious MIAI Cluster research network

Key Responsibilities

Conduct comprehensive literature review on dynamic graph visualization techniques to establish theoretical foundation for innovative visualization approaches
Develop and implement methodological frameworks for understanding Social Sciences and Humanities research requirements, ensuring visualization tools meet end-user needs
Design and prototype advanced visualization tools capable of handling massive datasets with multiple temporal scales and complex interaction patterns
Create evaluation methodologies to assess tool effectiveness and usability for researchers in educational and social science domains
Analyze and visualize complex social interaction networks comprising over 1.7 million recorded interactions in preschool environments
Bridge the gap between technical visualization capabilities and practical research needs in educational settings

Requirements

Education

Master's degree in Computer Science, preferably with a specialization in HCI, visualization, or computer graphics

Experience

Graduate level experience in computer science research

Required Skills

Proficiency in at least one programming language and associated graphics libraries (e.g., C++/Python/JavaScript, OpenGL/D3, etc.) Interactive Information Visualization Dynamic Interaction Networks Interest in and openness to Social Sciences and Humanities Excellent communication skills in French or, alternatively, in English
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

The intersection of AI and educational technology is experiencing unprecedented growth, with universities and research institutions investing heavily in data-driven approaches to understand learning environments. This trend is particularly strong in Europe where educational AI research receives substantial public funding. Interactive data visualization tools are becoming critical for researchers working with big data in social sciences, as traditional statistical methods prove insufficient for exploring complex temporal and relational patterns in human behavior datasets. There is increasing demand for visualization specialists who can bridge technical expertise with domain knowledge in social sciences, as interdisciplinary research becomes the norm rather than the exception in academic institutions.

Role Significance

Small collaborative team structure with three co-supervisors from different specializations, typical of interdisciplinary PhD programs where candidates work closely with 2-4 senior researchers while maintaining independence in their research direction.
This is a doctoral research position representing an entry point into high-level academic research, with significant autonomy in developing novel visualization approaches and direct collaboration with established researchers in multiple disciplines.

Key Projects

Development of novel dynamic network visualization algorithms capable of handling massive temporal datasets Creation of user-centered design methodologies for social science research tools Implementation of evaluation frameworks for educational technology visualization systems

Success Factors

Deep technical proficiency in both programming and visualization theory, as the role requires creating novel solutions rather than applying existing tools Strong interdisciplinary communication skills to effectively collaborate with researchers from social sciences, linguistics, and education who may have different methodological approaches Ability to manage and analyze extremely large datasets while maintaining focus on user needs and practical applications in educational research Research methodology expertise spanning both technical computer science approaches and social science evaluation methods

Market Demand

High - The combination of AI, data visualization, and educational research represents a growing field with significant funding and career opportunities

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Programming proficiency in languages like Python, JavaScript, or C++ is essential as the role requires building custom visualization tools from scratch rather than using existing software packages. Graphics libraries knowledge (OpenGL, D3) specifically enables the creation of interactive, real-time visualizations capable of handling the massive temporal datasets involved. Interactive information visualization expertise is fundamental because traditional static visualization approaches cannot adequately represent the dynamic, multi-scale nature of social interaction networks that change over different time periods and contexts. Cross-disciplinary communication abilities are crucial for translating complex technical concepts into actionable insights for social science researchers, while also understanding their research questions well enough to design appropriate visualization solutions.

Beneficial Skills

Machine learning knowledge would enhance the ability to identify patterns in the massive interaction datasets and potentially automate certain aspects of the visualization process User experience design skills would improve the practical utility of visualization tools for researchers who may not have technical backgrounds French language proficiency would facilitate better integration with the local research community and access to French educational research literature Statistical analysis background would provide deeper understanding of the quantitative methods used in social science research that the visualization tools need to support

Unique Aspects

Access to an exceptionally rare and valuable dataset comprising nearly 2 years of continuous social interaction data from a real preschool environment, representing a unique research opportunity unavailable elsewhere
Integration of wireless sensor technology with behavioral analysis creates novel research challenges at the intersection of IoT, data visualization, and educational psychology
Multi-supervisor structure spanning three distinct research domains ensures comprehensive training in both technical and social science methodologies
Connection to the SoLaS chair and MIAI Cluster provides access to significant funding and networking opportunities in the growing field of educational AI

Career Growth

3-4 years for PhD completion, followed by 2-3 years postdoctoral experience before transitioning to permanent academic or industry research positions

Potential Next Roles

Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Educational Technology or Human-Computer Interaction Research Scientist in AI/Data Visualization at tech companies focusing on educational applications Assistant Professor positions in Computer Science departments with HCI or Visualization focus Data Visualization Specialist roles in EdTech companies or educational research organizations

Company Overview

Université Grenoble Alpes

Université Grenoble Alpes is a major French research university formed through the merger of several institutions, representing one of France's largest and most prestigious academic centers with strong emphasis on technology and interdisciplinary research.

Highly regarded institution in European research landscape, particularly known for computer science and AI research through initiatives like the MIAI Cluster, which provides substantial funding for artificial intelligence projects.
Located in the French Alps region, the university serves as a major research hub for southeastern France and maintains strong connections with both European research networks and local technology companies.
Academic research environment emphasizing intellectual freedom, international collaboration, and interdisciplinary approaches, typical of French public research institutions with strong support for doctoral candidates and long-term research projects
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