The Computational Information Systems Research Group (http://www.shef.ac.uk/~is/home.html) is seeking a researcher to work on a three year demonstrator project CiQuest (Concept-based Interactive Query Expansion Support Tool), which will encourage users of searching systems (e.g. AltaVista, InfoSeek, Google) to use more expansive queries. The project funded by the Library and Information Commission will further develop an existing method based on the automatic hierarchical organisation of words and phrases (concepts) which occur in documents. The work will involve optimising the generation and presentation of concepts for assisting query expansion as well as conducting evaluations and user testing.

The successful candidate will have a higher degree in one or more of the following areas: information retrieval or extraction, natural language processing, human-computer interaction. Programming in Java would be desirable.

The post, available immediately, will be on the RA1A scale with salary range £18,185-£19,869 per annum.

Informal inquiry contact: Prof. Micheline Beaulieu (0114-22 22440 or m.beaulieu@sheffield.ac.uk) or Dr Mark Sanderson (0114-22 22648 or m.sanderson@sheffield.ac.uk) or see the CiQuest project page http://dis.shef.ac.uk/ciquest/.

Closing date for applications: Monday 22^nd November

Further particulars, quoting the reference number, from: the Director of Human Resource Management, The University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN,

Tel: 0114-22 21631 (24 hr)

Email: jobs@sheffield.ac.uk.

Web: http://www.shef.ac.uk/jobs/