Offer Description
The Project
Imagine trying to have a conversation while cooking or carrying groceries, but the only way you can communicate is by typing on the phone or using sign language. For many people with severe speech and hearing impairments, this is a daily reality. Current assistive tools, such as typing text to speech or sign language interpreters, require users to drop whatever they are doing just to communicate, which can make everyday interactions frustrating. These communication barriers often lead to…
profound social isolation, economic marginalization, and reduced quality of life.
This project explores a complementary approach: smart glasses that use wearable AI to interpret visible lip and facial movements and convert them into audible speech. The aim is not only to improve technical recognition performance, but also to investigate when and how such technology can support communicative agency, autonomy, confidence and participation in everyday life for the speech impaired.
The project brings together expertise in artificial intelligence, computer vision, human-computer interaction, and psychology. Its technical core lies in developing robust and adaptive visual speech recognition models. Close collaboration with end users and psychology researchers will ensure that the technology addresses meaningful needs and is evaluated in realistic communication contexts.
Research challenges
The project addresses several research challenges, such as:
- How can visual speech recognition work from the unusual, steep camera angle of smart glasses, when existing dataset are predominantly front-facing?
- How can lip and facial movements be converted into intelligible speech in real time?
- How can adaptive algorithms personalize themselves to the unique, atypical facial movements of the speech impaired?
- How can the technology be designed and evaluated so that it is usable, acceptable and aligned with users’ communication preferences and everyday lives?
Your role
Your PhD will primarily focus on computer vision and machine learning. You will develop and evaluate AI-driven visual speech recognition models and contribute to their integration into a smart-glasses prototype. The system aims to convert non-vocalized lip and facial movements into synthesized speech.
You will work closely with researchers in psychology and human-computer interaction to connect technical development to user needs and connected to psychological outcomes such as communicative agency, confidence and participation.
As a PhD candidate, you are expected to bring your own creativity to the above mentioned research challenges. You will have room to shape the precise technical methods and research questions according to your expertise and the findings that emerge during the project. To support you, you will be part of an active research team at the Open Universiteit. This research team has expertise in both computer vision, human-computer interaction, and psychology. Your primary tasks are to conduct research and to publish results in journals and conferences, which form the basis for your PhD dissertation.
Where to apply
Please apply to this position by sending an email with your motivation letter together with your resume, stating the vacancy number to solliciteren@ou.nl.
Closing date: September 13, 2026.
Requirements
Your profile:
We are looking for someone who is genuinely excited about applying AI to real-world societal problems and isn't afraid of challenges. You communicate openly, possess strong empathy, and thrive in a collaborative environment across different disciplines. Ideally, the candidate should have a strong background in computer vision and machine learning / deep learning with an interest in learning.
You have:
- A Master's (MSc) degree in Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related technical field.
- Strong programming experience in Python and proficiency in deep learning frameworks (e.g., PyTorch).
- Interest in research with practical relevance, inclusive tech, and human-centred design.
- Excellent written and spoken English.
- Knowledge of Dutch is preferred, but not mandatory.
- Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team involving engineers, healthcare professionals, and end-users.
- Willingness to engage across disciplinary boundaries—from tinkering with computer vision algorithms to conducting field interviews with patients.
It is a preference to have experience with computer vision / facial tracking, facial analysis, or conducting human-in-the-loop usability studies.
Additional Information
Benefits
Station
The position is officially based in Heerlen. However, the precise working arrangements can be discussed, reflecting the Open Universiteit’s flexible way of working and the possibility that research with end users may also take place at other locations. Occasional on-site presence may be required for team collaboration, prototype development and hardware-related work.
Salary
The salary is determined in accordance with salary scale P of Appendix A of the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities and ranges from € 3.204,-- gross per month upon commencement to € 4.051,-- gross per month in the fourth and final year, in case of full employment.
The PhD candidate will be appointed for a period of 15 months. The appointment will be extended to 4 years when progress and performance are good. A PhD training program is part of the agreement.
Selection process
Please apply to this position by sending an email with your motivation letter together with your resume, stating the vacancy number to: solliciteren@ou.nl.
Closing date: September 13, 2026.
Additional comments
Information
For more information about this vacancy you can contact: daniel.tan@ou.nl.
The Open Universiteit provides good secondary benefits such as training, mobility, part-time employment and paid parental leave.
Work Location(s)
Number of offers available: 1
Company/Institute: Open Universiteit
Country: Netherlands
City: Heerlen
Postal Code: 6401 DL
Street: Postbus 2960
Contact
City: Heerlen
Website: http://www.ou.nl/
Street: Valkenburgerweg 177
Postal Code: 6419 AT
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