Doctoral Researcher (Design for extended reality, generative AI, and Accessibility)

28 Feb 2024
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Tampere University

Research Field

Communication sciences » Media studies
Computer science » Other
Sociology » Other

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Finland

Application Deadline

29 Mar 2024 - 21:59 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

38

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by an EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Tampere University and Tampere University of Applied Sciences create a unique environment for multidisciplinary, inspirational, and high-impact research and education. Our universities community has its competitive edges in technology, health, and society.human Read more: www.tuni.fi/en

 We are looking for a highly motivated doctoral researcher interested in exploring different design avenues, practices, and solutions towards the realisation of low-threshold AI-powered Extended Reality (XR) solutions within the creative industries. The position is situated in the Unit of Language studies at the Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences and it associated with the upcoming project NEXR – Next Extended Reality , Accelerating Growth and Competitiveness in Finnish Creative Industries through AI-powered Spatial XR Technologies. NEXR is funded by Business Finland, Tampere University and a consortium of Industrial partners and is led by Assistant Professor Mattia Thibault.

 

JOB DESCRIPTION

We are looking for a Doctoral Researcher in the fields of Design, Media Studies, and Human Computer Interaction.  The candidate’s work will be focused on conducting doctoral research within the NEXR project. It will mainly consist of research activities including research planning, workshop organising, prototyping, data gathering, data analysis, article preparation, dissemination, and publishing. Moreover, the candidate is expected to participate in project-wide research efforts and further funding acquisition. 

In particular, the Doctoral Candidate will focus on three main areas within NEXR: 1) Generative AI Advancements (they will be at the forefront of innovation, exploring and implementing cutting-edge generative AI techniques to amplify the richness of XR content), 2) Spatiality (they will focus on reinforcing the connection between real and XR spaces,  e.g. in relation to cultural and public spaces), 3) Accessibility Enhancement (NEXR will explore low-threshold XR solutions, favouring interface and economic accessibility of XR contents).

The successful candidate will pursue a doctoral degree in the Doctoral Programme in Humans and Technologies at Tampere University (but is not expected to complete the doctoral studies by the end of this position at the end of year 2025).

Next Extended Reality (NEXR) is a research project that will boost the growth, enhance the competitiveness, and foster the sustainable development of the Finnish creative industries by developing an innovative paradigm for the design, deployment, and adoption of Extended Reality (XR) technologies. NEXR will tackle the current obstacles in the field thanks to a specific focus on the spatial dimension (increasing the meaningfulness of XR), the use of low-threshold XR technologies (facilitating seamless use), and the use of generative AI (multiplying the richness of content). To achieve this, NEXR brings together researchers and industrial partners from across the supply chain, to include actors that develop platforms, technology, and tools for XR [Immersal, Virtual Dawn] and that create or benefit from XR content [YLE, Tampere City, Vapriikki Museum Centre, Tactic Games]. The collaboration between researchers and companies will locate symbiotic gaps and opportunities for future synergies, and develop new strategies, frameworks and business models. In doing so, NEXR will reach two key objectives: Devise a new applicable framework for the implementation of XR technologies in the Finnish cultural industries, expanding its offering and export potential. Reinforce Finland’s reputation as a “metaverse” country, building and expanding on its excellent reputation in terms of telecommunications and gaming.    

 

REQUIREMENTS

The applicant needs to have a master’s degree or equivalent in field related to the position, such as interaction design, product design, human computer interaction, sociology of technology, media and communications or similar, and have demonstrated (during their studies towards the master’s degree or otherwise) the competence and motivation to pursue postgraduate studies.

Successful candidates must be pursuing or will be accepted to study towards a doctoral degree in the Doctoral Programme in Humans and Technologies . Please visit the admissions webpage for more information on eligibility requirements. Please pay special attention to the language requirements.

The Doctoral student will be supervised by Assistant Professor Mattia Thibault.

 

Preferred applicant’s qualifications include:

• Experience with research through design methods applied to of digital products (XR, digital games, applications).
• Experience in spatial-oriented design practices (location-based, digital twins, point clouds…) 
• Experience with Large-language models or generative Artificial Intelligence. 
• Prior involvement in creating low-fi or low-threshold XR content (Low-fi prototypes, Mobile AR, Spatial AR).

 

WE OFFER

• Duration: The current position will be filled for a fixed-term period till 31.12.2025. 
• Start date: Immediately or as soon as possible. A trial period of six (6) months applies to all new employees at TAU. 
• Salary: Salary will be based on both the job requirements and the employee’s personal performance in accordance with the Finnish University Salary System. The position of a Doctoral Researcher is placed at level 2-4 of the job requirements scale, with a starting salary of approximately 2600€ per month. The salary increases based on experience and the progress of doctoral studies.

We are inviting you to be a part of a vibrant, active, and truly international research community. We value interdisciplinarity, as it allows you to expand your research network and exposes you to new perspectives and ideas to solve complex research problems and pursue novel research findings. We are strongly committed to the highest level of scientific research and the provision of high-quality doctoral education.

As a member of staff at Tampere University, you will enjoy a range of competitive benefits, such as occupational health care services, flexible work schedule, versatile research infrastructure, modern teaching facilities and a safe and inviting campus area as well as a personal fund to spend on sports and cultural activities in your free time. Please read more about working at Tampere University . You can also find more information about us and working and living Tampere by watching our video: Tampere Higher Education Community - our academic playground . 

Finland is among the most stable, free, and safe countries in the world, based on prominent ratings by various agencies. Tampere is one of the major academic hubs in the Nordic countries and offers a dynamic living environment. Tampere region is one of the three most rapidly growing urban areas in Finland and home to a vibrant knowledge-intensive entrepreneurial community. The city is an industrial powerhouse that enjoys a rich cultural scene and a reputation as a centre of Finland’s information society. The city campus of the Tampere University, where the candidates will be located, is within walking distance of the city centre, and is an international centre of game research. For more information on Tampere and Finland, please visit:

• https://visittampere.fi/en/
• https://www.visitfinland.com/
• https://www.infofinland.fi/en/frontpage

 

WORKING ENVIRONMENT

The accepted candidates will work in the Language Unit of the Faculty of Information Technologies and Communication Sciences, within a young research group at the intersection between the Gamification Group and PLURAL. 

The Gamification Group (GG) is internationally renowned for seminal academic and societal contributions in the areas of novel technologies such as motivational information systems, internet commerce, new media and human-computer interaction. The guiding principle of GG is to pursue gameful approaches towards the flourishing of the planet, people, and prosperity. 

PLURAL - Multidisciplinary research centre for languages and cultures, aims to affect society by the means of multidisciplinary research on language. Among the research areas of Plural are language variation and change, language development and learning, multilingualism and -culturalism, the relationship of literature and society, participation, equality and well-being of language users, multilingual communication and translation and the questions relating to the relationship of language and work. 

Tampere University and Tampere University of Applied Sciences create a unique environment for multidisciplinary, inspirational and high-impact research and education. Our universities community has its competitive edges in technology, health and society. Read more: www.tuni.fi

HOW TO APPLY 

Please submit your application through our online recruitment system. The closing date for applications is 29th March 2024 (at 23:59 EET / UTC+2). Please write your application and all accompanying documentation in English and attach them in PDF format only.

Please attach only the following documents (in PDF format) to your application:

• A letter of motivation and description of your research interests (max. 2 pages). Named “Surname_Motivation_Letter.pdf”. The selected applicant will have to apply and be admitted to the doctoral programme prior to the start of the work. The student needs to write a more detailed research plan at that stage.
• Curriculum vitae according to the TENK template . Named “Surname_CV.pdf”
• Pdf copies of your master’s and bachelor’s degree certificates, including transcripts of all university records in original language. If original language is other than Finnish, Swedish or English, please provide an official translation in one of those languages.
• Either two recommendation letters [preferably] OR the contact details of two referees [if the first option is not possible, and with explained reasoning], e.g., your master’s supervisors / employers. Named “Surname_Reccomendations.pdf”

Additional documents:

• Preferred if available, a certificate of language proficiency “Named “Surname_Lang.pdf”. A language certificate will be necessary to be enrolled in the doctoral programme (see above “Requirements”).
  • Exemptions to the language requirements: It is possible to be exempted from submitting a language test score if you have completed a higher education degree in English in certain countries. If you apply without a valid language test result, carefully examine the exemptions that your studies fulfil the requirements.”

INQUIRIES

Mattia Thibault, Assistant Professor [email protected]

For questions about the doctoral studies enrolment, check DPHAT doctoral programme contacts.

Tampere University and Tampere University of Applied Sciences create a unique environment for multidisciplinary, inspirational and high-impact research and education. Our universities community has its competitive edges in technology, health and society www.tuni.fi/en

Application period starts: 2024-02-26 10:00 Application period ends: 2024-03-29 23:59

Requirements

Research Field

Communication sciences

Years of Research Experience

1 - 4

Research Field

Computer science

Years of Research Experience

1 - 4

Research Field

Sociology

Years of Research Experience

1 - 4

Additional Information

Website for additional job details

https://academicpositions.com

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

Tampere University

Country

Finland

City

Tampere

Postal Code

33100

Street

Kalevantie 4

Geofield

Where to apply

Website

https://academicpositions.com/ad/tampere-university/2024/doctoral-researcher-de…

Contact

City

Tampere

Website

https://www.tuni.fi/en

Postal Code

33100

STATUS: EXPIRED