PhD in Performing Arts and Robotics (1.0 FTE)

Utrecht University, Netherlands

Updated: 3 months ago

PhD in Performing Arts and Robotics (1.0 FTE)

Functie
A 4-year full-time PhD position is available at Utrecht University (jointly supervised with the VU and TU Delft) on what the performing arts can contribute to socialising robots. The position is embedded in the 5-year NWA-ORC project Dramaturgy for Devices, a collaboration between four universities and many other partners mainly from the creative and robotics sectors in the Netherlands.
The "Dramaturgy for Devices" project aims at designing sustained relationships with robots and other smart technologies. It will explore the value of the performing arts as a motor for innovation and reflection in a high-tech society and demonstrate how collaboration with the performing arts can be a game changer regarding the development of the behavior of and interaction with robots and other technological agents. Robots are increasingly part of our daily lives, yet they still lack many skills needed for social interaction and communication. Addressing this gap requires innovative approaches, tools and methods for developing interactions with robots in a diversity of social contexts.
The objective of this PhD project is to capture and understand the various ways in which the performing arts can contribute to the development and implementation of robotic assistants in social working environments. How can the performing arts contribute new insights and methods for the development of robotic assistants, and for understanding and improving their participation in various working environments? How can practices of collaboration between theatre and robotics, and the insights emerging from them, be captured, articulated and made shareable?
The PhD candidate will analyse and contextualise theatre-robotics collaborations taking place within the context of the Dramaturgy for Devices project, and contribute to the further development of these and other collaborations. They will also contribute to investigating how the performing arts can mediate interactions with stakeholders, users and a wider audience, engage them in speculative explorations of the possibilities of (futures with) robots and activate their critical reflection.
The candidate will be supervised jointly by Prof. Dr. Maaike Bleeker (Theatre and Performance Studies, UU), Dr. Laura Karreman (Theatre and Performance Studies, UU), Dr. Marco Rozendaal (Interaction design, TUDelft) and Dr. Mike Ligthart (Social AI group, VU Amsterdam). The position is embedded in the NWA Dramaturgy for Devices project, hence adaptivity to work in a heterogeneous team and consortium, creativity and interest in multi-disciplinary research are fundamental. The candidate will be mainly based at UU but will be expected to actively collaborate with the other PhD projects that are part of Dramaturgy for Devices.
As PhD candidate you will be member of the Institute for Cultural Inquiry  (ICON). ICON is one of the four research institutes of the Faculty of Humanities. The researchers are working in six different research fields. PhD candidates are also embedded in the Graduate School of Humanities, which offers seminars and courses to improve your academic skills.

Profiel
You hold a (research) master’s degree in Theatre, Dance or Performance Studies with a demonstrable interest in robotics. You are an innovative thinker eager to explore the potential of interdisciplinary collaboration.
In addition:
  • You have an active command of English, being a native speaker or having either a Cambridge Certificate or equivalent at C1 level or a degree from an English-language university.
  • You preferably have an active command of Dutch, or are willing to learn, as this will be necessary to work with our societal partners and partners from the field of theatre and performance.
  • You preferably have experience with theatre, dance or performance practice.
  • You are able to work as an independent researcher, showing initiative, creativity and originality.
  • You are able to work as part of a transdisciplinary research project, collaborate with researchers from other disciplines and with other sub-projects within the larger project, participate in and contribute to training programmes and project events, and have good interpersonal and communication skills.

Aanbod

We offer:

  • a position (1.0 FTE) for 18 months, with an extension to a total of four years upon successful assessment;
  • a full-time gross salary between € 2,770 in the first year and € 3,539 in the fourth year of employment in scale P of the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities (CAO);
  • 8% holiday bonus and 8.3% end-of-year bonus;
  • a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave, and flexible employment conditions based on the CAO.
In addition to the employment conditions from the CAO for Dutch Universities, Utrecht University has a number of its own arrangements. These include agreements on professional development , leave arrangements, sports and cultural schemes and you get discounts on software and other IT products. We also give you the opportunity to expand your terms of employment through the Employment Conditions Selection Model. This is how we encourage you to grow. For more information, please visit working at Utrecht University .

Over de organisatie

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University , the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes . Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow .
The Faculty of Humanities has around 7,000 students and 1,100 staff members. It comprises four knowledge domains: Philosophy and Religious Studies, History and Art History, Media and Culture Studies, and Languages, Literature and Communication. With its research and education in these fields, the Faculty aims to contribute to a better understanding of the Netherlands and Europe in a rapidly changing social and cultural context. The enthusiastic and committed colleagues and the excellent amenities in the historical city centre of Utrecht, where the faculty is located , contribute to an inspiring working environment.
The core values of the faculty for Humanities are professionalism, transparency, responsibility, connectedness and safety. These values apply to everyone and we uphold these values in our work and in our communication with each other and with others.

Aanvullende informatie
For more information about this position, please contact Prof. Dr. Maaike Bleeker (Professor in Theatre Studies, PI of Dramaturgy for Devices), via [email protected] .

Solliciteren
As Utrecht University, we want to be a home for everyone. We value staff with diverse backgrounds, perspectives and identities, including cultural, religious or ethnic background, gender, sexual orientation, disability or age. We strive to create a safe and inclusive environment in which everyone can flourish and contribute.
The application package should include:
  • your letter of motivation (1-2 pages) explaining why you are a good fit for the position;
  • your full academic CV;
  • a 1000-word initial idea describing how you might approach the PhD project described above;
  • one or more writing samples in English (max. 40 pages in total), such as a thesis chapter, conference paper, or published writings;
  • names and contact details of two referees, including your thesis advisor, who may be approached by the selection committee;
  • a copy of your Master's diploma and a copy of your full transcript listing subjects studied and grades received;
  • proof of language proficiency according to the Utrecht University requirement (Cambridge or Toefl, level C1).
    • Note that this job opening is one of four PhD positions in the Dramaturgy for Devices project . In case you apply to more than one, please inform the project leader via email ([email protected] ) of the projects you are applying to.

    Reageren uiterlijk
    21/01/2024

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