Fully-funded PhD position in Virtual Reality and Learning

OFFER DESCRIPTION

We are seeking applications for a fully-funded PhD position (TV-L E13, 100%, until the end of 2023 with the possibility to extend until the end of 2025)  at the Professorship for Human-Computer Interaction in the Internet of Things at Coburg University of Applied Sciences and Arts, Germany.

The research group is headed by Prof. Dr. Jens Grubert and is dedicated to advancing the fields of augmented, virtual, mixed, and extended reality, multimodal interaction, and reality capture in domains such as knowledge work, learning, mobility, autonomous systems, or health.

The applicant will work in the project “Voll-KI” in an international and interdisciplinary team with project partners from University of Erlangen–Nuremberg, University of Bamberg, and Coburg University of Applied Sciences and Arts.

*Task*

Your tasks will be to:

– research how virtual reality can be used to support learning in the domains of programming and artificial intelligence at university level

– to this end, evaluate, adapt and extend existing social VR platforms such as Mozilla Hubs

– conceptualize, create and evaluate VR learning content

– investigate authoring tools for non-programmers

– study multi-modal interaction techniques to facilitate learning in VR

You will have access to state-of-the-art research facilities including a projection-based VR environment (CAVE), motion tracking systems, 3D scanners, physiological sensors, and various VR and AR headsets.

*Profile*

We seek applicants with a Master’s or equivalent degree in computer science, visual computing, or related fields, ideally with specializations in human-computer interaction, computer vision, computer graphics or augmented/virtual reality. You have extensive programming skills (e.g., in C#, C/C++, Python), and, ideally experience creating VR or AR applications. Additionally, you should be willing to perform experiments with human subjects and be inclined to new forms of learning and education. Proficiency in English is a prerequisite, proficiency in German is desired. Coburg University of Applied Sciences and Arts is an equal opportunity employer. Given equivalent qualifications, applications by women and persons with disabilities will be preferentially considered. Part-time employment is generally possible.

*Application*

Please send the following documents to Prof. Dr. Jens Grubert (jens.grubert@hs-coburg.de): a cover letter detailing any previous research and project experience, a curriculum vitae, Bachelor/Master certificates, and 1-2 academic references. If you have questions about the position, please feel free to contact Prof. Dr. Jens Grubert before submitting your application. Applications are considered in order of reception until the position is filled.