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Postdoctoral Position on Technoculture, Art and Games towards a tenure track leading to a position as research unit head

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Research Goals
Providing access to information-rich environments characterized by high interactivity represents a very effective way to engage users in the context of cultural heritage. The latter issue has a key relevance in the case of young users, such as pupils and school students, as it engages them in a learning process which resembles a gaming experience. This makes the use of 3D interactive technologies particularly effective in terms of learning process as it yields a more attractive and engaging learning process therefore delivering better learning results. This serious-game approach makes it very attractive especially among pupils and stimulates its use, together with the consequent advantages for the learning process.

The research will have an interdisciplinary approach tackling fields including game programming, serious games, 3D multimedia application, mobile interactive applications, human-computer interaction.

Job description and responsibilities
The successful candidates must be enthusiastic about:

• conducting research at the highest international level,
• developing and conducting excellent graduate and under-graduate teaching,
• actively taking part in developing the Research Center and its relations with external partners.

The candidate will be actively involved in every aspect of this research activities, from the preliminary investigations, systems research, systems development & study, to its dissemination, i.e. will be actively engaged in writing of scientific and technical papers. The candidate will establish strong team work with the other senior staff at Graphitech. The candidate will be also responsible to prepare and submit, with support from other staff members, of research proposals to national and international funding programmes. Research funds gathered within the three year timeframe will be used to start a research unit of which the candidate shall become head. The successful candidate is expected to coordinate the work of a number of junior scientists (PhD students and IT developers).

Candidates should demonstrate a commitment to innovation in game research and development and must be enthusiastic about multi-disciplinary work that brings together students and faculty from a range of backgrounds. Relevant areas of research and teaching are:

• Game Development.
• Software Engineering.
• Game Engine Components including but not limited to: Physics, Audio, Interactive Graphics, Novel Interfaces, and Procedural Animation.
• Game AI.
• Game Systems Architecture.
• Human Computer Interaction.

Knowledge of Game Design principles and current discussions in the field of Game Studies will be regarded as assets. Candidates should be pursuing a strong research program in the field of game research and development and the ability to attract external funding is also highly valued.

We seek candidates with backgrounds in fields such as game design, game studies, new media arts, digital humanities, communications, media studies and computer science who have some experience working in an interdisciplinary and teamwork based setting. The ideal candidate would be an experienced game designer working within the broader context of digital game studies.

Minimum Requirements:

• Master degree in Computer Science or Mathematics , Physics or Engineering with a PhD degree in one of the following topics: Video Games, Serious Games, Interactive Application for Cultural Heritage.
• Proved expertise in EU or international R&D projects.
• Fluent English (spoken and written) is mandatory: the candidate must be fluent in English and must be able to write technical documents (system requirements, use case document etc. in English) as well as scientific publications (and willingness to learn Italian).
• Teamwork and interpersonal skills represent an essential preconditions as the candidate will be working in close contact with an international working group.
• Strong publication record (minimum five scientific publications in top peer-reviewed conferences and journals in the domain of reference).

The candidate has significant experience in one or more of the following topics:

• Use of 3D interactive technologies in the field of cultural heritage.
• Video Games development.
• Serious Games development.

IT requirements

• Excellent programming skills (C++ and/or Java).

• Expert in software engineering and specific knowledge of UML.
• Knowledge of OpenGL , JOGL.
• Knowledge of at least one SceneGraph-based API such as: -Open Inventor -Java3D -OpenSceneGraph –OpenSG. Familiarity with the other similar tools/APIs is considered a plus.
• Proficiency in game engine programming (Unity3D, Unreal etc.).
• Knowledge of and experience in: Software Engineering, Distributed Systems, Usability Engineering, Web Engineering, or Machine Learning.
• Knowledge of JME (for mobile devices) or specific experience with programming of mobile devices (especially using Android) will be regarded as a very strong added value.

Expectations

• Develop and carry out a research project under the control of Graphitech’s management.
• Present the proposed research to at least three top peer-reviewed conferences and/or journals in the domain of reference per year, with the exception of the first year for which only one top peer-reviewed publication is expected.
• Prepare a research grant applications to national and international funding programs or equivalent organization.
• Design and teach one undergraduate course during the three-year fellowship on a topic proposed and developed in collaboration with Graphitech’s management.
• Participate actively in the bi-monthly Graphitech Seminar.
• Conform to worldwide standards of responsible conduct in research and comply with all applicable policies and procedures.
• Participate in open and timely discussion with staff at Graphitech regarding all facets of the fellow’s research and educational activities.

Application process:
The items below should be submitted as Word or PDF attachments in an email message to be sent to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Include the words “Postdoctoral Fellowship Application - SER-PD” in the subject line. Application materials will be reviewed by a selected committee.

The application will follow a two step process:

1. The candidates must send to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
   1. Letter of application describing the applicant’s research interest (500 words maximum).
   2. Proposal of the applicant’s research plan for the duration of the three-year fellowship (two A4 pages). This section should also include a 1-2 paragraph description of a course the fellow would propose to teach.
   3. Official transcript of academic or research experience.
   4. Recent writing sample (30 pages maximum).
   5. Two letters of recommendation that speak to the applicant’s ability to thrive in an interdisciplinary setting, to develop and carry out a research project, and to contribute to research. These letters should be sent directly from the recommenders to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
   6. Current CV.
2. Selected participants will be invited to prepare a full research proposal to be submitted by the candidate to Fondazione Graphitech. Besides describing technical aspects the project proposal shall include training, mobility and career development activities on an international level as fundamental part of the activities of the project.

In case of successful evaluation of the proposal Graphitech will provide all the necessary infrastructural and administrative support to ensure that the researcher can carry out the project effectively. Salary commensurate with prior experience. Approximately, salary offer will be between EUR 32.000 and EUR 40.000 per year based on experience, scientific background, and qualification, essentially commensurated with prior experience.

Important: due to Italian Privacy Protection Law n.196/03 any resume not mentioning explicitly the following sentence: “­­I authorize the use of my personal data in accordance with Italian Privacy Protection Law (30/06/2003, n.196/03)” will be automatically deleted from our database and consequently not taken into consideration.