[Commlist] Job opportunity: postdoc on 'VR and Immersive Technologies' at Utrecht University

  Postdoc: VR and Immersive Technologies - Postcolonial and Creative
  Approaches

Faculty: Faculty of Humanities

Department: Department of Media and Culture Studies

Hours per week:  28 to 28

Period: 24 months

Application deadline: 23 April 2025

Apply now 
<https://www.uu.nl/en/organisation/working-at-utrecht-university/jobs/postdoc-vr-and-immersive-technologies-postcolonial-and-creative-approaches>

More info: 
https://www.uu.nl/en/organisation/working-at-utrecht-university/jobs/postdoc-vr-and-immersive-technologies-postcolonial-and-creative-approaches 
<https://www.uu.nl/en/organisation/working-at-utrecht-university/jobs/postdoc-vr-and-immersive-technologies-postcolonial-and-creative-approaches>

In this postdoctoral position, you are part of the NWO project “VR As 
Empathy Machine. Media, Migration and Humanitarian Predicament”. 
You focus on postcolonial, feminist, media theories, and design 
practices with a specific interest in the past and future of immersive 
technologies. In particular, you engage with the relation between 
viewers and mediated others through embodied technologies.


    Your job

Virtual Reality (VR) is a booming industry and is considered to be a 
game changer. So far, it has mostly been used to give a sense of 
extraordinary experiences and seen as an ‘empathy machine’ to engage 
audiences emotionally. This project, “_VR As Empathy Machine. Media, 
Migration and Humanitarian Predicament_” 
[https://vrmigration.sites.uu.nl/ <https://vrmigration.sites.uu.nl/>]/, 
/makes an innovative and urgent intervention into the field of VR for 
humanitarian communication by addressing the potentials and pitfalls of 
these implications. The project is led by _Professor Sandra Ponzanesi_ 
[https://www.uu.nl/staff/SPonzanesi 
<https://www.uu.nl/staff/SPonzanesi>], funded by the Dutch Research 
Council (NWO) [https://www.nwo.nl/projecten/40621ctw015 
<https://www.nwo.nl/projecten/40621ctw015>]

As a postdoc, you critically investigate the role of VR as an immersive 
technology and its relation to emotions and embodiment and knowledge 
production. You do so by researching the impact of VR for humanitarian 
appeals, in particular concerning issues around migration and refugees, 
conflict studies and other planetary crises. You also carry out 
fieldwork among VR makers, industry stakeholders and VR spaces (labs, 
festivals and tech events). The project draws from different 
disciplinary fields such as (digital) media studies, postcolonial 
theory, science and technology studies, psychology, gender studies, 
anthropology, development studies, conflict studies, game and film 
studies and humanitarian communication.

The position entails both independent and collaborative work. Your 
independent work takes place within the framework of the “VR as Empathy 
Machine” project and you will closely collaborate with both the PI and 
two PhD candidates and co-supervisor who are already working on this 
project. You will work on the following research objectives:

 1. You develop a theoretical and critical analysis of humanitarian VR
    from a postcolonial perspective.
 2. You map the field and carry out fieldwork among VR makers, industry
    stakeholders and VR spaces (labs, festivals and tech events).
 3. You will have space to develop your own critical approach while you
    will also benefit from a team in which we will collectively share
    common knowledge and practices and engage with the relevant issues
    and problems.

Your tasks and responsibilities include:

  * taking a leading role in knowledge dissemination of the project,
    building a network of affiliates and experts;
  * co-curating the website, with blogs and updates of relevant activities;
  * publishing two articles in peer-reviewed journals, or chapters;
  * co-editing one special journal issue in collaboration with the PI;
  * co-editing a Handbook on Postcolonial VR;
  * co-developing a VR prototype (project design and demo) as a VR
    testing ground for alternative collaborative models;
  * co-organising masterclasses, expert meetings and public events, such
    as the project’s final conference;
  * presenting your research outcomes at national and international
    workshops and conferences.


    Your qualities

The project requires an understanding of patterns of migration and 
global social justice, and, among others, an understanding of the role 
of transnational organisations for humanitarian purposes. You are a 
dedicated interdisciplinary researcher and have a strong interest in 
immersive technologies and their societal impact. Your approach is 
informed by postcolonial/decolonial theories and debates and you are 
capable of thinking in an original and creative way about the potentials 
and pitfalls of VR for these contexts. You enjoy close collaboration 
with domain experts and societal stakeholders. You have a creative mind 
and look forward to working at the cutting edge of media, migration and 
technology. Finally, you are a team player and a pleasant colleague who 
enjoys being part of a team of interdisciplinary researchers and 
creative thinkers. Besides that, you have multiple of the following 
qualifications:

  * You hold a PhD degree in a relevant field: i.e. (digital) media
    studies, postcolonial theory, science and technology studies, game
    studies, visual culture, cultural analysis, psychology, gender
    studies, anthropology, development studies, conflict studies, game
    and film studies or humanitarian communication.
  * You are eager to develop your own take on immersive technologies in
    relation to migration, technology, humanitarian issues, and global
    justice.
  * You have a proven track record of academic publications.
  * You have excellent command of spoken and written English.
  * You have a team spirit and experience working in an
    interdisciplinary, international setting.
  * You are willing to travel abroad for research stays, conferences,
    and workshops.
  * You have strong interpersonal, analytical, and organisational skills.
  * You are willing to move to Utrecht or a nearby location in the
    Netherlands for the period of your employment.


    Our offer

  * A position for 24 months starting from September 2025;
  * a working week of 26-28 hours and a gross monthly salary between
    €3,378 and €5,331 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale
    10 under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO
    NU));
  * 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
  * a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms
    of employment based on the CAO NU.

    More information

For more information about this position, please contact Professor 
Sandra Ponzanesi <https://www.uu.nl/staff/SPonzanesi>at 
(s.ponzanesi /at/ uu.nl) <mailto:(s.ponzanesi /at/ uu.nl)>.__

Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.


    Apply now

As Utrecht University, we want to be a home 
<https://www.uu.nl/en/organisation/equality-diversity-inclusion>

_external link 
<https://www.uu.nl/en/organisation/equality-diversity-inclusion>_

  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.

To apply, please send the following documents via the ‘apply now’ 
button (all documents besides your CV should be submitted as one single 
PDF file):

  * a detailed CV including: full address and contact details,
    education, list of academic publications, relevant work experience
    and language proficiency, as well as grants/honours and conference
    presentations;
  * your motivation letter, stating your reasons for applying and
    detailing why you are an excellent candidate for the position and
    how you intend to contribute to the project;
  * academic transcripts of your PhD and Master’s degrees;
  * the names and contact details of two referees familiar with your
    academic record and research skills. One of the referees must be
    your PhD thesis supervisor. The referees may be approached by the
    selection committee;
  * a writing sample (maximum 6,000 words) that showcases your research
    and academic writing skills and connection to the topics of the 
project.

The first round of interviews will take place on May 6, 2025.  The 
second round of interviews is planned for May 22, 2025. The estimated 
starting date of the position is 1 September 2025 (or soon after).

The application deadline is 23 April 2025.

For more info about Utrecht University, Faculty of Humanities 
[https://www.uu.nl/en/organisation/faculty-of-humanities 
<https://www.uu.nl/en/organisation/faculty-of-humanities> and the 
Department of Media and Culture studies 
[https://www.uu.nl/en/organisation/department-of-media-and-culture-studies 
<https://www.uu.nl/en/organisation/department-of-media-and-culture-studies>]

Apply now 
<https://www.uu.nl/en/organisation/working-at-utrecht-university/jobs/postdoc-vr-and-immersive-technologies-postcolonial-and-creative-approaches>

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