Job Description

The role

------------


This is an exciting opportunity for a Senior Research Associate (SRA) to join the ESRC Centre for Sociodigital Futures www.bristol.ac.uk/censof. The Centre is a 10m investment in cutting-edge interdisciplinary research across Social Sciences, Engineering and the Arts. We are seeking four technical experts to join us in addressing critical questions about futures that are currently 'in the making' across a range of application areas and how these might be tipped towards fair and sustainable ways of life.



The role of this Senior Research Associate will be to explore the future of Immersive Technologies through a series of experimental and future-scoping projects to understand how Immersive Technologies could impact our future within some of our application areas. The Senior Research Associate will be developing these projects collaboratively within an integrated and interdisciplinary research team.

What will you be doing?

---------------------------


Playing a leading role (with support) in the design, development and implementation of the Immersive experimental projects; Collaborating with researchers from across the Centre to design, co-ordinate and deliver research and other relevant activities; Collaborating with the Centre's strategic partners to develop a programme of research that explores some of their concerns and challenges; Playing a leading role (with support) in the preparation of publications, other outputs (including blogs, social media, etc.), and wider impact and engagement.

You should apply if

-----------------------


You have:


A PhD in Computer Science, Human-Computer-Interaction, or a closely related technology discipline, or extensive relevant industrial/commercial experience in immersive technologies. A strong research track record in immersive technologies and an ability to innovate. Experience of exploring social and political questions around innovation in immersive technologies. Awareness of latest developments in the field of immersive technologies. Extensive knowledge, technical skills, and experience in developing engaging immersive experiences, including the ability to use either Unreal and/or Unity games engines. Ability to work in an iterative co-design and collaborative manner to understand, collect and analyse user experience data, using qualitative and quantitative techniques, in order to develop engaging immersive experiences. Experience of or interest in researching across disciplines and viewpoints & awareness of the challenges involved. Experience in producing academic conference and/or journal papers, and other written materials (e.g. blogposts). Experience of facilitating academic and cross-sectoral events. Excellent oral communication skills and the ability to collaborate and communicate effectively with a wide variety of partners. Evidence of ability to work well in a team.

Additional information

--------------------------

For informal queries, please contact: Professor Kirsten Cater (line manager)

kirsten.cater@bristol.ac.uk

To find out more about what it's like to work in the Faculty of Engineering, and how the Faculty supports people to achieve their potential, please see our staff blog:

https://engineering.blogs.bristol.ac.uk/category/engineering-includes-me/

Contract type: Open ended with fixed funding until 31/10/2026

Work pattern: Full time

Grade: J/Pathway 2

Salary: 43,482-50,253 per annum

School/Unit: School of Computer Science

This advert will close

at

23:59 UK time

on Thursday 11th December.

Interviews are anticipated to take place on Friday 19th December.

Our strategy and mission

----------------------------


We recently launched our strategy to 2030 tying together our mission, vision and values.

The University of Bristol aims to be a place where everyone feels able to be themselves and do their best in an

inclusive working environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential.

We want

to attract, develop, and retain individuals

with different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives - particularly people of colour, LGBT+ and disabled people - because diversity of people and ideas remains integral to our excellence as a global civic institution.


JOB NUMBER

ACAD108368

CONTRACT TYPE/WORK PATTERN

Fixed-term / Full time

POSTING END DATE

11 Dec 2025

FACULTY/DIVISION

Faculty of Science and Engineering

SALARY

43,482 - 50,253 per annum