We are seeking an enthusiastic and bright PhD student to work with us on leveraging eXtended Realities (XR) for addressing pressing planetary challenges. Focus of the position is on designing and empirically evaluating immersive experiences using state-of-the-art technologies and data analyses.

Scientific context
eXtended Reality (XR), including virtual and mixed reality, is changing the way we communicate, make decisions, and engage stakeholders. As part of a large NWO funded consortium, called HybridLabs, we are advancing the use of XR for making environmentally sensed data, models, and simulations accessible. We are creating unique immersive experiences using 360 videography and procedurally generated content for single and multi-user scenarios surrounding the North Sea. We are seeking to create the most effective, empirically validated designs for raising awareness and understanding of planetary challenges related to role of the North Sea in transitioning toward sustainable energy sources and its implications for ocean ecology, above and below the surface.

Challenges
eXtended Reality (XR) is a rapidly evolving field with immense potential, but it also presents significant challenges. Developing and empirically evaluating intuitive and natural user interfaces for individual and collaborative experiences is crucial because it directly impacts how effectively users can interact with and navigate virtual environments. A well-designed immersive experience should feel seamless and intuitive, allowing users to engage with the XR experience without extensive training or discomfort. This is especially important when considering diverse populations and engaging stakeholders and citizens. Moreover, designs and experiences should provide opportunities for impact in the physical world such as raising awareness, being informative, and inspiring behavioral changes.

Method
This PhD focuses on advancing the scientific understanding of XR in the context of addressing planetary challenges, particularly the ecology of the North Sea. The PhD candidate will be involved in collaborative efforts to design immersive experiences for single and multi-user environments for the North Sea, above and below the surface. The PhD candidate will conduct data intensive empirical studies to evaluate design choices qualitatively and quantitatively using state of the art immersive designs and technologies. We are combining a plethora of sensory information for a comprehensive assessment of immersive designs.

Interdisciplinarity, partners, tools, soft- and hardware
The PhD candidate will join Wageningen’s emerging immersive technologies and experiences community. Within the HybridLabs project, the candidate will work together with PostDocs and other PhD candidates from, for example, Marine Animal Ecology Group at the WUR. We are collaborating closely with scientists from Triton with expertise in producing underwater 360° video footage, as well as scientists from Breda University of Applied Sciences with expertise on serious gaming and digital twinning for marine spatial planning. Additionally, the candidate will have access to WUR’s new WANDER facility, which offers a wide array of XR technologies, including VR and MR headsets and biosensors, supported by an excellent creative team. The main platform for XR development will be Unity 3D, but we are exploring other opportunities, too. Programming languages like C# (if in Unity), Python or R (for statistical analysis of empirical data) will be utilized.

You have:

• strong interest in science and empirical research;
• experience with state-of-the art technologies for immersive experiences (XR);
• background in human-computer interaction, communication, cognitive psychology, data science, or visualization;
• strong interest in performing empirical studies to evaluate immersive experiences and immersive designs;
• background in statistical or behavioral analyses;
• experience in interacting with stakeholders and end-users;
• background in designing immersive experience.

Your command of the English language is expected to be at C1. More information can be found here

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• partially paid parental leave;
• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• the option to accrue additional compensation / holiday hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed December bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will receive a fully funded PhD position and you will be offered a course program tailored to your needs and the research team.

The gross salary for the first year is € 2.872 - per month rising to € 3.670,- in the fourth year in according to the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale P). This is based on a full-time working week of 38 hours. We offer a temporary contract for 18 months which will be extended for the duration of the project if you perform well.

There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a unique position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.

You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the “Best University” in the Netherlands for the 19th consecutive time.

Coming from abroad
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research centre for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees.

Our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family. Therefore, we expect that when you join WUR from abroad, you will actually live in the Netherlands.

Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees and students coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, we can assist you with any additional advice and information about for example helping your partner to find a job, housing, or schooling. Finally, certain categories of international staff may be eligible for a tax exemption on a part of their salary during the first five years in the Netherlands.

Wageningen University & Research

The mission of Wageningen University & Research is “To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life”. Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment. With its roughly 30 branches, 7,600 employees (6,700 fte) and 13,100 students and over 150,000 participants to WUR’s Life Long Learning, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. The unique Wageningen approach lies in its integrated approach to issues and the collaboration between different disciplines.

Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch the video below to get an idea of our green campus!

We will recruit for the vacancy ourselves, so no employment agencies please. However, sharing in your network is appreciated.