Postdoctoral Researcher (f/m/d) in Responsible Immersive / Extended Reality (AR/VR/MR)

University of Duisburg-Essen; Duisburg; Vor Ort; EUR 50.000 - 65.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

A prominent university in Germany is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to join their Compliant & Accountable Systems Group. The role focuses on responsible immersive and extended reality technologies, requiring a PhD and a strong research background. Successful candidates will engage in high-quality research, collaborate across disciplines, and contribute to improving technology governance and accountability. This position offers a dynamic research environment and opportunities for international collaboration.

Leistungen

Interdisciplinary and collaborative research environment

Travel opportunities for conferences

Engagement with external stakeholders

Qualifikationen

• PhD candidates close to completion are encouraged to apply.
• Demonstrable interest in responsibility, governance, accountability, privacy, safety of XR technologies.

Aufgaben

• Establish and lead a new research direction in Responsible XR.
• Conduct and publish high-quality research in leading forums.
• Mentor students and junior researchers.
• Collaborate with disciplines and external communities.
• Shape new research agendas and collaborative projects.

Kenntnisse

Strong track record in immersive tech/XR/metaverse research

Excellent written and spoken communication skills in English

Ability to work independently and collaboratively

Ausbildung

PhD degree in a relevant discipline

Jobbeschreibung

The Ruhr area, one of Europe‘s largest metropolitan regions, offers attractive career opportunities for excellent scientists and scholars from around the world. In 2021, Ruhr-Universität Bochum, TU Dortmund University and the University of Duisburg-Essen established the Research Alliance Ruhr to bundle their cutting‑edge international research on the most urgent challenges facing humankind. There are four research centres and a college. This is just the latest chapter in our long‑standing collaboration as the University Alliance Ruhr (UA Ruhr), a community of 14,000 researchers and 120,000 students in the heart of Germany.

As part of the Research Alliance Ruhr, the Research Centre for Trustworthy Data Science and Security unites the expertise of its member universities to bridge the gaps between Psychology & Social Sciences, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Data Science & Statistical Learning, Law, Cybersecurity & Privacy, and more.

Postdoctoral Researcher in Responsible Immersive / Extended Reality (AR/VR/MR/CR) Technologies [f/m/d salary TV‑L E14, 100 %]

The Compliant & Accountable Systems Group seeks a post‑doctoral researcher to work on issues relating to responsible immersive and extended reality (XR) technologies. Our group takes an interdisciplinary, socio‑technical approach, exploring the technical, legal, policy, social and user dimensions to improve the governance of emerging technologies and help ensure they are appropriate, secure, safe, accountable and aligned with the public good.

The Role

We are seeking a post‑doctoral researcher to explore how immersive and extended reality (AR/VR/MR/CR/metaverse) technologies can be responsibly developed, governed and their harms managed. Depending on your expertise, this may involve analysing how XR systems and platforms operate in practice, conducting empirical and user‑focused research into their impacts, or developing technical, design and governance approaches that enhance accountability, transparency, privacy and safety. The position offers scope to shape the research according to your strengths and interests, supported by an interdisciplinary team and international collaborations.

Responsibilities

• Establish and lead a new and coherent research direction in Responsible XR.
• Conduct and publish high‑quality research in leading forums (ACM/IEEE), contributing to visibility and leadership in the field.
• Support the supervision, instruction and mentoring of students and junior researchers.
• Collaborate across disciplines and institutions, contributing to a supportive research culture, and engage with external communities including industry, policy and civil society.
• Contribute to shaping new research agendas, funding proposals and collaborative projects within and beyond the group.

Your Profile

We welcome applicants with a wide range of interests and backgrounds that are relevant to responsible immersive/XR technology.

You should have

• A PhD degree in a relevant discipline. Candidates who are close to completing their PhD are also encouraged to apply; the appointment will commence after the PhD has been awarded.
• A strong track record in immersive tech/XR/metaverse research, demonstrated through peer‑reviewed publications.
• A keen and demonstrable interest in responsibility, governance, accountability, privacy, safety, or the broader implications of XR and immersive technologies.
• Excellent written and spoken communication skills in English.
• The ability to work both independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary setting.

We offer

Opportunities and Environment

Successful candidates will join the Compliant & Accountable Systems Group, which is part of the broader RC‑Trust: Research Centre for Trustworthy Data Science and Security. RC‑Trust is a multi‑university collaboration focusing on developing trustworthy AI and emerging technologies through a human‑centred, interdisciplinary approach. Work will also involve collaboration with the University of Cambridge and others.

• A highly interdisciplinary and collaborative research environment.
• Travel opportunities for conferences, workshops, and research collaborations.
• Opportunities to engage with external stakeholders and contribute to policy discussions.
• A network of researchers and industry partners working on AI and technology governance.

This position is embedded in an internationally recognised research environment. Your research will play a crucial role in developing our new Research Centre and promoting trustworthy technology to the general public. Our extensive network of researchers and industry partners ensures a seamless transition into your next career step, whether in academia or international research institutions.

Appointment date

As soon as possible

Contract duration

1 year

Position type

100 % of a full‑time position (part‑time is possible)

How to Apply

Applicants must submit the following documents (in one combined PDF file):

• A one‑page cover letter outlining their motivation for applying and how their background aligns with the position.
• A complete list of publications and links to any demonstrators or artefacts.
• Names of three references that we can contact.
• A one‑page research statement outlining their research interests within the themes of responsible immersive technologies/XR.

Please send your application in an email stating the reference number 624‑25 until 12.12.2025 to [e-mail].

For informal inquiries about research specifics, please contact Prof. Jat Singh at [e-mail]; for questions about the application process, please contact [e-mail].

The University of Duisburg‑Essen aims to promote the diversity of its members (see https://www.unidue.de/diversity). It seeks to increase the proportion of women on academic staff and, therefore, strongly encourages qualified women to apply. Women will be given preferential treatment according to the NRW State Equality Act if they have equal qualifications.

Applications from suitable severely disabled persons and those of equal status according to § 2 Abs. 3 SGB IX are welcome.