Postdoctoral Researcher - Computer Science - XR, AI and HCI

Kennesaw State University; Kennesaw (GA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental & Vision

13 paid holidays

Tuition waiver

Job summary

Kennesaw State University in Kennesaw, Georgia seeks a Postdoctoral Researcher focused on XR, AI, and HCI. The role advances immersive technologies for accessibility and rehabilitation, with data-driven methods from multimodal sources and collaboration across multi-institutional partners.

The position is full-time, regular, with a budgeted salary range and comprehensive benefits. PhD required within six months of hire; strong publication and XR tool experience preferred.

Qualifications

• PhD in CS, CE, information science, HCI or related disciplines required or near completion.
• Experience in XR/VR/AR/MR, AI/ML, HCI, computer vision, or multimodal sensing preferred.
• Peer‑reviewed publications evidence of research productivity.
• Experience developing XR apps with Unity/Unreal/OpenXR frameworks.
• Experience with ML frameworks and scientific computing environments.
• Human-subject studies experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute experimental activities, data analyses, and manuscript submissions.
• Contribute to new research proposals and directions within the group.
• Develop an IDP with faculty mentor and participate in career development.
• Generate revenue by securing grants and participate in workshops.
• Prepare project budgets and ensure funds are used properly.
• Maintain records and ensure compliance with policies and regulations.
• Establish relationships with internal and external partners.
• Engage in research and publication activities.

Skills

XR tech

AI/ML methods

HCI

Multimodal sensing

Data analytics

Software engineering

Education

Ph.D. in Computer Science

Tools

Unity

Unreal Engine

OpenXR

Job description

Postdoctoral Researcher - Computer Science - XR, AI andHCI

Department Information

Location: Kennesaw, Georgia

Full/Part Time: Full Time

Regular/Temporary: Regular

DEPARTMENT SPECIFIC TASKS ANDRESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Conducts research at the intersection of Extended Reality (XR),Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI),emphasizing intelligent, accessible, safe, trustworthy,reproducible, and generalizable immersive technologies
2. Designs, develops, and evaluates XR systems and AI/ML methodsfor accessibility and rehabilitation, balance and fall-riskassessment and mitigation, adaptive multimodal feedback, cognitiveand behavioral modeling, privacy and security, and XRgeneralizability and reproducibility
3. Develops data-driven methods using multimodal data from XR andrelated sensing technologies, including head/controller motion, eyetracking, body movement, balance, gait, and other behavioral orphysiological measures, as appropriate
4. Designs experimental XR applications, research prototypes,software tools, datasets, and infrastructure supporting systematicexperimentation, replication, and evaluation across XR hardware,software platforms, users, and environments
5. Contributes to human-subject research involving immersivetechnologies, including protocol development, data collection,analysis, and dissemination, in accordance with applicable IRB andresearch-compliance requirements
6. Provides advanced technical and research mentorship to Ph.D.,M.S., and undergraduate researchers in the eXtended Reality andIntelligence (XRei) Laboratory and help coordinate related XR/AIprojects and milestones
7. Coordinates scientific and technical activities withmulti-institutional academic, clinical, and industry collaborators;support joint studies, shared research infrastructure, manuscripts,and collaborative research initiatives
8. Develops reusable and reproducible research artifacts, includingsoftware, datasets, experimental protocols, documentation, andanalysis pipelines, to facilitate replication, generalization, andbroader adoption of XR research
9. Generates preliminary results and technical materials forcompetitive external proposals and help develop newmulti-investigator and multi-institutional research directions inXR, AI, accessibility, healthcare/rehabilitation, andhuman-centered computing

DEPARTMENT SPECIFIC KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ANDABILITIES*:

• Advanced knowledge in one or more areas relevant to theposition, including XR (VR/AR/MR), AI/machine learning, HCI,computer vision, multimodal sensing, data analytics, or softwareengineering
• Knowledge of AI/ML methods and experience developingcomputational models from behavioral, sensor, motion, visual, orother multimodal data ¿ Able to design, implement, and evaluate XRapplications or interactive systems using relevant developmentplatforms and programming environments
• Able to conduct rigorous experimental research, including studydesign, statistical analysis, validation, and interpretation ofquantitative and/or qualitative results ¿ Able to developreproducible research software, data-processing pipelines,experimental tools, and technical documentation
• Able to mentor student researchers and coordinate researchactivities involving multiple projects, investigators, and externalcollaborators
• Able to collaborate effectively across computing, engineering,healthcare/rehabilitation, accessibility, and other human-centeredresearch domains

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS: (Preferredqualifications)

• Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree in Computer Science,Computer Engineering, Information Science, Human-ComputerInteraction, or a closely related discipline
• Demonstrated research experience in at least one of thefollowing: XR/VR/AR/MR, AI/ML, HCI, computer vision, human-centeredAI, accessibility, healthcare technologies, multimodal sensing, orsoftware engineering
• Evidence of research productivity through peer-reviewedpublications in relevant conferences or journals
• Experience developing XR applications using Unity, UnrealEngine, OpenXR, or comparable immersive-technology frameworks
• Experience with machine-learning and/or deep-learningframeworks and scientific computing or data-analysisenvironments
• Experience conducting human-subject studies involvinginteractive or immersive technologies is preferred
• Experience with research software development, open-sourcesoftware, reproducibility, cross- platform systems, orcollaborative grant/proposal development is preferred

Job Summary

Postdoctoral Researchers support teams of KSU faculty and students(undergraduate and graduate students), which engage with externalcollaborators from other universities, community members,government agencies, and/or private sector entities to stimulateinnovation, capacity-building, and sustainability of research andscholarly activity at KSU.

This position isconsidered limited-term staff since it utilizes contingent fundingwhich is currently only secured through June 30, 2028, or 18 monthsfrom the position start date, whichever occurs first. Employmentthereafter will be conditional based on continued availability offunding.

Responsibilities

1. Plans and executes experimental activities, data analyses,submission of reports or of manuscripts to peer-reviewedpublications, and/or attendance and presentation of researchfindings at appropriate venues of dissemination
2. Develops and contributes to new ideas for research proposals anddirections within the research group
3. Develops an Individual Development Plan (IDP) in collaboration withfaculty mentor
4. Generates revenue by securing grants and participates indepartmental and institutional career development programs, such asgrant writing workshops
5. Prepares project budget and ensures funded project operates withinbudget guidelines
6. Maintains official records and documents, and ensures compliancewith institutional policies, and federal, state and localregulations
7. Establishes working relationships and cooperative arrangements withinternal and external partners
8. Engages in research and publication

Required Qualifications

Educational Requirements

Ph.D. from an accredited institution of higher education orobtainment of doctorate degree within six (6) months of hire

Preferred Qualifications

Prior experience in working with Extended Reality (XR),HUman-Computer Interaction (HCI), and AI.

Additional Preferred Qualifications

Prior experience in working with Extended Reality (XR),HUman-Computer Interaction (HCI), and AI.

Proposed Salary

The budgeted salary range is $51,600 to $60,000. Offers are basedon relevant experience. Comprehensive benefits to include Medical,Dental, Vision, 13 paid holidays, vacation, generous retirementplans, tuition waiver, wellness options, and much more! Visithr.kennesaw.edu/benefits.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

ABILITIES

Able to meet eligibility requirements for work in the United Statesat the time the appointment is scheduled to begin and to continueworking legally for the proposed term of the appointment

Able to handle multiple tasks or projects simultaneously to meetassigned deadlines

KNOWLEDGE

Demonstrated ability to carry out independent and collaborativeresearch on a team of faculty and students with the ability to meetdeliverables and milestones

Demonstrated creative and proactive approach towards problemsolving

Knowledge of and experience in general analytical methodsdevelopment and good analytical practices

Maintains a working knowledge of significant developments andtrends in the field

SKILLS

Outstanding proposal and paper writing skills

Excellent interpersonal, initiative, teamwork, problem-solving,organization, communication (verbal and written), time management,project management, and presentation skills

Proficient with computer applications and programs associated withthe position (i.e. Microsoft Office suite)

Strong attention to detail and follow-up skills

Strong customer service skills and phone and e-mail etiquette

Refer to the department specific Research Addendum for additionalKSA information

Equal Employment Opportunity

Kennesaw State University is an Equal Employment OpportunityEmployer. The University is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for living, work and study. To that end, andin accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy,and University policy, the University prohibits harassment of ordiscrimination against any person because of race, color, sex(including sexual harassment, pregnancy, and medical conditionsrelated to pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, genderexpression, ethnicity or national origin, religion, age, geneticinformation, disability, or veteran or military status by anymember of the KSU Community on campus, in connection with aUniversity program or activity, or in a manner that creates ahostile environment for members of the KSU community.

For additional information or to file a complaint under theprovisions of this policy, students, employees, applicants foremployment or admission or other third parties should contact theOffice of Institutional Equity at English Building, Suite 225,[e-mail], or by making a report at the following website:https://diversity-kennesaw-advocategme.symplicity.com/public_report/index.php/pid734945?

Other Information

• This is not a supervisory position.
• This position does not have any financial responsibilities.
• This position will not be required to drive.
• This role is not considered a position of trust.
• This position does not require a purchasing card (P-Card).
• This position may travel 1% - 24% of the time
• This position does not require security clearance.

Background Check

• Standard Enhanced +Education