Multiple PhD/Postdoc Positions and a Project Manager Position in Next Generation eXtended Reality for Art and Culture

Multiple PhD/Postdoc Positions and a Project Manager Position in Next Generation eXtended Reality for Art and Culture

The Computer Science Department at the IT University of Copenhagen invites applications to five PhD/post doc positions. PhD positions are for three years, and the post doc positions 1–3 years depending on the agreed duties. One 3-year post doc position contains project manager duties in addition to research. The proposed starting date is 1st January 2024 or soon thereafter.

The IT University's vision is to create and share knowledge that is profound and leads to groundbreaking information technology and services for the benefit of humanity. The Computer Science Department seeks to conduct research and education that are both foundational and have impact on industry and society.

Job description We are excited to announce multiple opportunities for passionate and innovative researchers to join our interdisciplinary team in the field of Next Generation eXtended Reality for Art and Culture. The positions offer a unique chance to contribute to cutting-edge research and collaborative projects in the exciting realm of mixed reality, computer vision and machine learning, spatial audio and audio perception, music content understanding, and human- computer interaction. Successful candidates will work closely with experts from multiple European universities, institutions, and companies, taking part in a multidisciplinary EU Horizon funded project contributing to ground- breaking research initiatives and shaping the future of inclusive and immersive experiences of art and music.

You'll contribute to the development of a cutting-edge, human-centred mixed reality (MR) solution that brings concerts and music or dance performances to remote locations, by breaking down barriers while enhancing immersion through the integration of real and virtual elements. By joining our project, you'll advance the state-of-the-art by pushing beyond traditional virtual reality concepts. You'll have a part in creating an immersive MR solution that offers 3D visuals and sound that are seamlessly blended into the user's environment while providing a shared experience.

1. Post Doc with Project Manager Duties

Tasks and Responsibilities: • Collaborate and contribute the academic research within the consortium across different research areas and partners. Research topics selected within the project scope such as those in the positions below. • You will act as the right hand to the project coordinator, taking responsibility on management activities such as reading and writing project reports, identifying user requirements, data management, quality and risk management, and commercialization.

We offer: a responsible and vantage point position to an EU Horizon project with lots of multi-disciplinary collaborations and contacts.

2. PhD/Post Doc Position: Mixed Reality Scene Synthesis

Tasks and Responsibilities: • Develop and implement methods on 3D scene reconstruction and mapping them into mixed reality space. • Develop and implement methods for blending virtual and real scenes in mixed reality environments. • Develop and implement scene synthesis such as using neural radiance field- based methods. • Collaborate with other partners in the project through joint development and to ensure seamless integration in a MR system.

3. PhD/Post Doc Position: Audio Source Localization and Audio Perception Modelling

Tasks and Responsibilities: • Develop and implement methods for estimation of dynamic sound source locations. • Develop and implement models for sound visualization and mapping to visual attributes. • Collaborate with other partners and musicians in the project to characterise and enhance spatial audio perception.

4. PhD/Post Doc Position: Music Content Understanding and Visualization

Tasks and Responsibilities: • Develop and implement machine learning methods to characterize music content arising from, for instance, the sound of instruments, style, and mood. • Investigate the association between music content, language, and visual attributes. • Collaborate with other partners and musicians in the project to enhance music content analysis. • Create innovative visualizations for enriched user experiences.

5. PhD/Post Doc Position: Human-Computer Interaction for Social Experience

Tasks and Responsibilities: • Identify use case scenarios for diverse groups of online and face-to-face users. • Conduct observational studies and user research together with other partners in the project to inform design activities. • Collaborate with other partners to develop and implement immersive interaction scenarios. • Evaluate the prototypes and facilitate the deployment of the user interfaces.

General information The IT University of Copenhagen (ITU) is a teaching and research-based tertiary institution concerned with information technology (IT) and the opportunities it offers. The IT University has more than 160 full-time Faculty members. Research and teaching in information technology span all academic activities which involve computers including computer science, information and media sciences, humanities and social sciences, business impact and the commercialization of IT.

About the Computer Science Department The ITU Computer Science Department conducts research in all aspects of computer science and data science, including algorithms, databases, government IT, machine learning, natural language processing, network science, optimization, programming languages, quantum computing, robotics, security, semantics, software engineering, software verification, type theory, and more, as well as a range of applications. The department has 55 permanent faculty, 65 PhDs and postdocs, as well as other staff. It is responsible for the IT University's most technical education programs BSc Software Development, BSc Data Science, MSc Computer Science, MSc Data Science, and MSc Software Design.

Working at the IT University Located in modern architecture, a 6-minute metro ride from the center of Copenhagen, the IT University offers an informal working environment, a varied everyday life, and a highly motivated, ambitious, competent, and diverse international faculty, with PhD degrees from 17 different countries. The IT University is an equal opportunity employer and prides itself in actively and qualified pursuing an improved gender balance among students and among faculty.

Working in Copenhagen Copenhagen has a solid educational system, a rich cultural life, universal healthcare, good childcare, and well-functioning infrastructure. Copenhagen is among the world's most livable cities according to the Economist Global Liveability Index. Living and working in Copenhagen will be a good experience for you and your family.

Salary and terms of employment Appointment and salary will be in accordance with the Ministry of Taxation's agreement with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC) and job structure for academic staff at Universities.

Qualification Requirements The following qualifications are required for a PhD position: • 3 year programme: candidates should have a MSc (or equivalent) • 4 year programme: candidates should have a BSc and one year of university studies on Master level Qualified applicants will be employed and enrolled at the ITU University for a period of 3 or 4 years depending on the university degree level of the applicant.

The following qualifications are required for a Postdoc position: • PhD in a related field • Project Management is a plus (only in the 1st Postdoc position)

Other requirements: • Strong research background and interest, e.g., in extended reality, computer vision, acoustics and audio signal processing, psychoacoustics, machine learning and AI, human computer interaction, design, computer graphics and visualisation, immersive media and interaction, user evaluation or studies, and music and art. • Proficiency in programming and mastering of relevant tools. Experience in Unity is a plus. • Good communication skills and ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team.

Application The application and all other documents ought to be in English and must include: • A motivated application (cover letter), including a detailed description of your qualifications • A statement of purpose, which provides evidence of independent thinking, novelty and originality, of the targeted research field matching the project description • A full CV, including name, address, phone number, e-mail, previous and present employment and academic background • Documentation of academic degrees (copy of degree certificates etc.) • Applications may also include a relevant scientific publication or/and master thesis written by the applicant • Name and contact information of two professional/academic references

Applications without the above-mentioned required documents will not be assessed.

The applicant will be accessed according to the Appointment Order from the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation of 13 March 2012.

The IT University may use shortlisting in connection to the recruitment process. In case of shortlisting, the Chair of the hiring committee selects applicants for assessment in consultation with the hiring committee after the application deadline. All applicants are notified whether their application has been passed for assessment. The shortlisting of candidates for assessment is based on the criteria in the job posting.

Further information Questions about the positions can be directed to Associate Professor, Sami Brandt, IT University of Copenhagen, s[email protected]. Early contact with our faculty staff is encouraged.

Application procedure You can only apply for this position through our e-recruitment system. Apply by pressing the button "Apply for position" in the job announcement on our website: https:// en.itu.dk/About-ITU/Vacancies

Please read the guidelines for applicants carefully before filling in the application form. You can see the guidelines through this link: https: // en.itu.dk/Research/PhD-Programme/PhD-Positions

Please note that all application material will be destroyed after the assessment.

Application deadline: 23 October 2023, at 23:59 CET/CEST.

Applications/enclosures received at ITU after the application deadline will not be taken into consideration. If you submit an application, it is your responsibility to ensure that it arrives before the deadline so please allow sufficient time for upload of publications and other documents.

The IT University invites all qualified researchers regardless of age, gender, religious affiliation or ethnic background to apply for the positions.

IT University of Copenhagen, Rued Langgaards Vej 7, DK-2300 Copenhagen S

www. itu.dk