Research Assistant (Engineer – Human Computer Interaction)

• We seek to appoint a highly-skilled Research Assistant to support industry-focused research and development work as part of UKRI funded Future Screens NI programme; a collaboration between Queen’s University and Ulster University.  

  The successful candidate will work within the newly established Queen’s MediaLab at the cross section of storytelling & technology, and the enabling sectors involved in film, broadcast, animation, games and industries to utilise immersive technologies and take advantage of accelerating technology shifts. As research assistant, you will support interdisciplinary research contributing to the knowledge base in arts and computer science in human computer interaction. You will work closely with research teams supporting the production of academic outputs and onward development of technology demonstrators aimed at making outputs more accessible to creative industry partners. 

  The successful candidate must have:

  • Hold an Honours Degree, or equivalent, in Computer Science, User Experience or Product Design or related discipline with at least three years’ relevant industrial experience OR minimum HND in related engineering discipline with at least five years’ relevant industrial experience
  • Demonstrable evidence of competence in designing experiences with a range of digital technologies 
  • Well-developed prototyping and scripting skills with direct experience with game engines such as Unity3d/Unreal
  • Experience of using research tools and techniques resulting in high quality project and technical reports

  Salary: £28,331

  Closing date: Monday 15 February 2021

  Anticipated interview date: Monday 1 March 2021

  Available for up to 24 months until 23 April 2023

  Responding to industry needs, Future Screens NI is delivering expert technical skills, opportunity and growth across film and broadcast, animation, games and immersive technologies and industries in Northern Ireland. Through the partnership, Northern Ireland’s creative companies are developing strategies to collaborative, grow productivity and maximise their global potential, delivering new jobs and a £400 million increase in GVA to boost the local economy.

  Future Screens NI comprises the two higher education institutions (Ulster University and QUB) and a number of key industrial partners central to the creative economy in the region, including NI Screen, BBC, Belfast City Council, Belfast Harbour, Causeway Enterprise Agency, Digital Catapult, Catalyst Inc., RTE, Games NI, Kainos, Invest NI, Techstart NI, Matrix and Tourism NI. The Partnership has, from this, developed a definition of, and a working model for, the creative industries in NI which is focused on participation, cultural and economic growth, and social and economic regeneration placing the Partnership as a leading developmental catalyst in this NI sector.

  Queen’s University Belfast is a driver of innovation and talent based on excellence. Throughout the University, our academics are collaborating across disciplines and with outside agencies and institutions on projects of world significance. We are connected and networked with strategic partnerships across the world, helping us to expand our impact on wider society locally, nationally and globally. The University is committed to attracting, retaining and developing the best global talent within an environment that enables them to realise their full potential.

  We are a leader in gender equality and diversity, and are one of the UK’s most successful universities in the Athena SWAN initiative which promotes gender equality and career progression. The University holds an Athena SWAN sliver award. We are ranked 1st in the UK for knowledge transfer partnerships, (Innovate UK) 9th in the UK for University facilities (Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey 2018) and 14th in the UK for research quality (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019).

  Based in Belfast, a modern capital city, our beautiful campus is surrounded by abundant acres of parkland and is renowned as one of the safest and affordable cities in the UK. The choice of local Schools from pre-nursery upwards are some of the best available, and lovers of the outdoors can enjoy any number of activities from rowing and kayaking to top class golf among many others. We are immensely proud of what our city and our University will offer you.

  The University is committed to equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from all.

  However, our employment monitoring data tells us that individuals from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) communities, people with a disability and those who identify as LGBT+ are currently under-represented at the University. Also male protestants are currently under-represented in this category of work. As such, we particularly welcome applications from these individuals.

  As you may be aware, Queen’s is recognised as one of the most diverse organisations in Northern Ireland. We are committed to ensuring our workplace is a safe, welcoming and inclusive place to work, which is why we subscribe to Equality Charter Marks such as Stonewall Workplace Equality Index, Diversity Charter Mark NI and Athena SWAN.

  It is also why we have established award winning Staff Networks such as PRISM and iRise. These networks provide an opportunity for staff to meet in a friendly, informal way to support each other.  More details on all our networks can be found at https://www.qub.ac.uk/sites/StaffGateway/StaffNetworks/

  Fixed term contract posts are available for the stated period in the first instance but in particular circumstances may be renewed or made permanent subject to availability of funding.

  
  Ref: 21/108614

  School of Arts, English and Languages (Queen’s MediaLab)