PhD Student on the topic "Audiovisual perception, interaction and cognition in real-world and eXtended Reality Environments" (f/m/d)

In the Audiovisual Technology Group, Ilmenau Interactive Immersive Technologies Center (www.tu-ilmenau.de/i3tc) at the Technische Universität Ilmenau (Germany) is a vacancy for a

PhD Student on the topic "Audiovisual perception, interaction and cognition in real-world and eXtended Reality Environments" (f/m/d)

as soon as possible.

The vacancy is funded as part of the DFG priority program AUDICTIVE (www.spp2236-audictive.de)). The specific project will be carried out in collaboration with other high-class university partners in Germany.

The Audiovisual Technology Group (www.tu-ilmenau.de/mt-avt) at the Institute of Media Technology is a growing international, interdisciplinary university research team working on topics related to auditory, visual and audiovisual technology and perception, AR/VR/MR, multimedia networks, Quality of Experience and HCI. Our work in these areas ranges from fundamental research to applied research in collaboration with industry partners. The AVT group is also part of the newly established I3TC (Ilmenau Interactive Immersive Technologies Center, www.tu-ilmenau.de/i3tc).

Your tasks

Your job tasks include:

In your research, you will investigate questions of audiovisual perception and cognition in interaction with eXtended Reality (XR) environments. Here, the focus is on the implementation of digital twins of real-world environments and evaluation of interactions in both the real environments and their virtual reality (VR) versions, considering audiovisual perception and cognitive performance. The aim is to investigate how acoustic and visual details as well as modes of interaction of the environments influence human information processing and cognition. Focus of this research is to record (360° video), design and implement (Unity- or Unreal Engine based environment and animations) digital versions of the real environments and corresponding audiovisual scenes, and carry out user studies to analyse human audiovisual perception and cognition. The investigations are expected to provide indirect information about the quality of the eXtended Reality environments.

The results obtained in the 3-year research may contribute to a possible doctoral thesis.

Your profile

For being part of the selection process is needed:

• Completed academic university studies (Master/ Dipl. (Univ.)) in one of the fields of media informatics or media technology, or corresponding engineering or science subjects, such as computer science, neuroinformatics, human-computer interaction
• Practical experience in at least three of the following fields: Audio/video/multimedia technology, digital video signal processing and/or audio signal processing, computer graphics or game development, implementation/evaluation of empirical studies.
• Very good knowledge in Unity or Unreal Engine is a must, and knowledge in several of the languages or tools: C#, Python, C/C++, R, ffmpeg, Blender.
• Very good knowledge of English (at least C1). Additional knowledge of the German language when starting the position will be a plus.

Following competences are desirable:

• Interest in interdisciplinary topics at the interface between technology and humans.
• Very good communication skills, commitment, enthusiasm, ability to work independently, as well as initiative and ability to work in a team.
• Knowledge in areas such as pattern recognition, machine learning or modeling of perception and/or cognition is a plus.

Please provide evidence of the qualifications required for the job by certificates and references.

The position is not suitable for part-time employment.

What we offer you:

• attractive remuneration according to collective agreement (as per TV-L) incl. granting of a special annual payment
• vacation entitlement of 30 days in the calendar year and additional days off on 24 / 31 December
• flexible working time model
• VBL - pension scheme in the public sector

From individual advancement with a wide range of continuing education opportunities to a variety of health and recreational offerings, you can expect an appreciative working environment at a renowned university at TU Ilmenau. In addition to an attractive, family friendly working hour’s model, you will also benefit from advantages such as the use of the dining halls of the Studiendenwerk Thüringen, as well as participation in several attractive sport offers from the university owned sport centrum.

volume: Full time
restriction: 3 years
salary: EG 13 TV-L
beginning: as soon as possible

The university stands in the fields of technology, mathematics and natural sciences, business and media for teaching and research at the highest level. It attaches particular importance to innovativ teaching and interdisciplinary. It identifies with Humboldt's ideals and pursues the vision of a cosmopolitan campus family. 

Technische Universität llmenau is holder of the „TOTAL E-Quality“distinction and emphasizes gendered quality.

Severely disabled applicants with essentially identical professional suitability will be preferentially selected.

Technische Universität Ilmenau offers flexible working time models.

ID Number: 109/2024
application deadline: 08.09.2024

For further information please contact Univ.-Prof. Dr.-Ing. Alexander Raake, Phone +49 3677 69 2607.