About the Position

The Game School at Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences (INN) is excited to announce a new PhD fellow position in artistic research focusing on spatial computing and virtual productions. The position is based at The Game School, Campus Hamar in Norway, with potential for work at other locations for project work, international exchange, etc. This is a fixed-term position for three years, with the possibility of a four-year position including 25% teaching duties, depending on faculty needs and candidate preferences.

The research community at The Game School, the UPEXRE research group, and collaborators from the TV and Film Schools are exploring the potential of game engine technologies and spatial computing in the arts. UPEXRE, which stands for User Perception and Engagement in XR Experiences, aims to enhance the design and outcomes of XR applications in both art and science. As a PhD fellow, you will join this vibrant research community, participate in seminars, and engage in ongoing research.

The position requires admission to the new joint PhD program in artistic research, soon to be established between The Faculty of Film, TV and Games at INN, Østfold University College, and UiT The Arctic University of Norway. The final plan for the artistic PhD project must be approved within three months of taking the position.

About the Project

We anticipate significant advancements in spatial computing, impacting augmented reality (AR), virtual production (VP), game- TV, and film production, as well as other areas like installation works. The PhD position focuses on exploring and developing new forms of expression, potentially new art forms, where physical and virtual spaces intersect. The increasing capacity and prevalence of multiple layers of imagery, computing, and AI will facilitate this blending of physical and virtual spaces, leading to new hybrid forms of augmented imagery and space.

We seek proposals for an artistic PhD project that aims to explore and demonstrate how this new technology can offer emergent forms of creative expression and lead to new forms of experience.

Potential areas of focus for artistic research include:

1. Spatial experience systems
2. Games and game design
3. Virtual production for film and multi-camera TV studio setups
4. Interactive installations and blended spaces
5. AR-assisted production

You will contribute to building new research and production capacity at INN, including:

1. Building research and production capacity for the arts
2. Being part of a new community of researchers and research fellows working across Games, TV, and Film
3. Being involved in a new master’s degree in virtual productions
4. Collaborating with other researchers and master's students to explore the cultural opportunities afforded by these new technologies

Qualifications

The fellow must qualify for admission to the institution’s joint PhD program in artistic research. Eligibility typically requires a five-year master's degree in the relevant field, specifically in performing or creative arts. Other equivalent education or artistic competency may be approved by the PhD committee after special assessment. Applicants with a master's degree and letter grades require an average grade of B or better.

If you have an education from abroad, you must contact the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir) to apply for recognition of your education: https://hkdir.no/en/foreign-education/education-from-outside-of-norway/recognition-of-foreign-higher-education-bachelor-master-and-phd

The applicant should demonstrate a capacity for independent artistic exploration, production, and reflection. An extensive artistic background is required, for instance, in fields such as new media art and design, creative coding, game design, or animation.

Additionally, the following are emphasized:

• Experience in programming C++ and/or in game engines is an advantage
• Experience in virtual 3D graphics is an advantage
• Having the professional and personal prerequisites to complete the doctoral education within the employment period
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Being structured and having a high work capacity
• Demonstrating the ability for reflection and communication
• Teaching experience is desirable

Language:

Applicants must be proficient in both written and oral English. Non-English-speaking applicants must document English competence through an approved test (TOEFL, IELTS, Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English (CAE), or Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)).

The evaluation of candidates will be based on a total assessment of educational background, experience, personal suitability, motivation, and other eligibility requirements as defined in the advertisement. The quality of the project description and documented artistic and creative practice, research, and experience relevant to the project will be emphasized.

How to Apply

The application should include:

• Application letter including a brief account of the applicant's research interests and motivation for applying for the position
• Project description outlining the artistic research project (max. 8 pages) with the following elements:
  • Presentation of the topic and description of the project's relevance
  • Research question or field of enquiry
  • How the given field is to be investigated through artistic practice and reflection
  • Plan for dissemination of artistic processes, results, and reflection
  • Progress plan
  • Draft financing plan
  • Account of infrastructure needs for the implementation of the artistic research project
• CV with an overview of education and experience (to be filled out in Job Norway's application form)
• Transcripts and diplomas from secondary and higher education. A certified English translation of all educational documents is required unless documenting education in Scandinavia. Norwegian applicants are asked to upload via Vitnemålsportalen (select to show study results for degrees and subjects).
• Documentation of relevant experience
• A portfolio documenting up to five (5) artistic works and/or research projects pertinent to the application
• Names and contact details of two references

Attachments should be uploaded as separate files. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that all attachments have been uploaded. Documents submitted after the application deadline will not be considered.

Formal Requirements for the Project Description:

The project description should be a maximum of 8 pages, including any reference list. The page format should be A4 with 2 cm margins, 11 pt. font (Arial, Calibri, or Times New Roman), and single-line spacing. A font size of 9 can be used for the reference list and figure text.

The project description can be written in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish, or English. The quality of the project description is an important factor in determining whether applicants are called for an interview.

Formal Requirements for Documentation of Artistic Work and Development Work:

Documentation may provide information about and show excerpts from up to five (5) artistic works or research projects relevant to the application. The documentation material should demonstrate artistic breadth and quality, with particular emphasis on examples that relate to the area of the proposed doctoral project. The documentation material must be gathered in one PDF file attached to the application, if relevant, with links to where additional audiovisual material can be experienced online, e.g., on YouTube or Vimeo. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that links remain available while the application is being evaluated. Remember to provide a password if online documentation is password-protected.

If the attachments exceed 30 MB, they must be compressed before uploading.

We Offer

• An exciting and challenging position at a developing institution
• Position is paid and placed in position code 1017, PhD candidate in the Government Salary Scale
• Membership in the Norwegian Public Service Pension, with good pension and insurance schemes

For more information about INN University as an employer, please see here.

General Information

For more information about the position, please contact:

• Steven Bachelder, Professor, The Game School, steven.bachelder@inn.no, T: +46 (0) 70-819 13 09
• Marit Christine Berg Strandvik, Head of Department, The Game School, marit.berg@inn.no, T: +47 62 51 77 84
• Trond Lossius, Professor & Head of PhD, trond.lossius@inn.no, T: +47 95 92 26 13
• Linda Tangen Børge, PhD Coordinator, linda.tangen.bjorge@inn.no, T: 61 28 85 78

HINN believes in the strength of inclusion and diversity. We seek employees with different competencies, professional combinations, life experiences, and perspectives to contribute to better problem-solving. We will facilitate employees who need assistance to realize their goals. Relevant adaptations can include technical aids, adjusting furniture, or modifying routines, work tasks, and working hours.

To be considered for special treatment, applicants must meet certain requirements. More information can be found here: https://arbeidsgiver.difi.no/positivsaerbehandling

We encourage applicants to indicate if they have a disability, a gap in their CV, or an immigrant background in the JobbNorge portal. This information is used to create anonymized statistics reported in annual reports of state-owned enterprises.

Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has requested anonymity. The applicant must be notified if the request for anonymity is not granted.