Senior Research Associate in Metaverse and Human-Avatar Interaction

The role

This open ended fixed funding post (for 1.5 years) is part of an ESRC New Investigator project, which studies self-avatars in virtual environments, popularly referred to as ‘ the metaverse’. Specifically, it focuses on how these virtual spaces might affect people’s mental well-being and what the role of psychological processes related to one’s sense of self is in this context. The project aims to generate new academic knowledge as well as deliver positive societal impact. Partners are academics from other UK and European universities and industry collaborators.

Based at the University of Bristol Business School, this research post will be instrumental for conducting different empirical studies that will bring novel understanding of human relationships with self-avatars. 

Essential skills therefore include expertise in research methodologies related to online environments, both qualitative and quantitative, such as interviews, online observations and experiments (please note that additional training for developing skills related to experimental methodology is available if needed). In addition, the researcher will be involved in engagement and impact activities.

What will you be doing?

The successful candidate is expected to conduct a range of empirical studies (combining both qualitative and quantitative methods) related to users’ activities in virtual environments, to report on the results and to offer ideas and solutions relevant for the project’s success. You will also be involved in writing academic outputs for conferences and journals. In collaboration with project partners, you will engage in both research and impact activities with different stakeholders, disseminating the generated outputs.

You will be expected to work independently under the guidance of the project lead Dr Ana Javornik. You will have an opportunity to develop your academic profile and expertise in this exciting and novel area as you will be actively involved in different aspects of this project. You will be co-organising and participating in the online and in-person events such as workshops and you will also have an opportunity to attend academic conferences presenting the research outcomes. You will receive meaningful support and mentorship in relation to your career development.

You should apply if

• PhD in marketing / consumer behaviour / human-computer interaction / psychology or related area or equivalent professional experience in the research area required
• You have a strong interest in virtual environments (aka ‘metaverse’)
• You demonstrate an interdisciplinary mindset
• You possess research expertise spanning across different methodologies, as well as willingness to obtain new research skills

Additional information

For Informal queries about the role please contact Ana Javornik, email: ana.javornik@bristol.ac.uk 

Interviews will likely be on either Monday 17th or Tuesday 18th of June 2024.

Our strategy and mission

We recently launched our strategy to 2030 tying together our mission, vision and values. 

The University of Bristol aims to be a place where everyone feels able to be themselves and do their best in an inclusive working environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential. We want to attract, develop, and retain individuals with different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives – particularly people of colour, LGBT+ and disabled people - because diversity of people and ideas remains integral to our excellence as a global civic institution.

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