Tenure Track Assistant or Associate Professor in Extended Reality Technologies

We are now looking for

Tenure Track Assistant or Associate Professor in Extended Reality Technologies

to join us in “Hybrid Intelligence: Human-AI Co-evolution and Learning in Multi-realities" (HI) Research Programme at the University of Oulu (Finland).  

The programme forms a part of our national profiling actions supported by the Research Council of Finland. 

Located on the coast of the Gulf of Bothnia in Northern Finland with 14,000 students and 3,800 employees, the University of Oulu is one of the Nordic countries’ largest universities and is a global leader in studies of Northern environments and peoples. The University has recently launched a multi-faculty strategic research program, “Hybrid Intelligence”, and HI stands on the fundamental research on emotion AI, learning processes, and perception engineering for AI-based solutions, e.g., in education and nursing. HI research combines the strengths of humans and machines, emphasizing mutual understanding and learning from each other in their co-evolution. We propose to build the idea of a metaverse by combining our physical and virtual realities towards a multi-reality. The program focuses on international top-level collaborative and multidisciplinary research, supported by LeaF, a unique learning and interaction research infrastructure, and its new Ethics Forum and Data Forum, which will establish a further deep cross-cutting HI discussion in ethical and responsible ways. HI aspires to scientific leadership in solving global challenges by facilitating human-human and human-technology interaction, understanding, and collaboration for the human capital behind AI. With its international networks, HI will pave the way toward breakthroughs in how humans and machines interact, understand, and learn from each other. HI will recruit new talented international researchers to bolster the scientific profile at the University of Oulu and initiate new collaborations with companies.

Position         

Extended reality (XR) technologies enable interaction in metaverses that co-exist with the physical world by modifying the perception and integrating information from multiple concurrent realities, while the fusion of hybrid intelligence further enriches these experiences by seamlessly blending human and artificial intelligence capabilities within these immersive environments.

We seek excellent candidates in virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), mixed reality, and related areas. Merits in interdisciplinary collaboration are highly valued.

The position is placed in the Center for Ubiquitous Computing (UBICOMP), where XR related technology is conducted in the Perception Engineering research group (https://ubicomp.oulu.fi/research/pe).

Your upcoming colleagues include HI researchers and Prof. Steven M. LaValle, who has an ERC Advanced Grant related to XR technologies and whose book Virtual Reality was recently published by Cambridge University Press.

In this tenure track position, the research topics include, but are not limited to:

Investigating the integration of human intelligence with artificial intelligence techniques within XR environments to create HI systems that combine the strengths of both human and machine capabilities. Designing intuitive interfaces and interaction paradigms that facilitate seamless communication and coordination between human users and AI in immersive environments. Examining the role of emotional intelligence in XR environments and exploring how it can foster more engaging and user-friendly interactions. Investigating the ethical implications of HI in XR systems and developing frameworks for their responsible design and deployment. Developing explainable AI techniques within XR environments to enhance the transparency and trustworthiness of HI systems. Exploring potential applications of XR technologies in healthcare and education, particularly focusing on how HI can enhance, for example, healthcare/medical training, patient rehabilitation, and immersive educational experiences.

We expect collaboration with other subthemes of HI. Previous research experience in XR technologies, including virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and/or mixed reality (MR), is required.

About the job

As an Assistant/Associate Professor, you will:

• Develop and sustain research, scholarly and creative activities leading to academic publications and public-facing outreach initiatives
• Establish research partnerships across disciplinary boundaries in Finland and internationally
• Actively look for external funding opportunities and apply for research grants
• Collaborate with other researchers in Hybrid Intelligence to progress the research programme aims.
• Participate in administrative (e.g., university or faculty level) service duties
• Take part in national and international academic networks and scientific organizations
• Design education and provide teaching for undergraduate and graduate-level courses
• Supervise undergraduate and graduate students
• develop and teach undergraduate and graduate level courses
• Act inter-sectorally to develop the impact of research
• Support the strategic aim to renew the scientific profile of the university and to promote multi- and interdisciplinary research approaches
• Communicate research results to academic community, user groups and general public

What we offer?

We offer you a supportive academic environment in a community of committed scholars and the possibility to use funding opportunities to generate new research ideas and build an innovative program that will attract international scholars. The University of Oulu offers flexible working hours, an excellent work-life balance, and a range of occupational healthcare services. Our competitive salaries include paid leave and an additional holiday bonus in the summer. You can read more about working with us and our other staff benefits.

This position includes a start-up package with funding for research expenses and hiring a doctoral researcher (4 years). The start-up package details are based on negotiations with appointable candidates. If you are moving from abroad, we offer comprehensive relocation packages to support your smooth relocation to Oulu. Our Buddy Programme and Spouse Network support you and close-ones in settling into Oulu. We also consider the possibility of recruiting the accompanying spouse to the University of Oulu.

Finland is one of the most livable countries in the world, with a high quality of life, safety, an excellent education system, and a competitive economy. Oulu is a city known for its stunning natural surroundings, vibrant cultural life, and friendly, easy-going atmosphere. Residents of Oulu enjoy Finland’s high standard of living combined with affordable housing. Read more about living in Oulu.

Who are you?

We are searching for candidates supporting the strategic aim to renew the scientific profile of the University of Oulu. We expect interdisciplinary research vision as well as strong collaboration and networking capabilities.  

Our tenure track (Assistant and Associate Professor) is positioned for exceptionally talented researchers with a high potential to advance in their careers. The top candidates will undergo an evaluation by external, international experts. To qualify for the position, they must reach top scores (5-6 on a scale from 1 to 6 for scientific activity and as the overall score).

You are expected to hold a Ph.D. in. computer science, electrical engineering, or an equivalent field. Because this is a transdisciplinary position, depending on the position level, we value vision (assistant) or demonstrated experience (associate) in transdisciplinary approaches in research. Excellent written and interpersonal communication skills are necessary. The working language of the HI program is English.

The general criteria for each career level are as follows:

Qualifications for a tenure track Assistant Professor position: You must demonstrate the ability to work independently and have proven teaching skills. To be eligible for a position as Assistant Professor, you must have received your doctoral degree at most ten years ago (at or later than 2014).

Qualifications for a tenure track Associate Professor position: You must demonstrate evidence of scholarly research work and relevant teaching skills. You must be able to lead research and have experience in acquiring external research funding. We also expect you to have sufficient relevant experience in international scientific work and evidence of international cooperation.

Salary

Those hired at the Assistant or Associate level will be tenure track positions with five-year terms at each level.

The salary is based on levels 5-7 of the demand level chart for teaching and research staff of Finnish universities. In addition, a salary component based on personal work performance will be paid (a maximum of 50 % of the job-specific component). In EUR terms, the salary will likely be between 3500-5500 for an Assistant or Associate Professor. A trial period of 6 months is applied for the position.

How to apply and evaluation process

Interested? If yes, please apply by 6.5.2024 (23:59 Finnish local time) through our recruitment system.

The application should be written in English and include the following:

1. Cover letter with contact information stating the career level (assistant/associate) at which you would like to be evaluated.
2. CV following the guidelines of the Finnish Advisory Board on Research Integrity.
3. List of publications following the guidelines of the Research Council of Finland (with the ten most important ones marked) 
4. Brief account of research merits
5. Brief account of teaching merits or teaching portfolio
   1. Professional development as a teacher
   2. Evaluation from teaching (student evaluations, peer evaluations, awards, and assessed test lectures)
   3. Future teaching goals and plans for development, especially about the teaching.
6. Details regarding the acquisition of research funds
7. A brief research and action plan
8. Contact information of 2–4 persons available for recommendation

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, including people of different ages, genders, and linguistic, cultural, or minority groups.

The selection process follows the University of Oulu´s recruitment guidelines. The process is carried out by a recruitment committee and the candidates are subjected to publication analyses based on their publication lists. The candidates that are considered most suitable by the recruitment committee will also undergo an expert evaluation assessing the following merits:

• Research activities and their reflection in the candidate’s publication record, scientific presentations, and other recognitions, e.g., awards and patents.
• Teaching activities and their evaluation (teaching portfolio; including students’ evaluation)
• Supervision of undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students
• Successful acquisition of competitive research funds International scientific activities (research, keynotes, workshops, conferences) and networks
• Academic community and administrative services
• Academic and public relevance of research activities

The eligible candidates fitting best in the profile expected for the position will be invited to an on-site or remote interview. All applicants will be notified during the selection process.

Contact Information

If you have any further questions, please contact the coordinator of HI, Satu Kaleva via Varbi system or e-mail: satu.kaleva(at)oulu.fi or Professor Janne Heikkilä janne.heikkila(at)oulu.fi.