Job Purpose
To make a leading contribution to the ‘ Museums in the Metaverse' (MiM) project working with PI Dr Neil McDonnell, focussed particularly on the project's Museology work package led by Co-Is Professor Maria Economou and Dr Pauline Mackay. The successful candidate will help liaise with the project's cross-sector partnership to research, prioritise and establish the core functionality of the MiM platform. This will involve assisting in the selection, curation and interpretation of cultural heritage objects, experiences and narratives in Virtual Reality. They will support the development and testing of virtual curatorial work processes and tools for the MiM platform and assist in developing and implementing sector-appropriate workflows/methods for object handling, documentation, archiving and interpretation. They will work as part of a team to undertake design, curation (in Virtual Reality), evaluation and dissemination of exemplar MiM experiences developed in line with partners' target audiences/strategic direction(s). They will research and organise access to sites/objects for photogrammetric capture/processing by the project Collections Digitisation Technician, and support development/maintenance of the project database. The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to the formulation and submission of research publications and research proposals as well as help manage and direct this innovative and challenging project as opportunities allow.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
1. Take a leading role in the planning and conduct of assigned research individually or jointly in accordance with the project deliverables and project/group/School/College research strategy, including research, interpretation and composition of themed immersive VR/XR experiences
2. Document research output including analysis and interpretation of all data, populating/maintaining records and databases, drafting progress reports and papers as appropriate.
3. Establish and maintain your research profile and reputation and that of The University of Glasgow/ School/ Research Group, including contributing to joint project publications of international quality in high profile/quality refereed journals, enhancing the research impact in terms of economic/societal benefit, and gathering indicators of esteem where appropriate.
4. Survey the research literature and environment, understand Standards relevant to Digital Cultural Heritage/the research challenges associated with the project & subject area, and develop/implement a suitable research strategy.
5. Presentation of work at international and national conferences, at internal and external seminars, colloquia and workshops to develop and enhance our research profile.
6. Take a leading role in the identification of potential funding sources and to assist in the development of proposals to secure funding from internal and external bodies to support future research.
7. Take a leading role in developing and maintaining collaborations with colleagues across the research group/School/College/University and wider community (e.g. Academic and Industry Partners).
8. Take a leading role in team/group meetings/seminars/workshops and project research activities to enhance the wider knowledge, outputs and culture of the project as appropriate.
9. Take the lead in the organisation, supervision, mentoring and training of undergraduate and/or postgraduate students and less experienced members of the project team to ensure their effective development where appropriate.
10. Perform administrative tasks related to the activities of the research group and School, including Budgets/Expenditure.
11. Make a leading contribution to activities designed to demonstrate and promote the MiM platform (including demonstrating and onboarding people to fully immersive VR experiences) and associated admin as assigned by the Project Investigators.
12. Keep up to date with current knowledge and recent advances in the fields/disciplines of Digital Cultural Heritage, Virtual/Extended Reality and the design/evaluation of Immersive Experiences.
13. Engage in personal, professional and career development, to enhance both specialist and transferable skills in accordance with desired career trajectory.
14. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Project Investigators.
15. Contribute to the enhancement of the University's international profile in line with the University's Strategic Plan, Inspiring People Changing The World.
Qualifications:
Essential:
A1 Normally Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) or alternatively possess the equivalent in professional qualifications and experience, with experience of personal development in a similar or related role(s)
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Essential:
C1 A comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of current issues and future directions within the wider subject area or subject specialism.
C2 Knowledge of project-specific Standards, technical models, equipment or techniques.
C3 Sufficient depth of relevant research experience, normally including sufficient doctoral experience in a related field, appropriate to an early career researcher.
C4 Proven ability to deliver quality outputs in a timely and efficient manner.
C5 A track record of presentation and publication of research results in quality journals/conferences.
C6 Experience of making a leading contribution in academic activities.
C7 Ability to demonstrate a degree of independence as illustrated by identification of project objectives from assessment of the literature, design & analysis of immersive experiences & drafting of papers.
C8 Experience in undertaking independent research.
C9 Commitment to open research, as appropriate to the discipline, through open data, open code, open educational resources and practices that support replication.
C10 Proven commitment to collegiality appropriate to the career stage.
Desirable:
D1 Experience of curation/storytelling for Cultural Heritage audiences.
D2 Practical and theoretical knowledge of designing for and using Virtual/Extended Reality technology/equipment, platforms and/or applications.
D3 An understanding of the practicalities involved in selecting objects from Cultural Heritage collections for 3D modelling/incorporation in a virtual environment.
D4 Practical and theoretical knowledge of user evaluation, especially in Cultural Heritage and/or digital and particularly Virtual Reality settings.
D5 Experience of working with databases.
Terms and Conditions
Salary will be Grade 7, £39,347 - £44,263 per annum.
This post is full time and fixed term until 31-Mar-2025.
As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.
As a valued member of our team, you can expect:
1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.
2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https: // www. gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.
3 A flexible approach to working.
4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University https: // www. gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.
We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https: // www. gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.
We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https: // www. gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.
We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https: // www. gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.
Vacancy Ref : 133508 Close Date : 03-Dec-2023 23:45