Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Digital Media and Communications

Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Digital Media and Communications Full time

MDX

United Arab Emirates Posted On 25/02/2025Job Description Role Summary This role is for an experienced academic with a strong track record in immersive digital media, VR/AR technologies, and interactive experiences. The candidate will contribute to teaching, research, and innovation in digital media, interactive design, and new technology development while also supporting academic leadership and industry engagement.Job Purpose To teach, conduct research, and engage in knowledge transfer in the field of digital media and emerging technologies, benefiting students, the university, and the wider industry.Main Responsibilities Learning and Teaching Deliver high-quality teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in immersive technologies, interactive digital media, and new technologies.Design, develop, and evaluate innovative digital media courses that integrate AR, VR, 360° video, locative media, and interactive installations.Unity3D and C# expertise applied specifically to VR/AR applications, including: Developing and optimizing VR applications using Unity3D and C#.Working with avatars, animations, and character rigging.Integrating audio components (spatialized audio, sound effects, and voiceovers) into VR environments.Optimizing performance for VR applications on various standalone and PCVR headsets (e.g., Meta Quest, HTC Vive).Introduce students to 360° video, motion sensors, Arduino-based interaction, and Web AR platforms.Encourage students to experiment with cutting-edge tools and apply knowledge through hackathon-style projects and rapid prototyping.Engage in interdisciplinary collaboration, integrating technology, user experience (UX), and digital storytelling.Provide academic mentorship, supervision, and guidance to students, particularly in project-based learning.Research and Knowledge Transfer Lead research projects in immersive media, AR/VR applications, interactive installations, and digital innovation.Maintain a high-impact research profile with outputs recognized at an international level.Develop and supervise student research projects and dissertations at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.Establish industry partnerships to bridge academia and real-world applications in immersive digital experiences.Academic Leadership and Management Act as a subject lead in VR/AR development and emerging media technologies.Mentor junior faculty members and contribute to cross-campus collaborations.Support student recruitment, program development, and quality enhancement initiatives.Requirements Person Specification Knowledge, Skills, and Experience Postgraduate qualification (Master’s or Ph D) in Digital Media, Interactive Technologies, Computer Science, or a related field.Expertise in Unity3D with a focus on VR/AR, including: Developing VR applications in Unity3D (using C#).Implementing interactive environments with avatars, animations, and rigging.Optimizing performance for standalone and PC-based VR applications.Integrating spatial audio and immersive media components.Experience with 360° video production, locative media, and sensor-based interactions (e.g., accelerometers, RFID, GPS, Arduino).Proven ability to deliver high-quality teaching across digital media subjects.Track record of research outputs in immersive media, digital interaction, or new technologies.Ability to engage students through hands-on, project-based learning.Strong industry network and ability to integrate real-world case studies into teaching.Industry experience in game development, immersive media, or interactive installations.Experience leading hackathons, rapid prototyping workshops, or agile development projects.Recognized certifications in Unity3D (not mandatory, but advantageous): Unity Certified Associate: Game Developer (covering C# programming, UI, physics, animations, and VR/AR basics).Unity Certified Professional: Programmer (advanced C# scripting, debugging, and performance optimization).Experience securing research funding or industry partnerships.Familiarity with UAE’s media and technology landscape.Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCert HE) or equivalent teaching qualification. #J-18808-Ljbffr