[game_edu] PhD Positions in Serious Game Development

[Craig Lindley]

Preliminary Announcement: PhD Positions in Serious Games for Competence
and Expertise Development

Department of Interaction and Systems Design (AIS), Engineering Faculty,
 Blekinge Institute of Technology (BTH), Karlshamn and/or Ronneby,
Sweden



Games and Game Research at Blekinge Institute of Technology (BTH)



Digital games are interactive simulation, visualization and sonification
systems facilitating user experiences informed by principles of game,
narrative and/or simulation design. Specific games may emphasise these
different elements to differing degrees, for purposes of entertainment
or for other functions, including education, diagnosis, analysis,
therapy, operations, etc.. Games developed for purposes that are not
limited to providing entertainment are often referred to as serious
games.



The research group working in the Game and Media Arts laboratory
(GAMAlab) at Blekinge Institute of Technology (BTH) in Karlshamn and
Ronneby, Sweden, specialises in: systematic studies of gameplay and
media experience, the cognitive and emotional effects of play upon
players, game and digital media system design and development, and game
and digital media interaction concepts, systems and technologies.  The
primary theoretical foundations of the research are in the field of
cognition sciences, with a strong emphasis upon cognitive architectures,
cognitive decision processes, cognitive modelling, and the interactions
between cognitive processes and affective (e.g. emotional) processes and
states. The GAMAlab is equipped with an eyetracking system and
psychophysiological measurement equipment for detailed studies of game
interaction (see http://gamescience.bth.se/ for more information).



Description of PhD Positions



Up to three PhD positions are currently available in the lab to work on
a new EU-funded research project on Serious Games for Competence and
Expertise Development. The research involved in the PhD positions will
involve:

·        Understanding of cognitive theories of competence and expertise
development

·        Cognitive, psychological and/or psychophysiological
investigation of computer gameplay and application domain
decision-making

·        Investigation, evaluation and use of tools and platforms for
game and digital media system development and implementation

·        Gaining understanding of specific competence and expertise
requirements in one or more of the fields of: personal financial
competence, personal investment management and professional stock
trading

·        Innovative game design for competence and expertise development

·        Iterative prototyping of games for improving competence and for
expertise training

·        Writing and presentation of project documents and international
research papers in suitable conferences and journals

·        Teamwork within an international EU-funded research team

·        Frequent international travel

The position is funded at 80% for three years, with a further 20% of
teaching duties. The position will be available from 1 March 2009,
subject to final confirmation of the formal starting date of the EU
project.



Requirements:

Requirements for the position are:

·        Minimum qualification at Bachelor level in a field suitable for
the project

·        Applicants are preferred to have a one or two year master’s
degree in a field suitable for the project, or equivalent work
experience

·        Demonstrated interest in game development

·        Interest in cognitive science

·        Demonstrated ability to work in a team



Appointment

Only persons suitable for admittance to postgraduate studies at an
institution of higher education may be appointed to the positions.



Commencement

The positions will be available from 1 March 2009.



Salary: 

For PhD students at BTH a standard salary scale is applied, which means
that the salary is adjusted upwards as the student progresses through
the program.
(craig.lindley at bth.se)  or the Head of Department, Olle Lindeberg,  +46
(0)457-385830, oli at bth.se. Union Representatives are Mikael Åsman (SACO)
+46 (0)457 385720, e-mail: mikael.asman at bth.se, and Monika Nilsson (TCO)
+46 (0)455 385440, e-mail: monika.nilsson at bth.se.

The application should include the following:

-         The earliest date on which the position can be taken up

-         CV

-         Two academic referees

-         Certified copies of certificates and diplomas

-         All documents in duplicate



In its work, BTH needs the experience of both women and men and
applications are welcomed from both genders for all positions.



Note that this is a preliminary announcement due to formalities in the
EU project negotiation process. If you are interested in receiving
further information including details of how to submit a formal
application, please contact Craig Lindley, craig.lindley at bth.se).



Please forward this announcement to anyone who may be interested.

Also, my apologies if this is not of interest! 



------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Prof. Craig A. Lindley
Game and Media Arts Laboratory
Department of Interactive Systems Design
Faculty of Engineering
Blekinge Technical Institute
Box 214, SE-37424 Karlshamn, Sweden
http://gamescience.bth.se/ and www.bth.se

"We can't solve problems by using the same kind of
thinking we used when we created them" - Albert Einstein