Learning Technologist in Immersive Virtual Reality (VR)

Job summary

A Learning Technologist in immersive Virtual Reality (VR) with a proven track-record is sought to join the Department of Chemical Engineering to contribute to all aspects of our Learning and Teaching (L&T) mission and educational research process. You would have a primary focus on virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality, data analytics, simulation and visualization of chemical engineering plants and processes, agent-based modelling,…

Job description
Job summary

A Learning Technologist in immersive Virtual Reality (VR) with a proven track-record is sought to join the Department of Chemical Engineering to contribute to all aspects of our Learning and Teaching (L&T) mission and educational research process.

You would have a primary focus on virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality, data analytics, simulation and visualization of chemical engineering plants and processes, agent-based modelling, and machine learning. A core element of your role will be the creation of VR teaching applications using the Unity engine, C# language, and custom ViRSE framework (see www.imperial.ac.uk/virse).

The role offers you scope for experimental design, data analysis, and developing projects that involve building more extensive infrastructures for VR educational analytics. A crucial part of your role will include developing non-invasive methods to assess the effectiveness of VR-based teaching. Approaches currently under investigation include but are not limited to surveys, formative assessment, eye-tracking, and brain-computer interfaces.

You are expected to provide training, technical advice, and mentorship to teaching staff, teaching assistants and students.

Duties and responsibilities

• You will be instrumental in developing VR/AR related teaching materials, methods, and approaches such as immersive training courses and curricula related to Fluid Dynamics, Molecular Dynamics, Separations, Thermodynamics, Design Projects, Reaction Engineering, Pilot Plant Operations, Safety and Loss Prevention. An extension beyond these subjects to the full chemical engineering curriculum should be within the capabilities of the post holder. Development will primarily utilise the custom ViRSE framework, using the Unity game engine and C# language.
• Contribute the AR/VR component to the development of education and learning in the Department, including new teaching materials, methods, programmes, and approaches
• Provide advice on the use of immersive technologies in the delivery of teaching for the attainment of the intended learning outcomes
• You will sustain an active portfolio in virtual, augmented and mixed reality and related practices, serving the department of Chemical Engineering and Imperial College London on committees; and in other capacities.
• You will engage in scholarly activities related to subject area and higher education practice, contribute to the process of securing funds for scholarly activities, and take responsibility for development of new digital and blended learning initiatives in teaching.
• You will manage the implementation, deployment and maintenance of VR teaching facilities within the department.

Essential requirements

• You will have a first degree in Chemical Engineering, Computer Science or a similar discipline, and extensive experience in using of Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and Mixed Reality for Learning and Teaching.
• You will have a track record of successfully delivering Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, and Mixed Reality technologies or programmes
• You will have sufficient breadth and depth of knowledge in the discipline to develop VR/AR/MR components of teaching programmes and provide learning support including technology-enhanced learning
• You will have skills relating to VR/AR development, relevant programming and software engineering capability in this area and relevant tools (especially Unity3D and C#, but also Unreal, ARKit, MRTK, etc.). You will have demonstrable expertise in C, C++, and C#.
• You will have experience with multimodal analytics data for L&T research, including Eye tracking, EEG, and behavioural data analysis.
• You will have experience with designing real-time data analytics systems with C++, Python, and Machine Learning is essential.
• You will have experience in modelling, prototyping, design development, testing, and validation skills, and the ability to share relevant information with a wider audience.

Further information

The post is available from 01 August 2024 on a permanent, open-ended contract. The post is based in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Imperial College London (South Kensington Campus).

Informal enquiries about the post can be made to Professor Jerry Heng ([email protected] )

To apply, please select the Apply Now button at the top of this page.  Candidates will need to complete an online application form. 

Further information about the post is available in the job description.

Should you have any queries about the application process please contact [email protected] .

 Closing date: Midnight on Sunday 25 February 2024

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