We welcome applicants interested in how emerging media and interactive technologies — such as virtual and extended reality, gamification, gameful systems, artificial intelligence, conversational agents, bioadaptive technologies, and other experiential technologies — can help people reflect, learn, collaborate, and engage with complex societal challenges. Some of the positions are connected to CLIMETA: Meta-engagement in Metaverse, while others reflect research within the broader theme of engaging technologies.
The positions are suitable for applicants with a background in, for example, computer science, human-computer interaction, affective computing, information systems, cognitive science, media and communication studies, design, health technology, behavioural sciences, education, economics, or human-environment interaction. We welcome both theoretically ambitious and empirically rigorous doctoral projects, including those combining different approaches such as technology development, experimental research, qualitative inquiry, design, and public engagement.
The selected researchers will join an interdisciplinary and international research environment at the Research Centre of Gameful Realities, working at the intersection of technology, experience, society, and sustainability.
Please see the full calls for details about eligibility, application materials, salary, contract terms, and deadlines:
- Doctoral Researcher (Gamification / Games / XR / GenAI / Emerging Media for Engagement with Sustainable Futures), 1-3 positions
- Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Gamification / Games / XR / GenAI / Emerging Media for Engagement with Sustainable Futures), 1-3 positions
Do you have any questions? Please refer to our list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Fit and scope
My research is related to the themes in the call, but it does not match any of the examples exactly. Should I still apply?
Yes. The calls are intentionally broad. If your research has a meaningful connection to the listed themes, approaches, or technologies, it is likely it does fit the scope. You do not need to match every topic or keyword mentioned in the advertisement.
My previous research is not specifically about games or gamification. Should I still apply?
Yes. The positions cover a much broader space including HCI, XR, AI and conversational agents, interactive and experiential media, design, behaviour, sustainability, climate engagement, participation, wellbeing, and related areas. Games and gamification are part of the research environment and a lens through which we understand these engaging media and technologies, but they are not the only possible entry point.
My background is from a neighbouring field that is not explicitly listed. Can I apply?
Yes. The disciplinary backgrounds listed in the call are examples rather than an exhaustive list.
If you can explain how your background and research interests connect meaningfully to the broader research agenda and the Research Centre, we would be happy to receive your application.
Does my research need to involve AI / XR / games / psychophysiology?
No. These are examples of technologies and methodological directions relevant to the broader research environment.
Your proposal should have a clear connection to the overall research agenda, but it does not need to include every—or any particular—technology simply because it appears in the advertisement.
Should I add AI to my proposal as it is an important topic of today?
No. You should not attempt to make use of any keywords from the advertisement that do not genuinely fit your interests. We are more interested in a coherent and well-motivated research idea than in proposals that add a currently popular technology without a clear reason.
I am interested in both OPEN and CLIMETA. Can I apply for both?
Yes. You may indicate interest in OPEN, CLIMETA, or both in your application.
Research plans
Do I need to propose a project that already exists in the research group?
No. Applicants are invited to propose their own research direction within the broader scope of the call. We are interested not only in how you fit existing research, but also in what new questions, perspectives, methods, or combinations you might bring to the Research Centre.
How developed should my tentative research plan be?
It should be specific enough for us to understand the question you are interested in, why it matters, and how you might approach it, but it does not need to be a polished multi-year project plan. The tentative plan is a starting point for discussion. The final research agenda would be developed together with the selected candidate(s).
Can you tell me in advance whether my tentative research idea is suitable?
No. Unfortunately, we are not able to comment on or pre-evaluate individual profiles or tentative research plans at this stage. If your research is meaningfully related to the themes described in the call, we encourage you to explain that connection in your application.
Methods and expertise
I do not have experience in all of the methods or technologies listed. Is that a problem?
No. We do not expect applicants to have expertise in everything listed. The methods and technologies describe possible directions and useful backgrounds, not a checklist that every applicant must fulfil. We are interested in what you already do well, what you can bring to the research team, and what you would like to develop further.
I am primarily a qualitative / experimental / design / technical researcher. Is that suitable?
Yes. We welcome different methodological strengths, including quantitative and qualitative research, laboratory and field experiments, psychometrics, psychophysiology, software and XR development, research through design, participatory and co-design, and LLM/conversational-agent design and evaluation. You do not need to use all of these approaches.
Is it okay if I want to learn some of the methods mentioned rather than already being an expert in them?
Yes. Particularly for doctoral researchers, development is an important part of the position. Be clear about what you can already contribute and what you would like to learn or develop during the position.
Eligibility
I am in the process of finishing my degree. Am I eligible?
Yes, provided you meet the graduation timeline stated in the call. The required degree for the relevant position should be completed before the start of employment, at the latest by 1 June 2027. Hence, you do not need to have your degree formally awarded when applying.
Do I already need to be admitted to a doctoral programme when applying for the Doctoral Researcher position?
No. You do not need to have already been admitted to a Tampere University doctoral programme when submitting your application. The required doctoral-programme admission process can take place after recruitment.
Contact and application process
Should I contact the research team before applying?
Maybe. You are welcome to contact us if you have a specific question that is not answered in the call or this FAQ. However, contacting us beforehand is not necessary and does not affect your evaluation, which is based solely on the submitted documents.
Should I let you know after I have submitted my application?
No. We will access all individual applications, and each will be evaluated according to its own merit. Good luck! 🙂
For further information, please contact:
Professor Juho Hamari
juho.hamari@tuni.fi
Senior Research Fellow Mila Bujić
mila.bujic@tuni.fi
Postdoctoral Research Fellow Daniel Fernández Galeote
daniel.fernandezgaleote@tuni.fi