Postdoctoral Position (3Y): Gamification for Sustainable Decision-making
We are seeking a Postdoctoral researchers on the area of gamification for sustainable decision-making to join us at Gamification Group (Gamification Group | GL! HF! GG…), Tampere University, particularly within the research domains related to the UNITE Flagship, focusing on the use of gamification and virtual reality technologies for holistically sustainable decision-making (see What is gameful forest interaction?).
A sustainable future for humanity and life on Earth requires that the forest sector transitions to climate-smart, resource-efficient, multi-functional, and humane practices. Like other grand environmental and societal challenges, identifying, developing and adopting adequate solutions requires precise understanding, including risk assessment and uncertainty management. While technological developments have allowed scientists and practitioners to acquire unprecedented amounts of data, it remains a challenging goal to make decisions that consider multiple values and the complexity of the systems involved. In response, gamified interactive software and other engaging technologies can help in the process of sense- and decision-making so that researchers, professionals, and the public can anticipate, mitigate, and respond to current and future issues concerning ecological, economic and social sustainability. In this context, we are looking for a motivated doctoral or postdoctoral researcher to join the team at Tampere University’s (TAU) Gamification Group in our efforts to leverage gamification for engaging forestry decision-making. From the 5 paths described above, it specifically touches upon the Know and Empathise path.
JOB DESCRIPTION
The candidate will focus on developing and empirically assessing gamified interactive tools to support forestry decision-making. The tasks include integrating forest model data, from physical dynamics to ecological disturbances and impacts, with engaging learning experiences, virtual simulation environments, and decision-making systems. Candidates are expected to design novel software solutions, plan and conduct empirical studies involving a variety of participants, and write research articles from the findings, for example in terms of learning and decision-making effects. Therefore, the tasks will mainly consist of software development (web and/or game engine-based) and research activities, including research planning, experiment organising, data gathering and analysis, article writing, and dissemination of results. Moreover, the candidate is expected to participate in project-wide and funding acquisition.
REQUIREMENTS
The ideal candidate for this position should have a background in information technology (e.g., human-computer interaction, game design, computer science), social sciences (e.g., applied psychology), management and/or ecological sciences or similar fields, alongside a strong interest in engaging digital experiences in support of a sustainable future. Moreover, the candidate should strive for proficiency and scientific rigour in interdisciplinary and multi-method contexts.
Additionally, due to the aims and approaches of the project, researchers accepted into the position would be expected to build and make use of existing networks with key forestry stakeholders, such as forest managers, and engage with them in all stages of research.
Minimum qualifications:
- A suitable doctoral degree
- Ability to conduct independent or guided scientific research, depending on research stage
Applicants are required to possess some of the following expertise and abilities:
- Basic understanding of quantitative data collection and analysis for the social sciences and/or game research methods (e.g., user research, null hypothesis testing, exploratory data analysis)
- Knowledge of web and/or game development
- While the candidate does not need to have knowledge of forest modelling tools, experience using Python and/or the QGIS software will be considered a plus
Advantageous qualities:
- Interest in building and supporting a data-driven sustainable future
- Flexibility in terms of methods and research objects, from working with statistical data and models to working with research participants
- Drive for impeccable academic article writing and preparation
- Drive for rigorous and impactful research
WORKING ENVIRONMENT
The accepted candidates will work in the close collaboration of other researchers of the UNITE flagship, the members of Research Center of Gameful Realities as well as in the context of the larger strategic profiling area of the Tampere University in Gamification, Extended Reality and their application towards holistic sustainability.
Flagship consortium: UNITE | Forest-Human-Machine Interplay is a prestigious research Flagship consortium composed from Tampere University, University of Eastern Finland, Finnish Geospatial Research Institute FGI and Natural Resources Institute Finland. The position offers unique vantage points and entry to an ambitious consortium that represents top international scholarship in the areas of gameful technologies and holistic sustainability. UNITE brings together the world’s leading research groups in the fields of forest sciences, geoinformation and sensor development, and gamification.
The Research Centre of Gameful Realities (RCGR) is a trans-disciplinary research centre which brings together the Faculty of information Technology and Communication Science, Faculty of Business Administration and Management and Faculty of Education at Tampere University. It is internationally revered for seminal academic and societal contributions in the areas of novel technologies such as motivational information systems (e.g. gamification, game-based learning, quantified-self, persuasive technologies), internet commerce (e.g. crowdsourcing, crowdfunding, sharing economies, game economies), new media (e.g. esports, streaming, immersive journalism) as well as human-computer interaction (VR / AR, wearables, transhumanism, user interfaces, more-than-human interaction). RCGR is one of the most prolific research centres internationally in its pursuit to wield gameful approaches towards the flourishing of the planet, people and prosperity.
See more: https://bit.ly/rcgrvideo
LIFE IN TAMPERE
Tampere is one of the major academic hubs in the Nordic countries and offers a dynamic living environment. Tampere region is one of the three most rapidly growing urban areas in Finland and home to a vibrant knowledge-intensive entrepreneurial community. The city is an industrial powerhouse that enjoys a rich cultural scene and a reputation as a centre of Finland’s information society. The city campus of the Tampere University, where the candidates will be located, is walking distance to the city center. Tampere is an epicenter of game research internationally. For more information on Tampere and Finland, please visit:
HOW TO APPLY
Please submit your application through our online recruitment system (link). The closing date for applications is December 2, 2024 (at 23.59 EET / 20.59 UTC). Please write your application and all accompanying documentation in English and attach them in PDF format only. Candidates are expected to start the positions as soon as possible.
List the attachments that candidates should append to their applications:
- CV
- List of publications
- One or two samples of academic writing (e.g. articles)
- A motivation letter (max 2 pages) that briefly outlines:
- In Page 1: Motivation to apply, earliest starting date, and any other miscellaneous remarks that the candidate wishes to make. Please clearly specify which of the positions listed above you are applying for.
- In Page 2: Also a tentative short research plan or research idea you would like to undertake in the position (this plan primary functions as a departure point for discussion and will be agreed upon together with the selected candidate)
- Optional: A design portfolio highlighting the candidate’s creative and/or artistic work.
CONTACT:
Daniel Fernández Galeote, PhD, daniel.fernandezgaleote@tuni.fi
Prof. Juho Hamari, juho.hamari@tuni.fi