Research Fellow (Co-Designing Creative AI and Audiovisual Practice)

The Monash University European Research Foundation ETS (MUERF), based in Prato, Italy, invites applications for a Research Fellow (Co-Designing Creative AI and Audiovisual Practice) to lead its participatory and community-embedded research within CULTURAI, a Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Action (Grant Agreement No. 101289743, HORIZON-CL2-2025-01).

About MUERF

MUERF was established in 2022 to expand Monash University's research and innovation footprint in Europe. As a beneficiary in Horizon Europe consortia, MUERF is Monash University's main vehicle for taking part in the European Research Area. It manages pre- and post-award activities, consortium partnerships and the delivery of collaborative research in multi-country projects. MUERF works closely with Monash University in Melbourne, one of Australia's leading research institutions.

About CULTURAI

CULTURAI is a four-year project (1 September 2026 – 31 August 2030) funded by the European Research Executive Agency (REA). It studies how artificial intelligence is being adopted across Europe's cultural and creative sectors, and what impact it has. The project focuses on the audiovisual (AV) sector and on galleries, libraries, archives and museums (GLAMs), and turns its findings into evidence-based sector recommendations, policy and capacity-building.

The consortium is coordinated by the Koninklijke Bibliotheek (KB, Netherlands) and has eleven partners: MUERF (Italy), IDEA Consult (Belgium), TU Delft (Netherlands), IRMO (Croatia), the University of Edinburgh (United Kingdom), the University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa), UNESCO (France), the University of Luxembourg (Luxembourg), the Europeana Foundation (Netherlands) and the National Research Council (CNR, Italy).

The project aims to:

• Map and analyse the impact of AI on the European audiovisual sector through a pan-European survey and a set of comparative case studies
• Examine AI best practice and literacy across the GLAM sector
• Contribute to global AI governance and cultural policy debates
• Design and deliver a network of participatory Living Labs, including one in Prato, that co-develop and test AI-related practices with cultural and creative practitioners and communities
• Synthesise findings into sector recommendations and policy papers, and establish a Competence Centre to sustain the project's outcomes

Within CULTURAI, MUERF leads the European audiovisual research strand (WP5–WP6), the Prato Living Lab (WP11) and the synthesis of sector recommendations and policy papers (WP13). It also contributes to the design of the Living Labs (WP10), global AI governance work (WP9) and the launch of the Competence Centre (WP15). MUERF's team is based at the Prato campus and works in both Italian and English, in close coordination with the consortium and with Monash University in Melbourne.

The role

The Research Fellow will lead MUERF's participatory and community-embedded research in CULTURAI. Their main focus is designing, facilitating and implementing the CULTURAI Living Labs (WP10–WP11), including the Prato Living Lab. Working with cultural institutions, audiovisual and creative practitioners, community members and policymakers, the Fellow will explore, co-design and experiment with creative and responsible applications of AI. They will document and analyse findings from the Prato Living Lab and feed them into CULTURAI's wider comparative research, policy work and outputs.

The role is grounded in relational accountability and in inclusive, ethically grounded engagement. It makes sure that local insights from Prato inform broader European and global discussions on AI, culture and policy. The position reports to the MUERF Senior Manager, Research, with a dotted line to the CULTURAI Principal Investigator and the MUERF Director of Strategy and Engagement.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the design of the CULTURAI Living Labs (WP10) and the implementation of the Audiovisual Living Labs (WP11), including the Prato Living Lab
• Design, facilitate and deliver participatory workshops and co-design activities with cultural institutions, creative practitioners, community members and policymakers
• Lead stakeholder engagement and mapping, building and sustaining relationships across the project's Prato-based and international sites
• Support the collection of place-based and qualitative data for the pan-European survey and comparative case studies on AI in the audiovisual sector (WP5–WP6)
• Contribute participatory and site-specific findings to the synthesis of sector recommendations and policy papers (WP13)
• Contribute to global AI governance and cultural policy work (WP9) and to the launch of the Competence Centre (WP15)
• Support the planning and monitoring of MUERF's research tasks and the timely delivery of deliverables
• Prepare peer-reviewed and practice-based publications, deliverable reports and policy briefs
• Take part in project governance, consortium meetings and dissemination activities
• Ensure compliance with MUERF's research governance, ethics and data management policies and with Horizon Europe requirements
• Contribute to identifying European and international funding opportunities in AI, culture and the creative industries

How to apply

Applications must be submitted via the Monash University careers portal using the "Apply" link on this page, and must address the Key Selection Criteria in the Position Description. For enquiries, contact Dr Matteo Dutto, Senior Manager, Research and Research Fellow, MUERF (matteo.dutto@monash.edu).

MUERF values diversity and welcomes applications from people of all backgrounds, abilities, genders, sexualities, ages and life experiences.

Where to apply

Website: https://secure.dc2.pageuppeople.com/apply/513/aw/applicationForm/initApplication.asp?lJobID=698110&sLanguage=en&sSourcePointer=aw&lJobSourceTypeID=817

Requirements

Research Field: Communication sciences » Media studies — Education Level: PhD or equivalent

Research Field: Communication sciences » Audiovisual communication — Education Level: PhD or equivalent

Research Field: Sociology » Social shaping of technology — Education Level: PhD or equivalent

Research Field: Arts » Other — Education Level: PhD or equivalent

Research Field: Cultural studies » Other — Education Level: PhD or equivalent

Research Field: Architecture » Design — Education Level: PhD or equivalent

Research Field: Anthropology » Communication anthropology — Education Level: PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Education/Qualifications

The appointee will have:

• A doctoral qualification (PhD) in a discipline relevant to participatory and co-design research in cultural, creative or audiovisual contexts — for example design research, participatory or action research, cultural and media studies, creative arts, human–computer interaction, or a cognate field. Candidates with a strong practice-based research profile in a relevant field may be considered.
• An emerging independent research profile, including a record of peer-reviewed and/or practice-based research outputs commensurate with career stage.

Knowledge and Skills

• Demonstrated expertise in co-design, participatory action research (PAR) and qualitative fieldwork methods, including interviews, focus groups, and ethnographic or workshop-based approaches.
• Experience designing, facilitating and implementing Living Labs or comparable participatory, community-embedded research settings.
• Experience using participatory or co-design approaches to explore, develop or experiment with creative technologies, audiovisual practices or AI-enabled tools.
• Substantive knowledge of the cultural, audiovisual and/or creative sectors and of AI-related practices within them.
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain relationships with diverse stakeholders, including cultural institutions, creative practitioners, community members, and policymakers.
• Strong facilitation, workshop-design and stakeholder-mapping skills.
• A commitment to relational accountability and to inclusive, ethically grounded engagement with communities and partners.
• Experience with ethical, GDPR compliant management of qualitative and community-based research data, including informed consent processes with diverse participants
• Proven ability to contribute to high-quality research outputs, including peer-reviewed publications and/or practice-based and policy-oriented outputs.
• Experience working in interdisciplinary, cross-sectoral and international research environments.
• Familiarity with European research and innovation frameworks (e.g. Horizon Europe) is desirable.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English (C1 level) and Italian (C1–C2 level), reflecting the Prato-based Living Lab fieldwork.

Specific Requirements

• Valid and current EU work rights
• The role is on-site in Prato, Italy
• Excellent written and verbal English (C1) and Italian (C1–C2), reflecting the Prato-based Living Lab fieldwork
• Willingness to undertake domestic and international travel (mainly within Europe) for consortium meetings, fieldwork, workshops and dissemination
• Availability for additional hours during peak research and reporting periods

Languages: ENGLISH — Level: Excellent

Languages: ITALIAN — Level: Excellent

Additional Information

Benefits

• Co.Co.Co. collaboration from November 2026 to 31 August 2030, tied to project objectives and deliverables
• Remuneration: €36,722.00 annual gross
• Based at Monash's Prato campus, in the historic centre of Prato, Tuscany
• A leading role in the participatory and Living Lab strand of a Horizon Europe project, with an eleven-partner international consortium including UNESCO, TU Delft and the University of Edinburgh
• Close links with Monash University in Melbourne and its global research network
• An inclusive, collaborative workplace committed to equity, diversity and inclusion

Eligibility criteria

Applicants must hold a PhD in a relevant discipline, or have a strong practice-based research profile in a relevant field, and must have valid and current EU work rights. MUERF welcomes applications from people of all cultural and linguistic backgrounds, people with disabilities, neurodivergent people, people of all genders and sexualities, and candidates across a wide range of ages and life experiences.

Selection process

Applications must be submitted via the Monash University careers portal (link above). For instructions, see "How to apply for Monash Jobs" (https://www.monash.edu/jobs/how-to-apply/applying-for-the-job). Your application must address the Key Selection Criteria set out in the Position Description. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview, which may be held online.

MUERF is committed to an inclusive, respectful and accessible recruitment process. If you need reasonable adjustments to support your application or your participation in the selection process, please contact us for a confidential discussion. Engagement is contingent on satisfactory completion of any pre-engagement and background checks required for the role, in line with MUERF policies and Italian regulatory requirements.

Additional comments

Enquiries: Dr Matteo Dutto, Senior Manager, Research and Research Fellow, MUERF – matteo.dutto@monash.edu. The full Position Description is available via the application link.

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available: 1
Company/Institute: Monash University European Research Foundation ETS
Country: Italy
State/Province: Prato
City: Prato
Postal Code: 59100
Street: Via Pugliesi, 26

Contact

State/Province: Italy
City: Prato
Website: https://www.monash.edu/muerf
Street: Via Pugliesi 26
Postal Code: 59100
E-Mail: matteo.dutto@monash.edu