Associate Professor in Media and Interaction Design

About the position

The Department of Information Science and Media Studies (Infomedia) seeks to appoint an associate professor in Media and Interaction Design.

The position is situated at Infomedia and is linked to the Bachelor's and Master's programs in Media and Interaction Design (MIX). The position will strengthen the department's research, teaching, and external collaboration at the intersection of interaction design, media technology, artificial intelligence, human-centred intelligent systems, and innovation in the media and creative-technology industries.

Description

The Department of Information Science and Media Studies is a research oriented multidisciplinary university department situated at the Faculty of Social Sciences.

The research at the department is organized into ten research groups, of which four are associated with the information science discipline, five with the media studies discipline, and one cross-disciplinary. The candidate is expected to work in the Human-Computer Interaction Group (HCI) and collaborate with the Intelligent Information Systems (I2S) Group, the Research Group for Emerging Media, and the Bergen Media Use Research Group. The Department is hosting several relevant research projects, for example, in HCI (RAID - Responsible AI in Interaction Design Practice), media technology (MediaFutures), gaming (Understanding Masculinity in Gaming), and media use (PREPARE), all in collaboration with strong international partners. It is also a partner in the Centre for Digital Narrative at UiB.

The Department has about 36 permanent academic staff members and approximately 30 PhD and postdoc positions. The Department offers educational programs in information science, artificial intelligence, cognitive science, and media studies, as well as programs in film and TV-production, journalism, and interaction design located in the media cluster Media City Bergen.

More information about ongoing research and teaching at the Department on www.uib.no/infomedia

The appointed candidate will join an interdisciplinary academic environment at the intersection of interaction design, intelligent interactive systems, information science, and media technology. The position is intended for a candidate with an established and forward-looking research agenda, considerable pedagogical competence, and demonstrated ability to initiate, contribute to, and lead research and development projects. The new colleague is expected to contribute to teaching in the Media and Interaction Design Bachelor's and Master's programs and to develop the teaching portfolio for these programs. The programs combine research-based teaching with practical, project-based work, including prototyping interactive systems, conducting user studies, design ideation and critique, and engagement with current developments in digital media production, AI-supported tools, and interactive media systems.

Work tasks/research field:

As an associate professor in Media and Interaction Design, you will:

• Conduct research at an internationally recognised level with relevance to one or more of the following research areas: intelligent user interfaces and interactive systems, interaction design, Human-Computer Interaction, human-centred AI, UX research, immersive or interactive media, and other related areas.
• Teach and supervise topics in the Bachelor's and Master's programmes in Media and Interaction Design. In general, this would include design practice for digital media use and production, such as interaction design, Human-Computer Interaction, media technology, intelligent media systems, frontend development, prototyping, UX, and methods for research and design.
• Develop and lead independent research projects and actively seek external funding from national and international sources.
• Strengthen collaboration with industry, in particular the creative-technology sector, including environments connected to Media City Bergen, through interdisciplinary research and innovation initiatives with relevant external partners.
• Participate in academic administration and the continuous development of study programs, teaching activities, and research environments at the department.
• Contribute actively to the department's academic and social environment through collegial exchange, student engagement, and regular presence at the workplace.
• The place of work for this position is Bergen, and the work requires that you are physically present at the Department of Information Science and Media Studies.

Qualifications and personal qualities:

Applicants must:

• Have a Norwegian PhD or equivalent in interaction design, design of intelligent user interfaces and interactive systems, human-computer interaction, information science, media technology and design, computer science, or another closely related field.
• Document academic qualifications in their field equivalent to an associate professor position.
• Document academic competence relevant to Media and Interaction Design, with particular relevance to interaction design and design of intelligent user interfaces.
• Be able to teach and supervise at bachelor's, master's, and PhD levels.
• Document teaching and supervision experience, or be able to document equivalent pedagogical competence relevant to the position.
• Demonstrate mastery of English as a working language.
• Demonstrate mastery of a Scandinavian language, or willingness and ability to acquire sufficient Norwegian language competence within a defined period after appointment.

Desired experience and competence

It will be an advantage if applicants have:

• Experience with human-centered, participatory, or practice-based approaches to the design and prototyping of interactive media systems, AI-supported tools, user interfaces, generative AI applications, data-driven media tools, or related technologies.
• Experience with practical evaluation of such systems.
• Experience with both qualitative, quantitative, and design research methods.
• Experience with project- and practice-based teaching, design ideation and critique, workshops, labs, studio-based teaching, or supervision of prototype-oriented student work.
• Experience in acquiring, leading, or contributing to externally funded research and development projects.
• Publications in relevant high-quality international conferences and journals.
• An established international research network and experience with interdisciplinary research collaboration.
• Experience with industry collaboration, innovation projects, or research involving technology companies, media organisations, cultural institutions, public-sector actors, or other relevant partners.
• Experience with dissemination, outreach, public engagement, or collaboration beyond academia.

Since the administrative language at UiB is Norwegian and the bachelor-level teaching is offered in Norwegian, it is a requirement that the employee can achieve Norwegian or a Scandinavian language at B2 level within three years of appointment. UiB offers Norwegian language courses for employees from abroad.

Educational competence

Basic teaching training and experience in the supervision of students at university level is a requirement for the position as associate professor (link). This implies completed formal pedagogical training, as well as basic skills in planning, implementation, evaluation and development of teaching and supervision. Should the successful applicant not have such competence at the time of appointment, he/she will be required to document such training within two years of the date of appointment.

Educational competence must be documented in a pedagogical portfolio which should include a documented overview of practical experience and competence as well as a brief reflection statement. The statement should primarily describe the applicant's own teaching philosophy and an evaluation of own teaching in relation to his/her knowledge of students' learning at a higher education level.

We can offer:

• Exciting development opportunities as part of your role in a strong professional environment
• Salary is determined according to the Norwegian state salary scale for associate professors (position code 1011). The current annual salary ranges from NOK 790 900 to 830 000 before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. A higher salary may be considered for exceptionally well-qualified candidates.
• Enrolment in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund and good welfare benefits.
• The city of Bergen – a welcoming and well-connected European city with a unique mix of vibrant life and extraordinary nature.

Your application must include:

• A cover-letter showing motivation for applying as well as a summary of planned research activities and initiatives
• CV
• Five publications to be considered in the assessment, with information about where this work was published. The evaluation of the applicant's scientific work will focus primarily on research published the last five years.
• Complete list of publications
• Declarations of co-authorships where it is necessary to clarify your contribution
• Teaching portfolio (to be uploaded with your application) - follow this link for more information on and documentation of pedagogical qualifications.
• Certifies copies of diplomas and certificates
• The contact details of two references

The application and appendices with certified translations into English or a Scandinavian language must be uploaded at Jobbnorge.

General information:

Detailed information about the position can be obtained by contacting head of department Bjørnar Tessem, bjornar.tessem@uib.no

Practical questions about the application process should be directed to personal.svfa@uib.no.

Diversity is a strength that enables us to solve our tasks even better. UiB therefore needs qualified employees regardless of gender, ethnicity, religion, worldview, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, and age. We encourage women to apply. If multiple applicants have approximately equivalent qualifications, the rules pertaining to moderate gender quotas shall apply.

The University of Bergen applies the principle of public access to information when recruiting staff for academic positions.

Information about applicants may be made public even if the applicant has asked not to be named on the list of persons who have applied. The applicant must be notified if the request to be omitted is not met.

We encourage applicants with disabilities, immigrant backgrounds, or gaps in their CV to apply. By indicating such circumstances in your application, you may receive favourable consideration. We ensure that at least one qualified applicant from each of these groups is invited for an interview as part of our commitment to inclusivity and equal opportunity. For further information about the recruitment process, click here.