Friedrich Schiller University is a traditional university with a strong research profile rooted in the heart of Germany. As a university covering all disciplines, it offers a wide range of subjects. Its research is focused on the areas Light—Life—Liberty. It is closely networked with non-research institutions, research companies and renowned cultural institutions. With around 18,000 students and more than 8,600 employees, the university plays a major role in shaping Jena’s character as a cosmopolitan and future-oriented city.

The Department for the Psychology of Human Movement and Sport within the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences seeks to fill the position of a

Postdoctoral Researcher;
1.0 FTE, for 3 years

commencing on 01.12.2023.

You will become part of an interdisciplinary team and play a vital role in ensuring the success of a Momentum project funded by the VolkswagenStiftung that aims to establish a new paradigm in Virtual Reality (VR) to uncover the social dynamics and anticipatory processes in real-time interactions.

Your responsibilities:

• Capture dynamic dyadic (human) interactions using motion capture systems
• Analyse and prepare the kinematic data to create the VR avatars
• Help build and run a cutting-edge VR laboratory
• Develop experiments that allow to examine motor, perceptual and cognitive processes in dyadic, real-time interactions in VR
• Conduct interdisciplinary research to navigate anticipation research to new frontiers
• Publish research articles in quality international, peer-review journals

Your profile:

• M.Sc. degree (or equivalent) and Ph.D. degree in human movement science/ biomechanics or in a related field
• Publications in quality international, peer-review journals
• Excellent knowledge and extensive experience in capturing and analysing movement behaviours using motion capture systems
• Excellent programming skills (e.g. Matlab, R, Python)
• Experience with additional behavioural research methods (e.g. Virtual Reality, gaze tracking, EMG etc.) is desirable
• Advanced statistical analysis skills (incl. e.g. Bayes statistics)
• Strong interest in the topics mentioned above and particularly motion capture and VR research
• Excellent communication skills in English (oral and written)
• Scientific enthusiasm and motivation to work within an interdisciplinary research team

We offer:

• An exciting and varied scope of activities with creative freedom
• Excellent equipment and infrastructure
• Attractive fringe benefits, e.g. capital formation benefits (VL), Job Ticket (benefits for public transport), and an occupational pension (VBL)
• Remuneration based on the provisions of the Collective Agreement for the Public Sector of the Federal States (TV-L) up to salary scale 13 — depending on the candidate’s personal qualifications—, including a special annual payment in accordance with the collective agreement.

The advertised position is (initially) limited to a maximum of 3 years with the possibility of extension. This is a full-time position (40 hours per week).

Candidates with severe disabilities will be given preference in the case of equal qualifications and suitability.

Are you eager to work for us? Then submit your detailed written application (including a cover letter describing your motivation for the position, research interests and relevant experience; a complete CV including contact details of at least two scientific references; and publication list), preferably by email (one PDF file), stating the vacancy ID 156/2023 by 31.07.2023 to: