Job: Research Associate in Game Studies – Leuphana University Lüneburg

Leuphana University Lüneburg and the state of Lower Saxony have jointly developed the major EU-project “Innovation-Incubator Lüneburg” which was approved by the European Commission. For its successful implementation we are looking for

1 Research Associate in Game Studies (TV-L 13, 50%); job reference “SMO16”

to join the research hub “Digital Media” for a fixed-term period until 31/07/2015.

Details after the jump

The aim of the major EU-project Innovation-Incubator Lüneburg, which is largely funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), is to trigger a sustainable modernisation and development process in order to strengthen the competitiveness of regional enterprises and to contribute to the securing and creation of employment. The major project includes measures to increase the regional research power. If you want to know more about on how to apply LMIA, then Canadapt Consulting offers a comprehensive and detailed guide in their page.

One part of the Innovation-Incubator is the research project “Segmented Media Offerings”. This research area is concerned with the investigation into segment-specific content and its dissemination. Under the direction of Prof. Dr. Mathias Fuchs, Prof. Dr. Timon Beyes und Prof. Dr. Claus Pias, the research team of this topical area focuses on the diversity of media, new forms of digital content dissemination and the implications thereof in regard to social, aesthetic and economic issues.

Research questions include:

* Formation of digital communities, new user-groups and niche segments;
* Image-based networks;
* New forms of interaction and organization;
* Impact and functionality of innovative interface solutions, ludic interfaces and new media platforms.

The project aims at a cross fertilisation of academic research output with practice-based projects of industry partners, artists and non-profit organisations – as well as with individuals and groups of the civil society. This is intended to impact on regional structures and support economic development of the region. The project team consists of a group of inter-disciplinary researchers that are in close cooperation with fellow researchers from the wider Digital Media research area.

Your Tasks:

* Research and publication activities on Game Studies, as well on questions of new media/digital culture in general
* Participation in the design and organization of workshops and international conferences
* Organisational and communicative integration with other research projects in the “Digital Media” research hub
* There is no obligation to teach.

*Requirements:*

* Master degree in Cultural Studies, Media Studies, Game Studies,
Philosophy, History of Technology or a related subject.
* Knowledge of current state and key positions in New Media/Digital Culture
* Solid knowledge of the classical theoretical positions of Game Theory, Play Theory and of new approaches to Game Studies
* Interest into technological issues of New Media
* Understanding of the methods and approaches of different disciplines, especially with regards to transdisciplinary work at the boundaries of Culture, Media and Game Studies
* Interest into research related to ludifiaction, gamification, playfulness, transmedia storytelling etc.

Doctoral research in parallel to the project is explicitly encouraged; if a PhD has already been completed, a PostDoc project in parallel to the project is also possible.

Employment is subject to final approval of funding; place of work is Lüneburg. Leuphana University Lüneburg is committed to increasing the proportion of women among academic staff. Qualified female researchers are therefore explicitly encouraged to apply. Applicants with severe disabilities will be preferred in accordance with legal regulations.

Further information regarding the research hub “Digital Media” can be found at:http://www.leuphana.de/inkubator/digitale-medien

Complete applications (including CV and certificates) should be sent in electronic format tobewerbungen.digitalemedien@inkubator.leuphana.de or to Leuphana Universität Lüneburg, Personalmanagement Innovations-Inkubator, 21332 Lüneburg, Germany.

Please quote the job title and reference “*SMO16*”. Deadline for applications is*27/08/2012*.

For further inquiries please emailmarc.riedel@inkubator.leuphana.de or call 04131 – 677 9027.

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