Organisation/Company MUNSTER TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY Department Cork School of Music Research Field Computer science Engineering Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions PhD Positions Country Ireland Application Deadline 29 Aug 2025 - 13:00 (Europe/Dublin) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 35 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
Offer Description
TU-RISE POST DOCTORAL RESEARCHER
Sustainable Cultural Heritage - Engineering and Computer Science(VISTA project)
Reporting to:Dean of Faculty of Creative & Performing Arts & Media
Faculty: Creative & Performing Arts and Media
School: Cork School of Music (CSM)
Location: Cork School of Music (CSM), Union Quay, Cork
Duration: 24-month Fixed Term Whole-Time Contract
Funding/Project: TU-RISE
Recruitment Type: External Competition
Munster Technological University (MTU) is a multi-campus technological university, contributing to the region through the provision of academic programmes that support student development and opportunities, education and research.MTU has an extensive and impressive regional footprint with six campuses across the South-West region of Ireland, in Cork and Kerry, and a student body of 18,000.
Jointly funded by the Irish Government (Higher Education Authority) and the EU through the European Regional Development Fund, the TU Research and Innovation Supporting Enterprise (TU-RISE) programme supports the building of research capacity in higher education institutions in the technological sector.
Under the TU RISE programme, MTU was awarded funding to expand our researcher human capital through building a substantial additional cohort of researchers, integrating postgraduates, Post Doctoral Researchers, and highly experienced research leaders, who, working with our already-established research community, will add critical capacity focused on expanding engagement and on MTU’s regional, national, and international ambitions.
MTU is seeking persons with a relevant PhD qualification and suitable experience to fill the roles of Post Doctoral Researchers.
The Post Doctoral Researcher’s contract must start by 1 January 2026 and end by 31 December 2027 at the latest. These appointments are open to newrecruits only; extension of existing research staff contracts cannot be funded. Successful candidates must hold a PhD degreeat their contract start date.
Overview of the Role & Research Area
We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled post-doctoral researcher to work with an interdisciplinary team of post-doctoral researchers in the field of sustainable Cultural Heritage. This position requires a background in technical engineering, computer science, or a related field. This project will leverage a games engine or software framework to create an interactive digital experience that integrates visual and sound elements to enhance audience engagement with cultural heritage.
Based in the newly formed Faculty of Creative and Performing Arts & Media (CPAM) the successful applicant will lead activities, including the technical development of a 3D immersive application for cultural heritage sites and ensuring technological sustainability of any developed solution. The successful applicant will also be a key contributor in dissemination activities, future funding proposals and stakeholder engagement. Building on existing research at MTU, the project will explore the potential of audio to enhance interactive and immersive experiences and explore how sound can be used to create inclusive, engaging and immersive experiences in a variety of contexts, from museum installations to public spaces and virtual worlds. The project aims to push the boundaries of digital storytelling and immersive design, fostering new ways of experiencing historical and cultural environments through cutting-edge technology.
At CPAM researchers have access to state-of-the-art creative digital media and spatial audio labs, concert halls and event spaces, XR tools, and visual arts and music spaces on both the Cork and Kerry MTU campuses. Through the projects interdisciplinary supervisory team researchers can take advantage of expertise in CPAM (Creative Media, Cork School of Music, Crawford College of Art & Design), Computer Science, Management & Enterprise, and Tourism & Hospitality.
Main duties and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:
Research (general)
* Conduct a specific programme of research and scholarship under the general guidance of a member of the academic staff or Principal Investigator (PI)/Project Leader (PL).
* Engage in training and development opportunities as required by the PI/PL.
* Engage in the dissemination of the results of the research in which they are engaged, as directed by, with the support of and under the supervision of the PI/PL.
* Engage with industry partners, as per research programme requirements.
* Acquire generic and transferable skills (including project management, business skills and postgraduate mentoring/supervision), subject to availability within the University.
Research (specific to the project)
* Lead the technical development of the immersive 3D application using games engines (e.g., Unity, Unreal Engine), audio middleware (e.g. Wwise, Fmod) and industry standard frameworks.
* Work closely with creative arts researchers to integrate cultural heritage audiovisual content into the digital experience.
* Develop and optimise interactive features that enhance user engagement within the virtual heritage environment.
* Implement real-time rendering, spatial audio, physics simulations.
* Ensure the application runs efficiently across multiple platforms, including PC, VR, and AR devices.
* Contribute to the design and execution of user testing to evaluate the effectiveness of the immersive experience.
* Collaborate with cultural heritage experts, curators, and historians to ensure accuracy and authenticity in digital representations.
* Publish research findings in high-impact journals and present at international conferences.
* Participate in project meetings, workshops, and knowledge exchange activities with academic and industry partners.
Administration/Management
* Carry out additional duties as may reasonably be required within the general scope and level of the post.
* Assist in the management/co-ordination of key aspects of the research programme (e.g., financial management, reporting, equipment management, etc.).
Funding
* Contribute to identifying external funding sources and assist with writing grant proposals.
Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent
Additional Information
Terms of Appointment:
* Salary Scale:Post Doc Researcher €46,305 to €54,307 per annum (1/8/2025 rates), depending on experience
* Fixed term Contract:24 months to 31st December 2027 at the latest
* Hours:35 hours per week
* Annual leave:26 days per annum
Additional Benefits:
* Paid maternity leave
* Employment Assistance Programme
* Staff Discount Scheme
* Gym Access (reduced membership cost)
Eligibility criteria
Key Skills & Experience Required
The successful candidate will have minimum academic qualifications and experience as follows:
* Hold a PhD in a relevant discipline at the contract start date.
* Relevant research experience.
* Self-starter who is comfortable with working independently at project level, while still contributing to the team environment at a research unit level.
* Demonstrable research skills, proposal and report writing, and project management skills, as indicated by a track record of projects, publications and other research outputs.
* Fluency in English and excellent written and oral presentation skills.
* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Skills & Experience (specific to the project):
* PhD in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electronic Engineering, with an appropriate specialism (e.g. Creative Coding, Computational Art, Digital Media, Game Design or Music Technology).
* Strong expertise in games engines (e.g., Unity, Unreal Engine) or immersive application frameworks.
* Experience with 3D rendering, procedural modelling, and real-time graphics programming.
* Strong understanding of UX/UI principles for immersive experiences.
* Experience in collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, particularly in the arts, humanities, or cultural projects.
* Delivering modern clean, agile and maintainable code with thorough testing and debugging.
* Proficiency with version control (Git).
* At least three years’ post-PhD or equivalent research experience.
* Demonstrated portfolio of works.
* JIRA, Trello and/or other agile project management tools.
* Experience with VR/AR development and integration.
* Familiarity with spatial audio design and integrating interactive soundscapes in digital applications.
* Familiarity with cultural heritage visualisation techniques.
* Ability to work with GIS data and photogrammetry for accurate site modelling.
* Proven record of high-quality research.
* Strong publication record.
* Knowledge and understanding of policy, practices, and procedures that are relevant to the role, to include knowledge and understanding of Research Ethics, and may also include broader university, sectoral, and external sponsor or funder policies.
Selection process
The Interview Process
If invited to interview, it is likely candidates will be assessed at the interview under the following criteria (additional criteria may be added for the Interview as the need arises):
* Appropriateness of the candidate to the role and assessment of current skills set to the outlined criteria for the role.
* Essential and Desirable skills set.
* Fluency in written and presentation skills in English.
* Independent motivation and team contributions.
* Screening and short-listing only takes place on the basis of information submitted on the application. In addition to the minimum criteria, it may be necessary to introduce further shortlisting criteria. Candidates should note that they may be called for more than one interview.
* Please ensure that full information is given on qualifications and that the information is accurate and corresponds to the original transcript of qualifications.
* Please ensure that those you nominate as referees are contacted by you and will be able to supply a reference without delay if requested.
* The University regrets that it cannot pay expenses for candidates attending interviews for this post or for taking up the position, if appointed.
* Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
* Appointments will be subject to Garda vetting.
Applicants must directly addressthe essential and desirable skills and experience listed above. Highlight how your qualifications, experience, and achievements meet the essential criteria, using specific examples. For desirable skills/experience, emphasise any additional strengths or expertise that make you a standout candidate, and tailor their application to demonstrate their alignment with the role to add value to the University.
Additional Information
A successful candidate will be required to submit a passport, documentary evidence confirming academic qualifications, and to undergo a medical examination. Garda vetting and/or an international police clearance may also be required. References will be sought in relation to successful candidate.
MTU welcomes applications from non-EEA citizens. However, employee permit regulations set by the Department of Enterprise, Trade & Employment must be strictly adhered to. Any appointment offer to Non-EEA candidates is subject to the granting of a work permit by Euraxess Ireland or relevant Immigration permissions/stamp.
Candidates may be required to produce documentary evidence to support any statements made by them on their application form or any supporting documentation.
Candidates should note that any inaccurate information will invalidate their application.
Additional comments
Application Process
Applications by MTU eRecruitment system only. Applications will not be accepted in any other format. Please log on to www.mtu.ie/vacancies to apply for this position.
Closing date for receipt of completed applications is
The information given in this document is of a general information nature only and should not be taken as contractual.
MTU is an equal opportunities employer.
MTU is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to the employment policies, procedures and practices which do not discriminate on grounds such as gender, civil status, family status, age, disability, race, religious belief, sexual orientation or membership of the travelling community
MTU supports equality of opportunity, diversity and inclusion and encourages underrepresented groups to make applications and accommodates candidates with disability to apply for posts. Please see https://www.mtu.ie/edi/ for more information including our equality statement.
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