Technical Specialist (Immersive Arts)

The role

Are you someone that likes to inspire students and support lecturers and researchers with your knowledge and experience in immersive technologies? Are you motivated by both the changes in immersive tech and their relation to the creative industries, especially performing arts?

We are seeking an enthusiastic technical specialist that can help complement and expand the university’s creative tech input into the School of Arts. You will have experience of working within a relevant context e.g. within the performing arts, immersive arts, filmmaking, music and/or live arts. Current, detailed and applied, technical knowledge in performing arts and immersive arts (VR/AR/MR) is required, including thorough knowledge of software such as Unity and equipment such as motion capture and Meta Quest VR headsets.

You will teach and demonstrate software and relevant equipment on specialist units in timetabled workshops and also be involved with supporting students and lecturers whilst maintaining and organising practical resources. You will exhibit a high degree of accuracy, excellent administrative skills, good interpersonal skills, and an ability to negotiate, motivate and communicate. The department is home to the prestigious Wickham Theatre and houses rehearsal spaces, sound and design studios, workshops, and one of the largest theatre archives in the UK. This is an excellent opportunity for an individual who wishes to develop in an education focused role in an interesting and vibrant school.

What will you be doing?

• Demonstrating the use of equipment such as 360º cameras, Meta Quest headsets, motion capture, sound equipment/microphones.
• Teaching students with no previous knowledge of Unity how to design and develop immersive experiences using Unity, including building to AR and VR devices.
• Demonstrating the use of other software used in the immersive arts - any other software knowledge is an advantage.
• Organising and maintaining software and physical resources with other technical specialists.
• Supporting students in producing immersive animations, films, games, and visual effects projects – particularly in a performing arts context.
• Guiding students in utilising tools and techniques related to XR development, including head-mounted displays, game engines (Unity, Unreal Engine, etc.), mobile devices, motion capture, scripting, and programming.
• Empowering students and colleagues by enhancing their ability to innovate and collaborate on group projects via your knowledge and expertise in the immersive arts.
• Assisting students in applying computational thinking, logic, and best practices to realise immersive projects using digital tools.
• Working closely with academics, providing the technical expertise needed to develop and support research and advanced teaching methodologies in the immersive and performing arts field.

You should apply if

• You are highly organised and have experience of organising software and managing physical resources.
• You have experience demonstrating/teaching software and hardware/equipment and explaining technical concepts in an engaging and comprehensive manner.
• You have industry experience in the immersive arts, particularly in a performing arts context.
• You can troubleshoot and problem solve in a creative environment.
• You can implement Health and Safety procedures with a flexible and innovative approach to working with colleagues and students.
• You have excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to interact with academics, researchers, and students.

Additional information

For informal enquiries, please contact: Sacha Butterworth

sacha.butterworth@bristol.ac.uk

Our strategy and mission

We recently launched our strategy to 2030 tying together our mission, vision and values.

The University of Bristol aims to be a place where everyone feels able to be themselves and do their best in an inclusive working environment where all colleagues can thrive and reach their full potential.

We want to attract, develop, and retain individuals with different experiences, backgrounds and perspectives – particularly people of colour, LGBT+ and disabled people - because diversity of people and ideas remains integral to our excellence as a global civic institution.

JOB NUMBER

SUPP111934

CONTRACT TYPE/WORK PATTERN

Open-ended / Full time

POSTING END DATE

05 Jan 2025

FACULTY/DIVISION

Faculty of Arts

SALARY

£37,999 – £43,878 per annum