Call for Applications

Project Officer – Researcher in Digital Anthropology (Virtual Worlds)
Centre of Advanced Studies (CAS) within the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC)
Ispra, Italy
Reference: 2024-IPR-S4002-FGIV-025643
https://recruitment.jrc.ec.europa.eu/vacancy/1245

Deadline for applications: September 19, 2024, 23:59 Brussels time

Type of contract: Member of the European Commission’s contract staff, Function Group IV (article 3b of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants)
Duration of contract: 36 months (renewable up to maximum 6 years)
Area: Virtual Worlds and Web 4.0
Place of employment: Ispra (IT)
Indicative basic salary: 4102,3 – 5941,96 € (applicable as of 1st of January 2024)
For more detailed information please consult: Working Conditions

WE ARE

The Joint Research Centre (JRC) provides independent, evidence-based knowledge and science, supporting EU policies to positively impact society.

The current vacancy is situated in the Centre of Advanced Studies (CAS), in the Directorate for Innovation in Science and Policymaking, whose mission is to support the scientific and organisational development of the JRC to better support EU policymaking and democracy through scientific knowledge, foresight, evaluation and engagement with citizens. In particular, the CAS provides an interdisciplinary and stimulating space where the JRC can reinforce its commitment to excellence and forward thinking by looking beyond the conventional towards longer-term and higher-risk breakthrough exploratory and advanced research with a view to ensuring the EU is prepared in context of future relevant policy issues.

The CAS forms part of the Scientific Development Programmes Unit, whose role is to incubate novel ideas within the JRC through different programmes. The work will take place in close collaboration with the Digital Economy Unit (in the Directorate for Digital Transformation and Data), which studies the current and emerging facets of digital transformation, and its impacts on the European economy, society and environment, in support of EU digital policies.

THE VIRTUAL WORLDS PROJECT:

The CAS is launching the CAS Project on virtual worlds and society. Virtual worlds are persistent, immersive environments which make it possible to blend physical and digital worlds in real-time, for a variety of purposes such as designing, making simulations, collaborating, learning, socialising, carrying out transactions or providing entertainment.

With the development of technologies such as eXtended Reality (XR), Artificial Intelligence and blockchain, and the rise of concepts such as Metaverse(s), spatial computing, and Web 4.0, virtual worlds are set to play a central role in European industry and society in the future. The CAS project on virtual worlds and society aims to characterise that role from a multidisciplinary perspective, identify their potential impact on individuals and society, and generate early intelligence to support future policy interventions to protect European values or boost the contribution of European industry.

We offer:

• a job in a dynamic, multidisciplinary environment, with important societal impact in Europe and beyond;
• a unique opportunity to conduct seminal research in an area of potentially great future expansion, in close connection with policymakers;
• a family-friendly working environment, with online collaboration and occasional travel for conferences/workshops and cooperative work with colleagues in Brussels or other JRC sites (especially Seville, Spain).

WE PROPOSE

The jobholder will contribute to our research on the potential social benefits and risks (e.g., in terms of political participation, digital divide, access to education and jobs, identity and representation of minorities, among others) of virtual worlds and their ethical implications. In collaboration with other JRC researchers and external experts, the candidate will:

• identify end-user typologies and groups, activities and usage patterns, and the meaning users extract from virtual worlds;
• analyse the societal implications and ethical dimensions of (different typologies of) virtual worlds, and for different types of users;
• contribute to the definition of the research programme and the excellence of the output, including key scientific findings and recommendations for policymakers;
• write and publish scientific articles and conference papers in high-quality outlets, as well as reports and other outreach materials (e.g., for generic audiences and for policy officers);
• collaborate with external partners, including leading European and international experts in the field, as well as stakeholders and institutions.

WE LOOK FOR

We are looking for a researcher in Digital Anthropology. The successful candidate will have the following essential qualifications/skills:

• PhD in (Digital) Anthropology, Human-Computer Interaction, or affine field, or, alternatively, a university degree and at least three years of research experience relevant to the position;
• Familiarity with different qualitative approaches to media and technology research, including data collection (e.g., interviews, focus groups, participant observation, etc.) and analysis (e.g., thematic analysis);
• A research track record supported by high-quality scientific publications;
• Very good (C1) knowledge of English;

Any of the following skills and experience would be desirable:

• Research experience in virtual worlds, immersive media, or related technologies.
• Experience participating in multidisciplinary projects and in working in multi-national teams.
• Experience in writing and communicating to scientific, policy, and business audiences, as well as to the general public.
• A spirit of initiative; interest and skills in developing new ideas.
• Motivation to work in the interface between science and policy.

Interested candidates should provide a:

• CV (including a list of publications; please highlight the 3-5 most relevant publications for the position)
• a cover letter (one page)
• a short (one-page) research statement describing your research ideas/plans for the topic of the position
• the contact details of two referees

HOW TO APPLY

If you are already on a valid CAST FG IV reserve list, or you have already applied to one of the calls below, you can directly submit your application at http://recruitment.jrc.ec.europa.eu/?type=AX.

If not, before applying to this position, you must register for one of the two following:

• the Call for Expressions of Interest | EU Careers (europa.eu) (CAST Permanent FGIV), which is used by a wide range of organisations (institutions, bodies, offices and agencies of the European Union), or
• the specialised call for researchers (JRC Call COM/1/2015/GFIV – Research), which is mainly used by the JRC.

Note that each of the calls above has different minimum eligibility requirements and different selection tests.

The JRC cultivates a workplace based on respect for other people and the environment, and embraces non-discriminatory practices and equality of opportunity. In case of equal merit, preference will be given to the gender in minority.