At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape the future of immersive storytelling through teaching and research at Birkbeck.
- Company: Join a leading university with a focus on creative arts and innovative technology.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working, and 31 days paid leave.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive environment with excellent career growth opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by guiding students in creating meaningful digital stories.
- Qualifications: PhD in relevant field and experience with immersive media tools required.
The predicted salary is between 44247 - 60858 £ per year.
Are you a researcher and practitioner with specialist expertise in immersive storytelling and creative digital practice? Do you bring hands‑on experience of immersive media tools alongside a critical and research‑led approach to what these technologies make possible? Are you passionate about supporting students to make digital and immersive stories that matter to them? If so, this post offers a distinctive opportunity to shape a new area of teaching and research at Birkbeck, with significant new infrastructure behind it.
You will join the School of Creative Arts, Culture and Communication, in a new School‑wide role embedded in the creative practice infrastructure of the Birkbeck Creative Practice Lab. The Lab brings together the School's research centres and institutes (including BIMI, the Centre for Contemporary Theatre, BIRMAC, the Derek Jarman Lab, the Peltz Gallery and the Vasari Research Centre) alongside its cinema, theatre and performance spaces and gallery. You will also draw on and contribute to the Immersive Learning Centre, Birkbeck's dedicated AR/VR and spatial computing facility, and will connect with the Centre for Creative AI where immersive production environments and AI‑assisted tools intersect.
Your research might engage questions of immersive narrative and spatial storytelling; interactive and game‑based form; the politics and aesthetics of presence and embodiment in VR/AR environments; immersive documentary or journalism; or the intersection of real‑time 3D environments and AI‑assisted production. Your practice might involve working with tools such as Unreal Engine, Unity, VR development environments, 360‑degree capture or spatial audio – developed through professional experience, independent creative practice or academic research.
You will develop the School’s curriculum in immersive storytelling, with teaching that unites students from different disciplines together around ambitious collaborative immersive practice, and you will also collaborate with colleagues across the School's subject areas to build new research and teaching connections around immersive practice.
To succeed as Lecturer, you will hold a PhD in a relevant field, such as digital media, film and media studies, creative arts, game studies, performance studies, digital humanities, or a related discipline in which immersive practice and storytelling feature substantially. Demonstrable research engagement with immersive media, evidenced through publications, practice‑based outputs or doctoral research is essential. Practical experience with immersive production tools is essential, alongside a commitment to developing expertise as the field evolves. Demonstrable experience of teaching, training or facilitated learning in some context, whether in HE, further education, community settings, professional training, or workshop‑based practice is also required.
We particularly welcome applications from candidates whose work engages questions of diversity, equity and inclusion in immersive and digital media, and from candidates whose backgrounds would contribute to the diversity of our team.
Candidate Profile:
- immersive media practitioner
- XR designer
- game designer or developer
- interactive narrative designer
- digital storyteller
- creative technologist
- VR/AR artist
- performance and technology practitioner
- digital media researcher
- immersive journalism practitioner
- postdoctoral researcher in digital media, game studies or performance studies
- digital media or creative arts lecturer
Apply now and take the next step in your academic career at Birkbeck, University of London.
Remuneration: £44,247 rising to £60,858 per annum. The salary is Grade LLEC on the College's London Pay Scale which includes a consolidated Weighting/Allowance which applies only to staff whose normal contractual place of work is in the London area.
Benefits of working at Birkbeck: a competitive salary and pension scheme, 31 days paid leave, flexible working arrangements, generous benefits in the HE sector, and being located in Euston, London.
Terms and Conditions: Open‑ended, full‑time (35 hours per week – the default is Monday‑Friday 9am‑5pm, with flexibility including evening teaching). Visa sponsorship available. We welcome applicants from all sections of the community and backgrounds, and particularly encourage those from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities to apply. The College is committed to improving the gender and cultural diversity of its workforce, holding a bronze Athena SWAN award and operating Disability Confident & Mindful Employer schemes.
Lecturer in Digital and Immersive Storytelling employer: Birkbeck, University of London
Contact Detail:
Birkbeck, University of London Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Lecturer in Digital and Immersive Storytelling
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Attend industry events, workshops, and conferences related to immersive storytelling. It's all about making connections and getting your name out there – you never know who might be looking for someone with your skills!
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your portfolio! Create a stunning online portfolio that showcases your work in immersive media. Make sure it highlights your hands-on experience with tools like Unreal Engine and Unity, as well as any collaborative projects you've been part of.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the institution and its creative practice infrastructure. Understand their focus areas and think about how your expertise can contribute to their goals. Tailor your responses to show you're the perfect fit for their team!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our platform. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to join us at Birkbeck!
We think you need these skills to ace Lecturer in Digital and Immersive Storytelling
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: Let us see your enthusiasm for immersive storytelling! Share your experiences and how they connect to the role. We want to know what drives you and how you can inspire our students.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight your relevant skills and experiences. We’re looking for specific examples of your work with immersive media tools and teaching experience, so don’t hold back!
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your writing clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that are easy to read. Use bullet points if it helps convey your message better – we’re all about clarity!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets to the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team at Birkbeck.
How to prepare for a job interview at Birkbeck, University of London
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re well-versed in the immersive media tools mentioned in the job description, like Unreal Engine and Unity. Bring examples of your work with these tools to showcase your hands-on experience during the interview.
✨Engage with the Research
Familiarise yourself with current trends and research in immersive storytelling and digital media. Be prepared to discuss how your own research aligns with the School's focus areas, especially around diversity, equity, and inclusion.
✨Showcase Your Teaching Experience
Highlight any previous teaching or training roles you've had, especially in higher education or community settings. Prepare to discuss your teaching philosophy and how you plan to engage students from different disciplines in collaborative immersive practice.
✨Connect with the Creative Practice Lab
Research the Birkbeck Creative Practice Lab and its various centres. Think about how you can contribute to their projects and curriculum development, and be ready to share ideas on potential collaborations that could enhance the immersive storytelling programme.