A PhD researcher to foster the Wageningen Gamification and Serious Games Community to develop, design, and evaluate novel approaches to gamification, serious games, and technology. This position is part of a growing team dedicated to advancing the science and art of gamification in the context of eXtended Realities focusing on societally relevant topics that WUR is known for.

We are looking for a highly qualified candidate with a strong interest in research. Core activities include the design of gamifications and serious games in collaboration with researchers and developers, the planning of empirical studies involving technology and people, the collection of data, and envisioning new opportunities for data collection, analyzing data, and publishing results. The candidate will have opportunities to participate in a variety of collaborations across the Wageningen UR domains.

Interest in any of the following is a plus: drones/UAVs -based gaming, serious games, (geo) simulation games, game-based decision-making systems, exergaming, novel gameful interfaces, virtual reality, augmented reality, and digital twins.

The research will be conducted as part of the Laboratory of Geo-information Science and Remote Sensing (GRS) in close collaboration with other research groups from Wageningen University and in particular with the newly established laboratory for eXtended Realities, WANDER. The goal is to address societally critical topics such as climate change, urbanization, and loss of biodiversity, but also sustainable food choices, nutrition and food security (e.g., protein transition), or the education of students, public, and decision-makers.

You will work in an ideal working environment. Our campus is an inspiring green place to work, and has been selected as the most sustainable campus in the world multiple times. Besides that, we have a top ranking in several fields, with a #1 ranking for environmental science, ecology and agriculture, as well as very strong rankings in other fields. Finally, as for education, Wageningen University has been chosen as the "Best University" in the Netherlands for the 17th consecutive time.

• Master's Degree in Game Design, Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction or a related field.
• Enthusiasm for empirical research aimed at advancing the science of gamification and serious games.
• Useful additional backgrounds include but are not limited to:
  • Geoinformatics
  • Educational sciences
  • Human-Computer Interaction
  • Applied psychology
  • Media and communication studies
  • Interaction design
  • Ecology and environmental sciences
  • Nutrition and health studies
• Experience in statistical analysis;
• Scientific writing and communication skills.
• Interest to collaborate in a multi-disciplinary research team.

Wageningen University & Research offers excellent terms of employment. A few highlights from our Collective Labour Agreement include:

• study leave and partially paid parental leave;
• working hours that can be discussed and arranged so that they allow for the best possible work-life balance;
• the option to accrue additional compensation / holiday hours by working more, up to 40 hours per week;
• there is a strong focus on vitality and you can make use of the sports facilities available on campus for a small fee;
• a fixed December bonus of 8.3%;
• excellent pension scheme.

In addition to these first-rate employee benefits, you will receive a fully funded PhD position and you will be offered a course program tailored to your needs and the research team. The gross salary for the first year is € 2.443,- per month rising to € 3.122,- in the fourth year in according to the Collective Labour Agreements for Dutch Universities (CAO-NU) (scale P). This is based on a full-time working week of 38 hours. We offer a temporary contract for 18 months which will be extended for the duration of the project if you perform well.

There are plenty of options for personal initiative in a learning environment, and we provide excellent training opportunities. We are offering a unique position in an international environment with a pleasant and open working atmosphere.
You are going to work at the greenest and most innovative campus in Holland, and at a university that has been chosen as the " Best University " in the Netherlands for the 17th consecutive time.

Coming from abroad
Wageningen University & Research is the university and research center for life sciences. The themes we deal with are relevant to everyone around the world and Wageningen, therefore, has a large international community and a lot to offer to international employees. Applicants from abroad moving to the Netherlands may qualify for a special tax relief, known as the 30% ruling. Our team of advisors on Dutch immigration procedures will help you with the visa application procedures for yourself and, if applicable, for your family.

Feeling welcome also has everything to do with being well informed. Wageningen University & Research's International Community page contains practical information about what we can do to support international employees and students coming to Wageningen. Furthermore, we can assist you with any additional advice and information about helping your partner to find a job, housing, schooling, and other issues.

Wageningen University & Research

Wageningen University and Research
The mission of Wageningen University and Research is "To explore the potential of nature to improve the quality of life". Under the banner Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University and the specialised research institutes of the Wageningen Research Foundation have joined forces in contributing to finding solutions to important questions in the domain of healthy food and living environment.

With its roughly 30 branches, 7.200 employees and 13.200 students, Wageningen University & Research is one of the leading organisations in its domain. An integrated approach to problems and the cooperation between various disciplines are at the heart of Wageningen's unique approach. WUR has been named the best university of the Netherlands by students for the 17th time in a row.
Read the 5 reasons why your future colleagues enjoy working at WUR and watch this video to get an idea of our green campus!