Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts looking for Master Lecturer

We discovered an advertisement on a job platform for a position as a lecturer in AR/VR (60-100%) for the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts and wondered what the market for lecturers specialising in VR/AR actually looks like at the moment and what the course offers students.

The Immersive Realities Research Lab of the Lucerne University (HSLU) has existed since 2018 and is investigating how augmented and virtual reality can be used. We have also already reported on various projects and a digital course at HSLU reports.

The Lab's group researches the role of users in these contexts and develops new types of interaction. Current interdisciplinary projects in the field of AR/VR include, for example, the digitalisation of participation processes in urban planning, a serious game for beekeepers, a hybrid art exhibition and learning tools for physics didactics. A major in ARVR is currently being prepared for the Computer Science degree programme in order to expand the range of modules in this area.

What can the students of the new major expect?

"The major is part of the Computer Science and Business Informatics degree programmes and will start in the autumn semester of 2021. The programme is balanced between the technical foundations, usability and human factors and the actual development of applications. Depending on their interests, students can supplement their curriculum with subjects such as computer graphics, machine learning or game design," explains Dr Markus Zank, Co-Head of the Immersive Realities Research Lab.

How practice-oriented is this degree programme? Are students also allowed to test AR and VR experiences in practice?

Markus Zank explains: "An important aspect for us is that the students can work as much as possible in a practical way and with actual hardware so that they can gain their own experience and familiarise themselves with the various systems and their pitfalls. To this end, we provide students with a wide range of hardware that they can use in exercises and projects. With the Immersive Realities Research Lab and Centre, we also have a broad portfolio of current research and industry projects where we can provide students with up-to-date insights and practical experience."

The HSLU is looking to strengthen its team as of 1 August with a Advertisement an experienced personality in the AR VR field. Are there any lecturers who have all this?

"Of course, I can't say too much about current HR processes. But what I can say is that we have applications from Switzerland and other European countries and that most of them have many years of experience in the field. At the same time, the profiles are very diverse in terms of background, as is generally the case in the AR/VR field, as the field is very broadly based," reports Markus Zank.