We are seeking an enthusiastic and bright PhD student to work with us on leveraging eXtended Realities (XR) for addressing pressing planetary challenges. The focus of the position is on designing and empirically evaluating immersive experiences using state-of-the-art technologies and data analyses. Scientific context eXtended Reality (XR), including virtual and mixed reality, is changing the way we communicate, make decisions, and engage stakeholders. As part of a large NWO funded consortium, called HybridLabs, we are advancing the use of XR for making environmentally sensed data, models, and simulations accessible. We are creating unique immersive experiences using 360 videography and procedurally generated content for single and multi-user scenarios surrounding the North Sea. We are seeking to create the most effective, empirically validated designs for raising awareness and understanding of planetary challenges related to role of the North Sea in transitioning toward sustainable energy sources and its implications for ocean ecology, above and below the surface. Challenges eXtended Reality (XR) is a rapidly evolving field with immense potential, but it also presents significant challenges. Developing and empirically evaluating intuitive and natural user interfaces for individual and collaborative experiences is crucial because it directly impacts how effectively users can interact with and navigate virtual environments. A well-designed immersive experience should feel seamless and intuitive, allowing users to engage with the XR experience without extensive training or discomfort. This is especially important when considering diverse populations and engaging stakeholders and citizens. Moreover, designs and experiences should provide opportunities for impact in the physical world such as raising awareness, being informative, and inspiring behavioral changes. Method This PhD focuses on advancing the scientific understanding of XR in the context of addressing planetary challenges, particularly the ecology of the North Sea. The PhD candidate will be involved in collaborative efforts to design immersive experiences for single and multi-user environments for the North Sea, above and below the surface. The PhD candidate will conduct data intensive empirical studies to evaluate design choices qualitatively and quantitatively using state of the art immersive designs and technologies. We are combining a plethora of sensory information for a comprehensive assessment of immersive designs. Interdisciplinarity, partners, tools, soft- and hardware The PhD candidate will join Wageningen’s emerging immersive technologies and experiences community. Within the HybridLabs project, the candidate will work together with PostDocs and other PhD candidates from, for example, Marine Animal Ecology Group at the WUR. We are collaborating closely with scientists from Triton<https://www.tritonoes.com/> with expertise in producing underwater 360° video footage, as well as scientists from Breda University of Applied Sciences<https://cradle.buas.nl/project/procedural-ocean-view/> with expertise on serious gaming and digital twinning for marine spatial planning. Additionally, the candidate will have access to WUR’s new WANDER facility<https://wander.wur.nl/xr-projects>, which offers a wide array of XR technologies, including VR and MR headsets and biosensors, supported by an excellent creative team. The main platform for XR development will be Unity 3D, but we are exploring other opportunities, too. Programming languages like C# (if in Unity), Python or R (for statistical analysis of empirical data) will be utilized. Your qualities You have: * strong interest in science and empirical research; * experience with state-of-the art technologies for immersive experiences (XR); * background in human-computer interaction, communication, cognitive psychology, data science, or visualization; * strong interest in performing empirical studies to evaluate immersive experiences and immersive designs; * background in statistical or behavioral analyses; * experience in interacting with stakeholders and end-users; * background in designing immersive experience. Link to application: PhD position in HybridLabs - Immersive experiences for communication and stakeholder engagement for North Sea Ecology - WUR<https://www.wur.nl/en/vacancy/phd-position-in-hybridlabs-immersive-experiences-for-communication-and-stakeholder-engagement-for-north-sea-ecology-1.htm> Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Alexander Klippel Professor of Immersive Experiences and Sustainable Transitions Science Advisor WANDER Cultural Geography Research Group (GEO), Wageningen University and Research Email: alexander.klippel@wur.nl<mailto:alexander.klippel@wur.nl> WANDER: https://wander.wur.nl/ GAIA building | Droevendaalsesteeg 3, 6708 PB, Wageningen P.O Box 47, 6700 AA, Wageningen, The Netherlands We cannot change the wind, but we can adjust the sails. (Probably Jimmy Dean)