Research Assistant for physical-digital prototyping 50 %

Closer to changing the world. As the largest educational institution of the six Central Swiss cantons, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts is at the pulse of the times with its offering. Far-sighted and innovative, we convey knowledge nationally and internationally. Help shape and become part of our shared, sustainable future. Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts -- Design Film Art is the creative space for people who want to move the world. For more than 140 years, lecturers, researchers, employees, and students have been meeting here in an inspiring environment and together cultivating a culture of openness, which becomes visible in the lively, bright workspaces in Luzern-Emmenbrücke. Profiled teams and international networking offer diverse development opportunities. The research team <<Extended Spaces>> within the Visual Narrative research group explores and designs hybrid spaces in the interplay of physical environment, digital technologies, and social interaction. In our practice-oriented research and development projects, we combine Augmented and Mixed Reality (AR/MR), physical-digital interactions, and spatial design using co-design and participatory methods. Together with partners from society, culture, planning, and research, we develop and test new forms of spatial mediation, interaction, and participation. Further information about the research team and its projects can be found on the website of [Extended Spaces](< >) For this work, we are looking for a Research Assistant for physical-digital prototyping 50 % starting February 1, 2027

Your tasks

• Collaboration in practice-oriented research and development projects of the Extended Spaces team at the interface of space, design, and digital technologies
• Iterative development of concepts and ideas, as well as their implementation as physical-digital prototypes, interactive objects, spatial installations, and experimental experimental setups
• Development of physical-digital interfaces with Arduino, model making, 3D printing, and other suitable technologies
• Creation of 3D models (e.g., in Blender) for Unity and web applications
• Participation in the preparation and execution of workshops, user testing, exhibitions, and public formats
• Documentation of development processes and project results, occasionally also using photo and video

Your profile

• Completed Bachelor's degree in a design-technical field, e.g., Interaction Design, Industrial Design, Digital Ideation, or Spatial Design. Your practical experience and joy in developing physical-digital prototypes are decisive for us.
• Strong enjoyment of building, experimenting, and prototypical development as well as good manual and technical understanding
• Experience in several of the following areas: Physical Prototyping and model making, 3D modeling, 3D printing, microcontrollers, as well as physical-digital interfaces or interactive installations
• Ability to merge design ideas and technical requirements and translate them pragmatically into functioning prototypes
• Independent, solution-oriented way of working as well as joy in iterative development processes and inter- and transdisciplinary collaboration
• Experience with Unity or comparable development environments (AR, VR, or Mixed Reality is an advantage)
• Knowledge in audiovisual production, especially film and video editing, is a welcome addition
• Very good German skills for interacting with people in workshops or similar situations

Our offer

• A versatile activity with creative leeway in an interdisciplinary research and development team
• The opportunity to immediately translate your own ideas into physical and digital prototypes and to test these in real application contexts
• Participation in socially relevant research projects at the interface of space, design, interactive technologies, and participation
• Access to workshops and technical infrastructure of Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts
• Cooperation with different design, technical, and scientific disciplines as well as external practical partners
• Flexible working hours as well as the possibility to work partially from home
• The position as a research assistant is limited to two years, with the option to extend for a further three years by mutual agreement
• A parallel part-time study in one of the four majors of our Master Design is possible and desired.

To the application process
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