Associate Professor in Immersive Arts/ Media, University of Bristol, Mumbai

Role Overview

We are seeking a highly motivated and accomplished Associate Professor in Immersive Arts / Mediato join our growing academic team at the University’s Mumbai Enterprise Campus (MEC), a flagship transnational education initiative of the University of Bristol set to open its doors in 2026, coinciding with the University’s 150th anniversary.

The role will lead on curriculum and research development, mentor junior faculty, and strengthen the University’s academic reputation through teaching, innovation, high-impact research and external engagement. The role will report to the Mumbai Enterprise Campus Associate Dean and have dotted lines reporting to and collaborating with the Head of School of Arts in the Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences (ALSS) and other relevant University senior leaders. This senior-level position is ideal for candidates with a strong academic profile, proven research excellence, and leadership capabilities within higher education.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership, Culture, and Engagement

Provide distinguished academic leadership and operational capacity in both teaching and research within Immersive Arts / Media,fostering an environment of scholarly excellence.

Represent the university at national and international academic and professional forums, enhancing its visibility and reputation.

Establish and nurture strategic partnerships with industry, academic institutions, and government agencies to support research initiatives and enrich the learning environment.

Contribute substantively to departmental governance, administration, and operational delivery in close collaboration with senior leadership.

Develop, coordinate, and deliver advanced undergraduate and postgraduate courses in area of relevant expertise.

Mentor junior and early-career faculty members, actively participating in their professional development and performance evaluation processes.

Work collaboratively with Professional Services partners to deliver delegated administrative and governance duties.

Teaching

Play a pivotal role in curriculum development and contextualisation, programme accreditation, programme enhancement and the maintenance of quality assurance standards within the university.

Create a nurturing environment for excellence across the whole education offer.

Promote innovative teaching strategies that improve student experience, transferable skills creation and employability prospects.

Research

Maintain a sustained record of high-quality outputs in excellent, peer-reviewed academic publications or in other recognised discipline specific channels, actively contributing to the international discourse in Immersive Arts / Media.

Initiate, lead, and secure funding for research projects with significant potential to contribute to scholarly knowledge and societal advancement.

Provide support for other academic disciplines and interdisciplinary opportunities within the MEC.

Ensure research strengths are matched and leveraged to develop teaching excellence and integrated in MEC programme offerings.

Where applicable, supervise and mentor doctoral, postgraduate, and undergraduate research projects, ensuring the highest standards of academic rigor and integrity.

Essential Criteria

A completed PhD in Immersive arts or media (VR/AR/XR, interactive or spatial storytelling), or a closely related field of research from a recognised institution.

Significant academic experience, including substantial post-PhD teaching and research achievements.

Proven academic leadership experience in teaching (e.g., programme coordination, research leadership, or departmental roles).

Demonstrated excellence in teaching, curriculum design, and academic mentorship.

Strong publication record in highly ranked peer-reviewed international publications, or in recognised equivalent discipline-specific channels, and ability to contribute to the school’s strategic research ambition to address global/societal challenges of our time.

Evidence of excellent organisational and administrative skills.

Excellent interpersonal, communication, and collaborative leadership skills.

Demonstrates a proactive approach to professional development.

Knowledge of the histories and contexts, current developments, debates, issues and key theoretical concepts related to immersive arts and technologies, VR/AR/MR and/or interactive or spatial storytelling.

Experience of supervising, creative direction or design of VR/AR/MR projects.

Experience of practical teaching of immersive experience design, immersive performance/installation, interactive narrative design or XR screenwriting, virtual environment design, 3D animation, or games design, especially VR, AR or MR.

Desirable Criteria

At least 10-12 years of academic experience post-PhD

Track record of securing or leading externally funded research projects.

Willingness and strong evidence to seek collaborations/engage with public, private and not-for-profit/charitable sectors.

Experience supervising doctoral students

Established partnerships with immersive and media industries in Mumbai and nationally/internationally, and/or with other sectors in which XR technologies are being applied, such as immersive heritage.

Professional experience of creating XR content, technology-enabled immersive performance or installation: creative direction, immersive experience design, interactive narrative, virtual production or 3D animation, or games design, especially VR, AR or MR.

Experience in software and techniques related to immersive technologies/spatial computing and digital media, such as Unity, Unreal Engine, Autodesk Maya, Blender, Touch Designer, motion and volumetric capture, photogrammetry/3D scanning, spatial audio, 360 filmmaking and editing (e.g. DaVinci Resolve), AR/VR design/prototyping tools (e.g. Stornoway, Shapes XR, Figma), CGI and visual effects production (e.g. After Effects).

Experience using hardware related to immersive technologies, e.g. VR headsets, mobile handsets, 360 cameras, projection mapping, and/or spatial audio microphones and speakers.