Research Associate / Senior Research Associate in Cross-sensory Fabrication

The role

This is an exciting opportunity for a Research Associate / Senior Research Associate to join the Diverse-Ability Interaction Lab (Dive Lab) within the Bristol Interaction Group (BIG) at the University of Bristol.

We are seeking to appoint an outstanding researcher to contribute to an ambitious programme of research pushing the boundaries of cross-sensory interaction, inclusive play, and early childhood development.

The postholder will join the inclusiveXplay project (funded by an ERC Consolidator Grant), which investigates how cross-sensory cognition can inform the design of technologies that support inclusive social play and early development for blind/visually impaired and sighted preschool children (2–5 years). You will contribute to the cross-sensory fabrication and technology development aspects of the project, translating insights from cross-sensory cognition and participatory design into novel interactive systems for disabled and non-disabled children.

What will you be doing?

You will design and develop cross-sensory interactive technologies that combine a wide range of modalities such as touch, sound, light, scent, and taste to create new forms of inclusive play. You will:

• Prototype interactive systems using digital fabrication, physical computing, and tangible interaction techniques
• Explore interactive materials and shape-changing artefacts and augment them with cross-sensory interaction
• Develop cross-sensory interactive experiences grounded in cross-sensory cognition
• Conduct iterative prototyping and user studies with children and families
• Lead and contribute to research publications and project deliverables

This work will contribute new knowledge to Human–Computer Interaction, particularly in cross-sensory interaction, fabrication, and inclusive technology design.

You should apply if

You are interested in designing novel interactive cross-sensory technology using a range of design methodologies, and in collaborating with engineers, experimental psychologists, and if you are:

• Passionate about fabricating interactive technologies and exploring new forms of tangible and embodied interaction
• Proficient in digital fabrication, physical computing, or creative technology prototyping
• Curious about cross-sensory interaction and early childhood development through play
• Motivated to translate research insights into working interactive systems
• excited to collaborate within an interdisciplinary research team

Additional information

To find out more about what it's like to work in the Faculty of Engineering, and how the Faculty supports people to achieve their potential, please see our staff blog:

https://engineering.blogs.bristol.ac.uk/category/engineering-includes-me/

Contract type: Open ended with fixed funding for 24 months

The grade of the role offered will be determined based on the skills, qualifications, and experience you bring to the position.

School/Unit: Computer Science

This advert will close at 23:59 UK time on 7/5/2026.

Shortlisting is due to take place on 11/5/2026

Interviews are expected to take place on 25/5/2026

For informal queries please contact: Oussama Metatla (o.metatla@bristol.ac.uk)

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