Research assistant in Games

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Malmö university is an open, innovative and international university that contributes to societal development thanks to its dedicated and experienced staff. Here, teachers, researchers, and other staff members with diverse skills work together to deliver education and conduct research of the highest quality. All professional categories and roles are important. We welcome you to apply for a job with us!

Malmö University is a workplace and an educational institution that strives for an open and inclusive approach, where gender equality and equal opportunities add value to our operations.

Here you can read more about what it’s like to work at Malmö University: Work with us.

For international applicants, read more here: Moving to Malmö and Sweden

We are looking for a

Research assistant in Games for the Games and Play Research Group at the Department of Computer Science and Media Technology, Faculty of Technology and Society.

Subject area

The subject area is Games, with a focus on game design and development, human-computer interaction, and human-AI collaboration. The area includes the study and development of interactive systems and tools that support creative and collaborative practices in game development, as well as empirical research with game designers, students, and other game-making communities.

Job description

The research assistant will support the FORTE Starting Grant: I get by with a little help from AI: Artificial intelligence supported human collaboration.

Website: https://www.littlehelpfromai.se/

The project investigates how artificial intelligence can support collaboration in game development, with particular attention to design practices and creative processes. It explores how designers and developers collaborate and how AI-supported tools can be designed to facilitate collaborative work across different game-development contexts, including game companies, educational settings, and game jams.

The project focuses on supporting collaboration among designers rather than replacing or automating creative work. Its goal is to develop and study AI-supported tools that assist groups during collaborative game design and development. The project takes a participatory approach in which relevant stakeholders are involved in the design and evaluation of tools, solutions, and prototypes, helping ensure that these are aligned with the practices and needs of their intended users. Workshops, interviews, observations, and discussions with different groups therefore form an important part of the research.

In collaboration with the project PI, the research assistant will collect and analyse research data; support systematic literature reviews; and contribute to the preparation and co-authoring of research publications. The research assistant will also establish contacts and collaborations with participants from the games industry, game-development education, and game jams, and assist in planning and conducting workshops and other activities.

Qualification requirement

Qualification requirements refer to requirements that must be met for an applicant to be considered for employment.

The candidate must hold a Bachelor’s degree in a field related to Games, Interaction Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Information Science, Communication Studies, or another area relevant to the position.

It is a general qualification requirement for teachers at Malmö University that the candidate is appropriate for and have the ability in general required to fully complete the duties of the relevant position.

Additional qualification requirements for this position are:

• A Master’s degree in one of the areas mentioned above or another area relevant to the position.
• Experience of designing games and working in collaborative game development projects, through either professional work or studies.
• Knowledge of artificial intelligence and/or experience of AI-supported tools in game development acquired through work, studies, or related projects.
• Experience of empirical research activities such as workshops, interviews, participatory design, qualitative data analysis, literature reviews, or academic writing.
• Ability to speak, read, and write Swedish.
• Ability to communicate effectively in spoken and written English.

Assessment criteria

Assessment criteria refer to criteria for assessing how well an applicant meets a certain qualification requirement and criteria that have otherwise been deemed significant for the position.

The overall assessment includes proficiency in the specific field relevant to the position.

For this position, the following will also be assessed:

Particular importance will be given to the applicant’s experience and competence relevant to the project, including game development, empirical research, and collaborative work with different participant groups. Knowledge of or experience with artificial intelligence, human-AI collaboration, or related areas will also be considered. The ability to work independently and collaboratively, and to communicate effectively in spoken and written English, will also be assessed.

Assessment of qualifications will be done based on the adopted job description for the position. An overall assessment of the applicant’s qualifications and expertise based on the qualification requirements and assessment criteria will be made prior to a decision to hire an applicant.

Faculty

The Faculty of Technology and Society conducts education and research with a focus on technology and natural sciences at the two departments of Computer Science and Media Technology and Materials Science and Applied Mathematics. The faculty collaborates with companies and other organizations with the aim of raising the level of expertise, creating new products, developing businesses and giving students an early connection to their future working life. Our research collaborations and employees from a large number of countries give the activities an international character. More information about the faculty can be found here: Link

Department

The Department of Computer Science and Media Technology offers research-linked education at first-cycle, second-cycle and doctoral levels. The department conducts research in computer science, information systems, software engineering and media technology. We are interested in research and education areas such as artificial intelligence, digital media, e-health, internet of things and game development. Link

Games and Play Research Group, MAU Game Lab

The Games and Play Research Group brings together researchers across DVMT units, career stages, and methodological approaches around a shared interest in how games and play are designed, made, experienced, and used. Our work and expertise spans playful interaction and interactive systems (e.g., HCI, human-AI collaboration, computational media, social and emotional technologies, and embodied interaction); game design and development practices (e.g., XR, VR, computer graphics, and programming); and play in participatory, learning, and societal contexts (e.g., STEAM education and live-action role-playing). Link

Application instructions

Apply for the position through Malmö University’s recruitment system by clicking on the “Apply” button. Application documents are to be submitted electronically. Physical documents are only accepted in exceptional cases; contact hr@mau.se if you have books or other documents that cannot be submitted electronically.

All qualifications are to be documented so that both quality and scope can be assessed. You are responsible for ensuring that your application is complete in accordance with the job description and application instructions and that it is submitted no later than October 5, 2026. The application is to be written in Swedish, English or one of the other Scandinavian languages. When required, you are responsible for translating the application and any submitted documents.

For guidance on compiling qualifications, you can use Academic Qualifications Portfolio at Malmö university,

The application is to include the following:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Degree certificates and other relevant grades and certificates
• A brief account of merits relevant to the position you are applying for, and how you, as an applicant, believe you can contribute.

Note that the documents submitted or produced for this open position (such as applications, expert reports and minutes) are normally general documents and as such public documents. This means that the documents may (except for documents classified as secret) be requested and read by others.

Terms of employment

Starts: 19-10-2026, as soon as possible or by agreement.
Form of employment: Fixed-term employment for 11 months.

Scope of the employment: 30-50 %

Salary: Individual salary setting

Swedish is the primary language at Malmö University, and it is a hope that non-Swedish speaking staff will acquire enough Swedish language skills to allow them to participate in teaching and research and in common and daily work at the department but also as a way to enable them to take on academic leadership positions.

Information

Universitetslektor, biträdande; Alberto Alvarez, alberto.alvarez@mau.se

Universitetslektor, biträdande; Raquel Robinson, raquel.breejon-robinson@mau.se

För frågor gällande rekryteringsprocessen kontakta HR-specialist, Magdalena Brossing, magdalena.brossing@mau.se

Trade union representatives

Saco-S: Rebecka Johansson, rebecka.johansson@mau.se

SEKO: Anne Sundel, anne.sundel@mau.se

OFR/ST: Lutfi Zuta, lutfi.zuta@mau.se

Prior to this recruitment process, the Malmö University has determined which recruitment channels and marketing it will use. We request that no offers be made to provide advertising and recruitment help in connection with this advertisement.

We look forward to receiving your application!

Where to apply

Website: https://web103.reachmee.com/ext/I005/1015/main?site=7&validator=e5819a4704cd849685049472c0c17895&lang=UK&rmpage=apply&rmjob=4851

Requirements

Research Field: Computer science

Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent

Languages: ENGLISH

Level: Good

Research Field: Computer science

Years of Research Experience: None

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available: 1

Company/Institute: Malmö universitet

Country: Sweden