Techincal Specialist (Teaching Technologist)-Arts Law and Social Sciences- University of Bristol

Job Description: Technical Specialist (Teaching Technologist)-Arts Law and Social Sciences- University of Bristol

About the University of Bristol:

The University of Bristol’s Mumbai campus is an innovative extension of its prestigious UK counterpart, established to promote academic excellence, global collaboration, and impactful industry engagement in one of the world’s most dynamic financial hubs. The campus offers a truly international and cross-cultural academic environment, combining the University’s rigorous academic traditions with the fast-evolving Indian and South Asian business landscape.

As part of a growing global network, the Mumbai campus serves as a hub for interdisciplinary learning, applied research, and thought leadership. Faculty members enjoy access to global partnerships, collaborative research opportunities, and the ability to contribute to high-impact academic programmes that prepare students to meet the challenges of an interconnected world.

Main Job Purpose

Recognised as a technical specialist in Immersive technology, this post will contribute to the development of creative and innovative solutions to enable effective teaching in virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), immersive and interactive media.  They will train staff, students or other technical colleagues in immersive technologies (AR/VR/MR) and digital media, contribute to the development and delivery of teaching activities, and provide specialist knowledge. 

The Technical Specialist will work within the Teaching Technologist Team to shape the way the Immersive Arts team supports students’ project-based learning and their experiences in developing immersive media, XR experiences and applications. The TS will also work in partnership with leading academics to encourage and enable innovative and exciting teaching practice to happen. Importantly, the TS will exercise initiative and pragmatism to help bring

ambitious ideas to life.

The Technical Specialist will support Immersive Arts students’ curricular projects by providing encouragement, technical advice, recommending and upskilling in specialist creative XR tools. This is a demanding and varied role, and day-to-day may include, but not be limited to: advising students with VR and AR and related hardware, 360 cameras, projectors; resource and project management queries; creating and delivering cutting-edge teaching resources; managing and maintaining specialist project spaces and equipment; working with academics, Professional and Technical Services team members to improve the student experience.

Main Statement  of Responsibilities

The Student Experience

• Apply professional expertise in the design of stimulating learning solutions.

• Provide specialist guidance and support to students, staff or other technical staff in in the utilisation of virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality, and motion capture environments, development tools, and related technologies, to enable excellent teaching and learning for all types of students

• Use specialist experience to provide services, guidance, troubleshooting, support and training to students conducting creative immersive projects or research studies.  This will include the provision of workshops and project support across a range of units and particular guidance will be needed as students develop blended or virtual performance and immersive pieces or need to submit sketches and show the process of design work

• Proactively engage in academic and pastoral student support procedures, provide direct support and/or making referrals to the wider University support network as appropriate.

Professional Practice

Collaborate with Unit and Programme Directors in the design and delivery of teaching within labs or other teaching space(s).  This includes professional theatre spaces as

well as sound design studios, Computer labs and other specialist spaces.  Typical duties would include:

• Work with key stakeholders (e.g Unit and Programme Directors) to provide specialist solutions in the planning, design and delivery of practical teaching.

• Deliver teaching and develop physical and digital teaching resources.

• Respond independently using initiative and judgement to find solutions and take action.

• Maintain awareness of developments and changes in immersive technologies and media.

• Evaluate effectiveness of teaching practical outcomes, to inform future development, and monitor consistency between repeated sessions.

• Gather and provide relevant feedback to Unit and Programme Directors.

• Technical input into specialist purchases, liaising with relevant contacts and suppliers to ensure fit for purpose solutions and cost effectiveness.

• Operate, service, maintain, manage and calibrate specialist equipment.

• Onboard students and staff with equipment to ensure safe and effective use.

• Writing risk assessments and method statements/standard operating procedures (SOPs)for all activities undertaken in Immersive arts.  Provide guidance and training to service users (staff and students), ensuring compliance with all relevant guidelines and ensure H&S practice reflect current best practice.

• Train other service users in specialist processes and activities, and provide advice and guidance to all users of the space. Give task direction to others when necessary.

Planning & Organising Resources

• Plan and prioritise own workload to best meet service demands.

• Plan resource requirements in advance to meet scheduled teaching activities, e.g. facilitating timetabling, ensuring availability of learning resources, planning and organising tasks in line with the workload of other team members.

• Consult, collaborate and influence by building and maintaining effective working relationships with key contacts (e.g. timetabling, Unit and Programme Directors, teaching staff).

• Contribute specialist technical knowledge and experience to the design and delivery of existing and new teaching units and any changes to the teaching space, hardware or technologies.

• Monitor a delegated budget, where applicable

Governance and Compliance

• Use of expert knowledge to implement and review local rules, University Health & Safety policies and legislative requirements; set and uphold standards, e.g. safe working, good working practices, relevant legal frameworks.

• Inform, contribute to and influence policy and procedure where appropriate

Leadership and Management

• Where appropriate induction and supervision of students or other technical staff, particularly around Health & Safety.

• Responsible for day-to-day management of specialist teaching resources and facilities.

Relationships

Line manager:  TBC

Line manager to (where appropriate):  N/A

Job Hazards/Safety Critical Duties (Pre-employment health screening)

(Please refer to the guidance notes at:http://www.bristol.ac.uk/hr/resourcing/practicalguidance/appointment/checks.html)

PERSON SPECIFICATION^[1]

Relevant Experience, Skills and Knowledge

·    Current specialist knowledge and refined skills in immersive technologies, interactive and immersive media production; significant experience in tools for creating virtual reality and augmented reality, building virtual environments and interactions, such as:

o   Knowledge of using games engines (Unity or Unreal) to develop for Immersive projects.

o   Knowledge of 360 video and 3D graphics for VR; 3D Animation/ Modelling and design (Maya, Blender).

o   Thorough knowledge of digital/interactive media software (e.g. DaVinci Resolve, FCP, Premiere, Touch Designer, Stornoway), and AI tools for XR creation.

o   Knowledge of analogue and digital sound and spatial audio for VR and Immersive projects.