“WEAVR: Pioneering Fully Integrated Cross-Reality Spectator Experiences in Esports and Beyond” is a £5.8 million R&D project aiming to radically transform audience experiences in esports (http://weavr.tv/). It is one of four UK flagship demonstrators, funded from the Industrial Strategy’s Audience of the Future programme, aiming to establish the UK as world leading in the emerging forms of interactive and immersive storytelling (https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/audience-of-the-future-launch). It is led by ESL, the world’s largest esports company, and the University of York, which brings world class research in digital storytelling, games, AI and data analytics. The other WEAVR partners are top UK companies in studio TV production (Dock10), VR content development (Rewind), HD and 360 video (Focal Point VR) and data analytics (Cybula), making up a large interdisciplinary team of researchers, software developers, 2D & 3D artists, TV producers, game developers, designers, and market analysts. WEAVR’s research engine is based at The University of York in the Digital Creativity Labs (https://www.digitalcreativity.ac.uk/), a world centre of excellence for impact-driven research.

We are seeking an enthusiastic individual with experience in the development of data-driven software systems in a commercial context to lead the development and testing of data and AI-powered backend systems for esports. You will work closely with our researchers and collaborators to assist them in the delivery of high quality, robust, reliable software prototypes and products. You will play a key role in the project, work in the York-based team alongside other researchers and developers, closely collaborate with consortium members across the UK, and help with deployments and evaluation of research outputs in leading UK and international esports tournaments.

This role is an excellent opportunity for someone who enjoys working in a team of innovative and exciting people on a major R&D project in one of the fastest growing industries. The appointed candidate has the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the future of digital broadcasting in esports and beyond. The postholder will have the opportunity to develop their career in the lively and stimulating environment of the Digital Creativity Labs and other major Creative Industries research hubs such as the XR Stories (https://xrstories.co.uk/), and the games-focused Intelligent Games and Game Intelligence PhD programme (http://iggi.org.uk/), including strengthening their collaboration with industry, learning cutting-edge AI and machine learning techniques and taking training to enhance entrepreneurial skills.

Informal enquiries about this post may be directed to [email protected]

Interviews to take place week commencing 9 September 2019.

The University is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community – a place where we can all be ourselves and succeed on merit. We offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements, staff engagement forums, campus facilities and services to support staff from different backgrounds.