Senior Research Fellow (Games Studies/Computer Science/Interactive Media/Digital Arts/Education/Psychology/Media Studies)

The Asian Communication Research Centre (ACRC) at the Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information (WKWSCI) is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Senior Research Fellow to lead and advance interdisciplinary research in games-related domains. The role involves driving high-impact research, securing external funding, supervising junior researchers and students, and fostering collaborations with academic, industry, and international partners. The successful candidate will play a key role in shaping the ACRC’s research agenda, particularly in areas intersecting games, technology, design, culture, education, and industry practice. Key Responsibilities: Research Leadership • Lead independent and collaborative research projects in games-related areas (e.g. game design, game technologies, game studies, serious games, gamification, interactive media, AI in games, player behaviour, or games for learning and health). • Produce high-quality research outputs, including peer-reviewed journal articles, conference papers, books, and creative research artefacts where applicable. • Contribute to the strategic development of games research directions and priorities at ACRC. Grant Development and Funding • Identify and pursue competitive research funding from national, international, and industry sources. • Lead or co-lead grant proposals and industry-funded research projects. • Manage awarded grants, including budgeting, reporting, and deliverables. Supervision and Mentorship • Supervise and mentor junior research fellows, research assistants, and postgraduate students (Masters and PhD). • Provide academic guidance, career mentoring, and performance oversight for research staff. • Contribute to capacity building within ACRC and WKWSCI. Collaboration and Engagement • Build and maintain strong collaborations with local and international academic partners. • Engage with industry stakeholders (e.g. game studios, publishers, technology companies) on joint research, consultancy, and knowledge-transfer projects. • Represent ACRC at academic conferences, industry events, workshops, and public outreach activities. Teaching and Knowledge Dissemination (as applicable) • Contribute to teaching or curriculum development related to games and interactive media. • Organise or contribute to seminars, symposiums, and conferences hosted by ACRC. • Support translation of research into practice, policy, or industry applications. Administrative and Service Contributions • Support administration, reporting, and strategic initiatives as required. • Contribute to ethics applications, research governance, and compliance processes. Job Requirements: Essential Qualifications and Experience • PhD in Games Studies, Computer Science, Interactive Media, Digital Arts, Education, Psychology, Media Studies, or a closely related field. • Proven track record of high-quality research publications in relevant fields. • Demonstrated experience in securing or contributing significantly to competitive research funding. • Experience supervising postgraduate students and/or junior researchers. • Strong project management and organisational skills. • Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Desirable Attributes • Experience working in interdisciplinary or cross-institutional research centres or labs. • Prior collaboration with industry partners, particularly in games, media, or technology sectors. • International research experience or networks. • Experience in applied or practice-based research in games. • Familiarity with emerging technologies (e.g. AI, XR, data analytics) relevant to games research. Key Competencies • Research leadership and strategic thinking • Grant writing and funding acquisition • Team leadership and mentorship • Industry and stakeholder engagement • Academic and professional communication • Interdisciplinary collaboration We regret to inform that only shortlisted candidates will be notified.