Doctoral Researcher in Interactive and Immersive Simulation of Animal Navigation in the Quantum Biology and Computational Physics Group

About us

The Quantum Biology and Computational Physics Group at the University of Oldenburg invites applications for a three-year doctoral research position at the interface of computer science, physics, and biology. The project investigates how interactive and immersive simulation can help scientists explore, experiment with, and reason about computational models of animal navigation.

Animals navigate using multiple environmental and sensory cues. Computational models allow researchers to investigate possible mechanisms, test hypotheses, and predict movement patterns. This PhD will develop and scientifically evaluate interactive approaches that make such models more accessible to systematic exploration, comparison, and interpretation. Virtual and mixed reality are promising approaches, alongside conventional desktop and potentially web-based interfaces.

Research questions

• How can researchers interactively vary model parameters, assumptions, sensory cues, and competing navigation hypotheses?
• Under which conditions do immersive interfaces (VR/MR) offer advantages over conventional interfaces for exploring complex navigation simulations?
• How can interactive representations help connect individual simulated decisions and trajectories with population-level or large-scale movement patterns?
• How can the scientific value of different interaction techniques be evaluated in realistic research tasks?

Your tasks

• Develop a research framework for visualizing and interacting with computational models of animal navigation.
• Design and implement methods to explore parameters, manipulate assumptions, compare hypotheses, and inspect simulated outcomes.
• Integrate existing or newly developed navigation models and simulation data into interactive environments, potentially using Unity, Unreal Engine, or other appropriate technologies.
• Design and conduct evaluations with researchers to assess how different interfaces support scientific exploration, interpretation, and reasoning.
• Collaborate closely with scientists in physics, biology, and computer science; document and disseminate results through scientific publications and presentations.
• Pursue an independent doctoral research project leading to a PhD.

Your profile

Required qualifications:

• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Computer Science, Physics, Computational Biology, Engineering, Human–Computer Interaction, or a closely related discipline.
• Strong programming skills, for example in Python, C++, C#, or comparable languages.
• Experience in interactive software development, simulation, scientific computing, visualization, or related areas.
• Interest in computational modelling and in investigating scientific questions through software and empirical evaluation.
• Excellent written and spoken English; ability to work independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary team.
• Advanced experience with machine learning methods

Desirable qualifications

• Experience with VR/MR, Unity or Unreal Engine, 3D interaction, or immersive visualization.
• Knowledge of human–computer interaction, user studies, usability evaluation, or visual analytics.
• Experience with agent-based modelling, animal movement, navigation, ecological simulation, or trajectory analysis.
• Familiarity with reproducible research software, data pipelines, or scientific visualization.

Possible additional application: science communication

Methods developed for scientific research may also be adapted into accessible interactive demonstrations for public outreach, for example through VR/MR or web-based experiences at science events. This is a secondary opportunity rather than a separate educational-software development objective.

We offer

The Quantum Biology and Computational Physics Group (www.quantbiolab.com) develops computational approaches to biological and physical systems and works in an international, interdisciplinary research environment. The position offers collaboration across disciplines, access to modern computational and immersive-visualization infrastructure, doctoral supervision, and opportunities for scientific publication and professional development.

Employment conditions and benefits follow the applicable collective agreement (TV-L) and university policies, including annual leave, flexible working arrangements, and university health and sports programmes.

Our standards

The University of Oldenburg is dedicated to increase the percentage of female employees in the field of science. Therefore, female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. In accordance to § 21 Section 3 NHG, female candidates with equal qualifications will be preferentially considered. Applicants with disabilities will be given preference in case of equal qualification.