The Visualisation Lab at the University of Amsterdam invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher to join the one-year interdisciplinary project Kattenburg Virtual Memories. This innovative project combines generative AI, immersive technologies, and participatory design to reconstruct and enrich the collective memory of the Amsterdam neighbourhood Kattenburg in Virtual Reality.
Project background
Urban redevelopment often erases not just physical structures but also the lived experiences of past inhabitants. Kattenburg Virtual Memories addresses this by collecting oral histories from (former) residents and Defence employees of Kattenburg and translating them into interactive, AI-augmented 3D visualisations within a VR environment. The project aims to create an inclusive, multi-perspective reconstruction that not only documents the past but also supports participatory envisioning of the future of the area.
Your role
As a postdoctoral researcher, you will:
- Develop and integrate GenAI techniques (e.g., text-to-image and 3D generative models) to create historically grounded and narratively rich assets based on interviews.
- Design and implement interactive workflows that allow users to enrich, modify, and augment 3D reconstructions from within a VR environment.
- Collaborate with historians, designers, social scientists, and technical partners to ensure methodological rigour and inclusivity.
- Evaluate the impact of AI-augmented reconstructions on historical experience, community engagement, and participatory planning processes.
- Contribute to the Visualisation Lab’s broader research agenda on immersive technologies, participatory visualisation, and AI.
Requirements
- A PhD in Computer Science, Computational Media, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field.
- Strong expertise in Generative AI methods, particularly for visual and spatial content (experience with Stable Diffusion, LoRA training, or related techniques is an asset).
- Proven experience with 3D graphics and VR/AR development, preferably using Unity or Unreal Engine.
- Affinity with interdisciplinary and participatory projects; experience with oral history, cultural heritage, or digital humanities is a plus.
- Excellent programming skills in relevant languages (Python, C#, etc.).
- Strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with non-technical partners and community members.
- Good publication record relative to career stage.
- Proficiency in Dutch is desirable, given the local context of the project.
Please note that we can only consider applicants who are citizens of an EU country or have the right to work within the EU.
We offer
- A position for 1 year (starting September 2025).
- An inspiring, interdisciplinary environment within the Visualisation Lab and 4D Research Lab, collaborating with creative industry partners including Total Design, Autres Directions, and Studio Bertels.
- Access to state-of-the-art VR facilities and compute resources.
- A gross monthly salary in accordance with Dutch university scales for postdoctoral researchers.
About the Visualisation Lab
The Visualisation Lab is a research and education facility within the Informatics Institute of the University of Amsterdam. We specialise in computer graphics, scientific visualisation, and immersive technologies, and apply these in diverse domains from cultural heritage to science communication and healthcare applications.
For informal inquiries about the position, contact Dr. Rob Belleman (R.G.Belleman@uva.nl).
Deadline for applications: October 1, 2025