Assistant Specialist in Game User Interaction and Intelligence Lab

Assistant Specialist in Game User Interaction and Intelligence Lab

Position title:

Assistant Specialist in Game User Interaction and Intelligence Lab

Salary range: The posted UCSC Salary Scales set the minimum pay based on rank and step. See the scale titled "Represented Specialist Series Fiscal Year Non-Exempt." A higher salary than the published system-wide pay may be offered to remain competitive. A reasonable estimate for this position is $30.42 per hour, adjusted based on time commitment (25%–50%).

Percent time: Variable between 25% and 50%.

Anticipated start: As soon as possible after initial review of the applications.

Position duration: Initial appointment for one year, with the possibility of reappointment contingent on performance review and funding availability.

Open date:
December 1, 2025

Next review date:
Monday, Jan 5, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Apply by this date for full consideration by the committee.

Final date:
Tuesday, Dec 1, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Professor Magy Seif El‑Nasr in the Computational Media Department at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) invites applications for two Assistant Specialist positions. The selected candidate(s) will help develop technical research and intelligent systems for the following areas:

• Alternate reality games: Discord integrated AI bots, mobile location‑tracking application, and backend data‑logging system. The research problem is to develop a community management system that integrates diverse data streams from such games.
• Intelligent tutor system: AI character interacting through visuals and audio integrated into a game interface. The system will include an agent architecture that accesses the interface and backend analytics, eye‑tracking, visual camera data, and action logs to develop a user model. It will also integrate with other adaptive learning research systems.

Applicants with expertise or experience developing user interfaces, front‑end systems, or back‑end data‑science systems are strongly encouraged to apply.

Game User Interaction and Intelligence Lab: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)./

Computational Media Department: /

Basic qualifications (required at the time of application):

• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent foreign degree) in computer science, human‑computer interaction, or a related field.
• Software development experience building systems that integrate AI APIs, interdisciplinary research, and human‑centered design.

Document requirements (submit as PDFs):

• Curriculum Vitae – most recently updated CV
• Cover Letter
• Statement of Research
• Portfolio – include active links (e.g., Git Hub, code examples, system demos). If the work was team‑based, describe your role.

Reference requirements: 3–5 letters of reference. Application must include confidential letters of recommendation. References or dossier services will submit confidential letters directly to the UC Recruit System.

All letters will be treated as confidential per University of California policy and California state law. For letters provided via a third party, direct the author to UCSC’s confidentiality statement at .

Apply link: /JPF
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Help contact: egregg

As a condition of employment, finalists must disclose any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed misconduct. Misconduct includes violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, assault, or discrimination as defined by the employer. See:   .

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual…