Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF
Location: Potsdam
Type: Full-Time
Category: Other
Description
Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF is a vibrant hub for the arts, research and teaching. Renowned professionals from filmmaking and academia provide students with close, individual guidance. As Germany’s only film university, it advances innovative research with, in and on film and other audiovisual media. The university provides an open, international and discrimination-free space for engagement with cultural and social issues.
The Creative eXchange Studio (CX Studio) at Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF is seeking to fill the following the position of Postdoctoral Researcher (Postdoc) at the earliest possible date as part of the project CINEMATIC FUTURES – Adaptive Production Ecologies in the Age of Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Media Production. The position is full-time, 40 hours per week. Part-time work is possible. Up to pay grade E14 under the German TV-L agreement. The position is offered for a fixed term of four years, in line with the duration of the research project.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
CINEMATIC FUTURES will establish an transdisciplinary research group at Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF. The group will explore the profound changes that generative artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual production (VP) technologies are bringing to audiovisual media production. Alongside the postdoctoral position advertised here, the group will pursue four closely connected doctoral research projects:
- Strategic Realtime Rendering for Cinematic Aesthetics
- Workflow Design and Sustainability in Cinematic Realtime Production
- Realtime Sound Architectures in Cinematic Pre-Production
- Experimental Realtime Interactions for Cinematic Art
The group’s central question is how generative AI and integrated real-time technologies are changing film production processes, audiovisual aesthetics and forms of artistic expression. Through academic research, artistic practice and technological development, the group aims to shape these changes and translate its findings into new standards that enable innovative forms of storytelling and cinematic expression. CINEMATIC FUTURES is based in the Film University’s CX Studio research group and is led by its professors.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The postdoctoral researcher will lead the research group’s work on Cinematic Realtime: Future Scenarios, Formats and Standards, providing a shared methodological framework for its projects. The role involves coordinating the group’s overall research agenda and the individual projects listed above, with a focus on the media technology questions they raise, and developing original research contributions in cinematic real-time production. The postdoctoral research should focus on contemporary media technology or media informatics, for example in audio, computer graphics or human–computer interaction (HCI).
The postdoctoral researcher will also guide the doctoral projects, foster collaboration among them and help integrate the research group into the wider university. These responsibilities will be carried out in close consultation with the CX Studio professors.
Key responsibilities include:
- Coordinating the doctoral researchers’ individual projects and synthesising their findings.
- Conducting research and development on future scenarios, formats and standards for real-time, XR and AI-assisted media production.
- Developing original research contributions within the group, with a focus on questions in media technology or media informatics and how these can be addressed in practice, including the development of a research reference framework.
- Helping integrate the research group into the university’s organisational structure.
- Publishing research findings and sharing them across academic, artistic and professional contexts within and beyond the Film University.
- The position offers opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration in teaching and research within CX Studio and with related research centres at the Film University. The successful candidate is expected to take part in this collaboration. Building links with the university’s other research centres is part of the project.
POSTDOCTORAL DEVELOPMENT
The position is designed to support the successful candidate’s further academic and professional development. The duties described in this advertisement are an integral part of that development and provide opportunities to build the research, methodological and transferable skills needed to achieve the candidate’s development objectives. At least one third of working time is allocated to this purpose.
The successful candidate and the CX Studio team will agree on an individual development plan that aligns the duties of the position with the candidate’s personal development goals. Applicants are therefore asked to submit a proposed development plan and a research proposal with their application.
The Film University supports this work by allocating time for it, offering expert advice and supervision, and providing opportunities for discussion within the university community.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Applicants must provide evidence of:
- A completed university degree, such as a university Diploma, MA or MSc.
- A completed doctorate in a research, artistic research or technology discipline relevant to the research group, such as media informatics, creative technologies, digital media production, digital media or a comparable field.
- The doctoral degree certificate or, at minimum, proof of a successful doctoral defence must be submitted by the application deadline below.
Applicants must also demonstrate:
- A thorough understanding of current technological developments such as generative AI, real-time technologies or virtual production.
- Experience contributing to research or development projects.
- Strong teamwork, communication and organisational skills.
- Experience publishing and giving presentations.
- Very good written and spoken German and English.
Desirable qualifications
- Experience coordinating interdisciplinary or other research and development projects.
- Experience producing media content in projects with distinct production roles.
- Experience supervising research or artistic projects led by early-career researchers or artists.
- Experience securing external funding and managing research.
- Familiarity with administrative and organisational processes in higher education.
- Experience leading interdisciplinary teams.
WHAT WE OFFER
In addition to an employment contract at a family-friendly university with a strong commitment to gender equality, we offer:
- A dynamic, varied working environment within a team.
- Scope to develop your own teaching formats and to design research projects as part of your teaching.
- Opportunities to take part in field trips, festival visits and symposia.
- Regular pay and benefits in line with public-sector regulations, including a supplementary pension.
- A modern, ergonomically equipped workplace and flexible working arrangements.
- Access to an employee public transport pass.
- The possibility of a reserved place at a nearby childcare centre, subject to availability.
- Individual support for professional development through continuing education and training. The Film University’s Graduate Academy offers a wide range of courses, workshops, training, advice and coaching designed specifically for early-career researchers.
The Film University is also committed to strengthening sustainability in higher education and encourages engagement with its environmental, social and economic dimensions in teaching, the arts and research.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
The Film University values the diversity of its members and promotes equal opportunities regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic or social background, religion or belief, disability, age, sexual orientation or sexual identity.
The Film University aims to increase the proportion of women in research and teaching and strongly encourages qualified women to apply. Where candidates are equally qualified, preference will be given to women under the conditions set out in Section 7(4) of the BbgHG, as well as to people with severe disabilities and people with equivalent legal status. If applicable, please indicate any severe disability in your application and let us know if you need support during the application process.
We particularly welcome applications from people from abroad, people with a migration background and people with caregiving responsibilities. As a family-friendly university, we support you and your family in balancing work and family life in a range of circumstances. We offer tailored measures under the “Familie in der Hochschule” (Family in Higher Education) charter.
QUESTIONS?
Please get in touch with Prof. Dr. Lena Gieseke: l.gieseke@filmuniversitaet.de
How To Apply:
Please include the following documents in your application:
- A letter of motivation.
- A CV with your address and telephone number.
- Certificates for school, vocational training and university qualifications, along with your doctoral degree certificate or proof of a successful doctoral defence.
- A research proposal related to the project described above, no more than two to three A4 pages.
- A proposed individual development plan, no more than one A4 page.
- Proof of previous employment or references from previous employers and, if applicable, an interim reference from your current employer.
Please submit your application to the Film University by 22 November 2026 exclusively through our online application portal:
https://karriere.filmuniversitaet.de/de/jobposting/bcf01a8f6bbb4a434c0b9a2b0b375ff3bb206eb40/apply?ref=homepage
German information:
https://karriere.filmuniversitaet.de/jobposting/bcf01a8f6bbb4a434c0b9a2b0b375ff3bb206eb40?ref=homepage
