Faculty of Applied Social Sciences / IFAS - 2026/2027

Information about this opportunity

Name of the internship

Faculty of Applied Social Sciences / IFAS - 2026/2027

Department/Lab/Unit

Faculty of Applied Social Sciences / IFAS

University of the inviting researcher

TECHNISCHE HOCHSCHULE WUERZBURG-SCHWEINFURT


Internship School Year

2026/2027

Research lines/projects

• Research focus: Immersive media, mental health stigma and digital wellbeing • VR/AR-based reduction of stigma toward people with mental illness • Mechanisms: empathy, control, presence, implicit attitudes and behaviour • Extension: resilience, ethical XR/HCI and virtual learning

Who is offering this opportunity?

Name of inviting researcher

Prof. Dr. Dagmar Unz

Inviting researcher email

dagmar.unz@thws.de

Academic Position of the inviting researcher

Professur / Dean

Who is this opportunity for?

Ideal profile and expertise expected from the invited researcher

Researcher/doctoral candidate in social psychology / media psychology, HCI/XR, health psychology, social work or digital wellbeing, with expertise in stigma, mental health, immersive media, VR/AR evaluation, quantitative or mixed-method research.

Description and additional information

Strenghts of the offer/Expected benefits

• Access to THWS research on VR/AR, stigma, empathy and behaviour • Exchange on applied XR/HCI research • Access to VR/AR infrastructure and existing study materials • Expected output: concept note, study design or joint paper / proposal outline • Mutual benefit: future UNINOVIS collaboration, publication or proposal development

Additional information

Working language: English. German is helpful but not required. Interest in stigma, mental health, XR/HCI or digital wellbeing is expected. Technical XR skills are welcome. Activities may include literature mapping, study design, data analysis and seminar exchange.

Dates and duration

Minimum length of stay (weeks)

No

Maximum length of stay (weeks)

No

Preferred duration

2

Period in which the internship can be made

Flexible during the academic year 2026/2027, preferably outside intensive teaching and examination periods. Exact timing to be agreed upon with the invited researcher.