Research Assistant for Physical-Digital Prototyping 50%

• 06 October 2026
• 100%
• Permanent position
• Emmenbrücke

Join our innovative team at Hochschule Luzern, focusing on Extended Spaces. Enjoy a collaborative, flexible work environment with great opportunities.

Tasks ##

• Engage in hands-on research and development projects blending space and digital tech.
• Create physical-digital prototypes and interactive installations.
• Design 3D models for Unity and web applications using various technologies.

Skills ##

• Bachelor's degree in a design-related field with practical prototyping experience.
• Strong background in physical prototyping, 3D modeling, and interactive installations.
• Proficiency in Unity or similar environments, with good German skills.

Your Tasks

• Collaboration in practice-oriented research and development projects of the Extended Spaces team at the interface of space, design, and digital technologies
• Iterative development of concepts and ideas, as well as their implementation as physical-digital prototypes, interactive objects, spatial installations, and experimental test setups
• Development of physical-digital interfaces with Arduino, model making, 3D printing, and other suitable technologies
• Creation of 3D models (e.g. in Blender) for Unity and web applications.
• Participation in the preparation and execution of workshops, user testings, exhibitions, and public formats
• Documentation of development processes and project results, occasionally also using photo and video

Your Profile

• Completed bachelor-s degree in a design-technical field, e.g. Interaction Design, Industrial Design, Digital Ideation, or Spatial Design. What matters to us is your practical experience and enthusiasm for developing physical-digital prototypes.
• Strong enjoyment of building, experimenting, and prototypical development as well as good manual and technical understanding
• Experience in several of the following areas: physical prototyping and model making, 3D modelling, 3D printing, microcontrollers, as well as physical-digital interfaces or interactive installations
• Ability to combine design ideas and technical requirements and pragmatically translate them into functioning prototypes
• Independent, solution-oriented working style as well as enjoyment of iterative development processes and inter- and transdisciplinary collaboration
• Experience with Unity or comparable development environments (AR, VR or Mixed Reality advantageous)
• Knowledge in audiovisual production, especially film and video editing, is a welcome addition
• Very good German skills, among others for dealing with people in workshops or similar situations

Our Offer

• A versatile role with creative freedom in an interdisciplinary research and development team
• The opportunity to directly translate your own ideas into physical and digital prototypes and test them in real application contexts
• Participation in socially relevant research projects at the interface of space, design, interactive technologies, and participation
• Access to workshops and technical infrastructure of Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts
• Collaboration with various design, technical, and scientific disciplines as well as external practice partners
• Flexible working hours and the possibility to work partly from home
• The position as research assistant is limited to two years, with the option to extend by three more years by mutual agreement
• A parallel part-time study in one of the four majors of our Master Design is possible and encouraged.

Professional Enquiries

Tobias Matter

Team Leader Extended Spaces

Research Group Visual Narrative

[email protected]

As the largest educational institution of the six Central Swiss cantons, Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts is at the cutting edge with its offerings. Far-sighted and innovative, nationally and internationally, we impart knowledge. Join us and become part of our shared, sustainable future.