We offer a challenging PostDoc position with the Human Media Interaction and the Psychology of Conflict, Risk, and Safety groups of the University of Twente, working on novel, mixed paradigm VR training technology for first responders who encounter people with concerning behaviour (“Onbegrepen gedrag”). The training designs will be developed (and tested) together with people from both sides, aiming to balance the real needs of both first responders and people with concerning behaviour.
The ZonMw funded project “REaL-VR (Reflective Experiential Learning in Virtual Reality)” aims to deliver novel training technology for first responders (police, community officers) who encounter people with concerning behavior. Such encounters can be stressful for first responders who often find it difficult to determine the best way to interact with the person in need. Our novel training is intended to help them feel more confident and better prepared and therefore respond more appropriately to specific needs of the people with concerning behavior. In this way, we can help ensure more positive encounters between vulnerable people and responders.
In this project you will work in four phases, all in collaboration with academic and practitioner experts, and people with relevant experience of vulnerability.
First, you will develop an inventory of the needs of first responders and people showing concerning behavior, and of current training methods. Second, you will develop a VR environment which allows trainees to role play as both first responder and person showing concerning behavior. This will include providing behavioral prompts t the person showing concerning behavior. Third, you will develop the specific training scenarios and guidance. Finally you will perform an experimental validation of the efficacy of the new training materials with educators, relevant student groups and professionals.
The project is led by the University of Twente in co-creation with the Dutch Police Academy, Aventus (teachers and target group: vocational education community officers), the Center for Security and Digitisation in Apeldoorn, and the Kenniswerkplaats Onbegrepen Gedrag at Erasmus University Rotterdam. You will play a central role in working with the partners to get relevant information and experiences from all stakeholders, codesigning training scenarios, and evaluating the results and impact. You will receive regular guidance from the researchers in the two groups at the University of Twente, but will also have enough room to put your own stamp on the project and resulting publications.
Information and application
Are you interested in this position? Please send your application via the 'Apply now' button below before May 18, 2026, and include:
- A Curriculum Vitae, including a list of previous education and research positions, a list of publications and references, and a list of conference presentations, pre-prints and works in progress.
- A cover letter (maximum 2 pages A4), emphasising your specific interest, qualifications, motivations and skills to apply for this position.
- One or two examples of your own publications that you feel represent your work the best.
- Proof of English proficiency (IELTS or TOEFL) and Dutch proficiency (B2, comfortable performing interviews and discussions in a professional context).
- Contact details for two academic professionals who agreed to serve as references
For more information regarding this position, you are welcome to contact dr.ir. Dennis Reidsma (d.reidsma@utwente.nl)
The first round of interviews will be held on May 19, 2026.
Screening is part of the selection process.
About the department
The Human Media Interaction group does research into multimodal interaction: from brain-computer interfaces to social robots and from sensor technologies to interactive sports and play systems. Many projects at the HMI-group delve into how such interactive technologies may be used to support or better understand sports, play, and learning. The HMI group is a multidisciplinary group of enthusiastic, kind, and passionate researchers with an open mind to science and society.
The “Psychology of Conflict, Risk, and Safety” group looks at the countless ways in which individuals and groups can get involved in events that threaten the psychological, physical or societal safety. The PCRS group approaches such threats from a social psychological perspective, with crossovers to, e.g., clinical psychology, cognitive psychology, and work and organisational psychology. They regularly work with police professionals and police educators and have run extensive previous research on issues related to this project.
About the organisation
The faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) uses mathematics, electronics and computer technology to contribute to the development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). With ICT present in almost every device and product we use nowadays, we embrace our role as contributors to a broad range of societal activities and as pioneers of tomorrow's digital society. As part of a tech university that aims to shape society, individuals and connections, our faculty works together intensively with industrial partners and researchers in the Netherlands and abroad, and conducts extensive research for external commissioning parties and funders. Our research has a high profile both in the Netherlands and internationally. It has been accommodated in three multidisciplinary UT research institutes: Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Centre and Digital Society Institute.
Want to know more?
