We are looking for a talented and driven researcher who wants to delve into a challenging and stimulating doctoral program and specialize in Human-Computer Interaction at the Expertise Center for Digital Media research center. At our research center you get the chance to be part of a passionate multi-disciplinary research team. Together with dedicated researchers, we strive to make fundamental research contributions that also have a direct impact on the real world. Our team has a strong reputation for publishing groundbreaking work at the top conferences in the research domain. Moreover, we strive for international cooperation, which gives you the opportunity to expand your network and make valuable contacts in the academic world.

We are specifically looking for candidates who have a strong interest in building an impressive track record in one or more of the following research areas:

• Prototyping tools: digital fabrication, craft, IoT and electronics prototyping tools, physical computing, end-user programming paradigms, and new AI-driven solutions for prototyping;
• Technology-assisted support: generative design approaches, software design environments, skill learning, and new intelligent systems for supporting or teaching complex processes;
• Interaction techniques and interactive systems research: mixed-reality systems, human-robot interaction, tactile and haptic sensations, wearable computing, tangible and embodied interaction, and novel innovative user experiences;
• Human-AI Interaction: LLM in educational tools and interactive systems, eXplainable AI, Intelligible Design, Mixed-Initiative Systems, and new interaction methods between humans and artificial intelligence.

The research center Expertise Center for Digital Media (EDM, www.uhasselt.be/edm) has been conducting (mainly) software-oriented research in computer science for more than 25 years. The EDM works according to the “Combining Applied and Basic Research” (ABC) principle, aiming for fundamental innovations that quickly find their way to the community and end users. This vision has resulted, among other things, in structural collaboration with the Flemish strategic research centers iMinds/imec and Flanders Make.

The EDM research center offers researchers a stimulating, pleasant and easily accessible working environment in which teamwork and wellbeing play an important role and there is also room for training and personal growth. Researchers are given the opportunity to study the latest technologies and work with state-of-the-art equipment to support their research.

Some examples of recent research within the research unit "Computational Design and Fabrication", where this vacancy is located, are: History in Motion, CircuitGlue, JigFab, Coda, LamiFold, Rataplan, Measurement Patterns and Electronic Toolkit Survey .

• You have a master's degree in computer science or a master's degree in computer science engineering (or equivalent).
  Final-year students are (likewise) encouraged to apply.
• You have obtained excellent study results.
• You work strongly analytically and are a creative problem solver.
• You are passionate about computer science, ICT, Human-Computer Interaction and/or Computational Design & Fabrication.
• You have strong skills in software development and know your way around multiple programming languages.
• You communicate excellently in English, both in writing and orally. Knowledge of Dutch is an asset.
• You can combine working independently with working in a team of researchers.
• You are enthusiastic to report and present the research results achieved in a team.

You will be appointed and paid as PhD student.
You receive a two-year PhD scholarship, which will be extended for another two years, subject to a positive evaluation.

The selection procedure consists of a preselection based on application file and an interview.
Interested candidates should include a letter of motivation specific to the vacant position with their application, as well as a portfolio of relevant project work. Candidates are encouraged to contact Prof. Dr Raf Ramakers.

Apply now
Apply up to 09.09.2024