Doctoral student in Working Environment with focus on Human-Centered Design  - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Description of the workplace

The doctoral position is placed at the Division of Ergonomics and Aerosol Technology at LTH, Faculty of Engineering at Lund University. The Ergonomics research group at the Faculty of Engineering focuses on studying and enhancing the interaction between humans and the products, systems, or environments they engage with. We have established valuable partnerships with organizations across both public and private sectors. Working closely with these organizations, we strive to understand their goals, challenges, and target audiences. To achieve user-centered design, we conduct thorough user research to gain insights into the needs, preferences, and pain points of the target users. We actively involve users in our research and design activities, ensuring that technologies address real-world problems and align with user expectations. 

Through our collaborative partnerships, user-centered research approach, and commitment to societal improvement, our Ergonomics research group endeavors to enhance people's lives and contribute positively to society in the context of digitalization.

Subject description

Human-robot interaction (HRI) is a multidisciplinary field that explores the interaction between humans and robots. It encompasses the design, development, and study of robotic systems that can effectively communicate and collaborate with humans in various contexts.

Work duties

The main duties of doctoral students are to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in research projects and third cycle courses. The work duties will also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

In your doctoral studies, you will have the unique opportunity to contribute to two EU-funded projects. These projects are at the forefront of technology and aim to advance wearable sensor-motor interfaces, supernumerary robotic limbs, and immersive learning through human-robot interaction.Throughout your doctoral studies, you will collaborate with international partners, conducting participatory workshops and ethnographic studies, refining prototypes, and pushing the boundaries of innovation in assistive technologies and immersive learning. Your thesis work will delve into the intricacies of human-robot interaction, with a specific focus on addressing the needs of individuals and society. By combining theoretical frameworks, empirical research, and human-centered design approaches, your thesis will contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the domain of human-robot interaction and human-centered design. 

Detailed description of the work duties, such as:

• Conduct participatory workshops in Swedish to address design, ethical, gender, and social aspects related to robotic limbs, with a focus on assistive augmentation.
• Collaborate with international partners to develop and evaluate Wizard-of-Oz experiments.
• Explore and analyse gender, equality, and ethical considerations in the robotic limbs solutions, translating them into requirements.
• Provide recommendations for applying assistive augmentation beyond the scope of the project
• Conduct baseline analysis through desktop research and ethnographic field studies (at car manufacturer in Turkey), including a gender analysis.
• Distil insights from research and field studies into requirements for technical partners.
• Refine requirements iteratively through workshops with researchers, developers, union representatives, and workers, incorporating design, ethical, and social dimensions.
• Evaluate robotic solutions in real manufacturing environments (in Turkey), considering worker acceptance, impact on quality of working life, trust, safety, privacy, ethics, and required skills development, including a gender analysis.
• Assess the socio-technical environment and evaluate the usage and validity of proposed HRI solutions.

Admission requirements 

A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if the applicant: 

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or
• has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or
• has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

A person meets the specific admission requirements for third cycle studies in research subject if the applicant has: 

• at least 50 credits in subjects of relevance to the field, including at least 25 second cycle credits, or
• a one- or two-year Master’s degree or an MSc in Engineering of relevance to the field

Additional requirements:

• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.

Assessment criteria

Selection for third-cycle studies is based on the student’s potential to profit from such studies. The assessment of potential is made primarily on the basis of academic results from the first and second cycle. Special attention is paid to the following: 

1. Knowledge and skills relevant to the thesis project and the subject of study.
2. An assessment of ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems.
3. Written and oral communication skills.
4. Other experience relevant to the third-cycle studies, e.g. professional experience. 

Other assessment criteria:

• In-depth knowledge of human-centered design methods
• In-depth knowledge of the scientific field of human-centered design
• In-depth knowledge in gender studies and applied ethics
• Experience of working in a multi-disciplinary team
• Very good oral and written proficiency in Swedish
• Demonstrate adaptability and flexibility, as the position requires frequent travel and collaboration with researchers and users from different fields and cultures

Consideration will also be given to good collaborative skills, drive and independence, and how the applicant, through experience and skills, is deemed to have the abilities necessary for successfully completing the third cycle programme.

We offer

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme. 
Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee Work at Lund University. 

Terms of employment 

Only those admitted to third cycle studies may be appointed to a doctoral studentship. Third cycle studies at LTH consist of full-time studies for 4 years. A doctoral studentship is a fixed-term employment of a maximum of 5 years (including 20% departmental duties). Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§.

How to apply

Applications shall be written in English and include a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the position and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background. The application must also contain a CV, degree certificate or equivalent, and other documents you wish to be considered (grade transcripts, contact information for your references, letters of recommendation, etc.).

Welcome to apply!