PhD in Explorative Physical Computing and Interaction Design

The PhD-school at the Department of People and Technology, Roskilde University, invites applications for a position as PhD Fellow in the PhD programme in Information Technology from October 1, 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter. The position as PhD Fellow is fully funded for a period of three years.

Description of the PhD project
We invite applications that describe an interdisciplinary PhD project within interaction design and tangible/physical computing with a research-through-design-oriented approach. Preferably, the project should have an exploratory and/or critical/speculative approach to e.g. near-future scenarios. While the project, in a substantial way, should draw on insights from technical fields, the main research contributions should be within the interaction design / human-computer interaction perspective. Within this framing, the actual choice of subject matter is quite open and may, for instance, take the point of departure in any of the following:

• Novel developments and experiments within embodied interaction from a tangible/physical computing perspective.
• New approaches to combine machine learning and physical computing.
• New computational material approaches to embedded computing and digital fabrication.
• Development of digital fabrication (3d print etc.) and programming with a maker mindset.
• Experience design perspectives on physical computing approaches.
• Designerly and/or aesthetic practices within art and technology or speculative/critical design.
• Methods and methodological approaches for exploratory research through design practices within physical computing, digital fabrication, making etc.

At Roskilde University, there is a long tradition of research and teaching that involves experiments with drones, robotics, projection mapping, and interactive installations across research fields of computer science, interaction design and performance design. Three physical prototyping labs support these endeavours: the Flexlab at Computer Science and Informatics; The Fablab RUC, which is one of the largest Nordic digital fabrication labs; and the Experience lab, which is an interdisciplinary research project between Computer Science and Visual Culture and Performance Design. The PhD student is expected to have a base in the Flexlab studio and close collaboration with Fablab for production and interdisciplinary development.

The Doctoral School
The successful candidate will be enrolled as a PhD student at the PhD-School of People and Technology and associated with the program in Information Technology. He or she will be a member of one of the following two research groups.

Programming, Logic and Intelligent Systems - Sustainable Digitalization

The PhD-School for People and Technology frames research that seek to address sustainability often by applying experimental approaches and situating the individuals active and learning involvement. The research comprises approaches of a human, societal, health and information technological character and often applying planning, interventions and design-oriented subject areas. The Doctoral School has 5 PhD programmes with each of their focus points: Information Technology; Learning, Working life and Social innovation; Research in Health and Society; Social Psychology of Everyday Life and Society, Space and Technology. You will be associated with the program in Information Technology.

Link to the Doctoral School - Link to the PhD in Information Technology

The Department of People and Technology is involved with development of sustainable solutions. We use experimental approaches and support people’s active commitment. The department covers human, society, health and IT scientific fields as well as planning, intervention and design oriented fields.

Link to the department

Responsibilities and tasks
The PhD position is an educational position and the main tasks are in accordance with chapter 3, Ministerial Order on the PhD Programme at the Universities and Certain Higher Artistic Educational Institutions (https://ufm.dk/en/legislation/prevailing-laws-and-regulations/education/files/engelsk-ph-d-bekendtgorelse.pdf),

Qualifications
The candidate should have an MSc in Interaction Design, Computer Science, Informatics, or similar. The candidate should have well-documented knowledge at Master’s-degree level of:

• Designerly or technical fields related to interaction design and
• One or more other fields/experiences of relevance to physical computing, making, digital fabrication, etc. and
• Experience in conducting research-through-design-based projects.

You are expected to be enterprising, possess good communication skills, and be a visible, involved participant in the department’s daily activities.

PhD project description
Your application must enclose a project description (aka research proposal) of the PhD project you would like to pursue. The project description is up to 5 pages including references. The description should address the assessment criteria listed below, and include 1) scientific purpose, relevance and novelty, 2) research questions, 3) theories and methods, 4) envisioned empirical work, and 5) project plan. You may contact Mads Hobye ([email protected]) for further information regarding the project description.

Assessment
After the deadline for applications, the recruitment committee will shortlist applicants for assessment. In the assessment regarding employment consideration will be given to;

• Relevant Master’s degree or equivalent (according to Danish Qualifications Framework for Higher Education: https://ufm.dk/en/education/recognition-and-transparency/transparency-tools/qualifications-frameworks/other-qualifications-frameworks/danish-qf-for-higher-education?set_language=en&cl=en).
• Any additional academic requirements stated in the job advertisement.

In the assessment regarding enrollment consideration will also be given to the following criteria:

• Educational skills and any further professional qualifications
• Grades at Master’s programme or equivalent
• Quality and relevance of the project description
• Quality and relevance of the methodical and theoretical choices
• Consistency and coherence between the problem and the choice of method and theory
• If the PhD project seem realistic and feasible
• Ability to complete the PhD project
• Relevance of the project to the profile of the Doctoral School

Questions
For further information about the position, please contact: Associate Professor, Mads Hobye [email protected] - Head of Section Professor Morten Hertzum, [email protected]

Terms of employment
The employment is full time, and you will refer to the head of section at Department of People and Technology.

The position will be filled according to the Agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC) and Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities.

Application procedure
After the deadline for applications the Dean will shortlist applicants for assessment with assistance from the recruitment committee including the chairperson of the assessment committee.

Shortly after the application deadline all applicants will be notified whether or not their application has been selected for assessment.

The shortlisted applicants will be informed about the composition of the assessment committee, and each applicant will be given the opportunity to comment on the composition of the committee and - later on - their assessment.

Once the recruitment process is completed, all applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application.

Application
To apply for the position go to www.ruc.dk/en/job/

Only applications in English are accepted.

Applications must include:

1. Cover letter

2. CV

3. Documentation of education including grades from Master’s programme or equivalent

4. Your description of the PhD project

5. Your time schedule of the PhD project

6. If applicable: Documentation for any research experience, work experience or publications.

Please submit your application no later than May 4, 2025.

Material received after this date will not be taken into consideration.

Roskilde University wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.