Doctoral student in informatics with a focus on UX design(lic)

“Our School and research environment is in a very exciting and expansive phase.

It is a large research environment with a strong international character. The goal is to be a nationally leading environment within, among other things, applied AI” – Magnus Clarin, Dean of the School of Information Technology.

Halmstad University
Halmstad University adds value, drives innovation and prepares people and society for the future. Since the beginning in 1983, the University has been characterised as forward-thinking and cross-border. Today, the University has around 600 employees and 12,000 students. The range of education is wide and the research is internationally renowned. Halmstad University actively participates in social development through collaboration with both industry and the public sector.

More information about working at Halmstad University: https://hh.se/english/about-the-university/vacant-positions.html


The School of Information Technology
Halmstad University consists of four interdisciplinary Schools and the current position is located at the School of Information Technology (ITE). ITE is a multicultural school with around 130 employees from 20 different countries. It is a strong research and education environment, with focus on smart technology and its applications. Students and researchers are working with everything from AI and information driven care to autonomous vehicles, social robotics and digital design. ITE offers education on all levels, from undergraduate to PhD education, plus education for professional. Research is conducted within aware intelligent systems, smart electronic systems, cyber physical systems and digital service innovation. These four areas constitute the four technology areas of ITE. An innovation centre for information driven care called Leap for Life is connected to ITE, as well as a collaboration arena for electronic development, Electronics Centre in Halmstad (ECH).

More information about the School of Information Technology: http://www.hh.se/ite-en

Description
This PhD position is part of a project in collaboration with Volvo Trucks. The selected PhD student will carry out UX research on how to design a platform that enables human experts to use ML-generated insights to design and develop better features and services for commercial mobility. The work includes leading and participating in user research, and design and evaluation activities toward the design of the ML-powered data analytics platform in the context of commercial mobility.

The employment also includes teaching responsibilities corresponding to a maximum of 20% of full-time.

This is a full-time position available from September 1st 2022 (or as soon as possible afterwards) for a period of two years to a licentiate degree(extended with one year after one year, subject to satisfactory progress of the Ph.D. study). With possibility to extension to a doctoral degree if additional funding is received during the next two years and the doctoral program continues satisfactory.

Qualifications
The ideal candidate has a master’s degree in Human Computer Interaction, Informatics, Interaction Design, Service Design, User Experience Design, or equivalent.

The candidate must have a strong background in design research and UX/service design processes. Experience in mobility and collaborating with machine learning experts is advantageous. Experience in UX/service design research from an organization perspective is advantageous.

Students expecting to finalize their degree during spring 2022 are also welcome to apply. Only persons who are being admitted, or already have been admitted, to doctoral studies at an institution of higher education may be appointed doctoral students. (The Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 5, § 3). The student’s ability to benefit from doctoral studies will be taken into account when we make the appointment. (The Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 5, § 5).

Salary
Doctoral students are employees of the University and paid a salary according to a uniform salary scale, adjusted in relation to the progress in education.

The position includes studies up to a licentiate degree and is annually extended in accordance with the Higher Education Ordinance Chapter 5, §7. 

Application
Applications should be sent via Halmstad University's recruitment system Varbi (see link on this page).

1. a cover letter stating the purpose of the application and a brief statement of why you believe that your background and goals are well-matched with the goals of this position,

2. a Curriculum Vitae that includes at least:
a list of previous degrees, dates, and institution, transcripts for higher-education studies until most recent available

3. copies of previous transcripts and degrees,

4. summary (1-2 pages) of the master’s thesis

5. a copy of previous publications and a design/UX portfolio, if any, and

6. contact information for three reference persons.

List of qualifications and other documents that the applicant wishes to refer to should be enclosed with the application. All copies must be attested.

General Information
We value the qualities that gender balance and diversity bring to our organization. We therefore welcome applicants with different backgrounds, gender, functionality and, not least, life experience.

Read more about Halmstad University at http://hh.se/english/discover/discoverhalmstaduniversity.9285.html