Research Associate in the Human-Computer Interaction Group

Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg; Oldenburg; On-site; EUR 55,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

30 days vacation

Secure remuneration according to...

Company Pension Scheme

Flexible working hours

Remote working

University Sports Centre

Health management

Certificate Bicycle-friendly employer

Job summary

The Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg invites applications for a Research Associate in the Human-Computer Interaction Group, fixed-term up to 3 years with the possibility of extension. The position is based in Oldenburg and supports 100% hours, suitable for part-time arrangements.

In the DEUS project, you will study how people understand, control, and feel at ease with smart homes and pervasive computing, designing and evaluating novel interaction concepts in lab and field settings.

Qualifications

• A successfully completed academic degree (Master's or Diploma (university)) in computer science, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field.
• Sound knowledge of Human-Computer Interaction, particularly in the design, development, and evaluation of interactive systems.
• Experience in conducting qualitative and quantitative user studies.
• Ability to work independently and flexibly.
• Excellent communication skills, empathy, and initiative.
• Strong teamwork skills demonstrated through collaborative projects.
• Very good English language skills, both written and spoken.

Responsibilities

• In the DEUS research project, you will explore how people can understand, stay in control of, and feel at ease in smart homes and other pervasive computing environments in which automated systems increasingly act on their behalf.
• Taking a human-centered perspective, you will investigate users' mental models, everyday practices, and needs for agency and intelligibility.
• Following a user-centered design process, you will design, prototype, and evaluate novel interaction concepts that make automated behaviour transparent and enable people and systems to cooperate.
• You will use qualitative and quantitative methods in the lab and in the field.

Skills

Academic rigor

Independent work

Team collaboration

Empathy & communication

English proficiency

User studies

Education

Master's degree or Diploma (university)

Job description

Overview of vacancies

The University of Oldenburg is seeking to fill the following position: Research Associate in the Human-Computer Interaction Group Paygrade E13 TV-L Working Hours 100% (suitable for part-time) Institution Department of Computing Science (School II of Computing Science, Business Administration, Economics and Law) Location Oldenburg (Oldb) Application Deadline 10.12.2026 First day of work as soon as possible Limited limited to 3 years, with the option of extension

About Us

Faculty II - Computing Science, Business Administration, Economics and Law at the University of Oldenburg offers a modern, interdisciplinary academic environment that combines technical, economic, and societal perspectives. Within the faculty, the Department of Computing Science stands for research-oriented and practice-driven higher education.

The Human-Computer Interaction Group conducts research on interactive systems that are consistently oriented towards human needs, usage contexts, and societal acceptance. Our work spans the theories and methods of the field - ranging from user-centered design and multimodal interaction to empirical evaluation in real-world contexts. Our goal is to shape digital technologies in ways that are understandable, responsible, and meaningfully integrated into everyday life and work.

Your tasks

In the DEUS research project, you will explore how people can understand, stay in control of, and feel at ease in smart homes and other pervasive computing environments in which automated systems increasingly act on their behalf - from home robots to AI that makes decisions in the smart home. Taking a human-centered perspective, you will investigate users' mental models, everyday practices, and needs for agency and intelligibility. Following a user-centered design process, you will design, prototype, and evaluate novel interaction concepts that make automated behaviour transparent and enable people and systems to cooperate - using qualitative and quantitative methods in the lab and in the field.

Required Qualifications

• A successfully completed academic degree (Master's or Diploma (university)) in computer science, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field
• Sound knowledge of Human-Computer Interaction, particularly in the design, development, and evaluation of interactive systems
• Experience in conducting qualitative and quantitative user studies
• Ability to work independently and flexibly
• Excellent communication skills, empathy, and initiative
• Strong teamwork skills demonstrated through collaborative projects
• Very good English language skills, both written and spoken

Further Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience with smart homes or pervasive computing, e.g., configuring smart home platforms
• Experience in prototyping interactive systems, e.g., voice-based, tangible, or AR interfaces
• Experience with human-centered or explainable AI, human-robot interaction, or integrating machine learning or large language models into interactive systems
• Experience in academic writing, ideally demonstrated through first-author publications at Human-Computer Interaction conferences
• Previous experience as a student research assistant
• Good German language skills

We offer

• Excellent research infrastructure, including facilities for digital fabrication and virtual reality as well as a fully equipped smart home laboratory
• An exciting and diverse working environment
• The opportunity to present your work at national and international scientific conferences
• A motivated and open-minded team with a cooperative working atmosphere

Our standards

The University of Oldenburg is dedicated to increase the percentage of female employees in the field of science. Therefore, female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. In accordance to

• 21 Section 3 NHG, female candidates with equal qualifications will be preferentially considered. Applicants with disabilities will be given preference in case of equal qualification.

Contact

For questions regarding the position, please contact: Prof. Dr. Susanne Boll ([e-mail])

Unfortunately, travel expenses incurred during the interview process cannot be reimbursed.

Benefits at University of Oldenburg

• 30 days vacation
• Secure remuneration according to collective agreement
• Company Pension Scheme
• Further education opportunities
• Flexible working hours
• Health management
• Remote working
• Compatibility of career and family
• Support with childcare
• University Sports Centre
• Certificate Bicycle-friendly employer
• Corporate Benefits