PhD fellowship in Human-Computer Interaction

KU - SCIENCE - DATALOGISK INSTITUT - UP1; København; On-site; DKK 324,000 - 402,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Copenhagen invites applications for a PhD fellowship in Human-Computer Interaction within the Human-Centred Computing Section, Department of Computer Science.

We seek candidates with strong user-centred research skills, experience in design processes, and a track record in prototype work, preferably with Danish language proficiency. The fellowship is a full-time, research-focused position starting 1 March or soon after.

Qualifications

• Strong background in user-centered research methods.
• Experience in conducting design processes and developing screen-based and physical computing prototypes.
• Evidence of research capabilities (thesis, publications, or project portfolio).
• Advanced Danish language proficiency is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Carry out an independent research project under supervision within HCI.
• Engage in co-design with stakeholders to explore bodies and technology.
• Write scientific papers and participate in active research environments.

Education

M.Sc. degree in Computer Science or related field

Danish language proficiency

Job description

PhD fellowship in Human-Computer Interaction

The Human-Centred Computing Section, Department of Computer Science, invites applicants for a PhD fellowship in Human-Computer Interaction.

Start date is (expected to be) 1 March or as soon as possible thereafter.

The project

Digital technologies increasingly mediate how people experience, understand and respond to their bodies. The PhD project will investigate the relationship between bodies, technology and chronic illness, with a particular focus on self-tracking technologies. The project will explore how people with chronic conditions engage with these technologies and how technologies shape interactions with informal caregivers and health professionals. The project will critically examine how these technologies enact particular understandings of bodily difference and chronic illness, and how such understandings intersect with broader social, cultural and political norms. Within this topic, the PhD student will have some freedom to shape the focus of their work and the research questions they are interested in.

The project will employ qualitative, participatory and design-oriented methods, with a particular emphasis on co-design and Research through Design. Co-design will involve working collaboratively with people with chronic conditions and other relevant stakeholders to explore their experiences of their bodies and technologies, and to imagine and develop new forms of technological interaction. Through Research through Design, the PhD researcher will develop and study experimental technological prototypes as a way of investigating alternative ways of sensing, representing and interacting with bodies. Design will be used not only to develop technological artefacts, but also as a means of generating knowledge about societal norms around chronic illness and the relationship between people and technology.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for candidates within the field(s) of human‑computer interaction (HCI). The ideal candidate should have a strong background in user‑centred research methods, with some experience of working in a research environment. We are particularly interested in candidates who have experience in conducting design processes and developing both screen‑based and physical computing prototypes. It is expected that candidates will have an M.Sc. degree in a relevant technical, design, or social science discipline. In addition, the ideal candidate will be able to document research capabilities (e.g., a thesis, publication, or project portfolio), have strong recommendations from supervisors and mentors, and possess a high level of intellectual humility. Preferred candidates would have advanced Danish language proficiency.

Our group and research – and what do we offer?

The PhD fellow will become a member of the Human‑Centered Computing (HCC) research section at the University of Copenhagen’s Department of Computer Science. Here, we aim to fundamentally understand and improve the relation between computational technology and people. We are currently the top‑ranked HCI research group in Europe (https://csrankings.org/#/index?chi&europe). Our research focuses on using computing to support people’s activities and well‑being; inventing new ways for people to interact with technology, and understanding how human capabilities are influenced by technology. At the HCC section, we are currently over 15 faculty members, and over 20 postdoctoral researchers, PhD students, and research assistants. We hold joint weekly research meetings, many annual retreats, and have a thriving social environment from daily lunches to larger events. We attend the most important international conferences, such as CHI. We particularly value having a supportive and collegial work environment that values and encourages diversity.

Copenhagen is a vibrant city, with many cultural offerings and easy access to the rest of Europe. For more information about working in Denmark, consult International Staff Mobility .

Principal supervisorisAssociate Professor Tariq Andersen,Department of Computer Science, t [e-mail] . The PhD project is led by Assistant Professor Sarah Homewood, Department of Computer Science, [e-mail] , 31606109.

The PhD programme

Depending of your level of education, you can undertake the PhD programme as either:

Option A: A three year full‑time study within the framework of the regular PhD programme (5+3 scheme)

if you already have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master’s degree.

Option B: An up to five year full‑time study programme within the framework of the integrated MSc and PhD programme (the 3+5 scheme), if you do not have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master´s degree – but you have an education equivalent to a Danish bachelor´s degree.

Option A: Getting into a position on the regular PhD programme

Qualifications needed for the regular programme

To be eligible for the regular PhD programme, you must have completed a degree programme, equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc + 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) related to the subject area of the project, e.g. Computer Science. For information of eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database .

Terms of employment in the regular programme

Employment as PhD fellow is full time and for maximum 3 years.

Employment is conditional upon your successful enrolment as a PhD student at the PhD School at the Faculy of Science, University of Copenhagen. This requires submission and acceptance of an application for the specific project formulated by the applicant.

Terms of appointment and payment accord to the agreement between the Danish Ministry of Taxation and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State. The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.

Option B: Getting into a position on the integrated MSc and PhD programme

Qualifications needed for the integrated MSc and PhD programme

If you do not have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master´s degree, you might be qualified for the integrated MSc and PhD programme, if you have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish bachelor´s degree. Here you can find out, if that is relevant for you: General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database .

Terms of the integrated programme

To be eligible for the integrated scholarship, you are (or are eligible to be) enrolled at one of the faculty’s master programmes in Computer Science.

Students on the integrated programme will enroll as PhD students simultaneously with completing their enrollment in this MSc degree programme.

The duration of the integrated programme is up to five years, and depends on the amount of credits that you have passed on your MSc programme. For further information about the study programme, please see: www.science.ku.dk/phd , “Study Structures”.

Until the MSc degree is obtained, (when exactly two years of the full 3+5 programme remains), the grant will be paid partly in the form of 48 state education grant portions (in Danish: “SU-klip”) plus salary for work (teaching, supervision etc.) totalling a workload of 150 working hours per year. A PhD grant portion is currently (2026) DKK 7,426 before tax.

When you have obtained the MSc degree, you will transfer to the salary‑earning part of the scholarship for a period of two years. At that point, the terms of employment and payment will be according to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and The Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State (AC). The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.

Responsibilities and tasks in both PhD programmes

• Complete and pass the MSc education in accordance with the curriculum of the MSc programme (ONLY when you are attending the integrated MSc and PhD programme)
• Carry through an independent research project under supervision
• Complete PhD courses corresponding to approx. 30 ECTS / ½ FTE
• Participate in active research environments, including a stay at another research institution, preferably abroad
• Teaching and knowledge dissemination activities
• Write scientific papers aimed at high‑impact journals
• Write and defend a PhD thesis on the basis of your project

Application and Assessment Procedure

Your application including all attachments must be in English and submitted electronically.

Please include

• Motivated letter of application (max. one page)
• Research Statement (max. one page excl. references) detailing your desired research focus. The research statement should demonstrate your independent thinking by outlining a concrete research project within the topic of designing self‑tracking technologies for chronic conditions you would wish to explore. This should include specific research questions you aim to address, preliminary ideas on methodological approaches you would employ, connections to existing literature and, if relevant, your previous research, and the potential impact and applications of this research. As we are interested in your own ideas and writing style, please do not use generative AI.
• Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position
• Original diplomas for Bachelor or Master and transcript of records in the original language, including an authorized English translation if issued in another language than English or Danish. If not completed, a certified/signed copy of a recent transcript of records or a written statement from the institution or supervisor is accepted.
• Publication list (if relevant)
• Contact information for up to two people who have agreed to provide a reference.

Application deadline:

The deadline for applications is 29 November 2026, 23:59 GMT +1.

We reserve the right not to consider material received after the deadline, and not to consider applications that do not live up to the abovementioned requirements.

The further process

After deadline, a number of applicants will be selected for academic assessment by an unbiased expert assessor. You are notified whether you will be passed for assessment.

The assessor will assess the qualifications and experience of the shortlisted applicants with respect to the above‑mentioned research area, techniques, skills and other requirements. The assessor will conclude whether each applicant is qualified and, if so, for which of the two models. The assessed applicants will have the opportunity to comment on their assessment. You can read about the recruitment process at http://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/ .

Questions

For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact Assistant Professor Sarah Homewood, [e-mail] , 31606109.

General information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE is available at the PhD School’s website: https://www.science.ku.dk/phd/ .

The University of Copenhagen wishes to reflect the surrounding community and invites all regardless of personal background to apply for the position.

Kontaktperson Sarah Frances Homewood, Tenure Track Adjunkt Telefon: [phone] E-mail: [e-mail]