PhD fellowship(s) in Human-computer Interaction

University of Copenhagen; København; On-site; DKK 380,000 - 460,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Copenhagen invites applications for one or two PhD fellowships in Human-Computer Interaction within the Villum Investigator project TRACTION. The goal is to develop and apply theory to evaluate and design interactive systems, aligning with contemporary AI, XR and social media contexts.

The selected candidates will join a strong research group led by Professor Kasper Hornbæk, with opportunities for collaboration, workshops, and international exposure, starting April 1, 2027 or

Qualifications

• Evidence of working with theories in HCI (e.g., established models or frameworks).
• Documentation of research capability (thesis, publications, or project portfolio).
• Experience with NLP/LLMs or AI/XR technologies is beneficial.

Skills

Theory in HCI

Empirical research methods

NLP / LLMs experience

AI / XR / social media knowledge

Education

Master's degree or equivalent in CS or related

Tools

Publications portfolio

Thesis/Project portfolio

Assessment databases knowledge

Job description

The Section on Human-Centred Computing invites applicants for one or two PhD fellowships in Human-Computer Interaction. The fellowships are part of the Villum Investigator project TRACTION: Theoretical Research in Human-computer Interaction, awarded to Kasper Hornbæk. The goal of the fellowships is to understand and advance the use of theory in all its forms in the evaluation and design of interactive systems. The start date is April 1 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The project

The field of Human-Computer Interaction seeks to make computer systems in all forms useful and usable for end users. For the past 40 years, this has been done by creating methods for involving users in the design and evaluation of systems. However, we have all experienced computer systems that are frustrating, help solve the wrong tasks, or cause additional work. The field also struggles to make emerging technologies, such as AI, extended reality, and social media, benefit end users rather than deskill or distract them. The idea of this project is that the field lacks theories that can help us understand and predict when and why computer systems are useful and usable.

In the TRACTION center, we will focus on developing and applying theory about Human-Computer Interaction. We will depart from empirical studies of the difficulties of using existing theories. At the same time, we will develop theories about key problems in the field, such as what makes computer systems valuable to end users and how computers and humans influence each other in interaction. Finally, we will explore systematic approaches to using theory for understanding and predicting phenomena in interactive computing. The intended impact of the center is to shift Human-Computer Interaction from a craft of using methods for evaluation and design to a science of theories, cumulation, and generalization across technologies, users, and contexts of use.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for candidates within the field of Human-computer Interaction with an interest in theory. This could be about a high-level theory like self-determination theory, activity theory, and theory of planned behavior, or they could be about more specific models or frameworks. The ideal candidate will be able to document knowledge on (a) working with particular theories, (b) empirically exploring the use of theory in Human-Computer Interaction, (c) using LLMs, NLP, or similar technologies to study or develop theory, or (c) developing systems in AI, XR, or social media by using theory.

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. The candidate may have a background in computer science, psychology, design research, or any other discipline related to human-computer interaction.

Our group and research - and what do we offer?

The section on Human-centered Computing at University of Copenhagen is about 15 faculty focusing on different aspects on Human-computer Interaction; the section has an additional 20+ postdoctoral researchers, PhD students, and research assistants. We hold joint research meetings and have a thriving social environment. The group is a part of Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Science, University of Copenhagen.

The TRACTION project is a six-year endeavor funded by the Villum Foundation that started in 2025; we are currently 2 postdocs, 2 PhD students, and a center administrator. This call is part of a second wave of hiring up to four junior researchers at the PhD and postdoctoral levels. The idea is to create a thriving center with regular meetings, frequent summer schools and workshops, and many visiting researchers.

The principal supervisor for the project will be Professor Kasper Hornbæk, he can be contacted at [e-mail].

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 bachelors´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 deadline

The deadline for applications is 1th of December 2026 23:59 GMT +2. 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.

After deadline

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/.

Interviews with selected candidates are expected to be held in late January 2027.

Questions

For specific information about the PhD fellowship, please contact the principal supervisor.

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.