Postdoc Explainable Human Behavior and Affective Predictions

Delft University of Technology via AcademicTransfer; Netherlands; On-site; EUR 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension ABP

Education opportunities

Leave hours (232/year)

Relocation support

Individual benefits package

Job summary

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) invites applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher in its Interactive Intelligence Group, within the Department of Intelligent Systems, EEMCS. The project focuses on explainable multimodal AI for human-AI interaction and trustworthy intelligent systems in real-time settings.

You will explore Vision-Language Models, Multimodal Large Language Models, and interactive dialogue with grounding and feedback.

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant discipline required or anticipated.
• Strong track record in Generative AI, affective computing, HCI, or collaborative AI.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on explainable multimodal AI for human-AI interaction.
• Develop and evaluate Vision-Language Models and Multimodal LLMs.
• Investigate explanations and interactive dialogue in real-time settings.
• Publish results in high-impact venues and contribute to the Hybrid Intelligence Centre.

Skills

PhD in AI/ML

Interdisciplinary research

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Multimodal AI

HCI / interactive systems

Education

PhD in a relevant discipline

Tools

Python

ML frameworks (PyTorch/TensorFlow)

Job description

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft)

Organisation/Company Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) Research Field Computer science > Cybernetics Computer science > Informatics Psychological sciences > Behavioural sciences Psychological sciences > Cognitive science Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Application Deadline 9 Oct 2026 - 21:59 (UTC) Country Netherlands Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Not Applicable Hours Per Week 40.0 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

Help develop explainable AI to support human-AI interactions. As a Postdoctoral Researcher at TU Delft, you will investigate how multimodal AI can understand, explain and communicate predictions about human behaviour, contributing to trustworthy intelligent systems for high-impact applications.
Job description
Human behavior understanding is becoming an essential component across a range of application areas, including education and healthcare. As these systems are increasingly deployed in high-stakes environments, there is a growing need for machine learning models that are not only accurate but also transparent and explainable. This project focuses on the automatic perception of situational interest and state epistemic curiosity, which are motivational factors that influence human interaction and learning. While multimodal systems are already being developed to monitor physical and cognitive engagement, current approaches offer limited interpretability and often do not provide meaningful explanations of their predictions to downstream users.
A central aim of this project is to investigate how Vision-Language Models (VLMs), Multimodal Large Language Models (MLLMs), and related technologies can support explanation in situated conversational settings. We view explanation not as a static output, but as an interactive process that evolves through human-human and human-AI dialogue, where meaning emerges through grounding, clarification and feedback. A possible application domain for this research is augmented and mixed reality environments, which require real-time perception and explanation within dynamic contexts. Possible research directions include mechanistic interpretability of multimodal models, concept-based explanations grounded in affect and behaviour theory, and multimodal sensing using vision, audio and physiological signals. The project will also focus on developing interactive systems that support real-time dialogue and user questioning, with deployment in immersive environments.
You will be embedded within the Interactive Intelligence Group in the Department of Intelligent Systems at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS). More information about the faculty can be found at the EEMCS Faculty website and about the department at the Department of Intelligent Systems website . The research environment is open and collaborative, and participation in group activities is highly encouraged. Importantly, you will also participate in the Hybrid Intelligence Centre , a Dutch consortium dedicated to developing and researching Hybrid Intelligence. Consortium meetings and occasional visits to collaboration partners are part of the project. We embrace an inclusive culture where you can benefit from tailored mentorship and training to support your professional growth.
Job requirements

• You hold, or expect to obtain before the start of the project, a PhD degree in a relevant discipline.
• You have a relevant research track record in one or more of the following areas: (1) Generative AI and machine learning, (2) affective computing, (3) human-computer interaction or collaborative AI, and (4) interaction design, experimental design or evaluation of collaborative systems.
• You have a strong interest in interdisciplinary research at the intersection of AI, human behaviour understanding and interactive intelligent systems.
• You have excellent communication skills and a proactive attitude.
• You are able to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team.

Working at TU Delft means contributing to solutions that really make a difference.

For over 180 years, we have been training engineers who make an impact worldwide in companies, government bodies, or as entrepreneurs. Our alumni turn knowledge into concrete solutions for the challenges of today and tomorrow. These challenges are changing rapidly. That is why we focus on themes such as energy, climate, digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI), and smart mobility every day. Our education and research are directly aligned with what society needs now and in the future.

At TU Delft, our people make the difference. With their knowledge and curiosity, our staff provide a high-quality education and conduct pioneering research that extends beyond the campus. You will have the opportunity to take the initiative, work with others, and grow as a professional. Working at TU Delft means join an international community of professionals and students. Together, we create knowledge, innovations, and solutions that help move the world forward.

Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science
The Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) brings together three scientific disciplines. Combined, they reinforce each other and are the driving force behind the technology we all use in our daily lives. Technology such as the electricity grid, which our faculty is helping to make completely sustainable and future-proof. At the same time, we are developing the chips and sensors of the future, whilst also setting the foundations for the software technologies to run on this new generation of equipment – which of course includes AI. Meanwhile we are pushing the limits of applied mathematics, for example mapping out disease processes using single cell data, and using mathematics to simulate gigantic ash plumes after a volcanic eruption. In other words: there is plenty of room at the faculty for ground-breaking research. We educate innovative engineers and have excellent labs and facilities that underline our strong international position. In total, more than 1000 employees and 4,000 students work and study in this innovative environment.
Conditions of employment

• Duration of contract is 3 years. Temporary. This is a three-year position, consisting of an initial one-year contract with a two-year extension subject to good performance.
• A job of 38-40 hours per week.
• Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.
• An excellent pension scheme via the ABP.
• The possibility to compile an individual employment package every year.
• Discount with health insurers on supplemental packages.
• Every year, 232 leave hours (at 38 hours). You can also sell or buy additional leave hours via the individual choice budget.
• Plenty of opportunities for education, training and courses.
• Partially paid parental leave
• Attention for working healthy and energetically with the vitality program.

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service , offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands. .

Additional information
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Stephanie Tan, via [e-mail] .