1-2 PhD fellowship(s) in Human-computer Interaction Full-time NEW

PhD Fellowships In Human-Computer Interaction

The section on Human-Centered Computing invites applicants for one to two PhD fellowships in Human-Computer Interaction. The fellowships are part of an ERC project MOVR that by using motor learning aims to build theoretical and methodological foundations for VR interaction techniques. The start date is September 1st or soon thereafter.

The distinctive potential of Virtual reality (VR) is to give people experiences of being in worlds they otherwise could not be in, having a body that is unlike their real one, and doing things they could not do in real life. That potential can be realised with VR interaction techniques that map physical movements to virtual ones. Yet, their development is largely based on designers' intuition.

In MOVR, we will start from the assumption that the use of such VR interaction techniques requires motor learning. We will investigate how models and paradigms from motor learning literature can inform systematic approaches to design and evaluate VR interaction techniques. The intended impact is to provide HCI research a scientific foundation to shift the development of VR interaction techniques from a craft to science.

We are looking for candidates within the field of Human-Computer Interaction, and adjacent disciplines, with a strong interest in human sensorimotor system. This interest may come from several complementary perspectives, for example:

• Computational interaction, such as modeling or optimizing HCI in terms of sensory feedback or motor task performance.
• Design of interaction techniques, such as pointing and selection techniques ranging from desktop user interfaces and mobile devices to virtual reality.
• Human sensorimotor phenomena in interaction, including motor control and learning as well as related conscious sensations such as of agency, embodiment, and presence.

The ideal candidate will have developed knowledge of theories, models, and methods for studying interaction techniques and HCI. This may include experience with empirical studies, computational modelling, or prototype development. The candidate may have a background in computer science, cognitive neuroscience, cognitive science, psychology, relevant engineering programs (e.g., robotics, biomedical engineering, human-centered AI), or any other discipline related to human-computer interaction. The specific research direction will be developed together with the successful candidate, depending on their background and interests.

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 possesses a high level of intellectual humility.

The Research Environment: What Do We Offer?

The MOVR project will be a five-year endeavor funded by the European Research Council. This call is part of a first wave of hiring up to four junior researchers at the PhD and postdoctoral levels, and more in the future. The PhD fellows will be members of the Human-Centered Computing (HCC) research section at the University of Copenhagen's Department of Computer Science. At the HCC section, we are currently over 10 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, and are the top-ranked HCI research group in Europe. The PhD fellows will further be members of the Pioneer Centre for Artificial Intelligence, a 5-university Danish research endeavor, where some of MOVRs collaborations will be located. With these, we offer intellectually stimulating, international, active, and ambitious research environment.

The principal investigator and supervisor for the project will be Associate Professor Joanna Bergström (joanna@di.ku.dk).

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.

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:

1. Cover Letter (max. 1 page) detailing your motivation and background for applying for this PhD position;
2. Research Statement (max. 2 pages) outlining your interest, possible earlier work, and your ideas of working in sensorimotor HCI based on the text in this call.
3. Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills and other skills relevant for the position.
4. Original diplomas for Bachelor of Science or Master of Science 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.
5. Publication list.
6. Up to three reference letters or contact information for people who have agreed to provide a reference letter.

Application deadline: The deadline for applications is 22 May 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.

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 https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/.

Interviews with selected candidates are expected to be held in June-July 2026.

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.