Doctoral student in Computer Science with focus on Human-Computer Interaction and Visualization Full-time

Doctoral Student in Computer Science with Focus on Human-Computer Interaction and Visualization

The position is in the research group led by Dr. Danqing Shi at the Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Engineering (LTH), Lund University. The group collaborates closely with the computer graphics group at the department (LUGG, Lund University Graphics Group). The group conducts research at the intersection of human-computer interaction, visualization, and artificial intelligence. You will join a growing research team and collaborate with leading researchers at international institutions.

As a doctoral student, you are both admitted as a student and employed at Lund University. As a doctoral student, you will be trained in a scientific approach. In short, you will be trained to think critically and analytically, to solve problems independently using the right methods, and to develop an awareness of research ethics. In addition, you will have the opportunity to work on projects, to develop your leadership and pedagogical skills. Throughout your studies, you will be guided by supervisors. Doctoral studies end with a thesis and a doctoral degree.

As AI increasingly takes on autonomous tasks, the ways people interact with AI span a wide range, from deliberate actions such as prompting, rating, and editing, to spontaneous responses such as eye movements and interaction dynamics. This project investigates how human behavior can be modeled in the context of human-AI interaction.

The center of the project is computational behavior modeling. As a doctoral student, you will collect and analyze behavioral data in human-AI interaction and develop computational models that capture human behavior patterns. The research focuses on the areas of human-computer interaction and visualization. It involves designing controlled user experiments and applying AI techniques such as reinforcement learning and foundation models. Additionally, your work will include designing visualization systems that support the analysis, explanation, and communication of complex behavioral data.

You will primarily devote yourself to your doctoral programme, which includes participation in research projects as well as third cycle courses, seminars and conferences. The duties also include participation in teaching and other departmental work (however, a maximum of 20% of working hours). The employment will also include travel, for example to conferences, summer schools, or meetings with collaboration partners.

The work duties will also more specifically include:

• Responsibility for the research within the subject area:
  • collecting and analyzing multimodal behavioral datasets (e.g., gaze data, interaction logs)
  • developing computational behavior models
  • designing and conducting controlled user experiment
  • designing and developing visualizations for analysis
• Collaboration with international research partners.
• Attending conferences to give talks and network.

To be eligible for admission and employment as a doctoral student, you must fulfill the requirements below.

Admission requirements

A person meets the general admission requirements for third-cycle courses and study programmes if the applicant:

• has been awarded a second-cycle qualification, or
• has satisfied the requirements for courses comprising at least 240 credits of which at least 60 credits were awarded in the second cycle, or
• has acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way in Sweden or abroad.

A person meets the specific admission requirements for third cycle studies in Computer Science if the applicant has:

• at least 60 second-cycle credits at an advanced level with relevance for the research topic, or
• an MSc in Engineering in Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Information and Communication Technology, Engineering Physics or Engineering Mathematics.

Additional requirements

In order to complete the doctoral programme in question, also the following requirements must be met:

• Documented experience in one (or more) of the following areas: Human-Computer Interaction / Visualization / Eye tracking / Reinforcement Learning / Agentic Engineering
• Good ability to work independently and to formulate and tackle research problems.
• Good written and oral communication skills
• Good ability to cooperate
• Good knowledge of English, spoken and written

Other qualifications

For the doctoral programme in question, the following are considered as other qualifications:

• Documented experience with eye tracking and/or other behavioral sensing technologies.
• Documented experience working with Deep Learning/Reinforcement Learning/Foundation Model.
• Familiarity with Human-AI Interaction, Human-AI Collaboration, Human-AI Alignment, or related research areas.
• Familiarity with information visualization or visual analytics.
• Scientific publications or conference contributions in relevant fields.

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme.

More about working at Lund University on lu.se.

The employment is a fixed-term employment at full time, starting as agreed. Third cycle studies at LTH consist of full-time studies for 4 years. In the case of teaching and other departmental duties, the employment is extended accordingly. Doctoral studentships are regulated in the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100), chapter 5, 1-7 §§.

More about terms of employment for doctoral students on Lund University's Staffpages.

Applications shall be written in English and include:

• CV and a cover letter stating the reasons why you are interested in the doctoral programme/employment and in what way the research project corresponds to your interests and educational background.
• Copies of issued study certificates and/or awarded degree certificates. These must confirm that you meet the general and specific admission requirements for the doctoral programme and show that you have the subject knowledge required for the doctoral programme project.
• Two letters of recommendation
• Other documents you wish to be considered (publication list, a sample project, etc.)

We welcome your application.