EngD in Human-AI Interaction for Sign Language Translation

Eindhoven University of Technology · Eindhoven, Netherlands

Dutch is a plusPosted today

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The Department of Industrial Design conducts research on and education in the design of systems with emerging technologies in a social context. We excel at integrating various academic disciplines, including engineering, design, business, and social sciences.

Introduction

Are you passionate about designing inclusive AI technologies that create real societal impact?

The Department of Industrial Design at Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) is seeking an EngD candidate for the multidisciplinary research project SignEngine. This project focuses on the development of a real-time, AI-driven translation engine between Dutch Sign Language (Nederlandse Gebarentaal - NGT) and spoken/written Dutch.

As part of this initiative, you will work within a consortium consisting of AI developers, accessibility experts, linguists, and members of the Deaf community to investigate how advanced AI systems can support natural, trustworthy, and accessible communication across language modalities.

Job Description

Most digital services are currently optimized for text and speech, which creates a significant digital divide for the many Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals in the Netherlands who communicate in NGT. NGT is a rich, visual language that relies on a complex integration of hand shapes, facial expressions, body posture, and spatial grammar.

The SignEngine project addresses this challenge by researching the technical and interactive requirements for real-time translation. To ensure that the developed technology is natural, safe, and culturally appropriate, active co-creation with the Deaf community is integrated into the core design process.

Job Description

An EngD (Engineering Doctorate) is a two-year, salaried post-master’s traineeship in which you design, build, and validate a real-world system in close collaboration with industry partners. Unlike a PhD, the emphasis lies on delivering a working, validated design rather than on academic publications.

As an EngD candidate, your primary focus will be on the human-centered design, evaluation, and validation of these interactive translation systems. You will own the human side of SignEngine, working closely with a second EngD who leads on the underlying translation engine; the two roles are designed to challenge and strengthen each other, combining practical design work with academic rigor. We welcome applicants from engineering, design, or science backgrounds—for example Industrial Design, Human-Computer Interaction, or Computer Science—combined with a genuine interest in human-centered and social-science perspectives on human-AI interaction.

Your responsibilities will include:

Conducting user research and co-creation activities in direct collaboration with Deaf and hard-of-hearing users.
Designing and prototyping functional interaction concepts for sign language translation interfaces.
Evaluating the comprehensibility, naturalness, and reliability of AI-mediated communication from a user perspective.
Translating user feedback and evaluation outcomes into system requirements and design recommendations.

Safeguarding academic rigor in the evaluation of the prototype system. Collaborating within an interdisciplinary team that includes another EngD and a postdoc researcher, as well as project partners such as BrainBite, Digitaal Toegankelijk, and TYD.
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Job Requirements

To be considered for this position, you should fulfill the following criteria:

A Master’s degree in a relevant field, such as Industrial Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Linguistics, Communication, Cognitive Science, or a related discipline.
A demonstrable interest in user-centered design, human-AI interaction, or inclusive technology. Experience with, or a strong interest in, prototyping digital and AI-based services and conducting user evaluations.
A structured, collaborative mindset suitable for working within an interdisciplinary project consortium.
Proficiency in English (C1 level), written and conversational.
Working knowledge of Dutch (written at minimum), or the willingness to acquire it, is highly valued, as user research takes place with NGT-signing and Dutch-speaking participants.

Note: Prior knowledge of Dutch Sign Language (NGT) or experience working with the Deaf community is considered a valuable asset, but it is not a strict prerequisite for application. We explicitly invite members of the Deaf community with relevant expertise to apply for this position.

Conditions of Employment

A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station.

In addition, we offer you:

Full-time employment for 2 years.
Salary in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale TOIO (€ 3.173 gross per month (full-time)).
In addition to your base salary, you will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus, both calculated based on your annual gross base salary.
As a TU/e employee, you participate in the ABP pension scheme, providing retirement pension and pension benefits for surviving dependents and occupational disability. TU/e pays 70% of the pension premium, while employees contribute the remaining 30%.
High-quality training programs on general skills, didactics and topics related to research and valorization.
An excellent technical infrastructure, and on-campus children's day care.
Unlimited access to the modern on‑campus TU/e Student Sports Center at an exceptionally affordable rate.
We support your wellbeing with free 24/7 access to OpenUp, providing you and your family with mental health support, expert guidance, and online training.
Partially paid parental leave and an allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
A TU/e Postdoc Association that helps you to build a stronger and broader academic and personal network, and offers tailored support, training and workshops.
A Staff Immigration Team is available for international candidates, as are a tax compensation scheme (the Expat Scheme) and a compensation for moving expenses.

On our website you can discover even more information about our conditions of employment. Build on your career at TU/e!

About us

We are a leading international university where scientific curiosity meets a hands-on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high-tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact — today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13,000 students and more than 7,000 staff, forming a diverse and vibrant academic community.

Our university is located in Brainport Eindhoven — a world‑leading tech region with more than 7,000 high‑tech companies and strong R&D activity. Known for breakthroughs in AI, photonics, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, Brainport is a place where technology serves people and society. Learn more about the Brainport region here.

Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact

Dr. Daniel Tetteroo, d.tetteroo@tue.nl, or Prof.Dr. Emilia Barkakova, e.i.barakova@tue.nl.

Visit our website for more information about the application process. You can also contact HRServices.ID@tue.nl.

Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our career page.

Application

We invite you to submit a complete application using the apply-button. The application should include a:

A cover letter in which you describe your motivation and qualifications for the position.
A curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications and the contact information of three references. Kindly note that we may reach out to references at any stage of the recruitment process. We recommend notifying your references upon submitting your application.
Copies of relevant BSc and MSc diplomas and grade transcripts.
The result of an English proficiency test such as IELTS or TOEFL.

Ensure that you submit all the requested application documents. Please note that incomplete applications may not be considered and could be rejected.

We look forward to receiving your application and will screen it as soon as possible. The vacancy will remain open until the position is filled.

Please note

You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
A pre-employment screening (e.g. knowledge security check) can be part of the selection procedure. For more information on the knowledge security check, please consult the National Knowledge Security Guidelines.
Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.