Postdoctoral researcher in Human-Robot Interaction

Have you ever tried to "make eye contact" with a faceless robot to figure out what it's about to do? Join us for an exciting research project at the forefront of robotics innovation, to figure out a better way for robots to communicate with people!

About us

The Department of Computer Science and Engineering, a joint department of Chalmers and the University of Gothenburg, spans the breadth of computing disciplines. Our internationally visible research, strong industry links and diverse environment create a collaborative setting where ideas grow into real impact.

At the division of Interaction Design and Software Engineering, we design smarter ways to engineer better software, and explore how people engage with digital systems, combining global research perspectives with strong collaboration with industry.

You will join a thriving research group in Human-Robot Interaction, currently comprising 5 PhD students, 2 research assistants, and several robots.

About the research project

Robots are entering human spaces, but they are still struggling to communicate effectively with us. If a robot cannot clearly signal what it is about to do, coordination breaks down, trust weakens, and, especially in safety-critical contexts, such misunderstandings can have serious consequences.

The postdoctoral researcher will join an existing team working on developing a novel, universal framework for robot communication that is both platform-independent and context-adaptive. Instead of designing communication strategies for one robot at a time, the goal is to establish principled foundations for how robots can communicate, regardless of which robot, which context, which environment. This interdisciplinary project combines theory-driven research with empirical investigation. It will involve data collection in real-world settings as well as controlled user studies, alongside the development of new theoretical models of human-robot communication. The postdoctoral researcher will work alongside experts in Linguistics and Human-Robot Interaction.

We are looking for a motivated and curious postdoctoral researcher, ideally with a background in communication (verbal and / or nonverbal) in HRI, who is eager to work at the intersection of social science and robotics, and contribute to shaping the future of how humans and robots understand each other. The postdoctoral candidate is expected to contribute to the ongoing project, but there will also be flexibility to carry out independent research work that is relevant to the research group.

Who we are looking for

The following requirements are mandatory:

• A doctoral degree (or an equivalent foreign degree) in Human-Robot Interaction, Human-Computer Interaction, Cognitive Science, Robotics, Psychology, or related discipline. This eligibility requirement must be met no later than the time the employment decision is made.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English.
• Experience in the field of Human-Robot Interaction (demonstrated e.g. through publications, coursework, or conference participation).
• Interest in human-robot communication (demonstrated e.g. through existing publications on the topic).
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, and to communicate progress / issues clearly.
• Willingness to mentor the more junior group members.
• We are looking for an excellent researcher who is curious, critical, and can be a good team member.

The following experience will strengthen your application:

• Experience in qualitative data analysis (e.g. video-based thematic analysis, conversation analysis), conducting user studies, and/or meta-reviews.
• Experience working in interdisciplinary environments.
• Experience supervising students.
• Experience conducting research "in the wild" (e.g., field deployments or data collection in real-world environments).

What you will do

• Develop your own research profile by collaborating on existing research projects as well as leading your own.
• Help and mentor PhD students in the project.
• Participate and contribute to regular group meetings.
• You will have the chance to supervise thesis work, and collaborate with other PhD students and postdocs.
• You will have the chance to take courses that will strengthen your academic profile, such as leadership, pedagogical skills, etc, offered by Chalmers
• Possibility to engage with teaching at undergraduate / master's level.

The position is meritorious for future roles in academia, industry, or the public sector.

Contract terms

The position is a temporary full-time employment for two years with the possibility of a one-year extension.

The position requires physical presence throughout the entire employment. A valid residence permit must be presented by the start date, otherwise the offer may be withdrawn.

Start date is November 1st, or as soon as possible thereafter.

What we offer

• As a postdoc at Chalmers, you are an employee and enjoy all employee benefits. Read more about working at Chalmers and our benefits for employees.
• A dynamic and inspiring working environment in the coastal city of Gothenburg.
• Read more about Sweden’s generous parental leave, subsidized day care, free schools, healthcare etc at Move To Gothenburg.

Chalmers is dedicated to improving gender balance and actively works with equality projects, such as the GENIE Initiative for gender equality and excellence. We celebrate diversity and consider equality and inclusion as fundamental aspects of all our activities.

If Swedish is not your native language, Chalmers offers Swedish courses to help you settle in.

Application procedure

The application should be written in English be attached as PDF-files, as below. Maximum size for each file is 40 MB. Please note that the system does not support Zip files.

CV

• A comprehensive CV, including a complete list of publications.
• Details of any previous teaching and pedagogical experience.

Personal letter

• A brief introduction about yourself and what drew you to this position.
• An outline of your future goals and research focus.
• The letter should clearly state why you are interested in the topic, and why your profile fits the topic description. Generic personal letters will result in the application being discarded.

Use the button at the foot of the page to reach the application form.

A background check may be conducted as part of the application process.

Please note: The applicant is responsible for ensuring that the application is complete. Incomplete applications and applications sent by email will not be considered. Contact details to references will be requested after the interview.

We welcome your application no later than 9th October 2026.

For questions, please contact:

Ilaria Torre Assistant Professor ilariat@chalmers.se

We look forward to your application!

*** Chalmers declines to consider all offers of further announcement publishing or other types of support for the recruiting process in connection with this position. ***

Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg conducts research and education in technology and natural sciences at a high international level. The university has 3100 employees and 10,000 students, and offers education in engineering, science, shipping and architecture. With scientific excellence as a basis, Chalmers promotes knowledge and technical solutions for a sustainable world. Through global commitment and entrepreneurship, we foster an innovative spirit, in close collaboration with wider society.

Chalmers was founded in 1829 and has the same motto today as it did then: Avancez – forward.