PhD student in Computer and Systems Sciences, with focus on Human–Computer Interaction and Design of AI User Interfaces

The Department of Computer and Systems Sciences. With over 200 employees and 4,500 students, the Department of Computer and Systems Sciences (DSV) is a strong and dynamic research and educational environment. The discipline of computer and systems sciences bridges the gap between technology and the humanities, social sciences, and behavioral sciences, with great relevance to our lives today and in the future. Our research addresses how new information and communication technology should be designed to benefit people, organizations and entire societies.

DSV offers a stimulating research community in an international environment. As a doctoral student at DSV, you study together with many other doctoral students, collaborate with senior research colleagues and get connected to other researchers in Sweden and abroad. DSV’s location is Stockholm University's campus in Kista, north of central Stockholm.

More information about us, please visit: the Department of Computer and Systems Sciences.

Project description

User interfaces for interacting with different types of AI systems are evolving rapidly. It is unlikely that the chatbot interface will be the only way to communicate with computers, as the command shell with text-based interaction still exists alongside graphical user interfaces and both are used for different purposes. In addition, some of the user's autonomy has been transferred to the computer now that AI agents are evolving at a rapid pace. These agents interpret the user's goals, make plans, take action, and adapt continuously. There are urgent needs and legal requirements to design solutions for transparency, visualization and interactivity to ensure that the user remains in control.

Given the rapid pace of this area, it is crucial to work with human-centred design thinking to create research outputs that transcend practical application, with a focus on design principles for human–AI interaction. Questions on how these user interfaces should work, look like and and what opportunities they should offer for human–AI interaction are central to this PhD project. The project will involve both designing and building working prototypes, as well as conducting design-oriented empirical studies in varied contexts of use. The goal is to advance both theoretical and practical understandings of how users can interact with current and future AI systems.

The current development of edge AI and local AI models with high performance has made prototyping new AI interfaces significantly easier and more affordable than just a few years ago. This presents a unique opportunity to prototype new human-centred solutions. In order to identify favourable usage and interaction with AI systems, co-design methodology is a desirable approach for this PhD project.

The project is part of a vibrant academic community with a strong international network, offering opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, seminars, and scientific exchange within both academia and industry. In addition to a competitive salary and wellness benefits, the candidate is offered strong support for academic development, including funding for books, conference travel, and professional growth opportunities.

Qualification requirements

In order to be admitted to postgraduate education, the applicant must have the general and specific entry requirements. The qualification requirements must be met by the deadline for applications.

You meet general entry requirements if you have completed a second-cycle degree, or completed courses equivalent to at least 240 higher education credits, of which 60 credits must be in the second cycle, or have otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or elsewhere.

Specific entry requirements are described in the general syllabus for doctoral studies in the field of Computer and Systems Sciences and state that the applicant must have completed courses at second-cycle level in Computer and Systems Sciences with a minimum of 60 higher education credits or equivalent. The applicant must also have completed a degree project (thesis) of at least 15 higher education credits. In addition, the applicant is required to have English language skills equivalent of Common European Framework of Reference for Languages Level B2.

Selection

The selection among the eligible candidates will be based on their capacity to benefit from the training. The following criteria will be used to assess this capacity:

• Independence in the analysis and organization of the earlier scientific work
• Problem formulation and rigor in previous scientific work and in the research plan
• Previously shown ability to keep the specified time limits
• Methodological and scientific maturity
• Communication and cooperation skills
• Subject specific knowledge relevant to education.

Admission Regulations for Doctoral Studies at Stockholm University.

About the employment

We offer a fixed-term employment as a doctoral student according to Chapter 5 of the Higher Education Ordinance (1993:100). The period of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for four years. As a doctoral student, you should primarily devote yourself to your own doctoral education, but the employment may include work with education, research and administration to a limited extent (maximum 20 %).

A new employment as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year, the employment is then renewed for a maximum of two years at a time.

Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.

Contact

For more information, please contact Associate Professor Ola Knutsson knutsson@dsv.su.se, and Professor Henricus Verhagen verhagen@dsv.su.se, or Director of PhD studies, Åsa Smedberg, studierektorF@dsv.su.se.

Application

Apply for the PhD student position at Stockholm University's recruitment system. Attach a personal letter and CV as well as the attachments requested in the application form. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the job advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline. We recommend that the application, with associated documents, be written in English.

The instructions for applicants are available at: How to apply for a position.

Stockholm University contributes to the development of sustainable democratic society through knowledge, enlightenment and the pursuit of truth.

Anställningsform: tidsbegränsad anställning | Anställningens omfattning: heltid | Antal lediga befattningar: 1 | Sysselsättningsgrad: 100 % | Ort: Stockholm | Län: Stockholms län | Land: Sweden | Referensnummer: SU FV-2896-26 | Facklig företrädare: ST/OFR ST/OFR 08162000, ST/OFR ST/OFR 08162000, Saco-S Saco-S 08162000, Saco-S Saco-S 08162000, Seko Seko 0770457900, Seko Seko 0770457900, | Publicerat: 2026-09-09 | Sista ansökningsdag: 2026-10-15