The Section on Human-Centred Computing invites applicants for one or two PhD fellowships in Human-Computer Interaction. The fellowships are part of the Villum Investigator project TRACTION: Theoretical Research in Human-Computer Interaction, awarded to Kasper Hornbæk. The goal of the fellowships is to understand and advance the use of theory in all its forms in the evaluation and design of interactive systems.
The start date is April 1, 2027, or as soon as possible thereafter.
ABOUT THE PROJECT
The field of Human-Computer Interaction seeks to make computer systems in all forms useful and usable for end users. For the past 40 years, this has been done by creating methods for involving users in the design and evaluation of systems. However, we have all experienced computer systems that are frustrating, solve the wrong tasks, or cause additional work. The field also struggles to make emerging technologies, such as AI, extended reality, and social media, benefit end users rather than deskill or distract them. The idea of this project is that the field lacks theories that can help us understand and predict when and why computer systems are useful and usable.
In the TRACTION center, we will focus on developing and applying theory about Human-Computer Interaction. We will depart from empirical studies of the difficulties of using existing theories. At the same time, we will develop theories about key problems in the field, such as what makes computer systems valuable to end users and how computers and humans influence each other in interaction. Finally, we will explore systematic approaches to using theory for understanding and predicting phenomena in interactive computing. The intended impact of the center is to shift Human-Computer Interaction from a craft of using methods for evaluation and design to a science of theories, cumulation, and generalization across technologies, users, and contexts of use.
Depending on 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.
Qualifications needed for the regular programme
- To be eligible for the regular PhD programme, you must have completed a degree programme, equivalent to a Danish master’s degree (180 ECTS/3 FTE BSc + 120 ECTS/2 FTE MSc) related to the subject area of the project, e.g. Computer Science. For information on the eligibility of completed programmes, see General assessments for specific countries and the Assessment database.
Option B:
- A 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 bachelor´s degree.
Qualifications needed for the integrated MSc and PhD programme
- If you do not have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish master´s degree, you might be qualified for the integrated MSc and PhD programme if you have an education equivalent to a relevant Danish bachelor´s degree. Here you can find out if that is relevant for you: General assessments for specific countries and Assessment database.
Until the MSc degree is obtained (when exactly two years of the full 3+5 programme remain), the grant will be paid partly in the form of 48 state education grant portions (in Danish: “SU-klip”) plus salary for work (teaching, supervision, etc.) totaling a workload of 150 working hours per year.
When you have obtained the MSc degree, you will transfer to the salary-earning part of the scholarship for a period of two years. At that point, the terms of employment and payment will be according to the agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations on Academics in the State (AC). The position is covered by the Protocol on Job Structure.
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 out 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 based on your project
Application and Assessment Procedure
Your application, including all attachments, must be in English and submitted electronically by clicking Apply for position below.
Please include:
- Motivated letter of application (max. one page).
- An outline of your interest in theory, earlier work with theory, and your ideas of working with theory based on the text in this call (max. two pages).
- Curriculum vitae including information about your education, experience, language skills, and other skills relevant for the position.
- 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 a language other 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.
- Publication list.
- 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 1st of December 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 above-mentioned requirements.
Interviews with selected candidates are expected to be held in late January 2027.
For specific information about the PhD fellowship:
- Please contact the principal supervisor, Professor Kasper Hornbæk, at kash@diku.dk.
- General information about PhD study at the Faculty of SCIENCE is available at the PhD School’s website: https://www.science.ku.dk/phd/.
