Job description
Are you looking to shape the future of human-AI collaboration in making important decisions? Join us in this fully funded PhD project! In the next four years, you will conduct scientific research to inform the design of new intelligent systems that excel at not only making decisions but also understand their human users in collaborative decision-making.
Are you looking to shape the future of human-AI collaboration in making important decisions? Join us in this fully funded PhD project! In the next four years, you will conduct scientific research to inform the design of new intelligent systems that excel at not only making decisions but also understand their human users in collaborative decision-making.
The recent developments in AI-assisted decision-making call for an emerging field of human-AI decision-making, i.e., the study of how to improve collaborative decision-making between AI algorithms and human users. Current research in human-AI decision making focuses on technical contributions, such as new algorithms and visualizations that help people understand AI’s decisions by providing explanations (i.e., explainable AI), but overlooks the opposite side of the problem, i.e., how to make AI understand the human decision-maker in the task environment. This is critical in improving the effectiveness and usability of the AI assistance.
In this project, we will explore the possibilities of tracking and inferring users’ mental states through real-time sensory data (e.g., physiological, eye-tracking, movement) and cognitive modeling (i.e., computational modeling of human cognition and decision-making). More specifically, we expect you to (1) study the literature and identify a few decision-making tasks and contexts where our approach has the most potential; (2) build data-driven and/or theory-based user models in the identified contexts of human-AI decision-making; and (3) conduct empirical studies to access the added values of the approach.
As a PhD candidate, you will work in the Human-Technology Interaction group at the Department of Industrial Engineering and Innovation Sciences. Since the research topic is at the intersection of psychology, human-computer interaction, and AI, you will be supervised by a team of researchers with complementary expertise: Prof. Dr. Chris Snijders (trust in AI, decision-making), Dr. Chao Zhang (human-AI interaction, cognitive modeling), and Dr. Linghan Zhang (signal processing, affective and behavioral computing). Furthermore, you will have access to TU/e’s PhD level courses and training, and are encouraged to collaborate with other researchers at the department and the Eindhoven Artificial Intelligence Systems Institute (EAISI). You are expected to publish your research findings in peer-reviewed journals and at international conferences. The PhD project will conclude a high-quality PhD dissertation on the proposed topic after four years.
Job requirements
- Recently completed (or be close to the completion of) a Master’s degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Cognitive Science, Data Science or a related discipline with demonstrable interest and experience in Psychology [OR] a Master’s degree in Psychology or a related field, with demonstrable interest and experience in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence.
- Demonstrable experience in conducting empirical research with human participants.
- Demonstrable experience with processing complex datasets (e.g., physiological, eye-tracking, sensor data) and applying (state-of-the-art) statistical techniques.
- Strong interest in how people make decisions and how AI can be used to improve decision-making.
- Strong technical skills in programming (e.g., Python, R) and mathematics are a plus.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Effective communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a diverse, interdisciplinary team.
- Professional proficiency in written and spoken English.
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 four years, with an intermediate evaluation (go/no-go) after nine months. You will spend 10% of your employment on teaching tasks.
- Salary and benefits (such as a pension scheme, paid pregnancy and maternity leave, partially paid parental leave) in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale P (min. €2,770 max. €3,539).
- A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
- High-quality training programs and other support to grow into a self-aware, autonomous scientific researcher. At TU/e we challenge you to take charge of your own learning process.
- An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children’s day care and sports facilities.
- An allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
- A Staff Immigration Team and a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) for international candidates.
Information and application
About us
Eindhoven University of Technology is an internationally top-ranking university in the Netherlands that combines scientific curiosity with a hands-on attitude. Our spirit of collaboration translates into an open culture and a top-five position in collaborating with advanced industries. Fundamental knowledge enables us to design solutions for the highly complex problems of today and tomorrow.
Curious to hear more about what it’s like as a PhD candidate at TU/e? Please view the video.
You are encouraged to explore the research line of your intended promotor and supervisors via https://www.tue.nl/en/research/researchers/chris-snijders, https://www.tue.nl/en/research/researchers/chao-zhang, and https://www.tue.nl/en/research/researchers/linghan-zhang .
If you have specific questions about the content of this position, please send an e-mail to c.zhang.5@tue.nl or l.zhang1@tue.nl with the vacancy title in the subject line.
Visit our website for more information about the application process or the conditions of employment. You can also contact HR Services, email HRServices.IEIS@tue.nl.
Application:
We invite you to submit a complete application by using the apply button.
The application should include a:
- Cover letter (2 page max), which demonstrates (a) a genuine interest in this specific project and its supervision context interest, and (b) an explanation of why you meet the job requirements (see above).
- Detailed Curriculum vitae.
- Copy (or a most recent draft version) of your MSc thesis.
- Transcripts of academic records indicating courses taken, including grades.
- Contact details of two references (e-mail, phone number).
We do not respond to applications that are sent to us in a different way.
You can upload a maximum of 5 documents of up to 10 MB each. Please upload in pdf format.
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.
