Doctoral Researcher (Human-Technology Interaction / Human-Centered AI) / Väitöskirjatutkija (ihmis

Tampere University and Tampere University of Applied Sciences create a unique environment for multidisciplinary, inspirational and high-impact research and education. Our university community has its competitive edges in technology, health and society. www.tuni.fi/en

We are looking for a Doctoral Researcher (PhD student) to work on interaction design, prototyping and user studies of collaborative AI agents in blue-collar workplaces. This research is part of a project funded by NordForsk called CAI-BLUE. The position is full-time and will be filled as soon as possible for a fixed-term period until the end of February 2029. The workplace is located at Hervanta Campus of Tampere University, Finland.

The CAI-BLUE project is led by prof. Kaisa Väänänen (research group of Human-Centered Technology) and prof. Thomas Olsson (research group of Technology x Social Interaction). The groups of prof. Väänänen and Olsson focus on design research for new technologies and digital applications to advance sustainable socities. Both grous are part of the Tauchi research centre, in the Computing Sciences Unit of the Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences.

The hired Doctoral Researcher will also collaborate with the other academic partners in the CAI-BLUE project in Sweden, Denmark and Norway, as well as with the industrial companies involved in the project.

JOB DESCRIPTION

We are seeking a highly motivated Doctoral Researcher (PhD student) to join the CAI-BLUE project to conduct research on:

Worker needs for AI agents in different team collaboration contexts: Studying the challenges and opportunities related to AI-supported collaboration in diverse team-based work environments. Through fieldwork, investigating workers’ needs and attitudes toward AI agents, identifying opportunities and barriers to the acceptance of AI.

Interaction design, prototyping and testing of AI agents to support teamwork in blue-collar workplaces: Based on the user needs, iterative design and prototyping of AI agents in blue-collar work. Testing the prototypes in real workplaces by conducting user studies in industrial companies.

Defining design requirements and principles for future AI agents: Formulating design guidelines that promote inclusive and effective human–AI collaboration.

The project combines real-world user need fieldwork with hands-on design and development of AI-driven prototypes, with room to shape the direction of research based on the researcher’s interests. Writing high-level scientific publications is an essential part of the research. 

In addition to the research towards the doctoral dissertation, the duties of the researcher may include some teaching tasks (5-10%) or other small faculty tasks that support the studies.

REQUIREMENTS

• A completed master’s degree in human-computer interaction (HCI), human-centered AI (HCAI), information technology, computer science, or another related field.
• Ability to conduct systematic scientific research related to the use and design of AI applications.
• A curious mind and solid skills in critical thinking and problem solving.
• Knowledge and experience of methods of human-centered design, e.g. interviewing, observation, field studies, participatory workshops, concept design, and UI prototyping.
• Very good communication skills in English, and ability to collaborate in multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to write research papers in high-quality peer-reviewed journals or conferences in the field of HCI.

You need to have completed a relevant Master’s degree before the starting date of employment. 

The selected person will need to apply for and be granted a study right for a doctoral degree in the doctoral programme of Humans and Technologies at Tampere University. Please visit the admission web page of the doctoral programme of Humans and Technologies for more information on eligibility requirements of the doctoral programme. 

Please note that if you have not completed a university degree in Finland, an official English language certificate will also be required for the admission to the doctoral programme. The accepted English language certificates and their minimum requirements, as well as exemptions regarding the certificates, are available here.  

WE OFFER

The full-time position will be filled for a fixed-term period until the end of February 2029. The planned starting date is March 1^st, 2026 or as mutually agreed by both parties. A trial period of six (6) months applies to all our new employees.

The salary will be based on both the job requirements and the employee’s personal performance in accordance with the Finnish University Salary System. According to the criteria applied to teaching and research staff, the position of a Doctoral Researcher is placed on level 2-4 of the job requirements scale. A typical starting salary for a Doctoral Researcher is approximately 2700 EUR/month. The salary increases based on experience and the progress of doctoral studies.  

We are inviting you to be a part of a vibrant, active and truly international research community. Our HCI research community is one of the largest in Europe, the Tauchi Research Centre. We value interdisciplinarity, as it allows new perspectives and ideas to solve research problems and pursue novel research findings in human-centered interactive technologies. We are strongly committed to the highest level of scientific research and the provision of high-quality doctoral education. 

As a member of staff at Tampere University, you will enjoy a range of competitive benefits, such as occupational health care services, flexible work schedule, versatile research infrastructure, modern teaching facilities and a safe and inviting campus area as well as a personal fund to spend on sports and cultural activities in your free time. Please read more about working at Tampere University. You can also find more information about us and working and living Tampere by watching our video: Tampere Higher Education Community – our academic playground.  

Tampere is one of the major academic hubs in the Nordic countries and offers a dynamic living environment. Tampere region is one of Finland´s three most rapidly growing urban areas and home to a vibrant knowledge-intensive entrepreneurial community. The city is an industrial powerhouse that enjoys a rich cultural scene and a reputation as a centre of Finland’s information society. 

Read more about Finland and Tampere: 

• Visit Finland
• This is Finland
• Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment: Welcome to Finland
• Visit Tampere

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit your application through our online recruitment system. The closing date for applications is Monday, January 26^th, 2026 (23:59:00 EET / UTC +2). Please write your application and all the accompanying documentation in English and attach them in PDF format.

Please attach only the following documents to your application: 

• Curriculum vitae according to the TENK template, max 2 pages.
• Free-form application letter including 1) a brief statement of how you meet the criteria for this position, and 2) description of your research interests in the scope of the CAI-BLUE tasks described above. This letter should be max. 2 pages long, font 12.
• PDF copies of your Master’s and Bachelor’s degree certificates, including transcripts of all university records (in Finnish or English).
• Other relevant documents that support your application, e.g. your Master’s thesis, the most relevant publications regarding the call (max. 2), or a list of referees

For more information, please contact:

Professor Kaisa Väänänen, kaisa.vaananen@tuni.fi

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Tampereen yliopisto ja Tampereen ammattikorkeakoulu muodostavat yhdessä Suomen toiseksi suurimman monitieteisen, innostavan ja vaikuttavan tutkimus- ja oppimisyhteisön. Korkeakouluyhteisömme osaamiskärjet ovat tekniikka, terveys ja yhteiskunta. Lue lisää: www.tuni.fi

Tampereen yliopistossa on haettavana Väitöskirjatutkija, alana ihmisen ja koneen vuorovaikutus / ihmiskeskeinen tekoäly. 

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