PhD Research Fellow in Designing Technology for Well-Being with Emerging Interactive Technologies

About the position

Position as PhD Research Fellow in Interaction Design / Human-Computer Interaction available at the Department of Informatics, University of Oslo.

The fellowship period is three years.

Depending on the candidate and the teaching needs of the department, the fellowship period can be extended either for compulsory work consisting of e.g., teaching and supervision duties and research assistance up top four years.

Starting date no later than October 1, 2026.

No one can be appointed for more than one PhD Research Fellowship period at the University of Oslo.

The place of work is the Department of Informatics at Forskningsparken, Oslo.

Job description

This PhD project will contribute to the digital transformation of the Norwegian public sector and broader societal contexts by examining how emerging interactive technologies can support the inclusion of end-users in the design of technology for well-being. The project focuses on emerging technologies such as generative AI, data-driven systems, and interactive and physical technologies.

The successful candidate is expected to engage in hands-on prototyping activities to explore and evaluate novel approaches, methods, and tools for meaningfully involving end users throughout the design process of public-sector digital services. This includes investigating how alternative and innovative design approaches may reduce barriers to participation and support collaboration among designers, public-sector professionals, and end-users.

The project involves close empirical engagement with relevant user groups and public-sector stakeholders. The candidate will work collaboratively with participants throughout the research process, from early exploration to design, implementation, and evaluation. As such, the position requires a strong technical background and the ability to design, implement, and iteratively refine technical prototypes informed by empirical insights and user experience.

The PhD project is anchored in the DESIGN research group, which has a strong tradition in Participatory Design rooted in the Scandinavian and democratic tradition. The project aims to strengthen the group’s collaboration with the public sector, and the candidate is expected to coordinate relevant activities with other PhD candidates in the group and actively participate in the group’s lab activities and research environment.

The expected research contributions will be directed toward the fields of Human–Computer Interaction (HCI), Participatory Design (PD), and Computer-Supported Cooperative Work (CSCW). Contributions may be theoretical, methodological, and/or practice-based, but must include a substantial technical and empirical component.

What skills are important in this role?

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition to be among Europe’s leading communities for research, education and innovation. Candidates for these fellowships will be selected in accordance with this, and expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.

Required qualifications:

• A master’s degree or equivalent in Human–Computer Interaction, Interaction Design, Informatics, Computer Science, Computational Creativity, or another field relevant to the position.
• Foreign completed degree (M.Sc.-level) corresponding to a minimum of four years in the Norwegian educational system
• Documented experience with design processes involving the technical development of prototypes
• Documented experience with human-centered design methods
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English 

Candidates without a master’s degree have until June 30, 2026 to complete the final exam.

Desired qualifications:

• Fluent oral and written communication skills in Norwegian or another Scandinavian language are considered an important qualification
• Experience with inclusive and participatory design methods, such as Participatory Design
• Experience working with generative AI and/or data-driven systems
• Experience with physical prototyping involving microelectronic components
• Experience with teaching or supervision at the university level

Language requirement:

• Good oral and written communication skills in English
• English requirements for applicants from outside of EU/ EEA countries and exemptions from the requirements:
  https://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/regulations/regulations.html#toc8

Grade requirements:
The norm is as follows:

• The average grade point for courses included in the Bachelor’s degree must be C or better in the Norwegian educational system
• The average grade point for courses included in the Master’s degree must be B or better in the Norwegian educational system
• The Master’s thesis must have the grade B or better in the Norwegian educational system

The purpose of the fellowship is research training leading to the successful completion of a PhD degree. For more information see:
http://www.mn.uio.no/english/research/phd/

All candidates and projects will have to undergo a check versus national export, sanctions and security regulations. Candidates may be excluded based on these checks. Primary checkpoints are the Export Control regulation, the Sanctions regulation, and the national security regulation.

What are we looking for in you?

Personal skills:

• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in multidisciplinary and international research teams
• Good communication and collaboration skills, including the ability to engage constructively with diverse user groups and public-sector stakeholders
• Structured and reflective working style, with openness to experimentation and the ability to adapt to new tasks and emerging technologies
• Positive attitude and the ability to handle hectic periods
• You are a person who prefers being present at work and actively contribute to the professional and social environment you are a part of

Employment in the position is based on a comprehensive assessment of all qualification requirements applicable to the position, including personal qualifications.

We can offer you

• A pleasant and stimulating work environment
• Good welfare schemes
• Opportunity of up to 1.5 hours a week of exercise during working hours
• A workplace with good development and career opportunities
• Career development programmes
• Membership in the Statens Pensjonskasse, which is one of Norway's best pension schemes with beneficial mortgages and good insurance schemes
• Oslo’s family-friendly surroundings with their rich opportunities for culture and outdoor activities
• Salary in position as PhD Research Fellow, position code 1017 in salary range NOK from 550 800 - 595 000, depending on competence and experience. From the salary, 2 percent is deducted in statutory contributions to the State Pension Fund 

We need different perspectives in our work

UiO is an open and internationally oriented comprehensive university that strives to be an inclusive and diverse workplace and academic environment. You can read more about UiO’s work on equality, inclusion, and diversity at uio.no.

We fulfill our mission most effectively when we draw upon our variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives. We are looking for great colleagues, could you be the next one?

We will do our best to accommodate your needs. Relevant adjustments may include modifications to working hours, task adaptations, digital, technical, or physical adjustments, or other practical measures.

If you have an immigrant background, a disability, or CV gaps (Norwegian), we encourage you to indicate this in the job application portal. We always invite at least one qualified candidate from each group for an interview. In this context, disability is defined as an applicant who identifies as having a disability that requires workplace or employment-related accommodations. For more details about the requirements, please refer to the Employer portal (Norwegian).

The selections made in the job application portal are used for anonymized statistics that all state employers include in their annual reports. More information about gender equality initiatives at UiO can be found here. 

We hope you will apply for the position with us.

How to apply

The application must include:

• Cover letter - statement of motivation and research interests
• Short research proposal (3 pages max, excluding references), making it clear how the applicant interprets and plans to address the announced area of research
• CV (summarizing education, positions, and academic work - scientific publications)
• Transcripts of records, copies of the original Bachelor's and Master’s degree diplomas (see below)
• If available: Letters of recommendation
• Documentation of English proficiency, if applicable
• List of publications and academic work that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee
• Names and contact details of 2-3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail, and telephone number)

Application with attachments must be submitted via our recruitment system Jobbnorge, click "Apply for this job". Foreign applicants should attach an official explanation of their University's grading system.

When applying for the position, we ask you to retrieve your education results from Vitnemålsportalen.no. If your education results are not available through Vitnemålsportalen, we ask you to upload copies of your transcripts or grades. Please note that all documentation must be in English or a Scandinavian language.

General information

The best qualified candidates will invited for interviews.

Applicant lists can be published in accordance with Norwegian Freedom of Information Act § 25. When you apply for a position with us, your name will appear on the public applicant list. It is possible to request to be excluded from this list. You must justify why you want an exemption from publication and we will then decide whether we can grant your request. If we can't, you will hear from us.

Please refer to Regulations for the Act on universities and colleges chapter 3 (Norwegian), Guidelines concerning appointment to post doctoral and research posts at UiO (Norwegian) and Regulations for the degree of Philosophiae Doctor (PhD) at the University of Oslo.  

The University of Oslo has a transfer agreement with all employees that is intended to secure the rights to all research results etc.