PhD Position in Human–Robot Interaction in Clinical Practice

Join Aalborg University in exploring the future of human-robot interaction and collaboration in healthcare. At the Faculty of IT and Design, Department of Computer Science, we invite applications for a PhD position in Human-Robot Interaction in Healthcare within the Technical Doctoral School of IT and Design.

The position offers a unique opportunity to address a critical challenge in human-robot interaction research: Supporting human-robot collaboration within clinical workflows, healthcare infrastructures, and professional work practices through interaction designs and robotic systems. The PhD project focuses on applying knowledge about real-world clinical practice in the design of interfaces between humans and robots.

The project is conducted in close collaboration with the Department of Sustainability and Planning at Aalborg University, combining technical research on interaction technologies and robotic systems with socio-technical research on human–robot collaboration.

The stipend is open for appointment from 15. August 2026 or soon hereafter. The duration of the position is three years.

Your work tasks

The main tasks for this PhD project consist of combining empirical studies in healthcare environments, such as observations and interviews, with prototype design and development. The project will develop new knowledge on how robots in clinical settings can communicate intentions, support collaboration, and are experienced by human users.

The PhD project is part of a broader interdisciplinary research initiative on human-robot collaboration in healthcare conducted jointly by the Department of Sustainability and Planning and the Department of Computer Science at Aalborg University. While this PhD project focuses on technical research on interaction technologies and robotic systems, the broader initiative also includes the socio-technical and organisational aspects of human-robot collaboration. The candidate will therefore collaborate with researchers across departments and contribute to shared case studies and interdisciplinary research activities.

In addition to research activities, the PhD fellow will contribute to teaching and supervision within the programmes at the Department of Computer Science at Aalborg University, such as Information Technology and Digitalisation and Application Development. Teaching activities may include supervision of student projects and participation in courses related to human-computer interaction and software engineering.

Your competencies  

Applicants should have a strong interest in human-robot interaction and the role of emerging technologies in healthcare. The successful candidate is expected to have competencies to design and develop software prototypes as well as conducting and analysing user studies, such as in-person experiments and online surveys. Some experience with robots and/or other hardware is desirable but not required.

We expect applicants to hold a Master’s degree in a relevant field such as human-computer interaction, computer science, software engineering, digitalization and application development, or a related discipline. Experience with user studies and design methods will be considered an advantage.

The ideal candidate is motivated to work in interdisciplinary research environments and is interested in collaborating with researchers from different fields as well as with healthcare professionals and other stakeholders. We expect the candidate to demonstrate curiosity, independence, and the ability to develop and conduct a research project in collaboration with supervisors and partners.

Strong communication skills in English, both written and spoken, are required, as the PhD project will be conducted in an international research environment. Danish language skills are considered an advantage, but they are not a requirement.

Who we are   

The PhD fellow will join the Human-Centred Computing (HCC) research section at the Department of Computer Science at Aalborg University. The HCC research section focuses on designing, developing, and applying interactive computing technologies. The group has a long tradition of empirical and solution-oriented research focusing on processes, products, and theory.

The PhD fellow will join the Human Augmentation and Collaboration (HAC) group and the Physical and Embodied Interaction (PEI) group. The HAC group designs and evaluates interactive systems that extend human cognitive, affective, and collaborative capabilities in digital environments. The PEI group investigates how people interact with intelligent systems that sense, act, and respond in the physical world.

In addition, the PhD fellow will be invited to join the Human–Robot Interaction Lab at Aalborg University, an interdisciplinary research lab spanning various faculties and dedicated to studying human–robot interaction and collaboration in real-world settings.

As the position is also part of a broader interdisciplinary research initiative conducted jointly with the Department of Sustainability and Planning at Aalborg University, the PhD fellow will work in close collaboration with a PhD student at that department.

Qualification requirements
PhD stipends are allocated to individuals who hold a Master's degree. PhD stipends are normally for a period of 3 years. It is a prerequisite for allocation of the stipend that the candidate will be enrolled as a PhD student at the Technical Doctoral School of IT and Design in accordance with the regulations of Ministerial Order No. 1124 of September 19, 2025 on the PhD Programme at the Universities and Certain Higher Artistic Educational Institutions. According to the Ministerial Order, the progress of the PhD student shall be assessed at regular points in time. As part of the PhD study, you are among other things required to complete PhD courses corresponding to 30 ECTS, gain experience with teaching or other forms of knowledge dissemination and complete an external research stay outside of Aalborg University, preferably 3-6 months at a foreign research institution.

How to apply
Your application must include the following:

•  A cover letter of max. 1 page, stating reasons for applying, preferred starting date, and a brief explanation of the applicant’s qualifications in relation to the position,
• Diplomas (bachelor’s and master's degree diploma). For students who have not yet completed their master’s degree, we ask that you indicate an expected date of graduation and attach documentation of current progress (such as a grade overview of completed courses).
• A research statement (project description) broadly within the frame of “human-centred healthcare robotics” of max. 2 pages (excl. references). This statement should outline the applicant’s thoughts and ideas on possible research directions within the context of the topic outlined above.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Diploma and transcripts of records
• Other relevant information

The application must be submitted via Aalborg University’s recruitment system, which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aalborg University's website. 

Aalborg University wants to reflect the surrounding society and has diversity as a core value. Therefore, everyone, regardless of personal background and orientation, is encouraged to apply for the position.

Do you have any questions?     
If you have any questions about the position, you are more than welcome to contact us. You will find contact persons at the bottom of the jobpost.

Further information  
Read more about our recruitment process here.

The assessment of candidates for the position will be carried out by qualified experts.
Shortlisting will be applied. This means that after the application deadline, the head of the department, with the assistance of the hiring committee, will select the applicants to be assessed. All applicants will be informed whether they have been shortlisted for assessment or not.

The hiring process at Aalborg University may include a risk assessment as a tool to identify potential risks associated with new hires, ensuring the safety, compliance, and integrity of the workplace.

Read more about The Technical Doctoral School of IT and Design

Salary and terms of employment
The employment is in accordance with the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities (the Appointment Order) and the Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities (in Danish).

Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with the collective agreement between the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations and the state (AC collective agreement) (in Danish) 

There is a mutual probationary period of 3 months for the position.