Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg 
Oldenburg, Germany Project Description
Your tasks:
In the DEUS research project, you will explore how people can understand, stay in control of, and feel at ease in smart homes and other pervasive computing environments in which automated systems increasingly act on their behalf – from home robots to AI that makes decisions in the smart home. Taking a human-centred perspective, you will investigate users’ mental models, everyday practices, and needs for agency and intelligibility. Following a user-centred design process, you will design, prototype, and evaluate novel interaction concepts that make automated behaviour transparent and enable people and systems to cooperate – using qualitative and quantitative methods in the lab and in the field.
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You will also contribute to the group’s teaching, in particular courses in Human-Computer Interaction in the English-language Master’s programme Engineering of Socio-Technical Systems and in the Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes of the Department of Computing Science. The position further includes supervising student theses and project groups.
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The position offers the opportunity to pursue a PhD in Human-Computer Interaction with a focus on smart homes and pervasive computing, and the successful candidate is expected to do so within the group.
Your profile:
Required Qualifications
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- A successfully completed academic degree (Master's or Diploma (university)) in computer science, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field
- Sound knowledge of Human-Computer Interaction, particularly in the design, development, and evaluation of interactive systems
- Experience in conducting qualitative and quantitative user studies
- Ability to work independently and flexibly
- Excellent communication skills, empathy, and initiative
- Strong teamwork skills demonstrated through collaborative projects
- Very good English language skills, both written and spoken
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Further Preferred Qualifications
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- Prior experience with smart homes or pervasive computing, e.g., configuring smart home platforms
- Experience in prototyping interactive systems, e.g., voice-based, tangible, or AR interfaces
- Experience with human-centred or explainable AI, human-robot interaction, or integrating machine learning or large language models into interactive systems
- Experience in academic writing, ideally demonstrated through first-author publications at Human-Computer Interaction conferences
- Previous experience as a student research assistant
- Good German language skills
We offer:
- Excellent research infrastructure, including facilities for digital fabrication and virtual reality as well as a fully equipped smart home laboratory
- An exciting and diverse working environment
- The opportunity to present your work at national and international scientific conferences
- A motivated and open-minded team with a cooperative working atmosphere
Our standards:
The University of Oldenburg is dedicated to increase the percentage of female employees in the field of science. Therefore, female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. In accordance to § 21 Section 3 NHG, female candidates with equal qualifications will be preferentially considered. Applicants with disabilities will be given preference in case of equal qualification.
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The University of Oldenburg is seeking to fill the following position:
Research Associate in the Human-Computer Interaction Group
Paygrade | E13 TV-L
Working Hours | 100% (suitable for part-time)
Institution | Department of Computing Science (School II of Computing Science, Business Administration, Economics and Law)
Location | Oldenburg (Oldb)
Application Deadline | 15.12.2026
First day of work | as soon as possible
Limited | limited to 3 years, with the option of extension
About us
Faculty II – Computing Science, Business Administration, Economics and Law at the University of Oldenburg offers a modern, interdisciplinary academic environment that combines technical, economic, and societal perspectives. Within the faculty, the Department of Computing Science stands for research-oriented and practice-driven higher education.
The Human-Computer Interaction Group conducts research on interactive systems that are consistently oriented towards human needs, usage contexts, and societal acceptance. Our work spans the theories and methods of the field — ranging from user-centred design and multimodal interaction to empirical evaluation in real-world contexts. Our goal is to shape digital technologies in ways that are understandable, responsible, and meaningfully integrated into everyday life and work.
Your tasks
In the DEUS research project, you will explore how people can understand, stay in control of, and feel at ease in smart homes and other pervasive computing environments in which automated systems increasingly act on their behalf – from home robots to AI that makes decisions in the smart home. Taking a human-centred perspective, you will investigate users’ mental models, everyday practices, and needs for agency and intelligibility. Following a user-centred design process, you will design, prototype, and evaluate novel interaction concepts that make automated behaviour transparent and enable people and systems to cooperate – using qualitative and quantitative methods in the lab and in the field.
You will also contribute to the group’s teaching, in particular courses in Human-Computer Interaction in the English-language Master’s programme Engineering of Socio-Technical Systems and in the Bachelor’s and Master’s programmes of the Department of Computing Science. The position further includes supervising student theses and project groups.
The position offers the opportunity to pursue a PhD in Human-Computer Interaction with a focus on smart homes and pervasive computing, and the successful candidate is expected to do so within the group.
Your profile
Required Qualifications
- A successfully completed academic degree (Master's or Diploma (university)) in computer science, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field
- Sound knowledge of Human-Computer Interaction, particularly in the design, development, and evaluation of interactive systems
- Experience in conducting qualitative and quantitative user studies
- Ability to work independently and flexibly
- Excellent communication skills, empathy, and initiative
- Strong teamwork skills demonstrated through collaborative projects
- Very good English language skills, both written and spoken
Further Preferred Qualifications
- Prior experience with smart homes or pervasive computing, e.g., configuring smart home platforms
- Experience in prototyping interactive systems, e.g., voice-based, tangible, or AR interfaces
- Experience with human-centred or explainable AI, human-robot interaction, or integrating machine learning or large language models into interactive systems
- Experience in academic writing, ideally demonstrated through first-author publications at Human-Computer Interaction conferences
- Previous experience as a student research assistant
- Good German language skills
We offer
- Excellent research infrastructure, including facilities for digital fabrication and virtual reality as well as a fully equipped smart home laboratory
- An exciting and diverse working environment
- The opportunity to present your work at national and international scientific conferences
- A motivated and open-minded team with a cooperative working atmosphere
Our standards
The University of Oldenburg is dedicated to increase the percentage of female employees in the field of science. Therefore, female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. In accordance to § 21 Section 3 NHG, female candidates with equal qualifications will be preferentially considered. Applicants with disabilities will be given preference in case of equal qualification.
Contact
For questions regarding the position, please contact: Prof. Dr. Susanne Boll ()
Apply now
Please send your application documents (one-page motivation letter, CV, one letter of recommendation, Bachelor’s degree certificate, Master’s degree certificate if available, otherwise a current transcript of records) as a single PDF document with the subject line “DEUS” to: Prof. Dr. Susanne Boll (), with CC to Claudia Martsfeld ().
Please do not send application materials by postal mail.
Unfortunately, travel expenses incurred during the interview process cannot be reimbursed.
Benefits at University of Oldenburg
30 days vacation
Secure remuneration according to collective agreement
Company pension scheme
Further education opportunities
Flexible working hours
Health management
Remote working
Compatibility of career and family
Support with childcare
University Sports Centre
Certificate Bicycle-friendly employer
Corporate Benefits
How to apply
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