Location

Duisburg

Application area

Research Alliance Ruhr, Research Center Trustworthy Data Science and Security

PhD position in the Young Investigator Group Human Factors in AI systems (f/m/d, No. 226-26))
TV-L 13 (gross 57.112 € - 81.176 €)

As part of the Research Alliance Ruhr, the Research Center Trustworthy Data Science and Security is bringing the expertise of its universities together to bridge the gaps between Psychology & Social Sciences, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Data Science & Statistical Learning, and Cybersecurity & Privacy.

Start of employment

as soon as possible

Duration of employment

3 years

Working time

full-time position (39 h 50 min, part-time work is possible)

Your main tasks

Join us now to create innovations for the world of tomorrow in Europe’s densest university landscape, where you can find a wide range of scientific and industrial partners right on the doorstep.

About the Position

The Young Investigator Group Human Factors in AI Systems researches how AI shapes the way we think, feel, interact, and behave, as well as how AI influences our emotions, decision-making, and social connections. The general aim is to better assess, understand, and guide the effects of AI systems, ensuring a trustworthy, human-centered way of development and deployment. By taking an interdisciplinary perspective, the research combines insights from psychology, computer science, and human–computer interaction to better understand these complex dynamics. In doing so, the group seeks not only to analyze current challenges but also to develop frameworks and practical recommendations that support human-centered AI design and governance.

To that end, we seek a PhD researcher to work on (a) human trust and trust calibration in AI systems, including how trust is formed, maintained, and potentially miscalibrated in interactions with AI; (b) cognitive and social attributions toward AI (e.g., mental state attribution), examining how people perceive, interpret, and make sense of AI behavior; and (c) formal and informal mechanisms of AI transparency, accountability, and certification, with a focus on how these mechanisms can enhance user understanding, oversight, and responsible use, (d) or related fields.

Your responsibilities

• Contributing to cutting-edge interdisciplinary research at the intersection of artificial intelligence, cognitive science, human-computer interaction, and ethical system design
• Take ownership of a defined research direction aligned with the group's themes, working with a high degree of independence and initiative.
• Conduct research using methods appropriate to the project and your background, including quantitative and qualitative approaches.
• Publish and present research at top-tier venues and contribute to the academic community.
• Collaborate with researchers across disciplines and institutions (computer science, statistics, cybersecurity), contributing to a supportive and engaged research environment.

Your profile

• A strong Master’s degree in a relevant discipline (e.g., psychology, cognitive science, communication science, human factors)
• Excellent knowledge of empirical research methods and statistical analyses
• Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills in English
• The ability to work independently and collaboratively in an interdisciplinary setting

We offer you

The position is embedded in a creative, attractive, and internationally renowned research environment. With your work, you will play an essential role in developing our new Research Center and outreach with trustworthy technology to the general public. Our international network of researchers and industry partners offers a stimulating work environment. A balanced and family-friendly work-life relationship is important to us; thus, we offer flexible working times or part-time remote home office options.

Application deadline

2026-06-24

Code number

226-26

Application

Please send your applicationn including CV, certificates, and a 2-page description of your planned research to Dr. Magdalena Wischnewski, University of Duisburg-Essen, Faculty of Computer Science, 47048 Duisburg, email: magdalena.wischnewski@uni-due.de stating the code number 226-26.

Information about the job

Further information about the Research Center can be found at: https://rc-trust.ai

Research Alliance Ruhr

As the densest university landscape in Europe, the Metropole Ruhr offers attractive career opportunities for excellent scientists from all over the world.

In order to bundle their top international research on the major challenges facing humanity, the Ruhr-Universität Bochum, the TU Dortmund University and the University of Duisburg-Essen founded the Research Alliance Ruhr in 2021. Four research centres and a college have been established here.

This is the latest development in the long-standing cooperation as the University Alliance Ruhr (UA Ruhr), a community of 14,000 researchers and 110,000 students.

Learn more

In accordance with the State Equal Opportunities Act, women with the same qualifications are given referential considered.

Applications from suitable disabled persons and persons of equal status within the meaning of § 2 para. 3 SGB IX are desired.

By applying for one of the advertised positions, you expressly agree to the requirements in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation and to being contacted by mail. Further information on data protection can be found here.

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