Ph.D student in Human-Computer Interaction for Environmental Stewardship - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

Project description

Sustainability research within Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) investigates the role digital technologies can play in structuring actions of care for the environment and the uptake of more sustainable lifestyles. This interdisciplinary PhD project will explore the intersections between Sustainable Human-Computer Interaction and Design (SHCI), and the regulatory context for digital innovation in areas related to environmental protection and specifically waste management. The doctoral candidate will be involved in the exploration of cases of digital innovation in the context of environmental care and will support work within the project towards design methods and artefacts within this context.

The project will provide scientific knowledge and practical expertise to more responsively address the challenges of designing new digital systems that enable sustainable waste practices. Considering regulatory aspects early on, when new digital technologies are envisioned and designed, will more efficiently support the alignment of values mandated by the law with specific design features, and with the concerns that different stakeholders (e.g., municipalities, drivers of innovations) might have in managing waste and protecting the environment. In designing new technologies, the role of law and other regulations is often considered after (in time and importance) the development of new functionalities, when technologies are already in use. The project will examine the ways digital innovation for new sustainable practices can be shaped by existing policy and governance, but also challenge existing regulations. It will deliver empirical evidence and a design methodology to more proactively and holistically understand how environmental responsibility in waste management is made to work within the law.

Third-cycle subject: Media Technology and Human Computer Interaction

Supervision: Associate Prof. Rob Comber (KTH) and co-supervision by Chiara Rossitto (Stockholm University) 

What we offer

• The possibility to study in a dynamic and international research environment in collaboration with industries and prominent universities from all over the world.Read more
• A workplace with many employee benefits and monthly salary according to KTH’s Doctoral student salary agreement.
• A postgraduate education at an institution that is active and supportive in matters pertaining to working conditions, gender equality and diversity as well as study environment.
• Help to relocate and be settled in Sweden and at KTH. 
• Undertake research at the forefront of interaction design and in a world-renowned research group.

Admission requirements

To be admitted to postgraduate education (Chapter 7, 39 § Swedish Higher Education Ordinance), the applicant must have basic eligibility in accordance with either of the following:

• passed a second cycle degree (for example a master's degree), or
• completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 second-cycle higher education credits, or
• acquired, in some other way within or outside the country, substantially equivalent knowledge

In addition to the above, there is also a mandatory requirement for English equivalent to English B/6, read more here

Selection

In order to succeed as a doctoral student at KTH you need to be goal oriented and persevering in your work. Candidates will be assessed upon their ability to:

• independently pursue his or her work,
• collaborate with others,
• have a professional approach,
• analyse and work with complex issues,
• be creative and have an innovative way of thinking and
• remain motivated and efficient despite setbacks or unexpected findings.

After the qualification requirements, great emphasis will be placed on personal competency. 

Target degree: Doctoral degree

Information regarding admission and employment

Only those admitted to postgraduate education may be employed as a doctoral student. The total length of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education in four years ' time. An employed doctoral student can, to a limited extent (maximum 20%), perform certain tasks within their role, e.g. training and administration. A new position as a doctoral student is for a maximum of one year, and then the employment may be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time. 

Union representatives

KTH's website

Doctoral section (Students’ union on KTH Royal Institute of Technology)

section's website

To apply for the position

Apply for the position and admission through KTH's recruitment system. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the advertisement.

Applications must be received at the last closing date at midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).

Applications must include:

• CV including your relevant professional experience and knowledge.
• Application letter with a brief description of why you want to pursue research studies, about what your academic interests are and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. (Maximum 2 pages long)
• Copies of diplomas and grades from previous university studies and certificates of fulfilled language requirements (see above). Translations into English or Swedish if the original document is not issued in one of these languages. Copies of originals must be certified.
• Representative publications or technical reports. For longer documents, please provide a summary (abstract) and a web link to the full text.

Other information

The position may include security-sensitive activities. To become authorized, you therefore need to pass a security check.

Striving towards gender equality, diversity and equal conditions is both a question of quality for KTH and a given part of our values.

For information about processing of personal data in the recruitment process please read here.

We firmly decline all contact with staffing, recruitment agencies and job ad salespersons.

Disclaimer: In case of discrepancy between the Swedish original and the English translation of the job announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.