PhD student in Human-Computer Interaction - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

PhD student in Human-Computer Interaction

The Department of Informatics and Media at Uppsala University conducts education and research at Ekonomikum in Uppsala and Campus Gotland in Visby. At the department, various aspects of digitization's requirements, possibilities and consequences are studied in relation to individuals, organizations and social institutions. For more information, see the department's website: Department of Informatics and Media - Uppsala University (uu.se).

The position can be placed in either of the two university campuses: Uppsala or Visby. In either case, the student is expected to spend at least one semester in the other campus.

Duties and project description

The PhD position is located in the unit for Human-Computer Interaction and co-supervised by the Department of Game Design. The PhD is associated with the Horizon Europe project "Larpocracy: Developing Spaces for Deliberation and Democratic Skills through Role-playing." The overarching aim of this project is to understand and enhance the capacities of live action role-playing (larp) to support civic participation and democratic skill-building, and explore how these capacities can inform the design of spaces for deliberation and political engagement both online and offline.

Education at doctoral level covers four years full-time and is financed through employment as a doctoral student. The doctoral student is expected to devote their main working time to education at a researcher level and is expected to actively participate in the seminar activities, workshops, conferences and other research-related activities that take place at the department. Other duties such as teaching, facilitating workshops and games, and research administration may also be included within the scope of employment (max. 20%).

Requirements
To meet the entry requirements for doctoral studies in Human-Computer Intraction, you must

• hold a Master’s (second-cycle) degree, or
• have completed at least 240 credits in higher education, with at least 60 credits at Master’s level including an independent project worth at least 15 credits, or
• have acquired substantially equivalent knowledge in some other way.

A suitable background could be a master in Human-Computer Interaction, Game Design, Political Science, Psychology or Sociology, but other subjects will also be considered.

A general specification of the doctoral education can be downloaded from: Faculty of Social Sciences - Uppsala University (uu.se).

Knowledge of English equivalent to English 6 is a requirement. (A Swedish Bachelor's degree fulfills the requirement in English). It is possible to demonstrate that the language requirements are met through TOEFL/IELTS/previous high school or university studies.

We seek a candidate with solid experience of designing or organizing role-play for personal or social change, be it from an academic, professional or leisure context. Excellent communication skills are necessary, including the ability to express oneself in English in both speech and academic writing.

Desirable / meritorious:

Great emphasis will be placed on the candidate's personal suitability. Desirable qualities include documented collaborative skills, initiative, independence, and a reflective and analytical approach.

Other meritorious qualifications are:

• Academic background in Role-Playing Game studies, or any of Human-Computer Interaction, Game Design, Political Science, Psychology or Sociology.
• Practical experience with processes of community service, activism, and/or larp or art event organization;
• Practical experience in the political and/or public sectors.
• Documented ability to facilitate larps in English and Swedish.
• Documented skills in quantitative methods for constructing surveys and analysing survey data

When the university hires new doctoral students, the applicants must be selected who, after a qualitative overall assessment of competence and skill, are judged to have the best conditions to carry out and develop current tasks, especially within the current doctoral projects, as well as contribute to a positive development of the activities in the area.

The merits must be documented so that both quality and extent can be assessed.

Interviews will be held via physical interview at Uppsala University or via the internet.

Additional information

For a description of the doctoral program at the Department of Informatics and Media see Faculty of Social Sciences - Uppsala University (uu.se) and Research - Uppsala University (uu.se)

Additional information about doctoral studies at Uppsala University:

PhD studies - Uppsala University (uu.se)

The application must contain

•  Short cover letter that should contain
  1) The applicant's motivation for applying for the position (max. 500 words).
  2) A brief description of the supplemental documents (list each one).
  3) If more than one academic work (essay, article, etc.) has been submitted for assessment, the cover letter states which of these the admissions committee should prioritize.
• Dissertation plan (two pages, in English). The plan must contain theoretical approach, research questions, purpose, type of data, method and timetable.
• CV with certified copies of academic documents, e.g. certified transcripts of academic diplomas and transcripts
• Copy of the independent works that the applicant has written within the framework of their undergraduate education (C-, D-, advanced level or equivalent; attach draft of current works) or other relevant texts
• Other documents that applicants wish to attach, e.g., letters of recommendation

Uppsala University values the qualities that equal gender distribution and diversity bring to the organization. We are therefore happy to see applicants of all genders and with diverse birth backgrounds, functionality and life experience.

For employment as a doctoral student, it is required that the holder has been accepted or will be accepted to doctoral education, where the degree of ability to assimilate the doctoral education is decisive. 

Rules governing PhD students are set out in the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5, §§ 1-7 and in Uppsala University's rules and guidelines.

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date 1 January 2025 or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala/Visby.

For further information about the position, please contact: 
Professor Annika Waern, Informatics and Media, e-post: annika.waern@im.uu.se
Docent Sarah Lynne Bowman, Game Design, e-post: sarah.bowman@speldesign.uu.se
Head of Department, Informatics and Media – Tomas Eklund: tomas.eklund@im.uu.se

Please submit your application by 20 November 2024, UFV-PA 2024/3573.

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