If you believe there's more to designing with AI technologies than just chatbots and are intrigued by the current state and future of design, we want to hear from you. Help shape the theory and practice of this evolving field!

Position: PhD Student

Irène Curie Fellowship: No

Department(s): Industrial Design

FTE: 1.0

Start Date: 01/10/2024

Reference Number: V51.7683

Job Description

We are seeking a fully-funded 4-year PhD candidate for the “Designing with Intelligence” cluster. This role involves exploring the role of uncertainty in current and emerging design aesthetics of intelligent adaptive systems through designerly research and practice.

Motivation

AI technologies are integral to many systems today, from ChatGPT and Stable Diffusion to financial, navigation, and entertainment systems. Design research must evolve to address these technologies, moving beyond conventional interfaces like chatbots. There is a significant opportunity to explore the aesthetic potential of AI technologies and their components.

Uncertainty, a key technical attribute of AI technologies, offers a unique design material. Initial explorations suggest that designing with uncertainty can lead to evocative, speculative, and playful design possibilities that reflect the nature of AI technologies and their infrastructures.

Research Avenues

This PhD will delve into the relevance of uncertainty in design, aiming to develop foundational resources for understanding the aesthetics of intelligent adaptive systems. The candidate will conduct design research into the technical aspects of uncertainty in AI technologies and its broader implications for computational systems.

At the Department

The PhD researcher will collaborate with researchers, PhD students, and projects within TU/e, engaging in case studies, practice-led experimentation, and knowledge exchange. The Industrial Design department and the “Designing with Intelligence” cluster offer numerous opportunities for research participation and contribution to leading publications.

Job Requirements

• Master’s degree in Design, HCI, Interaction Design, Design Research, Philosophy of Technology, Anthropology, STS, or related fields.
• Experience with Research-through-Design and prototyping interactive systems.
• Interest in design theory, cultural/philosophical anthropology, and philosophies of technology.
• Qualitative research skills in design.
• Early publication record in relevant areas is a plus.
• Research-oriented attitude and teamwork ability.
• Motivation to develop teaching skills and mentor students.
• Fluent in English (C1 level).

Conditions of Employment

Join a dynamic and ambitious university in an interdisciplinary and international environment. Located on a beautiful, green campus, we offer:

• Full-time, four-year employment with an intermediate evaluation.
• Competitive salary and benefits, including pension, maternity leave, and partially paid parental leave.
• Year-end bonus and annual vacation pay.
• Training programs to develop into an autonomous scientific researcher.
• Excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus childcare, and sports facilities.
• Commuting, home-working, and internet allowances.
• Support for international candidates, including immigration and tax compensation.

Information and Application

About Us

Eindhoven University of Technology is a top-ranking institution known for scientific curiosity and collaboration. Our open culture and strong industry partnerships enable us to address complex global challenges.

Information

For more details, contact Jesse Josua Benjamin at j.j.benjamin@tue.nl.

For application process and employment conditions, visit our application process and conditions of employment pages. Contact hrservices.id@tue.nl for further inquiries.

Inspired to join us? Visit our career page.

Application

Submit your application using the apply button. Include:

• Cover letter detailing your experience, motivation, and research statement (1-2 pages).
• Visual portfolio of relevant work with annotations (2-4 pages).
• CV with project and publication descriptions.

We will review applications promptly. The position will remain open until filled.