Doctoral student in the Design of Interaction Synchrony with Soft Robotics

Organisation/Company

KTH Royal Institute of Technology

Research Field

Computer science » Other
Engineering » Materials engineering
Engineering » Other

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Country

Sweden

Application Deadline

4 Dec 2025 - 22:59 (UTC)

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Horizon Europe - ERC

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Project description

Third-cycle subject: Human Computer Interaction

Robots will care for, wash, and handle people in hospitals. Exoskeletons will help us to walk, carry heavy items and maybe even dance. These are some of the ways in which technology is predicted to move and touch us in the future. The goal of this PhD is to design and demonstrate through robust and working prototypes what this movement and touch should feel like. The student will participate in the ERC-funded project “Intimate Touch: Developing Interaction Design Knowledge and Materials where Technology Touches the Body” and the Digital Futures funded project ‘Redefining Mobility for Ageing Adults’

We will design for touch and movement with these new materials from the perspective of soma design. And, work towards ‘interactional synchrony’ - a deep and meaningful alignment between the body and the moving material.

The applicant will work with soft robotics and haptic technologies to design, develop and study fully-fledged applications in the real world. The student work will combine careful attention to the sensation and emotion arising through interactions with materials, as well as taking a critical, feminist perspective on how bodies are acknowledged in design.

Supervision: Madeline Balaam and Marianela Ciolfi Feliceis proposed to supervise the doctoral student. Decisions are made on admission

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 .
• A workplace with many employee benefits and monthly salary according to KTH’s Doctoral student salary agreement.

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 (a master's degree in Human Computer Interaction or related subject), 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.

Selection

In order to succeed as a doctoral student at KTH you need to be goal oriented and persevering in your work. During the selection process, candidates will be assessed upon their ability to:

• independently pursue his or her work
• collaborate with others,
• have a professional approach and
• analyze and work with complex issues.
• draw from critical, feminist theories as a way of stimulating a design process
• utilise creative and playful methods as part of a design process
• work in an interdisciplinary team with both designers and engineers.
• design and develop medium-fidelity physical prototypes for use in design workshops

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

Target degree: Doctoral degreeInformation 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. In the case of studies that are to be completed with a licentiate degree, the total period of employment may not be longer than what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for two years.

Union representatives

Contact information for union representatives.

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

Contact information for doctoral section .

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 the following elements:

• 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

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

It may be the case that a position at KTH is classified as a security-sensitive role in accordance with the Protective Security Act (2018:585). If this applies to the specific position, a security clearance will be conducted for the applicant in accordance with the same law with the applicant's consent. In such cases, a prerequisite for employment is that the applicant is approved following the security clearance.

We firmly decline all contact with staffing and 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.

Join us at KTH
KTH shapes the future through education, research and innovation. As a leading international technical university, we play an active role in advancing the transition towards a sustainable society. At KTH, you have the opportunity to grow and develop in a creative and dynamic environment, with good working conditions and attractive benefits. Equality, diversity and equal opportunities are essential to quality and form an integral part of KTH’s core values as a university and public authority.

Learn more about our benefits and what it's like to work and grow at KTH

Type of employment: Temporary position
Contract type: Full time
First day of employment: According to agreement
Salary: Monthly salary according to KTH's doctoral student salary agreement
Number of positions: 1
Full-time equivalent: 100%
City: Stockholm
County: Stockholms län
Country: Sweden
Reference number: PA-2025-3406
Contact:

Published: 2025-11-06
Last application date: 2025-12-04

Website

https://academicpositions.com/ad/kth-royal-institute-of-technology/2025/doctora…

Research Field

Computer science

Years of Research Experience

1 - 4

Research Field

Engineering

Years of Research Experience

1 - 4

Research Field

Engineering

Years of Research Experience

1 - 4

Website for additional job details

https://academicpositions.com

Number of offers available

1

Company/Institute

KTH Royal Institute of Technology

Country

Sweden

City

Stockholm

Postal Code

11428

Street

Brinellvägen 8

City

Stockholm

Website

http://www.kth.se

Postal Code

11428

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