The Department of Information and Computing Sciences at Utrecht University calls for applications for a PhD position in human-centred AI in education.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly embedded in educational technologies to support and enhance learning and teaching. Examples include adaptive learning trajectories, automating feedback, and detecting students with additional needs. Despite these promising evolutions, educational stakeholders’ interactions with these technologies are currently suboptimal due to a lack of transparency and control concerning underlying AI models. To give insights into AI outcomes and model behaviour, many explainable AI techniques have been developed. These can be communicated in the form of visualizations, for example, in visual analytics dashboards. However, different contexts and target groups require different explanation methods and modalities.
Duration: 4 years
Tasks
In this PhD project, the successful candidate will
- contribute to tackling the transparency and control challenges above.
- Specifically, co-design explanation and control interfaces with educational stakeholders in human-centred design processes and evaluate these interfaces in lab or real classroom settings using a broad range of measurements (e.g., model understanding, trust, learning, motivation, reliance).
Salary
- a gross monthly salary between €2,901 and €3,707 in the case of full-time employment.
- 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
- a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave, and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.
Job Requirements
Applicants who meet the following criteria are welcome to apply for the PhD Position in Human-Centred AI in Education:
- a recently completed or close to completing a Master’s degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, or a related discipline that prepared you for conducting the research outlined in this project;
- demonstrable interest (and preferably experience) in education-related research and topics relevant to this project;
- demonstrated experience with quantitative methods (e.g., data science, statistics, randomized controlled trials) and qualitative methods (e.g., interviews, thematic analysis, focus groups);
- fluency in spoken and written English (C1 level);
- motivation to develop teaching skills and coach students.
Application Process
Applications should include:
- curriculum vitae;
- motivation letter (maximum 2 pages)
- scans of BSc and/or MSc certificates (including grade lists), with a certified translation in English, if the degree qualification is not in Dutch, French, or English;
- MSc thesis (if not available, then BSc thesis or a course paper the applicant is proud of—if none of these are in Dutch, French, or English, please add a short abstract or summary in English);
- Optional but encouraged: the names and email addresses of at least two referees;
- Optional: a portfolio of work related to this position (e.g., a personal website);
To apply for the PhD position in human-centred AI in education at Utrecht University, click here.
Deadline: February 03, 2025.
For more information on the PhD Position in Human-Centred AI in Education at Utrecht University, visit the official site.
