Utrecht University is offering a PhD position in the field of Human-Centred AI in Education, focusing on improving transparency and control in AI-supported educational technologies. The successful candidate will co-design and evaluate AI explanation and control interfaces, combining technical, design, and human-centred approaches to enhance learning experiences.
This PhD position is open to international applicants holding a master’s degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, or a related discipline. Applicants should demonstrate experience with both quantitative and qualitative research methods, including data science and statistics.Utrecht University (UU), established in 1636, is one of the oldest and most prestigious public research universities in the Netherlands and Europe. Located in Utrecht, it is a member of the League of European Research Universities and hosts over 39,000 students from more than 110 countries. The university comprises seven faculties, offering around 200 programs at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, with a significant number of courses taught in English. Notably, UU has produced 12 Nobel Prize winners and is recognized for its high-quality research and teaching, ranking within the top 200 universities globally.
Universiteit Utrecht Information
Established in 1636, Universiteit Utrecht (Utrecht University) is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the small city of Utrecht (population range of 250,000-499,999 inhabitants). Officially accredited and/or recognized by the Ministerie van Onderwijs, Cultuur en Wetenschap, Nederland (Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, Netherlands), Universiteit Utrecht (UU) is a large (uniRank enrollment range: 25,000-29,999 students) coeducational higher education institution. Universiteit Utrecht (UU) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as bachelor degrees, master degrees, doctorate degrees in several areas of study. See the uniRank degree levels and areas of study matrix below for further details. This 383 years old higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on entrance examinations and students' past academic record and grades. International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment.
Application Process
Interested candidates should apply online via the Utrecht University application portal. The following documents should be enclosed with the application:
- Curriculum Vitae
- Scans of BSc and/or MSc certificates (with certified English translations if applicable)
- MSc thesis (or BSc thesis or course paper) with a brief English abstract if necessary
- Optional: Names and emails of at least two referees
- Optional: Portfolio of work related to the position (e.g., a personal website)
- Motivation letter (max 2 pages) addressing the following questions:
- What do you hope to learn or achieve during your PhD?
- What aspects of this PhD project excite you and relate to your academic interests?
- Which skills and knowledge gained during your Master’s studies will be most helpful for this project?
- Describe a research challenge you faced and how you resolved it.