We have the power of over 50,000 students and co-workers. Students who provide hope for the future. Co-workers who contribute to Linköping University meeting challenges of today. Our fundamental values rest on credibility, trust and security. By having the courage to think freely and innovate, our actions together, large and small, contribute to a better world. We look forward to receiving your application!

Do you want to shape the AI systems of the future in interaction with society?¨´

Your work assignments

As a PhD student within CHASS (Centre for Human-AI Swarm Systems), you will work in a multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research project that addresses the interaction between autonomous drone swarms and societal actors. The doctoral project focuses on the sociotechnical conditions for the use of autonomous drone swarms in critical societal functions.

The work includes mapping and analyzing relevant actors and stakeholders, such as public safety organizations, with a focus on how they understand, evaluate, and relate to swarm-based services. This involves applying and further developing methods such as actor-network analysis, as well as conducting empirical studies, including interviews, workshops, and other forms of qualitative data collection.

The PhD student will also study how key concepts such as trust, utility, risk, and responsibility are shaped in relation to swarm technologies (in air, water, and on land), and contribute to the development of conceptual models for value-based control of swarms. Particular attention is given to how autonomous units can join or leave swarms based on factors such as priority, urgency, and societal relevance.

The work is carried out in close collaboration with engineering oriented researchers and PhD students within CHASS, where the PhD student contributes perspectives from the behavioural sciences, design disciplines, or other relevant social sciences. The results are expected to inform the development of swarm behaviours and system solutions that are perceived as understandable, meaningful, and trustworthy by different stakeholders.

The PhD student will be affiliated with the Human-Centered Systems (HCS) research environment at Linköping University and is expected to actively contribute to this environment. The doctoral education also includes a research exchange (secondment) at Lund University, where the PhD student will collaborate with the AI and Society research group at LTH.

The work also includes scientific publishing, participation in conferences, and collaboration with other partners in the project.

As a PhD student, you devote most of your time to doctoral studies and the research projects of which you are part. Your work may also include teaching or other departmental duties, up to a maximum of 20 per cent of full-time.

Your qualifications

You have graduated at Master’s level in cognitive science, design, or a field of central relevance to cognitive science or design, or completed courses with a minimum of 240 credits, at least 60 of which must be in advanced courses in cognitive science or design, or in a field of central relevance to cognitive science or design (such as Science and Technology Studies, STS, and Human–Computer Interaction, HCI). Alternatively, you have gained essentially corresponding knowledge in another way.

You have documented experience working with qualitative and/or quantitative research methods relevant to the study of sociotechnical systems, such as interviews, workshops, user studies, or co-design. Experience with interdisciplinary collaboration, as well as an interest in issues related to AI, autonomous systems, and their role, significance, or implications in society, is particularly meritorious. Excellent proficiency in spoken and written English is required. Knowledge of Swedish or another Scandinavian language is considered an particularly meritorious.

You are analytical, structured, and have a strong ability to independently drive research questions forward. You have a strong interest in multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary work and good collaboration skills, as the project involves close interaction with researchers from different disciplines. Furthermore, you are communicative and able to understand different stakeholders’ perspectives, which is central to stakeholder analysis and value-based technology development.

The application must include a position statement (maximum two pages) describing your research interests in relation to the advertised position, your relevant background, and how you can contribute to the project and the interdisciplinary research environment. The statement should also include reflections on which disciplinary orientation—cognitive science or design—you consider most relevant for your doctoral project.

Your workplace

Human-Centered Systems (HCS) is a division within the Department of Computer and Information Science. The division’s research and teaching focus on studying and improving the interaction between humans, technology, and society.

HCS conducts research, as well as undergraduate and doctoral education, in cognitive science, human–computer interaction, design of interactive systems and services, and artificial intelligence from an interdisciplinary perspective.

The employment

When taking up the post, you will be admitted to the program for doctoral studies. More information about the doctoral studies at each faculty is available at Doctoral studies at Linköping University

The employment has a duration of normally four years’ full-time equivalent. Extension of employment up to five years is based on the degree of teaching and institutional assignment. Further extensions may be granted in exceptional circumstances. You will initially be employed for one year, after which your employment will be renewed for a maximum of two years at a time, depending on your progress through the study plan. 

Starting date by agreement. Preferably no later than October 1, 2026.

Background screening may come to be carried out before any decision on employment is made.

Salary and employment benefits

The salary of PhD students is determined according to a locally negotiated salary progression.

More information about employment benefits at Linköping University is available here.

Union representatives

Information about union representatives, see Help for applicants.

Application procedure

Apply for the position by clicking the “Apply” button below. Your application must reach Linköping University no later than August 7, 2026.

Applications and documents received after the date above will not be considered.