Vacant job

Your responsibilities

The Interdisciplinary Centre for Heterogeneous Adaptive Swarm Systems, CHASS, is a national initiative funded by the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (SSF). It brings together leading researchers in AI, autonomous systems, robotics, and swarm intelligence to develop new solutions for autonomous heterogeneous swarm systems, benefiting Swedish industry and society. The vision is to make Sweden a leader in intelligent, adaptive, and reliable swarm systems by pioneering autonomous heterogeneous collectives of space, air, ground, surface, and underwater platforms that function as a unified intelligent whole with minimal human intervention. The research program focuses on six key areas: drone design, adaptation, and production; perception, sensors, and communication; autonomy, localization, mapping, and navigation; coordination, self-control, and self-improvement; human-swarm interaction; and swarm-based services and socio-technical aspects.

The PhD position in this call focuses on research in the design of human-swarm interaction. The theme Human-Swarm Interaction (HSI) will focus on research that enables a human operator or team to effectively monitor and collaborate with a swarm of drones, going beyond the monitoring-intervention paradigm. The research will address interaction design, such as for shared sensemaking, transparency, and resilience in the human-swarm system; tracking and sensitivity to the operator's intentions, as well as deontic control.

CHASS will conduct world-leading research in autonomous swarm systems through a strong, stimulating, and well-established international research environment. Research results will be validated in real-world scenarios together with industrial and public partners. CHASS will also serve as a national hub for autonomous swarm systems, promoting education, knowledge sharing, innovation, and policy development.

As a PhD student, you will focus on your doctoral studies and the research project you are part of. Your work may also include teaching or participation in other departmental duties, up to 20% of full-time equivalent.

You are expected to conduct research in the design of human-swarm interaction, with research questions based on the projects (especially CHASS) in which your work is included. You are expected to contribute to and participate in project activities within these projects. The research is based on cognitive systems science as a foundation for design and evaluation, as well as computer science to build testable prototypes.

Your qualifications

You have completed an advanced level degree in cognitive science, design, or computer science, or completed courses totaling at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 credits are at an advanced level within cognitive science, design, or computer science, or have otherwise acquired substantially equivalent knowledge.

The applicant is expected to have good knowledge of cognitive science, as well as basic knowledge of programming and research methodology. Knowledge of specific methods and approaches such as cognitive systems science, cognitive task analysis, "joint control framework", the programming language Python, databases, experience in designing and/or evaluating human-system interaction, is considered meritorious. Knowledge and experience in generative AI and AI agents is also considered meritorious.

The position requires good communication skills in English, both oral and written. It is meritorious if you also have the ability to communicate in Swedish.

Great importance will be attached to personal qualities and suitability.

Your workplace

You will be employed at the Department of Science and Technology (https://liu.se/organisation/liu/itn), division of Media and Information Technology (MIT) (https://liu.se/forskning/medie-och-informationsteknik-mit), at Linköping University, Campus Norrköping.

Our research focuses on the design of composite cognitive systems, specifically the interaction between humans and AI/automation, for mission-critical processes. These are systems that include at least one human operator, a process to be controlled, and an automation or AI component that also needs to be controlled. The research is applied to areas such as air traffic control, maritime traffic control, railway traffic control, and emergency and crisis management. The research is conducted in close collaboration with Swedish and international universities, research institutes, and industrial partners, and includes both simulation-based development and validation in real test environments. Our research group has led major research projects in the field and is part of national initiatives such as WASP, the research arena WARA Public Safety, and the testbed AirMobility. At Linköping University, you will also be part of the LiU Design network, which connects the design area within the university.

About the position

Upon commencement of employment, you will be admitted to the doctoral program. Read more about the doctoral programs at the respective faculties here (https://liu.se/forskning/forskarutbildning).

The employment is fixed-term for normally four years full-time. Extension of employment up to five years occurs based on the extent of teaching and departmental duties. Further extension may occur for special reasons. You will initially be employed for one year, after which the employment is renewed for up to two years at a time, based on the achieved study plan.

Start date: September 1, 2026, or as agreed.

The position may be subject to security classification. If so, a security investigation with register check will be conducted before a decision on employment is made.

Salary and benefits

PhD salaries are regulated according to a locally agreed salary scale. Read more about benefits for employees here (https://liu.se/jobba-pa-liu/formaner).

Union representatives

Information about union representatives, see here (https://liu.se/jobba-pa-liu/hjalp-for-sokande).

Application

You apply for this position by clicking the "Apply" button below. Your application must reach Linköping University no later than June 23, 2026. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.

We welcome applicants with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, as this enriches and develops our operations. For us, it is obvious to uphold everyone's equal value, rights, and opportunities. Read about our work with equal conditions (https://liu.se/artikel/lika-villkor/).

We look forward to receiving your application!

Linköping University has procured agreements and declines direct contact from staffing and recruitment agencies as well as sellers of job advertisements.