Assistant professor in Interaction Design

Subject field

Interaction design.

Subject description

Interaction design is a central field in a world that is becoming increasingly connected, where the digital is also becoming a part of physical artifacts. Interaction design encompasses theories, methods, and principles for designing the interaction between users and products, services, or environments. The creative process involves aesthetic and ethical considerations, approached critically, with the goal of generating positive change—for users, society, and the surrounding ecosystem.

Today, interaction design spans a wide spectrum, from digital visual interfaces to hybrid solutions that combine physical, biodegradable, robotic, or AI-driven materials.

Duties

The position aims to develop KTH’s research and education within the field. The Assistant Professor is expected to attract external research funding with the goal of eventually establishing an independent research group.

Teaching duties also include supervising doctoral students as well as postdocs (as co-supervisor until docent qualification is achieved) and establishing research collaborations both within and outside KTH. The position also involves teaching subjects at both undergraduate and advanced levels at the Department of Human Centered Technology, as well as supervising master thesis projects.

The assistant professor will be given opportunity to develop their independence as researcher and gain accreditation that may allow them to take other teaching positions with higher eligibility requirements (see Chapter 4, Section 12 a § of the Swedish Higher Education Ordinance). Following application, the assistant professor can apply for promotion to associate professor in accordance with Chapter 4, Section 12 c § of the Higher Education Ordinance.

Eligibility

An individual who has completed a doctorate or equivalent scientific competence is qualified for appointment as an assistant professor. Candidates who met those qualifications a maximum of seven years before the deadline for applying for the appointment as an assistant professor has expired should be prioritized. Other candidates may also be considered there are special reasons.  Special reasons’ refers to absence due to illness, parental leave or other similar circumstances.

Assessment criteria

The assessment criteria for appointment as an assistant professor at KTH are stated in KTH’s appointments procedure section 1.3, and apply in relation to the employment profile laid down.

Of highest importance is that the applicant has

• scientific expertise demonstrated through scientific publications, conference attendance, attendance of research cooperation and also other undertakings in the scientific community such as assignments as a reviewer or expert.
• experience from a postdoctoral visit in a research environment other than the university at which the applicant defended their doctoral thesis. In application-oriented areas, experience from research and development work within the industry or other organisations can be considered to correspond to a traditional postdoc visit to another university.

Of second highest importance is that the applicant has

• potential to qualify for a higher teaching post. This includes the potential for independent development as a researcher and teacher within the subject field in question and also the ability to establish, review and develop the research area in question.
• an interest in and understanding of pedagogical development within the subject field in question.

It is also important that the applicant has

• interest in and insights concerning leadership in academia, collaboration with the outside community, and awareness of diversity and equal opportunity issues with a particular focus on gender equality.
• administrative expertise.

Special grounds of assessment for promotion to associate professor

When assessing applications for promotion to associate professor, provisions according to Section 1.2.4 of Appointments procedure at KTH will be applied. Ability to teach in Swedish is a merit that is given great importance in the application for promotion.

Trade union representatives

Contact information to trade union representatives can be found at KTH's web page.

Application

Your application should follow KTH's CV template for employment of teachers. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete according to the requirements in the ad and CV template.

Your complete application must be received at KTH no later than the last day of application, midnight CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).

Log into KTH recruitment system in order to apply to this position.

Other

Time limitation:The appointment is for an indefinite term, but no more than six years, and may be extended if, due to the teacher’s absence due to sick leave, parental leave or other special grounds, more time is required to reach the objectives of the appointment. However, the total appointment period may not exceed eight years. The appointment is part of the Tenure Track system at KTH and the assistant professor may apply for promotion to tenured associate professor.

For more information regarding KTH's assessment, see Appointments procedure at KTH

Striving towards gender equality, diversity and equal conditions is both a question of quality for KTH and a given part of our values.

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

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.

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Disclaimer: In case of discrepancy between the Swedish original and the English translation of the job announcement, the Swedish version takes precedence.

About KTH

KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm has grown to become one of Europe’s leading technical and engineering universities, as well as a key centre of intellectual talent and innovation. We are Sweden’s largest technical research and learning institution and home to students, researchers and faculty from around the world. Our research and education covers a wide area including natural sciences and all branches of engineering, as well as architecture, industrial management, urban planning, history and philosophy. Read more here