PhD on Responsible XR Design for Young Children

This PhD position at Eindhoven University of Technology focuses on responsible extended reality (XR) design for young children, aiming to develop novel, child-appropriate multisensory XR experiences that avoid the risks associated with current commercial XR technologies. The project is a collaboration between TU/e and Institut Polytechnique de Paris, offering a unique opportunity to bridge child-computer interaction, computer science, design, and games research. The research will address child-specific risk factors in XR, such as physical discomfort, over-immersion, and ethical concerns, by creating XR solutions that do not rely on displays or headsets. As a PhD candidate, you will explore how visual-centric XR can be replaced with other modalities, including wearable haptics, audio, and gesture-based interactions, to foster safer and more engaging experiences for children. The project involves co-designing non-visual interaction concepts with children and stakeholders, implementing these designs in various cases, and evaluating them through user studies. You will collaborate internationally, including a 6-month research visit at the DIVA group, Télécom Paris, and have opportunities to publish in top-tier venues such as CHI, CHIPLAY, IDC, and TOCHI. The Department of Industrial Design at TU/e provides a dynamic, interdisciplinary environment, integrating engineering, design, business, and social sciences. The university is located in Brainport Eindhoven, a world-leading tech region renowned for innovation in AI, photonics, semiconductors, and advanced manufacturing. TU/e offers a vibrant academic community, excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus childcare and sports facilities, and comprehensive support for international candidates. Employment conditions include a four-year full-time contract, competitive salary (scale P: €3,059–€3,881/month), year-end bonus, vacation pay, pension scheme, paid parental leave, and allowances for commuting and home working. International candidates benefit from a tax compensation scheme and dedicated immigration support. You will spend at least 10% of your time on teaching tasks, with access to high-quality training programs to develop as an autonomous scientific researcher. Applicants must have a master's degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, Industrial Design, or a related field, strong programming skills (C#, Python), experience in game/XR development (Unity), and fluency in English (C1). Preferred qualifications include experience with multimodal interaction, background in psychology or educational technologies, and fluency in Dutch or French. The application process requires a cover letter, CV, MSc thesis or publications, transcripts, and references. Applications are accepted online until the position is filled, with priority given to complete submissions. For further information, contact Dr. Sebastian Cmentowski ([email protected]) or [email protected]. Apply via the official link provided. Join TU/e to contribute to innovative, ethical XR solutions for children and advance your research career in a leading international university.