This PhD position at KTH Royal Institute of Technology invites applications from candidates interested in the socio-technical integration of conversational robots within elderly care. The project is situated within the third-cycle subject of Technology and Health and aims to develop a Nordic Model for the integration of social and conversational robots as welfare technologies. The research will address the practical, ethical, and legal challenges posed by advanced AI-driven welfare technologies, focusing on their impact on care systems.

As a doctoral student, you will conduct user studies to investigate the integration of conversational robots in elderly care settings, exploring both the benefits and tensions that arise across technical, ethical, and regulatory dimensions. The project will also assess how these technologies affect care workflows and contribute to the development of sustainable models for robot integration in long-term care. The position offers the opportunity to work in a dynamic, international research environment, collaborating with industry partners and leading universities.

Supervision will be provided by Assistant Professor Sanna Kuoppamäki and Sebastiaan Meijer. The role is fully funded with a monthly salary according to KTH’s doctoral student salary agreement, and employment is full-time for up to four years. Applicants must have a relevant second-cycle degree or equivalent, experience with user studies involving robots or AI, and proficiency in English. The application process requires submission of academic transcripts, proof of language proficiency, a CV, a motivation letter, and relevant publications.

The deadline for applications is December 3, 2025. KTH is committed to equality, diversity, and providing a supportive environment for all researchers.