PhD and Postdoc Fellowships in Human-Computer Interaction, Sensorimotor HCI, and VR University of Copenhagen in Denmark

University of Copenhagen’s Department of Computer Science (DIKU), Human-Centered Computing section, is recruiting for PhD fellowships and postdoctoral fellowships in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), with a strong focus on Virtual Reality (VR), sensorimotor HCI, and motor learning. The positions are part of the ERC-funded MOVR project, which aims to build theoretical and methodological foundations for VR interaction techniques by applying models and paradigms from motor learning research.

The research theme is centered on how physical movements map to virtual actions, and how interaction techniques can be designed and evaluated more systematically. The call highlights several possible directions, including computational interaction, modelling or optimizing HCI in terms of sensory feedback or motor task performance, design of interaction techniques such as pointing and selection across desktop, mobile, and VR settings, and the study of human sensorimotor phenomena such as motor control, learning, agency, embodiment, and presence.

Applicants from computer science, cognitive neuroscience, cognitive science, psychology, robotics, biomedical engineering, human-centered AI, and related disciplines are encouraged to apply. For the PhD, the university offers two routes: a regular 3-year PhD for candidates with a relevant master’s degree, or an integrated MSc+PhD route for candidates with a relevant bachelor’s degree who are eligible for enrolment in a master’s programme in Computer Science. The postdoc call seeks candidates with an outstanding track record in HCI research using theories or methods from the human sensorimotor system.

The project is led by Associate Professor Joanna Bergström at the University of Copenhagen. The environment is described as international, active, and ambitious, with the Human-Centered Computing section, the Pioneer Centre for Artificial Intelligence, and collaborations across a five-university Danish research network. The post mentions that the HCC group is highly active in top HCI venues such as CHI.

Funding is provided through the ERC project MOVR. The integrated MSc+PhD route includes a grant partly paid as SU-klip plus salary for work, followed by salary for the final two years after the MSc is completed. The postdoc positions are two-year fellowships. No specific stipend amount is stated for the regular PhD or postdoc route.

Application deadline: 22 May 2026, 23:59 GMT+2. Applications must be submitted in English through the university portal and should include a cover letter, research statement, CV, diplomas and transcripts, publication list or papers, and reference letters or referee contacts as specified in the call.