PhD in Gestures and Human-Robot Interaction at Technological University Dublin Technological University Dublin in Ireland

PhD opportunity in Gestures and Human-Robot Interaction at Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin), Ireland.

This funded PhD begins in Autumn 2026 and focuses on gestural entrainment, interactional synchrony, and the social impact of temporal and magnitude alignment between humans and robots. The project examines how robot gesture magnitude and frequency may influence rapport, perceived empathy, social presence, and engagement in dyadic and multi-person interaction contexts.

The research sits at the intersection of Robotics, Computer Science, Machine Learning, Data Science, Psychology, and Cognitive Science. It will use humanoid robots and real-time human motion tracking, with metrics including self-reported rapport, social presence, and physiological markers of engagement. The project is part of a new multi-institutional, interdisciplinary national centre for data science and AI funded by Research Ireland.

Students will join a cohort-based PhD training programme with transferable skills training, domain-specific training, peer learning, research seminars, workshops, reading groups, and career development activities. There will also be engagement with industry and public service partners, plus enrichment opportunities such as training placements and academic research visits.

Funding: The studentship provides a €25,000/year stipend for four years tax free, with additional funds for conference attendance and training. EU student fees are covered automatically; non-EU students receive a fee waiver from TU Dublin.

Eligibility / application: Candidates should be interested in the project area and able to start in Autumn 2026. Interested applicants should contact the recruiter with a CV, then submit the formal application before 2026-06-14. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview, and successful applicants will later formalize their TU Dublin application.