PhD Position: Design and Evaluation of Multimodal Socratic AI Tutor for Novice Programmers at Aalborg University Aalborg University in Denmark

Aalborg University invites applications for a fully funded PhD position focused on the design, development, integration, and evaluation of a multimodal, Socratic AI tutor for novice programmers. This research is embedded within the HumanMachineInteraction research environment at the Department of Architecture, Design and Media Technology, located at the Aalborg CREATE city campus. The PhD program is Media, Architecture & Design, and the position is a central part of the BuddhAi project—an interdisciplinary initiative aiming to transform programming education through AI-driven, dialogue-based, and pedagogically grounded tools.

The successful candidate will join a cross-faculty collaboration spanning the TECH and SUND faculties, working closely with course teams from Medialogy and Clinical Science & Technology, as well as a dedicated pedagogical postdoc. The project’s overarching goal is to co-design, deploy, and iteratively refine an AAU-sovereign AI tutoring system that supports student agency, fosters critical engagement, and enhances conceptual understanding among first-year programming students. The candidate will conduct empirical studies on student–AI interaction, shape multimodal learning scenarios (text, speech, code), contribute to adaptive dialogue design, and examine how novice programmers develop reasoning, reflection, and metacognitive strategies when engaging with the AI tutor.

This position offers a unique opportunity to directly impact programming education at AAU. By working within live teaching environments, the candidate will gain firsthand experience with pedagogically driven AI innovation, local LLM infrastructure, and interdisciplinary collaboration, positioning them at the forefront of human-centered AI research, educational technology, and digital sovereignty. The role includes working with LLMs and machine learning, and the candidate will have significant input in shaping both the front and backend of the AI tutor system.

Applicants should have a strong technical background in computer science, software engineering, human-computer interaction, AI, machine learning, or a related field. Interest in learner-centered technology design, collaborative design environments, and inclusive methodologies such as co-design and stakeholder management is preferred. Experience with AI, programming education, or marginalized learning contexts is advantageous. Danish language proficiency is required, as interventions are in Danish-speaking programs.

PhD stipends are allocated to individuals who hold a Master's degree. If the degree is not completed by the application deadline, a written statement from the thesis supervisor or program coordinator is required, and the diploma must be awarded prior to appointment. The position is for three years, starting from 1 August 2026 or soon thereafter. As part of the PhD study, candidates must complete PhD courses (30 ECTS), gain teaching experience, and undertake an external research stay (preferably 3-6 months at a foreign institution).

The Department of Architecture, Design, and Media Technology is a leading research and educational environment in Denmark, integrating creativity, engineering, and technology across architecture, urban design, industrial design, digital design, and interactive media. The department fosters innovation and addresses the interplay between creativity and technology, developing new areas in research and education directed towards the end-user.

Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with the collective agreement between the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations and the state (AC collective agreement). There is a mutual probationary period of 3 months. Aalborg University is committed to diversity and encourages applications from all backgrounds.

For further information about the department, visit https://www.en.create.aau.dk/about-create. For questions about the position, contact Kasper Rodil ([email protected]) or Annemarie Davidsen ([email protected]).

Applications must be submitted via Aalborg University's recruitment system. Interviews will be held from 22 May to 18 June 2026. The assessment process includes shortlisting and may involve a risk assessment. For full details and to apply, visit https://www.vacancies.aau.dk/phd-positions/show-vacancy/vacancyId/923291.