PhD Researcher in Human Understanding of Algorithms and Machines (AI, trust, ethics, education, governance) University of Duisburg-Essen in Germany

PhD researcher position at the University of Duisburg-Essen in the Human Understanding of Algorithms and Machines (HUAM) group, part of the Research Center Trustworthy Data Science and Security / Research Alliance Ruhr.

This is an open-topic PhD opening for applicants who want to develop their own research agenda within the broader study of human behavior and artificial intelligence. The group is especially interested in projects on AI and ethical decision-making, AI-mediated communication and trust, synthetic relationships with conversational agents, AI in education and learning, AI, corruption, and governance, and human perception and understanding of algorithms.

The successful candidate will design and run rigorous empirical studies, including behavioral experiments, surveys, and/or experience sampling methods, and will analyze quantitative data while contributing to open science practices such as pre-registration, replication, and transparency. The position is jointly supervised by Prof. Nils Köbis and another supervisor from the Rhine-Ruhr region.

Eligibility highlights: excellent Master’s degree in psychology, behavioral economics, political science, communication science, HCI, or a related social science field; strong interest in empirical research on human behavior and/or AI; quantitative methods skills; strong English; German is desirable but not required.

Funding: paid position at 13 TV-L with gross salary stated as €57,112–€81,176, full-time for 3 years.

Deadline: 2026-09-03. Start: 1 December 2026.

How to apply: email a single PDF to [email protected] and mention reference number 319-26. Include a 1-page motivation letter, 1-page research proposal, CV with publications if applicable, and contact details of two referees.