PhD in Cognitive Science or Design on Societal Use of Drone Swarms at Linköping University
Linköping University is advertising a PhD position in
cognitive science or design
focused on the
societal use of autonomous drone swarms
within the CHASS project (Centre for Human-AI Swarm Systems).
The project sits at the intersection of
AI, autonomous systems, human-centered design, sociotechnical systems, stakeholder analysis, and qualitative research
. The doctoral work will examine how drone swarms interact with society in critical societal functions, including how public safety organizations and other actors understand, evaluate, and engage with swarm-based services.
Research tasks include mapping relevant actors and stakeholders, applying and extending
actor-network theory/analysis
, and conducting empirical studies such as
interviews, workshops, user studies, and qualitative fieldwork
. The project also explores concepts such as
trust, utility, risk, and responsibility
in relation to swarm technologies in air, water, and on land, and contributes to conceptual models for value-based control of swarms.
The PhD student will be affiliated with the
Human-Centered Systems (HCS)
environment at Linköping University and will also complete a research exchange (secondment) at
Lund University
, collaborating with the AI and Society research group at LTH. The position is multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary, with close collaboration with engineering-oriented researchers and other project partners.
Eligibility highlights:
a Master’s degree in cognitive science, design, or a closely related field; or equivalent coursework/knowledge. Documented experience with relevant research methods is required. Excellent English is required, and Swedish or another Scandinavian language is a merit.
Funding and employment:
this is a salaried doctoral employment at Linköping University, normally four years full-time, with possible extension up to five years depending on teaching and departmental duties. Salary follows local PhD salary progression.
Deadline:
2026-08-07. The position starts by agreement, preferably no later than 2026-10-01.
How to apply:
submit the application via Linköping University’s online portal and include the required two-page position statement describing your research interests, background, contribution to the project, and whether cognitive science or design is the most relevant orientation.
