Nils Köbis

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.