Verena Distler

This doctoral opening is based in the Humans, Security and Privacy research group in the Department of Computer Science at Aalto University. The project sits at the intersection of human-computer interaction , psychology, and human-centered security, with a focus on how people experience security and privacy online and how they respond to digital deception , including social engineering. The central research theme is how users judge whether a digital request is genuine when convincing messages, voices, and images can be fabricated. The doctoral researcher will investigate everyday social engineering interactions and explore how interface interventions may help people make more informed judgments. The research direction will be developed together with the supervisor, allowing the student to build on personal interests within the project framework. The role is embedded in an internationally oriented department with a large and active computer science community at Aalto University. The student will work closely with the supervisor and the research group, with opportunities to collaborate across the group’s wider network and with other doctoral researchers. The project combines empirical research with the design and evaluation of user-centered technologies aimed at supporting critical judgment, informed decision-making, and user autonomy. The position includes research tasks such as reviewing literature, developing realistic research scenarios and measurement protocols, designing studies with human participants, collecting and analyzing quantitative and qualitative data, and publishing findings at leading scientific venues. The researcher is also expected to contribute to teaching in line with department practices. The advertised environment emphasizes independent work, collaboration, and ethical research with human participants. Supervision is provided by Assistant Professor Verena Distler . The position is located at Aalto University’s Otaniemi campus in Espoo, Finland.

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