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Vrije Universiteit Brussel
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PhD Researcher - Co-design of Assistive Technology for People with Severe Intellectual Disabilities Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Belgium
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Sociology
Funding
Full-time PhD scholarship for 12 months, extendable up to a maximum of 48 months, with a grant linked to one of the scales set by the government.
Deadline
Nov 30, 2026
Country
Belgium
University
Vrije Universiteit Brussel
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About this position
The project is a doctoral research position at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel, based in the Faculty of Social Sciences and Solvay Business School within the Department of Communication Sciences and the Research Group Studies in Media, Innovation and Technology (imec-SMIT).
The PhD research is embedded in the Horizon Europe project EU ADAPTEM, which develops new digital tools to improve health and well-being for children and adults with severe intellectual disabilities and their caregivers. The work focuses on the use and co-creation of assistive technologies, including tools using XR, and on understanding how such technologies can be responsibly developed and integrated into everyday care. A central theme is the study of acceptance and trust in technology, alongside co-creation and research protocols that involve people with disabilities, family members, caregivers, and other stakeholders.
The doctoral researcher will contribute to participatory design, prototype evaluation, and pilot activities. The role combines literature review, qualitative and quantitative research, interviews, observations, surveys, co-creation workshops, and user-requirements development. The project also addresses broader questions about responsible AI, including human control, autonomy, caregivers’ roles and responsibilities, and unintended consequences of technology.
The research environment is strongly interdisciplinary and socially engaged, with a home base at VUB’s Brussels Humanities, Sciences & Engineering Campus in Elsene. The position is situated in a research setting concerned with media, innovation, technology, and digital healthcare, and it offers the opportunity to work in a multidisciplinary, international team on technology development for a highly relevant care context.
Funding details
Full-time PhD scholarship for 12 months, extendable up to a maximum of 48 months, with a grant linked to one of the scales set by the government.
What's required
Applicants must hold, by the start of the appointment, a master’s degree in communication sciences, sociology, psychology, educational sciences, social sciences, Human-Computer Interaction, health sciences or a related discipline. They should be interested in human-centred technology development, technology acceptance and trust, HCI, digital healthcare and/or trustworthy AI, have an affinity for social science research in healthcare, and be interested in research with children and adults with severe intellectual and/or motor disabilities, caregivers, parents and care professionals. Candidates should be comfortable with qualitative and quantitative methods, communicate professionally and write scientifically in English, work independently and in an international multidisciplinary team, and not already hold a doctorate at the start of the appointment. Experience with interviews, co-creation workshops, questionnaires, qualitative and quantitative analysis, usability testing, user experience research, technology in healthcare, technology acceptance/trust, or disability studies is an advantage. Knowledge of Dutch or French is also an advantage. Candidates must not have performed assistant work paid from operating resources for more than 12 months in total and must meet the permit and residence requirements for VUB if non-EEA nationals.
How to apply
Apply via the jobs.vub.be application portal by 2026-11-30. Upload your CV, motivation letter, and diploma (not applicable for VUB alumni). Selection is based on the application file, followed by an interview.
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