The Department Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Copenhagen (UCPH), invites candidates for a postdoctoral position in Experimental Psychology and Cognitive Modeling from 1 June 2023 or as soon as possible thereafter.

The position is for 2 years.

Introduction

We are seeking a postdoctoral researcher with a strong background in experimental psychology and cognitive modelling. You will be working in the Human-Centered Computing Section, Department of Computer Science, University of Copenhagen (www.di.ku.dk) and the Cognition and Neuropsychology research cluster, Department of Psychology, University of Copenhagen (psychology.ku.dk).

The human visual system is remarkable. It can single out objects quickly and monitor our surroundings. Yet, seeing changes between two mostly identical scenes is difficult and critical visual information is sometimes missed. In the research project funded by the Villum foundation, we will use use augmented reality (AR) to investigate ways to remedy these limitations. We will validate how well existing models of visual attention can be used in AR.
We also develop new experimental paradigms for measuring and modeling visual attention to extend the short experiments on visual attention to realistic tasks. We will then use the resulting insights on attention to prototype AR systems that improve vision, including finding objects and detecting changes in complex scenes.
Finally, we evaluate the usability of the prototypes for end users and their support for visual problem solving. The outcome of the project is demonstrators of augmented vision, as well as basic research in AR and models of attention.

Duties and Responsibilities

As a postdoc in the research project you will mainly work with designing and conducting experiments in virtual reality (VR) and AR as well as developing and applying cognitive models to the data. You will work in close collaboration with a postdoc with a background in human computer interaction and specialized in VR/AR who will mainly work with designing, implementing, and evaluating XR systems.
The project will be supervised by Professor Kasper Hornbæk, and Professor Søren Kyllingsbæk who are experts within human centered compution and experimental psychology/cognitive modeling, respectively.

This position offers an opportunity to join a globally recognized, highly ambitious, creative, collaborative, and fun group of international researchers working at the forefront of human-centered computing, experimental psychology, and cognitive modeling. Our research groups aspires to be top research environments for human-computer interaction and cognitive psychology that bridges technology, theory, and empirical studies.

Qualifications

PhD (or soon-to-be PhD) in Cognitive Psychology, Human-computer Interaction, or related fields.

1. Experience in one or more of the following:Publications in top journals within experimental and cognitive psychology.
   1. Designing and conducting psychological experiments;
   2. Advanced statisctical analyzes of behavioral data.
   3. Computational models of visual cognition;
   4. Programming.

The postdoc’s duties will include research within experimental psychology and cognitive modeling as well as teaching. The post may also include performance of other duties.

Strategy of the Faculty of the Social Sciences

The Department of Psychology is part of the Faculty of the Social Sciences. The Faculty is a successful academic community that strives to put knowledge into action by:

• Engaging partners in the co-creation of knowledge, learning and social change.
• Empowering our students to become reflective and responsible citizens who have the vision, the knowledge and the competences to change society for the better.
• Energising global, European and Danish communities of knowledge by innovating research methodologies and by research findings with impact

For more on the Faculty strategy, see: https://socialsciences.ku.dk/faculty/strategy/ You can read the Department’s strategy here https://psychology.ku.dk/the-department/strategy/

The University of Copenhagen was founded in 1479 and is the oldest and largest university in Denmark. It is often ranked as the best university in Scandinavia and consistently as one of the top places in Europe. We are located in Copenhagen, consistently recognized as one of the world’s most-livable cities, in the country of Denmark, ranked as one of the top three happiest countries in the world. The University wishes our staff to reflect society's diversity and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Terms of employment

• Further information on qualification requirements as postdoc can be found in the Memorandum on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Danish Universities 2019 here: https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/criteria-for-recognising-merit/dokumenter/Ministerial_Order_no._1443_of_11_December_2019_on_Job_Structure_for_Academic_Staff_at_Universities.pdf
• Terms of appointment and salary is in accordance with the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (Akademikerne).
• The salary range starts at DKK  33,800.00 per month + a 17.1 % contribution to the pension scheme. It is possible to negotiate salary supplements on an annual basis

The recruitment process

Further information on the recruitment process at University of Copenhagen can be found here: https://employment.ku.dk/faculty/recruitment-process/

An Equal Opportunity Workplace

The University of Copenhagen is committed in its pursuit of academic excellence to equality of opportunity and to creating an inclusive working environment and therefore encourages all qualified candidates to apply, regardless of personal background, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, ethnicity etc. For more on the diverse working place environment at the University and the University’s participation in the HRS4R HR Excellence in Researrch, see https://employment.ku.dk/working-at-ucph/eu-charter-for-researchers/

International applicant?

The University of Copenhagen offers a broad variety of services for international researchers and accompanying families, including support before and during your relocation and career counselling to expat partners. Please find more information about these services as well as information on entering and working in Denmark here: https://ism.ku.dk/

Contact information

Inquiries about the position can be made to Kasper Hornbæk (kash@di.ku.dk) or Søren Kyllingsbæk (sk@psy.ku.dk).

Information about the recruitment process is available from HR hrsc@hrsc.ku.dk, please refer to ID number: 211-1296/22-2I #1

How to apply

Submit a complete application at our online portal. Click on the “Apply now” icon at the bottom of the page to apply. The documents must be in Adobe PDF or Word.

Your application must be written in English and include the following documents:

• Curriculum vitae
• Diplomas (Master and PhD degree or equivalent)
• Research plan – description of current and future research plans
• Complete publication list
• Separate reprints of 3 particularly relevant papers

After the expiry of the deadline for applications, the authorized recruitment manager selects applicants for assessment on the advice of the Interview Committee.

The deadline for applications is 1 April 2023, 23:59 CET.

Applications or enclosures received thereafter will not be considered.

Part of the International Alliance of Research Universities (IARU), and among Europe’s top-ranking universities, the University of Copenhagen promotes research and teaching of the highest international standard. Rich in tradition and modern in outlook, the University gives students and staff the opportunity to cultivate their talent in an ambitious and informal environment. An effective organisation – with good working conditions and a collaborative work culture – creates the ideal framework for a successful academic career.