Knowledge of human factors, cognitive ergonomics, or usability engineering

Postdoc Position in Adaptive Multimodal Human-Technology Interaction for Automated Driving Job Details | TU Delft

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Postdoc Position in Adaptive Multimodal Human-Technology Interaction for Automated Driving

Join TU Delft’s Human-Centered Design Department as a Postdoctoral Researcher in the EU project AutHUMate and shape the future of adaptive human-technology interaction for automated driving systems.

The Human-Centered Design Department at the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering of TU Delft is looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to join the European Horizon Europe project AutHUMate (Adaptive User Training & Human-Technology Interaction Strategy for Enhanced Traffic Safety).

AutHUMate investigates how automated driving systems (SAE Level 2–3) can interact with drivers in ways that are safe, adaptive, understandable, and trustworthy. As vehicles become increasingly automated, new challenges emerge around human-technology interaction, such as trust in automation, transitions of control, driver awareness, and the communication of system capabilities and limitations. The project brings together expertise from human-computer interaction, AI, human factors, cognitive science, and mobility research to develop adaptive interaction and training strategies for automated driving.

At TU Delft, the postdoctoral researcher will contribute primarily to the design exploration and prototype implementation of adaptive human-machine interaction concepts that integrate technical innovation with human-centred design principles and societal readiness considerations.

Human-computer interaction and human-centred AI

Driver state monitoring and contextual interaction

Human factors and cognitive/perceptual ergonomics

Design research and participatory design methods

Prototyping and evaluation of intelligent interactive systems

The research will contribute to the development of adaptive interaction strategies that dynamically support drivers based on cognitive state, workload, attention, and situational context. This includes designing and evaluating multimodal interaction concepts using visual, auditory, and haptic communication modalities, as well as supporting prototype development and integration within simulation and real-world testing environments.

A key aspect of the role is bridging technical implementation with design-driven and societal perspectives. You will collaborate closely with interdisciplinary project partners from academia and industry across Europe, including experts in AI, automated driving, cognitive science, driver monitoring, and societal readiness assessment. The project explicitly integrates inclusive and participatory design approaches to ensure that adaptive automated driving systems are trustworthy, understandable, and accessible for diverse user groups.

You will be part of an interdisciplinary research environment within TU Delft and contribute to scientific publications, project deliverables, workshops, demonstrators, and international collaboration activities within the AutHUMate consortium.

PhD in Human-Computer Interaction, Human Factors, Interaction Design or a related field

Strong interest in human-centred intelligent systems and adaptive interaction

Experience with prototyping and implementing interactive systems

Experience with Virtual Reality / Augmented Reality and/or physiological sensing

Programming skills for research prototypes and data-driven systems (e.g., Python, Unity, web technologies, or similar)

Experience with user studies and experimental design

Ability to work independently in an interdisciplinary and international research team

Excellent communication and academic writing skills in English

Knowledge of human factors, cognitive ergonomics, or usability engineering

Experience with participatory design, co-creation, or societal aspects of technology design

Dutch language proficiency is considered a plus, as this role involves conducting user research with participants in the Netherlands

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

Working at TU Delft means contributing to solutions that really make a difference.

For over 180 years, we have been training engineers who make an impact worldwide in companies, government bodies, or as entrepreneurs. Our alumni turn knowledge into concrete solutions for the challenges of today and tomorrow. These challenges are changing rapidly. That is why we focus on themes such as energy, climate, digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI), and smart mobility every day. Our education and research are directly aligned with what society needs now and in the future.

At TU Delft, our people make the difference. With their knowledge and curiosity, our staff provide a high-quality education and conduct pioneering research that extends beyond the campus. You will have the opportunity to take the initiative, work with others, and grow as a professional. Working at TU Delft means join an international community of professionals and students. Together, we create knowledge, innovations, and solutions that help move the world forward.

Matching the evolution of people with the speed of the revolution of technology. This is the focus of the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering (IDE). Delft designers act as a bridge between advances in technology and the needs of people, organisations and society to create products, services and systems with purpose.

IDE is a leader in design research across the application areas of mobility, sustainability and health, as well as its development of design tools and methods. A 350-strong research team and over 2,000 students work together in our inspiring hall, labs and studios.

In close cooperation with industry, the public sector and NGOs we rehearse possible futures in research and education to design for a complex future.

Click  here  to go to the website of the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering.

Duration of contract is 20-25 months. Temporary.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.

The possibility to compile an individual employment package every year.

Discount with health insurers on supplemental packages.

Every year, 232 leave hours (at 38 hours). You can also sell or buy additional leave hours via the individual choice budget.

Plenty of opportunities for education, training and courses.

Attention for working healthy and energetically with the vitality program.

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service , offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft. A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.  .

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Christina Schneegass ( [staat bij de werkgever] )

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 23 August 2026 via the application button and upload the following documents:

You can address your application to Christina Schneegass.

You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.

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