PostDoc Research Position on Developing Technology for Subjective Sporting Experiences

Job description

Can technology learn to listen to how athletes feel, and not just to what the sensors measured?

In the ASPIRE project, we develop knowledge for the new generation of sports tracking technology that integrates athletes’ subjective experiences (such as perceived exertion, motivation, enjoyment and fatigue) with objective physiological and biomechanical data.

ASPIRE is a collaboration between the University of Twente and Saarland University, funded under the DFG-NWO WEAVE programme.

As a postdoctoral researcher, you will lead the human-computer interaction side of the project. You will investigate how everyday athletes and coaches currently use tracking and feedback technologies, design and develop interactive systems and interfaces that capture subjective experiences and deliver timely, context-aware feedback before, during and after training, and evaluate these systems in real-world studies. The details of the work plan may be adjusted depending on the profile of the preferred candidate; there is budget for support in technology development.

You will work closely with a PhD researcher at the German partner who focuses on the underlying machine learning models, and you will help coordinate the joint work across the two teams.

The position offers a strong publication trajectory at leading HCI venues (e.g. CHI, DIS, TEI, SportsHCI), access to the Sports Tech Center Twente and the Dutch Sportinnovator network, and a stimulating international research environment. You will be embedded in the Human-Media Interaction (EEMCS) and Interaction Design (IxD) research groups and collaborate closely with the Sports Interaction Technology Lab at the University of Twente.

Your profile

• A PhD degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Interaction Design or a related discipline 
• A strong publication record in human-computer interaction, interaction design, or sports, health and wellbeing technology
• Good theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience in several of the following areas: user interface and interaction design, prototyping of interactive, mobile or wearable systems, and the design and evaluation of user studies (qualitative and/or quantitative)
• Experience translating empirical findings into design requirements and working prototypes
• Affinity with multidisciplinary collaboration, including working with machine learning researchers and sports or movement scientists
• Affinity with sports, physical activity, or health and wellbeing is an advantage
• An excellent command of English, both written and spoken
• A proactive, independent attitude, with a willingness to travel for project meetings with the German partner and to help coordinate the joint work packages

Our offer

• You will be appointed for a period of maximum 3 years full-time within a very stimulating scientific environment. The university offers a dynamic ecosystem with enthusiastic colleagues.
• Your salary and associated conditions are in accordance with the collective labour agreement for Dutch universities (CAO-NU);
• Gross salary between € 3.546,- and €5.538,- per month depending on experience and qualifications;
• Excellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, a year-end bonus of 8.3% and a solid pension scheme;
• Between 29 and 41 leave days in case of full-time employment;
• Excellent support for research and facilities for professional and personal development.
• We encourage a high degree of responsibility and independence, while collaborating with close colleagues, researchers and other university staff.
• We are also a family-friendly institution that offers parental leave (both paid and unpaid) and career support for partners.

Information and application

Are you interested in this position? Please send your application via the 'Apply now' button below before August 14, 2026 (do not apply via email), and include:

• A CV including English proficiency level, nationality, visa requirements, date of birth, experience overview, and publication list
• A cover letter (2-page max) specifying how your experience and skills match the position as well as summarising your scientific work.
• Contact information for at least three academic references. A support letter will be requested by us only if your application is considered.

For more information regarding this position, you are welcome to contact (Dr. Dennis Reidsma [staat bij de werkgever] and Dr. Armagan Karahanoglu [staat bij de werkgever] ). Note: applications can be submitted via the ‘Apply now’ button only.

Expected starting date is November 2026.

Interviews will take place in the week of August 24, 2026.

Screening is part of the selection process.

About the department

You will work in the Human Media Interaction group at the faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) and the Interaction Design group at the faculty of Engineering Technology of the University of Twente, in close collaboration with Saarland University.

The Human Media Interaction group does research into multimodal interaction: from brain-computer interfaces to social robots and from sensor technologies to interactive sports and play systems. Many projects at the HMI group delve into how such interactive technologies may be used to support or better understand sports, play, and learning. The HMI group is a multidisciplinary group of enthusiastic, kind, and passionate researchers with an open mind to science and society.

The Interaction Design group is committed to understanding and improving networks and ecosystems of people and technology. The IxD group focuses on ways of designing products, services, and systems in ways that people can understand and appreciate. IxD researchers work with other disciplines and the people they design for, and strive to evaluate solutions in real life.

About the organisation

The faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) uses mathematics, electronics and computer technology to contribute to the development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). With ICT present in almost every device and product we use nowadays, we embrace our role as contributors to a broad range of societal activities and as pioneers of tomorrow's digital society. As part of a tech university that aims to shape society, individuals and connections, our faculty works together intensively with industrial partners and researchers in the Netherlands and abroad, and conducts extensive research for external commissioning parties and funders. Our research has a high profile both in the Netherlands and internationally. It has been accommodated in three multidisciplinary UT research institutes: Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Centre and Digital Society Institute.