Vacature PhD on Human-centered AI Smart Glasses for Speech Impairments

PhD on Human-centered AI Smart Glasses for Speech Impairments in Heerlen

Requirements

Your profile:

We are looking for someone who is genuinely excited about applying AI to real-world societal problems and isn't afraid of challenges. You communicate openly, possess strong empathy, and thrive in a collaborative environment across different disciplines. Ideally, the candidate should have a strong background in computer vision and machine learning / deep learning with an interest in learning.

You have:

• A Master's (MSc) degree in Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related technical field.
• Strong programming experience in Python and proficiency in deep learning frameworks (e.g., PyTorch).
• Interest in research with practical relevance, inclusive tech, and human-centred design.
• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Knowledge of Dutch is preferred, but not mandatory.
• Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team involving engineers, healthcare professionals, and end-users.
• Willingness to engage across disciplinary boundaries—from tinkering with computer vision algorithms to conducting field interviews with patients.

It is a preference to have experience with computer vision / facial tracking, facial analysis, or conducting human-in-the-loop usability studies.

Conditions of employment

Fixed-term contract: 1.0 FTE position for 4 years or 0.8 FTE for 5 years.

Station

The position is officially based in Heerlen. However, the precise working arrangements can be discussed, reflecting the Open Universiteit’s flexible way of working and the possibility that research with end users may also take place at other locations. Occasional on-site presence may be required for team collaboration, prototype development and hardware-related work.

Salary

The salary is determined in accordance with salary scale P of Appendix A of the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities and ranges from € 3.204,-- gross per month upon commencement to € 4.051,-- gross per month in the fourth and final year, in case of full employment.

The PhD candidate will be appointed for a period of 15 months. The appointment will be extended to 4 years when progress and performance are good. A PhD training program is part of the agreement.

Employer

Open Universiteit

Working at the Open University means contributing to academic education for the most motivated students in the Netherlands and Flanders, as well as to scientific research with visible impact for people and society. With a broad range of bachelor’s and master’s programmes and short courses, the Open University makes lifelong learning accessible to everyone. There are no prior education requirements for bachelor’s programmes: anyone aged eighteen or older can enrol. Education is hybrid and flexible, available anytime and anywhere, at a pace that suits the student.

The majority of the nearly 16,000 students combine their studies with work. This creates a valuable interaction: experiences and questions from professional practice enrich education and research and increase their societal relevance. It is therefore no coincidence that the Open University has ranked in the top three of the Dutch Keuzegids for universities for many years, and this year holds the number one position.

In research, the university focuses on three central themes: healthcare, digitalisation and AI, and society and citizenship. Solutions to today’s challenges are sought across disciplinary boundaries and in collaboration with partners.

The Open University employs approximately 800 staff members, has its main campus in Heerlen, and operates study centres in the Netherlands and Flanders. Its culture is people-centred, collaborative, and inclusive: an environment in which students, staff, and partners feel connected, with ample opportunities for personal development and a healthy work–life balance.

The project is funded through the Open Universiteit’s university-wide research programme Innovating for Resilience (IfR). IfR brings together researchers, PhD-students and societal partners in transdisciplinary collaborations aimed at generating measurable societal impact. The project contributes primarily to the research line Tech-powered Societies, while also connecting to the research line Healthy Lives, by investigating how responsible, human-centred wearable AI can strengthen inclusion, communicative agency and participation in everyday life of speech impaired individuals.

Department

Department of Computer Science

You will be appointed within the Department of Computer Science of the Faculty of Science. The department’s research program “Towards high-quality and intelligent software” (2020–2025) consists of four research lines, focusing on:

• Techniques for quality assurance of software systems.
• Software and computer system security, and privacy-by-design.
• Responsible artificial intelligence, including methods and applications of AI.
• Educational tools and computing education.

You will be embedded in an interdisciplinary supervisory team involving researchers from Computer Science and the Faculty of Behavioural and Health Sciences. The psychology researcher contributes expertise in human behaviour, research methodology, human-centred technology evaluation and psychological outcomes such as autonomy, confidence and participation.