Field of Research & Scope

Intelligent User Interface research aims to enhance the usability of AI systems and create innovative interface concepts through AI technologies. The goal is to provide safer, less distracting, and more trustworthy applications across various domains, such as mobility, industry, healthcare, workplaces, and private life. Given the vast amount of technology, it is crucial to design holistic strategies for interacting with all the devices, services, and apps around us. In our research group, we employ cutting-edge methods like reinforcement learning, computational rationality, and generative AI to conceptualize, implement, and evaluate new interface designs. Our focus is particularly on managing user attention, modeling human behaviors, and adapting interfaces to align with users' contexts, goals, and ongoing activities.

Program Structure 

IT:U offers a 3-year, structured PhD program.  

The first semester concludes with a PhD Progress Presentation. Over the next years, students will develop and write their PhD theses. This is accompanied by interdisciplinary research seminars. The PhD program concludes with the submission and defense of the PhD thesis. 

Click here to view the curriculum:

https://it-u.at/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/28/27th-issue_20260618.pdf

Opportunities offered

• Collaborations: The IUI group closely works with top research institutions worldwide, to propose and conduct workshops, share and utilize infrastructure (such as driving simulators or physiological measurement devices), or collect data in experiments with human subjects. The group will also cooperate with other researchers and professors within IT:U. 
• International Mobility and exchange: Selected candidates will benefit from the PI’s close connections to international collaborators, including (but not limited to) Georgia Institute of Technology (USA), Aalto University (Finland), TU Eindhoven (Netherlands), or LMU Munich (Germany). 
• Professional and personal development: PhD students will receive comprehensive guidance throughout their academic journey at IT:U and beyond and have the possibility to contribute to a successful research team. 

Responsibilities and Tasks

• conducting research
• writing academic publications
• attending national and international conferences
• collaborating with other research groups on an interdisciplinary basis
• performing auxiliary activities in academic teaching for up to 2 weekly credit hours
• helping to file applications for third-party funding
• complying with the institution’s academic standards and ethical guidelines

Skills & Qualifications needed

• A degree equivalent to a Master's degree in computer science, psychology, cognitive science, human factors, or other related fields.
• Knowledge of AI technologies such as supervised, unsupervised, or reinforcement learning.
• Programming skills, ideally in combination with 3D Game Engines.
• Understanding of computational modelling.
• Knowledge of or interest in research with human participants.
• Fluent in English.

What you can expect

• Innovative and stimulating working conditions in an interdisciplinary, international research environment
• Office kitchen with complimentary basic supplies
• Climate Ticket Upper Austria (optimal public transportation connections)
• We offer a gross salary in line with the FWF salary rate of EUR 2.832,10 (30h).

How to apply

Please fill in the online application form and upload your files at: 

https://apply.it-u.at/

• Curriculum Vitae
• Bachelor’s and Master’s diploma (or equivalent) 
• Bachelor's and Master’s Transcript of Records
• Motivational letter (max. 2 A4 pages)
• Up to 3 contacts of professors/collaborators for recommendations

We look forward to receiving your online application.

Application deadline: October 5, 2026