Postdoctoral position in Human-Computer Interaction focusing on AI-mediated programming

Description of the workplace

The position is placed in the NEX (Notations, Environments, and eXperiences) research group within the Software Development and Environments (SDE) unit at the Department of Computer Science. The group is led by Associate Professor Emma Söderberg and conducts research at the intersection of software engineering, developer tool construction and human–computer interaction. Ongoing projects in and around the group address, among other things, AI-supported code review, semi-automatic code improvement, trust calibration in LLM-assisted refactoring and the design of trustworthy agents in software development. The group collaborates with industry through, for example, the competence centre NextG2Com and the strategic research area ELLIIT, with partners such as Ericsson, Volvo Cars, Axis and Bosch.

The position is part of the project Intention Drifting: Ethics, Authorship and Critical Judgment in AI-Mediated Programming, funded jointly by WASP and WASP-HS. The project is a collaboration between Lund University and Södertörn University, led by Professor Martin Jonsson (Södertörn University, WASP-HS) and Associate Professor Emma Söderberg (Lund University, WASP). Through the collaboration with Södertörn University, you will also take part in the WASP-HS InterSynth Lab and the Future Interactions research group, both engaged in research on AI, design and critical inquiry closely related to the questions of the project. As a postdoctoral researcher in the project, you become part of the research communities of both WASP and WASP-HS.

More information about the SDE unit

Subject description

AI-assisted programming shifts the work of developers from writing code towards articulating intentions and interpreting AI-generated output. The project studies intention drifting, the gradual displacement between developers’ expressed intentions, the interpretations made by AI systems and the actual behaviour of the resulting code, and what this displacement means for authorship, responsibility and critical judgement. The work combines conceptual development, workshop-based empirical studies with developers and research through design.

The subject of the position is human–computer interaction with a focus on programming with generative AI. The subject covers studies of how intention, authorship, responsibility and critical judgement are shaped when software is developed together with AI systems, using empirical and design-oriented methods such as qualitative studies of programming practice and research through design. The subject also includes critical perspectives on agency and responsibility in human–AI relations, for example from more-than-human design, science and technology studies (STS) and post-phenomenology.

Work duties

The main duties involved in a post-doctoral position is to conduct research. Teaching may also be included, but up to no more than 20% of working hours. The position includes the opportunity for three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning. The purpose of the position is to develop the independence as a researcher and to create the opportunity of further development.

You will have main responsibility for the day-to-day research in the project and will work closely with both Emma Söderberg in Lund and Martin Jonsson at Södertörn University, who takes an active part in planning, conducting and analysing the studies. The project runs over 24 months. The position involves travel between Lund and Stockholm for joint working meetings and writing sessions, as well as travel for workshops with industry partners and international conferences.

The work duties include

• Developing intention drifting as a concept and analytical framework, together with the project leaders.
• Planning, conducting and analysing workshop-based studies with developers using AI coding tools, with methods such as think-aloud sessions and retrospective interviews.
• Designing and evaluating design probes that make intention drifting visible and support critical reflection within programming work.
• Publishing results at international conferences and in journals in human–computer interaction and adjacent areas of software engineering.
• Collaboration with industry partners in the recruitment of participants and the conduct of studies.
• Contributing to the organisation of a concluding workshop for the WASP and WASP-HS research communities.
• Supervision of degree projects within the area of the project, to a limited extent.
• Administration related to the work duties listed above.

Qualification requirements

Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires that the applicant has a PhD, or an international degree deemed equivalent to a PhD, within the subject of the position. The certificate proving the qualification requirement is met, must be received before the employment decision is made. Priority will be given to candidates who have graduated no more than three years ago before the last day for application. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier.

Additional requirements

• You have a PhD in human–computer interaction, interaction design or a closely related field.
• You have documented experience of planning and conducting qualitative empirical studies of technology use or practice, for example interviews, observations, think-aloud studies or workshops.
• You have very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• You are independent and able to collaborate across disciplines and institutions.

Assessment

Assessment criteria

This is a career development position primarily focused on research. The position is intended as an initial step in a career, and the assessment of the applicants will primarily be based on their research qualifications and potential as researchers. Particular emphasis will be placed on research skills within the subject.

For appointments to a post-doctoral position, the following shall form the assessment criteria:

• A good ability to develop and conduct high quality research.
• Teaching skills.

Other qualifications

It is an additional qualification if you have

• Experience of research through design or other design-oriented research methods, for example design probes, interactive prototypes or speculative and critical design.
• Experience of working analytically with theoretical perspectives on human–technology relations, for example from more-than human perspectives, post-phenomenology, posthumanism or critical AI studies.
• Knowledge of software development, programming practice or developer experience, for example through your own programming experience or research on developers’ work.
• Experience of research on generative AI or human–AI interaction.
• Knowledge of research on ethics in design and technology practice, for example in-action ethics or reflection-in-action.
• Publications in leading international venues in human–computer interaction, such as CHI, DIS, CSCW or TOCHI.
• Experience of working in interdisciplinary environments that bring together technical and humanistic or social science research.
• Experience of research collaboration with industry.

Consideration will also be given to how the applicant’s experience and skills complement and strengthen ongoing research within the department, and how they stand to contribute to its future development.

We offer

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme.

Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee

Further information

This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of two years. The period of employment is determined in accordance with the agreement “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor” (“Agreement on fixed-term employment as a post-doctoral fellow”). Start date 2026-12-01 or by agreement.

For further information, please contact Emma Söderberg, emma.soderberg@cs.lu.se, or Martin Jonsson, martin.jonsson@sh.se.

How to apply

Applications are to be submitted via the University’s recruitment system and written in English. The application should include a CV including a list of publications, and a personal letter justifying your interest in the position and how it matches your research qualifications. The application should also include a research statement of no more than two pages describing how your theoretical and methodological experience relates to the questions of the project, as well as a degree certificate or equivalent and any other document to which you would like to draw attention (copies of grade transcripts, details of referees, letters of recommendation, etc.).

We welcome your application!