PhD position on Human-Robot Interaction and AI For Health Coaching

Within the Human Media Interaction Lab of the University of Twente, we offer an exciting opportunity for a PhD researcher in Robots and AI for health coaching. This role will involve working on robotics, AI, and NLP, with a particular, but not exclusive, interest in socially and physically assistive robots. The candidate will have the chance to gain in-depth technological knowledge and pursue a self-driven research project in health(care), sports, and rehabilitation.

Healthcare systems are transforming due to demographic changes, economic pressure, and epidemiological shifts, among other factors. This creates a need for innovative and supportive solutions such as (social) robots, chatbots, and intelligent virtual avatars. These technologies can potentially support staff and improve people's lives by promoting healthier lifestyles, providing patient care, and enhancing rehabilitation outcomes.

Advancements in (conversational) AI and large language models (LLMs) have made interactions with these systems more seamless and intuitive. However, these technologies must offer personalized and sensitive guidance while addressing potential risks to support vulnerable user groups.

Besides natural language interaction capabilities, there is a growing need to enhance robots' physical interaction skills with patients, enabling them to replicate the supportive roles of physiotherapists and caregivers. This involves fostering social-physical contact, boosting adherence to rehabilitation programs, and dynamically adapting to users' changing goals and preferences.

We aim to develop adaptive, long-term coaching robots that integrate conversational fluency, human-like physical interaction, and interactive learning to deliver personalized and effective support in coaching and rehabilitation scenarios for enhancing health and well-being.

We are looking for a dedicated researcher with expertise in AI, robotics, and NLP to join us in advancing this field. You will lead the way in designing and developing personalized physical Human-Robot Interaction methods and innovative machine-learning solutions, helping redefine the future of coaching, rehabilitation, and care. The specific Ph.D. research topic is open to the candidate's background and interests.

• A Master's degree in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, or a related field.
• Strong background in at least three areas: Human-computer interaction/Human-Robot Interaction, machine/reinforcement learning, computer vision, NLP, signal processing, conversational agents, system engineering, and robotics.
• Experience with programming languages such as Python, C++, or similar and robotics middleware.
• Enthusiastic and intrinsically motivated to pursue a 4-year long research project.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, cultural, and communication skills.
• Experience in conducting and evaluating user studies, both quantitatively and/or qualitatively.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary research team.
• You have a creative mindset and excellent analytical and communication skills in English.

• A full-time position for four years, with a qualifier in the first year, and the flexibility to work (partially) from home..
• Your salary and associated conditions are in accordance with the collective labour agreement for Dutch universities (CAO-NU).
• You will receive a gross monthly salary ranging from € 2.901  (first year) to € 3.707,- (fourth year).
• There are excellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%, and a solid pension scheme.
• A minimum of 232 leave hours in case of full-time employment based on a formal workweek of 38 hours. A full-time employment in practice means 40 hours a week, therefore resulting in 96 extra leave hours on an annual basis.
• Free access to sports facilities on campus.
• A family-friendly institution that offers parental leave (both paid and unpaid).
• You will have a training programme as part of the Twente Graduate School where you and your supervisors will determine a plan for a suitable education and supervision.

Human Media Interaction (HMI) is a diverse and interdisciplinary research group that studies and designs interactive systems that users can intuitively interact with, ranging from Brain-Computer Interfaces to Conversational Systems and Ambient Intelligence applications. In the area of Conversational Systems, HMI has expertise on speech technology, dialogue systems, embodied conversational agents and social robots. On the theme of e-Health, HMI has a strong tradition of contributing to a variety of coaching systems such as applications to increase physical fitness, advice on particular conditions (asthma, diabetes), or helping people to stop smoking or drinking. Research is conducted in coalitions with other research groups from inside and outside the University of Twente and with external stakeholders such as hospitals, rehabilitation centers, and elderly homes.

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 people-first 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.