Research Associate (Postdoc) position in Human Computer Interaction

             (Valid from 07/07/2023 to 31/12/2023)   

Language: English (UK) 

Location Luxembourg 

Country: Luxembourg   

Organisation data: Interdisciplinary Centre of Security, Reliability and Trust 

Job Number: UOL04684 

Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract 

Duration 24 Month 

Schedule Type: Full Time 

Work Hours 40.0 Hours per Week 

Expected Start Date: 01/03/2022   

Functions: Postdoctorant 

Job (internal): Postdoctoral researcher     

About the SnT...

SnT is a leading international research and innovation centre in secure, reliable and trustworthy ICT systems and services. We play an instrumental role in Luxembourg by fueling innovation through research partnerships with industry, boosting R&D investments leading to economic growth, and attracting highly qualified talent.

The Centre is rapidly expanding its research activities and is seeking highly motivated doctoral candidates who wish to pursue research in close cooperation with our partners. For further information you may check: www.securityandtrust.lu and https://wwwen.uni.lu/snt/research/finatrax

Successful candidates will join the young, vibrant, and interdisciplinary FINATRAX Research Group, which builds bridges between business research and information systems engineering. The group conducts research on the application and the impact of digital technologies like DLT/Blockchain, digital identities, machine learning/AI, and IoT/5G on organisations from both private and public sectors. The group consists of doctoral and post-doctoral researchers from diverse backgrounds (e.g., engineering, business informatics, social and legal sciences, and management), working together to develop sustainable technologies that have a positive impact on society. For more information, please visit our website: https://wwwen.uni.lu/snt/research/finatrax/projects

Successful candidates will have the opportunity to engage in research activities related to several ongoing research projects and industry collaborations that explore specificities of end users’ interactions with digital wallets. The management of cryptographic keys for cryptocurrency-based payments and decentralized finance (DeFi) and the management of digital attestations (“verifiable credentials”) for decentralized identity management introduce profound challenges and opportunities for end users from a convenience, security, and privacy perspective. The FINATRAX research group has contributed to the architectural and prototypical development of corresponding concepts and aims to extends its expertise to the interaction of users with their digital wallets.

We’re looking for people driven by excellence, excited about innovation, and looking to make a difference. If this sounds like you, you’ve come to the right place!

  Your Role...

The candidate will perform the following tasks:

• Carry out research in fields of interest to the research group, such as:
  • Studying the user experience of digital identity wallets and the impact of challenges and opportunities associated with corresponding novel privacy and security aspects
  • Studying the user experience of digital wallets to interact with cryptocurrencies or with established financial institutions’ apps that support engagement with DeFi services
  • Design and evaluation of interfaces to improve user experience and/or understanding of digital wallets (e.g., based on textual or visual cues)
  • Empirical evaluation of end users’ perspectives on combining payment and identity-related workflows in a single digital wallet
• Provide guidance to PhD students.
• Disseminate results through scientific publications in outlets on the intersection between Information Systems and Computer Science / Computer Engineering
• Support the conceptualization and writing of research proposals to attract industry partnerships as well as national and European grant projects
• Conduct research projects and create project deliverables

We offer two different career paths for research associates, whether they want to pursue an academic or an industrial career. In our academic track, research associates focus on publications, research grants, teaching experience, and community involvement, while maintaining a close relationship with industry and government to secure access to rich research data. In our industry track, research associates prepare for a career in industry, in a start-up, or public body while utilizing their previous theoretical knowledge. They will build relationships with our private and public partners, while having the freedom to pursue their own ideas in an innovative and dynamic environment.

  Your Profile...

• PhD degree in Human Computer Interaction, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Information Systems Engineering, or a related field
• Experience in publishing high-quality research, as demonstrated by research under review or published in 1stquartile conferences and journals (according to Scopus)
• Experience in research supervision
• Strong knowledge of quantitative and/or computational research methods
• Proficiency in one of the major programming languages, such as Java, JavaScript, Python, or Rust
• A collaborative team player with a desire to make a personal impact within our interdisciplinary research group
• The commitment to participate in the design, implementation, and theoretical elaboration of high-quality solutions that solve significant problems
• Self-initiative, creativity, curiosity, flexibility and enthusiasm to work
• Fluent written and verbal communication skills in English are required. Knowledge of French, German, and Luxembourgish is not required.

  Here’s what awaits you at SnT...

• The right place for IMPACT. SnT researchers engage in demand-driven projects. Through our Partnership Programme, we work on projects with more than 45 industry partners
• Be part of a multicultural family. At SnT we have more than 60 nationalities. Throughout the year, we organise team-building events, networking activities and more

Find out more about us!

  In Short...

• Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract 24 Month (extension possible)
• Work Hours: Full Time 40.0 Hours per Week
• Location: Kirchberg
• Job Reference: UOL04684

The yearly gross salary for every Postdoctoral Researcher at the UL is EUR 81072 (full time)

  How to apply...

Applications, written in English should be submitted through the University’s job portal and should include:  

• A cover letter including:
• A research statement and a list of topics of particular interest to the candidate (250 words)
• A statement on the candidate’s personal motivation for applying (250 words)
• A strategy for the acquisition of research grants and industry partnerships (250 words)
• Full CV, including the contact address, work experience, and a list of publications
• At least one publication in full-text, authored by the candidate
• (If available) Reference letters by prior employers

We highly value diversity and individual contribution in our team. All qualified applicants are highly encouraged to apply and will receive consideration without regard to gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or age.  

Deadline for applications: Early submission is encouraged; applications are processed on a rolling basis upon arrival. Only applications submitted through the University’s job portal will be processed. Applications by email will not be considered. This position is open as long as it is accessible in the University's job portal.

  About the University of Luxembourg... University of Luxembourg is an international research university with a distinctly multilingual and interdisciplinary character. The University was founded in 2003 and counts more than 6,700 students and more than 2,000 employees from around the world. The University’s faculties and interdisciplinary centres focus on research in the areas of Computer Science and ICT Security, Materials Science, European and International Law, Finance and Financial Innovation, Education, Contemporary and Digital History. In addition, the University focuses on cross-disciplinary research in the areas of Data Modelling and Simulation as well as Health and System Biomedicine. Times Higher Education ranks the University of Luxembourg #3 worldwide for its “international outlook,” #20 in the Young University Ranking 2021 and among the top 250 universities worldwide.   

Further information For further information, please contact Muriel Frank and Gilbert Fridgen (email address: {first name}.{last name}@uni.lu).  Use the job title and reference number mentioned above in the subject line of your email.       

Apply here https://emea3.recruitmentplatform.com/syndicated/private/syd_apply.cfm?ID=PA0FK026203F3VBQB7V7VV46C&nPostingTargetId=125904&nPostingId=71017