Postdoctoral position in Human–Robot Interaction in healthcare from experimental setups to sustainable collaboration

Join Aalborg University in advancing research on humanrobot interaction and collaboration in healthcare. At the Faculty of IT and Design Department of Sustainability and Planning we invite applications for a postdoctoral position focusing on how human-robot interaction can move from experimental setups to sustainable collaboration in real-world healthcare practice. The position offers a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of real-world human-robot interaction in close collaboration with healthcare professionals and interdisciplinary research environments across Aalborg University.
The position is a full-time temporary position (37 hours per week) for a period of 3 years with an expected start date of 1 September 2026 or soon hereafter.

Your work tasks
The postdoctoral project addresses a central challenge in human-robot interaction research: how to conceptualise design and sustain meaningful forms of human-robot collaboration in complex healthcare environments. While robotic systems often demonstrate promising capabilities in controlled laboratory settings their integration into real-world healthcare practice remains limited as such systems must align with professional practices organisational structures and existing infrastructures.

Building on insights from ethnographic studies of robot use in healthcare which have shown how human-robot collaboration is shaped by the interplay between human actors technological systems work practices and organisational and infrastructural conditions the project investigates how these relations can develop into sustainable and meaningful forms of collaboration in particular the project aims to move beyond understanding why integration is challenging towards identifying how human-robot collaboration can be actively shaped and supported over time through design implementation and organisational alignment.

The postdoctoral researcher will conduct empirical research in healthcare settings in close collaboration with healthcare professionals and other stakeholders. The research will be based on ethnographically inspired and participatory approaches including interviews observations and workshops focusing on how robotic technologies are introduced used and adapted in practice and how collaboration evolves over time.

In addition to research activities the postdoctoral researcher is expected to publish in leading international journals and conferences contribute to the development of new research proposals and external funding applications and participate in teaching and supervision activities within the Techno-Anthropology programme at Aalborg University.

Your competencies
Applicants should have a strong interest in humanrobot interaction and collaboration and in the role of emerging technologies in healthcare. The successful candidate is expected to have a background that enables them to investigate the relations between humans technologies and the organisational and infrastructural contexts in which they are embedded.

We expect applicants to hold a PhD in a relevant field such as techno-anthropology science and technology studies human-computer interaction human-robot interaction digital health anthropology sociology or a related discipline. Experience with qualitative and ethnographic research methods is required and experience with participatory approaches and research in healthcare or organisational settings will be considered an advantage.

The ideal candidate is motivated to work in interdisciplinary research environments and is interested in collaborating with researchers across different fields as well as with healthcare professionals and other stakeholders. We expect the candidate to demonstrate curiosity independence initiative and a strong drive to develop and carry out research that contributes to advancing the field.

Strong communication skills in English both written and spoken are required as the position is embedded in an international research environment. Danish language skills are considered an advantage particularly in relation to empirical work and teaching but are not a requirement.

Qualification requirements
Appointmentaspostdoc requires academic qualifications at PhD level.

Who we are
The postdoctoral researcher will join the Techno-Anthropology and Participation (TAPAR) research group at the Department of Sustainability and Planning at Aalborg University. TAPAR is an interdisciplinary research environment working at the intersection of healthcare technology and society with a particular focus on digital health.

Within TAPAR researchers study how digital technologies are developed implemented and used in healthcare practice. Through socio-technical and participatory research approaches the group investigates how technologies work in context and how they shape - and are shaped by - human practices organisational processes and infrastructures. The group also engages with philosophy of technology and technology assessment addressing broader questions about humantechnology relations and the societal implications of emerging technologies.

The research environment combines empirical studies of technologies in practice with conceptual and critical perspectives and works closely with healthcare organisations and other stakeholders. Researchers in the group collaborate across disciplines and faculties at Aalborg University.

In addition the postdoctoral researcher will be part of the Human-Robot Interaction Lab at Aalborg University an interdisciplinary research lab spanning multiple faculties and dedicated to studying human-robot interaction and collaboration in real-world settings.

The position is part of a broader interdisciplinary research initiative conducted jointly with the Department of Computer Science at Aalborg University. The postdoctoral researcher will collaborate closely with two PhD fellows working on complementary technical and socio-technical aspects of humanrobot interaction within the same overall research framework. The postdoc will play an important role in developing and connecting empirical and conceptual insights across cases and levels of analysis contributing to and strengthening the overall research agenda on sustainable humanrobot collaboration in healthcare.

Youcanreadmore on Department ofSustainabilityand Planninghere.

Youcanreadmore on TECH as aworkplacehere.

How to apply
Your application must include the following:

• Application stating reasons for applying qualifications in relation to the position and intentions and visions for the position
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Diplomas (masters degree diploma and PhD diploma)
• List of publications with an indication of the attached publications that you wish to be taken into account in the assessment. Youmay attach a maximum of five publications.
• Documentation of teaching qualifications if relevant.
• Dissemination qualifications including participation on committees or boards participation in organisations etc.
• Additional qualifications in relation to the position
• References/recommendations

You can read more about the requirements for your application here.

The application must be submitted via Aalborg Universitys recruitment system which can be accessed under the job advertisement on Aalborg Universitys website.

Aalborg University wants to reflect the surrounding society and has diversity as a core value. Therefore everyone regardless of personal background and orientation is encouraged to apply for the position.

Do you have any questions
If you have any questions about the position you are more than welcome to contact us. You will find contact persons at the bottom of the jobpost.

Further information
Read more about our recruitment process here

The appointment process at Aalborg University involves a shortlisting process. You can read more about the shortlisting and appointment process here.

The hiring process at Aalborg University may include a risk assessment as a tool to identify potential risks associated with new hires ensuring the safety compliance and integrity of the workplace.

Salary and terms of employment
The employment is in accordance with the Ministerial Order on the Appointment of Academic Staff at Universities (the Appointment Order) and the Ministerial Order on Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities (in Danish) and protocol on certain terms of employment of academic staff at universities (in Danish).

Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with the collective agreement between the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations and the state (AC collective agreement) (only in Danish) and protocol on certain terms of employment of academic staff at universities (only in Danish).

There is a mutual probationary period of 3 months for the position.

Aalborg University - Knowledge for the world
Aalborg University is an international workplace with more than 3700 employees. We offer real-world-oriented education and create world-class research results through collaboration between researchers students and public and private companies. This is how we achieve insights new solutions to societal problems and knowledge that changes the world. Our main campus is in Aalborg but we also have campuses in Esbjerg and Copenhagen.