"Research Fellow, Computer Science / HCI"

Research Fellow, Computer Science / HCI

University of Southampton - Agents, Interaction & Complexity

Location: Southampton

Salary: £36,130 to £44,128 per annum

Hours: Full Time

Contract Type: Fixed-Term/Contract

Placed On: 12th August 2025

Closes: 9th September 2025

Job Ref: 3121325FP-R

PhD in Computer Science/HCI or Related? Want to use your creative skills to help #MakeNormalBetter 4all @scale? Come join the WellthLab

The WellthLab mission is to explore how interactive technologies can help #MakeNormalBetter for all, at scale. Our approach is in part to question the interactions we take for granted as “normal.” For example, rather than more data, more sensors, more of the time, we want to understand, what is the minimal data dose of an interactive technology needed to help people build their own knowledge skills and practice to build personal, work, aging, and community, resilience? A related question is, how would these understandings influence infrastructure, so that achieving such healthfulness is as effortless and accessible as accessing clean water for you, reading this ad? What are the interactive technologies of thriving –better, forever?

If these questions are interesting to you, and if you have strong computer science/HCI (or sufficiently related skills/publications) and an interdisciplinary, collaborative frame of mind, please read on. We are looking for a motivated researcher who is:

• Experienced in a range of HCI experimental methods, from in-lab testing to in the field co-design.
• Demonstrates knowledge of experimental design and data analysis is crucial, from qualitative thematic analysis to appropriate statistical interrogation.
• Is comfortable with javascript, python and React for iOS and Android.
• Experience with electronics (pi’s/Arduinos) to develop physical, peripheral and environmental interactive devices (think Greenberg’s Phidgets, visual movement tracking, and other peripheral/physical interactions).
• Have journal papers, projects, or similar high calibre evidence of same.

If you have these skills, and our research mission to #MakeNormalBetter by exploring minimal dose interactive technologies to benefit folks across demographics inspires you, we’ll look forward to your application. Be sure to check out the projects on the wellthlab.ac.uk site.

Questions? Please contact prof m.c. schraefel directly at hrit-rf@nopain2.org

Please Note: Equality, diversity and Inclusion is central to the ethos in the School of Electronics and Computer Science. The University of Southampton is in the top 1% of world universities and in the top 10 of the UK’s research-intensive universities.

Applications for Research Fellow positions will be considered from candidates who are working towards or nearing completion of a relevant PhD qualification. The title of Research Fellow will be applied upon successful completion of the PhD. Prior to the qualification being awarded, the title of Senior Research Assistant will be given.