PhD Position in Human-Robot-Bonding

• Completed (Research) Master degree in Communication Science (Media Psychology), Psychology (Developmental, Clinical or Clinical Psychology), Educational Science, Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence), Computational Linguistics, or closely related fields.
• Strong interest in advancing the social-psychological aspects of robots to serve in society, specifically in healthcare and education. Relatedly, strong interest in psychological and mediated processes in interacting with social robots.
• Knowledge of and ample experience with empirical (field) studies and experimental research designs. Advanced statistical and analytical skills; experience with R or Python is recommended.
• Interest, and preferably experience with, multi-method approaches combining qualitative and quantitative methodologies (e.g., focus groups and experiments).
• Good organizational skills, structured and independent working habits.
• Interest in and affinity with programming and social technologies.
• Affinity with collaborating with societal partners and public outreach.
• Good cross-disciplinary team collaboration and oral and written communication skills.
• Interest in working in an interdisciplinary project in collaboration with various experts in communication science, psychology, computer sciences, among others, and a good sense for following ethical guidelines for research.
• Mastery of both Dutch and English language skills. Excellent academic writing skills in English.

A challenging position in a socially involved and highly interdisciplinary organization allowing for a solid academic development. The salary will be in accordance with university regulations for academic personnel and amounts from € 2,901 per month (during the first year) and increases to € 3,707 gross per month during the final year, based on a full-time employment. The job profile is based on the university job ranking system and is vacant for 1 FTE, while 0.8 FTE is negotiable. 

The appointment will initially be for 1 year (standard). After a satisfactory evaluation of the initial appointment, based on a portfolio including academic products as defined by the GSSS, the PhD-contract will be extended for a total duration of 4 years full-time (or 5 years based on a 0.8 fte contract or any variation thereof). Additionally, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam offers excellent fringe benefits and various schemes and regulations to promote a good work/life balance, such as: 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus; contribution to commuting expenses; optional model for designing a personalized benefits package; a wide range of sports facilities which staff may use at a modest charge.

About the project, department, institute

There is a lot of talk about robots taking part in our lives in the near future, but little is known about how robots can talk to us to create a social-affective bond or to befriend. This EU-granted project “Understanding Human-Robot Bonding to Optimize Personal Support” [ROBOT-BOND] is looking for an ambitious and highly-motivated PhD-student who wants to work on our robot projects in a multidisciplinary team. The purchase of a large number of different social robots is foreseen (e.g., NAO, QTrobot, Navel, Furhat, Misty, Buddy, Ari). Our robots will be equipped with communication modules and need a personalized language to build relationships with human users in specific social contexts to examine how to optimize support. Through establishing social-affective bonds and shared experiences, robots can be enabled to communicate more efficiently and vice versa. The current program examines how, when, why and for whom affective bonding might occur through robot communication in various social contexts in healthcare and education, specifically targeting primary education, special needs education, disabled young adults, adolescents with mood issues, and university students. We closely collaborate with specialized institutions (e.g., GGZinGeest/Arkin, Philadelphia, SBO de Brigantijn, various primary schools). The multi-methodological approach pairs fundamental research with in-situ observations in education and healthcare, complementarily benefitting science and society. In this project, the PhD-candidate will work together with three postdoctoral researchers, two PhD-candidates, an AI/software engineer, research assistants, and the supervisory team as well as with related researchers within and outside the department.

The research is primarily embedded in the Media Psychology Program at the department of Communication Science. Main supervisor is Prof. dr. Elly A. Konijn (https://research.vu.nl/en/persons/elly-konijn) and other (co-)supervisors are appointed based on relevant expertise per project. They are international key players in the field of media psychology and social robotics and have won several prestigious prizes honoring their work (e.g., Eureka, Huibregtsenprijs, from NWO/KNAW). You will be part of a substantial group of pioneering international researchers working on social robots for social communication. The project started in January 2025 and runs until 2030. See the project’s website at: www.robot-bond.nl.

School of Social Sciences
At the School of Social Sciences we examine the major social issues facing us today from a variety of critical perspectives. We combine sociology, anthropology, political science, communication science, administration and organisation. Because there aren’t any ready-made solutions to the complex social issues of today. They demand a multidisciplinary approach. Working together with others helps you expand your mind, come to new ways of understanding and devise creative solutions.

Are you interested in joining Social Sciences? That means working with a team of colleagues from different disciplines in an inspiring work and study climate. Enjoy working in a professional organisation with an informal atmosphere, where we give you space for personal development. SSC employs over 350 staff members and enrols around 3,000 students.

Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam stands for values-driven education and research. We are open-minded experts with the ability to think freely - a broader mind. Maintaining an entrepreneurial perspective and concentrating on diversity, significance and humanity, we work on sustainable solutions with social impact. By joining forces, across the boundaries of disciplines, we work towards a better world for people and planet. Together we create a safe and respectful working and study climate, and an inspiring environment for education and research. Learn more about our codes of conduct

We are located on one physical campus, in the heart of Amsterdam's Zuidas business district, with excellent location and accessibility.  Over 6,150 staff work at the VU and over 31,000 students attend academic education.

Diversity
Diversity is the driving force of VU Amsterdam. VU wants to be accessible and receptive to diversity in disciplines, cultures, ideas, nationalities, beliefs, preferences and worldviews. We believe that trust, respect, interest and differences lead to new insights and innovation, to sharpness and clarity, to excellence and a broader understanding.

We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity and internationalisation contribute to the quality of education, research and our services.

Therefore, we are always searching for people whose backgrounds and experience contribute to the diversity of the VU community.