The Department of Computer and Systems Sciences (DSV) is one of the oldest IT departments in Sweden and one of the largest departments at Stockholm University with around 5 000 students. The discipline of computer and systems sciences bridges the gap between technology and the humanities, social sciences, and behavioral sciences. The use and design of IT is put in context in relation to people, organizations, and society. DSV offers a stimulating research environment in an international setting.

Project description
Traditional search systems such as Google and other similar information systems with search functionalities, give the user access to search, browse, manage and synthesise information according to their need, their tasks and in appropriate contexts. Within the area of interactive search systems, the effects of what and how search results are presented (SERPs), have traditionally been done in 2-dimensional user interfaces.

This project will explore how information and presentation of search results, can be presented and designed in 3-dimenional spaces (e.g. virtual reality, VR) like for example head-mounted displays (HMDs, VR-helmets). The project will investigate how information in 3-dimensional spaces can support the user in information-related activities such as navigation, searching and relevance judgements. Through immersive technologies, we can explore how the human search for and interact with information and information systems in different contexts. The different contexts can possess different properties such as level of dynamics and complexities and will make demands on spatial cognition as well as on the ability to act and make informed decisions in situations under stress (pulse, EEG, etc).

As a PhD student, you will be part of the IDEAL unit (Interaction Design and Learning) at DSV that conduct research and teaching within Interaction Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), information seeking and learning.

Knowledge in the following are needed: good skills in programming languages like Python, Java and knowledge in SQL and Linus, are desirable; Knowledge about information systems in general, and interactive information seeking and retrieval (IIR) as well as immersive technologies such as VR. Good communicative skills and ability to express yourself in English in both writing and speech.

Qualification requirements
In order to meet the general entry requirements, the applicant must have completed a second-cycle degree, completed courses equivalent to at least 240 higher education credits, of which 60 credits must be in the second cycle, or have otherwise acquired equivalent knowledge in Sweden or elsewhere.

In order to meet the specific entry requirements, the applicant must have completed courses at second-cycle level in Computer and systems sciences with a minimum of 90 higher education credits, or equivalent, including a thesis with a minimum of 15 higher education credits.

In addition, the applicant is required to have English language skills equivalent of Common European Framework of Reference for Languages Level B2.

The qualification requirements must be met by the deadline for applications.

Selection
The selection among the eligible candidates will be based on their capacity to benefit from the training. The following criteria will be used to assess this capacity:

• Independence in the analysis and organization of the earlier work
• Problem formulation and rigor in previous work and in the research plan
• Previously shown ability to keep the specified time limits
• Methodological and scientific maturity
• Communication and cooperation skills
• Subject specific knowledge relevant to education.

Admission Regulations for Doctoral Studies at Stockholm University are available at: www.su.se/rules and regulations.

Terms of employment 
Only a person who will be or has already been admitted to a third-cycle programme may be appointed to a doctoral studentship.

The term of the initial contract may not exceed one year. The employment may be extended for a maximum of two years at a time. However, the total period of employment may not exceed the equivalent of four years of full-time study.

Doctoral students should primarily devote themselves to their own education, but may engage in teaching, research, and administration corresponding to a maximum of 20 % of a full-time position.

Please note that admission decisions cannot be appealed.

Stockholm University strives to be a workplace free from discrimination and with equal opportunities for all.

Contact
For more information, please contact Associate professor Preben Hansen, preben@dsv.su.se or the Director of PhD studies, Sirkku Männikkö-Barbutiu, sirkku@dsv.su.se.

Union representatives
Ingrid Lander (Saco-S), telephone: +46 708 16 26 64, saco@saco.su.se, Alejandra Pizarro Carrasco (Fackförbundet ST/Lärarförbundet), telephone: +46 8 16 34 89, alejandra@st.su.se, seko@seko.su.se (SEKO), and PhD student representative, doktorandombud@sus.su.se.

Application
Apply for the PhD student position at Stockholm University's recruitment system. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the application is complete in accordance with the instructions in the advertisement, and that it is submitted before the deadline.

Please include the following information with your application

• Your contact details and personal data
• Your highest degree
• Your language skills
• Contact details for 2–3 references

and, in addition, please include the following documents

• Cover letter
• CV – degrees and other completed courses, work experience and a list of degree projects/theses
• Project proposal/Research proposal (no more than 3 pages) describing:
  – why you are interested in the field/project described in the advertisement 
  – why and how you wish to complete the project 
  – what makes you suitable for the project in question
• Degree certificates and grades confirming that you meet the general and specific entry requirements (no more than 6 files)
• Letters of recommendation (no more than 3 files)
• Degree projects/theses (no more than 3 files).

The instructions for applicants are available at: How to apply for a position.

You are welcome to apply!