PhD Research Position in Human‑Centric Design and Engineering​

Breaking: Leading Ergonomics and Design Lab Opens New Career Opportunities

A premier research team focused on human-centered design has announced new openings for engineers, designers, and researchers to join its interdisciplinary group. The unit specializes in analyzing products and systems that balance aesthetics with ergonomic requirements.

The team’s work spans a wide range of domains, including virtual and haptic interfaces, power tools, medical technology, robotics, and both interior and exterior vehicle design. The group also concentrates on autonomous and mobile machines, reflecting a commitment to advancing practical, user-pleasant solutions.

What the positions offer

Candidates can expect an environment that supports hands-on development with well-known manufacturers. Opportunities include pursuing a personal doctoral project, access to extensive university resources, and ongoing professional qualification options. A formal mentoring program and a collaborative team culture are highlighted as key supports for new hires.

Who the lab is seeking

Applicants should bring a university degree or professional experience with solid grounding in engineering principles and a deep understanding of technical design, vehicle design, or interface design. Suitable professionals come from fields such as engineering, design, ergonomics, computer science, or engineering psychology. A proven track record of teamwork,strong motivation,and the ability to work independently on research topics are essential.

Benefits on offer

• Sports and leisure activities
• Further training opportunities

Quick facts

Category	Details
Focus areas	human-centered design, ergonomic analysis, and human–machine interfaces across tools, medical tech, robotics, and vehicles
Roles	Researchers, engineers, and designers joining a multidisciplinary team
Qualifications	University degree or professional practice in engineering, design, ergonomics, computer science, or engineering psychology; strong collaboration skills; self-motivation; independent work ethic
Benefits	Mentoring program, opportunities for doctoral work, access to university resources, ongoing training, and a supportive team
Application note	Submit complete documents; inquiries handled by program management

How to engage

Interested candidates are encouraged to prepare a complete application package and reach out with any questions about the role. The lab emphasizes a structured mentoring and development pathway to help new team members integrate quickly and advance in their careers.

Engagement questions

What aspects of a research role in ergonomic design interest you the most?

Would you consider pursuing a doctoral project while contributing to industry-focused projects?

For readers seeking related context, exploring resources on human-centered design and ergonomic standards can provide valuable background. See sources on ISO 9241-210 and other industry guidelines for broader reference.

Share your thoughts below and tell us which area within design and ergonomics you would most like to influence in the next five years.

What is Human‑Centric Design and Engineering?

Human‑centric design (sometimes called human‑centered design or user‑centered design) blends design thinking, engineering rigor, and behavioral science to create products, systems, and services that align with real user needs, abilities, and contexts. In academia, the term signals an interdisciplinary research agenda that spans industrial design, mechanical engineering, computer science, psychology, and ergonomics [1].

---

Core Research areas for a PhD in Human‑Centric Design & Engineering

Research Theme	Typical Questions	Representative Methods
User Experience (UX) Engineering	How does interaction latency affect cognitive load?	Eye‑tracking, physiological sensors, controlled lab studies
Design for Inclusivity	What design modifications improve accessibility for low‑vision users?	Participatory design workshops, field ethnography
Sustainable Human‑Centric Systems	How can circular‑economy principles be embedded in product architecture?	Life‑cycle assessment (LCA), scenario modeling
AI‑Driven Co‑Creation	Can generative AI augment designer creativity without compromising usability?	Machine‑learning prototyping, human‑in‑the‑loop evaluation
Smart‑Embedded Materials	How do responsive materials influence user perception of agency?	Material testing, immersive prototype testing
Human factors in Autonomous Systems	What hand‑off strategies minimize operator confusion in Level‑4 vehicles?	Simulator studies, cognitive task analysis

---

Typical Responsibilities of a PhD Candidate

1. Literature Synthesis – compile state‑of‑the‑art research across design, engineering, and human factors.
2. Methodology Development – Design mixed‑methods protocols that combine quantitative performance metrics with qualitative user insights.
3. Prototype Creation – Build iterative physical or digital prototypes using CAD, rapid‑manufacturing, or low‑code platforms.
4. Empirical Evaluation – Conduct user studies, field trials, or simulations to validate design hypotheses.
5. Scholarly Dissemination – Publish in journals such as Design Studies, Human Factors, and IEEE Transactions on Haptics; present at conferences like CHI, ASME IDETC, and IDEAS.
6. Collaboration & Mentoring – Work with industry partners, interdisciplinary labs, and supervise undergraduate design projects.

---

Eligibility & Admission Requirements

• Academic Background – Bachelor’s (minimum) in industrial design, mechanical/electrical engineering, computer science, psychology, or a related field; Master’s strongly preferred for research‑intensive programs.
• GPA Threshold – Usually ≥ 3.5/4.0 (or equivalent) on a weighted scale.
• Research Portfolio – Demonstrated experience in user‑centric projects (e.g., portfolio PDFs, GitHub repos, or published papers).
• Letters of Recommendation – At least two academic references attesting to research potential and interdisciplinary aptitude.
• English proficiency – TOEFL ≥ 90 or IELTS ≥ 6.5 for non‑native speakers.

---

Submission Timeline & Practical Tips

Phase	Action Items	Deadline (Typical)
1️⃣ Preliminary Research	Identify faculty whose interests align with human‑centric design; read recent publications.	3 months before deadline
2️⃣ Contact Potential Supervisor	Send a concise email (200‑300 words) with CV, brief research idea, and relevance to their work.	2 months before deadline
3️⃣ Prepare Written Proposal	Follow the university’s template; include problem statement, objectives, methodology, and expected contributions.	1 month before deadline
4️⃣ Compile application Package	Upload transcripts, CV, portfolio, LORs, and language scores to the portal.	Application deadline
5️⃣ Interview	Expect a 30‑minute video call focusing on research fit, methodological knowledge, and teamwork skills.	2‑4 weeks post‑submission

Tip: Align your research proposal with a current industry challenge (e.g., remote‑work ergonomics, smart‑home inclusivity) and reference a recent grant (e.g.,EU Horizon 2025 “Human‑Centric AI”) to demonstrate impact potential.

---

Funding Opportunities & Scholarships

• University‑Specific Grants – Many institutions (e.g.,MIT Media Lab,Stanford Design School) offer Graduate Fellowships covering tuition and a living stipend.
• National Research Councils – In the U.S., the NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) allocates up to $40 k per year; in the U.K., UKRI Doctoral Training Partnerships provide £15 k–£20 k annual stipends.
• Industry Partnerships – Companies like Siemens, Bosch, and Google sponsor PhD projects that focus on human‑centric robotics, AR/VR, or health‑tech. Look for “Co‑funded PhD” listings on university career pages.
• Travel & Conference Support – Apply for ACM SIGCHI Student Travel Grants or Design Management Institute (DMI) Scholarships to present findings at leading conferences.

---

Real‑World Case Studies

1. MIT Media Lab – “Adaptive Exoskeletons for Elderly Mobility” (2023–2025)

• Goal: Reduce fall risk by integrating sensor‑driven actuation with user‑customized comfort zones.
• Outcome: Published in nature Biomedical Engineering; prototype adopted by a senior‑care startup.

2. Delft University of Technology – “inclusive Smart‑City Street Furniture” (2022–2024)

• Goal: Co‑design benches and lighting that accommodate wheelchair users and neurodiverse pedestrians.
• Outcome: field trial in Rotterdam; design guidelines cited in the EU’s urban Mobility Directive.

3. university of Cambridge – “Human‑Centric AI for Remote Collaboration” (2024–ongoing)

• Goal: Develop AI agents that adapt to team dynamics and cognitive load in virtual workspaces.
• Outcome: Early results presented at CHI 2025; collaboration with Microsoft Teams.

These projects illustrate how PhD research directly influences product pipelines, policy frameworks, and emerging technologies.

---

Essential Skills & Tools to Master

• Design & Prototyping: SolidWorks, Rhino + Grasshopper, Fusion 360, Arduino, and rapid‑prototype 3‑D printing.
• User Research: Contextual inquiry, diary studies, SUS (System Usability Scale), Likert surveys, and statistical analysis (SPSS, R).
• Human‑Factor Analysis: ergonomic standards (ISO 9241, ANSI/HFES‑100), biomechanics modeling, and cognitive task analysis.
• Data Visualization & reporting: Tableau, LaTeX, and interactive dashboards for stakeholder interaction.
• Programming & AI: Python (PyTorch, TensorFlow), MATLAB for sensor data processing, and low‑code platforms for rapid UI mock‑ups.

---

Benefits of pursuing This PhD

• Interdisciplinary Credibility – Blend of design intuition and engineering precision positions graduates for roles in R&D, product strategy, and academic leadership.
• High Demand in Industry – Companies prioritizing user‑centric innovation (e.g., Apple, BMW, Philips) actively recruit PhD‑level talent for UX research, human‑robot interaction, and sustainable product design.
• Academic pathways – Strong publication record opens doors to tenure‑track positions in design schools, engineering faculties, and multidisciplinary research institutes.
• Network expansion – Access to global research consortiums (e.g.,Human Factors and Ergonomics Society,Design Research Society) and industry advisory boards.

---

Practical Tips for Crafting a Standout Proposal

1. Start with a Human Problem – Frame the research around a concrete user pain point (e.g., “post‑pandemic home‑office fatigue”).
2. Integrate theory & Method – Cite foundational frameworks such as norman’s Design Principles [2] and ISO 9241‑210 standards; propose a mixed‑methods approach.
3. Show Feasibility – Outline available lab resources (e.g., motion‑capture rigs, haptic devices) and timeline broken into Year 1 (exploratory studies), Year 2 (prototype development), Year 3 (evaluation & dissemination).
4. Highlight Impact – Connect outcomes to societal benefits (e.g., inclusive design for aging populations) and commercial potential (e.g., patentable smart‑material systems).
5. Proofread for Clarity – Use clear, jargon‑light language; avoid filler sentences; keep paragraphs under 80 words for improved readability.

---

References

1. International Standard ISO 9241‑210:2019 – Human‑centered design for interactive systems.
2. Norman, D. A.(2013). The Design of Everyday Things (Revised edition). Basic Books.
3. IEEE Transactions on haptics, Vol. 12, No. 2, 2024 – “Human‑Centric Exoskeleton Control via Adaptive Impedance”.
4. ACM CHI Proceedings 2025 – “AI‑Enabled Collaborative Workspaces: A Human‑Centric Evaluation”.