ZEPPELIN UNIVERSITÄT - Doctoral Researcher (m/f/x) or Postdoctoral Researcher (m/f/x) in Information Systems I Human-AI Collaboration (100%)

Zeppelin Universität (ZU) in Friedrichshafen on the Lake of Constance is a state-recognized, private university with BA, MA and doctoral programs in the fields of business, culture and politics. It is committed to interdisciplinarity, internationality and individuality in research and teaching.

The researcher will be part of the newly established Endowed Chair of Artificial Intelligence, focusing on exploring how humans and AI can collaborate most effectively. The Chair's research centers on integrating human and artificial intelligence, encompassing studies of existing AI-based systems' applications and impacts, as well as the design and evaluation of new ones. The Chair pursues research oriented towards real and urgent organizational and societal problems, aiming to contribute to their solutions. Consequently, the research involves collaboration with partners from industry, politics, and administration. The Chair has been established with funds provided by ZF Friedrichshafen AG, enabling exceptional collaboration with this company. Complementing this focus is an investigation into the social and ethical implications of AI. The Chair's approach is grounded in the belief that the acceptance and use of technologies are influenced by individual experiences and needs, organizational and social structures, public discourse, and the broader societal context.

Together with other members of the team, the researcher will investigate, design, and evaluate socio-technical systems that integrate human and artificial intelligence. They will develop methods and tools to successfully design and implement these systems in various contexts while collaborating with external partners.

Your tasks

• Contributing to the conceptual and theoretical development and methodological implementation of the Chair’s research agenda
• Participation in Chair’s projects in collaboration with partners from academia and industry
• Publishing research results in top-tier international journals and conference proceedings in such fields as information systems, human-computer interaction, or software engineering
• Attending international conferences and workshops
• Participating in the regular meetings of the Chair and its partners
• Support in teaching (pre-doc 4 SWS, post-doc 6 SWS), dissemination, and transfer activities

Your profile

• An excellent master’s degree in information systems, computer science, informatics, computational linguistics, human-computer interaction, digital transformation, or related disciplines
• For the postdoc position: a Ph.D. in one of the above disciplines
• A keen interest in human-AI interaction, collaborative work practices, and/or applications of artificial intelligence, coupled with the ambition to disseminate knowledge through top-tier publications
• Experience in qualitative or quantitative user studies, design-oriented research (design science research, research through design), or software engineering
• Problem-solving and analytical skills, along with a high degree of self-motivation and self-organization
• Excellent English proficiency and conversational German skills for effective communication with local industry partners

What we offer

We offer you a varied and challenging job in an innovative working and learning environment with currently more than 220 exceptional and dedicated colleagues as well as 700 students, thirsty for knowledge. You will have the opportunity to develop a unique research profile that combines industry collaboration with high-impact research, as well as the chance to pursue your own research interests. You will be paid a competitive salary of approx. 50.000-60.000 € gross p.a. depending on your position and prior experience.

Additional benefits:

• Work and live in of the most beautiful natural surroundings of Germany, right next to the Lake of Constance
• Flexible working hours for better work-life balance
• Support for company pension plans
• Participation in the company fitness program Wellpass
• “Deutschlandticket” (train ticket valid everywhere in Germany) as job ticket, subsidized by the university
• Nursery subsidies
• JobRad (bicycle leasing program)
• Corporate Benefits program
• Company outings, Christmas parties, summer festivals

Zeppelin Universität is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants with disabilities will be given priority. Zeppelin Universität supports the compatibility of family and work and promotes gender equality.

Are you Interested? Please send your detailed application documents (cover letter, CV, educational certificates and a writing sample) to Ute Aisenpreis (HR Management) until 21 March 2025, including your earliest availability via the application management system softgarden (application link).

For any specific questions regarding the position, please contact Prof. Dr. Dolata at : mateusz.dolata@zu.de.