Doctoral Researcher: multimodal emotion and attention research in programming learning

The Department of Social Sciences and Philosophy is seeking a doctoral researcher for a position in computational humanities for the period 2.11.2026 (or later by agreement) - 31.8.2030. The reason for the fixed term is doctoral training.

The doctoral researcher is responsible for the multimodal emotion and attention research component of the project Towards Responsible AI for Education: How to Address the Emotional Needs of Novice IT Students, which investigates how higher education students learn programming while working in collaboration within AI-mediated environments.

The selected person will be responsible for the entire process related to measuring the research question. The task is to design and implement multimodal data collection, build an analysis pipeline, and produce a description of how affective features and visual attention are constructed during different stages of interaction. The work is done in close cooperation with other researchers in the project and international partners.

The person we are looking for

Required expertise

• A higher university degree or equivalent in education, psychology, computer science, cognitive science, learning technology, biomedical engineering, or a closely related field, clearly oriented towards quantitative methods

• Python and/or R skills at a level where you can build, debug, and document a reproducible preprocessing and analysis pipeline

• Good written and oral English skills

Skills considered an advantage

• Interest or experience in some of the following: iMotions, eye tracking, facial expression analysis, physiological signal analysis, log data analysis, agentic programming, operationalization of emotion through its various components

• Interest or practical experience in collecting and processing at least one continuous physiological or eye tracking signal. We are looking for someone who has personally worked with signals containing artifacts

• Familiarity with the research fields of programming education, human-AI interaction, or computer-supported collaborative learning (CSCL)

• Familiarity with control theory, emotion assessment theories, or research literature regarding trust in automation

• Experience in conducting laboratory research with human participants

• Finnish language skills, which would be beneficial for working with participants and processing interview data, but are not required

The doctoral researcher's duties focus on research aiming for a doctoral dissertation, doctoral training, assisting teaching duties, and related other tasks. The duties, eligibility requirements, and language skills of the doctoral researcher are determined by the university's regulations and language skills by the guidelines (doctoral student). The position requires good oral and written English skills in accordance with the requirements set for the right to doctoral studies. A six-month probationary period is used when filling the position.

The doctoral researcher is required to have a higher university degree and the right to doctoral studies at the University of Jyväskylä. If the selected applicant does not already have the right to doctoral studies, it must be applied for through a separate application process from the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, taking the application periods into account. Students in the final stages of their studies, whose master's degree is still in progress at the time of application, may also apply.

We offer

Come and be part of our inspiring and warm community!

At the University of Jyväskylä, you are a valued member of the university community. We do meaningful work and cherish culture. In our multidisciplinary university, you will have the opportunity to influence international research and high-quality academic education. For us, everyone's well-being is important, and we offer excellent facilities on campus and nearby for an active and healthy lifestyle.

Remuneration is based on the demandingness of the tasks and personal work performance in accordance with the university remuneration system. The task-specific salary part of the doctoral researcher is determined by the demandingness level 2–4 of teaching and research staff positions. Your salary at the start of the employment will be approximately 2500 euros per month. As the doctoral work progresses, the salary is reviewed in accordance with the universities' collective agreement.

We offer good working conditions for researchers and follow the principles of the Researcher Career and Position Development (HRS4R). The Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) work is based on the values and the Charter & Code of the European Charter for Researchers published by the European Commission. The University of Jyväskylä is committed to fairness, consistency, and transparency in selection decisions and follows national recommendations for responsible researcher assessment. The University of Jyväskylä is committed to the DORA declaration for responsible researcher assessment and follows the CoARA principles.

Application

Applications must include in PDF format:

• A Curriculum Vitae (CV) prepared following good scientific practice and, where possible, taking into account the CV model (see TENK guidelines).

• A short, free-form cover letter (maximum 2 pages) including your research interests, career goals, and previous experience as well as your merits in relation to the suitability for this position.

• A degree certificate (highest degree).

We expect your application in our recruitment system no later than 22.9.2026.

For more information, contact university researcher Ville Heilala, ville.s.heilala@jyu.fi.

Our application process is transparent, professional, and international. We inform applicants openly about the progress of the process at its various stages. We value equality and diversity in our work community and encourage all eligible applicants to apply.

Application begins on September 2, 2026, and ends on September 22, 2026, at 23:59 (Europe/Helsinki)

Department of Social Sciences and Philosophy

Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences – a leader in research and education. The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Jyväskylä is a multidisciplinary science and study community where humanities and social science research, education, and expertise combine in a unique way. Our research is internationally recognized and socially impactful, focusing on, among other things, culture, languages, communication, social sciences, and philosophy. The humanities play a significant role in anticipating global development trends and social changes, solving problems, and managing large amounts of data.

Our strength is community, as well as an open and diverse academic atmosphere. Come and build your career in a faculty that values you as a professional and offers opportunities for growth and international cooperation! More information about the faculty: Humanistis-yhteiskuntatieteellinen tiedekunta (jyu.fi)

In the human-centered community of 2,800 experts and 14,500 students at the University of Jyväskylä, it is easy for everyone to find their place. It is important to us that our community members are well and have opportunities to grow and develop. Our beautiful park campus is located in the center of Jyväskylä. As a university, we are a smoke-free and scent-free workplace and are the third largest employer in Central Finland.