Senior Researcher Human-Centered Technology

We are looking for a new colleague for the position of Senior Researcher within the Human-Centered Technology research programme of the Digital Transformation research group.

Are you an experienced researcher in human-technology interaction and design? Would you like to strengthen the human voice within digital transformation and contribute to technology that actually helps people? And would you like to take a leading role in further developing our research on Empathic Design of Technology? We are looking for you!

Context
Within the Digital Transformation research group, we conduct interdisciplinary, practice-oriented research into how people and organizations interact with and are supported by technology. Our other research programmes are Digital Health, New Business & ICT, and Business Innovation through Connected Systems.

We see digital transformation as an ongoing societal and economic transition driven by the increasing integration of digital technologies into everyday life, work, education and public services. This creates opportunities as well as challenges for individuals, organizations, communities and society.

The Human-Centered Technology research programme focuses on Human-AI Interaction and Responsible AI, Empathic Design of Technology, Design Methodology, and Technology for Learning & Reflection. We work in the domains of education, healthcare, public services and entrepreneurship, always focusing on how technology can help rather than hinder.

As our new Senior Researcher, you will take a leading role in further developing Empathic Design of Technology. This research line explores how technology influences and mediates the interaction between people and their environment, and how design and research can contribute to technology that is meaningful, responsible and responsive to different human perspectives.

This is what you will be doing
You will work in a dynamic and multidisciplinary research group of researchers, PhD candidates and senior researchers engaged in scientific, practice-oriented research.

As a Senior Researcher, you will work closely with the professor to further develop and sustain a coherent research line around Empathic Design of Technology. You will initiate, develop and lead research projects and contribute to or take the lead in research proposals, consortium building and funding applications together with internal and external partners.

You will contribute to ongoing and new research and provide substantive guidance and coaching to researchers within your projects. You will supervise bachelor’s and master’s students and, where appropriate, contribute to the supervision of PhD candidates. Within your projects, you will help safeguard the quality of the research.

Sharing and applying knowledge is an important part of your role. You will disseminate research findings through scientific and practice-oriented publications, presentations and other forms that contribute to impact in professional practice, education and research.

You will connect research with education and professional practice and collaborate with colleagues and partners within and outside the research group, Centre of Expertise and Hanze University of Applied Sciences.

What we are looking for in you
You enjoy connecting people, research, design and emerging technologies to create meaningful impact. You understand the importance of engaging people in an empathetic and multi-voiced way when exploring, designing, developing and evaluating digital technology.

You recognize that technology never stands on its own: it is embedded in a broader process, serves a particular purpose and operates within a specific context. You are curious and critical, take initiative and enjoy working with others across disciplines.

Furthermore, you have:

• a PhD in a relevant discipline and a background in design research, interaction design, human-centered design, HCI, digital humanities or a related field;
• several years of relevant research experience in a field related to Human-Centered Technology;
• can anticipate the potential and implications of technologies such as Virtual Reality and Generative AI and translate these into meaningful opportunities for design-oriented research. Technical expertise is not required. 
• experience with design-oriented, practice-oriented and/or interdisciplinary research and relevant research methods;
• demonstrable experience in co-developing, developing or leading research projects, building research consortia, securing external funding, supervising researchers, and publishing practice-oriented and academic research
• experience in developing and leading research projects;
• the ability to connect research with professional practice and collaborate with different internal and external partners;
• excellent communication skills and the ability to communicate research findings to both academic and non-academic audiences;
• proficiency in English and Dutch, or the willingness to learn Dutch to B2 level.
• Experience in coaching or guiding researchers is an advantage. 

What you get in return
We offer an ambitious, multidisciplinary research environment where you collaborate with professors, researchers, lecturers, students and practitioners across different disciplines. You will have the opportunity to further shape an evolving research line on Empathic Design of Technology and contribute to research that puts people at the centre of digital transformation.

• We offer employment of 0.8 – 1.0 FTE, of which the appointment may consist of teaching duties for a maximum of 0.2 FTE. The start date is as soon as possible.
• This vacancy concerns a one-year contract with the possibility of extension.
• The position is classified in scale 12 (min. € 5,583 and max. € 7,534), in accordance with the CAO-HBO. The salary is gross per month for full-time employment. Classification takes place in the position of Lecturer-Researcher B.
• You receive 8% holiday allowance and a structural end-of-year allowance of 8.3%.
• You have a maximum of 53 leave days per year. In addition, you can make use of sustainable employability hours and home-working facilities.
• You have opportunities to continuously develop professionally through our Hanze PL Academy.

Curious to learn more?
For substantive information regarding this vacancy, please contact Aletta Smits (Professor of Human-Centered Technology), a.m.smits@pl.hanze.nl or Eelco Braad (Senior Researcher in Human-Centered Technology), e.p.braad@pl.hanze.nl. Please do not use these email addresses for your application (click on Apply-button).

Will you be our new colleague?
Then send your CV and motivation via the application button. We value authenticity and would like to hear your own voice in your cover letter. Tell us what motivates you to apply and what you would bring to our research group.

• Closing date: 22 November 2026.
• The first round of interviews will take place on: Wednesday 2 December 2026.
• We ask new employees to apply for a Certificate of Conduct (VOG) upon commencement of employment. The costs for this can be reimbursed by Hanze UAS.

Acquisition in response to this vacancy are not appreciated.