Project Assistants with Focus on UX/HCI in Relation to AI and Cybersecurity

Umeå Universitet · Vollzeit

Umeå universitet, Umeå, Schweden

Umeå University is one of Sweden's largest institutions of higher education with over 41,500 students and approximately 4,600 employees. The university offers a diverse range of high-quality educational programs and world-leading research in several scientific fields. It was here that the groundbreaking discovery of the gene-editing tool CRISPR-Cas9 was made, an achievement that was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. At Umeå University, everything is close by. Our cohesive campuses make it easy to meet, collaborate, and exchange knowledge, fostering a dynamic and open culture. The societal transformation and major green investments we see in northern Sweden create enormous opportunities and complex challenges. For Umeå University, this means conducting research about – and within – a society in transformation. It also means delivering education for regions that need to expand rapidly and sustainably. Simply put, the future is being created here. The Department of Informatics is seeking 1–2 project assistants for fixed-term employment (50%) for 10 months starting in autumn 2026. The positions focus on user experience (UX), human-computer interaction (HCI) in relation to AI and cybersecurity. About the Project The research project Secure AI User Experience is carried out in collaboration between Umeå University, Luleå University of Technology, and University of Oulu, and is financed by Interreg Aurora. The Department of Informatics is responsible for part of the project with a research focus on user experience and human-computer interaction in relation to cybersecurity in AI-based systems. The aim is to scientifically develop and validate a structured and practically applicable approach for integrating UX and HCI principles into organizations' cybersecurity work. Security solutions should not only be technically robust, but also understandable, usable, accepted by users, and compatible with actual work processes. The work is conducted in close collaboration with small and medium-sized enterprises, end users, researchers, and other project partners. The project addresses, among other things, how UX and HCI principles can be translated into practice to improve usability, trust, and regulatory compliance, and how AI solutions can be designed to combine security with usability and efficient workflows. Project Description and Work Tasks As a project assistant in this project, you will support the project's researchers and participate practically in planning, implementation, and analysis of the project's scientific activities. The work is interdisciplinary and conducted at the intersection of informatics, UX/HCI, AI, and cybersecurity, with these project assistant positions focusing on UX/HCI. The main work tasks include: - Planning, preparing, and conducting scientific user studies in collaboration with small and medium-sized enterprises and end users - Participating in data collection through interviews, observations, surveys, workshops, and usability tests - Transcribing interviews and structuring, documenting, and managing collected material - Conducting qualitative analyses of the project's empirical material - Contributing to the development of a practical framework for how UX and HCI principles can be integrated in the design and implementation of secure AI-based systems - Contributing to the development of guidelines, methods, and support tools that promote secure user behavior and reduce user-related vulnerabilities - Creating and evaluating concepts, prototypes, and visualizations - Participating in iterative evaluation and validation of the project's methods, tools, and materials together with companies and end users - Compiling analyses and contributing to scientific articles and reports - Participating in project meetings and collaboration with the project's Swedish and international partners. The work tasks involve regular contact with company representatives, end users, researchers, and potential collaborators. Work tasks may change over time based on the project's development and needs. About the Position The employment is a fixed-term position for 10 months starting as soon as possible in autumn 2026. The position will be at 50% of full-time. The final extent is dependent on a funding decision made before the position starts. The position is located at the Department of Informatics at Umeå University. We are seeking project assistants who will become part of the department's daily operations and regularly work on-site at the workplace. Travel and participation in activities with project partners and participating companies may occur. Qualification Requirements We are looking for someone who has: - Master's degree in informatics with a focus on HCI and UX or equivalent - Knowledge of user-centered design, user experience, and/or human-computer interaction - Experience planning and conducting research studies through empirical user studies such as interviews, observations, surveys, workshops, and user testing - Knowledge of qualitative research methods and experience structuring, analyzing, and reporting empirical material - Very good ability to express yourself verbally and in writing in Swedish and English Otherwise, it is important to have good collaboration and communication skills, a good ability to plan and carry out work tasks independently, in a structured and responsible manner. The work involves close collaboration with companies, end users, researchers, and other project partners. You therefore need to be proactive, solution-oriented, and have an ability to create and maintain good professional relationships. Great weight will be placed on personal suitability. Application For application information, see Umeå University job vacancies.