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  2. Postdoc position on Workers-Robot-Relations: Exploring Ownership through the lens of Design Justice and Organizational Psychology

Postdoc position on Workers-Robot-Relations: Exploring Ownership through the lens of Design Justice and Organizational Psychology

Are you interested in a PostDoc position on Workers-Robot-Relations? Apply now!

Apply now
  • Hi! Are you my
    new colleague?
    Clara Stegehuis
  • Hi! Are you my
    new colleague?
    Kuan Chen
  • Hi! Are you my
    new colleague?
    Stefano Stramigioli
  • Hi! Are you my
    new colleague?
    Jeroen Blok
  • Hi! Are you my
    new colleague?
    Britt Büter
  • Hi! Are you my
    new colleague?
    Eline Meijerink
  • Hi! Are you my
    new colleague?
    Ying Wang

Key takeaways

  • Hours
    40 hr.
  • Salary indication
    Salary gross/monthly
    based on full-time
    € 4,020 - € 5,278
  • Deadline
    7 Dec 2024

Emerging worker-robot relations (WRRs) have various configurations (i.e., single worker, worker-client relation, or a team of workers), and are established within environments with complex sets of protocols with varying levels of autonomy (or not), and where power dynamics are at play. While WRRs promise new opportunities for innovation, cost reduction, and productivity, the actual impact of cognitive robots on work, workers, and management is yet to be unveiled. Workers may have diverse perceptions of how and whether WRRs are a positive development for them or not. Additionally, workers and unions may want to explore alternative scenarios where robots are not means of production imposed on workers but belong and act in solidarity with workers.

In line with principles of Industry 5.0 (planetary, societal, and workers’ well-being and social justice as central to work), there is an opportunity for technology design to re-configure power dynamics and improve job quality and retention, while providing meaningful and equitable work experiences for workers.

In this post-doctoral research project, our aim is to explore, understand, and reframe WRRs and workers-robot ownership of labor and the robot itself within the context of the cleaning industry.

We are going to hone-in data, robots, workers’ ownership of the workflow through analyzing narratives, imaginaries, and worldviews to unveil alternative configurations of ownership, agency, and solidarity.

Methodologically, our approach will be guided by design justice and organizational psychology. Research activities include:

1. Conducting a literature review;
2. Co-ethnography with workers, robots, unions, and legal scholars (including interviews field observations, and speculative enactments);
3. Speculative Co-creation sessions to understand values, narratives, imaginaries, agency and ownership configurations of robots and WRRs relations thereof;
4. Co-creation sessions to tangibly explore new ownership configurations and offer tools and strategies to workers and unions;

Our goal is to produce an actionable solidarity toolbox for long-term use, fostering awareness, understanding, and (worker) emancipation on how the robot operates, plus guiding new configurations of robot ownership. This will include a set of conditions for employers and employees if they will start working with automation/robotics.

Your profile

  • PhD degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Human-Robot Interaction, Industrial Design or a related field;
  • An interest in the future of work and organizational psychology, familiarity with robotics, and an interest in transdisciplinary field research
  • Proficiency in qualitative research methods (i.e., ethnography, field observation and interviews);
  • Excellent communication and collaboration skills with a diversity of stakeholders;
  • Experience with participatory design, speculative design, design activism, and/or action research is desirable;
  • A commitment to social justice and building a future in which technology enriches workers’ job meaningfulness and ownership;
  • Ability to communicate with Dutch stakeholders;
  • Excellent scientific writing skills are a plus.

Our offer

  • We offer a fulltime position for 9 months within a very stimulating scientific environment.
  • Your salary and associated conditions are in accordance with the collective labour agreement for Dutch universities (CAO-NU);
  • Gross salary between € 4.020,- and € 5.278,- per month depending on experience and qualifications;
  • Excellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, a year-end bonus of 8.3% and a solid pension scheme;
  • Free access to sports facilities on campus
  • A minimum of 232 leave hours in case of full-time employment based on a formal workweek of 38 hours. A full-time employment in practice means 40 hours a week, therefore resulting in 96 extra leave hours on an annual basis.
  • Excellent support for research and facilities for professional and personal development.
  • We encourage a high degree of responsibility and independence, while collaborating with close colleagues, researchers and other university staff.
  • We are also a family-friendly institution that offers parental leave (both paid and unpaid) and career support for partners.

Information and application

Please upload your application through the apply button before 8th of December, 2024.

Your application includes the following documents as a single pdf file with:

For more information regarding this position, you are welcome to contact Cristina Zaga (c.zaga@utwente.nl)

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About the organisation

The faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) uses mathematics, electronics and computer technology to contribute to the development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). With ICT present in almost every device and product we use nowadays, we embrace our role as contributors to a broad range of societal activities and as pioneers of tomorrow's digital society. As part of a people-first tech university that aims to shape society, individuals and connections, our faculty works together intensively with industrial partners and researchers in the Netherlands and abroad, and conducts extensive research for external commissioning parties and funders. Our research has a high profile both in the Netherlands and internationally. It has been accommodated in three multidisciplinary UT research institutes: Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Centre and Digital Society Institute.

Want to know more?

Iliohan, M. (Miriam)

Iliohan, M. (Miriam)
Co-founder and Manager DesignLab

Iliohan, M. (Miriam)
Co-founder and Manager DesignLab

Do you have questions about this vacancy? Then you can contact Miriam for all substantive questions about this position and the application procedure. For general questions about working for the UT, please refer to the chatbot.

How to apply

Step 1

Apply.
When you see a vacancy that appeals to you, you can apply online. We ask you to upload a CV and motivation letter and/or list of publications. You will receive a confirmation of receipt by e-mail.

Apply now

Step 2

Selection.
The selection committee will review your application and you will receive a response within 2 weeks after the vacancy has been closed.

Step 3

1st interview.
The 1st (online or in person) meeting serves as an introduction where we introduce ourselves to you and you to us. You may be asked to give a short presentation. This will be further explained in the invitation.

Step 4

2nd interview.
In the second interview, we will further discuss the job content, your skills and your talents.

Step 5

The offer.
If the conversations are positive, you will be made a suitable offer. If applicable, we will sign you up for screening.

Your Colleagues

About the faculty EEMCS

Curious about what the faculty of Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science (EEMCS) stands for? Check out the EEMCS website for more information.

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