Researcher (f/m/d) in Humanities and Social Sciences - User-Centered Security Solutions

Project Overview

We are seeking a researcher in Humanities to join our interdisciplinary research initiative, ASTRAOS - Security Out-of-the-Box. This project aims to develop an innovative Network Detection and Response (NDR) solution designed for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and households. The solution emphasizes accessibility, requiring no specialized expertise, and integrates AI-driven approaches and zero-touch onboarding for a low-maintenance, scalable, and energy-efficient security system. A critical aspect of this project is understanding and addressing user acceptance, as even the most technically robust solutions can fail if they do not meet user needs and expectations. The focus of this research position will be on exploring the factors that influence user acceptance of security technologies, modeling trade-off decisions between technical solutions and user acceptance, and developing strategies to enhance acceptance without compromising technical effectiveness.

Your Responsibilities

• Conduct interdisciplinary research focusing on the intersection of technology and user experience, particularly in the context of AI-driven security solutions, with a strong emphasis on user acceptance.
• Investigate factors that influence user acceptance of security technologies, including psychological, social, and cultural aspects.
• Model trade-off decisions between technical solutions and user acceptance, aiming to balance technical effectiveness with user-friendliness.
• Develop frameworks that integrate user-centered design principles into the development of security technologies, ensuring that solutions are both effective and accepted by users.
• Conduct qualitative and quantitative research, including interviews and surveys, to understand user interactions and identify acceptance factors.
• Collaborate with computer scientists and engineers to ensure that user needs and acceptance considerations are integrated into the technical design process.
• Publish research results in leading humanities and interdisciplinary journals and conferences.
• Participate in project meetings and contribute to interdisciplinary discussions, ensuring a holistic approach to system development.

Your Profile

• A Master's degree (or equivalent) in Humanities, Social Sciences, Science and Technology Studies (STS), Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Ethics, or a related field.
• Strong background in qualitative and quantitative research methodologies and theoretical frameworks relevant to user studies, ethics, or technology studies, with a particular interest in user acceptance research.
• Interest in the societal and ethical implications of technology, particularly in the context of security and AI, and a keen understanding of why user acceptance is crucial for the success of technical solutions.
• Excellent analytical and communication skills, with the ability to bridge technical and non-technical perspectives.
• Proficiency in English; knowledge of other languages is a plus but not required.
• Experience in interdisciplinary research or collaboration with technical fields is an advantage.

We Offer

• A dynamic and interdisciplinary research environment with opportunities for collaboration between humanities and computer science.
• Possible supervision and support for developing high-impact, interdisciplinary research.
• Access to resources for qualitative and quantitative research, including tools for data analysis and user studies.
• Opportunities to participate in international conferences and workshops in both humanities and technology fields.