PhD Position eXtended Reality Inclusive Automated Vehicle Interaction NL, CD

Help design the next generation of inclusive interactions between automated vehicles and vulnerable road users using Virtual Reality and eXtended Reality.

Automated Vehicles (AVs) are set to transform road travel, promising significant improvements in road safety, accessibility, and transportation equity. However, as autonomous vehicles move closer to widespread deployment a critical question remains largely unanswered: how can AVs interact safely and effectively with vulnerable road users (VRUs), including people with disabilities? Such interactions involve complex human decision-making processes that span behavioral, cognitive, psychological, and physiological dimensions.

To date, these dimensions have largely been studied in isolation, leaving their interconnections and their role in real-world AV–VRU interactions poorly understood.

In this PhD role you will focus on employing Virtual Reality technologies to better understand this complex interaction process and explore how external Human-Machine Interfaces (eHMIs) can enable safer and more inclusive interactions.

• Develop a theoretical framework for identifying key characteristics of AV–VRU interactions and define design criteria for inclusive eHMIs.
• Design accessible VR simulators for people with disabilities.
• Conduct VR experiments to collect data and model decision‑making processes in AV–VRU interactions.
• Conduct real‑world testing to evaluate the effectiveness of inclusive eHMI design.
• Collaborate closely with other PhD researchers on related projects and relevant topics.
• Publish in high‑impact scientific journals and disseminate findings through conferences and stakeholder workshops.

• Master’s degree in a relevant field (e.g., Human-Computer Interaction, Transportation, Computer Science, or a closely related discipline).
• A solid background and strong interest in VR technologies and skills in developing XR applications using Unity/Unreal game engine.
• Strong and demonstrable experimental skills, including experiment design, setup, conducting experiments, and data collection.
• Strong analytic and programming skills (e.g., Python, C#) with proficiency in statistics.
• Strong skills in qualitative and quantitative analysis.
• Good communication and writing skills in English.

• An open-minded personality with a curiosity‑driven mindset, positive attitude towards methodological and interdisciplinary research, and willingness to learn from different fields, including transportation, human‑computer interaction, and design.
• Prior research and work experience that are relevant to this PhD position is a bonus.

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4‑year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1.5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2.5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from €3,059 - €3,881 gross per month, from the first year to the fourth year based on a full‑time contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end‑of‑year bonus of 8.3%.

As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline‑related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

Will you need to relocate to the Netherlands for this job? TU Delft is committed to make your move as smooth as possible! The HR unit, Coming to Delft Service, offers information on their website to help you prepare your relocation. In addition, Coming to Delft Service organises events to help you settle in the Netherlands, and expand your (social) network in Delft.

A Dual Career Programme is available, to support your accompanying partner with their job search in the Netherlands.

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Dr. Yan Feng at y.feng.