Postdoc In Human–AI Interaction and Risk-minimizing Digital Design in Gambling

Job description
How can AI help decrease online gambling [TR1] harms? Join our interdisciplinary research team to develop AI-supported tools, investigate how people understand gambling risks, and design more transparent digital interfaces that support informed decisions and harm prevention.
Information
Online gambling platforms shape how people perceive risks, understand products, and make decisions. Yet information about gambling risks, winning probabilities, and bonus conditions is often difficult to find, complex, or unclear. How can we systematically evaluate these practices and design better alternatives?
We are looking for a motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to join
UI-PRIG (Understanding & Improving Product Risk Information in Gambling)
, a two-year research project conducted by Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) in collaboration with the Trimbos Institute.
The project combines Human–Computer Interaction (HCI), Generative AI, behavioural research, and participatory design to improve how online gambling platforms communicate product and risk information.
You will play a central role in conducting the research and developing two open-source research tools:
KanScan:
An AI-supported website analysis tool that systematically evaluates the visibility, clarity, accessibility, and interpretability of gambling-related risk information. You will develop automated website analysis procedures using Python, browser automation, and large language models, and validate their performance against human expert assessments.
KanLab:
An experimental prototyping environment that uses configurable web components and generative AI to create realistic mock-up gambling websites. The platform will enable researchers and stakeholders to systematically explore alternative approaches to communicating gambling risks and product information.
Alongside technical development, you will design and conduct user studies, including cognitive walkthroughs, interviews, and co-design workshops involving non-gamblers, prevention experts, and people with lived experience of gambling-related harm. You will analyse qualitative and quantitative research data and translate findings into evidence-based design recommendations.
You will work within the
Human-Technology Interaction (HTI) group at TU/e
, supervised by Dr. Max V. Birk and Dr. Antonius J. van Rooij (Trimbos Institute). You will join an interdisciplinary research environment that combines expertise in HCI, artificial intelligence, games, behavioural science, and digital well-being.
Your work will contribute to scientific publications, open-source tools, and practical recommendations for researchers, regulators, and public health professionals. Through this project, you will help establish a foundation for evaluating and improving responsible digital information design.

Requirements
We are looking for an independent, curious, and technically capable researcher who enjoys combining software development with empirical research and addressing societal challenges.
A PhD (completed or close to completion) in Human–Computer Interaction, Computer Science, Human–AI Interaction, Psychology, Data Science, or a closely related field.
Demonstrated experience conducting high-quality academic research, evidenced by peer-reviewed publications or comparable research outputs.
Strong programming skills, preferably in Python, and experience developing interactive systems, web applications, or research prototypes.
Experience with AI-based methods, particularly large language models (LLMs), generative AI, or automated content analysis, or a demonstrated ability to rapidly acquire these skills.
Experience with empirical research methods, such as usability evaluation, controlled experiments, interviews, or qualitative and quantitative data analysis.
An interest in responsible technology design, digital well-being, risk communication, or the societal implications of interactive technologies.
The ability to independently organize and execute research projects, while collaborating effectively with interdisciplinary partners and stakeholders.
Excellent written and spoken English communication skills.
Additional qualifications that would be an advantage:
Experience with browser automation, web scraping, or automated interface evaluation (e.g., Playwright or Selenium).
Experience with participatory design, co-design workshops, or research involving diverse and potentially vulnerable user populations.
Familiarity with digital persuasive design, deceptive design patterns, consumer protection, or gambling-related harm prevention.
Experience with open science practices, reproducible research, and the development of publicly available research software.
Proficiency in Dutch, particularly for conducting user studies and stakeholder engagement in the Netherlands.

Conditions of employment
Fixed-term
contract
: 18 months.
A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university, in an interdisciplinary setting and within an international network. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station.
In addition, we offer you:
Full-time employment for 18 months.
Salary in accordance with the
Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities
, scale 10, ranging from € 4,422 (step 4) to € 5,760 gross base salary per month (full-time).
In addition to your base salary, you will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus, both calculated based on your annual gross base salary.
Generous leave options: a standard 29 days (based on a 38 hour working week) per year that you can increase to 41 days by working two hours more per week (flexible working hours). This is prorated if you work part-time.
As a TU/e employee, you participate in the ABP pension scheme, providing retirement pension and pension benefits for surviving dependents and occupational disability. TU/e pays 70% of the pension premium, while employees contribute the remaining 30%.
High-quality training programs on general skills, didactics and topics related to research and valorization.
An excellent technical infrastructure, and on-campus children's day care.
Unlimited access to the modern on‑campus
TU/e Student Sports Center
at an exceptionally affordable rate.
We support your wellbeing with free 24/7 access to OpenUp, providing you and your family with mental health support, expert guidance, and online training.
Partially paid parental leave and an allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
A
TU/e Postdoc Association
that helps you to build a stronger and broader academic and personal network, and offers tailored support, training and workshops.
A
Staff Immigration Team
is available for international candidates, as are a tax compensation scheme (the
Expat Scheme
) and a compensation for moving expenses.
On our website you can discover even more information about our

conditions of employment
. Build on your career at TU/e!

Employer
TU/e
We are a leading international university where scientific curiosity meets a hands-on mindset. We work in an open and collaborative way with high-tech industries to tackle complex societal challenges. Our responsible and respectful approach ensures impact — today and in the future. TU/e is home to over 13,000 students and more than 7,000 staff, forming a diverse and vibrant academic community. Discover what
Light Up
means to TU/e in our short
company video
.
Our university is located in Brainport Eindhoven — a world‑leading tech region with more than 7,000 high‑tech companies and strong R&D activity. Known for breakthroughs in AI, photonics, semiconductors and advanced manufacturing, Brainport is a place where technology serves people and society. Learn more about the Brainport region
here
.
The Industrial Engineering & Innovation Sciences (IE&IS) department combines disciplinary knowledge from the humanities, social sciences and technical sciences to solve the complex problems of industries and society. We collaboratively focus on and create responsible and effective innovations for the research themes: Humans and Technology, Supply Chain Management, Sustainability and Circularity, and Value of Data-Driven Intelligence.

Additional information
Do you recognize yourself in this profile and would you like to know more? Please contact the hiring manager dr. Max. Birk, Associate Professor,
m.v.birk@tue.nl
.
Visit our website for more information about the
application process
. You can also contact
HRServices.IEIS@tue.nl
.
Are you inspired and would like to know more about working at TU/e? Please visit our
career page.