Junior Researcher Privacy risk perception in the smarthome at the crossroads of psychology and law

Job description

Smart home devices become more and more common in people’s households. Besides bringing numerous benefits, smart home devices also introduce new risks, specifically in relation to privacy.

In this project you will examine how users of smart devices perceive the risks of state and commercial surveillance conducted through smart home devices and develop and test a possible intervention to increase awareness of the risks and, in turn, protective action against the risks.

The research involves both qualitative and quantitative research conducted over the course of 40 weeks. You will perform the research as part of a multidisciplinary team involving two social scientists (both at the Utwente) and two legal researchers (from the VU Amsterdam), that all have a long track record on research around smart home technology.

You will co-design and execute data-collection through interviews and a questionnaire study, analyse the data, and aid in writing up the findings in a journal publication.

You will be located in the section of Psychology of Conflict, Risk and Safety, that has a strongly growing expertise on the topic of privacy, security and psychology.

Your profile

• MSc-degree in psychology or a related discipline (candidates close to graduating are also encouraged to apply);
• Demonstrably good writing skills;
• A proactive, assertive, creative, practical, and resilient attitude towards research;
• Knowledge of and experience with both quantitative and qualitative research;
• Affinity with the topics of risk perception, privacy, and smart home technology;
• Good communication skills and an excellent command of English;
• Command of the Dutch or German language desirable for conducting interviews and questionnaires;
• Willingness to travel to the VU in Amsterdam every 1-2 months.

Our offer

• A part-time position for 8 hours a week, for 40 weeks, and the flexibility to work (partially) from home;
• Your salary and associated conditions are in accordance with the collective labour agreement for Dutch universities (CAO-NU). You will receive a gross monthly salary off € 3.345,- (scale 10.0) based on fulltime;
• There are excellent benefits including a holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%, and a solid pension scheme;
• A minimum of 232 leave hours in case of full-time employment based on a formal workweek of 38 hours;
• Free access to sports facilities on campus.

Information and application

Are you interested in this position? Please send your application via the 'Apply now' button below before September 15 and include a CV, motivation letter and a sample of your writing.

For more information please contact Nicole Huijts, n.m.a.huijts@utwente.nl.

About the department

At the department of Technology, Human and Institutional Behaviour (HIB), we are specialists in the science of behaviour change and the interplay between human behaviour and technology.
Why do we behave the way we do, and how does our behaviour change? Why is it that some people can successfully adapt their diet or lifestyle, and others seem unable to? What drives behavioural changes among people and groups? How can our governments help us to behave in ways that are healthy, sustainable and inclusive, or that will make our countries, societies and cities a safer place to live? What role can technologies play – from virtual reality or artificial intelligence to human-media interaction and value-based design – in influencing our behaviour for the better? And, conversely, what does our behaviour tell us about how these new technologies should be developed? These are some of the key questions we deal with as researchers, educators and societal problem solvers at the HIB department.

About the organisation

The Faculty of Behavioral, Management and Social sciences (BMS) aims to play a key role in understanding, jointly developing and evaluating innovations in society. Technological developments are the engine of innovation. As a technical university that puts people first, we tailor them to human needs and behavior and use social engineering to integrate them into society. We also ensure adequate governance at public and private level, and robust, inclusive and fair organizational structures. We do this by developing, sharing and applying high-quality knowledge in Psychology, Business Administration, Public Administration, Communication Sciences, Philosophy, Educational Sciences and Health Sciences. Our research and education in these disciplines revolves around tackling and solving societal challenges. The research programs of BMS are closely linked to the research of the UT institutes Mesa+ Institute for Nanotechnology, TechMed Center and Digital Society Institute.

As an employer, the Faculty of BMS offers work that matters. We equip you to create new possibilities for yourself and for our society. With us, you will become part of a leading technical university with increasing, positive social impact. We offer an open, inclusive and entrepreneurial atmosphere, in which we encourage you to make healthy choices, for example through our flexible, adaptable benefits.