Doctoral Researcher on Privacy

At the University of Göttingen -Public Law Foundation-, Institut für Informatik, there is a position as

to be filled. Starting date is as soon as possible. The position is limited to a period of 3 years.

The position in the Computer Security and Privacy Group, led by Prof. Dr.-Ing. Delphine Reinhardt offers an excellent opportunity for a  highly motivated individual to pursue a doctoral degree in an interdisciplinary environment.

Your profile

• A very good M.Sc. degree in computer science, HCI, or a related field,
• Background in at least one of the following fields: computer security and privacy, usable privacy and security, HCI, human-AI collaboration, interactive systems, pervasive computing, distributed systems, robotics, machine learning, or neuroimaging,
• Strong programming skills with experience in at least one of the following fields depending on the profile: mobile devices, machine learning, computer vision, image processing, MRI data analysis, multi-agent frameworks, distributed systems, or AI simulation platforms,
• Previous experience in conducting user studies, experimental evaluations, or empirical research,
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to investigate privacy challenges and develop effective technical solutions,
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to an interdisciplinary research team,
• Very good command of English is mandatory, advanced German skills are an advantage,
• Strong motivation to contribute to high-impact interdisciplinary research and to pursue a doctoral degree.

Your main responsibilities

• Conduct independent and collaborative research on privacy with a focus on one of the following topics:Publish and present research results at leading international conferences and in high-quality journals,
  • Privacy in neuroimaging: Investigating privacy risks associated with sensitive neuroimaging data and developing approaches to protect individuals' privacy while enabling responsible data analysis and sharing,
  • Privacy in multi-agent systems: Investigating privacy threats in distributed and collaborative systems involving multiple autonomous agents, including AI-enabled systems, and designing mechanisms that protect sensitive information while supporting effective collaboration,
  • Privacy in pervasive computing: Investigating, designing and evaluating user-centered privacy mechanisms, interfaces, and interaction strategies that help individuals exercise meaningful control over their personal data,
  • Privacy in robotics: Analyzing privacy risks arising from robots' sensing, data collection, and interaction with people, and developing privacy-preserving approaches for robotic systems and human–robot interaction.
• Supervise Bachelor's and Master's students,
• Active support in teaching activities according to §31 NHG and examinations.

Our offer

The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary and collaborative research group focused on topics in privacy with a strong emphasis on emerging technologies and human factors. We offer:

• A stimulating academic environment,
• A collegial and supportive team culture that fosters innovation and knowledge exchange,
• Opportunities for professional development, academic networking, and international collaborations.

The University of Göttingen is an equal opportunities employer and places particular emphasis on fostering career opportunities for women. Qualified women are therefore strongly encouraged to apply in fields in which they are underrepresented. The university has committed itself to being a family-friendly institution and supports their employees in balancing work and family life. The University is particularly committed to the professional participation of severely disabled employees and therefore welcomes applications from severely disabled people. In the case of equal qualifications, applications from people with severe disabilities will be given preference. A disability or equality is to be included in the application in order to protect the interests of the applicant.

Please upload your application in one pdf file including the usual documents until 12/16/2026 on the application portal of the university using this link: http://obp.uni-goettingen.de/de-de/OBF/Index/76750. For more information get in touch with Patricia Nitzke directly via E-Mail: nitzke@cs.uni-goettingen.de, Tel. +49551 3926046 .

Please note:
With submission of your application, you accept the processing of your applicant data in terms of data-protection law. Further information on the legal basis and data usage is provided in the Information General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

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