[CogSci] Postdoc in Learning Technologies, Cognitive Science, Psychology, and HCI as a Humboldt Research Fellow (Saarland University, Germany)

Sun Jun 29 13:33:27 PDT 2025

I’m looking for a postdoc whose interests are around human learning, AI in education, design, intelligent tutoring systems, and human cognition, in my lab at Saarland University, starting in the fall this year (2025). The selected candidate will be automatically granted the prestigious Humboldt Research Fellowship for their two-year postdoc stay in Germany (German citizens are not eligible). Inquiries welcome! Deadline July 25th. Job ad available here: https://tomonag.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Humboldt-Fellow-Postdoc-2025.pdf 
Overview of the position:
At LaLa Lab (Learning to Adapt, Learning with Agency Lab) in the Department of Computer Science at Saarland University (https://tomonag.org/), we are looking for a Postdoctoral Scholar who will conduct independent research within Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), Cognitive Science, the Learning Sciences, and Educational Psychology. This position is supported by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (through the Henriette Herz Scouting Program), which will offer the candidate the prestigious Humboldt Research Fellowship (you will be automatically granted the fellowship without the formal competitive application process). Therefore, it is targeted to recruit international talents who are outside of Germany (German citizens are not eligible). The postdoc will not only benefit from the opportunity/possibility of conducting independent research within the areas of interest in the lab (so you may propose a research idea) but will also gain the experience of becoming a lab PI by managing research money of your own (provided by the Foundation) and supervising junior scientists. In addition, the Fellow will receive additional support from the Foundation, including a variety of networking events in Germany, 500-800 EUR/month research money, free language courses, family allowance and subsidy toward the cost of medical insurance (see more below). 
At the LaLa Lab, chaired by Prof. Dr. Tomohiro Nagashima, we conduct interdisciplinary research at the intersection of the learning sciences, HCI, and cognitive science/psychology to 1) better understand how humans learn and 2) to better support human learning processes using advanced technologies. We engage with community stakeholders to co-design advanced technologies (e.g., Intelligent Tutoring Systems, simulation environments) for teaching and learning, and address meaningful learning activities within and outside of formal education: https://tomonag.org/projects/. Among others, core directions of our research program include: 1) supporting students’ adaptive expertise and self-regulated learning (choice making/decision making) in the age of AI, 2) designing both engaging and effective learning experiences for school students, 3) promoting student agency in learning with AI in the classroom, 4) co-designing tech with and for kids, and 5) supporting cognitive, metacognitive, affective, and motivational learning experiences using AI-based learning technology.
In addition to the work in the lab, Saarland Informatics Campus offers a vibrant and international community of researchers in computer science and relevant areas, making it one of the major hubs of CS research in Europe: https://saarland-informatics-campus.de/en/ Fellows are encouraged to make connections with researchers in this community and to find collaboration opportunities.
Work duration:  
Up to 24 months (up to 18 months if you are an “experienced” postdoc, see more on the official requirements of the Humboldt Research Fellowship).Typically, once you are selected, the official review by the Foundation takes about 4 weeks (e.g., you could imagine starting around September 2025 at the earliest)
Workplace/Department:  
Department of Computer Science, Saarland University, Saarland Informatics Campus, Germany
Eligibility and your qualifications:				
Doctorate completed within the last 12 years
Above-average publication record commensurate with career level
Availability (no remote work from other countries is possible - and you are available to move to Germany in the Fall this year)
No German citizenship
No postdoctoral research stays nor completed degrees in Germany 
No previous applications nor sponsorship in any of the Alexander von Foundation’s programs
Doctoral degree in Human-Computer Interaction, the Learning Sciences, Educational Psychology, Cognitive Science, or in a related field
At least one peer-reviewed journal publication or full paper publication at top conferences as a first author
Proficiency in one or more of the following skills: statistical analyses (and use of common stats software, e.g., R/RStudio), experimental design, software development and programming, prototype design, design research, and instructional/learning design
Excellent command of spoken and written English (work language is English)  
Your responsibilities: 
Leading 1-2 research projects within LaLa Lab
Conducting empirical research (design research or experimental research) with community stakeholders, such as school teachers/students and parents
Mentoring PhD, master’s and undergrad students in Computer Science, HCI, Psychology, or Education (research assistants and/or thesis-writing students)
Leading conference and journal publications, conference presentations, and grant proposal writings
Contributing to the lab-wide activities, such as strategic planning, social activities, lab meetings
(if desired) Teaching a small class with other members of the lab 
What we can offer you:				
All of the benefits offered under the Humboldt Research Fellowship, which includes:
Non-taxable fellowship (that is similar to standard postdoc salary in Germany)
Family allowance for partners (276 EUR per month)
Subsidy towards the cost of medical insurance (70 EUR/month and per person)
Lump-sum child allowance for single parents 
Free German language courses (if desired)
Mobility allowance
500-800 EUR/month for research costs (that fellows can use for research activities and traveling)
Many networking and social/travel opportunities offered by the Foundation (e.g., Annual Conference)
In addition, we also offer:
A shared office with other postdocs/PhD researchers (max 3 per room)
A working environment and schedule allowing you to balance work, coursework, and other responsibilities that you may have
An inclusive, interdisciplinary, and diverse lab environment that respects each others’ ideas, needs, and preferences 
Remote work (work from home) is possible
Application instruction:
To apply, please fill in this application form (https://forms.gle/7H98vbD5p9n8nRdc8) and upload your CV/Resume, two publications that are relevant or you are proud of, and a cover letter that describes your relevant skills/experiences, why you are interested in this position, and a potential research project idea with us. You are also asked to give names of two references (contact information only). The review of applications will start on July 7th and applications are open till July 25th, 2025. Interviews for selected candidates will be scheduled in late July - early August. For any questions, please contact Prof. Nagashima at nagashima(at)cs.uni-saarland.de 
*Note that I will be hiring for two more similar positions (postdocs as Humboldt Research Fellows) in the next 1-2 years. If you are interested in such future opportunities, but not now, please also apply through the form and leave a comment.

—
Prof. Dr. Tomohiro NagashimaJunior/Assistant Professor, Department of Computer Science
Saarland University | Saarland Informatics Campus
Faculty Associate, Harvard University Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society
http://tomonag.org | @tomonagashima

My working hours and your working hours may be different. Please do not feel obligated to reply outside of your normal work schedule.
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