Overview
Research Associate in Tangible and Haptic User Interfaces (AP13025) – Bath, BA2 7AY
About the role
This is an exciting opportunity to conduct a contained project on the conceptual underpinnings of force-based user interfaces. You will explore the use of force as both an input and output modality in interactive devices, and build an understanding of how different styles of force modalities have the potential for new user interactions.
The project is part of Prof Alexander’s ERC Starting grant, FORCE-UI a project that seeks to radically increase the expressivity of touchscreen-based interaction. You will publish your work at one of the leading venues for dissemination in Human-Computer Interaction including ACM CHI, ACM UIST, ACM ToCHI, World Haptics, and ACM SIGGRAPH.
About you
We seek applications from enthusiastic individuals who have a background in Human-Computer Interaction and have a strong interest in the conceptual and theoretical underpinnings of interaction. You should have excellent written communication skills, the ability to effectively synthesise literature, and to be able to work independently.
As a Grade 7 Research Associate you will hold a PhD in Computer Science, Human-Computer Interaction, Haptics, or other relevant field and be able to demonstrate a suitable publication track record.
A lower grade offer may be made (Grade 6) with comparable reduction in responsibilities and amendment in job title to Research Assistant, if you are within six months of your course completion date and will be promoted to Research Associate once your PhD has been awarded.
Further information
This is a full time, fixed term position until 28th February 2026.
You will be hosted in the growing Human-Computer Interaction group in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Bath. Applicants are encouraged to contact Prof Jason Alexander (jma73@bath.ac.uk) and Dr Christina Keating (ck435@bath.ac.uk) before applying to discuss the suitability of their experience and/or qualifications, and to obtain additional information about the position.
As a member of Research Staff at the University of Bath, you will be encouraged to take up a minimum of 10 days professional development pro rata per year.
We consider ourselves to be a university where difference is celebrated, respected and encouraged. We have an excellent international reputation with staff from over 60 different nations and have made a positive commitment towards gender equality and intersectionality receiving a Silver Athena SWAN award. We truly believe that diversity of experience, perspectives, and backgrounds will lead to a better environment for our employees and students and encourage applications from all genders, backgrounds, and communities, particularly from under-represented groups, and value the positive impact that will have on the university. We are committed to maintaining a safe and secure environment for our students, staff, and community by reinforcing our Safer Recruitment commitment.
We’re very proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant. an accredited Disability Confident Leader; autism friendly university, committed to building disability confidence and supporting disabled staff.
What we can offer you:
We’re continually expanding our benefits package to better support you and enhance your experience with us and the below is just an example of some of the many great benefits we offer:
- Free counselling services through Health Assured
- Cycle to work scheme
- Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
- Staff discount at Team Bath gym
- Staff discounts on postgraduate tuition fees
- Staff discount on language courses
- Generous employer contributory pension schemes
- Generous annual leave allowance with an additional 5 discretionary days so that you can enjoy a positive work life balance
- A wide range of personal and professional development opportunities including Apprenticeships, LinkedIn Learning and more
- Free entry to the Holburne Museum in Bath
- Local discounts and more
- A family-friendly workplace
- An excellent reward package that recognises the talents of our diverse workforce
- Relocation allowance
- Visa reimbursement and Interest-Free Loan to help with the cost of some immigration expenses
Find out more about our benefits and watch the video to hear from our staff about what makes the University of Bath a great place to work as well as following us X and LinkedIn.
Closing Date: 12 Oct 2025
Department: Education & Research
Salary: £38,249 to £45,413
IMPORTANT: Before applying for this role, please make sure you have the right to work in the country where the role is based. Unless it clearly stipulates within in the job advert above that the hiring company is looking to or able to sponsor applicants it is deemed that the hiring employer will only consider applications from those able to comply with and work in the country where the role is based.
