WASP-HS Postdoctoral Scholarship on Child-AI Interaction

WASP-HS invites applications for a postdoctoral scholarship, which would begin in September 2026. The scholarship will enable a promising researcher who has recently obtained a doctorate at a Swedish university to spend one to two years at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). There the postdoctoral fellow will have the opportunity to grow into an independent investigator, experience a new research environment, and expand their international networks. The fellow will be affiliated with MIT’s Social and Ethical Responsibilities of Computing (SERC) and a suitable host department at MIT. The fellow will be eligible for repatriation support upon arrival back in Sweden.

We welcome applicants from a broad range of disciplines with experiences in human-AI interaction. Expertise in child development, cognitive science, human-robot interaction, human-computer interaction including AI systems, and human-AI teaming are examples of backgrounds relevant to this scholarship.

Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program – Humanity and Society (WASP-HS)

WASP-HS aims to foster novel interdisciplinary knowledge in the humanities and social sciences on the development of AI and autonomous systems and their consequences for humanity and society.

Social and Ethical Responsibilities of Computing (SERC)

SERC facilitates the development of responsible “habits of mind and action” for those who create and deploy computing technologies and fosters the creation of technologies in the public interest.

“Child Development in the Age of AI and Social Robots” Research Group

This fellowship will be affiliated with the WASP-HS Research Group entitled “Child Development in the Age of AI and Social Robots”. Led by researchers at Umeå University, Uppsala University, KTH, and Linköping University, the group investigates challenges for child development in the age of AI systems, including how children interact with and develop socio-emotional skills (e.g., empathy, collaboration) and higher-order cognitive skills (e.g., critical thinking, problem solving) for interactions with AI systems, and how AI agents and social robots are best designed (regarding e.g., embodiment, role and interaction) and integrated in the social and cultural environments and activities of children to support their development, decisions, health and wellbeing.

The group combines expertise in theories and methods from different disciplines in the humanities, social sciences and social aspects within computer science and beyond. The research questions will be addressed through interdisciplinary research applying qualitative and quantitative methods, theoretical frameworks, and participatory design methodologies engaging children, parents and teachers.

Applicants should propose a project that aims to study aspects related to developing higher-order cognitive skills for and well-being with AI agents and social robots. For instance, we are interested in how teenagers’ (13-18 years) interactions with AI agents with different embodiment and roles support or hamper their development of (a) critical thinking; (b) health, wellbeing and health literacy; and (c) every-day decisions affecting health and wellbeing.

Proposals on other topics related to the above research challenges are also welcome.

Scholarship conditions

The fellow will receive a stipend for one to two years of postdoctoral research. The stipend amounts to approximately USD 71,000 annually (the final amount will be set in accordance with the standard rate of each institution). A travel grant of USD 7,500 per year and an annual allowance for accompanying family members of USD 15,000 will be provided. The fellow will also receive the standard Health Plan/Insurance for postdocs. The stipend cannot be combined with other stipends or positions.

At the conclusion of each year of the scholarship, the fellow should submit a progress report to the Foundation and to WASP-HS.

Upon returning to Sweden after completion of the fellowship, the fellow will be eligible for funding to support a research position at a Swedish university for up to two years if they cannot find another position.

Eligibility

To apply for a postdoctoral scholarship, you must fulfill the following criteria:

• Have received a doctoral degree from a Swedish university no more than two years before the starting date of the postdoctoral position
• Have a connection to a Swedish university or corresponding non-profit research organization
• Cannot have been employed or a scholar at MIT prior to the postdoctoral position
• Have a doctoral degree in psychology, cognitive science, computer science, AI, human-computer interaction, or related fields
• Have prior experience of studying human-AI/robot interaction

Application and submission

Applications should be submitted in English via the Wallenberg Foundation’s electronic application portal: https://kawansokan.wallenberg.org.

Once in the portal, create a new user account. Select the “KAW stipend” tab at the top and then “Broad Institute and MIT Postdoctoral Fellowship”.

Fill in the forms in each of the tabs of the application. Be sure to fill in “dissertation date” in tab 5 (“Exams”). If you have not yet defended your dissertation at the time of applying, attach a letter from your doctoral supervisor stating your expected defense date in “Other appendices” in tab 10 (“Attachments”).

In tab 10 (“Attachments”), submit the following documents:

• Your curriculum vitae, which should include a list of publications.
• Personal letter (max 1 A4 page or 3 500 characters, including spaces).
• Planned research program. This should be a description of the proposed research project, including deliverables (max 6 A4 pages and 21 000 characters, including spaces). Please mention the research group by name and describe how the research fits with the work of the group.
• Two separate letters of support with comments on the proposed research project.
• Under “Other appendices” please suggest three to four MIT faculty members with whom you would like to be matched, should you be awarded the scholarship. Briefly motivate your suggestions.
• Contrary to the instructions in the portal, you do not need to include a description of the research profile of the intended host and supervisor. You also do not need to include a letter of recommendation/invitation from a suggested host.

Please note that a budget is not required since the scholarship amount will be fixed. Instead, attach a document confirming whether or not you intend to apply for the accompanying family member allowance.

Applications must be received no later than 18 November 2025.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Please note you may only apply for one of the Foundation’s postdoctoral scholarships.

Review criteria

Applications will be reviewed based on the following criteria:

• Applicant’s scientific record and potential to develop into an independent investigator
• Quality, originality, and significance of the proposed research project
• Relevance to the research group
• Feasibility of the proposed research project

Top-ranked candidates will be interviewed during January 14-21, 2026.

Any remaining questions about the postdoctoral scholarships or application process can be directed to contact@wasp-hs.org.