University College Dublin invites applications for a fully‑funded PhD scholarship to explore AI‑driven digital interventions that support young people in mental health help‑seeking behaviours. This interdisciplinary project focuses on the interaction between young users (18‑25) and AI tools such as generative AI (e.g., chatbots) and traditional AI (e.g., recommendation systems).
As part of the School of Computer Science, one of the world's leading schools, and the HCI@UCD group, the successful candidate will gain access to leading experts, collaborative networks, and career development opportunities.
University: University College Dublin
School: School of Computer Science
Primary Supervisor: Dr Claudette Pretorius, Assistant Professor, School of Computer Science, claudette.pretorius1@ucd.ie
Co‑Supervisor: Dr David Coyle, Associate Professor, School of Computer Science
Renumeration: A PhD studentship consisting of:
* Four‑year tax‑free stipend (22,000 euro annually)
* Registration fees
* A travel and equipment budget
* All doctoral candidates will undertake some demonstration and/or teaching‑assistant hours as part of their career development.
Requirements: Candidates must hold a first‑class or upper‑second‑class honours primary degree, or an equivalent. Non‑native English speakers must attain at least IELTS 6.5 (with at least 6 in all components) or an equivalent score.
Research area – The PhD project addresses the growing need for personalised, accessible mental health help‑seeking tools tailored to young people (18‑25). Prior research has highlighted gaps such as information overload, lack of personalisation, and limited real‑time emotional support. By leveraging generative AI (e.g., chatbots, conversational recommender systems), the project will explore digital interventions that enhance the help‑seeking journey and improve immediate outcomes.
The findings from previous research on young people's online help‑seeking behaviours have revealed key needs for credible, relatable content; actionable steps in the moment; and the ability to connect synchronously and asynchronously. This PhD will build on these insights by exploring how AI‑driven tools could offer personalised, real‑time support based on individual need and mental‑health literacy.
The project offers flexibility for the PhD candidate to shape its direction, potentially exploring brief psychological interventions, behavioural design, or peer‑support models within the context of AI‑driven tools.
Responsibilities
The candidate will investigate how personalisation through AI can enhance engagement with digital mental‑health platforms, using a human‑centred approach. They will uncover design features that foster effective and empathetic AI‑driven interventions for mental health.
They will draw on and contribute to interdisciplinary research spanning Human‑Computer Interaction, Computer Science, and Psychology, collaborating with supervisors, co‑authoring papers, presenting findings at conferences, and meeting UCD doctoral requirements.
Candidate profile
* A strong academic background in human‑computer interaction, psychology, computer science or a related field.
* Interest in digital mental health and user‑centred design.
* Strong skills in qualitative and quantitative research methods.
How to apply
* CV (including relevant prior publications).
* The names and contact details of two academic references.
* A cover letter (max 1000 words) detailing interest in this research area and position.
* A writing sample such as a publication or thesis chapter.
Completed applications should be emailed to Dr Claudette Pretorius at claudette.pretorius1@ucd.ie by November 18, 2024 (AOE). Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview in the following weeks, with a potential commencement date in January or May 2025.
#J-18808-Ljbffr