Masterarbeit - UI-/UX-Design zur Interaktion von Menschen und Outdoor-Roboter

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Masterarbeit - UI-/UX-Design zur Interaktion von Menschen und Outdoor-Roboter

Company: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft

Location: Stuttgart, Germany

Job Type: Intern / Master's Thesis

Category: Research & Development / Human-Robot Interaction / UI/UX Design

Date Posted: September 02, 2026

Experience Level: Entry-Level (0-2 years)

Remote Status: On-site

🚀 Role Summary

• This Master's thesis focuses on the critical area of Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) for autonomous outdoor mobile robots.

• The core of the role involves designing and implementing an intuitive User Interface (UI) and User Experience (UX) that caters to diverse user groups, including both trained personnel and untrained individuals.

• This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge robotics research within a leading German research organization.

• The role requires a blend of theoretical understanding, practical design skills, and hands-on implementation within a research and development environment.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role is specifically structured as a Master's thesis project, indicating a strong academic and research focus. The "0-2 years" experience level suggests it's geared towards students actively pursuing their graduate studies, rather than experienced professionals seeking full-time employment.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Conduct a comprehensive State-of-the-Art (SoA) review on Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) and control concepts for mobile robots, with a specific emphasis on layered information depth and role-based access models.

• Perform thorough analysis of target user groups and their operational tasks to derive essential UX requirements for the robot's interface.

• Design a detailed interaction and UI concept, including the creation of wireframes and interactive prototypes that visualize the user flow and interface elements.

• Implement the designed user interface as a frontend application, potentially integrating with ROS 2, to support key functions such as mission initiation/termination, status and progress monitoring, map and position display, error reporting, route recording, and manual override capabilities.

• Select and justify the choice of frontend technology stack based on project requirements, scalability, and usability considerations.

• Execute evaluation of the developed UI/UX through rigorous usability tests and user studies involving both trained and untrained participants, utilizing the organization's actual robots in realistic test scenarios.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities clearly outline a project lifecycle from theoretical research and user analysis to practical design, implementation, and validation. The mention of ROS 2 indicates a specific technical requirement for integration within the robotics development ecosystem.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Actively pursuing or holding a degree in Computer Science, Interaction Design, Media Informatics, Human-Computer Interaction, or a closely related field. A Bachelor's degree is the minimum educational requirement.

Experience: While this is a thesis role, prior experience or coursework in UI/UX design, human-robot interaction, or frontend development is highly beneficial.

Required Skills:

• Strong understanding of UI/UX design principles and methodologies.

• Familiarity with Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) concepts and best practices.

• Proficiency in frontend development technologies (e.g., JavaScript, HTML, CSS, relevant frameworks).

• Experience with prototyping tools and techniques.

• Knowledge of user research methodologies and usability testing.

• Ability to analyze user needs and translate them into functional interface designs.

• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills in German. Preferred Skills:

• Experience with ROS 2 (Robot Operating System 2).

• Familiarity with wireframing tools (e.g., Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD).

• Exposure to mobile robotics or autonomous systems.

• Experience in developing interfaces for outdoor or industrial environments.

• Understanding of layered information depth and role-based access models in UI design.

• Experience with user studies and data analysis from user feedback.

📝 Enhancement Note: The required skills emphasize a foundational understanding of design and interaction principles, while preferred skills highlight specific technical tools and domain knowledge (like ROS 2) that would make a candidate stand out. The emphasis on German communication skills is crucial given the location and organization.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Demonstrable examples of UI/UX design projects, showcasing a user-centered design process.

• Case studies detailing the problem, user research, design decisions, and outcomes of previous projects.

• Visual representations of wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes.

• Evidence of usability testing and how feedback was incorporated into design iterations.

• Examples of frontend code or projects that highlight implementation capabilities. Process Documentation:

• Detailed documentation of the user research process, including methods used and key findings.

• Clear articulation of the interaction design rationale and decision-making process.

• Comprehensive documentation of the UI implementation, including technology choices and integration steps.

• Structured reporting of usability test results, including analysis of user behavior and feedback.

• A final report summarizing the project's findings, design, implementation, and evaluation.

📝 Enhancement Note: While this is a thesis, a portfolio demonstrating practical design and implementation skills is expected. The focus is on showcasing a structured approach to problem-solving, user empathy, and the ability to deliver a functional and validated UI/UX solution.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: As this is a Master's thesis position within a research institution, compensation is typically provided as a monthly stipend. Based on industry standards for research internships and thesis projects in Germany, a range of €700 - €1.000 per month is a reasonable estimate. This can vary based on the specific institute and funding availability.

Benefits:

• Opportunity to work on a cutting-edge research project with real-world applications.

• Access to advanced robotics technology and research facilities at Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft.

• Mentorship from experienced researchers and engineers in the field of robotics and HRI.

• Potential for academic credit towards a Master's degree.

• Contribution to a significant research publication or thesis.

• Networking opportunities within the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and the broader research community.

• A stimulating and intellectually challenging work environment.

Working Hours: Typically, a full-time commitment is expected for a Master's thesis, aligning with standard research working hours, which is approximately 40 hours per week. Flexibility may be offered, but consistent progress and availability for testing and team collaboration are necessary.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimates are based on typical German research stipends for thesis work. Benefits are focused on the academic and research advantages rather than traditional corporate benefits, reflecting the nature of the role.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Science & Research, Technology, Engineering, Software, Agriculture. Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is a cornerstone of applied research in Germany, focusing on translating scientific discoveries into practical applications and innovative technologies across a wide spectrum of industries.

Company Size: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft is a large organization, comprising numerous institutes and employing tens of thousands of researchers and staff across Germany and internationally. This scale provides access to extensive resources and diverse expertise.

Founded: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft was founded in 1949, with a long-standing reputation for excellence in applied research and development. Its history is marked by significant contributions to technological advancement in Germany and beyond.

Team Structure:

• The research will be conducted within the "Navigation mobile Roboter" (Mobile Robot Navigation) research group at one of Fraunhofer's institutes (likely in Stuttgart).

• The team will likely consist of experienced research scientists, engineers, and potentially other students or interns working on related projects.

• The reporting structure will be direct to a project lead or senior scientist who will provide guidance and supervision.

• Cross-functional collaboration is expected with other teams involved in robotics hardware, AI, and system integration. Methodology:

• Data-driven research and development, employing scientific methods for analysis and validation.

• Iterative design and development processes, incorporating user feedback and testing throughout.

• Emphasis on state-of-the-art research and practical implementation of advanced technologies.

• Collaborative problem-solving and knowledge sharing within the research group.

Company Website: https://www.fraunhofer.de/

📝 Enhancement Note: The context provided highlights Fraunhofer's role as a leader in applied research. The team structure suggests a supportive environment with access to expertise, crucial for a thesis project.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Master's thesis project, representing an entry point into specialized research and development within the fields of UI/UX design and robotics. It is an academic endeavor designed to build foundational expertise and practical skills.

Reporting Structure: The thesis student will report to a senior researcher or project manager within the "Navigation mobile Roboter" group. This mentor will provide academic and technical guidance, oversee project progress, and facilitate access to resources.

Operations Impact: While not a traditional "operations" role focused on business processes, the impact lies in advancing the usability and adoption of autonomous mobile robots. A well-designed UI/UX can significantly influence the efficiency, safety, and acceptance of these robots in various applications (agriculture, urban, SAR), thereby enabling their practical deployment.

Growth Opportunities:

• Specialized Skill Development: Deepen expertise in UI/UX design for complex systems, human-robot interaction, and frontend development for robotics applications.

• Research Acumen: Develop strong research skills, including literature review, experimental design, data analysis, and academic writing.

• Industry Exposure: Gain firsthand experience with cutting-edge robotics technology and the research methodologies employed by a leading institution like Fraunhofer.

• Networking: Build connections with professionals and academics in the robotics and HRI fields, which can lead to future career opportunities.

• Publication Potential: The thesis work may lead to co-authorship on research papers or conference presentations.

📝 Enhancement Note: The growth opportunities are framed around academic and research development, aligning with the nature of a Master's thesis. The "operations impact" is reinterpreted to reflect the contribution to the practical deployment and effectiveness of robotic systems.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The work environment will be a research institute setting, likely involving office spaces for design and analysis, as well as laboratory or testing areas equipped with outdoor robots and relevant hardware.

Office Location(s): The primary location for this thesis will be Stuttgart, Germany, at a Fraunhofer institute facility. Specific details regarding the exact campus or building will be provided upon acceptance.

Workspace Context:

• Collaborative Environment: Opportunities to collaborate with researchers and engineers within the "Navigation mobile Roboter" group and potentially other related departments.

• Tools and Technology: Access to state-of-the-art hardware (outdoor robots), software development tools, testing equipment, and potentially VR/AR environments for prototyping.

• Team Interaction: Regular meetings, brainstorming sessions, and project reviews with the research team to discuss progress, challenges, and findings.

Work Schedule: A structured work schedule is expected, typically full-time (approx. 40 hours/week), to ensure consistent progress on the thesis. While some flexibility might be available, dedicated time will be required for coding, design, user testing, and documentation.

📝 Enhancement Note: The workspace context emphasizes a research-oriented environment with access to specialized equipment and a collaborative team dynamic.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: Review of CV, academic transcripts, and any preliminary portfolio materials.

• Technical Interview: Discussion about UI/UX design principles, HRI concepts, frontend development experience, and familiarity with relevant tools. Questions might involve problem-solving scenarios related to interface design for robots.

• Project Discussion: Deeper dive into the candidate's understanding of the thesis topic, their proposed approach, and their motivation for choosing this specific research area.

• Portfolio Presentation: Candidates may be asked to present selected projects from their portfolio to demonstrate their design process, problem-solving skills, and technical execution.

• Team/Mentor Introduction: Meeting with potential supervisors and team members to assess cultural fit and collaborative potential.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Process: Clearly articulate your design process for each project, from initial research and ideation to final execution and testing.

• Showcase Problem-Solving: Focus on how you identified user needs and technical challenges, and how your design solutions addressed them.

• Demonstrate Technical Skills: Include examples of interactive prototypes or frontend code snippets that showcase your implementation capabilities.

• Quantify Impact (if possible): For past projects, include any available metrics or qualitative feedback that demonstrate the success or impact of your design.

• Tailor to the Role: Emphasize projects related to HRI, robotics, complex interfaces, or applications requiring intuitive user experiences for diverse audiences.

Challenge Preparation:

• HRI Concepts: Brush up on key HRI principles, theories, and common challenges in human-robot collaboration.

• UI/UX Best Practices: Review modern UI/UX design trends, accessibility standards, and usability heuristics.

• Frontend Technologies: Be prepared to discuss your experience with relevant frontend frameworks and languages, and potentially answer basic coding questions or architectural design choices.

• ROS 2 (if applicable): If you have ROS 2 experience, be ready to discuss its architecture and how it could be integrated with a frontend.

• Research Methodology: Understand how to approach a research question, design experiments, and analyze results.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process and preparation tips are tailored to a research-oriented thesis role, emphasizing academic rigor, design thinking, and technical proficiency in relevant areas.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Design & Prototyping: Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD, InVision, or similar tools for wireframing, mockup creation, and interactive prototyping.

• Frontend Development: JavaScript, HTML5, CSS3, and potentially modern frameworks/libraries such as React, Vue.js, or Angular for building the UI.

• Robotics Middleware: ROS 2 (Robot Operating System 2) is a key technology for integrating the frontend with robot functionalities. Familiarity is highly preferred.

• Version Control: Git (e.g., GitHub, GitLab) for code management and collaboration.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Usability Testing Tools: Software for recording user sessions, collecting feedback, and analyzing performance metrics (e.g., task completion rates, error frequency).

• Data Analysis Tools: Potentially Python libraries (e.g., Pandas, NumPy, Matplotlib) or R for analyzing user study data.

• Documentation Tools: Confluence, Notion, or similar platforms for collaborative documentation.

CRM & Automation:

• Not directly applicable to this research thesis role, as the focus is on product development and research rather than business operations.

📝 Enhancement Note: This section highlights the specific technical tools and platforms that are expected to be used or are relevant to the thesis project, with a strong emphasis on design software, frontend development, and ROS 2.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Excellence: A commitment to pushing the boundaries of scientific and technological innovation, striving for high-quality research outcomes.

• Collaboration & Knowledge Sharing: Fostering an environment where ideas are freely exchanged, and team members support each other's learning and development.

• User-Centricity: Prioritizing the understanding and needs of end-users in the design and development process.

• Rigorous Research: Adhering to scientific methodologies and ensuring the validity and reliability of research findings.

• Impact & Application: Focusing on research that has practical applications and contributes to technological advancement and societal benefit.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Working closely with hardware engineers, software developers, and other researchers to ensure seamless integration of the UI/UX with the robot's systems.

• Feedback Culture: Openness to constructive feedback on designs and implementations from team members and during user studies.

• Knowledge Exchange: Regular participation in team meetings, workshops, and presentations to share progress, insights, and learn from colleagues.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture and values are inferred from the nature of a leading research institution like Fraunhofer, emphasizing innovation, collaboration, and a strong research ethic.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing User Needs: Designing an interface that is both powerful and intuitive enough for untrained users, while also providing necessary functionality for experienced operators.

• Technical Integration: Successfully integrating the frontend UI with ROS 2 and the robot's underlying systems, which can be complex.

• Real-World Testing: Conducting user studies with outdoor robots in potentially challenging environmental conditions and ensuring participant safety.

• State-of-the-Art Review: Synthesizing a vast amount of existing research in HRI and mobile robot control to identify gaps and opportunities.

• Defining Scope: Effectively managing the scope of the thesis project to ensure a feasible and high-quality outcome within the academic timeline.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced UI/UX Techniques: Mastering advanced interaction design patterns and prototyping methods for specialized applications.

• Robotics Software Development: Gaining practical experience with ROS 2 and its ecosystem for robot control and communication.

• User Study Design & Execution: Developing expertise in planning, conducting, and analyzing user research and usability testing.

• Academic Research Skills: Enhancing skills in scientific writing, literature review, and presenting research findings.

• Industry Exposure: Understanding the challenges and opportunities in the field of autonomous robotics and HRI from a leading research organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: Challenges are identified based on the inherent complexities of HRI, robotics development, and the academic nature of a thesis. Growth opportunities focus on skill acquisition relevant to the project and future career paths in R&D.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "How would you approach designing an interface for a robot that needs to be usable by both a novice gardener and a professional agricultural technician?" (Focus on layered information, progressive disclosure, and user profiles).

• "Describe a previous project where you had to balance competing user requirements or technical constraints. How did you resolve them?" (Demonstrates problem-solving and trade-off analysis).

• "What are the key considerations for designing an interface for outdoor use, especially concerning sunlight readability, weather resistance, and one-handed operation?" (Tests practical UI design for specific environmental challenges). Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about working with outdoor robots and specifically on the UI/UX for them?" (Assesses motivation and alignment with the research area).

• "How do you approach collaboration within a research team? Describe a time you worked effectively with engineers or scientists from different disciplines." (Evaluates teamwork and communication skills).

• "What do you know about Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and its role in applied research?" (Tests preparation and understanding of the organization's mission). Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Tell a Story: For each project, frame it as a narrative: the problem, your role, the process, the solution, and the outcome.

• Visual Clarity: Use high-quality visuals (wireframes, mockups, prototypes, screenshots) to illustrate your design decisions.

• Focus on Process: Explain why you made certain design choices, referencing user research, design principles, or technical considerations.

• Demonstrate Technical Capability: If applicable, show interactive prototypes or brief code examples that highlight your implementation skills.

• Be Concise: Focus on the most relevant projects and present them efficiently, respecting the interviewer's time.

📝 Enhancement Note: Interview questions are crafted to probe the candidate's understanding of HRI, UI/UX design, problem-solving abilities, and suitability for a research environment. Portfolio presentation advice emphasizes clarity and process demonstration.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Master's thesis position:

• Submit your application through the Fraunhofer jobs portal, including your CV, academic transcripts, and any relevant certificates.

• Prepare a concise portfolio that highlights your UI/UX design skills, ideally with examples related to interactive systems, user research, or frontend development. Focus on showcasing your design process and problem-solving approach.

• Research Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and the specific research group "Navigation mobile Roboter" to understand their ongoing projects and contributions to robotics.

• Prepare to discuss your understanding of Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) and the specific challenges of designing interfaces for autonomous outdoor robots.

• Be ready to articulate your motivation for undertaking this Master's thesis and how it aligns with your academic and career goals.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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