[agents] 2 PhD positions on Responsible AI at Umeå University: 10 days to apply!

[Virginia Dignum]

*Two Wallenberg Artificial Intelligence Program PhD Student Positions 
at  Umeå University.**
*
The Department of Computing Science, is seeking outstanding candidates 
for two Wallenberg Autonomous Systems Program (WASP) PhD student 
positions in Computer Science. Deadline for application is November 10, 
2018.

*Research topic 1: Software Engineering Methods for Responsible 
Artificial Intelligence**
*URL: https://umu.varbi.com/what:job/jobID:231010/
Reference number: AN 2.2.1-1620-17

In order to ensure Responsible Artificial Intelligence applications, we 
need to ensure that the development of AI systems is mindful of the 
consequences for individuals and societies, by anticipating the 
consequences of the design choices, reflect upon the problem being 
solved by engaging all stakeholders, and take appropriate action to 
ensure social, legal and ethical acceptability of the system.
Therefore, Responsible Design of Intelligent Systems concerns the 
methods and tools for design and development that ensure the analysis 
and evaluation of ethical, legal and societal implications.
The aim of this project is to develop an engineering process model by 
which ethical considerations can be addressed throughout the various 
stages of software system development. We will take as starting point 
Design for Values approaches and existing methods to identify and align 
the possibly conflicting values of all stakeholders. Application of 
these conceptual approaches to software engineering requires formal 
transformation and verification of abstract values into concrete 
software design requirements and computational functionalities in ways 
that are transparent, open for inspection and appropriately describe the 
chain of stakeholder involvement and responsibility. This is an 
important and urgent research area to make these approaches effective in 
designing responsible AI applications.


*Research topic 2: Verification and control of intelligent autonomous 
systems**
*URL: https://umu.varbi.com/en/what:job/jobID:231037/
Reference number: AN 2.2.1-1621-18

AI systems are increasingly expected to act autonomously. Using current 
Machine Learning approaches that focus on pattern matching and rely 
heavily on correlation methods leads to impenetrable systems that are 
notoriously difficult to monitor (the so called black box algorithms). 
However, trust on autonomous systems depends on the possibility to 
verify and minimally control their behaviour. In particular, it becomes 
increasingly important to formally ensure that the behaviour of an AI 
system lays within some given principles.
An urgent research area in AI is therefore the development of theories 
and methods for control and verification of autonomous systems. This 
requires going beyond traditional control system methods, for two main 
reasons. Firstly, an autonomous system will by definition operate in 
open environments, which cannot be fully described nor defined a priori, 
and therefore rules and constraints on behaviour will not be able to 
fully regulate all possible situations encountered by the system. 
Secondly, opacity is inherent in open environments and cannot be 
avoided, e.g. because the systems are developed and operated by 
different entities, with possible proprietary issues. The control of 
autonomous systems in open environments can best be done by compliance 
regulatory approaches, which are based on the observation of input and 
output behaviour rather than on the regimentation of internal processes. 
This is in fact what the legal systems do in the human world.
This research project will explore formal approaches to verification and 
control of autonomous systems that take into account the different 
values and requirements of  stakeholders, the dynamics of the 
environment and the inevitability of opaqueness of learning methods. The 
resulting solutions will enable monitoring and regulation of the input 
and output of an AI system, based on a set of ethical principles.

*About the Department and the research group**
*The Department of Computing Science is a dynamic environment with 
around 100 employees representing more than 20 countries worldwide. We 
conduct education and research on a broad range of topics in Computing 
Science.

The Social and Ethical Artificial Intelligence group conducts research 
into AI systems that meet their social responsibility, including the 
development of theories, models and tools for oversight, accountability 
and verification, and methods to analyse, design, measure and audit 
social implications The group collaborates with several national and 
international research groups, and has active links with industry and 
policy organisations. Visit http://people.cs.umu.se/virginia/for more 
information.

*WASP program*
The project is part of the Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and 
Software Program (WASP), Sweden’s largest ever individual research 
program, and a major national initiative for strategically basic 
research, education and faculty recruitment. The program is initiated 
and generously funded by the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation (KAW) 
with 2.6 billion SEK. In addition to this, the program receives support 
from collaborating industry and from participating universities to form 
a total budget of 3.5 billion SEK. Major goals are more than 50 new 
professors and more than 300 new PhDs within AI, Autonomous Systems and 
Software. The vision of WASP is excellent research and competence in 
artificial intelligence, autonomous systems and software for the benefit 
of Swedish industry. For more information about the research and other 
activities conducted within WASP please visit http://wasp-sweden.org/.

The graduate school within WASP provides foundations, perspectives, and 
state-of-the-art knowledge in the different disciplines taught by 
leading researchers in the field. Through an ambitious program with 
research visits, partner universities, and visiting lecturers, the 
graduate school actively supports forming a strong multi-disciplinary 
and international professional network between PhD students, researchers 
and industry. It thus provides added value on top of the existing PhD 
programs at the partner universities, providing unique opportunities for 
students who are dedicated to achieving international research 
excellence with industrial relevance

*About the positions*
The successful applicant will be employed by Umeå University and receive 
a competitive salary for a period of four years of full time PhD 
studies, provided that the studies are progressing reasonably well. PhD 
students are typically offered the opportunity to gain teaching 
experience on suitable undergraduate courses. If so, the employment 
period is extended to cover the time spent on teaching (at most 20 %).. 
Expected starting date is 1st of January 2019 or as otherwise agreed.

*Admission requirements*
The applicant is required to have completed a second- cycle level 
degree, or completed course requirements of at least 240 ECTS credits, 
of which at least 60 ECTS credits are at second-cycle level, or have an 
equivalent education from overseas, or equivalent qualifications. To 
fulfil the specific entry requirements for doctoral studies in computing 
science, the applicant is required to have completed courses at 
second-cycle level degree equivalent to 60 ECTS credits in computing 
science, or in a subject considered to be directly relevant for the 
specialisation in question.

Candidates are expected to have very good knowledge in Artificial 
Intelligence and software engineering. Demonstrable knowledge of systems 
design and modelling, multi-agent systems, or software development is a 
pre. In particular, candidates should be well acquainted with relevant 
engineering and algorithmic techniques which will be applied to develop 
design methodologies that account for social and ethical aspects of AI 
and ensuring Responsible design and development.

Since research is conducted in an international research environment, 
the ability to collaborate and contribute to teamwork, and a very good 
command of the English language, both written and spoken, are key 
requirements.


*Application*

A complete application should contain the following documents:

  * A cover letter including a description of your research interests,
    your reasons to apply for the position, and your contact information
  * A curriculum vitae
  * If applicable, copy of completed BSc and/or MSc thesis and other
    original research publications
  * Copies of degree certificates, including documentation of completed
    academic courses and obtained grades
  * Contact information for two persons willing to act as references

The application must be written in English or Swedish, and attached 
documents must be written in or translated to English or Swedish. 
Documents must be in Word or pdf format. Applications must be submitted 
electronically using the e-recruitment system of Umeå University, and be 
received no later than November 10, 2018. Indicating the respective 
reference number.

The procedure for recruitment for the position is in accordance with the 
Higher Education Ordinance (chapter 12, 2§) and the decision regarding 
the position cannot be appealed. The recruitment aims at a balanced 
gender distribution, and in particular women are encouraged to apply.

For additional information, please contact Virginia Dignum 
virginia at cs.umu.se .

We look forward to receiving your application!









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