[agents] Fully funded PhD position on AI implications for democracy and self-determination

[Virginia Dignum]

*WASP HS Program PhD Student Position*
*Research topic: AI implications for democracy and self-determination*


Umeå University, the Department of Computing Science, is seeking 
outstanding candidates for a Wallenberg Autonomous Systems Program 
(WASP) PhD student position in Computer Science with focus on socially 
intelligent systems for human-agent collaboration.*Deadline for 
application is September 8, 2019.*

In this project, we will investigate to what extent and how AI can be 
designed and used to behave in line with ethical principles and social 
values. In particular, we aim to investigate the impact of AI systems on 
self-determination and on democratic processes and values. We approach 
this challenge by first analysing the expectations of people about the 
ethical and societal impact of AI, on how AI will lead to novel models 
of democracy, and on the capability of people to exert their right to 
self-determination. We will then develop computational theories and 
methods to design and evaluate AI applications such that they meet 
societal and ethical needs and expectations. We will evaluate these 
systems in a simulation environment that enables us to create synthetic 
communities of artificial agents and test the resulting social behaviour 
as these agents interact with each other and with AI systems. We compare 
these results to those empirically obtained in three case studies: about 
pluralism in political debate, about critical scrutiny in public 
decision-making, and about self-determination in the interaction with 
virtual coaches for improving health.

**

The project is part of the Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and 
Software Program – Humanities and Society (WASP-HS). The program is 
initiated and generously funded by the Wallenberg Foundations. The 
vision of WASP-HS is to realise excellent research and build competence 
on the ethical, economic, labor market, social and legal aspects of 
Artificial Intelligence. For more information about the research and 
other activities conducted within WASP-HS please visit http://wasp-hs.org/.

The successful candidate is expected to participate in the national 
graduate school provided by WASP-HS, in addition to the local doctoral 
education requirements at Umeå University. The project will take place 
within the research group on Responsible AI, lead by Prof. Virginia 
Dignum: 
https://www.umu.se/en/research/groups/responsible-artificial-intelligence/

*
*

*About the position*
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 2020 or as otherwise agreed.*

*Admission requirements*
The applicant is required to have completed a second- cycle level degree 
(MSc or equivalent), 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 on the interaction between people and intelligent 
systems, in particular in the health domain. Demonstrable knowledge of 
systems design and modelling, multi-agent systems, or agent-based 
simulation is an advantage.

Since research is conducted in an international research environment, 
the ability to collaborate and contribute to teamwork, documented 
experience from multidisciplinary collaboration, 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 how you will address the 
research topic, 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*September 8, 2019.*Log on to the system and apply 
via the button at the bottom of the web page.

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 Prof. Virginia Dignum 
virginia at cs.umu.se or Prof. Helena Lindgren helena at cs.umu.se.

*We look forward to receiving your application!*

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