[agents] Postdoc position on Artificial Intelligence for citizen participation: fully funded 2-years, Umeå University

[Dignum, Virginia]

  Postdoc position on the use of Artificial Intelligence for citizen
  participation in democratic policy deliberations

Apply for position <https://umu.varbi.com/en/apply/position/413125/>
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    Umeå University, department of Computing Science

*Umeå University*is one of Sweden’s largest institutions of higher 
education with over 35,000 students and 4,200 faculty and staff. We are 
characterised by world-leading research in several scientific fields and 
a multitude of educations ranked highly in international comparison. 
Umeå University is also the site of the pioneering discovery of the 
CRISPR-Cas9 genetic scissors - a revolution in genetic engineering that 
has been awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.

At Umeå University, everything is nearby. Our cohesive campus 
environment makes it easy to meet, collaborate and exchange knowledge, 
which promotes a dynamic and open culture where we rejoice in each 
other's successes.

The research group Responsible Artificial Intelligence (RAI) at the 
Department of Computing Science at Umeå University is seeking 
outstanding candidates for a post-doctoral position in Computer Science 
with focus on tools and methods for participatory deliberation.


*Research project*

Artificial intelligence (AI) can radically change the existing political 
paradigm, empowering more diffused forms of political participation. The 
use of AI systems, in particular recommender and filtering applications, 
and the possibility of sharing opinions among citizens, has large impact 
in the way public opinion is shaping. At the same time, the voting and 
decision-making processes still retain the same structure of centuries 
ago. Voting systems are oversimplified, and high-level decisions are 
taken mostly by the public administrations. Even when citizens are 
consulted, e.g. through referenda, the questions are often posed as 
yes/no alternatives, restricting the available options.

In this project, we aim to explore the use of AI to facilitate citizen 
participation in democratic policy deliberations. Possible research 
directions include but are not limited to:

· Deliberation and argumentation frameworks for public participation to 
structure public debates and support social acceptance of debate outcome

· innovative representations of opinion landscapes using AI techniques 
can enable citizens, advocacy groups and government to understand crowd 
feedback more efficiently,

· NLP methods to improve recommendations, filter through noise and bot 
automation, and analyse and aggregate the underlying pragmatics of 
participant’s inputs

*About the position*

The successful applicant will be employed by Umeå University and receive 
a competitive salary for a period of two years full time.*Expected 
starting date is 1 October 2021 or as otherwise agreed*.

*Research environment*

The research group Responsible Artificial Intelligence (RAI) is part of 
the Department of Computing Science, 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 department’s work on Artificial Intelligence has a strong 
international position, in particular on the topics of collaborative and 
responsible AI.

The focus of the RAI research group is on methods and tools for the 
design, analysis and verification of the ethical and societal impact of 
AI.  Researchers collaborate with several national and international 
research groups, and have active links with industry and policy 
organisations. Visit 
https://www.umu.se/en/research/groups/responsible-artificial-intelligence/ 
for more information.

The project is financed by the Marcus and Marianne Wallenberg Foundation 
and affiliated with WASP-HS, the Wallenberg Artificial Intelligence, 
Autonomous Systems and Software Program – Humanities and Society. 
WASP-HS aims to realize excellent research and develop competence on the 
consequences and challenges of artificial intelligence and autonomous 
systems for the humanity and society WASP-HS aims to realize excellent 
research and develop competence on the consequences and challenges of 
artificial intelligence and autonomous systems for the humanity and 
society. For more information about the research and other activities 
conducted within WASP-HS please visit www.wasp-hs.org.

*Admission requirements*

Applicants must have earned a PhD in Artificial Intelligence, 
interaction design, human-computer interaction, or similar subjects 
relevant for the position. The PhD degree should not be more than three 
years old by the application deadline, unless special circumstances 
exist. The candidate is expected to have an overall interest in 
responsible AI concepts and methods, and expertise in participatory 
methods and interaction design, as demonstrate by publications and other 
scientific output.

Proficiency in English, both spoken and written, is required. Ideal 
candidates are research driven, organized, and would like to work on 
challenging problems and innovative solutions. Strong research merits 
and excellent publications in the area of the position are required.

*Application*

A complete application should contain the following documents:

*Application*

A complete application should include:

· An introductory letter of intent including a statement of research 
describing how you propose to fulfill this position (maximum 2 pages).

· Curriculum Vitae (CV) including a complete list of scientific 
publications.

· Certified copies of degree certificates, including documentation of 
completed academic courses and obtained grades

· A copy of your PhD thesis and copies of (max 5) original research 
publications relevant to the above topics, numbered according to the 
publication list.

· Names and contact information for three persons willing to act as 
references.

Incomplete applications or applications with a generic letter of intent 
will not be considered.

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 15 August, 2021. Reference number: AN 
2.2.1-1021-21. Log on to the system and apply via the button at the 
bottom of the web page.

Umeå University wants to offer an equal environment where open dialogue 
between people with different backgrounds and perspectives lay the 
foundation for learning, creativity and development. We welcome women, 
non-binary people and people with different backgrounds and experiences 
to apply for this position.

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

*We look forward to receiving your application!*

Umeå University wants to offer an equal environment where open dialogue 
between people with different backgrounds and perspectives lay the 
foundation for learning, creativity and development. We welcome people 
with different backgrounds and experiences to apply for the current 
employment.

We kindly decline offers of recruitment and advertising help.

-- 

Best regards / Med vänlig hälsning,

*Virginia Dignum*

Wallenberg Chair, Professor Responsible Artificial Intelligence

Program Director WASP-HS <wasp-hs.org>

*Umeå**University – Department of Computing Science*

*Tel:*  (work) +46 90 786 6308; (mobile) +46720 850 890*
Email:* virginia at cs.umu.se <mailto:virginia at cs.umu.se> / 
virginia.dignum at umu.se <mailto:virginia.dignum at umu.se>*
URL: *https://www.umu.se/en/staff/virginia-dignum/ 
<https://www.umu.se/en/staff/virginia-dignum/>
*Twitter: *https://twitter.com/vdignum <https://twitter.com/vdignum>*
LinkedIn:*https://www.linkedin.com/in/vdignum/ 
<https://www.linkedin.com/in/vdignum/>

My book “Responsible Artificial Intelligence” is just 
out:https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783030303709 
<https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783030303709>

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