[agents] 2-years postdoctoral position on Socially-Aware Artificial Intelligence & Philosophy of AI, Umeå University (Sweden), deadline: 30th of September

Mon Sep 2 14:43:24 EDT 2024

***Apologies for cross-posting***

https://www.umu.se/en/work-with-us/open-positions/postdoctoral-fellow-in-phi
losophy-of-ai--socially-aware-artificial-intelligence_746500/

TAIGA, Umeå’ University’s center for transdisciplinary artificial
intelligence is opening a 2-years postdoctoral position on interdisciplinary
research that can cover Socially-Aware artificial intelligence (i.e.
AI-methods that can adapt to a given social context, for instance such as
replicating socially-sensitive human-like behavior or by recognizing and
adapting its behavior to psychosocial factors; and/or the study of the
fundamental philosophical underpinnings of how AI systems, especially large
artificial neural networks, can be understood and explained in ways suited
to different audiences.

This position is ideal for a candidate willing to engage in an original
transdisciplinary activity, being incorporated in a vibrant university-wide
transdisciplinary AI center with privileged access to a wide array of
disciplines, with direct involvement of at least two computer science and
philosophy experts; and two years of employment ensuring a sustained,
in-depth exploration of innovative topics.

If you are interested in the application, please let us know!

Best regards,

Loïs Vanhée together with Dimitri Coelho Mollo

Umeå University is one of Sweden’s largest higher education institutions
with over 37,000 students and about 4,700 employees. The University offers a
diversity of high-quality education and world-leading research in several
fields. Notably, the groundbreaking discovery of the CRISPR-Cas9
gene-editing tool, which was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, was made
here. At Umeå University, everything is close. Our cohesive campuses make it
easy to meet, work together and exchange knowledge, which promotes a dynamic
and open culture.

The ongoing societal transformation and large green investments in northern
Sweden create enormous opportunities and complex challenges. For Umeå
University, conducting research about – and in the middle of – a society in
transition is key. We also take pride in delivering education to enable
regions to expand quickly and sustainably. In fact, the future is made here.

Are you interested in learning more? Read about Umeå university as a
workplace <https://www.umu.se/en/work-with-us/working-at-umea-university/> 

TAIGA  <https://www.umu.se/en/centre-for-transdisciplinary-ai/> is a
cross-faculty center at Umeå University. Our purpose is to promote
transdisciplinary research and education in Artificial Intelligence (AI),
its applications and consequences, and to create a strong international
research profile for Umeå University that leverages the university’s
interdisciplinary breadth.

We achieve this by establishing a cross-faculty structure for
transdisciplinary AI research and educational collaborations. We offer
meeting places, activities, and support to inspire, challenge, and guide
researchers, teachers, and students who want to develop AI-related research.
Furthermore, we create and maintain international and national
collaborations and networks in AI-related research and education. TAIGA is a
university-wide entry point for the interested public and external parties,
working to promote collaboration with the surrounding society and
contributing to shaping public debate and policy development regarding AI
for the good of all. Read more at TAIGA
<https://www.umu.se/en/centre-for-transdisciplinary-ai/> – Centre for
Transdisciplinary AI (umu.se)

Project description

This postdoctoral position encompasses the TAIGA focus areas Social A
<https://www.umu.se/en/centre-for-transdisciplinary-ai/research/social-ai/>
I, led by Associate Professor Loïs Vanhée and Understanding (and Explaining)
AI
<https://www.umu.se/en/centre-for-transdisciplinary-ai/research/explainable-
ai/> , led by Assistant Professor Dimitri Coelho Mollo.

The Social AI focus area is dedicated to the study of AI methods that can
adapt to a given social context, for instance by replicating human-like
behavior (e.g. social simulation, virtual characters) or by human-centric
adaptation to psychosocial factors (e.g. learning assistants sensitive to
classroom dynamics, personalized mental health therapeutic agents.) 

The focus area Understanding (and Explaining) AI is dedicated to the study
of how AI systems, especially large artificial neural networks, can be
understood and explained in ways suited to different audiences, from AI
researchers, to decision-makers, to the general public. This focus area uses
tools from current research in philosophy of science and social epistemology
to pursue an interdisciplinary investigation of what is needed for
understanding and explaining AI.

Job description 

The postdoctoral fellow position is open to candidates with scientific
background in computer science, philosophy, AI, and related areas.
Interdisciplinary interests and research focus are key, especially for what
regards the interplay between philosophy of science and social AI.

While the position is administratively hosted by the Department for
Historical, Philosophical, and Religious Studies
<https://www.umu.se/en/department-of-historical-philosophical-and-religious-
studies/> , the postdoctoral fellow will be practically attached to and
expected to participate in both Philosophy and Computer Science research
communities. Depending on the main research focus and scientific background
of the candidate, the postdoctoral fellow will be more active in the
research environment of either the Department of Computing Science
<https://www.umu.se/en/department-of-computing-science/>  or the Department
for Historical, Philosophical, and Religious Studie
<https://www.umu.se/en/department-of-historical-philosophical-and-religious-
studies/> s. Examples of research focus include: 

*	Examining foundations, methodologies, and philosophical questions
within and raised by Social AI research and its application.
*	Examining ethical or sociotechnical challenges connected to Social
AI research.
*	Developing and assessing Social AI systems and approaches in ways
informed by research in philosophy of science (e.g., philosophy of cognitive
science, philosophy of comparative psychology), philosophical ethics, or
related areas
*	Application of AI methods for supporting philosophy research (e.g.
LLMs for recognizing underlying philosophical framework in arguments made by
public figures)

The postdoctoral fellow will be  actively involved and expected to
participate in both Philosophy and Computer Science research communities, as
well as in the academic life of TAIGA.

Qualifications

In order to be appointed as a postdoctoral fellow, it is required to have
completed a doctoral degree or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a
doctoral degree within computer science, philosophy, AI or related areas for
the position. This qualification requirement must be fulfilled no later than
at the time of the employment decision.

To be appointed under the postdoctoral agreement, priority should be given
to candidates who completed their doctoral degree, according to what is
stipulated in the paragraph above, no later than three years prior to the
application deadline. If there are special reasons, candidates who completed
their doctoral degree prior to that may also be eligible. Special reasons
include absence due to illness, parental leave, appointments of trust in
trade union organizations, military service, or similar circumstances, as
well as clinical practice or other forms of appointment/assignment relevant
to the subject area.

A precondition is that the applicant has not previously been employed as a
postdoctoral fellow at Umeå University for more than a year within the same
or equivalent discipline.

Proficiency in written and spoken English is also required, as is a good
ability to collaborate with others.

Application

The application must be written in Swedish or English and must include:

*	A brief description of the research interests and the reason for
applying for the position
*	CV
*	List of publications
*	Copies of the PhD certificate and other relevant degrees
*	Contact details of two reference persons
*	Research plan (max 5 pages, references included)

The application must be submitted through the electronic recruitment system
Varbi no later than September 30, 2024.

Further information

The employment is a full-time, fixed-term position for 2 years, starting
January 1, 2025 unless otherwise agreed. The selected candidate is required
to be present on-site in Umeå to a high degree. 

For more information about the position, contact Associate Professor Loïs
Vanhée (+46907865783, lois.vanhee at umu.se <mailto:lois.vanhee at umu.se> ) or
Assistant Professor Dimitri Coelho Mollo (+46907866676, dimitri.mollo at umu.se
<mailto:dimitri.mollo at umu.se> ).  

For information about the departments, see Department of Computing Science
<https://www.umu.se/en/department-of-computing-science/>  and Department of
Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies
<https://www.umu.se/en/department-of-historical-philosophical-and-religious-
studies/> .

We look forward to receiving your application!

Information box

Admission

January 1, 2025 unless otherwise agreed

Salary

Monthly salary

Application deadline

2024-09-30

Registration number

AN 2.2.1-1098-24

Contact

Dimitri Coelho Mollo, Assistant professor

+46907866676,dimitri.mollo at umu.se,

Loïs Vanhée, Associate professor

+46907865783,lois.vanhee at umu.se

Union representative

SACO

+4690-7865365

SEKO

+4690-7865296

ST

+4690-7865431

Apply <https://umu.varbi.com/en/apply/positionquick/746500/?where=4>  

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.

-------------------------

Loïs Vanhée, Ph.D., Docent, Recognized teacher

Associate professor

Co-director of the  <https://www.umu.se/en/centre-for-transdisciplinary-ai/>
Centre for Transdisciplinary AI

Coordinator of the  <https://sites.google.com/view/taiga-socialai/home>
Social Artificial Intelligence Focus Area 

and of the Special Interest Group on
<https://sites.google.com/view/sig-mood/home> Models of Human Decision

 <https://www.umu.se/en/department-of-computing-science/> Department of
Computing Science

Umeå University

Umeå, Sweden

Web:  <https://www.umu.se/en/staff/lois-vanhee/>
https://www.umu.se/en/staff/lois-vanhee/

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