Applications are invited for a PhD fellowship/scholarship at Graduate School of Natural Sciences, Aarhus University, Denmark, within the Mathematics programme. The position is available from August 2024 or later.
Title:
TREAT: Towards Responsible Explainable AI Technologies
Research area and project description:
The Centre for Science Studies, Aarhus University, is looking to appoint PhD-candidate within the field of interdisciplinary ethics and epistemology of artificial intelligence (AI), available from 1 August 2024 or as soon as possible thereafter. The position is advertised as part of the project TREAT - Towards Responsible Explainable AI Technologies (https://dff.dk/en/apply/supported-research/research-leaders/research-leader-2023/rune-nyrup), hosted at the Centre for Science studies.
TREAT examines the ethics and epistemology of Explainable AI (XAI), that is, technologies for generating explanations of AI systems. The project aims to develop a normative framework for distinguishing beneficial from pernicious uses of XAI.
The PhD-candidate will conduct philosophical research on XAI and contribute to the organization of workshops and other project activities. Their research will contribute to the work package “Explanatory Honesty”. Since explanations are always partial and idealised, there is a risk that XAI-generated explanations create a false or misleading sense of understanding. This work package will examine the boundary between helpful, understanding-supportive explanations and deceptive or manipulative uses of XAI. The PhD-candidate will also develop a case study on the use of XAI within one of the following domains of application: commercial online platforms, legal decision-support, and smart home devices for elderly care.
The PhD-candidate will be free to shape their research agenda and approach to these questions in accordance with their broader interests and career plans. The various tasks of the position are organized in continuous agreement with the project leader, associate professor Rune Nyrup, who will also be the primary PhD-supervisor.
TREAT is an interdisciplinary project with collaborators in machine learning, human-computer interaction, law and nursing research, including locally in Aarhus and at the Institute of Technology and Humanity and the Faculty of Law at the University of Cambridge, the Dyson School of Design Engineering at Imperial College London, and the Lawrence Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing at the University of Toronto. There is funding available in the project for the PhD-candidate to conduct a research visit abroad in order to collaborate with researchers at one or more of these institutions.
Please upload a project description (½-4 pages). This document should describe your ideas and research plans for this specific project. If you wish to, you can indicate an URL where further information can be found.
Qualifications and specific competences:
Applicants must have completed or expect to complete a relevant Master’s degree by the start of the PhD.
In the assessment, emphasis will be placed on knowledge of the field of interdisciplinary ethics and epistemology of AI, as well as philosophical interests relevant to the topic of explanatory honesty. This may include, but is not limited to, interests in philosophy of science, philosophy of technology, or applied ethics/political philosophy (e.g., values in science, explanation and understanding, the ethics of science communication, public health ethics).
The application should include a project description (max. 1500 words) outlining a PhD project addressing the topic of explanatory honesty. Applicants are also encouraged to explain in their statement of motivation how their interests and prior experience will allow them to contribute to this project.
For further information, please contact Rune Nyrup, email: rune.nyrup@css.au.dk
Place of employment and place of work:
The place of employment is Aarhus University, and the place of work is Centre for Science Studies, Department of Mathematics, Building 1530, Ny Munkegade 118, 8000, Aarhus C, Denmark.
Contacts:
Applicants seeking further information for this project are invited to contact: Associate Professor Rune Nyrup, rune.nyrup@css.au.dk
How to apply:
For information about application requirements and mandatory attachments, please see the Application guide. Please read the Application guide thoroughly before applying.
When ready to apply, go to https://phd.nat.au.dk/for-applicants/apply-here/ (Note, the online application system opens 1 March 2024)
Please note:
At the Faculty of Natural Science at Aarhus University, we strive to support our scientific staff in their career development. We focus on competency development and career clarification and want to make your opportunities transparent. On our website, you can find information on all types of scientific positions, as well as the entry criteria we use when assessing candidates. You can also read more about how we can assist you in your career planning and development.
Aarhus University’s ambition is to be an attractive and inspiring workplace for all and to foster a culture in which each individual has opportunities to thrive, achieve and develop. We view equality and diversity as assets, and we welcome all applicants. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background.
