Postdoctoral position (3 years) on Responsible Artificial Intelligence with focus on transparency

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.

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 transparency in AI, a key area in the ever-evolving field of AI. The position is affiliated with the AI Policy Lab at Umeå University. The employment is full-time for three years with starting date May 1, 2024 or as otherwise agreed.

Department of Computing science

The Department of Computing Science is characterized by world-leading research in a multitude of scientific fields and is ranked highly in international comparisons. The department has been growing rapidly in recent years, with a focus on creating an inclusive and bottom-up driven research environment. To further strengthen our numbers, we are now looking for a postdoctor in Responsible Artificial Intelligence with focus on Transparency. Our workplace consists of a diverse set of people from different nationalities, background and fields. If you work as a postdoctor with us, you receive the benefits of support in career development, networking, administrative and technical support functions, along with good employment conditions. More information about the department is available at: https://www.umu.se/en/department-of-computing-science/

Research environment

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, aiming to balance AI’s transformative potential with the need for safety, ethical integrity, and societal benefit. We operate at the intersection of computer science and social science and humanities, fostering a multidisciplinary and collaborative environment.

Our research is not only about the development of intelligent systems, but also in understanding the effects of their deployment on our societies. We are working to ensure the ethical application of Artificial Intelligence (AI), both through public engagement and frequent interaction with policymakers, and by facilitating the engineering of Responsible 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.

In summary, we offer

• A vibrant, collaborative and multidisciplinary research environment.
• Access to a wide international network across faculties and disciplines.
• Opportunities to engage with policymakers and influence AI policy development.
• Support for innovative research and access to state-of-the-art facilities.

Is this interesting for you? Welcome with your application at latest February 29, 2024.

Project description and working tasks.

The postdoctoral fellow will focus on developing models, theories, and tools for the specification, monitoring, and evaluation of the transparency of AI systems. This research will address the complexity of AI decision-making processes, develop interpretable formal models to assess the impact of transparency on accountability and user trust and adoption. The role involves addressing ethical and legal considerations and devising computational methods to measure and improve the transparency of AI systems across various domains.

 The successful applicant will be employed by Umeå University and receive a competitive salary for a period of three years fulltime, provided that research shows sufficient progress.

 Qualifications

Required qualifications

To be appointed under the postdoctoral agreement, the postdoctoral fellow is required to have completed a doctoral degree or a foreign degree deemed equivalent to a doctoral degree. This qualification requirements must be fulfilled no later than at the time of the appointment 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. 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 organisations, military service, or similar circumstances, as well as clinical practice or other forms of appointment/assignment relevant to the subject area. Postdoctoral fellows who are to teach or supervise must have taken relevant courses in teaching and learning in higher education.

In addition you must have

• A PhD in a relevant field (AI, Computer Science, etc.).
• Experience in AI, policy analysis, ethical considerations in AI.
• Proficiency in English, both spoken and written, is required.

Other desirable qualifications

• Strong research background, preferably with a focus on AI transparency.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment.
• A passion for responsible AI development and a commitment to tackling complex problems with innovative solutions.

Application

We expect many applicants. It is therefore of utmost importance that your application follows all guidelines and is complete. A complete application must contain the following documents:

• A mandatory letter of intent including a statement of research describing how you understand the requirements and expectations for this specific position and how you propose to realize its objectives (maximum 2 pages).
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) including a complete list of scientific publications.
• Verified copy of doctoral degree certificate or documentation that clarifies when the degree of doctor is expected to be obtained,
• Copies of other degree certificates, including documentation of completed academic courses and obtained grades.
• Links to your PhD thesis and a list of (max 5) original research publications relevant to the position topics, annotated with a brief description of their relevance for the position.
• Names and contact information for three persons willing to act as references.

Incomplete applications or applications with a generic letter of intent not related to the position 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 29 February 2024. Log in to the system and apply via the button at the end of the page.

For additional information, please contact Prof. Dr. Virginia Dignum [email protected] .

We look forward to receiving your application!