UiO Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Ethics and AI

Integreat – Norwegian Centre for Knowledge-driven Machine Learning at University of Oslo is looking for a candidate for a postdoctoral project in ethics and AI.

Starting date as soon as possible and upon individual agreement.

The appointment is a fulltime position and is for a period of three years.

No one can be appointed for more than one Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at the University of Oslo.

This position offers an exceptional opportunity to engage in interdisciplinary research at the interface of philosophy, ethics, epistemology, and machine learning. 

The successful candidate will work closely with researchers in the Ethics Research Theme at Integreat, led by Professor Anna Smajdor, as well as with machine learning experts across Integreat research themes.

More about the position

Machine learning is the mathematical and computational engine of Artificial Intelligence (AI). It is a fundamental force of technological progress in our increasingly digital, data-driven world. Researchers in Integreat develop theories, methods, models, and algorithms that integrate general and domain-specific knowledge with data. By combining the mathematical and computational cultures, and the methodologies of statistics, logic and machine learning in unique ways, Integreat's machine learning will solve fundamental problems in science, technology, health and society, and contribute to make Norway a world leading country in AI.

We are looking for an enthusiastic and self-motivated person with a background in philosophy of science and technology, epistemology and ethics, to help take our research forward.

Ethics is one of the Integreat’s research themes. It is well established that new developments in AI raise important ethical questions: how far should we expect end users to understand the ways in which algorithms work? Can/should we ensure that LLMs reflect ethical values? Given the powerful interest that AI developers have in obtaining and using data, how should individuals’ interests be balanced against this? How do concepts such as privacy, autonomy and bias apply in different AI contexts? Whose knowledge, and whose values feed into the development of AI algorithms? In creating digital representations of ‘reality’, for AI to work with, do we risk omitting immeasurable, or unquantifiable phenomena from our AI repertoire?

The postdoctoral fellow will work closely with the Ethics Research Theme team members, led by Professor Anna Smajdor, and undertake research that links philosophical questions with the work being undertaken within the other research themes in Integreat. The postdoctoral fellow will work with machine learning experts across the various research themes represented in Integreat. They will develop and apply a suitable methodology drawing on both philosophy of science and ethics - for example, based on a philosophy of science in practice approach - to elicit and explore specific epistemic and ethical challenges experienced by the Integreat researchers.

We are interested in identifying areas, where key concepts are understood differently in different contexts. In addition, the postdoctoral fellow will investigate the ways in which knowledge is understood and represented across the different research themes, as well as across disciplines. The employed candidate will ascertain the ways in which researchers interpret and respond to ethical and epistemological challenges in their work across different domains, and establish areas where there are particularly pressing issues, in terms of the overall epistemic and ethical aims of each AI research theme.

The successful candidate will organise reflective workshops with the researchers involved, as a tool to stimulate deliberation and discussion and foster a shared understanding of the relevant concepts.

The candidate analyses the normative implications of the previous stages of research, resulting firstly in the creation of a set of ethical guidelines tailored to the needs of the research themes in Integreat and secondly, in a co-authored publication together with Anna Smajdor, based on ethical analysis of the findings from the overall project. 

In addition to the research activities described above, the successful candidate will participate in the organisation of interdisciplinary workshops and public engagement events, seminars and reading groups.

The successful candidate will be employed at the department of mathematics with work of placement at Integreat. We are looking a candidate with a PhD in philosophy of science, and who can also demonstrate expertise and experience in applied ethics.

The main purpose of a postdoctoral fellowship is to provide the candidates with enhanced skills to pursue a scientific top position within or beyond academia. To promote a strategic career path, all postdoctoral research fellows are required to submit a professional development plan no later than one month after commencement of the postdoctoral period.

Qualification requirements

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences has a strategic ambition to be among Europe’s leading communities for research, education and innovation. Candidates for these fellowships will be selected in accordance with this, and expected to be in the upper segment of their class with respect to academic credentials.

• Applicants must hold a degree equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree in Philosophy. Doctoral dissertation must be submitted for evaluation by the closing date. Only applicants with an approved doctoral thesis and public defence are eligible for appointment. 
• Applicants must document competence in philosophy of science and technology, epistemology and ethics.
• Fluent oral and written communication skills in English.

Desired qualifications:

• Experience of coordinating research activities such as conferences and workshops.
• Excellent administrative and organisational skills.

We are looking for candidates with the following personal skills: 

• Enjoys working both independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team, contributing to a positive and inclusive research environment. 
• Approaches challenges with creativity, structure, and a focus on meaningful outcomes. 
• Communicates research clearly and confidently, both within the scientific community and to broader audiences. 

Employment in the position is based on a comprehensive assessment of all qualification requirements applicable to the position, including personal qualifications.

We offer

• A unique research environment with multiple opportunities to develop research themes at the forefront of modern science
• A friendly, inclusive, and collaborative international working environment that values diverse perspectives
• Access to a strong network of top-level national and international collaborators
• A reliable and generous pension agreement, along with strong public benefits
• Comprehensive welfare schemes supporting both personal and professional well-being
• Full access to public health services through membership in the National Insurance Scheme
• A vibrant academic environment with an active and supportive research community
• Structured career development programmes at the faculty level and an individual professional development plan throughout the postdoctoral period
• Mentoring and support structures tailored to early-career researchers
• Flexible working conditions, with understanding for different life situations and family responsibilities
• Research mobility funds supporting short research stays and international collaboration
• Family-friendly surroundings in Oslo and Tromsø, with rich opportunities for culture, nature, and outdoor activities
• A clear institutional commitment to gender equality and diversity, with dedicated initiatives and networks for women in science
• Membership in the Statens Pensjonskasse, which is one of Norway's best pension schemes with beneficial mortgages and good insurance schemes
• Salary in position as Postdoctoral Fellow, position code 1352 in salary range NOK 579 700 - 657 300, depending on competence and experience. From the salary, 2 percent is deducted in statutory contributions to the State Pension Fund

Application

Your application should include:

• Cover letter (statement of motivation, summarizing scientific work and research interest)
• CV (summarizing education, positions, pedagogical experience, administrative experience and other qualifying activity) 
• Copies of educational certificates, academic transcript of records 
• A complete list of publications and up to 5 academic works that the applicant wishes to be considered by the evaluation committee
• Names and contact details of 3 references (name, relation to candidate, e-mail and telephone number)

Application with attachments must be submitted via our recruitment system Jobbnorge, click "Apply for the position".

When applying for the position, we ask you to retrieve your education results from Vitnemålsportalen.no. If your education results are not available through Vitnemålsportalen, we ask you to upload copies of your transcripts or grades. Please note that all documentation must be in English or a Scandinavian language.