PhD position in Philosophy

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The University of Luxembourg is an international research university with a distinctly multilingual and interdisciplinary character. The University was founded in 2003 and counts more than 6,700 students and more than 2,000 employees from around the world. The University's faculties and interdisciplinary centres focus on research in the areas of Computer Science and ICT Security, Materials Science, European and International Law, Finance and Financial Innovation, Education, Contemporary and Digital History. In addition, the University focuses on cross-disciplinary research in the areas of Data Modelling and Simulation as well as Health and System Biomedicine. Times Higher Education ranks the University of Luxembourg #3 worldwide for its “international outlook,” #20 in the Young University Ranking 2021 and among the top 250 universities worldwide.

The Faculty of Humanities, Education and Social Sciences (FHSE) brings together expertise from the humanities, linguistics, cognitive sciences, social and educational sciences. People from across 20 disciplines are working within the Faculty. Along with the disciplinary approach a very ambitious interdisciplinary research culture has been developed. The FHSE offers four Bachelor and 15 Master degrees and a doctoral school providing students with the necessary knowledge and high-qualified skills to succeed in their future career.

The Institute of Philosophy (part of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences) at the University of Luxembourg seeks applications for a four-year (48 months) position as a doctoral student. The position is part of the FNR funded project ‘The Epistemology of AI systems' (C22/SC/17111440) starting on September 1st, 2023. The PI for the project is Thomas Raleigh (Associate Professor of Philosophy) and the Co-PI is Leon Van Der Torre (Professor of Computer Science). The Post-Doc for the project will be Dr Aleks Knoks. The specific focus for the PhD position is envisaged to be the topic of Testimony and AI, though there will be some scope for flexibility concerning the PhD topic so long as it fits with the themes of the project.

The overall aim of the project is to apply philosophical concepts and tools from recent work in philosophy of science and social epistemology to investigate how to rationally use and respond to AI technology and what to do to improve human-machine interactions from an epistemic point of view. We will focus in particular on questions concerning understanding ‘opaque' AI systems using simplified explanatory models, trusting AI-generated testimony, conditions under which (opaque) AI systems are epistemically authoritative and how their authority differs from the authority of human experts.

Your Role...

The doctoral candidate will be a member of the Department of Humanities / Institute of Philosophy. S/he will work under the supervision of Associate Prof. Dr Thomas Raleigh and participate in the project “The Epistemology of AI systems”. The primary role for the position will be research on the project's themes that results in a doctoral thesis, as well as help in organizing research activities and workshops arising from the project. There will also be the opportunity to teach.

Your tasks

Research in the field of Philosophy with a focus on Epistemology and Artificial Intelligence

Organizing conferences and communicating with external partners

Series of publications (in peer-reviewed journals and accepted papers resulting in a cumulative dissertation OR a PhD thesis (with presentations at scientific conferences)

Enrolment in the Doctoral School in Humanities and Social Sciences

What we expect from you…

Master's degree (or equivalent) in Philosophy or a related field

A writing sample of less than 8,000 words (e.g. a chapter from the MA thesis), and a research statement (max. 2 pages) outlining the candidate's proposed research on the topic of Testimony and AI or similar topic that closely fits with the project. (See below for How to Apply…)

Excellent English language skills are essential, but there are no other language requirements

We will be primarily looking for ability in epistemology and the philosophy of AI. Some expertise in philosophy of mind and/or philosophy of language may also be an advantage

We offer...

Participation in a reliable and motivating team

Excellent research and funding conditions on a personal and a research level at an international and multilingual university

Personal high-quality supervision

Collaboration with Computer Scientists both at UL's prestigious Computer Science Department and at the Luxembourg Institute of Technology (LIST)

In Short...

Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract 36 Month (extendable up to 48 months if required)

Work Hours: Full Time 40.0 Hours per Week

Employee and student status

Start date: September 2023

Location: Belval

Job Reference: UOL05534

The yearly gross salary for every PhD at the UL is EUR 38028 (full time)

How to apply...

Applications should be submitted online and include:

Curriculum Vitae (including your contact address, work experience, publications, as well as all other academic achievements)

A short cover letter explaining your motivation

Diplomas and transcripts of your Bachelor and Master program

A writing sample of less than 8,000 words (e.g. a chapter from the MA thesis)

A research statement (max. 2 pages) outlining the candidate's proposed research on the topic of Testimony and AI (or similar topic that closely fits with the project)

Contact information for at least two academic referees

We ensure a full consideration for applications received by 19 March 2023. Online interviews will be held around the start of April 2023. Please apply formally through the HR system. Applications by email will not be considered.

The University of Luxembourg embraces inclusion and diversity as key values. We are fully committed to removing any discriminatory barrier related to gender, and not only, in recruitment and career progression of our staff.

Here's what awaits you at the University

Multilingual and international character. Modern institution with a personal atmosphere. Staff coming from 90 countries. Member of the “University of the Greater Region” (UniGR).

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A partner for society and industry. Cooperation with European institutions, innovative companies, the Financial Centre and with numerous non-academic partners such as ministries, local governments, associations, NGOs …

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Further information...

Please direct further questions to Assoc. Prof Dr Thomas Raleigh:

https: // wwwfr.uni.lu/recherche/fhse/dhum/people/thomasraleigh

https: // thomasraleigh.weebly.com