The Department of Philosophy of the University of Twente is urgently looking for two postdoctoral researchers for six months (October 1st, 2020 – April 1st, 2021)
Position 1: Ethical assessment and guidance of emerging technologies, with particular attention to AI and robotics
Position 2: Ethical assessment and guidance of emerging technologies, with particular attention to human enhancement
Working from a distance is a possibility.
Application deadline: September 7th, 2020
Both positions are for the Horizon 2020 SIENNA project (https://www.sienna-project.eu/). The SIENNA project, carried by 12 international partners and coordinated by the University of Twente, aims to promote enhanced consideration of ethical and human rights issues in new and emerging technologies with major socio-economic impact and human rights relevance.
Tasks for position 1: You contribute to the development of a multi-stakeholder strategy and practical tools (like ethics by design methodologies, research ethics frameworks and policies) for ethical AI and robotics. You also work with stakeholders in improving and exploiting these methodologies and tools. You contribute to the development of a general approach for the ethical assessment and practical guidance of new emerging technologies. Optionally, you contribute to a study on reconciling needs of researchers and innovators and the legitimate concerns of citizens. You co-author at least one academic publication related to one or more of the mentioned topics.
Tasks for position 2: You contribute to the development of ethical guidelines and other methods for promoting ethics in human enhancement. You also work with stakeholders in improving and exploiting these guidelines and methods. You contribute to the development of a general approach for the ethical assessment and practical guidance of new emerging technologies. Optionally, you contribute to a study on reconciling needs of researchers and innovators and the legitimate concerns of citizens. You co-author at least one academic publication related to one or more of the mentioned topics.
OUR OFFER
You will be appointed for six months.
Starting salary between € 3.354,- to € 4.402,- gross per month based on your experience. An additional holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary and a year-end bonus of 8.3%.
You can work from home, and do not need to live in the Netherlands. (We may have a face-to-face conference in March 2021 in Brussels if it is safe, in case of which your physical attendance may be required.)
CANDIDATES WE SEEK
- hold a Ph.D. in philosophy or a related field;
- possess expertise relevant to the project, for example in ethics of technology, responsible innovation, research ethics, ethics of AI or ethics of human enhancement;
- possess good communication skills and an excellent command of English, at least at C2 level;
Note that due to the desired October 1st starting date, we realistically can only consider EU citizens and residents of the Netherlands, due to the long immigration procedure for others.
INFORMATION AND APPLICATION
Desired starting date: October 1st, 2020.
Please send your application directly to Prof. dr. Philip Brey, coordinator of the SIENNA project (p.a.e.brey@utwente.nl). Your application should include a CV, brief a letter of application, and a writing sample and should be sent no later than September 7th, 2020. Please indicate if you are applying for position 1, 2, or both. Online interviews will be held on September 10th.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF PHILOSOPHY
The philosophy department (https://www.utwente.nl/en/bms/wijsb/) has around 40 members (faculty, postdocs, PhD candidates). It is a thoroughly international department, with English as the main language. It specializes in its research in the philosophical and ethical study of technology and its impact on people, society, and the environment.
DIVERSITY POLICY
We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our university. We are committed to enhancing and sustaining diversity in the composition of our staff. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.