Postdoctoral researcher position (2 years), in Artificial Intelligence - Befattningen är under tillsättning eller redan tillsatt, och det är inte längre möjligt att lämna in en ansökan

The Department of Computing Science at Umeå University (www.cs.umu.se) is seeking a candidate for a post-doctoral researcher position in Artificial Intelligence with focus on engineering methods to develop AI systems responsibly, for the European project AI4EU (H2020-ICT26-2018).

The position is within the newly started Social and Ethical Artificial Intelligence group at Umeå University. The Social and Ethical Artificial Intelligence group conducts research into AI systems that meet their social responsibility, including the development of theories, models and tools for oversight, accountability and verification, and methods to analyse, design, measure and audit social implications. The group collaborates with several national and international research groups, and has active links with industry and policy organisations. For more information, please visit http://people.cs.umu.se/virginia/. The research spans from basic research to applied research, and the group collaborates with internationally renowed groups in academia and industry.

Project description
The main goal is to develop the Value-Based AI Design Methodology that underlies the AI open platform to be developed in the AI4EU project. The postdoc is expected to do research including:
• To develop a methodology for the technical and formal integration of ethical, legal, societal and economic (ELSE) issues into the systematic design and deployment of AI systems.
• To test this methodology in the context of the different use-cases developed within the AI4EU framework.
• To develop and spread the design methodology through an educational material (e.g. a MOOC), tutorials, training programs. 

The project will first survey and critically examine existing value-based design methodologies and then settle and work out further practical details of one particular already advanced methodology so that it can be put into action within the AI4EU project. The methodology will then be exercised in the various use cases of the project, which will allow for the testing of the educational materials, of the applicability of the design guidelines, and of the efficacy in handling ELSE issues. This testing stage will undoubtedly expose various limitations so that a second cycle of development and testing of methodology can take place. The final outcome should be a well-tested methodology that can give guidance to AI applications in industry and is a proposal for EU standardization.

Given the European context, the researcher is expected to collaborate with other consortium partners across Europe and to travel to project workshops and meetings.

The appointment is for 2 years full-time employment. The employment will start January 1, 2019, or as otherwise agreed. The length of the project is 3 years. Another position will be announced to cover the third year of the project.

Qualifications
Applicants must have earned a PhD or a foreign degree that is deemed equivalent to a PhD in Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science or a subject relevant for the position. The PhD degree should not be more than three years old by the application deadline, unless special circumstances exist.
Ideal candidates are research driven, organized, and would like to work on challenging problems and innovative solutions. Strong research merits and excellent publications in the area of the position are required. Experience from systems modelling and knowledge representation, and software development are considered merits. Proficiency in English, both spoken and written, is required.

Application

A complete application should include:

• Introductory letter including a 2-page statement of research interests relative to the above topics and a motivation of why your expertise is appropriate for the position.
• Curriculum Vitae (CV) including a complete list of scientific publications.
• Copies of degree certificates, including documentation of completed academic courses and obtained grades
• A copy of your PhD thesis
• Copies of (max 5) original research publications relevant to the above topics, numbered according to the publication list.
• Names and contact information for three persons willing to act as references.
• Any other information relevant for the position such as description of software development experience, or previous industry experience.

Please observe that all material needs to be in Swedish or English, in Word or pdf format. If material is submitted in other languages a translation to Swedish or English must be included. As we strive for a more balanced gender distribution within the department, we encourage women as applicants.

Welcome with your application
Applications must be submitted electronically using the e-recruitment system of Umeå University, AN 2.2.1-1727-18, and be received no later than 31 December, 2018. 

Further information
For further information, please contact Professor Virginia Dignum (virginia@cs.umu.se).
More information about the hosting research group and Umeå University can be found at http://people.cs.umu.se/virginia/ and http://www.umu.se/