Umeå University, Teknisk-naturvetenskaplig fakultet gemensamt

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.

Are you interested in learning more? Read about Umeå university as a workplace

The Department of Computing Science (http://www.cs.umu.se) is hiring an associate professor in socially aware AI. Application deadline 2023-09-22.

The Department of Computing Science has around 180 employees and affiliated staff from more than 20 countries, and is expanding rapidly. We conduct research on a broad range of topics in the area of Computing Science. We also offer a broad selection of courses and study programs at bachelor, master, and doctoral level. Human-centered AI is one major research area at the department. Specifically, research in socially aware AI starts from the premise that AI is used in social contexts and should be aware of the social consequences of its behaviour. For this purpose, we investigate (formal) models of social concepts and their implementation in AI systems ranging from social robots to social simulations and multi-agent systems. We collaborate with several national and international research groups, and has active links with industry and policy organisations.

Duties

Your duties include research in the field of socially aware artificial intelligence (e.g. social simulations), teaching in cognitive science, AI and basic computer science; supervision at undergraduate, graduate and doctoral level. Administrative and management assignments within Umeå University may also be part of your tasks. You are expected to actively participate in the national and international social simulation community, take part in the social AI research area in TAIGA and actively develop the transdisciplinary AI research in Umeå.

Eligibility requirements

According to Chapter 4, Section 4 of the Higher Education Ordinance, a person shall be qualified for appointment as Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor if he or she within an area has demonstrated educational expertise and holds a doctorate or has attained equivalent academic competence or other professional skills relevant with regard to the subject area of the appointment.

Assessment criteria and their weight

The assessment criteria for appointment as an associate professor/senior lecturer shall be the degree of the expertise required as a qualification for employment. As much attention shall be given to the assessment of teaching expertise as to the assessment of scientific expertise.

Assessment will be primarily based on scientific expertise. Secondly, pedagogical experience will be taken into account. Thirdly, emphasis will placed on the ability to develop and manage activities and staff at the university, and administrative and other experience of importance to the nature of the position and the duties to be included in the position.

Scientific expertise

Scientific expertise shall be demonstrated through independent scientific productivity. The criteria for assessment are:

  • breadth and depth of research – quality and scope
  • originality of research
  • productivity
  • contributions to the international research community
  • assignments within the research community
  • the ability to competitively obtain external research funding
  • collaboration with the surrounding society

Scientific excellence shall relate to research in human-centered AI.

Pedagogical expertise

The pedagogical expertise for employment as associate professor should be demonstrated by documented experience of teaching with scientific foundation at university level. The criteria for evaluation are:

  • an ability to plan, implement and evaluate teaching and an ability to supervise and examine students at every level of education
  • an ability to vary teaching methods and examination formats in relation to anticipated study results and the nature of the subject
  • experience of collaboration with the surrounding society in planning and implementation of education
  • participation in the development of learning environments, teaching aids and study resources
  • a reflective approach to student learning and one’s own role as a teacher
  • experience in teaching AI is a strong merit
  • experience in teaching in basic computer science, and in social sciences, especially cognitive science, is a merit
  • experience of supervising degree projects and teaching at postgraduate level is a merit
  • experience in pedagogical development and leadership assignments is a merit

Pedagogical expertise can be attained through education in university pedagogy, other education of relevance for teaching at a university level or documented and proven experience teaching at the university level.   

Further qualifications

A general basis for assessment for all teaching categories is both good cooperative skills and the expertise and suitability in general required to complete the work duties satisfactorily.

Additional basis for assessment are documented leadership skills, administrative skills, and demonstrated ability to collaborate with external organizations.

Further details

As an employee at Umeå University, you're offered a wide variety of benefits that promote a good work- life balance, read more about benefits here.

Application

When you apply, we ask you to answer questions in Varbi. These questions replace a cover letter from you. The application should preferably be written in English, and include the following items:

Attachments

  1. CV/Umu Application template. Fill in the required application template (word). Submit it attached to your application in the Varbi system as your CV. The following information must be provided in the application template:
    • basic information (contact details, employment and education history)
    • an account of research experience (including a list of articles published and a brief research plan)
    • an account of pedagogical experience and activities
    • an account of experiences of developing and managing activities and staff
    • an account of experiences regarding interacting with the surrounding society and popularizing science
    • references, including contact details
  2. Copies of relevant university degrees and diplomas
  3. Copies of five research publications relevant to the position, numbered according to the publication list
  4. Attachments to a pedagogical portfolio (see p. 3.5 in Umu Application template)

See instructions for what to include in the application, as well as how to describe scientific or artistic and educational activities (pdf)

Applications should be made via e-recruitment system Varbi and be received no later than 2023-09-22.

More information

For more information contact:

  • Professor Frank Dignum, dignum@cs.umu.se
  • Associate Professor Kai-Florian Richter, kaifr@cs.umu.se
Type of employment Permanent position
Contract type Full time
First day of employment Snarast
Salary Månadslön
Number of positions 1
Full-time equivalent 100%
City Umeå
County Västerbottens län
Country Sweden
Reference number AN 2.2.1-1074-23
Union representative
  • SACO, 090-7865365
  • SEKO, 090-7865296
  • ST, 090-7865431
Published 16.Jun.2023
Last application date 26.Sep.2023 11:59 PM CEST

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