The Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn is an international research university
that offers a wide range of degree programs. With 200 years of history, about 38,000
students, over 6.000 employees, and an excellent domestic and international reputation,
Bonn University is among Germany’s leading universities.
The University of Cambridge in the UK is one of the world’s oldest and most successful
Universities, with an outstanding reputation for academic achievement and research.
Based at Cambridge, with partners in the University of Oxford, Imperial College, and UC
Berkeley, the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence is an interdisciplinary
research centre addressing the challenges and opportunities posed by artificial
intelligence.
The Thomas und Ulla Kolbeck Foundation addresses the global social challenges of the
21st century. As an independent foundation, it focuses exclusively on the fields of the
humanities and social sciences and, in this context, supports the establishment of this
postdoc position.
Starting on 01.10.2020 and preliminarily limited to a fixed contract until 30.09.2022, the
Center for Science and Thought (CST, Bonn) and the Leverhulme Centre for the Future of
Intelligence (CFI, Cambridge) is seeking a
Postdoc Research Associate (80%)
The ethics of ArtificiaI Intelligence (AI) is a burgeoning discipline in both academic and policy circles. Using the tools of moral philosophy, philosophy of science, and social sciences, the Philosophy and Ethics of AI Programme takes on the major contemporary ethical challenges presented by AI.
The position will be based for the first 2 years in Bonn, with regular travel to Cambridge, and then, if renewed, for the second 2 years in Cambridge, with regular travel to Bonn.
Your responsibilities:
- Independent research and participation in group research projects in philosophy and the ethics of artificial intelligence,
- Production of high-quality publications in the relevant fields,
- Support of research and administration at CFI and CST,
- Organisation of conferences and workshops,
- Regular travel between Bonn, Cambridge and other research institutions.
Your qualifications:
- A PhD in Philosophy or another related field in humanities and social sciences or a PhD with a substantial element of these fields,
- At least one of the following areas of expertise: philosophy of science/computer science/AI, political/social/feminist philosophy, ethics,
- At least one of the following areas of competence: artificial intelligence, machine learning, data science, philosophy of science/computer science/AI, philosophy of technology, ethics, political/social/feminist philosophy,
- Native speaker or near-native command of the English language,
- Motivated, flexible, team-oriented and interested in continued professional development.
We offer:
- A varied and challenging position with one of the biggest employers in the areas in an international, interdisciplinary research environment,
- Participation in the university-wide pension system (VBL),
- Access to the extensive university sports programme,
- An excellent transport infrastructure with subsidised travel for university employees,
- A salary based on the German 13 TV-L scale.
The University of Bonn is committed to diversity and equal opportunity. It is certified as a family-friendly university. It aims to increase the proportion of women in areas where women are under-represented and to promote their careers in particular. It therefore urges women with relevant qualifications to apply. Applications will be handled in accordance with the Landesgleichstellungsgesetz (State Equality Act). Applications from suitable individuals with a certified serious disability and those of equal status are particularly welcome.
The University of Cambridge is committed in its pursuit of academic excellence to equality of opportunity and to a pro-active and inclusive approach to equality, which supports and encourages all under-represented groups, promotes an inclusive culture, and values diversity. The full statement of the University’s Equal Opportunities Policy and Codes of Practice can be found at:
www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/personnel/policy/equal.html The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
If you are interested in filling this position, please send your complete application documents (1. letter of intent of one page, 2. academic CV including a full publication list, 3. research proposal for a project within the Philosophy and Ethics of
AI Programme of max. 800 words, 4. a writing sample of min. 3.000 words) by 31.8.2020, 23:59h to cst@uni-bonn.de with the application code (56/20/3.202). Before sending your application, please combine and convert all of your documents into a single PDF file.
For further information please contact Laura Michler (michler@uni-bonn.de).