PhD Candidate AI/ML/NLP Research Group "Digitalization and Opening up Science"
Weizenbaum-Institut e. V.

Temporary

Full Time

Published: 2025-10-15

Berlin

I am interested

Founded in 2017, the Weizenbaum Institute researches the effects of advancing digitalisation on our society. With its recommendations for action, it helps to ensure that the digital transformation is sustainable, self-determined and responsible. The Weizenbaum Institute is supported by a network of seven partners, including Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin University of the Arts, the University of Potsdam, the Fraunhofer Institute for Open Communication Systems (FOKUS) and the Social Science Research Centre Berlin (WZB). The institute is financed by the Ministry of research, technology and space travel (BMFTR) and the state of Berlin. It is located in Berlin.

For our research group "Digitalization and Opening up Science" at the Weizenbaum-Institut e.V. we are looking at the earliest possible date for a

PhD Candidate AI/ML/NLP

with 39 hours per week. The position is initially limited until 14^th October 2027. Further employment will be sought and is dependent on further funding approval.

The Team

The interdisciplinary research group "Digitalization and Opening up Science" (https://www.weizenbaum-institut.de/en/research/organizing-knowledge/digitalization-and-opening-up-science/) is concerned with the scientific practices surrounding the development, evaluation and use of artificial intelligence (AI), in short "AI as a science" and "science with AI". It analyzes and evaluates the epistemic and ethical aspects of AI research and develops standards and approaches to improve its practices, in particular data practices and infrastructures.

Your tasks:

Conceptualization and execution of a doctoral dissertation in the research group's field of study (analysis and improvement of scientific practices and data practices, and in particular the use of and requirements for data infrastructures in AI research from an epistemic and ethical perspective)
Design and implementation of methods for measuring and mitigating ethical and epistemic limitations of AI models and/or development of evaluation methods and benchmarks for AI models (especially in the field of natural language processing (NLP))
Conducting critical analyses of the epistemic and ethical limitations of AI systems and research practices within the context of interdisciplinary collaborations
Regular publication and presentation of research results at international conferences and workshops
Participation in third-party funded projects (in particular NFDI and EOSC)
Contributing to the drafting of research proposals and the acquisition of research funding
Assistance with teaching activities and student supervision
Organization of events and activities for the research community and the broader public

Your profile

Master's degree in artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML), data science, computer science, or a related field
Very good knowledge and practical experience in AI/ML and NLP
Interest in interdisciplinary, critical engagement with AI systems or the research and development processes surrounding AI
Knowledge of quantitative research methods in theory and practice
Excellent programming skills (especially Python and AI/ML-related frameworks)
Excellent English skills and very good communication, presentation, and writing skills
Enjoy working in a team
Motivated, independent, and structured way of working

Desired:

Knowledge of AI ethics, data ethics, science and technology studies (STS), (feminist) philosophy of science, or related topics
Experience in applying qualitative methods
Experience in publishing research results in relevant ML/AI, NLP, or AI ethics proceedings or journals

Your chance:

Exciting tasks: Work in a committed, innovative, and scientific environment
Optimal conditions: Compensation depending on qualifications up to EG 13 (TVöD Bund), including annual bonus, company pension plan, and subsidy for the Deutschlandticket
Work-life balance: We offer mobile working, flexible working hours, and 30 days of vacation per year (based on a 5-day week), plus paid time off on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.
Central location: Work in the center of Berlin
Personal development: Regular professional development opportunities

Further information:

Severely disabled applicants with equal qualifications will be given preference. We value diversity and welcome all applications – regardless of gender, nationality, ethnic or social origin, religion, disability, age and sexual orientation. The Weizenbaum Institute expressly encourages women and people with a history of migration to apply.

You can submit your application, consisting of a letter of motivation, CV, certificates and if you have, a list of your publications addressed to Prof. Dr. Sonja Schimmler, in our application portal. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Maite Vöhl from our HR team (personal[at]weizenbaum-institut.de) at any time. We look forward to receiving your documents.

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I am interested