PhD Candidate Social Science or Humanities
Weizenbaum-Institut e. V.
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 as soon as possible for a
PhD Candidate Social Science or Humanities
with 19,5 hours / 50% per week (An increase in working hours to 100% is being considered but is dependent on project approval.) The position is initially limited until 14th 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, implementation, and evaluation of empirical studies
- Participation in the development of theoretically sound standards and tools for AI development and evaluation (e.g., benchmarks) 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 a social science or humanities
- Knowledge of AI ethics, data ethics, science and technology studies (STS), (feminist) philosophy of science, or related topics
- Interest in interdisciplinary, critical engagement with AI systems or the research and development processes surrounding AI
- Experience in applying qualitative methods and interest in quantitative methods
- Basic knowledge of current methods and models in the field of AI, especially language models and/or multimodal models
- Excellent English skills and very good communication, presentation, and writing skills
- Enjoy working in a team
- Motivated, independent, and structured way of working
Desired:
- Programming skills (especially Python and AI/ML-related frameworks)
- 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
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