PhD Candidate AI/ML/NLP Research Group "Digitalization and Opening up Science"

Internetchemie; Berlin; Vor Ort; EUR 45.000 - 65.000; Vollzeit

Zusammenfassung

A renowned research institute in Berlin is looking for a PhD Candidate in AI/ML/NLP. The role involves conducting interdisciplinary research focused on ethical AI practices, statistical methods, and publishing findings. Applicants should possess a Master's degree in a related field and have experience in AI/ML and NLP. The institute offers competitive compensation and a supportive working environment.

Leistungen

Annual bonus

Company pension plan

Subsidy for the Deutschlandticket

Flexible working hours

30 days of vacation

Qualifikationen

• Very good knowledge and practical experience in AI/ML and NLP.
• Interest in interdisciplinary engagement with AI systems.
• Excellent programming skills, especially in Python.

Aufgaben

• Conceptualize and execute a doctoral dissertation.
• Design methods to measure and mitigate ethical AI model limitations.
• Conduct analyses of AI systems' epistemic and ethical limitations.

Kenntnisse

AI/ML knowledge

NLP expertise

Programming skills (Python)

Quantitative research methods

Communication skills

Teamwork

Ausbildung

Master's degree in AI/ML, data science, or related field

Jobbeschreibung

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 Universitat 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.

PhD Candidate AI/ML/NLP

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

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.

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

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.

Application portal