PhD Candidate Social Science or Humanities

Weizenbaum-Institut e.V.; Berlin; Vor Ort; EUR 40.000 - 60.000; Teilzeit

Zusammenfassung

A leading research institute in social sciences is seeking a PhD Candidate in Berlin to research AI and its societal impacts. The role involves conceptualizing a dissertation and conducting empirical studies. Candidates should possess a Master's in social sciences or humanities, knowledge of AI ethics, and programming skills, especially in Python. The position offers competitive compensation, work-life balance, and opportunities for professional development. Applications should be submitted via the dedicated portal.

Leistungen

Annual bonus

Company pension plan

Mobile working options

30 days of vacation

Qualifikationen

• Master's degree in social science or humanities required.
• Knowledge of AI ethics and data ethics is essential.
• Programming skills, particularly in Python, are a plus.

Aufgaben

• Conceptualize and execute a doctoral dissertation in the relevant field.
• Design and evaluate empirical studies.
• Contribute to drafting research proposals.

Kenntnisse

Knowledge of AI ethics

Experience in applying qualitative methods

Programming skills (especially Python)

Excellent communication skills

Ausbildung

Master's degree in social science or humanities

Tools

AI/ML-related frameworks

Jobbeschreibung

PhD Candidate Social Science or Humanities

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.

\ 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
• 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

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 and Copy of certificate with grades addressed to Prof. Dr. Sonja Schimmler in our application portal. Please indicate your earliest starting date in your letter of motivation. 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.