PhD position "Artificial Intelligence in Conflict Transformation: Prospects and Challenges of T[...]

PhD position "Artificial Intelligence in Conflict Transformation: Prospects and Challenges of Technologically Assisted Forgiveness and Reconciliation"

The Université catholique de Louvain (UCLouvain) is internationally recognized for research and teaching quality in many different fields of expertise.

Fully funded PhD position (4 years) on the project "Artificial Intelligence in Conflict Transformation: Prospects and Challenges of Technologically Assisted Forgiveness and Reconciliation,” supervised by Prof. Stipe Odak, in the field of Theological Ethics.

Can reconciliation between nations remain 'meaningful' if mediated by technology and not humans? Could technologically enhanced humans feel authentic regret? Is there a place for fragility and forgetting in a technologically-dominated world? These are some of the questions that this project addresses.

Broadly speaking, it aims to investigate novel intersections among Artificial Intelligence (AI), transhumanist perspectives, and Christian ethics, particularly regarding forgiveness and reconciliation. It examines how emerging AI technologies reshape human agency in areas of conflict transformation and peacebuilding. Furthermore, it analyzes how technological visions, especially concerning memory alteration and 'moral' enhancement, challenge established notions of personhood, sin, justice, repentance, and community. Finally, the project addresses potential tensions between techno-utopian approaches to memory and traditional practices of commemoration and remembrance of human suffering.

Research Field: Religious sciences » Theology

Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

• A candidate needs to hold (or will hold one by the starting date) a Master's degree in a relevant field, such as: Theology and Religious Studies, Philosophy, Ethics, Social and Political Studies, Information Technologies, and Artificial Intelligence. If you do not hold a master's degree but expect to acquire it before September 2025, please specify the expected date.
• Sound knowledge of Christian tradition, especially in the field of Ethics and Anthropology
• Previous experience in interdisciplinary research
• Excellent grasp of research project design and qualitative research methods
• Professional academic fluency in written and oral English
• Solid research and organizational skills
• Strong social skills that enable you to work in a team, as well as the necessary skills to work independently (with guidance and mentoring).
• Dual expertise in the fields of Theology and Information Technologies (highly desirable)
• Capacity to fluently communicate in French (highly desirable)
• Familiarity with ethical issues related to emerging technologies
• Experience in mathematical and/or statistical modeling, programming, and data analysis

Languages: ENGLISH, FRENCH (Level: Good)

Additional Information

• An initial appointment of two years, with the possibility of extension to a total of four years, starting by October 1st, 2025. The doctoral grant is given for an initial period of two years and is extendable for two additional years following the successful evaluation. The accepted PhD candidate will also be obliged to submit the application for external funding (FNRS) during the initial period of two years.
• A competitive salary range of €2400-€2500 per month (net salary)
• A possibility of an additional budget to cover research and travel costs
• A stimulating research environment and the opportunity to work in an interdisciplinary team involving experts from theology, religious studies, history, philosophy, art, and social sciences
• Numerous opportunities for personal growth through participation in international conferences, doctoral courses, collaboration with international scholars, etc.
• Possibility of limited teaching (subject to approval by the Faculty and the research supervisor)

Candidates need to be sure that they meet the entrance requirements for the Ph.D in Theology or the Ph.D in Religious Studies from the Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies at UCLouvain.
The PhD position is based in Louvain la Neuve (Belgium) and the accepted candidate will be required to move to Belgium and actively participate in the research activities at the Faculty and the research institute.

Please be sure to use the following title to your email: “PHD-2025-THEO”

All of the following documents should be sent in one PDF file:

• Your CV, accompanied by the emails of two academics who could be contacted to support your application
• A Motivation Letter explaining your interest in the position (1 page max)
• A short proposal (up to 700 words) containing a brief outline of your proposed contribution to the project (including the topic, its relevance, research question, methodological approach, and preliminary research corpus)
• Sample chapter of the MA thesis or a published article

The deadline for the application is May 31st, and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

In the second phase of recruitment, shortlisted candidates will be demanded to expand their project, including a preliminary literature review, goals and objectives, an extensive methodology section, and research timeline.

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available: 1