We are seeking a dedicated PhD researcher to explore ethical and legal issues around AI-assisted decision-making, with a focus on crisis management. The selected candidate will analyse how AI can be designed and deployed in ways that align with values such as transparency, explainability, and trust. This research will delve into the intricacies of AI-human collaboration in high-stakes environments.

Scope of the research
The project working package encompasses four phases:

1. Formalization of Principles: Define and analyse key concepts of transparency, explainability, and trust within human-agent collaborations, particularly in the context of crowd crises.
2. Data Governance in Emergency Regulations: Explore the implications of legal frameworks such as the GDPR and the EU AI Act on AI design, emphasising privacy and ethical compliance.
3. Trust and “Human in the Loop”: Investigate human oversight in AI decision-making to enhance trust and reliability, particularly in urgent situations.
4. Design Principles & Framework Formulation and Testing: Develop a comprehensive framework that aligns with ethical guidelines, GDPR, and the proposed EU’s AI Act, focusing on the nuances of crowd crises.

Founded in 1614, the University of Groningen enjoys an international reputation as a dynamic and innovative institution of higher education offering high-quality teaching and research. Flexible study programmes and academic career opportunities in a wide variety of disciplines encourage the 37,000 students and researchers alike to develop their own individual talents. As one of the best research universities in Europe, the University of Groningen has joined forces with other top universities and networks worldwide to become a truly global centre of knowledge.

Campus Fryslân is the ambitious eleventh and newest faculty of the University of Groningen, located in Leeuwarden. Campus Fryslân is an interdisciplinary faculty that works closely together with regional, national and international partners on worldwide (sustainability) challenges and local solutions. The sustainable development goals of the United Nations thus serve as an important guideline.

We offer challenging Bachelor’s, Master’s and PhD degree programs. The research institute covers six research domains: Global and Local Governance, Governance and Innovation, Sustainable Entrepreneurship in a Circular Economy, Language, Technology and Culture, Knowledge Infrastructures and Sustainable Health. In the summer of 2019, Campus Fryslân has moved to the new faculty building De Beurs: the first all-electric, monumental educational building in The Netherlands.

Education:
Applicants must possess a Master’s degree with a background in Law, Politics, Philosophy, International Relations, Artificial Intelligence, Human-Computer Interaction, or a related field. Applicants with interdisciplinary backgrounds are welcomed. We encourage applications from a diverse range of candidates, particularly those with a strong interest in the ethical and legal implications of AI in society.

Skills and experience:

- knowledge of tech policy and regulations, as well as ethical AI design principles
- knowledge of quantitative and/or qualitative research methods
- excellent analytical and critical thinking abilities
- strong commitment to ethical research practices
- ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team
- comply with the University’s English requirements (find more about them here)
- knowledge of Dutch is considered an asset
- willingness to engage with stakeholders, including participation in co-design processes and consortium interactions
- prepared to present findings at international conferences and publish in high-impact journals
- prior research or project experience in AI, ethics, and human-computer interaction is desirable, but not a requirement.

Fixed-term contract: 12 months.

This PhD project is fully funded and is part of the "AI-COMPASS: Adaptive Intelligence in Crowd Crisis Management through AI-Human Coordination and Ethical Practices" project, subsidised by an NWO grant.

We offer you in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities:

- a salary of € 2,770 gross per month in the first year to a maximum of € 3,539 gross per month in the final year (salary scale PhD Dutch Universities), based on a full-time position (1.0 FTE)
- 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% end of the year bonus
- the position is offered for four years. A successful candidate will first be offered a temporary position of one year with the option of renewal for another three years. Prolongation of the contract is contingent on sufficient progress in the first year to indicate that a successful completion of the PhD thesis within the contract period is to be expected.

A PhD training program is part of the agreement and the successful candidate will be enrolled in the Graduate School of the Faculty. As part of the program, the PhD researcher will take part in the Career Perspectives Series, which provides a thorough preparation on the career after the PhD, inside or outside academia. During the course of the doctorate, the PhD researcher will develop research and teaching competencies as well as leadership skills. For this, the PhD researcher will receive a tailor-made programme from the GSCF.

The intended starting date is 1 July 2024