Are you interested in philosophical questions surrounding how machine learning and AI models are being used across society for social prediction, like facial recognition, recidivism risk, or job screening? Check out this PhD position!

Your job
The same machine learning methods that are unprecedently used across large areas of science are also wide ranging across society. ML models are determining what news we see, risk scores for fraud, and more. LLMs are structuring our knowledge with ChatGPT integrated with Bing search and Quora answers, even despite well documented cases of ChatGPT ‘hallucinations.’

Current approaches to evaluating ML models in society have clustered around issues of fairness, bias, problems of justice by introducing ML models at scale, the right to explanation, and more. While all these issues remain important, there is a deep worry that ML models might not be providing us with genuine information or knowledge in the first place. Before we can make informed decisions about when and where ML models should be used across society, we need to understand their epistemic value.

The aim of this PhD project is to bring methods and resources from philosophy of science (e.g. idealisation and representation) to answer important questions in AI ethics regarding appropriate use of ML models in society. How do ML models idealize social phenomena? When do the idealisations of ML models get in the way of acceptable use?

This PhD project is part of the ERC Starting Grant project Machine Learning in Science and Society: A Dangerous Toy? (TOY) The project team consists of the PI (Emily Sullivan), this PhD position, and two forthcoming postdoc positions. The PhD candidate will be embedded within the theoretical philosophy group at Utrecht University and the Normative Philosophy of Science research lab.

• A Master’s degree in philosophy or related discipline by the start of the appointment;
• an interest in at least two of the following areas: philosophy of science, epistemology, philosophy of technology, ethics of AI, and public policy;
• a research-oriented attitude;
• fluent in spoken and written English.

We offer:

• a position for 18 months - after a positive evaluation the position will be extended for the remaining period of 30 months (48 months in total);
• a working week of 36 hours and a gross monthly salary between €2,872 and €3,670 in the case of full-time employment (salary scale P under the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU));
• 8% holiday pay and 8.3% year-end bonus;
• a pension scheme, partially paid parental leave and flexible terms of employment based on the CAO NU.

In addition to the terms of employment laid down in the CAO NU, Utrecht University has a number of schemes and facilities of its own for employees. This includes schemes facilitating professional development, leave schemes and schemes for sports and cultural activities, as well as discounts on software and other IT products. We also offer access to additional employee benefits through our Terms of Employment Options Model. In this way, we encourage our employees to continue to invest in their growth. For more information, please visit Working at Utrecht University.

Universiteit Utrecht

A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University, the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major strategic themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Pathways to Sustainability. Sharing science, shaping tomorrow.

The Faculty of Humanities has around 7,000 students and 1,100 staff members. It comprises four knowledge domains: Philosophy and Religious Studies, History and Art History, Media and Culture Studies, and Languages, Literature and Communication. With its research and education in these fields, the Faculty aims to contribute to a better understanding of the Netherlands and Europe in a rapidly changing social and cultural context. The enthusiastic and committed colleagues and the excellent amenities in the historical city centre of Utrecht, where the faculty is located, contribute to an inspiring working environment.

For more information, please contact Emily Sullivan at e.e.sullivan@uu.nl.

Candidates for this vacancy will be recruited by Utrecht University.