Vacancy number 15261
Job type Academic staff
Hours (in fte) 0,8
External/ internal External
Location Leiden
Placed on 12 November 2024
Closing date 4 December 2024
Post-doc : Algorithmic Bias in Ageing Societies
Are you interested in exploring how AI-induced bias and discrimination affects our societies, especially with respect to age? Is working in an interdisciplinary team that integrates insights from statistics, machine learning, and social science interesting for you? Are you committed to Open Science? We are looking for a post-doc researcher for a two-year position (0.80 fte) who would give affirmative answers to these questions.
The research will focus on the exploration of the way in which AI-bias is generated through comparative analysis of human-judgements and algorithmic reasoning in key domains (employment, finance, health-care). This endeavor requires both conducting in-depth interviews with human-decision makers, and experts; and probing deeper into the implications of algorithm design choices through simulations and data analysis. Publishing the results in international peer-reviewed journals; and disseminating them in the conferences, project meetings and workshops are key requirements. We also expect the researcher to actively engage with Science Communication activities; such as organizing participatory workshops, organizing a hackathon, writing recommendation papers, preparing press releases, and actively seeking ways to engage relevant stakeholders.
What you will do
The postdoc will conduct research within the context of an international multi-disciplinary project (Ageism in AI: New forms of Age Discrimination and Exclusion in the era of Algorithms and Artificial Intelligence) funded by The Volkswagen Foundation. The project scrutinizes how AI-based algorithms may generate bias and discrimination on the basis of sensitive characteristics with a special emphasis on age, which is a surprisingly overlooked feature in research and policy on AI bias in aging societies. Against this background the aim of the AGEAI project is to critically assess how ageism operates in AI systems, products, services, and infrastructure by focusing on critical areas of AI deployment. AGEAI- project has a strong commitment to science communication, receiving input from all societal stakeholders, and broad dissemination of its findings. The postdoc will function within this context and the tasks will include
Where you will work
The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences consists of five institutes: Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology, Political Science, and Psychology. The faculty has approximately 7000 students and 1000 staff members. Within the institutes, not only education is provided but also groundbreaking research is conducted that pushes the boundaries of our understanding of human behaviour and societal structures. What makes our faculty unique is the diversity of research topics, the various styles of teaching, and the way professional support is organized; this provides you with the opportunity to explore and develop your interests and expertise. Visit our website for an impression: Welcome to the Leiden Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences - Leiden University.
Institute of Psychology
The Institute of Psychology educates new generations to contribute to the challenges of our society, now and in the future, based on leading behavioral scientific research and education. This is achieved through collaboration both within and outside our institute in the field of Psychology and related research areas, both fundamental and applied. The broad bachelor's program and a wide variety of master's specializations also contribute to this goal. Within the institute and the academic community, there is a committed and passionate atmosphere. The themes of Health and Well-being, Social-Cognitive-Affective Decision Making, Development and Learning, and Advanced Behavioral Science Methods guide research and education. The institute values conducting these activities in a safe and inclusive environment and provides space for new developments such as open science, recognition and appreciation, and interdisciplinarity, which are anchored in its strategy. With approximately 5,000 students and 600 staff members, the institute includes the Institute Office, the Department of Bachelor Education, and 6 units for education and research: Health, Medical and Neuropsychology, Clinical Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Developmental and Educational Psychology, Social, Economic and Organisational Psychology, and Methodology and Statistics.
The post-doc researcher will be based in Leiden but will operate within an international team of researchers in three research institutes, besides Leiden University : Berlin Social Science Center (WZB), University of Brighton, and Open University of Catalonia
What you bring
Demonstrable interest and willingness to advance in the following topics will give an advantage to the candidates
If you immediately recognise yourself in this profile, or if do you not quite meet all the requirements, but you believe that this is the right job for you, we look forward to your application!
What we offer
Our goal is to work together to create a transparent and inclusive work environment in which everyone feels welcome and appreciated. Our organisation is always evolving and we need your ideas for improvement and innovation to take us further. We want to devote attention to your personal development.
You can expect an enjoyable job within the socially relevant world of education and research. The University's challenging and international work environment is located just steps away from Leiden’s lively city centre or the bustling city centre of The Hague. We also want to work with you to devote attention to your health and vitality, for example with the fun activities we organise through Healthy University.
We also offer:
For more information about employment conditions, see https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/werken-bij/sollicitatieprocedure-en-arbeidsvoorwaarden
What we find important
Promoting an inclusive community is central to Leiden University’s values and vision. Leiden University aims to be an inclusive community in which all students and staff members feel valued and respected, and are able to develop to their full potential. Diversity in experiences and perspectives enriches our teaching and strengthens our research. High-quality education and research means inclusive education and research.
Want to apply or find out more?
If you want to apply straight away, click the application button.
If you would like more information about what the job entails, please contact
Dr. Ruya G. Kocer by sending an e-mail to r.g.kocer@fsw.leidenuniv.nl You can apply until December 4, 2024, applications will be processed immediately. Interviews will be held in the second week of December. The intended starting date is 1st February 2025.
To help us get to know each other better, we follow a number of steps in the application procedure. For more information, see https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/werken-bij/sollicitatieprocedure-en-arbeidsvoorwaarden
Leiden University was founded in 1575 and is one of Europe’s leading international research universities.
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