The Cognitive Science & Artificial Intelligence Department at Tilburg University together with the Netherlands Defence Academy invites applications for one fully-funded PhD position in the interdisciplinary area of military artificial intelligence and its ethical, legal, and societal aspects. This position is embedded within the NWO-funded project “ELSA Lab Defence” in collaboration with several universities and organizations in the Netherlands. The project consortium brings together a number of pioneering experts in the field and aims to develop and reflect on AI solutions to how to deal with new challenges in both peacekeeping and warfare to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and security of the Dutch armed forces.
The PhD candidate will work on a project developing explainable algorithms for analyzing and modelling relevant data while at the same time reflecting on the potential implementation of the algorithms from an ethical, legal and societal perspective. The project will be led by Dr. Roy Lindelauf (Netherlands Defence Academy), Dr. Tim Sweijs (The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies & the War Studies Research Centre, Netherlands Defence Academy), and Dr. Marie Postma (Cognitive Science & Artificial Intelligence Department at Tilburg University).
The project will combine ideas, methods and data from military science, artificial intelligence, data science, cognitive science, and philosophy. The intended focus of the project is cognitive warfare (pattern identification and network analysis in publicly available datasets) but there is a possibility to tailor the research to the expertise of the PhD candidate.
Requirements
- Master’s degree in computer science or artificial intelligence, or a related field. If you expect to obtain your degree before August 2023, you are also eligible.
- Knowledge of data science in general as well as practical experience with conducting data science analyses with good programming skills.
- Excellent knowledge of English and good academic writing skills.
What we offer
- A full-time position.
- The selected candidate will start with a contract for one year. Upon a positive outcome of the first-year evaluation, the candidate will be offered an employment contract for the remaining three years.
- A minimum gross salary of € 2.541,- per month up to a maximum of € 3.247,- in the fourth year.
- A holiday allowance of 8% and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3% (annually).
- Researchers from outside the Netherlands may qualify for a tax-free allowance equal to 30% of their taxable salary (the 30% tax regulation). The University will apply for such an allowance on their behalf.
- Assistance in finding accommodation (for foreign employees).
- Benefits such as an options model for terms and conditions of employment and reimbursement of moving expenses, also including excellent technical infrastructure, savings schemes and excellent sport facilities.
The collective labor agreement of the Dutch Universities applies.
Information and application
More detailed project information can be provided on request: please contact Marie Postma at Tilburg University: (Marie.Postma@tilburguniversity.edu).
To apply, please submit:
- a motivation letter in which you describe why you want to do this research, and why you are the right person to do it;
- a full curriculum vitae, demonstrating academic excellence, including publications (if applicable);
- academic transcripts of your Bachelor and Master’s degrees;
- a sample of writing, such as your Master’s thesis or a relevant paper;
- contact details of two academic referees.
The only way to apply is online. The candidates will be interviewed on a rolling basis. The starting date of this position is as soon as possible following a successful interview.
ELSA Lab Defence
The ELSA Lab Defence consortium is a public-private initiative addressing ethical, legal, and societal issues by developing a future-proof, independent, and consultative ecosystem for the responsible use of AI in the defence domain.
The ELSA Lab Defence is developing a future-proof, independent, and consultative ecosystem for the responsible use of AI within the defence domain. This will enable us to know in the future under what circumstances an AI technology-based application is acceptable or not. This ecosystem consist of multidisciplinary partners.
HCSS Director of Research Tim Sweijs takes part in the consortiums Advisory Board and supports the work packages with domain knowledge and advice.
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