Assistant Professor of Societal Implications of AI & CNS at the Donders Centre for Cognition

You will join the Societal Implications of AI & CNS (SIAC) PI group. The SIAC group investigates fundamental presuppositions and theoretical and societal implications of research within Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Cognitive Neuroscience (CNS).

The aim of SIAC is to stimulate value-driven, human-centred and responsible development and application of AI and CNS by analysing the dynamic interactions between AI and society and providing recommendations for the design, application, and regulation of intelligent neurotechnology. Research methods include conceptual analysis, basic computational modelling, computer simulations, human-machine interaction experiments, experimental philosophy, structured interviews with stakeholders and value-sensitive design. We seek candidates with expertise in these methods, with a background at the intersection of AI, cognitive neuroscience and philosophy. You will be expected to work within the domain of societal implications of AI and/or cognitive neuroscience, apply for funding, contribute to the international network of the research group, and make contributions to the organisation of ongoing research in the group. Teaching duties will be broadly in the Bachelor's and Master's programme in Artificial Intelligence and the Master's programme in Cognitive Neuroscience. You will coordinate and teach at least one MSc level course (in line with your specialisation) and contribute to other courses (e.g. Ethics for AI, Societal Implications of AI, Neurophilosophy). You will also be expected to contribute to  the development of a new course. Furthermore, you will supervisestudents working on their Bachelor's and Master's theses and contribute to the overall organisation of the AI programme.

Would you like to read more about our research in the field of AI, the experiences of colleagues and the work environment at the Donders Centre for Cognition and the SIAC research group? Find out more on our page about working in AI at Radboud University.

Profile

• You have a doctoral degree (PhD) in artificial intelligence, cognitive neuroscience or philosophy.
• You have an affinity with teaching, along with demonstrable teaching skills and an ability to provide inspiring lectures.
• You have a University Teaching Qualification (UTQ) or are willing to acquire this qualification in the near future.
• You have a background in research in AI and/or cognitive neuroscience and philosophy, with a focus on ethical and societal implications of technology.
• You have strong conceptual skills, and are able to think at various levels of abstraction and communicate across disciplinary boundaries.
• You have scientific creativity and productivity, as evidenced by a track record of international peer-reviewed publications (or a book etc.).
• You have some experience in the acquisition of funding.
• You have the dedication, ability and enthusiasm to work in a team.
• You are fluent in spoken and written English.
• You are willing to learn Dutch (or already speak Dutch). Radboud in'to languages offers Dutch courses which you can take, and we will guide you in this learning process.

We are

The Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour is a world-class interfaculty research centre, that houses more than 700 researchers devoted to understanding the mechanistic underpinnings of the human mind. Research at the Donders Institute is focused around four themes: 1. Language and communication, 2. Perception, action and decision-making, 3. Development and lifelong plasticity, 4. Natural computing & neurotechnology. Excellent, state-of-the-art research facilities are available for the broad range of neuroscience research that is being conducted at the Donders Institute. The Donders Institute has been assessed by an international evaluation committee as 'excellent' and recognised as a 'very stimulating environment for top researchers, as well as for young talent'. The Donders Institute fosters a collaborative, multidisciplinary, supportive research environment with a diverse international staff. English is the lingua franca at the Institute. We are committed to equal opportunities for all. We stand for an inclusive community and believe that diversity contributes to the quality of teaching and research. We therefore particularly welcome employees from different backgrounds, whose perspectives and alternative ways of thinking may contribute to the diversity of our research group.

Radboud University

We are keen to meet critical thinkers who want to look closer at what really matters. People who, from their expertise, wish to contribute to a healthy, free world with equal opportunities for all. This ambition unites more than 24,000 students and 5,600 employees at Radboud University and requires even more talent, collaboration and lifelong learning. You have a part to play!

We offer

• It concerns an employment for 0.8 - 1.0 FTE.
• The gross monthly salary amounts to a minimum of €4,332 and a maximum of €6,737 based on a 38-hour working week, depending on previous education and number of years of relevant work experience (salary scale 11 or 12).
• You will receive 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• It concerns a temporary employment for 1,5 year, which will be tenured after positive evaluation.
• You will be able to use our Dual Career and Family Care Services. Our Dual Career and Family Care Officer can assist you with family-related support, help your partner or spouse prepare for the local labour market, provide customized support in their search for employment and help your family settle in Nijmegen.
• Working for us means getting extra days off. In case of full-time employment, you can choose between 30 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the legally allotted 20.

Additional employment conditions

Work and science require good employment practices. This is reflected in Radboud University's primary and secondary employment conditions. You can make arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home. You are also able to compose part of your employment conditions yourself, for example, exchange income for extra leave days and receive a reimbursement for your sports subscription. And of course, we offer a good pension plan. You are given plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes.

Would you like more information?

For questions about the position, please contact Pim Haselager, Professor Artificial Intelligence at pim.haselager@donders.ru.nl. Alternatively, you can contact Giulio Mecacci, Assistant professor at giulio.mecacci@donders.ru.nl.

Is applying for this position currently a step too far, and would you first like to discuss how this experience could fit within your academic career? Please feel free to contact Professor Pim Haselager at SIAC.

Practical information and applying

You can apply until 16 October 2023, exclusively using the button below. Kindly address your application to Pim Haselager. Please fill in the application form and attach the following documents:

• A letter of motivation.
• Your CV, including the names of two references.
• A research statement (max. 1 page).
• A teaching statement (max. 1 page).

The first round of interviews will take place on Monday 30 October. The second round of interviews will take place on Monday 20 November. You would preferably begin employment as soon as possible.

We can imagine you're curious about our application procedure. It offers a rough outline of what you can expect during the application process, how we handle your personal data and how we deal with internal and external candidates.

Apply now 

Application deadline 16 October 2023