Tenure Track Assistant professor in Responsible Artificial Intelligence

The field of Artificial Intelligence is blossoming, with many technical advances in natural language processing, music processing, automated reasoning and other fields, often based on big data and machine learning. Increasingly, these techniques are also finding their way to applications used by companies, institutions and citizens, and hence they are having a direct impact on society. With increased power and frequent usage comes extra responsibility: are technical advances sufficiently informed by real needs in society? Are they accompanied by safeguards regarding malicious use? Are they offering the transparency needed to inform stakeholders about decisions based on these systems?

We are looking for an ambitious researcher, deeply familiar with the technical details of current AI systems but also seriously committed to improving their responsible use, for instance by improving transparency and explainability and/or by addressing undesirable biases and irresponsible use. You will work together with the strong group of Artificial Intelligence researchers at the ILLC, and more broadly at the University of Amsterdam, including through the University’s Research Priority Area Human(e) AI.

You are an inspiring teacher who will provide courses in various programmes at the UvA, with a main teaching-task in the bachelor Bèta-gamma (BG) at the Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies (IIS). Within the bachelor BG, you will develop a new track in Human(e) AI consisting of teaching new courses and taking on student supervision-tasks. Other teaching tasks include courses and supervision-tasks in programmes in which ILLC-members are active, including the Master of Logic, the Master Brain and Cognitive Sciences, the Bachelor and Master programmes in AI.

The Research : Teaching ratio is 60 : 40.

What are you going to do?

You are expected:

• to perform cutting-edge research in the domain of your specialization, and publish in the appropriate international peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings;
• to initiate/participate in applications for external research funding;
• to teach at bachelor and master’s level, including Human(e) AI to an interdisciplinary group of bachelor students (through IIS) and a specialized course in the MSc Artificial Intelligence and/or Logic;
• to supervise students with thesis projects in various programmes (including the interdisciplinary Beta-Gamma bachelor);
• to develop, together with colleagues, a new track in Human(e) AI at the IIS;
• to contribute to ILLC’s societal impact activities, through public outreach, industrial collaborations and/or advising societal partners;
• to take on standard administrative tasks (e.g. educational boards/committees) within the institute and faculty.

What do we require?

• A PhD in a relevant field (e.g. in computer science, Logic, AI);
• excellent research skills, evidenced by a track record of publications in renowned international journals or conference venues in AI, and contributed and/or invited talks at international conferences/workshops;
• ability to develop an independent line of research in your area of expertise; your area of expertise fits within the research domains studied at ILLC, and in particular with those studied in the Language and Computation group (including Natural Language Processing, Music Cognition and Digital Humanities);
• experience with the development and/or formal analysis of AI systems;
• an inspiring teacher in AI or related programmes and proven didactic abilities; the Dutch Basic Teaching Qualification (UTQ/BKO) is required, or the willingness to acquire this within the first two years;
• experience in teaching interdisciplinary courses and/or courses with a societal focus would be an advantage
• some experience with the (co-)supervision of BSc, MSc and/or PhD students;
• excellent oral and written communication skills; an excellent command of both English and Dutch (or willingness to acquire a level of Dutch adequate for teaching within two years);
• ability to contribute to research valorization and to research and teaching outreach activities, and capable of multidisciplinary co-operation.

Our offer

We offer a temporary employment contract as Assistant professor for 38 hours per week with a tenure track agreement for the duration of five years (which is part of a six-year temporary contract). You will be offered a permanent position after a positive assessment and evaluation, with a possible promotion to Associate professor, depending on performance. Preferred starting date: between 1 February and 1 April 2020.

The starting salary will be in accordance with university regulations for academic personnel, and depending on experience and qualifications. It will range from a minimum €3,746 to €5,127 (scale 11) gross per month (salary scale) based on full-time employment.

The Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities is applicable.

The position will come with an ILLC start-up package consisting of:

• a fully funded 4-year PhD position in your area of expertise;
• outstanding scientific guidance and regular monitoring of progress by a mentor;
• coaching and training opportunities to further your academic career;
• possibilities for a flexible work schedule;
• help in finding appropriate housing;
• reimbursement package for relocation;
• made-to-measure Dutch language course.

Are you curious about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits like our excellent opportunities for study and development? Take a look here.

Questions?

Do you have questions about this vacancy? Or do you want to know more about our organisation? Please contact:

• Dr Jelle (W.H.) Zuidema,  associate professor

About the Faculty of Science and the Institute for Logic, Language and Computation

The Faculty of Science has a student body of around 7,000, as well as 1,600 members of staff working in education, research or support services. Researchers and students at the Faculty of Science are fascinated by every aspect of how the world works, be it elementary particles, the birth of the universe or the functioning of the brain.

The Institute for Logic, Language and Computation (ILLC) is an ambitious research institute, focused on the interdisciplinary study of information. It is home to researchers with many different backgrounds including computer science, logic, linguistics, philosophy, musicology and mathematics. In the area of Artificial Intelligence, we have research groups focusing on Natural Language Processing, Multi-agent systems, Digital Humanities, Cognitive Modelling, Philosophy of AI, and Computational Logic. ILLC is a founding partner in UvA’s Artificial Intelligence programs and the Master of Logic, and the institute is part of both the faculty of science (FNWI) and the faculty of humanities (FGW).

About the Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies

The Institute for Interdisciplinary Studies (IIS) is a teaching institute and expertise centre of the University of Amsterdam, specialized in interdisciplinary education. It runs the successful bachelor programs Beta-Gamma and Future Planet Studies, a series of interdisciplinary honours and elective modules, and the Master’s programmes Brain & Cognitive Sciences and Forensic Science. The IIS is situated in the Faculty of Science, and also has close links to all other faculties, including the Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences.

Job application

The UvA is an equal-opportunity employer. We prioritise diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for everyone. We value a spirit of enquiry and perseverance, provide the space to keep asking questions, and promote a culture of curiosity and creativity.

Do you recognize yourself in the job profile? Then we look forward to receiving your application by 8 November 2020. You may apply online by using the link below.

Your application should include the following information (in one single PDF file, using your surname as the file name):

• a letter of motivation\ discussing in some detail your past and ongoing research, future research plans and your view on teaching (max 3 pages);
• your curriculum vitae, including a list of publications and teaching and supervision experience (please highlight and provide URLs for two publications that are representative of your work);
• names, affiliations and email addresses of three academic referees who can provide details about your academic profile in relation to the advertised position (we will contact these referees only after we have requested your explicit permission to do so).

We adhere to the DORA criteria for scientific excellence; therefore, limit the number of scientific articles mentioned in your CV to a maximum of the 10 best ones, and refrain from mentioning your H-index or the impact factor of journals/conferences.

We will invite potential candidates for interviews in the week starting 16 November 2020.
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