PhD Student in Philosophy in SNSF-Project CREST-AI

Digital Society Initiative

PhD Student in Philosophy in SNSF-Project CREST-AI 80 %

Start of employment November 1, 2026 or by agreement, temporary

We invite you to apply for a two-year funded PhD position in philosophy whose research output will be directly relevant to building the next generation of expert-layperson simplification AI. As a PhD student, you will contribute to the research project «Countering Epistemic, Semantic and Technological Asymmetry in AI-Human Collaboration Focusing on Expert-Layperson Simplification (CREST-AI)» funded by the SNSF at the University of Zurich's Digital Society Initiative (DSI) under the supervision of Dr. Reto Gubelmann. The main philosophical reference point will be Neo-Kantian conceptions of rational autonomy, which will be brought to bear on the epistemically challenging situation of being on the receiving end of expert-layperson simplification settings, directly shaping the technology developed in the project. The Digital Society Initiative (DSI) aims to shape the digital transformation of science and society and thus to strengthen Zurich as a center of research and business.

Your responsibilities

• Conducting research in the Context of WP 1 of Project CREST-AI
• Writing a doctoral dissertation
• Participating in scientific conferences and public outreach activities
• Supporting the PI in managing the project, organizing conferences and preparation of research proposals to national and international funding agencies

Your profile

Excellent MA in Philosophy, preferably with an emphasis on Kantian thought.

Information on your

Please submit your application at your earliest convenience; the position will remain open until filled. Your application should include: your CV, motivation letter (specify your research interests and how they relate to the topic of the research project), academic record (include additional education or coursework if applicable), contact information of two references and a writing sample (a paper or chapter from your Master's thesis).

Location

Digital Society Initiative

Rämistrasse 69, 8001 Zürich, Switzerland

Further information

Please apply via our job portal www.jobs.uzh.ch.

Working at UZH

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