Postdoctoral position in societal aspects of copyright and AI

Description of the workplace

This two-year postdoc will be part of the Nordforsk research project COPY.AI, which is co-ordinated by the Norwegian Computing Centre. The aim of the project is to in cross-university and cross-disciplinary collaboration investigate the future of intellectual property in the light of current developments within generative AI.

This postdoc will primarily work in the research group for AI and society led by Stefan Larsson at LTH in Lund. The group focuses on social science-oriented but multidisciplinary issues linked to AI. The group collaborates e.g. over several faculties, including medicine, law, the social sciences and the humanities, as well as with research environments in for example Finland, Brazil, Italy and Japan.

Subject description

The subject Technology and Society encompasses multi- and interdisciplinary studies on the role, interaction, regulation and significance of technology within society. This project deals with societal aspects in the intersection of copyright and AI model development.

Work duties

The main duties involved in a post-doctoral position is to conduct research. Teaching may also be included, but up to no more than 20% of working hours. The position includes the opportunity for three weeks of training in higher education teaching and learning. The purpose of the position is to develop the independence as a researcher and to create the opportunity of further development.

You will explore socio-legal aspects in the intersection of copyright and AI-model training. You will arrange workshops with legal and technical expertise where both legal and social norms are addressed around aspects of authorship, intellectual property, various impacts of large language model (LLM) development and deployments have on both law and society, on creative practices and their markets. You will design and co-author sub-studies jointly with primarily the research group at Lund University, but potentially also with scholars in the larger project group.

The study can for example focus on

• how model training on copyrighted content could or should be conceptualised with regards to possible or probable futures, including aspects of compensation;
• what level or type of transparency could be beneficial for AI model training and deployment from an authorship or copyright perspective.

This could but does not have to include

• studies of the development of a Swedish language model (SE.LLMA), including aspects of transparency, opt-out mechanisms, and how compensation may be balanced or distributed among or to copyright holders,
• following and analysing aspects of the US-oriented model development and connected court cases, for example the Anthropic Class Action Settlement, in terms of implications for a Nordic and Baltic context.

Methodologically, the broad range of social scientific tools can be utilised, from the exploratory workshops to various qualitative or quantitative and legal analysis. The position may include some travels, primarily related to the Nordic collaboration, but also offer the opportunity to attend international conferences more broadly.

Detailed description of the work duties

• Conducting research in the research group connected to the project.
• Arranging workshops, analysing cases and writing scientific papers.
• Some teaching at the department.
• Collaboration with industry and wider society.

Qualification requirements

Appointment to a post-doctoral position requires that the applicant has a PhD, or an international degree deemed equivalent to a PhD, within the subject of the position. The certificate proving the qualification requirement is met, must be received before the employment decision is made. Priority will be given to candidates who have graduated no more than three years ago before the last day for application. Under special circumstances, the doctoral degree can have been completed earlier.

Additional requirements

• A PhD degree in a relevant social science discipline, for example sociology of law, science and technology studies, media and communication studies or other interdisciplinary combinations relevant for the intersection of AI, law and society.
• Very good oral and written proficiency in English.
• You can both work independently and have the ability to collaborate.
• You are structured and persistent.
• You have experience of research or studies in the intersection of new technologies – for example AI in terms of LLM – and social or societal concerns.
• You have experience of empirical studies, primarily qualitative.
• You have basic knowledge of intellectual property and copyright law.

Assessment

Assessment criteria

This is a career development position primarily focused on research. The position is intended as an initial step in a career, and the assessment of the applicants will primarily be based on their research qualifications and potential as researchers. Particular emphasis will be placed on research skills within the subject.

For appointments to a post-doctoral position, the following shall form the assessment criteria:

• A good ability to develop and conduct high quality research.
• Teaching skills.

Other qualifications

• Basic understanding of the training of large language models (LLMs).
• Experience of teaching in higher education.
• Experience in arts, music or other creative expressions.

Consideration will also be given to how the applicant’s experience and skills complement and strengthen ongoing research within the department, and how they stand to contribute to its future development.

We offer

Lund University is a public authority which means that employees get particular benefits, generous annual leave and an advantageous occupational pension scheme. Read more on the University website about being a Lund University employee.

Further information

This is a full-time, fixed-term employment of 2 years. The period of employment is determined in accordance with the agreement “Avtal om tidsbegränsad anställning som postdoktor” (“Agreement on fixed-term employment as a post-doctoral fellow”).

Start in January 2027 or by agreement.

How to apply

Applications are to be written in English and submitted via the University’s recruitment system. The application should include a CV and a personal letter justifying your interest in the position and how it matches your qualifications.

As part of the assessment we ask candidates to submit a proposal of a potential study plan, inspired by this call, on about 2 pages.

The application should also include a degree certificate or equivalent and any other document to which you would like to draw attention (copies of grade transcripts, details of referees, letters of recommendation, etc.).

We welcome your application!

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