1 PhD Position in STS on AI & Society at the Technical University of Munich
Deadline: Jan 7, 2022
The Professorship of Science & Technology Policy (Prof. Dr. Ruth M=FCller),=
based at the Department for Science, Technology & Society at the Technical=
University of Munich, announces one open position for a doctoral researche=
r in Science & Technology Studies (STS) (TV-L E13, 65%, 3 years). For more =
information, please see the description below. The position is to start on =
April 1st, 2022.
About us
The research group =93Science & Technology Policy=94 (STP) explores the int=
eractions between science, technology, society and policy, focusing on both=
emerging and transforming knowledge cultures in academic science and their=
social, political and ethical implications. Research in the group foregrou=
nds questions of social justice and equity in all their work. The group is =
based at the Department of Science, Technology & Society at the newly found=
ed TUM School of Social Sciences & Technology. The department is home to ab=
out 60 researchers in STS and two international MA programs (MA Science & T=
echnology Studies and MA Responsibility in Science, Engineering and Technol=
ogy), as well as a hub for international guest researchers in STS.
About the research project
We are seeking a doctoral researcher to join our team for the project =93Re=
sponsible Innovation Communication in AI Research=94 funded by the TUM-IAS.=
This project is conducted in collaboration with Prof. Dr. Maja Horst (DTU =
Copenhagen), who is a guest professor at the group from 2021-2023. The proj=
ect takes an STS perspective to communication and explores what it might me=
an to consider communication as a key element of responsible research and i=
nnovation. We will focus specifically on the role scientists play in genera=
ting and responding to public narratives about AI. We will conduct intervie=
ws and host workshops with researchers and other relevant stakeholders to d=
iscuss and elaborate how communication with and in the public sphere shapes=
research agendas and what communicating responsibly about and within AI re=
search might mean. For further information see: https://www.ias.tum.de/rese=
arch-areas/political-social-and-=
technological-change/responsible-innovation-communication
Your tasks as a doctoral researcher
As a doctoral researcher, you will work as part of a project team. Your tas=
ks will include empirical research and data analysis, preparation of result=
s for publication, presentation of results at (international) academic meet=
ings, contributions to the teaching portfolio of the group and support for =
organizing project-related academic events. You will develop an innovative =
research question for your PhD thesis as part of the project and in collabo=
ration with the project leaders, Prof. Ruth M=FCller and Prof. Maja Horst. =
You will regularly meet with your supervisors to discuss and support the pr=
ogress of your thesis. Beyond the project, you will be part of the Science =
& Technology Policy research group and at the lively research community at =
the STS department more generally. You will actively participate in the aca=
demic life of the group and the department, which both regularly host inter=
national guest researchers and academic events. As a PhD student at TU Muni=
ch, you will be enrolled in the TUM Graduate School, which provides a struc=
tured PhD program and offers a rich program of courses in academic and tran=
sferable skills.
Applicants should hold a Master=92s degree in the social sciences or the hu=
manities. Experience with qualitative social science research methods is re=
quired, familiarity with STS concepts desirable. You should be interested i=
n working across the disciplines and in engaging with other knowledge cultu=
res. You should further be capable of and interested in working both as par=
t of a team and independently. Fluency in English is essential for the acad=
emic life at the center. We are looking for inspired and inspiring new tale=
nts who want to work in and contribute to an exciting, interdisciplinary ST=
S research environment.
Application documents
Your complete application documents must include your CV, your Master=92s d=
egree certificates, a letter of motivation (max. 2 pages), 1-2 writing samp=
les (e.g., thesis chapters, articles, etc.), and names and contact details =
of 2 references, including a brief statement explaining your relationship t=
o each of the named references.
Interested?
Please send your complete application as a single pdf document to applicati=
ons.stp@mcts.tum.de. We will accept an=
d review all applications received up until and including Friday, January 7=
, 2022. Interviews will be conducted shortly after the application deadline=
, in person or via a video conferencing tool.
We are committed to raising the number of women and gender non-binary indiv=
iduals in research and teaching, who are especially encouraged to apply. Ap=
plicants with disabilities are treated with preference given comparable qua=
lifications.
If you have questions about the application procedure, please contact appli=
cations.stp@mcts.tum.de. If you have c=
ontent-related questions, please contact cansu.guner@tum.de.
Best regards,
Science & Technology Policy Group
STS Department
Technical University of Munich
Augustenstra=DFe 46 I 80333 M=FCnchen
+49 (0)89 =96 289 29214
www.mcts.tum.de
