[Commlist] PhD position on Mitigating diversity biases of AI in the labor market at NTNU

We are hiring a PhD Candidate at the Norwegian University of Science and 
Technology (NTNU) for the project “Mitigating diversity biases of AI in 
the labor market (BIAS)” based at Department of Interdisciplinary 
Studies of Culture (KULT). The application deadline is 25.09.2022. Read 
more and apply here: 
https://www.jobbnorge.no/en/available-jobs/job/231110/phd-candidate-studying-ai-and-bias-in-the-labor-market 
<https://www.jobbnorge.no/en/available-jobs/job/231110/phd-candidate-studying-ai-and-bias-in-the-labor-market> 



About the position

NTNU KULT is hiring a 3-year PhD Candidate for the research project 
Mitigating diversity biases of AI in the labor market (BIAS).  BIAS is a 
4-year Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) project 
starting in November 2022. The project will critically investigate how 
Artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technology is impacting the 
labor market, e.g. through recruitment and promotion practices (see 
further details below). The project is led by NTNU, with partners in the 
Netherlands, Iceland, Turkey, and Italy among others. The PhD-candidate 
will conduct field-work in a selection of these countries, in 
collaboration with other project participants.

In the project, you will conduct qualitative research on the societal 
consequences of automation and digitalization of society, especially in 
relation to diversity and inclusion in the workforce. The research will 
be developed in close collaboration with project leader of BIAS and main 
supervisor, Associate Professor Roger A. Søraa and other colleagues in 
the BIAS project.

The PhD will also be part of the research group
DigiKULT – Digitalization and Robotization of Society
in the Department of Interdisciplinary studies of culture (KULT). The 
research group has good experience with national and international 
research projects and researchers critically on digitization processes 
in society. We offer an exciting and dynamic research environment, where 
you will work closely in several teams and develop your own skills and 
network.

If you have any questions about the position, please contact Associate 
Professor Roger A. Søraa:
(roger.soraa /at/ ntnu.no)
, or Professor Siri Sørensen:
(siri.sorensen /at/ ntnu.no)
. If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please 
contact Hilde Saxi Gildberg:
(hilde.saxi /at/ ntnu.no)


About the Department

The Department of Interdisciplinary Studies of Culture is part of the 
Faculty of Humanities at NTNU, located at the Dragvoll campus in 
Trondheim. The department has 25 permanent employees, including research 
scientists. There are currently approximately 25 PhD candidates, post 
docs and temporary employees. The department teaches and conducts 
research in two areas: Gender studies and Science and technology studies 
(STS). Teaching is provided at all levels, including PhD. More info can 
be found at
www.ntnu.no/kult.

About the BIAS project


The BIAS-project will investigate the use of Artificial Intelligence in 
the labor market and how biases in hiring and promoting processes based 
on personal characteristics are potentially reproduced with AI-based 
systems. In an employment context, this can for example involve 
analyzing text created by an employee or recruitment candidate in order 
to assist management in deciding to invite a candidate for an interview, 
to training and employee engagement, or to monitor for infractions that 
could lead to disciplinary proceedings. It is therefore necessary to 
identify and mitigate biases that occur in applications used in a Human 
Resources Management (HRM) context.

The project will (1) investigate this from a technical perspective by 
identifying how current AI systems are biased and propose solutions to 
make them less biased, and (2) from a social scientific side with 
extensive ethnographic fieldwork concerning the lived experiences of 
employees, Human Resource managers, and technology developers (this is 
primarily the area in which the PhD Candidate will work). The project 
will then (3) provide substantial training for HR managers and 
technology developers regarding the responsible development and 
implementation of AI.
Duties of the position

Main tasks are anchored in the BIAS-project and involves:

    Qualitative data collection and analysis of empirical findings, 
with fieldwork in 2-3 countries.
    Planning and organizing workshops in collaboration with the team.
    Publication and dissemination of research (scientific and popular 
scientific)
    Project participation and work on the local and international level

Required selection criteria

    The qualification requirement is the completion of a master’s 
degree or second degree (equivalent to 120 credits) in Science and 
Technology Studies (STS), Gender Studies, or other relevant SSH fields, 
with a grade of B or better in terms of NTNU’s grading scale.

    Knowledge of and interest in digitalization, automation and/or robotics

    Excellent English oral and written skills

Preferred selection criteria

    Experience conducting and analyzing qualitative interviews/observations
    Experience in holding and conducting workshops
    Mastery of a Scandinavian language

Personal characteristics

    Structured, systematic and targeted
    Experienced in working well in teams and groups that are 
interdisciplinary and cross-cultural
    Initiator and self-driven
    Good communication skills

We offer

    Exciting and stimulating tasks in a strong international academic 
environment
    An open and inclusive work environment with dedicated colleagues
    Favourable terms in the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund
    Employee benefits

Salary and conditions

The period of employment is 3 years.

The position might be extended up to one year with duty work e.g. teaching.

As a PhD candidate (code 1017) you are normally paid from gross NOK 491 
200 per annum before tax, depending on qualifications and seniority. 
From the salary, 2% is deducted as a contribution to the Norwegian 
Public Service Pension Fund.

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the regulations in force 
concerning State Employees and Civil Servants, and the acts relating to 
Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. 
Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen 
to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from 
recruitment to NTNU. After the appointment you must assume that there 
may be changes in the area of work.

The position is subject to external funding from the EU.

It is a prerequisite you can be present at  the institution on a daily 
basis, and that you are able to move to Trondheim, Norway for the 
duration of the position.
About the application

The appointment is to be made in accordance with the regulations in 
force concerning State Employees and Civil Servants and national 
guidelines for appointment as PhD, post doctor and research assistant.

The application and supporting documentation to be used as the basis for 
the assessment must be in English.

Publications and other scientific work must follow the application. 
Please note that applications are only evaluated based on the 
information available on the application deadline. You should ensure 
that your application shows clearly how your skills and experience meet 
the criteria which are set out above.



The application must include:

    Cover Letter, describing your motivation for the position (max 1 page)
    A statement describing how your scholarly profile and research 
ideas fits with the scope of BIAS and the duties of the position (max 2 
pages)
    Digital copy of master thesis, and if applicable other academic work
    CV, certificates and diplomas
    Name, affiliation and contact info of three referees
    Proof of language proficiency if applicable.

NTNU is committed to following evaluation criteria for research quality 
according to The San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment - DORA.
General information

Working at NTNU


A good work environment is characterized by diversity. We encourage 
qualified candidates to apply, regardless of their gender, functional 
capacity or cultural background.

The city of Trondheim is a modern European city with a rich cultural 
scene. Trondheim is the innovation capital of Norway with a population 
of 200,000. The Norwegian welfare state, including healthcare, schools, 
kindergartens and overall equality, is probably the best of its kind in 
the world. Professional subsidized day-care for children is easily 
available. Furthermore, Trondheim offers great opportunities for 
education (including international schools) and possibilities to enjoy 
nature, culture and family life and has low crime rates and clean air 
quality.

----------------------

As an employee at NTNU, you must at all times adhere to the changes that 
the development in the subject entails and the organizational changes 
that are adopted.

Information Act (Offentleglova), your name, age, position and 
municipality may be made public even if you have requested not to have 
your name entered on the list of applicants.

Please submit your application electronically via jobbnorge.no with your 
CV, diplomas and certificates. Applications submitted elsewhere will not 
be considered. Diploma Supplement is required to attach for European 
Master Diplomas outside Norway. Chinese applicants are required to 
provide confirmation of Master Diploma from China Credentials 
Verification (CHSI).

If you are invited for interview you must include certified copies of 
transcripts and reference letters.

Application deadline: 25.09.2022

The position should start 1. November 2022, or as soon as possible 
thereafter.

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