"Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Ethics and AI"

About the position

Integreat – Norwegian Centre for Knowledge-driven Machine Learning at the University of Oslo – is seeking a candidate for a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Ethics and AI.

Starting date: As soon as possible and upon individual agreement.

Duration: 3 years, full-time.

No one may be appointed to more than one Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at the University of Oslo.

This position offers a rare opportunity for interdisciplinary research at the interface of philosophy, ethics, epistemology, and machine learning, embedded in a world-leading AI research environment.

More about the position

Integreat is a Centre of Excellence funded by the Research Council of Norway. It aims to develop the next generation of machine learning by integrating general and domain-specific knowledge with data, using theories and methods from statistics, logic, language technologies, ethics, and AI.

The successful candidate will be affiliated with the Ethics Research Theme, led by Professor Anna Smajdor, and will work closely with machine learning researchers across Integreat's multiple thematic areas.

Key research topics include:

• Transparency and intelligibility of algorithms for end users
• Embedding ethical values into large language models (LLMs)
• Balancing data utility with individual rights and privacy
• Conceptual clarity around autonomy, bias, and fairness in AI
• Epistemic questions: whose knowledge is represented in AI models, and what phenomena might be lost in digital representation?

The postdoctoral fellow will develop and apply a methodology rooted in philosophy of science in practice, exploring epistemic and ethical challenges experienced by Integreat researchers. This includes:

• Investigating disciplinary differences in understanding key concepts
• Exploring how ethical and epistemological challenges manifest across research themes
• Organising reflective workshops to foster conceptual dialogue and ethical deliberation
• Producing tailored ethical guidelines and a co-authored publication with Prof. Smajdor

Additional responsibilities include organising interdisciplinary workshops, public engagement events, and contributing to seminars and reading groups.

The fellow will be employed at the Department of Mathematics and based at Integreat.

To support a strategic research career path, all postdoctoral fellows must submit a professional development plan within one month of appointment.

Qualification requirements

The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences aims to be among Europe’s leading research communities. Candidates are expected to demonstrate excellence in academic credentials and scientific promise.

Required qualifications:

• PhD in Philosophy (or equivalent to a Norwegian doctoral degree)
• Dissertation must be submitted by the application deadline
• Approved doctoral thesis and public defence required before appointment
• Documented expertise in philosophy of science and technology, epistemology, and ethics
• Fluent written and oral communication in English

Desired qualifications:

• Experience in organising research activities (e.g. conferences, workshops)
• Excellent administrative and organisational abilities

Personal attributes:

• Capable of working both independently and collaboratively in interdisciplinary settings
• Creative and structured in approaching complex challenges
• Skilled at communicating research clearly, both within academia and to the public

Employment is based on a comprehensive assessment of academic and personal qualifications.

We offer

• A unique interdisciplinary research environment at the forefront of AI and ethics
• A friendly, inclusive, and collaborative international working atmosphere
• Access to strong national and international research networks
• Supportive welfare schemes and generous public benefits
• Full access to Norwegian healthcare through the National Insurance Scheme
• Structured career development and individual mentoring for early-career researchers
• Flexibility for life balance, including family responsibilities
• Research mobility funding for international stays
• Family-friendly setting in Oslo with rich cultural and outdoor opportunities
• Commitment to gender equality and inclusive work practices
• Membership in Statens Pensjonskasse, with excellent pension, mortgage, and insurance benefits
• Salary: NOK 579,700 – 657,300 (position code 1352), depending on experience. 2% will be deducted for statutory contributions to the State Pension Fund

Read more about working in the public sector at UiO

Inclusive worklife and diversity at UiO

UiO values inclusion and diversity as strengths. We aim for gender balance and encourage applicants from diverse professional backgrounds, life experiences, and perspectives.

If there are qualified applicants with disabilities, employment gaps, or immigrant backgrounds, we will invite at least one from each group to interview.

Read more about gender equality and diversity initiatives at UiO

How to apply

Your application must include:

• Cover letter (motivation, summary of scientific work, research interests)
• CV (education, positions, teaching, administrative experience, etc.)
• Copies of educational certificates and academic transcripts
• Complete list of publications
• Up to 5 academic works to be considered by the evaluation committee
• Names and contact information for three referees (with relationship to the candidate, email, and phone number)

Submit all documentation via Jobbnorge, by clicking “Apply for this position”.

If available, retrieve your academic results from Vitnemålsportalen.no. If not, upload certified transcripts. All documentation must be in English or a Scandinavian language.

General information

• Top-qualified applicants will be invited to interviews.
• If you've been previously appointed to a NFR-funded postdoctoral fellowship, you are not eligible for a second.
• Applicant lists may be made public under the Norwegian Freedom of Information Act § 25. You can request an exemption with justification. If not granted, you will be notified.

Please refer to:

• Regulations for the Act on Universities and Colleges, Chapter 3 (Norwegian)
• Guidelines for appointment to postdoctoral and research posts at UiO (Norwegian)

All employees at UiO are subject to a transfer agreement that secures institutional rights to research outcomes.

Contact persons

• Centre Director: Prof. Arnoldo Frigessi – frigessi@uio.no
• PI Ethics: Prof. Anna Smajdor – anna.smajdor@ifikk.uio.no
• HR Adviser: Ole Rustad – ole.rustad@mn.uio.no

University of Oslo (UiO)

UiO is Norway’s oldest and highest-ranked institution for education and research, with 26,500 students and 7,200 employees. With its broad academic offerings and strong international research communities, UiO is a major contributor to society.

About Integreat

Integreat – Norwegian Centre for Knowledge-driven Machine Learning – is a Centre of Excellence hosted by the University of Oslo and the Arctic University of Norway (UiT). Integreat pioneers machine learning that integrates domain-specific knowledge with data, combining insights from statistics, logic, language technologies, ethics, and more.

Research at Integreat spans science, technology, health, and society, aiming to develop groundbreaking methods and solve foundational problems. The centre includes researchers from:

• Departments of Mathematics, Informatics, Philosophy, and OCBE at UiO
• The Norwegian Computing Centre (NR)
• UiT’s Departments of Physics, Technology, Mathematics, and Computer Science

Apply for this job

Deadline

27th June 2025

Employer

Integreat – Norwegian Centre for Knowledge-driven Machine Learning

Municipality

Oslo

Scope

Fulltime

Duration

Temporary (3 years)

Place of service

Boks 1072 Blindern, 0316 Oslo