Postdoctoral fellow in the DFF-funded HuMach project: Human-machine interaction and military applica

Om jobbet

The Center for War Studies (CWS), Department of Political Science and Public Management, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, wishes to appoint a Postdoctoral Fellow (100%) as part of the HuMach project funded by the Independent Research Fund Denmark. The project is led by Professor Ingvild Bode. The starting date for the position is 1 January 2025. The position is available for a fixed term of two years and comes with a competitive, full-time salary.

The successful applicant will be examining the extent to which human-machine interaction figures as a core concern in the emerging so-called responsible AI agenda in the military domain. The ambition is for the postdoctoral researcher to do so through examining, in particular, policies and practices performed by three states: the US, the UK, and Switzerland. The postdoc will be embedded in the four-year HuMach project. HuMach examines the extent to which increasing instances of human-machine interaction may change the exercise of human agency in warfare in theoretical, empirical, and practical terms. HuMach works with collaborators at Georgetown University, Northeastern University, and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. As part of the position, the successful applicant will also complete a research stay at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). The HuMach project will only start on 1 August 2024, but some additional information about the project is available  here.

Successful candidate(s) must be able and willing to support the CWS in realizing its two overarching strategic objectives: First, the CWS strives to produce original ideas through high-quality and pioneering research. Second, CWS wants to address major societal challenges and to exchange knowledge with society through high-quality study programs and genuine engagement with societal actors and the wider public.

Key responsibilities:

• Conduct and contribute to the production of research on human-machine interaction in the context of the responsible AI agenda (RAI) in the military domain in the US, the UK, and Switzerland, including through unpacking constitute narratives of the RAI agenda;
• Analyse research results and disseminate the conclusions of research through academic publications and by other means as required. This includes publishing three articles in peer-reviewed journals (both single-authored and co-authored); and at least two on online platforms aimed at public dissemination;
• Participate in regular meetings of the HuMach project;
• Present papers at conferences;
• Contribute to the organization of events and activities within the project as well as the project’s public dissemination agenda;
• Perform a number of research-related tasks such as engaging in knowledge exchange activities with the surrounding society, and conducting research management;
• Participate in the intellectual life at SDU and CWS, including discussion groups, seminar workshops, and events.

Selection criteria

For applicants to qualify for the position, the following criteria must be met:

• A PhD in International Relations or a PhD in Political Science with a specialization in International Relations, awarded by the time of appointment, with a thesis on a topic related to international security (especially critical security studies) and/or constructivist International Relations;
• Knowledge of Artificial Intelligence in the military domain, autonomous weapons systems, and similar (essential);
• Knowledge of constructivist International Relations theories and concepts broadly understood, such as narratives and practices (essential);
• Regional expertise/knowledge of US, UK, and/or Swiss security policy (desirable)
• Documentation of an emerging publication record at an internationally recognized level;
• Documentation of experience with and genuine interest in societal outreach or knowledge-sharing activities and/or cooperation with external partners;
• A proficient speaker of English;
• Evidence that you are an independent thinker and team player;
• A delineated research profile aligned with  strategy of the Section of International and Regional Politics Section indicating a potential to make an international scholarly impact and facilitate research cooperation within the Centre for War Studies (CWS);
• Evidence that you are dedicated to take part in the everyday academic and social environment at SDU.

About the University of Southern Denmark and the Centre for War Studies

The postdoctoral fellow will be associated with both the Center for War Studies (CWS) and the section for international and regional politics of the Department of Political Science and Public Management at SDU. CWS is a multidisciplinary research unit promoting research into fundamental questions of war and peace. The section for international and regional politics of the Department of Political Science and Public Management offers introductory IR courses to bachelor students in political science and specialized graduate courses in political science, especially in the Master’s program in International Security and Law. The section trains doctoral candidates, sometimes in partnership with other Danish and European institutes and universities. Research is multidisciplinary and focuses mainly, though not exclusively, on contemporary security issues. For a detailed description of the research profile and activities, please visit the CWS  website . 

The department believes in fostering a stimulating and inspiring environment for both faculty members and students. The department’s ambition is therefore to recruit, develop, and retain talented scholars committed to both academic excellence and departmental development. Furthermore, the department wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.

Information

Enquiries about the project and the position can be addressed to the Principal Investigator, Ingvild Bode, email:  . For further information about the Department, please contact the Head of Department, Signe Pihl-Thingvad ( ).

Application, salary, etc.

Appointment to the position requires a PhD or equivalent and will be in accordance with the salary agreement between the Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations.

Researchers who have not worked in Denmark before taking up this position may be eligible for a special tax scheme that reduces Danish income tax for 7 years. You can find more information about this tax scheme here . 

An application must include:

• A detailed CV including a complete list of publications, indicating which publications are most relevant for the position;
• A cover letter (max. 2 pages);
• A research plan (max 2 pages) for the next 3 years that describes the applicant’s:
  • Potential to advance the field (both empirically and theoretically),
  • Relationship to the aim and goals of HuMach project, 
  • Planned national and international collaborations;
• Certificates/Diplomas (MA and PhD degree);
• Up to 3 of the most relevant publications. Please upload a pdf for each publication. NOTE: If publications have been co-authored, co-author statements must be a part of this pdf and must include information like in this  example . The statement is just for your inspiration.

Furthermore, applicants are requested to submit a teaching portfolio as documentation for teaching experience, and if relevant, supervision qualifications. Formal application instructions and guide for teaching portfolio may be found  here .

All non-Danish documents must be translated into English, and documents should not contain a CPR number (civil registration number) – in this case, the CPR number must be crossed out.

Applications that are incomplete may be rejected without any substantive evaluation.

Information about the selection process for academic positions at universities in Denmark: 

Assessment of applications will be done under existing Appointment Order for universities. This follows three steps: first, applications will be assessed by an academic assessment committee that determines whether applicants are qualified based on the department   Scholarly Qualification Matrix and the criteria outline above. The committee may request additional information, and if so, it is the responsibility of the applicant to provide the necessary material. The committee reserves the right to arrive at a decision solely based on the material submitted. When the assessment committee has submitted its report, the applicant will receive the part of the evaluation that concerns them. The assessment report will subsequently be forwarded to the Head of Department who will assemble an appointment committee.

Shortlisting may be used in the assessment process.

The appointment committee will manage and complete a series of job interviews with especially promising applicants. On the basis of the applications, the written assessments, the job interviews, and a deliberation within the appointments committee, the Head of Department determines which candidate(s) will be offered the position.

Applications must be submitted electronically using the link "Apply now" on our website no later than Monday June 24, 2024. Uploaded files must be in Adobe PDF (unlocked).

The application and CV must not exceed 10 MB.

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