Post-doc : Algorithmic Bias in Ageing Societies

Post-doc : Algorithmic Bias in Ageing Societies

Are you interested in exploring how AI-induced bias and discrimination affects our societies, especially with respect to age? Is working in an interdisciplinary team that integrates insights from statistics, machine learning, and social science interesting for you? Are you committed to Open Science? We are looking for a post-doc researcher for a two-year position (0.80 fte) who would give affirmative answers to these questions.

The research will focus on the exploration of the way in which AI-bias is generated through comparative analysis of human-judgements and algorithmic reasoning in key domains (employment, finance, health-care). This endeavor requires both conducting in-depth interviews with human-decision makers, and experts; and probing deeper into the implications of algorithm design choices through simulations and data analysis. Publishing the results in international peer-reviewed journals; and disseminating them in the conferences, project meetings and workshops are key requirements. We also expect the researcher to actively engage with Science Communication activities; such as organizing participatory workshops, organizing a hackathon, writing recommendation papers, preparing press releases, and actively seeking ways to engage relevant stakeholders.

What you will do

The postdoc will conduct research within the context of an international multi-disciplinary project (Ageism in AI: New forms of Age Discrimination and Exclusion in the era of Algorithms and Artificial Intelligence) funded by The Volkswagen Foundation. The project scrutinizes how AI-based algorithms may generate bias and discrimination on the basis of sensitive characteristics with a special emphasis on age, which is a surprisingly overlooked feature in research and policy on AI bias in aging societies. Against this background the aim of the AGEAI project is to critically assess how ageism operates in AI systems, products, services, and infrastructure by focusing on critical areas of AI deployment. AGEAI- project has a strong commitment to science communication, receiving input from all societal stakeholders, and broad dissemination of its findings. The postdoc will function within this context and the tasks will include

• Exploration of the way in which AI-bias is generated through comparative analysis of human-judgements and algorithmic reasoning in key domains (employment, finance, health-care etc..). This endeavor requires both conducting in-depth interviews with human-decision makers, and experts; and probing deeper into the implications of algorithm design choices through simulations and data analysis.
• Publishing the results in international peer-reviewed journals; and disseminating them in the conferences, project meetings and workshops.
• Actively engaging with Science Communication activities; such as organizing participatory workshops, organizing a hackathon, writing recommendation papers, preparing press releases, and actively seeking ways to engage relevant stakeholders.

Where you will work

The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences consists of five institutes: Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology, Political Science, and Psychology. The faculty has approximately 7000 students and 1000 staff members. Within the institutes, not only education is provided but also groundbreaking research is conducted that pushes the boundaries of our understanding of human behaviour and societal structures. What makes our faculty unique is the diversity of research topics, the various styles of teaching, and the way professional support is organized; this provides you with the opportunity to explore and develop your interests and expertise.

Institute of Psychology

The Institute of Psychology educates new generations to contribute to the challenges of our society, now and in the future, based on leading behavioral scientific research and education. This is achieved through collaboration both within and outside our institute in the field of Psychology and related research areas, both fundamental and applied. The broad bachelor's program and a wide variety of master's specializations also contribute to this goal. Within the institute and the academic community, there is a committed and passionate atmosphere. The themes of Health and Well-being, Social-Cognitive-Affective Decision Making, Development and Learning, and Advanced Behavioral Science Methods guide research and education. The institute values conducting these activities in a safe and inclusive environment and provides space for new developments such as open science, recognition and appreciation, and interdisciplinarity, which are anchored in its strategy. With approximately 5,000 students and 600 staff members, the institute includes the Institute Office, the Department of Bachelor Education, and 6 units for education and research: Health, Medical and Neuropsychology, Clinical Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, Developmental and Educational Psychology, Social, Economic and Organisational Psychology, and Methodology and Statistics.

The post-doc researcher will be based in Leiden but will operate within an international team of researchers in three research institutes, besides Leiden University : Berlin Social Science Center (WZB), University of Brighton, and Open University of Catalonia

What you bring

• A PhD degree in sociology or (cognitive) psychology or in other social sciences
• Experience in quantitative data analysis and implementing statistical methods
• Experience in programming with R (and/or Python)
• Demonstrated experience in conducting interviews
• A track record of publishing in international peer-reviewed journals
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Experience in interdisciplinary approach to research
• Experience with other research methods (e.g. surveys, participatory workshops) is desirable

Demonstrable interest and willingness to advance in the following topics will give an advantage to the candidates

• Machine Learning Methods
• Natural Language Processing Methods
• Social Gerontology, Ageing studies

If you immediately recognise yourself in this profile, or if do you not quite meet all the requirements, but you believe that this is the right job for you, we look forward to your application!

What we offer

Our goal is to work together to create a transparent and inclusive work environment in which everyone feels welcome and appreciated. Our organisation is always evolving and we need your ideas for improvement and innovation to take us further. We want to devote attention to your personal development.

You can expect an enjoyable job within the socially relevant world of education and research. The University's challenging and international work environment is located just steps away from Leiden’s lively city centre or the bustling city centre of The Hague. We also want to work with you to devote attention to your health and vitality, for example with the fun activities we organise through Healthy University.

We also offer:

• An employment contract for the duration of two years (0.80 fte) without the prospect of a permanent employment. This contract falls under the CLA of Dutch Universities
• A salary of a minimum of €4492 and a maximum of €6148 gross per month, based on a full-time appointment (38 hours) (scale 11);
• A holiday allowance (8%), an end-of-year bonus (8,3%), and an attractive pension scheme at ABP;
• Flexible working hours: as a standard, you are entitled to a minimum of 29 leave days on the basis of a full-time working week of 38 hours; you can also save for extra leave, for example by working 40 hours a week, and in this way accrue an extra 96 leave hours, or exchange 96 leave hours for a 36-hour week.
• Lots of options when it comes to secondary employment conditions; we can, for example, discuss options paid parental leave. Within our terms of employment individual choices model, you can exchange leave days and/or salary for benefits such as an advantageous sports subscription or bicycle scheme, and we also offer child-care options;
• If your work allows it, hybrid working is possible within the Netherlands;
• A home-working allowance (day and internet allowance) and attention for good workplaces. The University will also provide you with a laptop and a mobile telephone (if applicable for the position).

What we find important

Promoting an inclusive community is central to Leiden University’s values and vision. Leiden University aims to be an inclusive community in which all students and staff members feel valued and respected, and are able to develop to their full potential. Diversity in experiences and perspectives enriches our teaching and strengthens our research. High-quality education and research means inclusive education and research.