PhD in: The Ethics of the Use of Artificial Intelligence at Criminal Courts

Humanities

The Department of Communication and Arts (DCA), Roskilde University, invites applications for a salaried PhD position studying the ethics of the use of artificial intelligence in criminal sentencing from 1 September 2024. The position as PhD fellow is limited to 3 years of full-time employment with DCA as the daily workplace.

Department of Communication and Arts
Your daily workplace will be Department of Communication and Arts at Roskilde University. DCA covers RUC’s Communication programs (Communication, Journalism, and Performance Design) and Art programs (Danish, Philosophy, History, and Cultural Encounters).

We conduct excellent, interdisciplinary research in the intersection between Communication, Cultural Studies, Social Science, and Humanities, and offer an innovative and interdisciplinary university environment, characterized by diversity with respect to theory, method, and area of study in research and education. Our research is characterized by double impact, i.e., by the highest academic quality, and by direct interaction with public, private, and civil actors in society. We have strong research networks and partnerships with local, regional, national, and international partners with the goal of ensuring the highest quality in all our research-based activities.

Description of the PhD project
The PhD position is part of the research project When Should Artificial Intelligence Determine Criminal Sentences? funded by the Danish Research Foundation. The PhD position is located at Roskilde University, and the successful applicant will be associated with the research group Research Group for Criminal Justice Ethics. The successful applicant will work closely with the project leader, Professor of Ethics and Philosophy of Law Jesper Ryberg, and other members of the research group at Roskilde University.

The purpose of the research project is to investigate the ethical challenges that are associated with the use of artificial intelligence in the determination of sentences at the criminal courts. It considers ethical pros and cons of different ways of applying algorithmic instruments in the determination of criminal sentences and seeks to develop guidelines for the proper use of such instruments. For instance, questions that may be consider within the framework of the project are the ethical significance of algorithmic transparence or the risk of algorithmic biases at sentencing. Moreover, the project also focuses on many of the ethical issues that arises from the question as to how precisely algorithmic tools should be implemented in the sentencing process.

In alignment with the goals of the overall project, we invite original research proposals for a PhD project focusing on ethical aspects of the use of artificial intelligence in the work of criminal courts. It should be underlined that the proposal should outline the contours of an ethical project (not an empirical, legal, or computer technical project).

Within the project, the successful applicant will have the opportunity for close collaboration with a core group of researchers within ethics and philosophy of law in general and, more narrowly, within various areas of criminal justice ethics. The project engages with international researchers and offers occasions to participate in international and national research seminars focusing on moral philosophy in general and criminal justice ethics in particular. The project includes possibilities for international research exchange and the successful applicant is expected to complete a stay as visiting scholar at a relevant international university.

The Doctoral School
You will be enrolled as a PhD student at The Doctoral School of Communication and Arts, Roskilde University.

The Doctoral School for Communication and Arts (ARTS-PHD) offers a doctoral program in Communication and Arts in an active, dynamic, and cross-disciplinary research environment.

The PhD program in Communication and Arts offers a number of activities from international PhD courses and master classes with researchers from around the world to writing retreats, frequent work-in-progress seminars as well as informal activities. We expect you to be actively involved in all PhD activities and that you will contribute to a dynamic and inspiring PhD environment.

Read more here https://ruc.dk/en/phd-roskilde-university.

Responsibilities and tasks
The PhD position is an educational position and the main tasks are in accordance with chapter 3, Ministerial Order on the PhD Program at the Universities and Certain Higher Artistic Educational Institutions (https://ufm.dk/en/legislation/prevailing-laws-and-regulations/education/files/engelsk-ph-d-bekendtgorelse.pdf)

Qualifications
Applicants are expected to have a strong educational background and have a completed master’s degree (or equivalent) in Philosophy. If an applicant has handed in a master thesis, but the thesis has not you been assessed, it is required that the applicant attaches a statement from the supervisor confirming that the thesis is likely to pass.

The ideal candidate has an interest in moral philosophy (ethical theory or applied ethics) in the Anglo-American tradition.

Applicants are asked to submit a PhD project description (max. 5 pages of 12,000 characters, incl. spaces). The project description should outline the project proposed by the applicant and specify how the project relates to the research objectives of the overall project concerning the ethics of the use of AI at the criminal courts.

Moreover, applicants are asked to submit their Master’s thesis (if this is written in English or in Scandinavian languages).

The PhD candidate is expected to:

  • Complete an article-based, PhD dissertation within the three-year project period. This will require producing international journal articles and/or book chapter publications, of which some may be written with other members of the project team, including the project supervisor.
  • Participate actively in the seminars and work of the Research Group for Criminal Justice Ethics.
  • Participate actively in PhD activities at the doctoral school.

 

In addition, the PhD candidate is expected to demonstrate:

  • Good command of English (oral and written) is necessary, and experience with writing academically in English is considered an asset.
  • Excellent academic record (as shown by a list of master level grades and timely completion of master level education and, potentially, academic work experience or academic publications).
  • Ability to work independently and in collaboration with other members of the project team.
  • Interest in being part of an international research community.
     

The successful candidate should possess good communication skills and be a visible, involved participant in the department’s daily activities, in addition to being willing to engage in disciplinary and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Assessment
In the assessment of the candidates, consideration will be given to:

Find guidelines for PhD applications here: https://ruc.dk/en/doctoral-school-communication-and-arts#accordion-Application-and-admission 

We expect job interviews to be held in week 25, 2024 and PhD enrollment seminars to be held in week 36, 2024.

Questions
For further information about the PhD and the overall project, please contact project leader Professor Jesper Ryberg on e-mail: ryberg@ruc.dk.

Terms of employment
The employment is on full time, 37 hours per week and you will refer to Dean Ida Willig, idaw@ruc.dk.

The position will be filled according to the Agreement between the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations (AC) and Job Structure for Academic Staff at Universities.  

Application procedure 
After the deadline for applications the Dean will shortlist applicants for assessment with assistance from the recruitment committee including the chairperson of the assessment committee.

Shortly after the application deadline all applicants will be notified whether or not their application has been selected for assessment.

The shortlisted applicants will be informed about the composition of the assessment committee, and each applicant will be given the opportunity to comment on the composition of the committee and – later on – their assessment.

Once the recruitment process is completed, all applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application.

Application 
To apply for the position go to www.ruc.dk/en/job/ 

Only applications in English are accepted. 

Applications must include: 

1. Cover letter 

2. CV 

3. Documentation of education including grades from Master’s programme or equivalent 

4. Your description of the PhD project 

5. Your time schedule of the PhD project 

6. If applicable: Documentation for any research experience, work experience or publications. 

 

Please submit your application no later than 15 April 2024. 

Material received after this date will not be taken into consideration. 

 

Roskilde University wishes to reflect the diversity of society and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background. 

Deadline: 2024-04-15 at 23:59
Unit: Institut for Kommunikation og Humanistisk Videnskab/ Department of Communication and Arts

Read the job description at the university homepage or apply.