Postdoc position in moral philosophy with a focus on ethics, artificial intelligence, and criminal justice

The Department of Communication and Arts (DCA) at Roskilde University is inviting applications for one (or more) postdoc position in moral philosophy with a focus on ethics, artificial intelligence, and criminal justice. The position has a duration of 24 months with the possibility of prolongation. The successful applicant is expected to start September 1st, 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter.

The Department of Communication and Arts
The Postdoc’s daily workplace will be the 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, marked 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 a 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.

At DCA, the successful candidate will be connected to the section Technology and Publics, as well as the research center Center for Criminal Justice and Artificial Intelligence (CenCAI).

The position
The postdoc position is part of the research project Criminal Justice and Artificial Intelligence, funded by the Carlsberg Foundation.

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.

The postdoc will work in close collaboration with the PI, Professor Jesper Ryberg.

Qualifications
Applicants must hold a PhD or the equivalent thereof within moral philosophy in the Anglo-American tradition.

The ideal candidate is furthermore expected to demonstrate:

• Experience or documented interest and research in ethical theory or applied ethics (preferably criminal justice ethics or AI ethics).
• Very good command of oral and written English and experience in publishing in English.
• Good command of Danish or another Scandinavian language is considered an asset.

The ideal candidate shall be enterprising and possess good communication skills, be visible, and involved in the department’s daily activities, in addition to being willing to engage in disciplinary and interdisciplinary collaboration across the DCA.

Further, fluency in English is necessary and experience in academic publishing in English is considered a necessary condition. Good command of Danish is considered an asset (but not necessary).

Responsibilities and tasks
The candidate is expected to:

• Be an active collaborative partner in the research projects.
• Conduct and complete independent research in collaboration with other researchers at the center.
• Publish independently and in collaboration with the PIs and the center member in relevant peer reviewed journals.
• Participate and present research findings at relevant international conferences.
• Co-organize and participate in project-related seminars, network meetings and research workshops
• Contribute to popular dissemination of research findings and stakeholder activities
• Be an active and present colleague.

Assessment

• In the assessment of candidates, consideration will be given to:
• the quality of the candidates PhD-dissertation in moral philosophy
• scientific production and research (publications such as book chapters and articles in international philosophical journals)
• documented knowledge of the research field of the position
• the ability to promote and utilize research results
• ability to collaborate closely with research partners
• ability to contribute to the development of the department’s internal and external cooperation

Questions
For further information about the postdoc position please contact PI Jesper Ryberg ([email protected]).

Terms of employment
The employment is full time, 37 hours per week, and refers to Section Chair, Ib T. Gulbrandsen. 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
4. Teaching portfolio (read more about teaching portfolio at Roskilde University here)
5. A complete list of publications
6. A maximum of 5 relevant scientific works that you want included in the assessment
   If any of the publications that you want included in the assessment are the result of a joint effort, the extent and the nature of your contribution to each individual work must then be clarified in a co-author statement (find template here)
7. If relevant: Documentation for any additional research and/or teaching qualification

Please submit your application no later than March 26, 2025.

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

We expect job interviews to be held in week 15, 2025.

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