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EPFL, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, is one of the most dynamic university campuses in Europe and ranks among the top 20 universities worldwide. The EPFL employs more than 6,500 people supporting the three main missions of the institutions: education, research and innovation. The EPFL campus offers an exceptional working environment at the heart of a community of more than 17,000 people, including over 12,500 students and 4,000 researchers from more than 120 different countries.

Doctoral candidates in human-centered AI for LLM alignment in the context of news (MSCA-DN)

Mission

We are offering two full-time (100%) PhD student positions in Digital Humanities at EPFL, Lausanne. You will be working as part of the EU AlignAI project -- a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Network (DN). 

Description

The AlignAI Doctoral Network aims to train doctoral candidates in the interdisciplinary Large Language Model (LLM) research field. It focuses on aligning these models with human values to ensure their development and deployment are ethically sound and socially beneficial. By integrating expertise from social sciences, humanities, and technical disciplines, the project addresses critical issues such as explainability and fairness, ensuring LLMs contribute positively to education, mental health, and news consumption.

Main duties and responsibilities

For the first position:

The doctoral candidate will investigate, using mixed-methods approaches combining qualitative and computational approaches, research questions related to identifying values and emerging practices regarding the use of LLMs in the context of news, both for news creators and news audiences. The envisioned research ranges from studying the values promoted by news creators, to uncovering the level of personalization and algorithmic awareness expected by news audiences, and how they can be included in and supported by LLM technologies.

 

For the second position:

The doctoral candidate will investigate computational methods and build practical tools for value-aligned, LLM-based news generation and consumption. Research will range from the investigation of how LLMs can be used to responsibly generate news (in both forms and content) to how explainability techniques could be combined with LLMs in appropriate ways for diverse news audiences in support of their goals. Tools will be tested in real-life environments for news generation and consumption.

 

For both positions:

The successful candidates will be supervised by Prof. Daniel Gatica-Perez (EPFL) and work closely with other leading academics as well as professional news organizations in the alignAI consortium.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Doctoral Status: Applicants must not own a doctoral degree at the date of recruitment.

  • Mobility Rule: Candidates must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Switzerland for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date.

  • Nationality: Open to all nationalities.

  • Doctoral Programme Enrollment: Candidates must apply in parallel to the EPFL Doctoral School in Digital Humanities (EDDH).  The deadline for application to EPFL EDDH is January 15, 2025. Information on how to apply can be found here: https://www.epfl.ch/education/phd/eddh-digital-humanities/

  • Full-Time Commitment: The position requires full-time commitment.

  • Educational Background/Training: Suitable candidates will have a background in one or more of the following areas: social computing, human-computer interaction, data science, natural language processing, or human-centered AI, with a strong interest on human-centered and participatory methods and on the societal impact of technology.

Key Responsibilities

  • Conduct research on the topics of the doctoral dissertation.

  • Lead and contribute to academic publications, project reports, and other dissemination activities.

  • Engage in secondments as part of the project’s training activities. 

  • Participate in structured training programs and network-wide events organized by the consortium.

  • Collaborate with international partners and other Doctoral Candidates within the network.

We offer

  • Competitive Salary: The gross yearly salary is 54’550 CHF, subject to tax and social security deductions.

  • Social Security & Pension: Full coverage under Switzerland social security and pension schemes. Compulsory health insurance not included.

  • Professional Development: Access to high-quality training, networking opportunities, and career development support.

  • Term of employment: 1-year fixed-term contract (CDD), renewable for 4 years.

Selection Process

  • Application Submission: Applications must be submitted by January 10, 2025.

  • Selection Criteria: Candidates will be evaluated based on their academic background, research experience, and alignment with the project’s objectives. The selection process will be open, transparent, merit-based, impartial, and equitable.

  • Interview: Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an online interview.

  • Reserve List: A reserve list of top candidates may be created for future opportunities.

  • Selection Committee: The selection committee will comprise diverse experts ensuring gender balance, nationality diversity, and relevant experience.

Application Procedure

  • How to Apply: Via the below link. Submit your full CV, motivation letter, M.S. transcripts and diploma (if available), and contact information for three references (as a single PDF document).

  • Documentation: Candidates may be required to provide proof of residency history and eligibility criteria.

  • Timeline: Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews starting Jan 15, 2025. Decisions are expected to be made in February 2025.

Informations

  • VISA Support: Where applicable, assistance with visa procedures will be provided.

  • For more information about the project and the application process, please contact to daniel.gatica-perez@epfl.ch. Please do not send your application via the e-mail address. Only applications via the below link will be accepted.

Equal Opportunity: We are committed to diversity and inclusion in our recruitment process, and we encourage applications from underrepresented groups and all qualified individuals, regardless of nationality, gender, or background.

Note: The recruitment process will adhere strictly to the European Charter for Researchers principles and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers.

Requirements

Research Field :  Social Computing

Education Level : Master Degree or equivalent

Languages : ENGLISH

Years of Research Experience : None

Work Location and Contact

Number of offers available : 2

Company/Institute : EPFL Digital Humanities Institute

Country : Switzerland

State/Province : Vaud

City : Lausanne

Postal Code : 1015

Street : Rte Cantonale

 

Contact

 

Website : https://www.epfl.ch/schools/cdh/research-2/dhi/

E-Mail : daniel.gatica-perez@epfl.ch

Phone : +41 21 693 05 60










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