TU-ID: 192 | 2024 | 43 | 241947
University Assistant (Prae-Doc)
40 hours/week | limited to 4 years
TU Wien is Austria's largest institution of research and higher education in the fields of technology and natural sciences. With over 26,000 students and more than 4000 scientists, research, teaching, and learning dedicated to the advancement of science and technology have been conducted here for more than 200 years, guided by the motto "Technology for People". As a driver of innovation, TU Wien fosters close collaboration with business and industry and contributes to the prosperity of society.
At the Institute of Logic and Computation, in the Research Unit of Theory and Logic (192-05), TU Wien is offering a position as University Assistant (prae-doc) limited to expected 4 years for 40 hours/week. Expected start: December 2024/January 2025.
The position will be part of the Cluster of Excellence program Bilateral AI, under supervision of Kees van Berkel, within the following project:
Project - AI Alignment and Dialogues: AI Ethics has many perspectives, one of which is AI alignment: Ensuring that AI behaves conform human values and principles. Some immediate challenges are: how to express values and normative principles in AI systems? What is the logical structure of reasoning with norms, values? And, how to resolve conflicts between norms and values? In this project, these questions are investigated. In particular, we investigate how to make formal reasoning with norms and values more transparent, to enhance the explanatory power of existing formalisms, with the aim of increasing understanding and trust. The focus will be on the development dialogue models, that bring together symbolic and sub-symbolic methods. The long turn aim of such models is to generate explanations via an interactive argumentative exchange between a human and a given formal system.
The position will be part of the Cluster of Excellence program Bilateral AI, under supervision of Kees van Berkel, within the following project:
Project - AI Alignment and Dialogues: AI Ethics has many perspectives, one of which is AI alignment: Ensuring that AI behaves conform human values and principles. Some immediate challenges are: how to express values and normative principles in AI systems? What is the logical structure of reasoning with norms, values? And, how to resolve conflicts between norms and values? In this project, these questions are investigated. In particular, we investigate how to make formal reasoning with norms and values more transparent, to enhance the explanatory power of existing formalisms, with the aim of increasing understanding and trust. The focus will be on the development dialogue models, that bring together symbolic and sub-symbolic methods. The long turn aim of such models is to generate explanations via an interactive argumentative exchange between a human and a given formal system.
Tasks:
- Research, project, and publication activities within the fields of knowledge representation and reasoning, artificial intelligence, AI Ethics, and philosophical logic
- Solving scientific problems with the motivation for independent and goal-oriented research
- Writing a dissertation and scientific publications
- Participating in teaching activities
- Participation in scientific events
Your profile:
- An excellent master or diploma in Computer Science, Logic, or fields closely related to the project
- In-depth knowledge and experience within several of the following areas is highly appreciated: knowledge representation, mathematical and nonmonotonic logic, philosophical logic, machine learning, and LLMs
- Strong affinity with AI Ethics topics and critical thinking is strong plus
- Ability to develop methods, concepts, as well as their implementation and evaluation
- Willingness to contribute in interdisciplinary projects
- Organizational and analytical skills as well as a structured way of working
- Ability to work in a team, problem-solving skills, and creative thinking
- Excellent spoken and written communication skills in English. Knowledge of German (level B2) or willingness to learn it in the first year
We offer:
- A wide variety and exciting range of tasks in a collegial team
- Flexible working hours
- Central location of workplace with a very good accessibility (U1/U4 Karlsplatz)
- A creative environment in one of the most liveable cities in the world
- German courses if needed
- A highly competitive salary and a range of attractive social benefits (see Fringe-Benefit Catalogue of TU Wien)
- Excellent research environment in an internationally visible team
- A wide range of internal and external training opportunities, various career options
TU Wien is committed to increasing the proportion of women in particular in leadership positions. Female applicants are explicitly encouraged to apply. Preference will be given to women when equally qualified, unless reasons specific to a male applicant tilt the balance in his favour.
People with special needs are equally encouraged to apply. In case of any questions, please contact the confidant for disabled persons at the university, Mr. Gerhard Neustätter.
People with special needs are equally encouraged to apply. In case of any questions, please contact the confidant for disabled persons at the university, Mr. Gerhard Neustätter.
Entry level salary is determined by the pay grade B1 of the Austrian collective agreement for university staff. This is a minimum of currently EUR 3578,80/month gross, 14 times/year for 40 hours/week. Relevant working experiences may increase the monthly income.
We look forward to receiving your application until November 28th, 2024.
How to apply: If you are interested in the position, please submit the following application documents (e.g., included in a .zip archive):
We look forward to receiving your application until November 28th, 2024.
How to apply: If you are interested in the position, please submit the following application documents (e.g., included in a .zip archive):
- A complete CV, including a list of previous scientific expertise, awards, grants, stays abroad, skills, and publications (if applicable)
- A letter of motivation (detailing previous research achievements, research goals, career plans)
- A research statement, outlining the planned research, goals and significance, detailing the connection between symbolic and sub-symbolic aspects (the research topic must refer to the project description above)
- Contact details of two reference persons who are willing to provide a letter of recommendation (if selected for the second round)
