Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Philosophy/Ethics in AI (AI and Theoretical Philosophy)

Faculty of Philosophy, Radcliffe Humanities, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6GG in association with Balliol College, Oxford

Research Grade 7: £38,674 – £46,913 p.a. (plus £2,000 research allowance)

Housing Allowance: £9,010 pa. or single college accommodation (rent-free, subject to availability and a benefit-in-kind charge, the level of which depends on the accommodation occupied).

Applications are invited for a full-time Early Career Research Fellowship in Ethics in AI, with a focus on AI and Theoretical Philosophy (philosophy of mind, philosophy of logic and language, epistemology, and metaphysics). The position is associated with a research fellowship at Balliol College, Oxford. This position will be especially suitable for a candidate with a strong research background in some branch of Theoretical Philosophy who wishes to use this as a springboard for engaging with ethically significant philosophical questions raised by AI technology. The post is fixed-term for three years from 1 October 2025.

The University of Oxford has launched a major initiative in Ethics in AI, leading to the establishment of an Institute for Ethics in AI, to be based in the Stephen A. Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities, under the aegis of the Faculty of Philosophy. The Institute will build upon the University’s world-class capabilities in the humanities to lead the study of the ethical implications of artificial intelligence and other new computing technologies. The Early Career Research Fellow will pursue their own research under the supervision of the Ethics in AI Institute Director, John Tasioulas. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to engage in interdisciplinary interactions and collaborative research.

The successful candidate will be expected to provide evidence of exceptional potential for research and publication. She or he need not have already carried out research on ethics in AI, but must demonstrate expertise in Theoretical Philosophy (e.g., philosophy of mind, philosophy of logic and language, epistemology, and metaphysics), with evidence of the potential to undertake significant research which will contribute to the work of the Institute for Ethics in AI.

Among other duties, the successful applicant will be expected to undertake teaching for the Institute and the college (in the latter case, up to two hours of paid teaching per week in full term).

Successful candidates will hold a doctoral degree in the field of Theoretical Philosophy, or will at least have submitted a doctoral dissertation for examination by the advertised closing date for this position, and will be expected to provide evidence of an outstanding academic research record, appropriate to their career stage. Also essential are excellent research skills, and the ability to work independently and without close supervision.