The Algorithms, Data and Democracy project associated with the Department of Technology and Innovation, University of Southern Denmark, is seeking candidates for one 3-year fully funded PhD position on exploring the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms in shaping innovation processes.

The starting date is as soon as possible in Autumn 2022 and will be agreed upon with the successful candidate.

About the PhD project
The applications of artificial intelligence and data driven decision-making is gaining prevalence in society and organizations including inside innovation processes. AI is for example used to scape and analyze data for identifying, ranking and risk assessing innovation prospects and controlling innovation processes. However, AI applications in innovation processes is often constructed from compilations of codes that obscures transparency and makes it hard to understand the decision-making basis. Therefore, less is known about how AI design choices come to shape innovation processes in organizations.

The main objective of the PhD project is to explore the role of AI applications in shaping innovation processes. You will be combining data science methodologies with interview-based and observation-based explorations to gain knowledge on how AI design elements, such as coding structures, enable decision-making outputs, how these outputs come to be trusted or distrusted by decision-makers and how they shape decision-making in sourcing, funding and controlling innovation processes. This will also include exploring biases in application of AI in innovation processes that negatively affects decision-making.

The PhD project runs for 3-year and includes teaching obligations and PhD course participation. The programme is highly international, and you will participate in international conferences as well as visit a foreign research institution as a visiting PhD student.

The Algorithm, Data and Democracy project
The PhD is a part of the Algorithms, Data and Democracy project. This is a large collaborative research project between several Danish universities. It has received a 100 mill. kr. grant over 10 years from the Velux fund to explore how data and algorithms can contribute to a more sustainable development of democracy and society. The project includes five empirical subprojects.

The PhD position is based in the subproject Algorithms, Data, Democracy, and Innovation. This subproject aims to create a better understanding of the benefits and pitfalls of algorithm-driven innovation processes. This will help to ensure the best future usage of AI applications in innovation processes and that principles of transparency, inclusiveness, privacy and diversity are supported by its applications. The subproject also considers how future AI applications can affect relationships of power and authority in decision-making processes in business and society, in order to ensure democratic control and legitimacy.

About you
We are looking for a highly motivated candidate with an academic passion for understanding both the technical elements of AI design as well as its beneficial and negative consequences for innovation in organizations. You should have a Master’s degree in areas such as AI, engineering, digital design, IT architecture, data science or a Master´s degree in social science and experience with novel data technologies.

You should also have a genuine interest in interdisciplinary research between data and social science. Technical experience with AI programming, machine learning or related technologies is beneficial.

Furthermore, it is preferable that you want to conduct high-quality research on interplay AI and innovation, and present and publish the outcome of the project in scientific journals and disseminate your findings to the public. Therefore a very good capability of communicating scientific results in English, both orally and in writing, is required.

Contact information
For further information about the position, you can contact: Professor Alf Rehn. Email: [email protected].

Research assistant Carl Stefan Roth-Kirkegaard. Email: [email protected]. Phone: +45 65503327.

If you experience technical problems you must contact [email protected].

Conditions of employment
Applicants are required to have a master’s degree (equivalent to a Danish master's degree) at the time of enrollment and employment. Employment as a PhD fellow is a 3-year salaried position (start salary amounts to approx. 3.378,- EURO per month incl. supplements).

Employment of a PhD fellow can only happen after the Head of the PhD School has approved the candidate for admission to the PhD school. Employment and enrollment will cease without further notice at the end of the period.

A PhD fellow is not allowed to have any kind of sideline employment, while enrolled as PhD fellow at the faculty.

Employment is governed by the Protocol on PhD Research Fellows signed by the Danish Ministry of Finance and the Danish Confederation of Professional Associations. Please check links for more information on salary and taxation.

The successful candidate will be enrolled at SDU in accordance with Faculty regulations and the Danish Ministerial Order on the PhD Programme at the Universities (PhD order), read more here.

The assessment process
Read about the Assessment and selection process. Shortlisting may be used.

Application procedure
The Faculty expects applicants to read the Faculty information for prospective PhD students and the SDU information on How to apply before applying.

The application deadline is 10. August 2022.

The application must be in English and must include the following - the required forms must be found at the Faculty website:

• Completed TEK PhD application form for 5+3 applicants.
• Motivation letter including your motivation and qualifications for the project. Maximum 2 pages. Upload in the field called “Project description”.
• CV describing Master’s degree and work experience. Also include research experience, teaching experience, technical skills, and list of publications if applicable.
• Verified copies of the official bachelor diploma and master's diploma and transcripts of exams, in original language and translated into English.
• Completed TEK PhD form for calculation grade point average. Upload in one of the fields called “Publication”.
• An official document describing the grading scheme of the awarding universities (if not Danish). Upload in one of the fields called “Publication”.
• An official and verified written assessment of the thesis or dissertation project from the grade giving institution, if the thesis/examination project is evaluated by approved/passed. The statement must clearly state that the candidate has been among the top 30 pct. in the graduation class for the study programme.
• List of publications and examples of publication (max. 2) if applicable. Please attach one pdf-file for each publication.
• References (names and emails) and reference letters may also be included.

The University wishes our staff to reflect the diversity of society and thus welcomes applications from all qualified candidates regardless of personal background.