Post-doc : Algorithmic Bias in Ageing Societies

Vacancy number

15261

Job type

Hours (in fte)

0,8

External/ internal

External

Location

Leiden

Placed on

12 November 2024

Closing date

4 December 2024 22 more days to apply

**Post-doc : Algorithmic Bias in Ageing Societies**
Are you interested in exploring how AI-induced bias and discrimination affects our societies, especially with respect to age? Is working in an interdisciplinary team that integrates insights from statistics, machine learning, and social science interesting for you? Are you committed to Open Science? We are looking for a post-doc researcher for a two-year position (0.80 fte) who would give affirmative answers to these questions.

The research will focus on the exploration of the way in which AI-bias is generated through comparative analysis of human-judgements and algorithmic reasoning in key domains (employment, finance, health-care). This endeavor requires both conducting in-depth interviews with human-decision makers, and experts; and probing deeper into the implications of algorithm design choices through simulations and data analysis. Publishing the results in international peer-reviewed journals; and disseminating them in the conferences, project meetings and workshops are key requirements. We also expect the researcher to actively engage with Science Communication activities; such as organizing participatory workshops, organizing a hackathon, writing recommendation papers, preparing press releases, and actively seeking ways to engage relevant stakeholders.

**What you will do**
The postdoc will conduct research within the context of an international multi-disciplinary project (Ageism in AI: New forms of Age Discrimination and Exclusion in the era of Algorithms and Artificial Intelligence) funded by The Volkswagen Foundation. The project scrutinizes how AI-based algorithms may generate bias and discrimination on the basis of sensitive characteristics with a special emphasis on age, which is a surprisingly overlooked feature in research and policy on AI bias in aging societies. Against this background the aim of the AGEAI project is to critically assess how ageism operates in AI systems, products, services, and infrastructure by focusing on critical areas of AI deployment. AGEAI- project has a strong commitment to science communication, receiving input from all societal stakeholders, and broad dissemination of its findings. The postdoc will function within this context and the tasks will include
- Exploration of the way in which AI-bias is generated through comparative analysis of human-judgements and algorithmic reasoning in key domains (employment, finance, health-care etc..). This endeavor requires both conducting in-depth interviews with human-decision makers, and experts; and probing deeper into the implications of algorithm design choices through simulations and data analysis.
- Publishing the results in international peer-reviewed journals; and disseminating them in the conferences, project meetings and workshops.
- Actively engaging with Science Communication activities; such as organizing participatory workshops, organizing a hackathon, writing recommendation papers, preparing press releases, and actively seeking ways to engage relevant stakeholders.

**Where you will work**
The Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences consists of five institutes: Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Cultural Anthropology and Development Sociology, Political Science, and Psychology. The faculty has approximately 7000 students and 1000 staff members. Within the institutes, not only education is provided but also groundbreaking research is conducted that pushes the boundaries of our understanding of human behaviour and societal structures. What makes our faculty unique is the diversity of research topics, the various styles of teaching, and the way professional support is organized; this provides you with the opportunity to explore and develop your interests and expertise. Visit our website for an impression: Welcome to the Leiden Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences - Leiden University.

**Institute of Psychology**
The Institute of Psychology educates new generations to contribute to the challenges of our society, now and in the future, based on leading behavioral scientific research and education. This is achieved through collaboration both within and outside our institute in the field of Psychology and related research areas, both fundamental and applied. The broad bachelor's program and a wide variety of master's specializations also contribute to this goal. Within the institute and the academic community, there is a committed and passionate atmosphere. The themes of Health and Well-being, Social-Cognitive-Affective Decision Making, Development and Learning, and Advanced Behavioral Science Methods guide research and education. The institute values conducting these activities in a safe and inclusive environment and provides space for new developments such as open s