Ph.D. position IRIS3D (f/m/d)

The University of Stuttgart is one of Germany’s leading technically oriented universities with global significance. It promotes the transfer of knowledge and technologies to society in all their profile and competence areas and emerging fields. Its new interdisciplinary, interfaculty Interchange Forum for Reflecting on Intelligent Systems (IRIS) aims to start a process of critical reflection on the foundations, mechanisms, implications, and effects of intelligent systems in research, teaching, and society as a whole (https://www.iris.uni-stuttgart.de/).

Within IRIS, Dr. Cornelia Sindermann will build a new research group starting on 01. January 2023. The team will investigate how intelligent systems underlying various online services in interaction with users’ characteristics and behaviors might impact information consumption and processing and political opinion formation, accordingly. Topics like the spread of “fake news” or the creation of “filter bubbles” and “echo chambers” as well as the impacts of those phenomena are examples of research topics that will be of interest to the team. Based on scientific research, contributing to countermeasures against threats arising from intelligent systems for unbiased (political) opinion formation, attitudes, and behaviors will be another aim of the team. The combination of self-report, experimental and digital trace data will be of importance to follow the aforementioned research approach.

Dr. Cornelia Sindermann invites excellent early career researchers to apply for a Ph.D. position to complement the newly built team’s research focus. The Ph.D. position will focus on the connection between Social Sciences, specifically Psychology, and Technical Science related to the aforementioned topics.

Potential areas of research

• The impact of existing intelligent systems on how information is provided, consumed, and processed by individuals with a focus on politically relevant information
• The relation between information environment homogeneity (“filter bubbles”, “echo chambers”) and political opinion formation
• Creation of intelligent systems fostering democratic capabilities of individuals
• Data economy and digital business models

We invite applications from all fields but expect the applicants to name at least two disciplines that they want to work with. Applicants should have strong competence in bringing societal perspectives into the interdisciplinary/transdisciplinary reflection on intelligent systems and bridging multiple fields of disciplines.

Eligibility criteria

• Ph.D. candidates hold (or expect to complete soon) a Master's or equivalent degree
• Strong academic record (first publications in peer-reviewed journals, conference presentations, and prices for theses are a plus)
• Advanced English language skills (>= C1)
• Strong analytical skills (being proficient in R statistical software is mandatory, python is a plus)

What we offer

The Ph.D. position offers high-potential researchers an exceptional opportunity to conduct societally relevant research and work on their Ph.D. Additionally, the positions benefit from support structures offered by the Graduate Academy of the University of Stuttgart (GRADUS) and the SRF IRIS.

• The position is TV-L 13 according to the German federal wage agreement. If prerequisites are met, the starting group can be higher depending on the applicant's experience and qualifications.
• The initial contract will be for up to 3 years, and an extension for a fourth year will be strived for.
• The start date is 01.01.2023 but can be adjusted to suit the availability of the successful candidate.

How to apply

Please submit your application in a single PDF file (up to 10 MB) to jobs@iris.uni-stuttgart.de, including the following:

• Cover letter describing your background, research interests, and motivation including a statement explaining your area of research, naming two (or more) disciplines among those represented in IRIS to bridge
• One-page summary of your Master thesis
• Academic CV (max four pages)
• List of publications and lectures (if any)
• Preferred start date
• Transcripts and Degrees (Bachelor, Master). Please include a certified translation of the diploma for languages other than German or English.
• Two reference letters should be submitted by the referees directly to jobs@iris.uni-stuttgart.de.

Applications submitted before 28.10.2022 will be given priority; however, applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

Inquiries should be sent to Dr. Cornelia Sindermann at jobs@iris.uni-stuttgart.de.

Information on how the University protects personal data under Article 13 of the GDPR can be found via the following link: https://www.uni-stuttgart.de/en/privacy-notice/jobapplication/

The University of Stuttgart would like to increase the proportion of women in the scientific field and is therefore particularly interested in applications from women. Severely disabled persons are given priority in the case of equal suitability.

We look forward to your application!