[PlanetKR] final call, postDoc and PhD positions, Bochum, LoDEx project

[Christian Straßer]

[sorry for x-posting]

The research group Logic in Philosophy and Artificial Intelligence
(Christian Straßer, Ruhr-University Bochum) has an opening for a
PostDoc-position and a PhD-position.

Deadline: 30. November 2023.
Starting date: February 2024.

The positions are embedded in the LoDEx project (Logical methods for
Deontic Explanations), a joint project between the Ruhr-University
Bochum (PI: Christian Straßer), the University of Luxembourg (PI: Leon
van der Torre) and the TU Vienna (PI: Agata Ciabattoni).

Note that there is a parallel call for a PhD at TU Vienna. For details
see: <https://www.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/lodex/>.

/=================================\
| Description: PostDoc Position    |
| Deontic Explanations. ABR: 2461. |
\=================================/

This position is a three-year, 100%-funded PostDoc position (TV-L 13).

The candidate will be working as a member of the WEAVE project
“Logical methods for Deontic Explanations” (LoDEx). The project’s
general aim is to develop formal frameworks for generating
explanations in the context of ethical and legal reasoning. These
"deontic explanations" facilitate our comprehension of the underlying
reasons for the application of specific norms within a particular
context, illuminating why adherence to these norms is crucial.

The PostDoc position focuses on the use of formal argumentation for
the modeling of deontic explanations. Such a model comes with many
challenges. One is that in order to be more perspicuous and
convincing, explanations should take into account what the explainee
believes and values, i.e., their epistemic and axiologic horizon.
Another challenge is the contrastive nature of explanations, since
why-questions are often framed contrastively ('Why should I do A
rather than B?'). Formal argumentation offers a good basis for
modeling explanatory exchanges, e.g., in terms of dialogues. The
candidate will also interact with a PhD student working on
applications of deontic explanations to bioethical problems.

The candidate should have familiarity with either of the following
(and ideally several):

• formal logic, ideally modal/deontic/epistemic logics;
• formal argumentation;
• a basic affinity with and an interest in ethical and moral theories.


/============================\
| Description: PhD Position      |
| Deontic Explanations. ANR 2451 |
\============================/

The position is embedded in the LoDEx project (Logical methods for
Deontic Explanations), a joint project between the Ruhr-University
Bochum (PI: Christian Straßer), the University of Luxembourg (PI: Leon
van der Torre) and the TU Vienna (PI: Agata Ciabattoni).

The call is for a 2 year (65%) position at the Ruhr-University Bochum,
which is to be extended for another 2 years (years 3 and 4) at
the University of Luxembourg under a Cotutelle agreement.

The PhD position focuses on the application of formal explanation
methods to (bio)ethical reasoning. In the context of bioethics, deontic
explanations answer why it is morally correct or justified to resolve a
given case in a particular way. For this purpose, the candidate will
combine methods from deontic logic, argumentation theory and
philosophical conceptual analysis. They will develop and apply formal
frameworks for (bio)ethical explanations. Formal argumentation provides
a rich toolbox for representing and analyzing ethical conflicts in a
transparent way that closely resembles human reasoning. By integrating
dialogical contexts, it provides a natural framework for modeling
deontic explanations that are optimized for understanding.

The candidate should have familiarity with either of the following (and
ideally several):

• formal logic, ideally modal/deontic/epistemic/philosophical logics;
• formal argumentation;
• a basic affinity with and an interest in ethical and moral theories.

/=======================\
| Research Environment. |
\=======================/

The positions will be embedded in a rich research environment, incl.
connections to

• the newly established trilateral WEAVE Project on “Logical Methods for
  Deontic Explanation” (Bochum, Luxembourg, TU Vienna,
  <https://www.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/lodex/>)
• the group on Logic in Philosophy and Artificial Intelligence
   (<https://homepage.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/defeasible-reasoning/index.html>)
• the research group on Reasoning, Rationality and Science (Dunja
  Šešelja, Christian Straßer,
  <https://www.ruhr-uni-bochum.de/rrs-philosophy/>)
• the Logic in Bochum Group
• the Center for Mind and Cognition,
• the Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence group.

Family-friendly initiatives are in place, such as an international spouse
program, and excellent on-campus children day care and sports facilities.

For any queries, please contact <mailto:christian.strasser at rub.de>.

/===================\
| Job requirements. |
\===================/

For the PostDoc positions: You hold a PhD degree in Philosophy,
Computer Science, Mathematics, or a discipline related to the listed
topics.

For the PhD position: You should have a degree in computer science,
philosophy, logic, AI, or related. 

You have an interest in the above listed themes of the research.
Knowledge of German language is not required.

We welcome candidates with a wide variety of backgrounds and
perspectives and we especially encourage candidates from
underrepresented groups to apply.

For any queries, please contact Christian Straßer:
mailto:christian.strasser at rub.de.

/==============\
| Application. |
\==============/

Your application should contain the following documents:

1. a letter of motivation explaining your interest in the position and
   your qualifications for it,
2. your curriculum vitae,
3. a writing sample and
4. names and contact information of two persons willing to provide
   references.
5. indicate whether you apply for one of both of the postdoc positions
   or the PhD position.
6. for the PhD position: please include a complete list of your study grades.

If you are interested, we invite you to apply by 30th of November.

Interviews will be held shortly thereafter online.

Please send your application to mailto:jobs-log-phi-ai at ruhr-uni-bochum.de.