Postdoctoral Researcher (Political Economy, AI, Autocracy)

For EU Horizon project “Using AI to Support Regulators and Policy Makers (AI4POL)” we are looking for a Postdoctoral Researcher to work, in a team, on “Artificial Intelligence in Autocratic Countries.” The goal of the project is to produce both fundamental research on the political economy of AI-development in autocratic countries (esp. China and Russia) and applicable advice for European policy makers.

The AI4POL project is led by the Tilburg Law and Economics Center (TILEC), an interdisciplinary research center with members both from the Tilburg School of Economics and Management (TiSEM) and Tilburg Law School (TLS). AI4POL’s work package (WP) “Artificial Intelligence in Autocratic Countries” is anchored at TiSEM’s Department of Economics, of which you will become a member. It will be expected that you also join TILEC and participate in its main activities.

Next to your daily collaboration with the WP leader and other TILEC researchers, this work package comprises inputs from and collaboration with data scientists, computer scientists, ethicists, and survey researchers (who are based in Lithuania, Germany, and the Netherlands). Openness towards an interdisciplinary, international environment is therefore a must. The working language is English, both in the AI4POL project, the WP, and at Tilburg University.

The position itself carries a lot of independence and potential to do research and carry out the required work in ways you deem best (in coordination with the WP leader and subject to the promised deliverables). In particular, we will analyze the political economy and institutional environment in which AI-research and related technology innovation is conducted in key autocratic countries, such as China and Russia. At a later stage, we will theoretically develop and empirically identify relevant data sources that serve as input into an index which quantifies specific risks related to AI in those countries, for Europe. This research will both be academically pathbreaking (with corresponding publication potential in academic journals) and be politically relevant (as we have direct access to key European regulators and policy makers, via AI4POL’s Advisory Board).

0.8 FTE of the position will be funded by the project and are purely for research and very little project administration. If you opt for a full-time position, the remaining 0.2 FTE will be funded by the Department of Economics, which comes with responsibilities in thesis supervision and/or teaching (details will be determined in consultation with the department head).

Requirements:

You have finished a PhD and can fully commit your time to this new project (there would be little time to finalize your PhD dissertation chapters). You are a social scientist with empirical skills and experience in working with data (econometrics, statistics, and/or data science). The specific discipline of your PhD does not matter but political scientists, economists, economic geographers, or area specialists of China and/or Russia (or a related autocratic country and governance institutions) may have an advantage. Importantly, you have knowledge and interest in (i) politics, international relations, or political economy and also in (ii) digital industries, technology innovation, or AI-development. Specific knowledge of the countries, institutions, and languages of China or Russia is a plus but not mandatory.

Whereas this position is open to scholars from various backgrounds, it is important that you are interested in affecting not only knowledge creation but also real-world policies with your work. You are an independent thinker and a team player, open-minded, and respect different methodologies being used by colleagues from diverse academic disciplines. Being able to organize oneself and others, thinking along and taking over responsibility for processes, as well as communicating proactively and clearly is a plus.

Salary Benefits:

Tilburg University offers excellent benefits in a pleasant working environment: 

• A position based on 0,8 FTE (32 hours per week) or 1 FTE (40 hours per week). 
• A salary of minimum €4.492 and maximum €6.148 gross per month for full-time employment, based on UFO profile Researcher 3 and salary scale 11. Tilburg University uses a neutral remuneration system based on relevant education and work experience. 
• This is a vacancy is for a temporary position in accordance with Article 2.3 paragraph 5 under b of the Collective Labor Agreement of Dutch Universities. You will be given a temporary contract for the duration of 36 months/3 years. 
• Vacation pay of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3%. 
• Over 8 weeks of vacation leave. 
• The opportunity to work partly on campus and partly from home. 
• Reimbursement for sustainable commuting: walking, cycling, and public transportation. 
• A monthly internet fee of €25.
• An Options Model in which you exchange benefits for things such as additional leave, more pension, a bicycle or personal training at our Sports Center. 
• A pension with ABP; the most sustainable Dutch pension fund.
• Training in personal development, career development, leadership, education, and research or a language course at our Language Center. 
• A work culture in which we embrace differences, everyone is welcome and given equal opportunities. 
• A vibrant campus in green surroundings that is easily accessible by public transport. 

For more information, see our website and the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities. 

32 - 40 hours per week

Warandelaan 2