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This is a full time/fixed term opportunity for 36 months
We have three Marie Curie Doctoral Fellow opportunities and candidates must submit separate applications for each post they wish to be considered for
Gross salary per month (before tax, employer and employee national insurance costs and pension contributions): Euro + Euro mobility allowance + family allowance Euro (if you have family at the time of recruitment)
In accordance with the EU Marie Skłodowska-Curie-Actions financial guidelines for this scheme.
(Salary is paid in £, the precise figure is dependent on £/Euro conversion rate)
An exciting and rare opportunity to join a prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie European Doctoral Training Network programme.
We are looking for an ambitious and talented early stage researcher, who is passionate about harnessing Data Science and AI for the common good and social innovation. The researcher will join a cohort of 13 fellows from the Data2Action Marie Skłodowska-Curie European Doctoral Training Network programme (
The successful candidate will be registered as a Marie Curie PhD student with the topic: “ Co-Creating the Future of Data and AI for Good: Social Innovation, Careers, and Collective Intelligence ”. The aim of the research is to shape the future of “data and AI for good” from a technological, social/environmental and career perspective. The main objectives are:
1. Understand the current models, agenda and impact of “data an AI for good” practice.
2. Develop a research agenda and Roadmap for “Data and AI for good”.
3. Define how social innovation principles and practices can shape future Data and AI technology developments.
4. Study how career pathways and social enterprise can be developed in the “Data and AI for good” sector
Data2Action : is the Marie Skłodowska-Curie European Doctoral Training Network programme uniting social innovation with data science & AI for common good. Data2Action exists to make emerging technology work harder for humanity, enabling us to co-create a healthier, fairer and more sustainable world for all. Data2Action aims to train the next generation of leaders in data science, AI and social innovation, through solid research training, mentoring, networking and collaboration with industry and third sector.
Data2Action is an ambitious new research and development project that will:
5. Show social pioneers how to harness data science and AI for common good and conversely.
6. Shape the future of technology development to serve social innovation and the common good.
The Data2Action project is situated at the intersection between social innovation, digital technology development and “tech/data/AI for good”.
Data2Action will bring together top researchers and experts in data science, AI, and social innovation to collaborate on five pivotal outcomes that will turn possibilities into positive impact.
#1 Co-creating a research roadmap
An evidence-based framework of best practices for applying data science and AI to drive social innovation more efficiently and rapidly.
#2 Developing and testing through living labs
Demonstrator projects showcasing the benefits of data-driven social innovations addressing climate change, social justice, democracy, health, and ageing .
#3 Establishing an Data/AI-for-good ‘academy’
Open-source training and tools to build capacity in social innovators, entrepreneurs and grassroots changemakers, so they can harness data science and artificial intelligence effectively, responsibly and equitably.
#4 Carving out career pathways for pioneers
A blueprint for well-paid roles with prospects in purposeful data science and AI.
#5 Guiding better informed social leadership
Practical advice, support and advocacy to encourage policymakers, funders, and government organisations to ethically embed data science and AI for common good.
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network (MSCA)
The MSCA programme offers competitive and attractive working conditions. You will have an employment contract from the recruiting beneficiary. You will benefit from a competitive salary, annual leave, social security coverage. The salary will be composed of:
7. A living allowance (around euros per month – gross salary) which is adjusted by applying a country correction coefficient to the living allowance of the country in which the researcher is recruited. The country correction coefficients are indicated in. Please be aware that these amounts are subject to taxes and the exact salary will be confirmed upon appointment. The research project should result in a PhD thesis.
The Project
The aim of the research project of the doctoral candidate is to shape the future of “data and AI for good” from a technological, social/environmental and career perspective. The main objectives are:
Understand the current models, agenda and impact of “data an AI for good” practice. Develop a research agenda and Roadmap for “Data and AI for good”. Define how social innovation principles and practices can shape future Data and AI technology developments. Study how career pathways and social enterprise can be developed in the “Data and AI for good” sector
To achieve this, the fellow will:
1) The Fellow will research how social innovation principles and practice can shape the development of “Data and AI for good” as well as the development of data science and AI technology. The Fellow will systematically review academic and grey literature on “Data and AI for good” and “Tech for good” to identify current models of practice, gaps in the literature, issues for development and critically analyse them and map them to the process and principles of social innovation.
2) The Fellow will investigate how data science and AI can be used to enhance collective intelligence and genuine bottom-up social innovation. TheFellow will engage and work with key stakeholders in the “Data and AI for good” (e.g. DataKind, DataforGood), social innovation and data and AI sectors in a formal evidence-based co-creation process to develop a Research Road Map for “Data and AI for good”
3) The Fellow will develop a theory of change for “Data and AI for good” (based on triangulating, using a realist approach, information from systematicreview, qualitative data from interview and focus groups of key stakeholders and case studies analysis. This theory of change will provide a framework for embedding social innovation principles and practices (including ethics, security, inclusion, diversity and equity principles as well as environmental perspective) in the development of “Data and AI for good”, as well as future data scienceand AI technology.
4) Finally, “Data and AI for good” needs a worforce and people to invest time into it. Currently, the model is mainly a voluntary model. The Fellow, in collaboration with Key stakeholders, will research alternative models through qualitative and formal future and foresight studies, particularly how new career pathways and social enterprise can be developed in the “Data and AI for good” sector.
The Doctoral Candidate will have the opportunity to conduct secondments in leading “Data for good” organisations such as DataKind and social enterprise to learn on the job and develop networks.
The Doctoral Candidate will be expected to:
Report on findings by publishing scientific articles, resulting in a PhD dissertation; Present findings at (inter)national meetings/conferences; Contribute to the wider work of the Data2Action project Contribute to educational activities of the department and within the consortium.
Further details on this post and more details of the project are available by contacting Prof Sebastien Chastin at .
The Candidate
We are looking for an individual with a passion for data science and AI for the common good. We are particularly interested in ambitious individuals looking to become leaders in a new field of research and to shape the future of technological development. The candidate will need good organisational skills and the ability to communicate clearly with a variety of audiences.
Requirements
Essential:
Eligible applicants must possess or be finalising a Master’s degree or an equivalent degree in a relevant discipline for Data2Action. Possible disciplines include e.g., computer science, artificial intelligence, data science, ICT engineering, digital humanities, philosophy, philosophical ethics, social sciences, anthropology, cognitive science, cybernetics, social innovation. Excellent English language proficiencyCompetencies: Open-minded, collaborative, critical thinker, team player, strong communicator, self-motivated, self-driven, great communication skills and ability to work in multidisciplinary environment.Applicants must be available full-time to start the program in September .
Desirable:
Experience in the “Data/AI for good” worldCoding in python/RAbility to develop AI toolsKnowledge of data science pipeline and toolsAbility to synthesise complex information. Familiarity with qualitative and quantitative research methods, including interviews, surveys, and case study analysis.
Eligibility Conditions:
Applicants do not already hold a doctoral degree.Applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the UK for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the recruitment date. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays, and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not taken into account. Applicant must be eligible for a working visa in the UK
The University
As the University for the Common Good, we are committed to embedding equality, diversity and inclusion, as well as our values in everything that we do. As such, we welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates who demonstrate the.
The University offers a range of benefits including opportunities for professional development, family friendly policies, cycle to work scheme and onsite childcare facilities.