Postdoctoral Research Associate/Fellow - Philosophy and Ethics of AI
Overview
The University of Exeter Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences is offering a full-time, fixed-term Postdoctoral Research Associate or Fellow position focusing on the philosophy and ethics of artificial intelligence. This ERC-funded role is part of the five-year European Research Council Advanced Grant project titled GENERAL-AI: Artificial Intelligence and Military Decision-Making, led by Principal Investigator Professor Anthony King.
The successful candidate will work specifically within Work Package 3, which examines the ethics of military decision-making with AI. The position runs from January 2027 through 31 December 2031. Work arrangements are hybrid, and the appointment is conditional upon the successful completion of security vetting.
Who can apply
Applicants must have expertise in philosophy, ethics, political philosophy, moral philosophy, philosophy of technology, or a closely related field. For Postdoctoral Research Associate applicants, candidates must possess a relevant PhD or be nearing completion. For Postdoctoral Research Fellow applicants, candidates must possess a relevant PhD.
Applicants are required to have lived continuously in the UK for at least 5 years and be a national of a NATO member state to be eligible for the necessary security clearance level. Candidates who do not meet these criteria will not be considered.
Requirements
The appointee will conduct international-quality research on the ethics of AI and military decision-making, produce publications, and establish themselves as an expert in the field. Candidates must be able to plan, execute, and conduct high-level research, publish findings in peer-reviewed journals and books, present research progress and outcomes, communicate complex information orally, in writing, and electronically, and prepare proposals and applications to external bodies.
Key dates
The closing date for applications is 2026-11-06. Interviews are expected to take place in late November or early December. The post is available starting January 2027.