PhD Researcher in Trustworthy and Human-Centred AI Development

Overview

The KOF Swiss Economic Institute at ETH Zurich stands as a premier institution for applied economic research in Switzerland. Our research group operates at the convergence of economic research and Artificial Intelligence (AI), focusing on money systems and democracies while developing AI systems that serve these domains. We seek a dedicated individual with a robust engineering background and a keen interest in understanding the societal impact of these AI systems.

Research Responsibilities

As part of our research team, your role will involve conducting independent investigations into trustworthy, human-centered AI, contributing significantly to our ongoing projects. This position encompasses both methodological studies and practical implementations, addressing core issues of reliability, accountability, and human-AI interaction. You will collaborate within an international team, with the flexibility to influence the direction of your research.

• Investigate AI reliability, security, trustworthiness, and human-AI interaction, with an emphasis on high-stakes scenarios.
• Publish findings in top-tier venues focused on AI and responsible AI research (e.g., NeurIPS, ICML, ACL).
• Design and develop prototypes that consider real-world contexts, including user demographics, operational conditions, and potential impacts.
• Work directly with large language models to assess behavior, enhance reliability, and integrate them into systems, paying special attention to security and explainability.
• Contribute to LLM-based system development, including prompting methods, evaluation strategies, and system adaptations.
• Conduct user studies to assess interactions with our systems in conjunction with team members.

Ideal Profile

The ideal candidate will possess a strong technical foundation and the capability to pivot between research, engineering, and the broader implications of AI systems on society.

• A master's degree in computer science, machine learning, human-computer interaction, or related fields.
• Solid grounding in machine learning and familiarity with current AI methodologies.
• Understanding of large language models, focusing on reliability, security, and explainability.
• Knowledge of both technical and human factors involved in human-computer interaction.
• Ability to independently navigate open-ended research questions and communicate findings effectively.

Preferred Qualifications

• Practical experience with LLM APIs and evaluation frameworks.
• Familiarity with model adaptation and optimization techniques.
• Experience with cloud infrastructure and production deployment practices.
• Skills in frontend and/or backend development.

Work Environment

At ETH Zurich, you will benefit from internationally competitive working conditions. This role offers the opportunity to embark on a high-quality PhD journey in a collaborative research setting known for its vitality and dynamism.

• Competitive gross salary as per ETH Zurich’s standard for PhD students.
• Access to a vibrant community of economic researchers with opportunities for participation in various workshops and conferences.
• A doctoral program located at the intersection of computer science and applied domains such as democracy and financial systems.
• Supervised by esteemed faculty members and embedded within an internationally recognized research environment.
• Engagement with a broader community focused on responsible and trustworthy AI development.
• Facilitated connections across academia, central banking, and policy sectors pertinent to AI and economic frameworks.
• Ample room for personal initiative and the potential to formulate your research agenda.

Inclusion and Sustainability

ETH Zurich champions an inclusive culture that values diversity and promotes equal opportunities. We are dedicated to cultivating an environment that respects the rights and dignity of all staff and students. Sustainability is a core principle, and we continually strive towards a climate-neutral future.

Curiosity and Collaboration

If you share our passion for research and development in AI, we invite you to explore this opportunity to contribute to impactful work that resonates with the evolving landscape of technology and society.