PhD student in feminist AI to counteract gender-based violence

Project description

Research education subject: Information and Communication Technology

We at the Department of Computing and Learning Systems (CLS) are seeking a PhD student for a fully funded research project on feminist AI to counteract gender-based violence. The project aims to develop new AI methods that make gender-based violence online visible by identifying not only explicit expressions of harassment and abuse, but also the structural silences and omissions that shape digital narratives. By combining the latest developments in large language models (LLM), natural language processing (NLP), and machine learning (ML), the project investigates how AI can identify missing voices, hidden patterns, and deficiencies in institutional accountability to contribute to more responsible, transparent, and socially conscious AI systems.

The successful candidate will develop new machine learning models and evaluation methods, build large-scale datasets and knowledge graphs, collaborate with feminist organizations and civil society actors, and publish research results in leading conferences and journals within AI. The project offers a unique opportunity to conduct research at the research frontier at the intersection of artificial intelligence, equality, and justice.

You will become part of an interdisciplinary and collaborative research environment that values scientific excellence, intellectual curiosity, diversity, and research with real societal benefit. We welcome applicants with different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives and actively work to create an inclusive, respectful, and supportive research environment where everyone is given the opportunity to develop. We are convinced that different perspectives strengthen both research and innovation and particularly encourage individuals from groups that are underrepresented in AI and computer science to apply for the position.

Supervision: University Lecturer Amir H. Payberah

Eligibility for admission

To be admitted to doctoral studies (Chapter 7, Section 39 of the Higher Education Ordinance) the applicant must have basic eligibility:

a completed degree at an advanced level, or completed course requirements of at least 240 higher education credits, of which at least 60 higher education credits are at an advanced level, or knowledge acquired in some other way, within or outside the country, that primarily corresponds to these requirements.

In addition to the above, there is also a mandatory requirement for English equivalent to Engelska B/6.

Selection

To succeed in your doctoral studies at KTH, you need to be goal-oriented and persistent in your work. During the selection of applicants, the ability to:

independently drive your work forward, collaborate with others, maintain a professional approach, and analyze and work with complex issues, will be assessed.

After the eligibility requirements, great importance will be placed on personal qualities.

Target degree: Doctoral degree

Information about admission and employment

Only those admitted to doctoral studies may be employed as a PhD student. The total period of employment may not exceed what corresponds to full-time doctoral education for four years. An employed PhD student may, to a limited extent (at most 20%), perform certain tasks within, e.g., education and administration. A new employment as a PhD student is valid for at most one year; the employment may thereafter be renewed for at most two years at a time.

As a PhD student, you will benefit from KTH's employment benefits and have a monthly salary according to KTH's agreement for PhD salaries. Read more about Forskarstudier vid KTH | KTH | Sweden.

Trade union representatives

Contact details for trade union representatives.

Doktorandsektionen (Tekniska högskolans studentkår)

Contact details for the doctoral section.

Application

You apply via KTH's recruitment system. As an applicant, you are primarily responsible for ensuring that your application is complete when it is submitted.

The application shall contain the following:

Copies of degree certificates and transcripts from previous university studies and certificates of fulfilled language requirements (see above). Translations into English or Swedish are required if the original document is not issued in one of these languages. Copies of originals must be certified. CV with relevant professional experience and knowledge. Application letter with a concise account of why you want to pursue doctoral studies, about your academic interests, and how they relate to your previous studies and future goals. (Max 2 pages) Representative publications or technical reports. For longer documents, please attach a summary (abstract) and a web link to the full text. Names and contact details for two to three academic references.

The application must reach KTH no later than the last application date at midnight, CET/CEST (Central European Time/Central European Summer Time).

Other information

For information about the processing of personal data in connection with recruitment.

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Read more about our benefits and what it is like to work and develop at KTH.