Open positions

Applications are invited to a postdoc position in the Social Computing Group at the University of Zurich (Switzerland), headed by Prof. Anikó Hannák. We seek a candidate who will lead innovative computational social science projects around the topics of responsible AI and algorithmic fairness in resource allocation problems.

The group’s research focuses on how digitization affects people and society, especially problems that arise due to automated decision-making and algorithms that curate smartphone apps and online platforms. We ask questions such as “Are Web Search results correct, relevant, and how do they influence opinions?” or “Are algorithms used by job search sites discriminating?”. Our work revolves around critically inspecting automated mechanisms, and addressing fundamental social scientific questions using computational methods. Beyond research excellence, emphasis is places on the social relevance and real-world impact of our topics.

Besides conducting research, the responsibilities of the postdoc will involve mentoring ongoing student projects in the lab, as well as getting involved in teaching activities. Thus, you should be interested in teaching, mentoring, getting involved in the group’s organizational life, and taking responsibility for the group’s output. The core group currently consists of 2 postdoc researchers and 6 PhD students, while we have joint projects with collaborators at the university and worldwide.

Given the above described responsibilities of the position, you will have the opportunity to gather experience in the more senior aspects of being an academic; how to contribute to building and managing a group, acquire funds, shape the research direction for the next years. The position is for two years initially, with a possible extension. We offer a flexible start date, preferably around Feb-Mar 2025.

The lab is embedded in a network of vibrant academic collaborations with both first-class international partners, and a highly interdisciplinary local community. It is also important to mention that the computer science department at UZH dedicates a large part of its education and research focus on data science and people-oriented computing.

Qualification:
You should have a PhD (or be near the completion of a PhD) with a strong international publication record. Moreover, you should also:

• be comfortable handing large amounts of unstructured data
• be experienced with statistical/ML models
• have interest in responsible AI and algorithmic fairness
• have strong programming skills
• have experience and interest in mentoring students, managing research projects and excellent communication skills in English, English is the working and teaching language in our department.

Beyond the above, useful skills include: modeling of socio-technical processes, dealing with large data sets, big data analysis, machine learning, economics and data visualization.

We offer:

• a team of young and highly motivated colleagues who are passionate about research
• the team is embedded in a diverse and international network of collaborators
• access to diverse interdisciplinary collaborators through the Digital Society Initiative, a Zürich-based organization and meeting place for researchers across all disciplines who are interested in the challenges of digital societies.
• a work environment that is equipped with the newest hardware and software technology
• strong support for your personal development and career planning
• an attractive work environment both within the research group and beyond: the University of Zurich is one of Switzerland's leading universities in the middle of a vibrant, cosmopolitan city that ranks as one of the cities with the highest quality of life in the world.

How to apply:
If you fit the profile, like challenging tasks, have a critical and open-minded spirit, and are passionate about research then we would love to hear from you. To apply for the position, please send a detailed curriculum vitae, motivation letter, selected publications as PDF files by email to Prof. Anikó Hannák at hannak "at" ifi "dot" uzh "dot" ch.

Additionally, applicants should arrange for up three letters of recommendation to be sent to Prof. Hannák directly within two weeks after applying. The review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.

The University of Zürich is committed to enhancing the number of women in scientific positions and, therefore, particularly invites women to apply.