Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Information Systems, Malicious Artificial Intelligence agents’ research) / Tutkijatohtori (Tietojohtaminen, tekoälyagenttien negatiivisten vaikutusten tutkiminen)

EVIL-AI (”evil eye”), Kuva: Henri Pirkkalainen/Midjourney-tekoäly 

Together, Tampere University and Tampere University of Applied Sciences form a higher education community that places faith in people and scientific knowledge. Leading experts in the fields of technology, health and society are changing the world at Finland’s second largest multidisciplinary higher education institution. www.tuni.fi/en  

Tampere University has an open position for a postdoctoral research fellow in the Unit of Information and Knowledge Management. Four-year fixed-term contract will include working in the project EVIL-AI (”evil eye”) – The identification and the mitigation of the negative effects of Artificial Intelligence Agents. The project is funded by Jane ja Aatos Erkon Säätiö. 

Job description 

Position will be a part of the newly funded EVIL-AI project: 

Artificial intelligence agents (AI agents) are computer programs or information systems that are capable of performing independent and intelligent actions while pursuing a certain goal. A critical uncharted area of AI agents relates particularly to their unethical and unwanted behavior. AI agents can be harnessed to deceive people, they can group together and be set free to carry out criminal activity, in such a way that it is not possible to stop them. 

The aim of the project is to identify, mitigate and prevent the negative effects of AI agents. The project investigates various manifestations of malicious artificial intelligence such as chatbots, service robots, and metaverse avatars. 

The position addresses multidisciplinary research topics and is suitable for post-doctoral researchers from different backgrounds. The research activities are handled mostly as teamwork. We appreciate a positive attitude and willingness to work across three interdisciplinary teams related to EVIL-AI-project. 

The position in Information Systems in NOVI: 

We seek for an Information Systems researcher with a focus on researching the dark side of AI agents in the metaverse. The empirical research carried out in the project can be either qualitative or quantitative in nature. 

The unit of information and knowledge management (NOVI) conducts research related to value creation in the areas of information systems management, knowledge-based management and digital business. Our research interests are on offering, utilizing and managing information and knowledge in organizations in order to improve their competitive advantage. We search answers to questions such as how information and/or knowledge is best used by different stakeholders, how it is offered, how it creates value, how it can be improved, and why different challenges and obstacles emerge. In particular, we are interested in value creation mechanisms, such as information technologies, data assets, data analytics, work systems, and different types of networks. 

The position is in the research group led by Professor Henri Pirkkalainen. The group conducts research in the area of information systems adoption and use. The group conducts research on multi-user virtual reality, the dark side of information systems use (e.g., technostress) and gamification of competence development. 

Requirements 

• Doctoral degree
• Ability and interest to work in teams 
• A competence to pursue independent scientific work 
• Fluent in both written and verbal English 

Previous research experience and strong publications in the field of Information Systems is expected in the application. The position appreciates experience in studying the negative effects of IS use, human-AI collaboration, AI agents, or behavioral or adoption studies of immersive technologies. Expertise in a particular method (e.g., experiments, field studies, qualitative or quantitative studies) is important. Interest in teaching in topics relevant to above and project-related fields is strongly appreciated.  

We offer 

In this position, you will have an opportunity to combine research and practice around new technologies and shape future practices around the dark side of AI. You will also experience collaborating with various companies and institutions. The position is located in Tampere university’s Hervanta campus (Tampere), but we are flexible on remote working as well. You will also experience working with multi-user remote tools in the Metaverse. 

Tampere University has many employee benefits which include ie. comprehensive occupational health services and flexible working. 

Position is full-time with fixed term between 1.9.2024 – 31.8.2028, as mutually agreed upon both parties. The preferred starting date is 1.9.2024. The salary will be based on both the job demands and the employee's personal performance in accordance with the University Salary System. The position of the postdoctoral researcher is placed on the job demand level 5. A trial period of six months applies to all our new employees. 

We are inviting you to be a part of an active and truly international research community allowing you to develop your skills as a member of two different faculties and units. We have a strong commitment to the highest level of scientific research. 

How to apply 

Please submit your application through our online recruitment system. The closing date for applications is August 1, 2024 (at 23:59 EEST / 20:59 UTC). Applications and all accompanying documentation should be written in English/Finnish, and in PDF format. Please note that applicants may be invited to participate to an interview throughout the application time and therefore we encourage to apply as soon as possible. 

Applications should include the following documents: 

• Curriculum Vitae 
• Transcript of studies 
• Motivation letter/application 

For more information, please contact:  

Professor Henri Pirkkalainen, henri.pirkkalainen@tuni.fi 0504371567 

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Tampereen yliopisto ja Tampereen ammattikorkeakoulu muodostavat yhdessä Suomen toiseksi suurimman monitieteisen, innostavan ja vaikuttavan tutkimus- ja oppimisyhteisön. Korkeakouluyhteisömme osaamiskärjet ovat tekniikka, terveys ja yhteiskunta. Lue lisää: www.tuni.fi 

Tampereen yliopiston tietojohtamisen yksikkö palkkaa tutkijatohtorin Jane ja Aatos Erkko säätiön rahoittamaan hankkeeseen ”EVIL-AI (”evil eye”) – Tekoälyagenttien negatiiviset vaikutukset ja niiden ehkäisy”. Haemme nelivuotiseen ja kokoaikaiseen tehtävään tietojärjestelmätiede-taustaista henkilöä. 

Tehtävänkuvaus 

Tekoälyagentit (AI agents) ovat tietokoneohjelmia tai järjestelmiä, jotka kykenevät tekemään itsenäisesti älykkäinä tulkittavia toimintoja tavoitellessaan tiettyä tavoitetta. Tekoälyagenttien kriittinen kartoittamaton alue liittyy erityisesti niiden epäeettiseen ja ei-toivottuun toimintaan. Tekoälyagentit voi valjastaa huijaamaan ihmisiä, ne voivat ryhmäytyä sekä päästä vapaaksi toteuttamaan rikollista toimintaa, siten ettei niitä ole mahdollista pysäyttää.  

Hankkeen keskeinen tavoite on tekoälyagenttien negatiivisten vaikutusten riskikentän tunnistaminen ja ehkäisy. Hanke tutkii erilaisia ilmentymiä pahatahtoisesta tekoälystä kuten keskustelubotit, palvelurobotit ja metaversumin avatarit. 

Tutkijatohtorin painotus on erityisesti metaversumin ja tekoälyn rajapinnassa.  

Hakuohjeet 

Lue tarkemmat tiedot tehtävästä ja hakuohjeet yllä olevasta englanninkielisestä ilmoituksesta. 

Jätäthän hakemuksesi yliopiston sähköisellä hakulomakkeella (linkki löytyy tämän ilmoituksen alta). 

Hakuaika tehtävään päättyy 1.8.2024 klo 23.59.