Applications are invited for a temporary post of a UCD Post-doctoral Research Fellow Level 1 or 2 within UCD School of Computer Science.

AI-driven recommendation algorithms such as those embedded in Instagram, YouTube and TikTok are profoundly influential in society. While they are beneficial in organising vast volumes of online content, there is mounting evidence that they can present risk, particularly for young people. The proposed project will address the challenge of ensuring trustworthy AI recommender systems and aims to develop a large-scale simulation platform for recommendation algorithms to enable the evaluation of trends in what content is being suggested to different users. The simulation environment will be integrated within a user interface designed for platform regulators, third-party auditors and industry. Sample profiles of users and different ways of interacting online can be generated and interaction with the recommendation algorithm simulated. The output of the algorithms, and the recommended content will be categorised and trends compiled in an interpretable report which will make visible what kind of content is being recommended to different user groups online. This will allow the identification of both items of harmful content and also potentially harmful content distribution trends. In this way, risks to populations, particularly to vulnerable groups may be identified before the negative consequences are evident in society.

This is a research focused role, where you will conduct a specified programme of research supported by research training and development under the supervision and direction of a Principal Investigator.

The primary purpose of the role is to further develop your research skills and competences, including the processes of publication in peer-reviewed academic publications, the development of funding proposals, the mentorship of graduate students along with the opportunity to develop your skills in research led teaching.

In addition to the Principal Duties and Responsibilities listed below, the successful candidate will also carry out the following duties specific to this project:

• Contributing to the design and delivery of the proposed project.
• Collaborating with other researchers both in UCD and Externally.

Post Doc Level 1 Salary Range: 42,033 - 48,427 per annum or Post Doc Level 2 49,790 - 51,193 per annum

Appointment on the above range will be dependent upon qualifications and experience.

Closing date: 17:00hrs (local Irish time) on 2nd June 2023.

Applications must be submitted by the closing date and time specified. Any applications which are still in progress at the closing time of 17:00hrs (Local Irish Time) on the specified closing date will be cancelled automatically by the system.

UCD are unable to accept late applications.

UCD do not require assistance from Recruitment Agencies. Any CV's submitted by Recruitment Agencies will be returned.

The PD1 position is intended for early stage researchers, either just after completion of a PhD or for someone entering a new area for the first time. If you have already completed your PD1 stage in UCD or will soon complete a PD1, or you are an external applicant whose total Postdoctoral experience, inclusive of the duration of the advertised post, would exceed 4 years, you should not apply and should refer to PD2 posts instead.

or

The PD2 post is intended for researchers that have completed PD1. As with the PD1, if you have already completed your PD2 stage in UCD or will soon complete a PD2, or your total Postdoctoral experience, inclusive of the duration of the advertised post, would exceed 6 years, you should not apply and should refer to Research Fellow posts instead.

Prior to application, further information (including application procedure) should be obtained from the Work at UCD website: https://www.ucd.ie/workatucd/jobs/