Are you an aspiring researcher with an interest in the field of artificial intelligence? And would you like to delve into increasing the involvement of humans in decision-making processes? As a PhD candidate, you will be able to put your ideas to the test and push your boundaries. You do this in a collaborative, multidisciplinary and supportive work environment, with a diverse international staff. 
Human decision-making is increasingly shaped by Decision Support Systems. EU regulations request effective human oversight on decision-making. It is unclear whether humans can fulfil such a supervisory role for prolonged periods. The project will develop a prototype of a 'Reflection Machine' (RM) aimed at increasing human resistance against automation complacency. The prototype will be applied to the domain of chronic low back pain in collaboration with the Radboud university medical center and Sint Maartenskliniek.

The PhD project will develop an RM prototype that will provide feedback on joint human-DSS decisions, increasing the involvement of humans in the decision-making process. RMs improve human oversight by asking questions about the possible reasoning behind accepting or rejecting a recommendation. As a PhD candidate you will work on four subprojects: (1) Deriving design requirements from EU regulations such as the GDPR, the AI Act, and ethical codes such as developed by the EU High-Level Expert Group on trustworthy AI. (2) Specifying how RMs can intervene in decision-making by utilising insights from cognitive psychology and neuroscience regarding human decision-making while being supported by AI. This will involve working with the 'Nijmegen Decision Tool', a DSM developed for estimating treatment outcomes for chronic low back pain (CLBP) at the Radboud university medical center and Sint Maartenskliniek. (3) Developing a prototype implementation of an RM in the medical domain of CLBP on the basis of (1) and (2), such that its effects on automation complacency can be measured. The RM should produce output in the form of questions that prompt the physician to reflect on the decision more deeply. (4) Exploring the RM's functionality and user experiences, by investigating the effects of the RM prototype on the quality of decision-making (e.g. accuracy and efficiency), the potential interference with workflow, and satisfaction levels regarding the overall decision-making process. All projects will result in deliverables such as publications in international peer-reviewed journals and/or conference contributions. A small part of the available time (max. 0.2 FTE) will be devoted to teaching activities, such as guest lectures and Bachelor’s and Master’s thesis supervision, within the context of the AI educational programme.

• You should hold a Master's degree in AI.
• You are thoroughly familiar with philosophical aspects of AI and its societal implications.
• You have a strong desire to develop your skills in academic research and teaching.

Fixed-term contract: You will be employed for an initial period of 18 months, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, the contract will be extended by 2.5 years (4 year contract).

• Employment for 1.0 FTE.
• The gross starting salary amounts to €2,443 per month based on a 38-hour working week, and will increase to €3,122 in the fourth year (salary scale P).
• You will receive 8% holiday allowance and 8.3% end-of-year bonus.
• You will be employed for an initial period of 18 months, after which your performance will be evaluated. If the evaluation is positive, the contract will be extended by 2.5 years (4 year contract).
• You will be able to use our Dual Career and Family Care Services. Our Dual Career and Family Care Officer can assist you with family-related support, help your partner or spouse prepare for the local labour market, provide customized support in their search for employment  and help your family settle in Nijmegen.
• Working for us means getting extra days off. In case of full-time employment, you can choose between 29 or 41 days of annual leave instead of the legally allotted 20.

Additional employment conditions
Work and science require good employment practices. This is reflected in Radboud University's primary and secondary employment conditions. You can make arrangements for the best possible work-life balance with flexible working hours, various leave arrangements and working from home. You are also able to compose part of your employment conditions yourself, for example, exchange income for extra leave days and receive a reimbursement for your sports subscription. And of course, we offer a good pension plan. You are given plenty of room and responsibility to develop your talents and realise your ambitions. Therefore, we provide various training and development schemes.

The Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour is a world-class interfaculty research centre, that houses more than 700 researchers devoted to understanding the mechanistic underpinnings of the human mind. Research at the Donders Institute is focused around four themes: 1. Language and communication, 2. Perception, action and control, 3. Plasticity and memory, 4. Neural computation and neurotechnology. Excellent, state-of-the-art research facilities are available for the broad range of neuroscience research that is being conducted at the Donders Institute. The Donders Institute has been assessed by an international evaluation committee as ‘excellent’ and recognised as a ‘very stimulating environment for top researchers, as well as for young talent’. The Donders Institute fosters a collaborative, multi-disciplinary, supportive research environment with a diverse international staff. English is the lingua franca at the Institute. The PhD student will join the Societal Implications of AI & CNS (SIAC) PI group. The SIAC group investigates fundamental presuppositions and theoretical & societal implications of research within Artificial Intelligence and Cognitive Neuroscience. Its methods are characterized by the use of conceptual analysis, experimental philosophy and value-sensitive design.