The TU Delft Faculty of Industrial Design, Department of Sustainable Design Engineering is seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to do research on developing and applying generative AI to detect and mitigate bias (e.g. gender and racial bias) in online and offline social interactions.

The candidate will work in an exciting interdisciplinary environment, collaborating with experts in artificial intelligence, design, and social sciences within the Feminist Generative AI Lab.

Feminist Generative AI Lab

The Feminist Generative AI Lab is a joint research Lab based at TU Delft and Erasmus University of Rotterdam. The Lab pioneers research at the intersection of generative AI, design, and data feminism. Recognizing the recent developments in generative AI technology and its widespread impact, the Lab addresses the ethical challenges and opportunities inherent in this transformative field through a theoretical feminist lens. A feminist approach to technology goes beyond gender. Broadly understood, it is an approach that aims for less dominating alternatives, thinks beyond binary oppositions and embraces pluralism and difference.

Vacancy

We invite applications for a fully-funded PhD position in Design. The PhD candidate will be responsible for investigating the technical feasibility, effectiveness, and societal implications of designing generative AI applications that detect and mitigate bias (e.g., gender and racial bias) in both online and offline social interactions, to promote awareness and foster more balanced, equitable, and inclusive communication practices.

Research Context

This project applies the principles of data feminism to the realm of AI for social good, focusing on the awareness and mitigation of gender and racial bias in both online and offline social interactions. It aims to actively address issues such as biased, discriminatory, or offensive content in conversations and online spaces, seeking to counteract them through innovative solutions based on the potential of generative AI. By addressing the complexities of bias in various social settings, this research aims to reflect on the opportunity to develop generative AI-powered solutions that align with, and foster, principles of justice and inclusivity.

In response to concerns about the risk of bias in existing generative AI models, researchers are actively developing de-biasing methods. This study investigates the use of de-biased, ad-hoc generative AI models to enhance real-time awareness of gender and racial bias in social interactions, aiming to effectively mitigate them.

Methodologies and Activities

The successful candidate will adopt methodologies and tools based on, among others, generative AI models training or customization, participatory design, value-sensitive design, experience and/or critical design, and mixed methods. They are expected to engage in the following activities:

• Co-develop (i.e. design, train) generative AI models that consider various dimensions of diversity and inclusivity, by applying the concept of intersectionality;
• Co-design (real and/or critical) solutions and artifacts powered by the trained generative AI model to be adopted in online and offline human-human interactions;
• Develop interfaces that promote awareness and understanding of biases in real-time social interactions;
• Prototype the designed solutions and deploy them in controlled environments to assess their effectiveness in detecting and addressing biases;
• Conduct evaluations analyzing the systems' user experience, acceptability, performance, and helpfulness in promoting more inclusive and equitable communication.

• Master's degree in Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Computer Science, or a related field;
• A strong background in human-centered design, interaction design, user experience design, human-computer interaction, or related fields;
• Programming skills (e.g., Python, TensorFlow, PyTorch), experience in training (generative) AI models, or willingness to learn;
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills;
• Strong communication skills and an ability to collaborate across disciplines;
• Proficiency in human-centered design tools and methodologies;
• Excellent scientific writing skills are a plus;
• A commitment to social justice issues.

This PhD position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research at the intersection of design, feminism, and artificial intelligence, with the potential to shape the future of inclusive and just technological landscapes. We encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds and experiences to apply.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1,5 year contract with an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months. Followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2,5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from € 2770 per month in the first year to € 3539 in the fourth year. As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. 

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Industrial Design Engineering

Matching the evolution of people with the speed of the revolution of technology. This is the focus of the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering (IDE). Delft designers act as a bridge between advances in technology and the needs of people, organisations and society to create products, services and systems with purpose.

IDE is a leader in design research across the application areas of mobility, sustainability and health, as well as its development of design tools and methods. A 350-strong research team and over 2,000 students work together in our inspiring hall, labs and studios.

In close cooperation with industry, the public sector and NGOs we rehearse possible futures in research and education to design for a complex future.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Industrial Design Engineering.