Postdoctoral Researcher in AI Innovation Trajectories
UNU-MERIT, will soon open a position for a highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to contribute to an exciting project analyzing the global landscape of AI innovation. The project is led by Jack Stilgoe at UCL, in collaboration with CWTS at Leiden (Rodrigo Costas), Ingenio at CSIC-UPV (Ismael Rafols) and the Centre for Interdisciplinary Methodologies at Warwick (Noortje Marres).
The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary team working on mapping and analyzing AI trajectories using NLP, to study the potential contribution to society (with a sectoral focus, e.g. agriculture). The position allows for flexible work arrangements: currenlty available for one year full-time, two years part-time (50%), or any combination in between. Further funding is likely to become available, to extend the duration and/or increase the full time equivalent over the two years.
Position Focus:
The postdoc will combine BERT type models and Large Language Model (LLM)-driven topic modeling to examine research publications and patents. A key aspect of the research will be to identify the societal problems AI aims to address and how AI is shaping innovation in specific sectors, e.g. agriculture.
Specific tasks include:
- Mapping AI research and patent trends worldwide to understand how diYerent
countries, institutions, and organizations shape AI development. - Identifying AI applications and their associated societal challenges.
- Assessing AI’s impact on (agricultural) innovation, analyzing its role in shifting research
priorities and adoption likelihood under varying local conditions.
Required Skills and Experience:
- PhD in a relevant field (e.g., Innovation Studies, Scientometrics, Computer Science,
Data Science). - Strong quantitative skills and experience with scientometric methods, machine learning
for text analysis, and posisbly LLMs. - Proficiency in programming languages (e.g., Python, R) and data analysis tools.
- Knowledge of, or strong interest in AI and its applications.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
To Apply:
Interested candidates are invited to submit an expression of interest, including a brief CV and a short statement outlining their relevant experience and motivation, to Tommaso Ciarli (ciarli@merit.unu.edu) by April 13. Informal inquiries are welcome.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to apply to the job opening as soon as it will be posted.
Opportunities at related organisations:
Maastricht University
United Nations University