18 Months Postdoc in AI and Trust (Social Sciences and Humanities) University of Namur in Belgium

This 18-month postdoctoral position at the University of Namur, Belgium, is part of the ARIAC project funded by the Walloon Region, which brings together around 50 researchers in artificial intelligence across five French-speaking universities in Belgium. The focus at Namur is on trust mechanisms for AI, exploring both technological and interdisciplinary approaches to fostering trust, such as reliability, data safety, privacy, decision stability, and coherence. The project investigates federated learning algorithms, robust deep learning, reliability scoring for AI systems, hybrid interpretable/non-interpretable models, and innovative information visualization methods. Since 2024, ARIAC has expanded to include philosophical, social, and legal dimensions of AI, critically examining the concept of trust. The successful candidate will conduct research within the interdisciplinary Namur Digital Institute (NaDI), collaborating with other ARIAC partners and workpackages. The postdoc will define research topics with principal investigators and help coordinate ARIAC activities related to philosophical, social, and legal aspects of AI. Additionally, 15% of the postdoc's time will be dedicated to applied research challenges proposed by ARIAC's partner research centers, offering opportunities to work with real data and expand professional networks. The position is initially for one year, with a possible six-month extension after evaluation. Applicants must have a PhD in social sciences and humanities or computer science with a strong background in social sciences and humanities, demonstrate autonomy, teamwork skills, and a strong publication record, and be proficient in both English and French. Soon-to-be PhD graduates may apply if they will have defended their thesis before the position starts. The Faculty of Computer Science at University of Namur is a founding member of NaDI, with a multidisciplinary approach to digital technology and societal challenges. Applications are accepted by email and should include a motivation letter, short project proposal, CV, diplomas, PhD thesis, and recent publications. The deadline for applications is December 1, 2025, with an expected start date in February 2026.