Research Ireland

Fully funded PhD opportunity in Explainable AI (XAI) and Critical Human-AI Interaction at University College Dublin, School of Information and Communication Studies.

The project focuses on Explainable AI, with themes including contestability, frictional design, trust calibration, critical engagement, and explanation methods that support users in challenging or refusing AI decisions. Candidates are also welcome to propose their own topic within XAI.

Suggested research directions include: designing explanations for domain and AI expertise; explanation design for marginalised communities; post-hoc explanation methods for sustained critical engagement; and evaluation frameworks/metrics for critical engagement and trust calibration.

This opportunity is especially relevant to students with backgrounds in computer science, information technology, philosophy, psychology, sociology, statistics, or related interdisciplinary areas. Strong technical/programming skills are useful for the technical strands, while applicants from critical studies or social science backgrounds are encouraged if they are willing to engage with technical explanation methods.

Funding: fully funded PhD studentship with a stipend of €25,000 per year for four years, plus additional support for conference attendance and training. EU fees are covered automatically; non-EU students receive a fee waiver from UCD.

Deadline: 20 July. The post also references a broader UCD/Research Ireland cohort of PhD studentships for September 2026 intake, with applications opening in late May 2026 and closing in early June 2026.

Interested applicants should review the suggested topics and application instructions via the linked page and submit through the application portal/form provided. For further information, contact [email protected].