Missions

Supporting research in the humanities and social sciences, CNRS Sciences humaines & sociales is launching a call for applications for a two-year post-doctoral position on the uses and effects of AI (artificial intelligence) on practices of creation, writing and production, from both a cultural history and art history perspective.

In the space of just a few years, the very latest advances in AI have deeply transformed the world we know. While the consequences of AI development are far-reaching, with major economic, political, societal, epistemological, ethical, legal and other incidences, the transformations brought about by AI in the field of culture represent a major undertaking that we urgently need to scrutinize and analyze.
In addition to the growing number of exhibitions exploring the intersections of arts and AI, there are, unsurprisingly, an increasing amount of scientific events in the French academic landscape, exploring what AI is doing to culture, to the arts, as the processes of creation, production and reception are deeply transformed, and how the rise of these new technologies involves rethinking notions as fundamental to cultural studies as “image”, “text”, “vision”, “author”, “style”, “originality”, “realism”, “photography”, while at the same time challenging the usual regimes of indexicality.

The post-doctoral fellow will be assigned to THALIM (UMR 7172) and will contribute to the research into these topics, so as to anchor the reflection on AI and culture in a lasting way within the THALIM research center.

The aim will be to identify and analyze in detail the work of the most innovative artists and creators on these issues, and thus establish reference corpuses. By proposing an original research project, the candidate will also participate in theoretical research on the need to rethink key concepts of aesthetics and visual culture in the light of these upheavals.


The hired person will work under the supervision of Ada Ackerman, a permanent research fellow, art historian and exhibition curator, specialist of the figure of the Golem, who has been working on the imaginaries and representations of AI, as well as on the intertwining of human and non-human agencies.

The aim of this post-doctorate is to provide a significant experience within a research laboratory to a PhD holder.

While actively contributing to the work of a humanities and social sciences laboratory, the hired person will be able to sharpen his or her knowledge in a specific field of research - history and theory of arts - and acquire a greater scientific independence and autonomy.

Activities

The position will consist of the following missions:

- Study and analysis of artistic and literary corpuses: interviews with artists; research in archives, in museum collections, in special libraries in France and abroad.
- Writing and publishing one or more individual and/or collective articles based on analysis of data collected during the project.
- Organization and participation to scientific events: symposiums, seminars, cultural programs in France and abroad (travel required).
- Research for exhibitions
- Online publishing and editing of scientific content: research notebook

Skills

- PhD in art history/ film history and theory/ media history and theory/ visual studies/ literature / digital humanities;
- Good knowledge of the history of AI; fine understanding of its technical aspects
- Good knowledge of the cultural world
- Language skills: French (read, written, spoken); English (read, written, spoken).
- Ability to communicate and argue, to analyze, synthesize and think critically, to learn and develop skills, flexibility and adaptability.
- Writing skills, ability to formulate a scientific project, publish and promote research.
- Ability to work as part of a team, particularly on multidisciplinary projects.
- Autonomy, organizational skills and ability to report on research carried out..
- Knowledge of IT tools

The candidate's skills as a researcher will be demonstrated by at least one first/first or second author publication related to the project's theme and activities.

Work Context

The research center THALIM aims at writing a plural and transnational history of modernity, relying upon arts and literature. It covers a remarkable diversity of arts as well as an outstanding variety of cultural and linguistic areas. The UMR THALIM especially focuses on interdisciplinarity, intermediality and cultural transfers. Its members have published pioneering works about avant-gardes, contemporary literature, theatrical arts, postcolonial and gender studies, sound studies and digital humanities.
Within the latter, artificial intelligence is to play an increasingly important role, as it deeply transforms the field of culture and arts.

The hired person will interact with THALIM members working on AI and arts. He/she will be provided with a workspace and computer equipment, either at the INHA location (close to the INHA library), or at the Sorbonne-Nouvelle location.

Constraints and risks

Short trips in France and abroad are to be expected.

Additional Information

Deadline for applications:

Applications must include the following documents (in French and/or English)
- A cover letter (in French and English)
- A detailed CV clearly evidencing the candidate's skills
- PhD thesis report
- One or two publications illustrating the skills required for this project.
- A document (maximum 3 pages) detailing how the applicant intends to fit into the program and accomplish its goals