Missions

This postdoctoral position is part of the research conducted at the CNRS Center for Internet and Society on the political, legal, economic, and social issues of so-called “artificial intelligence” services, networks, and digital platforms.

The research at CIS focuses on the geopolitical aspects of digital governance, as well as the production conditions and normative systems (sovereignty, democratization, openness and commons, frugality, etc.) surrounding AI, software, platforms, and digital resources.

This postdoc is funded by CNRS Humanities & Social Sciences as part of its scientific strategy and priority on digital transitions and artificial intelligence. It will contribute to ongoing reflections within CNRS Humanities & Social Sciences on digital governance, AI in society, and digital transitions through the production of a literature review and the conceptualization of research on the conditions for public debate and the challenges of digital governance.

Applicants are invited to submit a 3–5 page research proposal within this thematic scope.

Supervision will be provided by Francesca Musiani, Director of the CIS, and Mélanie Dulong de Rosnay, Director of the GDR “Internet, AI, and Society”, with support from Roberto Casati, Director of the Jean-Nicod Institute.

Activités

The researcher will dedicate their time to carrying out the proposed research project, which may include:

Developing an interdisciplinary literature review and theoretical framework with clear concept definitions;
Formulating recommendations for public and private stakeholders;
Publishing individual work and contributing to collective publications, prioritizing open-access journals;
Participating in and organizing conferences, research seminars, and other scientific events.
There are no teaching obligations associated with this position.

The researcher will also contribute to the creation and activities of a national working group on disinformation initiated by CNRS Humanities & Social Sciences, and will benefit from connections with the Research Network of Internet and Society Centers, of which CIS is a member.

Compétences

We are seeking a candidate with a PhD in political science or law with a background in social studies of digital technologies and an interest in philosophy.

An interest in interdisciplinarity (computer science, cognitive science, social sciences, philosophy) and an original perspective on the political and social implications of technologies and disinformation will be particularly valued.

Required skills include:

Recognized research activity (publications, conferences);
Proficiency in written and spoken English for writing scientific papers and presenting at conferences;
Strong public speaking and facilitation skills suited to diverse audiences and disciplines;
Ability to lead an independent research project and participate in collective scientific activities (collaborative writing, event organization).
The following qualities will be especially valued:

An international dimension beyond the state of the art, particularly in the ability to conceptualize research questions;
Ability to connect political and legal issues with an understanding of algorithmic functioning;
Capacity to produce actionable recommendations.

Contexte de travail

The selected candidate will be based at the CNRS Center for Internet and Society (CIS), in the 17th arrondissement of Paris (CNRS Pouchet campus).

CIS is a CNRS research center composed of the standalone research unit “Internet and Society” (UPR 2000), established in 2019. It works closely with the “Internet, AI, and Society” research group (GDR 2091), created in 2020. CIS strives to build independent and interdisciplinary research and expertise capable of illuminating major technical controversies and shaping contemporary digital and internet policy-making, and more broadly, computing and computer science.

Contraintes et risques

Partial remote work is possible.

Travel may be required in France and abroad and will be covered by UPR CIS.

The selected candidate is expected to adhere to the CNRS charter and commitments regarding ethics, equality, and sustainable development.