2 PhD-Positions: Ethics of AI and Theoretical Philosophy of AI
Your workplace
Centre for Philosophy and AI Research (PAIR), Nürnberger Str.74, 91052 Erlangen

Our benefits

• Regular promotion to the next level and increase in salary pursuant to the collective bargaining agreement for the public service of the German Länder (TV-L) or remuneration pursuant to the Bavarian Public Servants Remuneration Act (BayBesG) plus an additional annual bonus
• 30 days annual leave at five working days per week with additional free days on December 24 and 31
• Occupational pension scheme and asset accumulation savings scheme

Salary at level TV-L E13, 65% (currently starting at ca. €38.000/year, before tax). The employment includes social security benefits, health insurance (1/2 employer, 1/2 employee), pension, sick pay, etc.

Our current rules foresee 2600 per PhD student per year in travel expenses. There is funding for the organisation of events and for inviting people to PAIR. There is a bonus for finishing on time and there is seed funding for applying for postdoctoral funding.

Employment can start in October 2026 or earlier. The contracts are for three years.

The PhD students will be supervised by the Director, Prof. Vincent C. Müller, and a Research Fellow at PAIR. They benefit from an excellent research environment and a well-organised support structure.

Your Tasks
We are looking for a candidate with clear intellectual and academic excellence, capable of good teamwork, with an international outlook, and good English proficiency. The specific topic of the PhD will be developed in year one, but at the moment, we think that some fruitful areas of research may include: agency, intention, perception, limits of machine-learning, AI in education & research, AI and philosophical method, well-being, and human rights. Some organisational or teaching work for the Centre is assumed (ca. 15%). Employees are expected to reside in the region and to work on-site at PAIR during the semester time most of the week.

Your Profile
Requirements:

Masters degree in philosophy or a closely related discipline, by the time of appointment.

We do not require that applicants already have a visa & work permit for the EU/Germany.

Application:

Applications via e-mail to , with subject “PAIR PhD: Application“, with a single PDF that includes:

• motivation letter (1-2 pages)
• 2–4 page outline of a proposed PhD-project (including references)
• CV
• contact information for 2 referees

Supplementary description
Environment:

The Centre for Philosophy and AI Research {PAIR} was founded in 2022 with support from a prestigious Alexander von Humboldt Professorship for Vincent C. Müller at the Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU). PAIR has a dozen researchers as well as support staff for administration and IT. PAIR is currently funded by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, the University, and further 3rd party research funding (DFG, BMBF, EU, RCN, etc.). PAIR’s vision is to set the agenda in the philosophy and ethics of AI through publications, events, structures, and visible activities. We edit the journal “Philosophy of AI” and organise the Society for the Philosophy of Artificial Intelligence (PhAI). Our work is philosophy, in cooperation with cognitive sciences, social sciences, and computer science. We offer a lively and modern workplace in the centre of beautiful Erlangen, though we also hold writing retreats and other events elsewhere. The working language at PAIR is English.

Everyone deserves to feel at home at our university. In its pursuit of academic excellence, FAU is committed to equality of opportunity and to a proactive and inclusive approach, which supports and encourages all underrepresented groups, promotes an inclusive culture and values diversity. FAU is a family-friendly employer.

Application deadline

2026-03-06

Title

2 PhD-Positions: Ethics of AI and Theoretical Philosophy of AI

Job start date

2026-10-01

Payment

E13

Working time

full time

Weekly working hours

40

### Temporary Contract yes

Period of Temporary Contract

36 Months

Further general conditions

Work location

Nürnberger Str. 1
91052 Erlangen

Contact

Vincent C. Müller
Tel.: pair-jobs@fau.de
Mobil:
vincent.c.mueller@fau.de

Please apply via our online platform instead of sending applications by post or e-mail. Applications sent to us by post will not be returned.

With regard to the personal data collected during the application process, please refer to our information pursuant to Art. 13 and 14 of the General Data Protection Regulations at .

FAU is a modern, cosmopolitan and family-friendly employer. We welcome your application irrespective of your age, gender, cultural and social background, religion, ideological beliefs, disability or sexual identity. Applicants with a disability or who are considered to be equivalent to people with a disability will be given preference provided their aptitude, performance and capability are essentially the same. We are happy to offer part-time positions, provided a job-sharing arrangement means that the tasks in the area are fully covered.

If you wish, you may invite a person responsible for ensuring equal rights to accompany you to the job interview without incurring any disadvantages.