Job Opportunities (2): Postdoc Research Associates in Philosophy of Science and Machine Learning
Applications are open for two PDRAs in Philosophy of Science and Philosophy of Machine Learning
Come work with the Philosophy department at the University of Edinburgh, with affiliation to the Centre for Technomoral Futures!
There are two post-doc positions available in Philosophy of Science and Philosophy of Machine Learning for the ERC Project: Machine Learning in Science and Society: A Dangerous Toy? (TOY).
Closing Date: Monday, 20 April 2026
Start dates flexible around September 2026.
Informal enquiries may be made to Dr Emily Sullivan (opens email).
Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA): 3-years
This 3-year PDRA project is in general philosophy of science and philosophy of machine learning. The focus will be on issues in modelling surrounding how machine learning models idealize, represent, explain phenomena, and enable scientific understanding.
The successful candidate will work alongside Dr Emily Sullivan as part of the ERC funded grant project Machine Learning in Science and Society: A Dangerous Toy? (TOY). The PDRA will conduct original research in philosophy of science and the philosophy of machine learning. TOY aims to conceptualize and evaluate machine learning models across science and society as a type of toy model, bridging epistemic and ethical issues in simple computational models with contemporary complex machine learning models.
This post is full-time (35 hours per week), fixed-term post for 36 months.
Learn about the 3-year PDRA position and apply here (opens in a new tab)
Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA): 2-years
This 2-year PDRA project is in philosophy of science and philosophy of machine learning. The focus will be on interpretability and explanation methods for explaining complex machine learning models. We will investigate conceptual issues surrounding the idealizations present in interpretability and explanation methods and investigate epistemic puzzles that arise around using these methods. Preference for someone familiar in formal methods.
The successful candidate will work alongside Dr Emily Sullivan as part of the ERC funded grant project Machine Learning in Science and Society: A Dangerous Toy? (TOY). The PDRA will conduct original research in philosophy of science and the philosophy of machine learning. TOY aims to conceptualize and evaluate machine learning models across science and society as a type of toy model, bridging epistemic and ethical issues in simple computational models with contemporary complex machine learning models.
This post is full-time (35 hours per week), fixed-term post for 24 months.
Learn about the 2-year PDRA position and apply here (opens in a new tab)