Open vacancy for specialists in AI & algorithmic systems

The Joint Research Centre (JRC) is looking for a Scientific Project Officer - AI and Algorithmic Systems Inspections to join ECAT.

The successful candidate will join an interdisciplinary and multicultural team of applied researchers working in DSA enforcement activities. They will work in close collaboration with a wide range of partners, including legal and policy experts, and they will be part of cross-department teams during DSA compliance investigations, interacting at the technical level with very large online platforms and very large online search engines.

Read the vacancy notice

Candidate Requirements

We are looking for an applied AI researcher and technologist with a keen interest in supporting EU digital policies. The ideal candidate would have an in-depth knowledge and hands-on practical experience with modern algorithmic systems and artificial intelligence systems, such as those used for content analysis, recommendation and generation.

Candidates should have the following experience/skills (essential): 

• A university degree and at least 2 years of professional experience or a PhD (doctoral diploma) in disciplines relevant to this vacancy such as computer science, artificial intelligence or engineering.
• Practical experience in the design, development and/or evaluation of algorithmic systems, such as modern Artificial Intelligence systems. 
• Very good (C1 level) knowledge of English.

Any of the following skills and experience would be desirable:

• Excellent software engineering and development skills; ability to develop, maintain and deploy production-grade data science and AI libraries, tools and applications in Python.
• In-depth knowledge of the architecture and lifecycle of large-scale algorithms, such as those used by online platforms and search engines.
• Experience in performing algorithm inspection, auditing or testing activities, or analysing their risks and impact on society and individuals.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate’s main tasks may include, among others: 

• defining –and applying in real-world settings– new methodologies and tools for the analysis, inspection and auditing of complex state-of-the-art algorithms and AI systems;
• defining and implementing practical experiments to assess the societal risks posed by online platforms’ systems, producing evidence about their impact on users and society;
• analysing and requesting information from large online platforms and search engines about their technical systems, such as technical reports, data sets, risk assessments;
• direct participation in DSA supervision and enforcement activities and investigations.

What we offer

Type of contract: Contractual Agent, Function Group IV (article 3b of the Conditions of Employment of Other Servants)

Duration of contract: 36 months (renewable up to maximum 6 years)

‍Place of employment: Seville (ES), Ispra (IT) or Brussels (BE). Please indicate in your application your preferred place(s) of employment.

And also:

• Work in a dynamic, multidisciplinary research field at the cutting edge of algorithmic systems transparency and trustworthy artificial intelligence, with a tremendous societal impact in Europe and beyond.
• A unique opportunity to help make the online space safer and more transparent for all Europeans and to work hands-on on some of the most exciting and complex challenges brought by online platforms.
• A family-friendly working environment, with online collaboration and occasional travel for on-site investigations and cooperative work with colleagues in Brussels, Seville or Ispra.

How to apply

Visit the JRC External Staff Recruitment Application website, and apply for the vacancy with the code 2023-SVQ-T3-FGIV-024478.

You will be requested to register through EU login. If you don't have a EU login account, sign up here. 

If you are already on a valid CAST FG IV reserve list, or you have already applied to one of the calls below, you can directly submit your application at: http://recruitment.jrc.ec.europa.eu/?type=AX.

If not, before applying to this position, you must register for one of the two following:

• the Call for Expressions of Interest | EU Careers (europa.eu) (CAST Permanent FG IV), which is used by a wide range of organisations (institutions, bodies, offices and  agencies of the European Union), or
• the specialised call for researchers (JRC Call COM/1/2015/GFIV – Research), which is mainly used by the JRC.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 21/01/2024 23:59 Brussels time