Postdoctoral Research Associate in Participatory Approaches to Artificial Intelligence and Just[...]

Postdoctoral Research Associate in Participatory Approaches to Artificial Intelligence and Justice (m/f/d)

, Academic staff

About us

The Institute of History and Ethics in Medicine (IHEM) is part of the School of Medicine and Health at the Technical University of Munich. We advance ethical practice and theory in medicine, biomedical technology, and public health. Our mission encompasses both theoretical and empirical methods to foster ethical, transparent, and interdisciplinary research, education and policy.

About the position

We are looking for a 100% post‑doctoral research associate beginning in Summer 2026 for a term of 2 years with the possibility of an extension. The postdoc will join the ERC‑Starting Grant project team on "Participatory Algorithmic Justice: A multi‑sited ethnography to advance algorithmic justice through participatory design" (PARTIALJUSTICE) to examine issues of justice and participation in artificial intelligence (AI). The project advances collaborative, qualitative research to better understand who and what AI harms, and how these harms should be redressed through multi‑sited ethnographic fieldwork, integrated with participatory design workshops.

Requirements

• A doctorate in anthropology, sociology, STS, or a related social science discipline and experience in conducting and publishing research at an international level. Candidates in the final stages of completing their PhDs will also be considered.
• Experience with qualitative methods is required. Applicants should have demonstrated independent experience in designing and carrying‑out empirical qualitative research, ideally ethnographic fieldwork, and experience in qualitative data analysis.
• Experience with participatory design or participatory methodologies is desired. Other forms of community work or project facilitation will also be considered.
• Strong analytical skills and a proven interest in interdisciplinary analysis.
• Topical expertise working in the areas of AI, justice, technology, or related inequality.
• Fluency in English and one additional language. Substantial fluency in the second language is required for in‑depth interviews, public workshops, and data analysis.

We offer

• An exciting intellectual environment and a supportive research team.
• An excellent international, collaborative research environment at one of Europe’s leading academic institutions with state‑of‑the‑art equipment.
• Employment and remuneration according to the collective agreement for the public service up to TV‑L E13, plus the attractive benefits of public service such as capital‑forming benefits and company pension scheme.
• Full‑time position; part‑time is generally possible.

Further notes and information

• TUM is striving to increase the ratio of women and therefore expressly welcomes applications from female candidates.
• The position is suitable for disabled persons. Disabled applicants will be given preference in case of generally equivalent suitability.
• The weekly working time is 40 hours. The position is initially limited to 24 months.

Your application

Contact Dr. Amelia Fiske at for content‑related questions. For administrative questions contact

To apply, send a single PDF document containing: 1) a cover letter, 2) CV, 3) a short research proposal (max 1 page), 4) up to three relevant publications, and 5) a list of professional references. The cover letter should detail experience with qualitative data analysis, participatory methodologies, and AI. The research proposal should describe a potential ethnographic research project related to PARTIALJUSTICE and provide specifics on methodology and feasibility.

Send the PDF by to with the subject line "PARTIALJUSTICE WiMi Application_APPLICANT LAST NAME". Please cc If sending by post, mail to:
Technische Universität München
School of Medicine and Health
Institut für Geschichte und Ethik der Medizin
Ismaninger Str. 22
81675 Munich

Data Protection Information

When applying to TUM you will provide personal data. Please review TUM’s data protection information in accordance with Art. 13 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) available at By submitting your application you confirm that you have taken note of TUM’s data protection information.