Postdoctoral Researcher Neuroethics

NeuroTranslate: Embedded Ethics for Trustworthy, Legitimate, and Fair AI-based Neural Decoding

Postdoctoral Researcher Neuroethics

, Academic staff

The Laboratory for Ethics of Artificial Intelligence and Neuroscience at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), headed by Prof. Dr. Marcello Ienca, is seeking to appoint a Postdoctoral Researcher, 100% (TV-L E13) to work on the interdisciplinary research project “NeuroTranslate: Embedded Ethics for Trustworthy, Legitimate, and Fair AI-based Neural Decoding” within the DFG-funded TransforM Excellence Cluster.

About the TransforM Excellence Cluster

TransforM is one of TUM’s interdisciplinary Clusters of Excellence, funded under Germany’s Excellence Strategy. The cluster brings together researchers from engineering, medicine, social sciences, humanities, and law to study and shape the societal transformation driven by artificial intelligence, robotics, and emerging technologies. TransforM combines cutting‑edge technical research with strong expertise in ethics, governance, and public engagement.

The successful candidate will be a full member of the TransforM Excellence Cluster, with access to its research infrastructure, internal funding instruments, international network, and cluster‑wide scientific and policy activities.

About the NeuroTranslate project

NeuroTranslate investigates how AI systems translate neural activity into speech and action, and how this translation reshapes agency, responsibility, legitimacy, trust, and mental privacy. The project adopts a comparative embedded ethics approach, examining neuroAI development in both clinical neuroscience and neurorobotics settings.

Your tasks

The postdoctoral researcher will play a central role in the project and work closely with the PI and international collaborators.

• Conduct independent postdoctoral research on ethical, legal, and societal aspects of neuroAI and neural decoding
• Implement embedded ethics research in clinical neuroscience and neurorobotics laboratories
• Design and carry out qualitative and mixed‑methods studies (e.g. interviews, ethnography, workshops)
• Contribute to analyses of agency, responsibility, trust, mental privacy, and algorithmic bias in neuroAI systems
• Collaborate with technical partners on issues of transparency, interpretability, and fairness
• Publish research results in leading international journals and present at conferences
• Contribute to policy‑oriented outputs, governance use cases, and public engagement activities

In addition, the successful candidate will assume a project management and coordination role within the TransforM Excellence Cluster, including:

• Support strategic integration of NeuroTranslate within the cluster
• Coordinate with other TransforM projects and cluster leadership
• Contribute to milestone tracking, internal reporting, and synergy‑building across projects

Required Qualifications

• A completed Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline, such as philosophy, neuroscience, psychology, medicine, law, social sciences, computer science, or a related field
• Strong interest in the ethical and societal implications of emerging technologies, particularly AI and neurotechnology
• Willingness and ability to work in an interdisciplinary research environment
• Very good command of written and spoken English
• Experience with supervising master’s and/or PhD students
• Strong publication record or clear postdoctoral research agenda

Desirable Qualifications

• Project management skills
• Experience with qualitative or mixed‑methods researchFamiliarity with AI, machine learning, neurotechnology, or robotics research contexts
• Interest in science policy, governance, or public engagement
• Teaching experience

What We Offer

• Full‑time postdoctoral position (100%, TV-L E13)
• Initial contract for 3 years, with possibility of extension
• Full integration into the TransforM Excellence Cluster and its interdisciplinary research ecosystem
• An outstanding international research environment at TUM
• Close collaboration with leading neuroAI laboratories and policy institutions
• Support for publications, conferences, and academic career development
• Mentoring and support for third‑party funding applications (e.g. ERC, MSCA, Humboldt, TUM Global Postdoc Fellowship)
• Opportunity to gain hands‑on experience in project coordination and research management within a Cluster of Excellence, providing valuable preparation for future leadership roles in academia, research coordination, or science policy
• A collegial, inclusive, and supportive working environment committed to diversity and scientific excellence

The Laboratory for Ethics of Artificial Intelligence and Neuroscience offers a collaborative, inclusive, and supportive working environment and is committed to fostering diversity, well‑being, and scientific excellence.

Candidates who subsequently wish for a full‑time position will have the opportunity to apply for complementary grants (e.g. Marie Skłodowska‑Curie Fellowships, TUM Global Postdoc Fellowships, Humboldt Research Fellowships, etc.) with the support of the PI. In addition, the selected candidate will also be part of the Institute for Ethics and History of Medicine and will have the opportunity to interact with other members of the institute.

Application

Interested candidates should submit the following documents in one single PDF:

• CV (max 2 pages)
• Publication list (max 2 pages including a short‑list of 5 top publications)
• Letter of intent (max 2 pages)
• Degree certificates
• Sample of written work (e.g., published first‑author article or extract of the PhD thesis)
• Two letters of recommendation (to be sent later as they are required for candidates invited for interview only)

As part of the Excellence Strategy of the German federal and state governments, TUM actively promotes equal opportunities. Applications from women, people with disabilities, and candidates from underrepresented groups are explicitly encouraged. Applicants with severe disabilities will be given preference in cases of essentially equal qualifications. Note: The workplace is not completely barrier‑free, not wheelchair accessible (listed old building).

The position is suitable for disabled persons. Disabled applicants will be given preference in case of generally equivalent suitability, aptitude, and professional performance.

Applications will be considered as they are received and until the positions are filled. Job interviews will take place in March 2026. Start date: May 1, 2026 (or by agreement).

Technische Universität München

Institut für Geschichte und Ethik der Medizin

Ismaninger Str. 22

81675 München

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