PhD position 100% »Promptology/Prompting with AI models«

PhD position at the Department of Media Studies at the University of Basel on the topic of ’Promptology/ Prompting with AI models’

Research project ’Assisted Thinking. A Deep History of Scholarly AI’

Description

The Department of Media Studies at the University of Basel (Chair of Media History and Media Theory, Prof. Dr Markus Krajewski) is seeking to fill a doctoral position for a period of 3 years, as part of the research project ’Assisted Thinking. A Deep History of Scholarly Artificial Intelligence’, funded by the NOMIS Foundation, Zurich.

The research project deals with a deep history of artificial intelligence by relating the practices and procedures of contemporary AI models, in particular LLMs and LMMs, to a broader historical context. Part of this research relates to the language of large language models and how new modes of questioning and media practices emerge through prompting. It is in this context that your doctoral project, to be developed independently, is located, which will be carried out in cooperation with the University of California, Berkeley (Prof. Dr. Hannes Bajohr).

Your profile

As a successful applicant, you will have a university degree (MA) in literary studies, media studies, history of science, philosophy, modern history, or STS as well as good foreign language skills. You have excellent research skills as well as the ability to conduct independent academic research. In addition to working on your doctorate, we expect you to be involved in the conception, organisation and implementation of workshops, colloquia and conferences, which we organise together with our cooperation partners.

We offer you

The Department of Media Studies at the University of Basel offers an excellent academic environment for research into issues of cultural history, technology, literature, media studies and cultural techniques. The position is remunerated according to the SNSF guidelines for doctoral positions (approx. CHF 50,000 per year). The position is to be filled on 01.04.2025 or by arrangement.