Postdoc - Human-AI symbiosis in manufacturing work environments

Research Context

Artificial Intelligence is transforming jobs in profound ways. In contrast with earlier technology-driven transformations, where physical automation was among the key drivers, AI increasingly impacts cognitively rich tasks. The risk of job losses and human roles being replaced by AI are a subject of intense interest, including fear. At the same time, the significant opportunities for the creation of new roles for humans to operate in synergy with AI, and especially in manufacturing, are not sufficiently appreciated by organisations and individuals.

The University of Groningen is offering a post-doctoral research position on Human-AI symbiosis in manufacturing work environments. The position is linked to the Horizon Europe project SkillAIbility (- Co-designing human centric pathways for future skills in manufacturing through augmented, empowered, inclusive, and symbiotic complementarities between AI, automation and human task). The project aims to create human-centric pathways to future Human-Centred Artificial Intelligence (HCAI) skills and jobs in the digital transition of the manufacturing industry. It also aims to mitigate risks for social disparities and inequalities by targeting societal, industrial, academic, and regulatory dimensions. Co-designing education and training programs as well as relevant AI tools with workers, especially vulnerable groups, using empowering, inclusive, and symbiotic complementarities between AI, automation, and humans is key to this approach.

What could a roadmap for positive adoption of human-AI synergies look like in manufacturing work environments? How to design human-centred AI-enabled work systems in such environments that capitalise on the best of both human and AI skills? What are skill gaps and future skill requirements in manufacturing and how to develop appropriate maturity models and roadmaps for organisations and manufacturing professionals towards future manufacturing jobs characterised by the key SkillAIbility project concepts of Augmentation, Empowerment, Inclusivity, and Human-AI symbiosis? What can we can learn from the SkillAIbility project manufacturing use cases defined within the project consortium how to instil these four key concepts in them? What lessons can be learned for manufacturing industry, workers, and policy-making? You will have the opportunity to contribute towards exploring such questions as part of a dynamic team and overall project consortium.

Your role

We offer an appointment for a Post-Doctoral researcher with an anticipated start as soon as possible. The appointment will be for a 18-month period. Your role will be to conduct research on Human-AI synergies in manufacturing work environments, as well as to contribute to and lead in some cases project research and technical reporting. You will contribute to high quality scientific publications, dissemination activities, and empirical research. You will also be expected to liaise with other researchers within the team and the broader consortium. You are expected to demonstrate initiative and ownership of research and project management activities. Your role will include engagement with and active contribution in regular project meetings and workshops (remote and physical) together with the project partners, demonstrating initiative, willingness to travel to represent the team in project meetings, workshops or dissemination events.