PhD Fellow in Generative AI Methods for Cultural Fidelity

The position

We are seeking a PhD Fellow to join the Sámi AI Lab at the Department of Computer Science, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, focusing on inclusive generative AI. The position focuses on non-language generative modalities, with a strong emphasis on visual media, to achieve high cultural fidelity, developed with and for Sámi communities. The research advances methods, models, and evaluation for faithful representation of cultural expressions and delivers models, datasets, and tools usable by Sámi communities, with approaches designed to transfer to other Indigenous peoples and minoritized groups.

The objective of the position is completion of research training leading to a PhD in Computer Science. Admission to the PhD programme is a prerequisite for employment, and enrolment takes place at the start of the position. The appointment is for four years. The nominal length of the PhD programme is three years. The fourth year is distributed as 25 % each year and will consist of teaching and other duties

You will participate in the Faculty’s organised research training, and the project must be completed within the employment period. Expected outputs include peer-reviewed papers suitable for reputable international venues, presentations at international conferences, and regular progress reports. You are also expected to work constructively toward shared research goals.

The workplace is at UiT in Tromsø. You must be able to start within a reasonable time after receiving an offer.

The project 

This PhD project addresses insufficient cultural fidelity in generative AI, specifically the misattribution or omission of cultural expressions, and aims to develop approaches that achieve faithful representation across non-language generative modalities. Possible directions include developing community-informed datasets, fine-tuning and evaluating models for cultural fidelity, and creating tools that support culturally aware generation and assessment. The work involves participatory research with communities to ensure relevance, consent, and impact

The PhD is based in the interdisciplinary Sámi AI Lab, which advances inclusive and equitable AI with a primary focus on Sámi communities. The lab also contributes to research benefiting other minoritized groups and Indigenous peoples more broadly. Its research covers three core areas: 

• 1. Applied AI and technology development 
• 2. Sámi data readiness for AI
• 3. The governance and ethics of Sámi AI

This PhD focuses on non-language generative modalities in the creative industries, with the possibility of collaboration across other research areas. The lab works closely with the Health Data Lab at UiT.

Want to know more about the position?

For further information about the position, please contact Professor Lars Ailo Bongo:

For administrative questions, please contact Head of Office Martin Fjellvang Osima 

• phone: +47 77 64 62 44 
• email: martin.osima@uit.no 

Qualifications

We seek candidates with demonstrated experience in generative media AI, strong technical competence, and an interest in inclusive or participatory research, motivated to improve cultural fidelity in generative AI.

• a Norwegian master’s degree (or equivalent) in a field relevant to the project’s aims
• excellent communication skills in English and applicants must document proficiency equivalent to the Norwegian Higher Education Entrance Qualification (see Application section below)
• demonstrated expertise in developing and applying generative AI for non-language modalities, with particular strength in visual media

If you are in the final phase of your master’s studies then you may also apply, as explained in the Application section below.

• previous experience with inclusive AI, especially work related to Sámi or Indigenous contexts
• experience with community engagement, especially related to Sámi or Indigenous contexts  
• experience working in the intersection between AI technology and arts
• working knowledge of a Sámi, Norwegian, or another Scandinavian language

We will also emphasize motivation and personal suitability for the position. We seek an engaged, proactive, and highly motivated candidate who enjoys exploring new technologies, works independently, and collaborates effectively with researchers and stakeholders. The position is part of an interdisciplinary project and entails close interaction with other team members. 

In the assessment, emphasis will be placed on the applicant’s potential to complete the doctoral education, as evidenced by the master’s thesis (or equivalent) and any other scholarly work. Relevant experience of significance for completing the doctoral programme may also be considered.

We aim to give as many people as possible the opportunity to pursue organized research training. Applicants who already hold a PhD or possess equivalent competence will therefore not be considered for this position.

Admission to the PhD programme

For employment in the PhD position, you must be qualified for admission to the PhD programme at the Faculty of Science and Technology and participate in organized doctoral studies within the employment period.

Admission normally requires:  

In order to gain admission to the programme, the candidate must document sufficient potential for research. The applicant must have a grade point average of C (strong 3.0) or better for the master’s degree, which must contain an independent work. A more detailed description of admission requirements can be found here. 

If you are employed in the position, you will be provisionally admitted to the PhD programme. Application for final admission must be submitted no later than two months after taking up the position. 

Applicants with a foreign education will be subjected to an evaluation of whether the educational background is equal to Norwegian higher education, following national guidelines from Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills. Depending on which country the education is from, one or two additional years of university education may be required to fulfil admission requirements, e.g. a 4-year bachelor's degree and a 2-year master's degree. UiT normally accepts higher education from countries that are part of the Lisbon Recognition Convention.

Inclusion and diversity

UiT The Arctic University of Norway is working actively to promote equality, gender balance and diversity among employees and students, and to create an inclusive and safe working environment. We believe that inclusion and diversity are a strength, and we want employees with different competencies, professional experience, life experience and perspectives.

If you have a disability, a gap in your CV or immigrant background, we encourage you to tick the box for this in your application. If there are qualified applicants, we invite at least one in each group for an interview. If you get the job, we will adapt the working conditions if you need it. Apart from selecting the right candidates, we will only use the information for anonymous statistics.

We offer

• Involvement in an interesting research project 
• Good career opportunities 
• A good academic environment with dedicated colleagues  
• Flexible working hours and a state collective pay agreement  
• Pension scheme through the state pension fund 
• PhD Fellows are normally given a salary of 550 800 NOK/year with a 3% yearly increase
• If you have to relocate to Tromsø then the Faculty of Science and Technology may reimburse your moving costs. Further details regarding this matter will be made available if you receive an offer from us.

Norwegian health policy aims to ensure that everyone, irrespective of their personal finances and where they live, has access to good health and care services of equal standard. As an employee you will become member of the National Insurance Scheme which also include health care services.

More practical information about working and living in Norway can be found here: https://uit.no/staffmobility

How to apply

Please note that the application will only be assessed based on the information submitted by the application deadline via Jobbnorge. It is therefore important that you include all necessary documents demonstrating your qualifications for the position.

• Cover letter: a 1-page summary of your motivation for this position and a brief description of why you are qualified
• CV: (complete overview of education, supervised professional training, and professional work)
• Diploma for bachelor's and master's degree (both degrees must be documented)
• Official transcripts of grades/academic record for bachelor's and master's degree
• Explanation of the grading system for foreign education (Diploma Supplement if available)
• Documentation of English proficiency
• Documentation of proficiency in Sámi, Norwegian or another Scandinavian language (if available)
• 2-3 references with contact information
• Master’s thesis, and any other academic works
• Links to open-source projects, AI models, or artistic works.

Qualification with a master’s degree is required before commencement in the position. If you are near completion of your master’s degree, you may still apply and submit a draft version of the thesis and a statement from your supervisor or institution indicating when the degree will be obtained. You must still submit your transcript of grades for the master’s degree with your application.

All documentation to be considered must be in a Scandinavian language or English. Diplomas and transcripts must also be submitted in the original language, if not in English or Scandinavian. If English proficiency is not documented in the application, it must be documented before starting in the position. 

Assessment 

The applicants will be assessed by an expert committee. The committee's mandate is to undertake an assessment of the applicants' qualifications based on the written material presented by the applicants, and the detailed description draw up for the position. A copy of the assessment report will be sent to all applicants. 

The applicants who are assessed as best qualified will be called to an interview. The interview should among other things, aim to clarify the applicant’s motivation and personal suitability for the position. 

General information 

The appointment is made in accordance with State regulations and guidelines at UiT. At our website, you will find more information for applicants. 

The engagement is to be made in accordance with the acts relating to Control of the Export of Strategic Goods, Services and Technology. Candidates who by assessment of the application and attachment are seen to conflict with the criteria in the latter law will be prohibited from recruitment.

After the appointment you must assume that there may be changes in the area of work.

Remuneration for the position of PhD Fellow is in accordance with the State salary scale code 1017. A compulsory contribution of 2 % to the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund will be deducted. You will become a member of the Norwegian Public Service Pension Fund, which gives you many benefits in addition to a lifelong pension: You may be entitled to financial support if you become ill or disabled, your family may be entitled to financial support when you die, you become insured against occupational injury or occupational disease, and you can get good terms on a mortgage. Read more about your employee benefits at: spk.no.

A shorter period of appointment may be decided when the PhD Fellow has already completed parts of their research training programme or when the appointment is based on a previous qualifying position PhD Fellow, research assistant, or the like in such a way that the total time used for research training amounts to three years. 

We process personal data given in an application or CV in accordance with the Personal Data Act (Offentleglova). According to the Personal Data Act information about the applicant may be included in the public applicant list, also in cases where the applicant has requested non-disclosure. You will receive advance notification in the event of such publication, if you have requested non-disclosure.