PhD studentship in ethical implications of natural language processing

The Edinburgh Futures Institute’s Centre for Technomoral Futures and the School of Informatics are delighted to invite applications for this PhD studentship, funded by Baillie Gifford, to begin in the academic year 2025/2026. 

The aim of this project is to perform research in natural language processing (NLP) towards identifying and exploring methods for the ethical development of NLP tools. Given the increased uptake in the use and proliferation of NLP technologies, questions surrounding the ethical and responsible development of such tools are of greater urgency. To this end, this project will seek to examine the current ecosystems and practices for the development of language technologies, proactively develop technologies for examining NLP tools and their social ramifications, or design NLP technologies that encourage ethical practices. Through these areas, the project seeks to identify the ethical challenges faced by NLP and approaches to address them.

The project will consider how NLP and machine learning are currently falling short in engaging with ethical development practices (such as those suggested in the indicative list above) and examine how such practices can be improved for the benefit of end-users and society more broadly.

Candidate’s profile

• A good Bachelor’s Hons degree (2.1 or above or international equivalent) and/or Masters degree in a relevant subject (physics, mathematics, engineering, computer science, or related subject)
• Good programming skills in Python
• Knowledge and experience with machine learning libraries (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow and HuggingFace)
• A good understanding of mathematics for machine learning
• Experience with critically assessing ethical implications of machine learning and NLP technologies
• Proficiency in English (both oral and written)
• Knowledge of research in media theory, critical studies, philosophy of technology, or science and technology studies is highly desirable

Studentship and eligibility

The studentship covers:

• Full-time PhD tuition fees for a student with a Home fee status (*£4,786 per annum) or overseas fee status (£31,500 per annum)
• A tax free stipend of GBP £20,780 for 4 years
• An annual research support budget of £2000.

*25/26 Home rate not yet confirmed, rate is 24/25

Application information

Applicants should apply via the University’s admissions portal (EUCLID) and apply for the following programme:

https://postgraduate.degrees.ed.ac.uk/index.php?r=site/view&edition=2024&id=491

with a start date of 08 September 2025.

Applicants should state “Examining the ethical implications of natural language processing” and the research supervisor (Zee Talat) in their application and Research Proposal document. For length of programme please select 3 Years Full Time (the actual studentship and period of study will be 4 years). 

Complete applications submitted by 15/03/2025 will receive full consideration; after that date applications will be considered until the position is filled. The successful applicant will be expected to start the PhD in September 2025.

Applicants must submit:

• All degree transcripts and certificates (and certified translations if applicable)
• Evidence of English Language capability (where applicable)
• A short research proposal (max 2 pages)
• A full CV
• A cover letter (2 pages)
• Two references (note that it is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure reference letters are received before the deadline)

Only complete applications (i.e. those that are not missing the above documentation) will progress forward to Academic Selectors for further consideration.

To apply, please click the 'Apply' button, above

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