PhD student in Information Studies, AI and Digital Humanities research

PhD student in Information Studies with a direction towards AI and Digital Humanities research 

At the Department of ALM (Archival Studies, Library and Information Studies, Museum and Cultural Heritage Studies) with starting date January 1st 2026.

Project description: This PhD position is part of the Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program on Humanities and Society (WASP-HS) which aims to realize excellent research and develop competence on the consequences and challenges of artificial intelligence and autonomous systems for humanity and society. The Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program – Humanity and Society (WASP-HS) is a national research program in Sweden. The vision of WASP-HS is to foster novel interdisciplinary knowledge in the humanities and social sciences about AI and autonomous systems and their impact on human and social development. WASP-HS enables cutting edge research, expertise, and competence building in the humanities and social sciences.

For more information about the research and other activities conducted within WASP-HS, please visit this website.

The WASP-HS graduate school provides foundations, perspectives, and state-of-the-art knowledge in the different disciplines taught by leading researchers in the field. Through an ambitious program with research visits, partner universities, and visiting lecturers, the graduate school actively supports forming a strong multi-disciplinary and international professional network between PhD students, researchers and practitioners in the field. It thus provides added value on top of the existing PhD programs at the partner universities, providing unique opportunities for students who are dedicated to achieving international research excellence with societal relevance.

Duties: The doctoral student will be working in the WASP-HS Cluster AI Futures of Culture and Memory financed by the WASP- HS Programme and directed by Professor Anna Foka.

The research will be conducted in collaboration with a number of already formally committed Swedish cultural heritage institutions.

AI Futures of Culture and Memory

AI Futures of Culture and Memory, a WASP-HS research cluster led by Uppsala University, is dedicated to exploring how artificial intelligence is transforming human culture and collective memory. The research plan outlines a comprehensive approach that includes defining key research questions, establishing a robust theoretical framework, selecting diverse methodologies, organizing core activities, projecting expected outcomes, and ensuring integration with ongoing projects.

The cluster’s inquiry revolves around three interconnected themes. First, it examines the ways in which AI changes the perception, production, preservation, and interpretation of culture and memory, as well as its influence on creativity and the dynamics of human-machine interaction. Second, it investigates how collaborations driven by AI are reshaping creative professions and cultural institutions such as museums, libraries, and archives, while also addressing the legal, ethical, and infrastructural challenges that accompany these transformations. Third, the cluster is concerned with identifying and mitigating bias in AI systems that process cultural data, and with empowering creative communities to pursue social and environmental sustainability through speculative and futuring approaches. At its core, the cluster aims to study the societal impact of AI through interdisciplinary collaboration with stakeholders, always emphasizing the development of humane, inclusive, and sustainable AI systems.

In terms of theory and methodology, the cluster seeks to advance the fields of arts, humanities, and social sciences by imagining inclusive and sustainable futures for AI. Its work is grounded in concepts such as sympoiesis, which refers to co-creation with machines, technosymbiosis, or the evolving relationships between humans and technology, sociotechnical imaginaries, and critical legal theory. The research methods employed are exploratory, interventionist, speculative, and mixed, encompassing practical engagement with AI and datasets, formal document analysis, interviews, and participatory strategies. Central to the cluster’s approach is collaboration with public organizations like the National Swedish Heritage Board, Uppsala University Museums, as well as with minority groups, creative industries, and international networks. This collaborative ethos ensures that the research remains relevant, inclusive, and responsive to the evolving challenges and opportunities presented by AI in the cultural sector.

In particular, Uppsala’s contribution aims at studying AI, sustainability and empowering communities within  AI and Heritage more generally

Cluster leader: Anna Foka, Professor in Digital Humanities, Uppsala University

Involved universities and research institutes aside from Uppsala University are:  Chalmers University of Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Linnaeus University, Lund University, Stockholm University, Umeå University, University of Gothenburg,

Requirements: In order to be considered, the application must take care to explain clearly how the proposed project will constitute a contribution to the overall aims of the WASP-HS cluster and the project Education at the doctoral level consists of 4 years doctoral studentship (doktorandanställning). Doctoral students are expected to pursue their studies full-time and actively take part in the activities of the department. Departmental duties (typically teaching and administration) not exceeding 20% can be included in the position.

Doctoral education in Information Studies is regulated by the general study plan: abm.uu.se > Forskning > Utbildning på forskarnivå. English translation of the official Swedish version can be found at abm.uu.se > Research > Doctoral studies

Obligatory Qualifications: Applicants must have a Master’s degree in Digital Humanities , Information Studies, Library and Information Science or equivalent, Archival Science, Museum and Cultural Heritage Studies or equivalent. Eligible are also those who in another order, within or outside the country, acquired essentially corresponding knowledge. For current rules, see the Higher Education Ordinance, Chapters 5 and 6 and the university's guidelines for postgraduate education. Applicants are required to have very good competence in both written and oral academic English.

Desired Qualifications: Applicants who have professional experience within research projects that deal with heritage digitization more generally. Priority may be given to applicants with previous experience with computational tools (including programming) or quantitative methods for the humanities more generally.

For regulations, see Uppsala University's guidelines for doctoral studies.

Application: Applications should include

• short CV
• verified copy of the degree certificate for a relevant Master’s degree (or equivalent) and a diploma supplement, and a transcript of records (if applicable)
• a research plan (see below)
• copies of written material (e.g. Master’s thesis, publications) and other relevant documentation the applicant chooses to present as a support for his/her application

Research plan: The research plan shall not exceed 2,000 words and is expected to contain a tentative heading, aim and problem statement, present the subject area and focus of the research, theoretical frameworks and specific methods to be applied, and a preliminary timetable for the 4-year period.

Selection: The selection will be based on the candidate’s ability to profit from this education and to successfully complete a doctoral degree. Considerable emphasis will be placed on the submitted research plan.

Salary: According to local agreement for PhD students.

About the employment
The employment is a temporary position according to the Higher Education Ordinance chapter 5 § 7. Scope of employment 100 %. Starting date 1st of January or as agreed. Placement: Uppsala.

For further information about the position, please contact: Head of the Department Olle Sköld, olle.skold@abm.uu.se; Director of Doctoral Programme Professor Isto Huvila, isto.huvila@abm.uu.se, the cluster leader for AI Futures of Culture and Memory, Professor Anna Foka anna.foka@abm.uu.se

Please submit your application by 30st of November 2025, UFV-PA 2025/2160.

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