Project NeuroAI ELSA Observatory (NEO)

Doctoral Researcher (PhD), (all genders), 75% (TV-L E13)

06.02.2026, Academic staff

The Laboratory for Ethics of Artificial Intelligence and Neuroscience at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), headed by Prof. Dr. Marcello Ienca, is seeking to appoint a Doctoral Researcher (PhD), 75% (TV-L E13) to join the interdisciplinary research project NeuroAI ELSA Observatory (NEO). NEO is a collaborative, BMFTR-funded research project investigating the ethical, legal, and societal aspects (ELSA) of NeuroAI in the life sciences and biomedicine.

About the project: NEO is a collaborative, BMFTR-funded research project investigating the ethical, legal, and societal aspects (ELSA) of NeuroAI in the life sciences and biomedicine. The project focuses on (i) neu-romorphic computing inspired by the human brain and (ii) AI-enabled neurotechnologies for clinical and bio-medical applications. A central feature of NEO is an embedded ethics approach, integrating ethical research directly into ongoing laboratory and clinical development processes.

Your tasks:

The successful candidate will pursue a PhD while actively contributing to the NEO project. Tasks include, in particular:

• Conducting original doctoral research on ethical, legal, and societal aspects of NeuroAI and neuro-technologies • Participating in embedded ethics activities, including close collaboration with clinical and technical research labs

• Designing and carrying out qualitative and/or mixed-methods studies (e.g. interviews, stakeholder workshops, scenario-based analyses)

• Contributing to ethical and governance analyses related to AI-enabled neurotechnologies

• Publishing research results in international peer-reviewed journals and presenting them at conferences

• Supporting knowledge transfer activities, including policy briefs, workshops, and outreach formats within the NEO consortium

Requirements:

• A completed Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline, such as philosophy, neurosci-ence, psychology, medicine, law, social sciences, computer science, or a related field

• Strong interest in the ethical and societal implications of emerging technologies, particularly AI and neurotechnology

• Willingness and ability to work in an interdisciplinary research environment

• Very good command of written and spoken English

• Experience with qualitative research methods is an asset

• Good knowledge of machine learning /data mining in science

• Good programming skills in at least one programming language (preferably Python)

What we offer:

A fully funded 75% doctoral position (TV-L E13) for up to 36 months

• A competitive salary based on TV-L E13 for Bavaria

• Enrollment as a doctoral candidate at TUM and structured doctoral supervision

• An excellent interdisciplinary research environment within the Institute for the History and Ethics of Medicine

• Close collaboration with national and international project partners • Support for academic development, publications, and conference participation

The Laboratory for Ethics of Artificial Intelligence and Neuroscience offers a collaborative, inclusive, and supportive working environment and is committed to fostering diversity, well-being, and scientific excellence. Candidates who subsequently wish for a full-time position will have the opportunity to apply for com-plementary grants (e.g. Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellowships, TUM Global Postdoc Fellowships, Humboldt Research Fellowships etc.) with the support of the PI. In addition, the selected candidate will also be part of the Institute for Ethics and History of Medicine and will have the opportunity to interact with other members of the institute.

Application

Interested candidates should submit the following documents as one single PDF

• CV (max 2 pages) • Publication list (max 2 pages including a short-list of 5 top publications)

• Letter of intent (max 2 pages)

• Degree certificates

• Sample of written work (e.g., published first-author article or extract of the PhD thesis)

• Two letters of recommendation (to be sent later as they are required for candidates invited for interview only)

As part of the Excellence Strategy of the German federal and state governments, TUM actively promotes equal opportunities. Applications from women, people with disabilities, and candidates from underrepresented groups are explicitly encouraged. Applicants with severe disabilitites will be given preference in cases of essentially equal qualitfications. Noto: the workplace is not cempletely barrier-free, not wheelchair accessible (listed old building)

Please send your application as one single PDF file (in English or German) with the subject line “NEO PhD application” to:

Institute of History and Ethics in Medicine

office.ethics@mh.tum.de

Applications will be considered as they are received and until the positions are filled. Job interviews will take place in March 2026.

Start date: May 1, 2026 (or by agreement)

Technische Universität München

Institut für Geschichte und Ethik der Medizin

Ismaninger Str. 22

81675 München

office.ethics@mh.tum.de

www.get.med.tum.de / www.tum.de

As part of your application for a position at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), you will submit personal data. Please note our data protection information in accordance with Art. 13 of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) on the collection and processing of personal data in the context of your application https://portal.mytum.de/kompass/datenschutz/Bewerbung/. By submitting your application, you confirm that you have taken note of TUM's data protection information.

Kontakt: office.ethics@mh.tum.de

More Information

https://get.med.tum.de/institut/stellenangebote/