C4DT Digital Trust Policy Fellowship

EPFL, the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, is one of the most dynamic university campuses in Europe and ranks among the top 20 universities worldwide. The EPFL employs more than 6,500 people supporting the three main missions of the institution: education, research and innovation. The EPFL campus offers an exceptional working environment at the heart of a community of more than 17,000 people, including over 12,500 students and 4,000 researchers from more than 120 different countries.

The Center for Digital Trust (C4D), housed at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne (EPFL), brings together businesses, research community, civil society, and policy actors to collaborate, share insights, shape the research agenda, and to gain early access to trust-building technologies, building on state-of-the-art research at EPFL and beyond. C4DT develops expertise, methods, and software in order to enhance privacy, data protection, and transparency, notably by the use of cryptography, blockchains and smart contracts, machine learning, software verification, device and system security. Its research scope covers, among others, finance technologies, health data security and privacy, technologies for trustworthy governance, democracy, and humanitarian needs.

Your mission :

The Center for Digital Trust (

C4DT

) Digital Trust Policy Fellowship Program supports

researchers and professionals working at the intersection of trust-building technology and public policy to identify, analyze and address critical issues challenging digital trust, e.g., privacy protection, cyber security, artificial intelligence (AI) & machine learning (ML), distributed ledgers, data transparency and governance, or the internet of things (IoT).

C4DT Policy Fellows will undertake focused research and produce cutting-edge,
technology-grounded policy papers on current technological challenges and their social,
political, or economic consequences. Their paper will be part of our ongoing policy paper series that aims to inform about digital trust issues at all political levels, including the general public, and to facilitate discussions about technological as well as regulatory solutions.

Policy fellows will gain valuable experience and develop strong skills in science communication, policy communication, and research management enabling them to transform research findings into policy impact and preparing them for interdisciplinary careers in research leadership and scientific policy consultation/advocacy.

Fellows will be selected based on the quality, relevance, and promise of their policy paper proposals. We particularly welcome proposal submissions on the following broad areas:

• Privacy protection
• Cyber security
• Transparency in usage of data, machine learning (ML) or artificial intelligence (AI)

Examples for technology policy papers in these areas can be found on our

website

.

Main duties and responsibilities include :

• Conduct research (e.g., scientific literature reviews, document and/or policy analysis, expert interviews, data collection and analysis, software testing, solutions and concept development and evaluation).
• Write technology-grounded policy papers (7,000 to 9,000 words) in collaboration with EPFL IC (School of Computer & Communication Sciences) faculty and C4DT staff.
• Present results (and related output) in workshops and conferences
• Possibility to work in close collaboration with / join one of our participating EPFL research labs (full list here ).

Full-time, in-residence stay at an activity rate of 80-100% (33-41 hours/week). Flexible start date and duration (6 months to 1 year).

Your profile :

Recent MSc. or PhD. graduates, researchers, and professionals (e.g., technologists, lawyers, journalists, or NGO officers, etc.) who possess the following qualities are encouraged to apply:

• Excellent analytical, communications, research, and writing skills in English.
• Demonstrated subject matter expertise in one or more areas related to digital trust technology and a strong interest in public policy.
• Interest in and openness to interdisciplinary work.
• Experience in policy writing is desirable but not required. Science and policy communication coaching and editorial support will be provided.
• Ability to explain complex technology to those who are not familiar with technology tools or concepts.
• Self-starters who are confident in leading personal projects and conducting independent research, but are also prepared for various rounds of peer-review with C4DT staff and EPFL professors.
• Be able to make a full-time commitment to the Fellowship Program and to work on-site for the majority of the fellowship.

Qualifications:

• Advanced degree such as MSc. or PhD., preferably in computer science or engineering.
• Professional with a university degree in another area should have substantial experience working in or studying the technology sector.
• Be eligible to work in Switzerland (i.e., either hold Swiss or EU/EFTA-nationality, or possess a valid Swiss work permit).

We offer :

• Monthly salary to cover living expenses in Switzerland.Compensation (at post-doc level) will be discussed during the recruitment process. Expenses for conferences and related travel will be covered.
• Dedicated coaching and support to nurture policy writing skills (policy frameworks, science communication, and persuasive writing).
• Collaboration with leading EPFL professors, C4DT-industry partners, Swiss authorities and a network of partners based in “International Geneva” to expand academic and professional networks.
• Thriving research and social community at EPFL at the shores of beautiful Lake Geneva (Lac Léman).

Start date :
To be agreed upon, flexible

Term of employment :
Fixed-term (CDD)

Work rate :
80-100%%

Duration :
6 months to 1 year - minimum of 3 months.

Contact :

A full application will require you to:

• Submit a current CV or resume, including a list of publications it applicable.

• A policy paper proposal (max. 3 pages or approx. 1'000 words). See details

here

.

• A motivation statement (500-800 words).

The deadline to submit your application package is 31 January 2024 (17:00 CEST).

Only candidates who applied through EPFL website or our partner Jobup website will be considered.

For more information, please visit our website and sign up for one of the program information sessions on 15. December 2023, 17:00 CEST or 15. January 2024, 17:00 CEST by emailing [email protected].

EPFL is an equal opportunity employer and family friendly university. We are committed to increasing the diversity of our environment and strongly encourage women and underrepresented minorities to apply.

Remark :
Only candidates who applied through EPFL website or our partner Jobup’s website will be considered. Files sent by agencies without a mandate will not be taken into account.

Reference :
Job Nb 3186

apply online