You will investigate one (or some) of the following key challenges:

• Explainable AI for Stakeholders[: Understanding and improving the interpretability of AI models in financial services, to ensure that algorithmic decisions are clearly communicated to clients, regulators, and executive stakeholders. Additionally, the research could explore how AI agents can support the checks and balances of models, such as improving the (continuous) monitoring of models.
• Bias Detection and Mitigation: Designing methodologies to identify, quantify, and mitigate bias in AI, especially when regulatory guidelines are incomplete or vague. Implementing robust validation processes and establishing ethical guidelines for AI use in banking. In addition, the negative consequence of hallucinations needs to be addressed by understanding causes and how to limit or mitigate its negative effects.
• Dynamic Compliance: Exploring how financial institutions can remain compliant and yet become agile as societal norms and technological capabilities change over time. Furthermore, it is interesting to explore how next generation AI methods can support risk analysis, such as by supplementing scenario analysis with the most recent developments to better assess potential new or underestimated risks.
• AI in Risk Management: Evaluating model quality, addressing hallucinations in foundation models, and ensuring its responsible use in high-risk environments. Additionally, assessing the impact of improved transparency on trust, accountability, and regulatory compliance in the banking sector.

Your experience and profile:

• MSc in CS, AI or a closely related field.
• Strong interest in Interest in finance and financial services is a plus.; previous experience in these fields is a plus.
• Enthusiasm for the research process: studying research papers, solving complex problems, applying creative thinking, evaluation, reflection and disseminating findings via writing and oral presentations.
• The ability to critically analyse abstract models as well as concrete implementations.
• The ability to work individually as well as effectively in a team.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.

A temporary contract for 38 hours per week for the duration of 4 years (the initial contract will be for a period of 18 months and after satisfactory evaluation it will be extended for a total duration of 4 years). The preferred starting date can be discussed, ideally before the 1st of October 2025. This should lead to a dissertation (PhD thesis). We will draft an educational plan that includes attendance of courses and (international) meetings. We also expect you to assist in teaching undergraduates and master students.

The gross monthly salary, based on 38 hours per week , ranges between € 2,901 in the first year to € 3,707 in the last (scale P). UvA additionally offers an extensive package of secondary benefits, including 8% holiday allowance and a year-end bonus of 8.3%. The UFO profile Promovendus is applicable. A favourable tax agreement, the ‘30% ruling’, may apply to non-Dutch applicants. The Collective Labour Agreement of Universities of the Netherlands is applicable.

Besides the salary and a vibrant and challenging environment at Science Park we offer you multiple fringe benefits:

• 232 holiday hours per year (based on fulltime) and extra holidays between Christmas and 1 January;
• Multiple courses to follow from our Teaching and Learning Centre;
• A complete educational program for PhD students;
• Multiple courses on topics such as leadership for academic staff;
• Multiple courses on topics such as time management, handling stress and an online learning platform with 100+ different courses;
• 7 weeks birth leave (partner leave) with 100% salary;
• Partly paid parental leave;
• The possibility to set up a workplace at home;
• A pension at ABP for which UvA pays two third part of the contribution;
• The possibility to follow courses to learn Dutch;
• Help with housing for a studio or small apartment when you’re moving from abroad.

Are you curious to read more about our extensive package of secondary employment benefits, take a look here.