PhD Researcher - Responsible AI (Remote / Global)

PhD Researcher (Responsible AI) – Orcawise Innovation Program - Remote / EU.

We are onboarding data scientists across the EU: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, UK, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.

Location: Remote, Volunteer Work Experience Program Type: Part-Time/Full-Time (Flexible) Duration: 100-days on-the-job work experience. Start Date: Immediate

About Orcawise

Orcawise is a leading Responsible AI (RAI) advisory and solutions provider. We are committed to advancing ethical AI practices and developing innovative products and services that comply with evolving regulations such as the EU AI Act. Through the OIP (Orcawise Innovation Program), we collaborate with top researchers, data scientists, and AI professionals to pioneer solutions that bring real-world value to businesses.

The OIP is a 100-day volunteer work experience program to help techtransition into full-time employment

The Role

We are seeking a PhD Researcher (Responsible AI) to join our Innovation Program. This position is ideal for a talented and ambitious individual with a PhD in AI, Machine Learning, or a related field and hands-on experience as a Data Scientist. You will play a key role in commercializing our RAI products and services, ensuring they are technically robust, scalable, and aligned with regulatory and ethical frameworks.

Key Responsibilities

• Research & Development:
• Conduct cutting-edge research on Responsible AI topics, such as fairness, bias detection, transparency, explainability, and compliance with the EU AI Act.
• Prototype and refine AI models and tools that incorporate Responsible AI principles.
• Product Commercialization:
• Collaborate with the Orcawise team to develop and market Responsible AI solutions tailored to industry needs.
• Translate research findings into practical applications and tools for clients.
• Data Science Expertise:
• Lead the development of machine learning pipelines, including data preparation, feature engineering, and model fine-tuning.
• Apply advanced techniques such as retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), model optimization, and AI bias detection.
• Collaboration & Communication:
• Work closely with internal teams, including engineering, product development, and client-facing teams, to align research goals with business objectives.
• Present research findings to both technical and non-technical audiences, including stakeholders and clients.

Qualifications

• PhD in Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience).
• Proven experience as a Data Scientist, preferably in applied machine learning or AI product development.
• Expertise in Responsible AI principles, including fairness, bias detection, explainability, and AI ethics.
• Proficiency in programming languages such as Python and frameworks like TensorFlow, PyTorch, or similar.
• Strong understanding of machine learning pipelines and model deployment at scale.
• Familiarity with compliance frameworks such as the EU AI Act or similar regulations is highly desirable.
• Good experience and a keen interest in developing Bias & Fairness algorithms.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.

Preferred Skills

• Experience with tools like LangChain, Hugging Face, Docker, and Kubernetes.
• Knowledge of retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) and large language model (LLM) fine-tuning.
• Interest in developing Bias & Fairness algorithms.
• Industry experience in commercializing AI products or working in AI-driven startups.
• Strong publication record in relevant journals or conferences is a plus.
• Experience of some EU markets like Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, UK, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.

What We Offer

• A dynamic, collaborative environment focused on solving real-world challenges in Responsible AI.
• Opportunities to contribute to the development of cutting-edge AI tools and frameworks.
• Mentorship and collaboration with industry-leading AI professionals.
• Flexible working hours and remote options.
• Volunteer work experience, team environment, experienced mentors.

Job Types: Part-time, Specified-purpose, Apprenticeship, Graduate, Volunteer Contract length: 3 months

Expected hours: 20 per week

Benefits:

• Work from home

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Application question(s):

• Can you commit to a volunteer 100-day work experience program as a stepping stone to full-time employment in Responsible AI.

Work Location: Remote