Publisher
source

University College Dublin

Research Ireland

Fully Funded PhD in Explainable AI (XAI) and Critical Human-AI Interaction at University College Dublin University College Dublin in Ireland

Degree Level

PhD

Field of study

Computer Science

Funding

Full funding available

Deadline

Jul 20, 2026

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Country

Ireland

University

University College Dublin

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Research Ireland

by Research Ireland

Fully Funded
PhD
Postdoc
Typically Up To 4 Years
Ireland

Research Ireland funds research scholarships and studentships in Ireland, especially at PhD level, across a wide range of disciplines and university-based projects.

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Keywords

Computer Science
Data Science
Sociology
Psychology
Information Technology
Philosophy
Competitiveness
Statistics
Explainability
Machine learning

About this position

Fully funded PhD opportunity in Explainable AI (XAI) and Critical Human-AI Interaction at University College Dublin, School of Information and Communication Studies.

The project focuses on Explainable AI, with themes including contestability, frictional design, trust calibration, critical engagement, and explanation methods that support users in challenging or refusing AI decisions. Candidates are also welcome to propose their own topic within XAI.

Suggested research directions include: designing explanations for domain and AI expertise; explanation design for marginalised communities; post-hoc explanation methods for sustained critical engagement; and evaluation frameworks/metrics for critical engagement and trust calibration.

This opportunity is especially relevant to students with backgrounds in computer science, information technology, philosophy, psychology, sociology, statistics, or related interdisciplinary areas. Strong technical/programming skills are useful for the technical strands, while applicants from critical studies or social science backgrounds are encouraged if they are willing to engage with technical explanation methods.

Funding: fully funded PhD studentship with a stipend of €25,000 per year for four years, plus additional support for conference attendance and training. EU fees are covered automatically; non-EU students receive a fee waiver from UCD.

Deadline: 20 July. The post also references a broader UCD/Research Ireland cohort of PhD studentships for September 2026 intake, with applications opening in late May 2026 and closing in early June 2026.

Interested applicants should review the suggested topics and application instructions via the linked page and submit through the application portal/form provided. For further information, contact inst.lead@ucd.ie.

Funding details

Full funding including tuition fees and living expenses is available for this position. The scholarship covers all educational costs and provides a monthly stipend.

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