WASP-HS Postdoctoral Scholarship on AI Futures of Culture and Memory

WASP-HS invites applications for a postdoctoral scholarship, which would begin in September 2026. The scholarship will enable a promising researcher who has recently obtained a doctorate at a Swedish university to spend one year at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). There the postdoctoral fellow will have the opportunity to grow into an independent investigator, experience a new research environment, and expand their international networks. The fellow will be affiliated with MIT’s Social and Ethical Responsibilities of Computing (SERC) and a suitable host department at MIT. The fellow will be eligible for repatriation support upon arrival back in Sweden.

Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program – Humanity and Society (WASP-HS)

WASP-HS aims to foster novel interdisciplinary knowledge in the humanities and social sciences on the development of AI and autonomous systems and their consequences for humanity and society.

Social and Ethical Responsibilities of Computing (SERC)

SERC facilitates the development of responsible “habits of mind and action” for those who create and deploy computing technologies and fosters the creation of technologies in the public interest.

“AI Futures of Culture and Memory” Research Cluster

This fellowship will be affiliated with the WASP-HS Research Cluster entitled “AI Futures of Culture and Memory,” which is led by Uppsala University, Chalmers University of Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Linnaeus University, Lund University, Stockholm University, Umeå University, and University of Gothenburg. The cluster is dedicated to exploring how artificial intelligence is transforming human culture and collective memory.

Specifically, this fellowship will be affiliated with the AI in Computational Arts, Music, and Games Research Group at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden. The research encompasses AI and ML approaches such as deep generative models, supervised, unsupervised, and reinforcement learning, evolutionary approaches, multi-agent systems, and natural language processing within creative domains. These domains include multimedia applications such as music and sound art, video games, and interactive arts. The specifics of domain, problem, task, or real-world context guide our technological and algorithmic choices, rather than adhering to independent disciplinary silos. This interdisciplinary approach is positioned under the encompassing term computational arts. The research group employs a mix of methods that combine quantitative analysis of datasets, models, algorithms, and content; with qualitative perspectives from social sciences and humanities, thereby connecting scientific knowledge to its societal impact.

Applicants should propose a project that

• investigates learned cultural representations in data search spaces of generative AI models for culture and creative domains. These domains may be sound, music, visual art, 3D graphics, movement, or multimodal combinations thereof.
• proposes, develops, and utilizes a mixed-methods approach: the search spaces of AI models to be analyzed in their facts using quantitative methods from data science and AI, results of which then to be investigated using qualitative methods and theory of critical studies.

Scholarship conditions

Postdoctoral fellows will receive a stipend for one to two years of postdoctoral research. The stipend amounts to approximately USD 71,000 annually (the final amount will be set in accordance with the standard rate of each institution). A travel grant of USD 7,500 per year and an annual allowance for accompanying family members of USD 15,000 will be provided. Fellows will also receive the standard Health Plan/Insurance for postdocs. The stipend cannot be combined with other stipends or positions.

At the conclusion of the scholarship, fellows should submit a progress report to the Foundation and to WASP-HS.

Upon returning to Sweden after completion of the fellowship, fellows will be eligible for funding to support a research position at a Swedish university for up to two years if they cannot find another position.

Eligibility

To apply for a postdoctoral scholarship, you must fulfill the following criteria:

• Have received a doctoral degree from a Swedish university no more than two years before the starting date of the postdoctoral position
• Have a connection to a Swedish university or corresponding non-profit research organization
• Cannot have been employed or a scholar at MIT prior to the postdoctoral position
• Have a degree in Machine Learning, AI, Data Science, Computer Science and Engineering, Computational Social Science, Computational Humanities or Digital Humanities, or related fields
• Have excellent communication skills in written and spoken English

Desired qualifications:

• Experience with Machine Learning, AI, or data science relevant research and development
• Experience with Generative AI models for sound, music, visuals, 3D graphics, or movement
• Experience with projects related to deep generative modelling

We value a collaborative attitude and an interest in working both in teams and independently. Self-motivation, persistence, and creativity are important personal qualities for this position.

Application and submission

Applications should be submitted in English via the Wallenberg Foundation’s electronic application portal: https://kawansokan.wallenberg.org

Once in the portal, create a new user account. Select the “KAW stipend” tab at the top and then “Broad Institute and MIT Postdoctoral Fellowship.”

Fill in the forms in each of the tabs of the application. Be sure to fill in “dissertation date” in tab 5 (“Exams”). If you have not yet defended your dissertation at the time of applying, attach a letter from your doctoral supervisor stating your expected defense date in “Other appendices” in tab 10 (“Attachments”).

In tab 10 (“Attachments”), submit the following documents:

• Your curriculum vitae, which should include a list of publications.
• Personal letter (max 1 A4 page or 3 500 characters, including spaces).
• Planned research program. This should be a description of the proposed research project, including deliverables (max 6 A4 pages and 21 000 characters, including spaces)
• Please note that a budget is not required since the scholarship amount will be fixed. Instead, attach a document confirming whether or not you intend to apply for the accompanying family member allowance.
• Two separate letters of support with comments on the proposed research project.
• Under “Other appendices” please suggest three to four MIT faculty members with whom you would like to be matched, should you be awarded the scholarship. Briefly motivate your suggestions.
• Contrary to the instructions in the portal, you do not need to include a description of the research profile of the intended host and supervisor. You also do not need to include a letter of recommendation/invitation from a suggested host.

Please note that a budget is not required since the scholarship amount will be fixed. Instead, attach a document confirming whether or not you intend to apply for the accompanying family member allowance.

Applications must be received no later than 18 November 2025.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Please note you may only apply for one of the Foundation’s postdoctoral scholarships.

Review criteria

Applications will be reviewed based on the following criteria:

• Applicant’s scientific record and potential to develop into an independent investigator
• Quality, originality, and significance of the proposed research project
• Relevance to the research cluster
• Feasibility of the proposed research project

Top-ranked candidates will be interviewed during January 14-21, 2026.

Any remaining questions about the postdoctoral scholarships or application process can be directed to contact@wasp-hs.org.