WASP-HS Postdoctoral Scholarship on Synthetic Data: Facts, Representations, and Transparency

WASP-HS invites applications for a postdoctoral scholarship, which would begin in the fall of 2026. The scholarship will enable a promising researcher who has recently obtained a doctorate at a Swedish university to spend one to two years at Stanford University. 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 Stanford’s Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI) and a suitable host department. The fellow will be eligible for repatriation support upon arrival back in Sweden.

We welcome applicants from a broad range of disciplines. Our aim is to engage the use of generative AI and the creation of synthetic data using perspectives rooted in the social sciences and humanities. Examples of relevant approaches can be gender studies, science & technology studies, cultural studies, critical data studies, critical algorithm studies, media studies, media technology, informatics, or human-computer interaction. Applicants from other relevant disciplines are also welcome to apply.

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.

Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI)

HAI’s mission is to advance AI research, education, policy, and practice to improve the human condition. The institute is committed to promoting human-centered AI aimed at benefiting society broadly, ensuring AI applications align with Stanford’s values of fairness, professionalism, and responsibility.

“Synthetic Data: Facts, Representations, and Transparency” Research Group

This fellowship will be affiliated with the WASP-HS Research Group entitled “Synthetic Data: Facts, Representations, and Transparency.” Led by researchers at Södertörn University, Linköping University, and Uppsala University, the group investigates: How is synthetic data generated and used across different domains, and what effects does this have on bias and representation? How are synthetic data understood as legitimate and trustworthy? What vocabularies and tools do we need to create transparency and reproducibility for synthetic data? The group combines social science methods, critical algorithm studies, and computational experiments to understand synthetic data.

Applicants should propose a project that uses a social science and/or humanities approach to investigate the generation and content of synthetic data. An important part of the project is to investigate how the social sciences and/or humanities research can contribute to developing synthetic data processes, routines and uses.

· For instance we are interested in:

• how the world is represented in synthetic data, and how “biases,” “hallucinations,” and “outliers” come about.
• how synthetic data is performed as legitimate and seen as trustworthy in different places and settings.
• Creating tools and vocabularies for making synthetic data transparent and reproducible.

· Proposals on other topics related to the above research questions are also welcome.

Scholarship conditions

The fellow will receive a stipend for one to two years of postdoctoral research. The stipend amounts to approximately USD 70,000 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. The fellow will also receive the standard Health Plan/Insurance for postdocs. The stipend cannot be combined with other stipends or positions.

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

Upon returning to Sweden after completion of the fellowship, the fellow 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 Stanford prior to the postdoctoral 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 “Stanford 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 mention the research group by name and describe how the research fits with the work of the group.
• Two separate letters of support with comments on the proposed research project.
• Under “Other appendices” please suggest three to four Stanford 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 group
• 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.