WASP-HS Postdoctoral Scholarship on Autonomous Systems and Robotics in Society

MIT Media Lab/MIT Mobility Initiative at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in collaboration with SERC

Application deadline: 16 November 2026

WASP-HS invites applications for a postdoctoral scholarship, which would begin in September 2027. The scholarship will enable a promising researcher who has recently obtained a doctorate at a Swedish university to spend one to two years 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. Following the postdoctoral stint abroad, there is an opportunity to receive funding from the Wallenberg Foundation to support a research position at a Swedish university for up to two years if the fellow cannot find another position.

While at MIT, the fellow will be affiliated with Social and Ethical Responsibilities of Computing (SERC) and either of the following: the MIT Media Lab or the MIT Mobility Initiative.

We welcome applicants from all disciplines!

Social and Ethical Responsibilities of Computing (SERC)

SERC studies and teaches how AI and computing can impact society–and how they can be designed and used in ways that benefit humanity. Through interdisciplinary research, teaching, and engagement, SERC promotes understanding of the challenges and opportunities of new technologies, and how we can improve design, policy, and implementation.

MIT Media Lab

For 40 years, the MIT Media Lab has been a dynamic interdisciplinary creative sandbox, firmly grounded in academic excellence, where innovation thrives through the collaboration of dozens of research groups, initiatives, programs, and centers on hundreds of transformative projects. Research on social robot companions and algorithmic accountability at the Media Lab is of particular interest to the Autonomous Systems and Robotics in Society group.

MIT Mobility Initiative

The MIT Mobility Initiative (MMI) is a global platform to accelerate a safe, clean and inclusive mobility system through research, education, entrepreneurship and engagement. Research on AI in Mobility at the MMI is of particular relevance to the Autonomous Systems and Robotics in Society group.

Autonomous Systems and Robotics in Society Research Environment

Wallenberg AI, Autonomous Systems and Software Program – Humanity and Society (WASP-HS) fosters novel interdisciplinary knowledge about AI and autonomous systems and their impact on humanity and society. This scholarship will be affiliated with the WASP-HS Research Environment entitled Autonomous Systems and Robotics in Society.

The Autonomous Systems and Robotics in Society group is led by professor Airi Lampinen, Dr. Hannah Pelikan, Dr. Katie Winkle and professor Madeline Balaam. The group currently has 15 members, including two guest researchers. We analyze and design human-robot interaction, bringing together influences from interaction analysis (ethnomethodology and conversation analysis), soma design and feminist robotics. The group is interested in the impact of robots on society, groups and individuals. We study interactions with robots at three levels: 1) how the spread of autonomous systems impacts society, in particular the future of work, care, and labor, 2) how groups of people coordinate movement with and around robots, as well as 3) how individual human bodies move with robots in close, intimate proximity. In this call, we are hoping to recruit a candidate who is interested in working on how robots impact society more broadly, to complement our ongoing work on intimate interactions and coordination with groups.

Applicants should propose a project that

· uses a social science and/or humanities approach to investigate questions about the consequences of AI and/or autonomous systems for society and/or humanity, or

· investigates how social science and/or humanities knowledge contributes to the development of AI and autonomous systems.

· aligns with the research group’s interests by a) contributing insights into the impact of autonomous systems on the future of work, care and/or labor and possibly b) studying the coordination of movement and/or touch between people and an autonomous system.

We encourage interested applicants to contact Hannah Pelikan, hannah.pelikan@liu.se about the work of the Autonomous Systems and Robotics in Society research group and assess potential fit before applying for the scholarship. Hannah Pelikan will provide applicants with a non-binding letter of intent that they can submit with their application (see “Application and submission” below).

Scholarship conditions

The postdoctoral fellow will receive a stipend for one to two years of postdoctoral research. The stipend amounts to approximately USD 73,308 annually (the final amount will be set in accordance with the standard rate of the host 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 MIT’s standard health insurance for postdocs. The stipend cannot be combined with other stipends or positions.

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

Following the postdoctoral stint abroad, there is an opportunity to receive funding from the Wallenberg Foundation to support a research position at a Swedish university for up to two years if the fellow cannot find another position.

Eligibility

To apply for the 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

Application and submission

For questions about this particular call and potential hosts at MIT with a connection to the group, please reach out to Hannah Pelikan (hannah.pelikan@liu.se).

Submit your application 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).

– Two separate letters of support with comments on the proposed research project. Members of the WASP-HS Management Team may not submit letters of support.

– Under “Other appendices” please include a non-binding letter of intent from the host institution, indicating a willingness to host a postdoctoral fellow should a suitable candidate be identified. (The research environment should provide this to the applicant.)

– 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.

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 16 November 2026.
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 WASP-HS program

– Relevance to the research environment

– Feasibility of the proposed research project

Top-ranked candidates will be interviewed during January 14-22, 2027.

Questions about the WASP-HS postdoctoral scholarship conditions and application process can be directed to contact@wasp-hs.org.