Researcher in Theology and AI Science
Interdisciplinary role exploring AI’s theological implications within a John Templeton Foundation-funded project at the University of Oxford.
Best for:Best for theologians with AI research experience, strong German reading skills, and a focus on systematic theology or theological ethics.
Overview
This position is for a researcher to contribute systematic theological insights to the *God and the Machine* project at the University of Oxford’s Ian Ramsey Centre for Science and Religion. The project examines AI as a mediating tool through two workstreams: computational hermeneutics using large language models and a theology of AI’s impact on human formation. The successful candidate will engage with both streams, leveraging expertise in theology (preferably AI-related) and German-language theological texts, particularly Karl Barth’s corpus. The role is fixed-term (36 months) and offers a salary aligned with the University of Oxford’s National Pay Spine, with annual increments. The project spans December 2026 to November 2029, with flexibility in the start date.
What you'll do
- Provide systematic theological contributions to both workstreams of the *God and the Machine* project.
- Develop a theological framework for understanding AI as a mediating tool.
- Engage in computational hermeneutics using large language models to interpret theological texts.
- Contribute to the theology of AI’s influence on human formation and development.
- Act as a general theological resource for the entire project team.
- Conduct close analysis of German-language theological texts, particularly those by Karl Barth.
- Collaborate with AI scientists to bridge theological and computational perspectives.
Requirements
Degree required: PhD/DPhil in theology, religious studies, or a related interdisciplinary field
Language: German; reading proficiency sufficient for close analysis of theological texts
Instruction: English
- Research experience in theology, with a focus on the theology of AI
- Specialist knowledge in systematic or constructive theology or theological ethics
- Reading knowledge of German sufficient for close analysis of theological texts
- Ability to engage with computational hermeneutics and AI-mediated interpretation
- PhD/DPhil in theology or a related field
- No explicit nationality or residency restrictions mentioned
- No age or prior experience caps specified
Funding & terms
How to apply
Deadline: 2026-10-21 (Europe/London)
Applicants must submit a supporting statement, CV, and details of two referees via the University of Oxford’s online application portal. The supporting statement should detail how the candidate meets the selection criteria, using specific examples of skills and experience.
- Supporting statement
- CV
- Details of two referees
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