PhD Position in Societal Dimensions of AI-Enabled Energy Sharing

This PhD position at the University of Basel focuses on investigating the societal dimensions of AI-enabled energy sharing within energy communities. As part of the Horizon Europe project FAIR4COMMUNITIES, the successful candidate will develop a Societal Readiness Framework (SRF) to integrate social, institutional, and regulatory considerations into AI-based energy-sharing tools. The research involves quota-representative surveys, interviews, participatory workshops, and field experiments across Europe to study attitudes, trust, and fairness in AI-supported energy-sharing schemes. The candidate will collaborate with stakeholders, including technology developers and energy community members, to design and refine user-centred tools. The position is ideal for applicants with a strong background in social sciences, psychology, or related disciplines, with a focus on sustainability and empirical research methods.

• Develop and implement a Societal Readiness Framework (SRF) to integrate social, institutional, and regulatory considerations into AI-based energy-sharing tools.
• Conduct quota-representative national surveys to examine attitudes, acceptance, trust, and perceived fairness in AI-enabled energy-sharing schemes.
• Carry out semi-structured interviews and participatory workshops to explore determinants of participation in AI-supported energy-sharing.
• Collaborate with stakeholders, including technology developers and energy community members, to design, test, and refine user-centred tools and interfaces.
• Plan, implement, and evaluate behavioral and trust-building field experiments across European pilot sites (Greece, Portugal, France, Italy, Germany, Netherlands).
• Contribute to multiple academic research papers and develop a PhD thesis based on research findings.
• Engage with diverse stakeholders, including citizens, community leaders, industry representatives, and technical experts.