Fully Funded Ph.D. Positions in AI Ethics and Governance

The University of Macerata is inviting applications for two fully funded Ph.D. positions within the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network (DN) project “JustHealth: Building a Decolonized Ethics and Governance Framework for Just and Trustworthy AI in Healthcare.”

JustHealth is the first doctoral programme in the European Union specifically designed to promote social justice in the development and deployment of AI in healthcare. The two doctoral candidates will be based at the University of Macerata and enrolled in its Doctoral School.

Available positions:

• DC1 – AI Ethics: Focus on developing, testing, and validating a decolonized ethics and governance framework for trustworthy AI in healthcare, with regard to ethical aspects (values and principles).
• DC2 – AI Governance (Policy and Regulation): Focus on developing, testing, and validating the same framework, with regard to governance aspects (policies and regulations).

Host Institution: University of Macerata (Italy)
International secondments: Opportunities for research stays abroad are foreseen — see the call for details.
Enrolment: Doctoral School, University of Macerata
Start date: 1 September 2026
Duration: 36 months
Funding: MSCA Doctoral Network fellowship, including a competitive salary and research/travel allowance

Who can apply

Researchers holding a master’s degree or equivalent qualification that provides access to Ph.D. programmes.

• For DC1 (AI Ethics): Master’s degree in Philosophy (or related interdisciplinary studies) or Science, Technology, and Society (STS), with a background in ethics and/or philosophy of technology, and outstanding academic results.
• For DC2 (AI Governance – Policy and Regulation): Master’s degree in Law (or related interdisciplinary studies) or Political Sciences or International Relations, with a background in governance studies, and outstanding academic results.

Application deadline: 31 January 2026

Online application form