Ethics of Brain-Computer Interfaces

Ethics of Brain-Computer Interfaces: Merging human beings with machines

Degree type

PhD

Closing date

1 February 2024

Campus

Hobart

Citizenship requirement

Domestic / International

About the research project

Merging human beings with machines via artificially intelligent brain-computer interfaces is a major scientific achievement of the current decade. It holds the key to countless new therapeutic applications from using thoughts to manoeuvre robotic limbs to controlling psychiatric symptoms. This project aims at (but are is not limited to) exploring, identifying and translating a range of potential postoperative-related vulnerabilities introduced by brain-computer interfaces, especially those related to the notion of agency, autonomy, responsibility, estrangement, identity, privacy, and ownership. This project will develop new knowledge around understanding the phenomenology of brain-computer interfaces, but as well harm prevention in the future use of AI applications in medicine, cognitive science and neurology. Issues associated with algorithmic agency and machine learning gain of autonomy may be considered.

Supported by the Ethics Lab (via Humanities Strategic Research funding), the project comes with a bursary of $5000 in addition to the possibility of applying for a Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship or Tasmania Graduate Research Scholarship (TGRS), and may also include the opportunity to undertake an internship in one of our collaborative partners’ Lab testing brain-computer Interfaces and/or machine learning.

The project is designed to accommodate applicants from a range of disciplinary areas willing to explore the ethics of brain-computer interfaces, including, neuroethics/bioethics, applied ethics, philosophy, cognitive science, computer science, psychology.

Primary Supervisor

Meet A/Prof Frederic Gilbert

Funding

Applicants will be considered for a Research Training Program (RTP) scholarship or Tasmania Graduate Research Scholarship (TGRS) which, if successful, provides:

  • a living allowance stipend of $32,192 per annum (2024 rate, indexed annually) for 3.5 years
  • a relocation allowance of up to $2,000
  • a tuition fees offset covering the cost of tuition fees for up to four years (domestic applicants only)

If successful, international applicants will receive a University of Tasmania Fees Offset for up to four years.

As part of the application process you may indicate if you do not wish to be considered for scholarship funding.

Other funding opportunities and fees

For further information regarding other scholarships on offer, and the various fees of undertaking a research degree, please visit our Scholarships and fees on research degrees page.

Eligibility

Applicants should review the Higher Degree by Research minimum entry requirements.

Ensure your eligibility for the scholarship round by referring to our Key Dates.

Additional eligibility criteria specific to this project/scholarship:

  • Masters or equivalent in a discipline closely related to Neuroethics, AI Ethics, Bioethics, Ethics of Emerging Technologies, Applied Ethics, Medical ethics
  • Applicants must be able to undertake the project on-campus

Selection Criteria

The project is competitively assessed and awarded.  Selection is based on academic merit and suitability to the project as determined by the College.

Application process

  1. Select your project, and check that you meet the eligibility and selection criteria, including citizenship;
  2. Contact A/Prof Frederic Gilbert to discuss your suitability and the project's requirements; and
  3. In your application:
    • Copy and paste the title of the project from this advertisement into your application. If you don’t correctly do this your application may be rejected.
    • Submit a signed supervisory support form, a CV including contact details of 2 referees and your project research proposal.
  4. Apply prior to 1 February 2024.

Full details of the application process can be found under the 'How to apply' section of the Research Degrees website.

Following the closing date applications will be assessed within the College. Applicants should expect to receive notification of the outcome by email by the advertised outcome date.

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