AI and the question of autonomy: building the foundations for AI Scientists Ref: 5816

Supervisors

Dr Stephan Guttinger, Department of Philosophy, University of Exeter

Professor John Dupré, Department of Philosophy, University of Exeter

Recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have fuelled the idea of building “AI scientists”, i.e., systems that can perform part or all of the research process on their own. The development of such agents raises important questions about the level of autonomy that AI system can or should be given in the research process. How can we classify the varying degrees of autonomy, and what level of autonomy is ultimately desirable? Does the knowledge-generation process become faster and more efficient the more autonomous our AI tools are? And is the development of AI agents that can solve problems on their own a step towards a safer and more reliable science, or is it a problematic development that removes the human from a key checkpoint in the scientific process?

The goal of this fully funded PhD project is to develop a novel framework of autonomy in AI-driven science that can help address these important epistemological and ethical questions.

The position forms part of the ERAs project, which aims to develop the tools required for assessing the error-reasoning ability of AI systems and to thereby foster the careful and effective introduction of AI agents into the research process.

The PhD candidate will be based at the Egenis Centre for the Study of the Life Sciences, a leading centre for interdisciplinary research on the biosciences and related disciplines. Egenis has a long tradition of pursuing a practice-focused approach to philosophy and offers a lively and diverse academic community that brings together philosophers, scientists, and social scientists.

Specific research tasks the candidate will pursue include the analysis of case studies of AI deployment in the biological sciences and the critical engagement with contemporary debates on autonomy in philosophy and related disciplines. The student will have funding available to travel to conferences to present and discuss their findings.

Suitable candidates will have a strong background in philosophy. Experience in the natural sciences or computer science is desirable but not required. An interest in interdisciplinary communication and engagement as well as an understanding of how AI is currently deployed in science is welcomed but not essential.

Duration and value of award

The studentship will be for a period of up to 3.5 years (42 months), dependent on satisfactory progress, and will cover full UK tuition fees and an annual maintenance grant of £20,780 (2025/26 rate).

Entry requirements

Applicants should have at a minimum a good first degree (at least 2.1, or international equivalent) in either philosophy, natural science or computer science, and have obtained, or are currently working towards a Master's degree at Merit level, or international equivalent, in Philosophy or History and Philosophy of Science (HPS).

If English is not your first language you will need to meet the English language requirements and provide proof of proficiency. Click here for more information.

·        Applicants would be expected to start their studies in September 2026.

·        Recipients are expected to commit to engagement beyond their doctoral studies through contributing to the research environment of their discipline and the Faculty by participating in research activities, accessing skills development training and opportunities and career development etc. Continued funding would be dependent on satisfactory evidence of this engagement having taken place.

Please note that these studentships are only open to applicants who will start their study in September 2026, not those who have already started.

Applications will only be supported for campus-based programmes as this studentship is not open to Distance-Learning programmes.

How to apply

Apply now

To apply, please click the ‘Apply Now’ button above. You will be asked to submit the following by 12:00 (Noon) GMT 2nd March 2026:  

·        A covering letter outlining your academic interests, prior research experience and reasons for wishing to undertake the project

·        We encourage you to include in your covering letter a 250-word (max) statement outlining how your background will enrich our diverse and inclusive research community. You are encouraged to reflect on your own experience, interests and/or proposed research for the statement. Please note this is optional

·        A 200-500 word statement on your fit with the department/Faculty research culture and your prospective supervision team.

·        A CV

·        Proof of academic track record (transcripts/certificates)

·        Two references, at least one to be an academic reference

·        Proof of your English language proficiency, if relevant

Please submit all documents, apart from your references and degree transcripts, as one combined file and submit this against the research proposal section of the application form.

All application documents must be submitted in English. Certified translated copies of academic qualifications must also be provided.

Please quote reference 5816 on your application and in any correspondence about this studentship.

Reference information
It is your responsibility to ensure that your referees email their references to PGRApplicants@exeter.ac.uk, as we will not make requests for references directly; you must arrange for them to be submitted by 2nd March 2026. Please note that applications with missing documentation will not progress to shortlisting.

References should be in the form of a letter. Referees must email their references to us from their institutional email accounts. We cannot accept references from personal/private email accounts, unless it is a scanned document on institutional headed paper and signed by the referee.

Summary