Standard pattern:
以…
自居 'to consider oneself as / pass oneself off as ___'. The slot can hold any role or identity:
以救世主自居 (pose as a savior),
以老前辈自居 (carry oneself as a senior elder),
以受害者自居 (cast oneself as the victim). Almost always carries a negative or ironic flavor — the speaker is criticizing the self-aggrandizing posture.
