Vacancies

The Oxford Internet Institute and Faculty of Philosophy are seeking to appoint an Associate Professor of AI & Society, in association with a Senior Research Fellowship at Wadham College. The successful candidate will conduct research within the ethics and social impact of AI, broadly construed, and play an integral part in the activities of the Oxford Institute for Ethics in AI. This post is available from 1 September 2021, or as soon as possible thereafter. This is a permanent appointment (subject to initial probation).

The position is open to candidates from a variety of disciplines, including sociology, political science, law, and philosophy. The successful candidate will be expected to engage in advanced research on ethical issues relating to the impact of AI, machine learning and new information technologies, and must be able to provide research-led teaching and supervision at the graduate level. We are particularly interested in candidates whose research expertise addresses public policy-relevant topics such as social injustice and inequality, barriers to information access, algorithmic bias and discrimination, and the role of diversity in the development and application of AI.

The successful candidate will be responsible for teaching in the graduate programmes of the Oxford Internet Institute, including courses such as qualitative research methods, fieldwork methods, technology and society, and ethics in AI, and will also be a member of the Governing Body of Wadham College.

Candidates must demonstrate a research record in or, relevant to, the ethics of AI, with an international standing appropriate to the stage of their career; the ability to deliver excellent teaching, and a willingness to undertake administration and pastoral responsibilities on behalf of Wadham College and of the University. Candidates should hold a completed doctorate, or a completed doctoral dissertation submitted for examination by the advertised closing date for this position, in the social sciences, humanities, or related fields.

Applicants should have a proven high standard of research and the ability to enthuse and inspire students at graduate level through lectures and supervision.

For Wadham College, the post holder will be expected to serve on Governing Body, act as a college advisor to graduate students, and actively participate in college life. For the University, the post holder will teach, supervise graduate students, and participate in examining students within the Oxford Internet Institute, and play a full and active role in the intellectual life of both Oxford Internet Institute and the Institute for Ethics in AI. They will be expected to engage in independent and original research, to secure funding and engage in the management of research projects and disseminate research of the highest international standard through publications, conferences, and seminars.

They will be entitled to office space at the OII and expected to participate fully in the intellectual life of the department and the wider University. They will play a key role within the Institute of Ethics in AI, including developing new research activities and clusters, and developing teaching within the sphere of Ethics and AI.

The University of Oxford holds several awards of recognition of its efforts to introduce organisational and cultural practices that promote gender equality and create a better working environment for both men and women, including an Athena Swan Bronze award and the Race Equality Charter Bronze award. The University signed the Mindful Employer’s Charter for Employers Who Are Positive About Mental Health in February 2018 and is currently one of Stonewall’s Top 100 Employers. More information can be found at https://edu.admin.ox.ac.uk/equality-charters.

Informal enquiries about the post should be directed in the first instance to the Director of the Oxford Internet Institute, Professor Victoria Nash (victoria.nash@oii.ox.ac.uk), or to the Director of the Oxford Institute for Ethics in AI, Professor John Tasioulas, (john.tasioulas@philosophy.ox.ac.uk), or to the Acting Senior Tutor, Dr Mike Froggatt (michael.froggatt@wadham.ox.ac.uk) at Wadham College. All enquiries will be treated in strict confidence and will not be considered in the selection decision.

Applications are particularly welcomed from women and black and minority ethnic candidates, who are under-represented in academic posts in Oxford.

Only applications received before 12:00pm BST on Friday 30 April 2021 will be considered.

Interviews for those short-listed are currently planned to take place on week commencing 7 June 2021.