Vacancies

The Oxford Internet Institute and Faculty of Philosophy (Institute for Ethics in AI) are seeking to appoint an Associate Professor of AI & Society, in association with a Senior Research Fellowship at Wadham College. The post will sit within the OII, and the post holder will work closely with colleagues in the Institute for Ethics in AI.  The successful candidate will conduct outstanding empirical research related to the social and ethical impacts of AI, broadly construed, and will be comfortable collaborating across disciplinary boundaries, including engaging with philosophers and ethicists. They will play an integral part in the activities of the Institute for Ethics in AI. This post is available from 1 March 2022, 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 social science disciplines, including political science, communications, psychology, sociology, public policy, anthropology, development, geography and economics. The successful candidate will be expected to engage in innovative empirical research that will advance normative or ethical debate about the impacts of AI, machine learning and new information technologies, using quantitative or qualitative social science methods. We are particularly interested in candidates whose research addresses policy-relevant topics such as social injustice and inequality, barriers to information access, algorithmic bias and discrimination, or the role of diversity in the development and application of AI.

The successful candidate will contribute research-led teaching and supervision for OII graduate students, and will also contribute to the delivery of core MSc courses including research methods teaching. They will also be a member of the Governing Body of Wadham College.

Candidates must demonstrate a research record in or, relevant to, the social and ethical impacts 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 empirical social sciences, or closely 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 the 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 also have office space in the Institute for Ethics in AI, where they will be expected to play a key role, 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  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.

The closing date for applications is 19 October 2021. Interviews are expected to be held during 24th/25th November 2021 (tbc).

Only applications received before 12:00pm BST on Tuesday 19 October 2021 will be considered.

Interviews for those short-listed are currently planned to take place on week commencing 22 November 2021.