Postdoctoral Fellow in Ethics of Artificial Intelligence (EXPIRED)

Postdoctoral Fellowship in Ethics of Artificial Intelligence,

Centre for Ethics, University of Toronto

Posting Date: July 12, 2021

Centre for Ethics
University of Toronto
Job Posting – Postdoctoral Fellow in Ethics of Artificial Intelligence

The interdisciplinary Centre for Ethics at the University of Toronto invites applications for its postdoctoral fellowship in ethics of artificial intelligence.

Area of research: We welcome applications by candidates from diverse disciplinary backgrounds—including philosophy, law, political science, and other social sciences and humanities, as well as computer science, engineering, medicine, statistics, and technology studies—to join the Centre’s intellectual community to conduct research related to the ethics of artificial intelligence, in the context of the Centre’s mission to advance research and teaching in the field of ethics, broadly defined. 

Since 2017, the Centre’s Ethics of AI Lab has fostered academic and public dialogue about Ethics of AI in Context—the normative dimensions of artificial intelligence and related phenomena in all aspects of private, public, and political life. It is interdisciplinary from the ground up, by pursuing critical analysis from any disciplinary perspective, including STEM, health sciences, social sciences, and—crucially—the humanities, that can shed light on the complex nature of the challenge at hand and on the sustained effort required to address it. (For an illustration of the Ethics of AI in Context approach, see the Oxford Handbook of Ethics of AI (2020).)

Please consult our website, online journal, and YouTube channel to get a sense of the variety of projects and activities at the Centre, including—in particular—our Race, Ethics + Power Project.

The Centre for Ethics is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from racialized persons / persons of colour, women, Indigenous / Aboriginal People of North America, persons with disabilities, LGBTQ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.

Description of duties: Under the direction of the Director, Centre for Ethics, the successful candidate will conduct research and will help to foster interdisciplinary exchange across the university and public discourse around the normative dimensions of artificial intelligence within the context of related modes of technological innovation, by initiating, facilitating, and participating in Centre and Lab activities. The successful candidate will also be expected to teach 0.5 full-course equivalents (FCE) offered by the Centre for Ethics on a subject related to their area of interest. Teaching will be covered by the terms of the CUPE 3902 Unit 1 Collective Agreement.

Salary: $48,000 per year

Please note that should the minimum rates stipulated in the collective agreement fall below the rates stated in this posting, the minimum rates stated in the collective agreement shall prevail.  

Required qualifications: Applicants must have completed all requirements for their degree by August 31, 2021. Candidates must also be no more than 5 years from the awarding of their degree, and cannot have accepted or hold a tenure-track position.

Application instructions: Please submit a cover letter of application describing your proposed research project and contribution to the Centre’s mission, a current CV, and a sample of written work to [email protected] by the closing date. Please submit your application materials in PDF format as one file, using the naming convention “LastnameFirstname_AI2021.” Applicants also should arrange to have three confidential letters of reference sent directly to the same email address; at least one of the reference letters should speak to the applicant’s teaching experience and ability.

Closing date: The application deadline is Monday, August 1, 2021. Please address additional inquiries to Ellen Ough, Centre Administrator, at [email protected].

Supervisor: Professor Markus Dubber, Director, Centre for Ethics

Expected start date: September 1, 2021

Term: September 1, 2021 to August 31, 2022

FTE: 100%

The normal hours of work are 40 hours per week for a full-time postdoctoral fellow (pro-rated for those holding a partial appointment) recognizing that the needs of the employee’s research and training and the needs of the supervisor’s research program may require flexibility in the performance of the employee’s duties and hours of work.

Employment as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Toronto is covered by the terms of the CUPE 3902 Unit 5 Collective Agreement.

This job is posted in accordance with the CUPE 3902 Unit 5 Collective Agreement.