Research Assistant (Part Time, Fixed Term)

This is an exciting opportunity to support the development, research, and valorisation of impact-oriented projects for the Desirable Digitalisation programme, a collaboration between the Universities of Cambridge and Bonn and numerous international partners, and funded by Stiftung Mercator. The programme investigates how to place the questions of social justice and environmental sustainability at the heart of technology development and how to translate theoretical insights about historical injustices and discrimination into new technology design methods and education tools.

The Research Assistant will contribute to two research streams within the Desirable Digitalisation programme: the Global Politics of AI (led by Dr Kerry McInerney) and AI and Journalism (led by Dr Tomasz Hollanek). This is an exciting opportunity for a talented individual to contribute to impact-oriented work at the intersection of international relations, media, and AI ethics and governance.

CFI is a highly interdisciplinary research centre addressing the challenges and opportunities posed by artificial intelligence (AI). Funded by the Leverhulme Trust, CFI is based at the University of Cambridge, with partners in the University of Oxford, Imperial College, and UC Berkeley. The Centre also has close links with industry, policymakers, and many academic disciplines.

An ideal candidate should be aware of the key AI policy initiatives, including those dedicated to international AI governance and the use of AI in the media, as the RA will help develop various types of documents intended for non-academic audiences, including policymakers and media executives.

Applicants should have, or be studying for, a postgraduate qualification in a field relevant to the ethics and governance of artificial intelligence (including policy, political science, science and technology studies, media studies, sociology, or related fields); applicants with work experience relevant to the project that pursue degrees in other academic fields will also be considered. All applicants should be able to demonstrate strong motivation in line with the goals of the research programme, as well as capacity to work independently and conduct high quality research in collaboration with others.

This is a fixed-term post where funding is available for 8 months in the first instance. More information about the project can be found in the Further Particulars.

The primary place of work is 16 Mill Lane, Cambridge. We also operate a hybrid work environment, with staff combining office-based and remote working.

For your application to be considered, please upload the following:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• A covering letter of no more than 500 words explaining your interest in and aptitude for the position
• A sample of professional writing of no more than 5000 words
• Contact details for two referees

The closing date for applications is midnight (GMT) on Sunday 18 February 2024. The interview will take place in the week of 26 February 2024, subject to change.

If you have any questions about this vacancy please contact Dr Kerry McInerney([email protected] ) or Dr Tomasz Hollanek ([email protected] ), If you have questions about the application process, please contact the Schools HR team on [email protected] .

Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

Please quote reference GO40324 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Further information
Apply online