UT Austin Postdoctoral Fellow, Work at the Human-AI Frontier
The University of Texas at Austin: School of Information
Location
Austin, Texas
Description
Good Systems, Ethical AI at UT Austin, is recruiting a postdoctoral fellow to conduct research on the theme of “Work at the Human-AI Frontier” as it relates to Good Systems core research projects, which investigate the ethical implications of AI technologies in society in the areas of surveillance and privacy, racial equity, smart cities, mis- and dis-information, human-robot interaction, and smart hand tools and the future of work.
Possible research directions may include but are not limited to the following:
- The role of AI in the future workplace: How can AI be used to improve conditions for workers (e.g., safety, empowerment, worker autonomy), and how can we avoid some of the potential pitfalls of AI in the workplace (e.g., surveillance, disinformation)? How can we expand the workforce in terms of workers with a wide range of abilities?
- The future of the labor market with continuous proliferation of AI: What policies do we need to ensure that AI allows for a smooth transition in the labor markets to mitigate job losses and unwanted displacement? How can AI eliminate disparities in the workforce?
- Safe and equitable skilled trade work: How can we put AI in the hands of skilled trade workers, giving them more power in their work, reducing the potential for exploitation and discrimination in the workplace by giving them a way to document their work and its quality, and safeguarding their physical safety and well-being using AI-enabled technologies such as smart hand tools?
- Urban AI deployments: how will AI and robots impact the future of life, work, and economic development in smart cities?
- Generative AI and work: How can generative AI tools such as large language models and generative adversarial networks be used to improve work efficiency? (E.g. What prompt engineering skills do workers need?)
- Human values of work and AI: How can AI be aligned with the values of all stakeholders involved in work, including workers, employers, customers, etc.? How does AI impact human workers’ agency in the workplace?
Responsibilities
- Become familiar with the six Good Systems core research projects by meeting with team leadership, attending team meetings, and reading project scholarly outputs.
- Develop, collect, and refine ideas for cross-project research opportunities on the theme “Work at the Human-AI Frontier, and collaborate with relevant core project researchers to explore and develop a cross-cutting research topic.
- Lead writing of manuscript(s) related to “Work at the Human-AI Frontier,” submit to conferences and/or journals, and present and disseminate findings.
- Lead, develop, and submit external funding proposals.
Weekly Scheduled Hours: 40
Expected Start Date: September 1, 2024 (earlier start date can be negotiated)
Position Duration: This is a 12-month position, with the possibility for renewal subject to securing external funding.
Salary: $75,000
Working Conditions: standard office and laboratory conditions; repetitive use of keyboard at a workstation
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- Applicants must hold or receive a Ph.D. in a relevant field before the start of the appointment. Ph.D. must have been received within the last three years.
- Ability to lead collaborative research projects.
- Strong writing skills demonstrated by first-authored peer-reviewed journal papers or peer-reviewed conference proceedings papers.
Preferred Qualifications
- Research focus connected to the intersection of work and ethical AI, broadly defined.
- An educational background that is interdisciplinary or that spans multiple disciplines, ideally ranging across the socio-technical spectrum.
- Interest in broader societal dimensions of AI, including social, policy, and regulatory aspects.
Application Instructions
Required Materials
- Cover Letter (general fit with position, 1-2 pages)
- CV
- Research Statement (proposed project that you would be interested in pursuing, 2-3 pages)
- List of References
Deadline
Review of applications will begin on March 1, and will continue until the position is filled.
About
About Good Systems: Good Systems is a University of Texas at Austin research grand challenge that seeks to design AI technologies alongside broader policy and decision-making systems that can protect and improve our world. Our interdisciplinary campus-wide research effort brings together humanists, social scientists, and technologists to investigate how to define, evaluate, and build ethical AI systems that will transform society for the better.
About UT Austin: UT Austin ranks among the 40 best universities in the world, and is a leading research university, attracting more than $650 million annually for discovery. UT Austin embraces interdisciplinary research and is home to more the 200 dedicated research units, centers, and research grand challenges, including Good Systems.
About Austin: Austin has a vibrant, internationally renowned music, film, and art scene, along with a thriving economy that leads the way in the technology, engineering, and health care sectors. Often referred to as the “Live Music Capital of the World,” Austin hosts major annual events such as the Austin City Limits Music Festival and South by Southwest (SXSW). Austin serves as the home for corporate headquarters and research and development centers for many Fortune 500 companies and new startups, providing opportunities for collaboration and student placements for internships and careers.
Inquiries
Please direct any general questions about the position to Lea Sabatini, Good Systems Program Director
(lea.sabatini@austin.utexas.edu).
https://apply.interfolio.com/140430
Published: 02/16/2024
