Job Postings

CALL FOR 2020-2021 POSTDOCTORAL ASSOCIATE

Western University’s Department of Philosophy and Rotman Institute of Philosophy invite applications for a Postdoctoral Associate in the area of ethics and artificial intelligence (AI). The successful applicant will be required to conduct original research in the ethics of AI. In addition, the Associate will contribute to the continued development and teaching of a course in this area, in collaboration with colleagues in Science, Engineering, and Law at Western. The Associate will join a burgeoning community of scholars at Western who are interested in interdisciplinary work on the ethical and societal dimensions of AI.

The Department of Philosophy at Western is one of Canada’s leading philosophy departments. A research-intensive department that has over 60 graduate students, it is home to the Rotman Institute of Philosophy as well as the Centre for Digital Philosophy. Many of our faculty conduct research that is relevant to the ethical and societal implications of AI, including faculty in moral, political, and feminist philosophy. In addition, the Rotman Institute has identified the area of ethics and AI as a priority and will continue to support research and teaching in it. The Associate will be expected to involve themselves in our research community by participating in relevant seminar series, reading groups, and research groups. They will be given office space in either the Department or the Institute, which are in two different locations.

There is a one-year term for this position, although it is subject to renewal for a second year, conditional on the availability of funding and performance during the first year. The start date will be sometime between January 1 and July 1, 2021. Candidates must, at the time of appointment, have a PhD in Philosophy, or a related field, with an area of specialization in ethics. They also must have demonstrated ability to conduct interdisciplinary research regarding AI. The teaching load will be one course in fall or winter term, likely at the undergraduate level. The stipend is $45,000.

Review of applications will begin on November 16, 2020 and will continue until the position is filled.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

To be considered for this position, applicants must submit the following documents:

  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Research Statement (1 page)
  • Teaching Statement (1 page)
  • Writing Sample (6-8000 words)
  • Application Form

Please submit these as a single pdf via email to rotman.postdoc@gmail.com. The subject line of your email should read: Application Materials from [Full Name] (Ethics AI Postdoc Associate Application).

After an initial review of application materials, candidates who are short-listed for the position will need to arrange to have three letters of reference sent directly by their referees to rotman.postdoc@gmail.com. At least one letter should comment on the applicant’s teaching abilities.

Applicants should have fluent oral and written communication skills in English. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. Western University is committed to employment equity and welcomes applications from all qualified people, including (but not limited to) women, visible minorities, Indigenous people, and people with disabilities.

If you have any questions regarding the application process, please send an email to Professor and Chair of Philosophy, Carolyn McLeod, at cmcleod2@uwo.ca.