The Alan Turing Institute is the UK’s national institute for data science and artificial intelligence. The Institute is named in honour of the scientist Alan Turing and its mission is to make great leaps in data science and artificial intelligence research in order to change the world for the better.

The Public Policy research programme works alongside policy makers to explore how data-driven public service provision and policy innovation might help to solve long running societal problems. We also work hand-in-hand with public sector organisations and citizens to develop practice-based ethical standards for the responsible development and use of data science and AI. Our dynamic group has co-produced—with the Office for AI and the Government Digital Service—the UK Government’s official public sector guide for designing and implementing ethical and safe AI. We have also co-authored—with the Information Commissioner’s Office—the first guidance ever released by a UK regulator on explaining AI-assisted decisions.

In addition to our work with government and regulators, we carry out interdisciplinary academic research in the area of AI ethics and governance as well as AI and society. Our research projects rely entirely on public funding, and they include a review of the ethics of machine learning (ML) in children’s social care; an exploration of the relationship of notions of AI, human agency, privacy and trust in intercultural and global contexts; an investigation into how to build grassroots data rights charters through deliberative democracy; an examination of the role of responsible data management in criminal justice applications of AI; and an analysis of the interpretability needs of AI systems in the financial services sector.

ROLE PURPOSE

The successful candidate will work on the project Hate Speech: Measures & Counter-Measures. They will be responsible for conducting original empirical research into the prevalence, dynamics, causes and patterns of harmful online content. They will also be responsible for conceptual and theoretical analyses of online hate. This work is likely to be conducted in collaboration with technical experts and could involve contributing to AI- and computational- workstreams. Research should translate into academic publications, policy reports, blogs and other outputs.

The successful candidate will support in liaising with policymakers, regulators and civil society organisations. This could include producing short digestible reports, attending workshops and roundtables, creating presentations, briefing other team members, and other ad-hoc tasks.

The successful candidate will work closely with academics, technical experts and policy-makers in an interdisciplinary, dynamic and collaborative team. Engagement in additional collaborations across the Turing community is encouraged, including with other projects in the Public Policy Programme. Opportunities will be given to develop technical and social scientific skills. The successful candidate will be encouraged to develop new and innovative research proposals for future work.

They will report to Professor Helen Margetts and will work closely with Dr. Bertie Vidgen.

DUTIES AND AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

The successful candidate will:

• Conduct original research into the prevalence, dynamics, causes and patterns of hateful online content. This includes research design, implementation (e.g., collecting and processing data), analysis and evaluation.
• Support the project in engaging with key stakeholders, including policymakers, regulators and civil society organisations.
• Develop innovative new research proposals for future work.
• Communicate findings to key stakeholders and the general public.
• Collaborate with academic and non-academic partners to conduct research.

Essential

• Research Associate level: PhD-level degree in social sciences, humanities, social data science, or a related discipline.
• Research Assistant level: Near completion of a PhD or equivalent level of qualification in social sciences, humanities, social data science, or a related discipline.
• Experience in social media analysis.
• Interest in policymaking, regulation and civic debate on online harms.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including the ability to present complex or technical information, and to communicate effectively with analysts and other stakeholders outside the research community.
• Ability to collaborate successfully with colleagues in a multidisciplinary environment.
• Participates in networks within the organisation or externally to share knowledge and information in order develop practice or help others learn.
• Independently makes decisions which are low risk and that mainly affect themselves or a small number of people and are guided by regulation and practice
• Ability to organise working time, take the initiative, and carry out research independently, under the guidance of the PI.
• Ability to use own judgement to analyse and solve problems.
• Commitment to meeting deadlines
• Commitment to EDI principles and the organistation values

Desirable

• Experience in researching and/or policymaking related to online harms, such as hate speech, misinformation or extremism.
• Experience in research design.
• Experience in qualitative content analysis.
• Experience in conceptual analyses and/or ethical research.
• Experience in statistical modelling.

Application Procedure

If you are interested in this opportunity, please click the apply button below. You will need to register on the applicant portal and complete the application form including your CV, covering letter that outlines how you meet the job specifications; a list of publications as well as a sample piece of writing (a journal article, conference proceeding, book chapter, or equivalent); and contact details for two referees. If you have questions about the role or would like to apply using a different format, please contact them on 0203 862 3340 or email [email protected].

You will need to register on the applicant portal and complete the application form including your CV, covering letter

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: Sunday 13th June 2021 at 23:59.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This full time post is offered on a fixed term basis of 2 years with the possibility for a further extension (funding permitting). The annual salary is £37,000-£40,000 (depending on experience) plus excellent benefits, including flexible working and family friendly policies, https://www.turing.ac.uk/work-turing/why-work-turing/employee-benefits

Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as Research Assistant at a salary of £34,500 per annum

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

The Alan Turing Institute is committed to creating an environment where diversity is valued and everyone is treated fairly. In accordance with the Equality Act, we welcome applications from anyone who meets the specific criteria of the post regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.

Reasonable adjustments to the interview process will be made for any candidates with a disability.

Please note all offers of employment are subject to obtaining and retaining the right to work in the UK and satisfactory pre-employment security screening which includes a DBS Check.

Full details on the pre-employment screening process can be requested from [email protected].