Named in honour of Alan Turing, the Institute is a place for inspiring, exciting work and we need passionate, sharp, and innovative people who want to use their skills to contribute to our mission to make great leaps in data science and AI research to change the world for the better.

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The Institute has a focused area of work on AI, Human Rights and Inclusion which considers different dimensions to the intersection of AI and human rights including: how AI and related technologies can be applied to address global challenges of human rights; how diverse perspectives can inform in the AI lifecycle (including design, data curation and sharing) to safeguard human rights (e.g., privacy, non-discrimination); and how EDI can be improved across the AI lifecycle, ecosystem and environment to support equitable, just and inclusive societies.

One of the application areas includes a programme of research activities to understand and enable the data ecosystem and application of data science and AI technologies to address modern day slavery challenges for policy-makers and front-line agencies. The research activities have been and are informed by and in collaboration with stakeholders across public, private, non-profit and IGO sectors. The modern slavery specific work is cross-cutting supported through a mixture of internal and external partnerships and funding sources: The Institute is a partner in the Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy Evidence Centre (herein Modern Slavery PEC) and the Institute’s AI for Science and Government (ASG) Programme, Defence & Security Programme, and Finance Programme. The programme of research activities leverages expertise of Project leaders from across the Institute and its University partners. The project involves a multi-disciplinary team with Project Investigator team including: Anjali Mazumder, Jat Singh, Jennifer Cobbe, Carsten Maple, Mihai Cuccuringu, Ian Walden, and Alexa Hagerty.

ROLE PURPOSE

We are seeking an early-career researcher with a background in social science and qualitative research to design and implement interview-based, participatory research with communities and stakeholders for a project investigating the design, use, and assessment of data, data sharing and AI tools for addressing modern slavery (and other vulnerable or marginalised populations) and considering other data and technology uses on racialised and marginalised communities. The post-holder will be responsible for designing and implementing community-engaged research. Responsibilities will include carrying out literature reviews, developing interview protocols, conducting interviews with individuals and groups, communicating findings to an interdisciplinary research team, and writing formal reports. The post-holder will work closely with a multi-disciplinary team of PIs and Co-Is from a range of disciplines – Statistics, Anthropology, Computer Science, Law, etc.

Candidates should have experience with qualitative methods and analyses regarding interviews, focus groups and survey techniques. The project utilises participatory methodologies and community engagement; experience with these approaches is highly desirable. We particularly encourage applications from those with research experience on themes of modern slavery, online exploitation, gender-based violence, and/or other hidden, racialised or marginalised communities. Candidates should bring a nuanced understanding of the distinctions between these themes and the wide range of perspectives and experiences represented within and among them. Candidates with experience working with with historically marginalised communities and/or on complex and sensitive social issues are encouraged to apply.

DUTIES AND AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• Design, develop and undertake research methodologies including literature review, interview protocol, focus groups, surveys
• Assist in developing survey instrument, data labelling protocols and participate in training labellers
• Conduct, review and inform on participatory methods to address data justice issues
• Conduct stakeholder and community interviews, focus groups and surveys and desk-based research.
• Conduct different types of qualitative research and analysis
• Provide critical perspectives, identify issues and inform on mechanisms for data collection, sharing and use
• Collaborate with stakeholders and partners on research and identifying opportunities to take developed methods, frameworks and insights towards wider use.
• Assist in the organisation of and participate in regular meetings and special workshops with the research team, designated members of staff, collaborators amd stakeholders
• Write and publish articles in peer-reviewed journals/digests that highlight findings from research ensuring consistency with the highest standards of academic publication, and draft publications for other mediums such as blogs, briefs and explainers, showcasing the Institute’s research leadership
• Present methods and results at conferences and workshops, and communicate results to a diverse audience
• Make original contributions to the research project to the success of the research goals, objectives and activities

If appointed at a Senior Research Associate level, the post-holder will have additional responsibilities. Please see the attached job description for further details.

• PhD Degree or equivalent experience in social science (e.g. anthropology, science and technology studies, HCI, etc.) or equivalent level of professional experience
• Good foundation and experience in qualitative research
• Knowledge and interest in participatory methodologies
• Ability to coordinate and conduct in-depth research interviews with multiple stakeholders
• Experience of developing and documenting analysis workflows for research projects.
• A level of comprehension sufficient to conduct relevant literature reviews.
• Participate in networks within the organisation or externally to share knowledge and information in order develop practice or help others learn.

Please see the job description for a full breakdown of the duties, responsibilities and person specification

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

This full-time post is offered on a fixed term basis for 2 years. The annual salary is £38,850 - £46,200 plus excellent benefits, including flexible working and family friendly policies, https://www.turing.ac.uk/work-turing/why-work-turing/employee-benefits

Senior Research Associates will be appointed at £49,025.

Candidates who have not yet been officially awarded their PhD will be appointed as Research Assistant at a salary of £36,236 per annum.

The Alan Turing Institute is based at the British Library, in the heart of London’s Knowledge Quarter.

We are currently assessing the results of our hybrid working trial, which ran for six months. We will soon publish a long-term workplace policy: as a guide, we anticipate this will be between 2-4 days per month. Some roles may require the jobholder to spend a greater number of days in the office, but the hiring manager will be able to confirm this during the interview.

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 and covering letter. If you have questions about the role or would like to apply using a different format, please contact us on 020 3970 2148 or 0203 862 3340, or email [email protected].

If you are applying for more than one role at the Turing, please note that only one Cover Letter can be visible on your profile at one time. If you wish to apply for multiple roles and do not want to overwrite your existing Cover Letter, please apply for the role using the button below and forward your additional cover letter directly to [email protected] quoting the job title.

CLOSING DATE APPLICATIONS: Thursday 13th October 2022, 23:59.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early or to interview suitable candidates before the closing date if enough applications are received.

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].