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.

The AI for Public Services Team is a new part of The Turing’s Public Policy Programme. It aims to provide state of the art research into how artificial intelligence and machine learning are changing the nature of contemporary government, and the consequences of these changes for governments ability to deliver effective, high-quality services to all citizens

ROLE PURPOSE

The Public Policy Programme, part of the Alan Turing Institute, is developing a major new stream of work dedicated to bringing ethical, safe and effective artificial intelligence into the heart of government work for the benefit of citizens and the public good.

As part of this work, we are seeking to appoint a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Government AI (the post is available either full time or part time). The successful candidate, who should specialise in data science, machine learning or related disciplines, will work on a range of projects with major government departments to pilot the introduction of artificial intelligence into government decision making. They will gain experience in building machine learning pipelines that can be put into practice with genuine impact across a wide variety of sectors. As part of this work, they will also co-produce high impact journal publications in major outlets across computer science, human-computer interaction, political science and related disciplines.

DUTIES AND AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• Conduct original research in the area of artificial intelligence in government
• Work alongside government departments to build and implement machine learning systems
• Submit written and verbal evidence to UK- and European Government consultations, such as Select Committee hearings, white papers, regulation and advisory reports.
• Support the work of policymakers, regulators and others by providing advice, attending workshops and giving talks.
• Write Turing Public Policy Briefing Paper, blogs and insight reports.
• Support with building the AI and public policy community at The Turing.

• Research Associate level: PhD-level degree in data science, mathematics, computer science, quantitative social science, or a related discipline.
• Background and competence in machine learning and / or data science
• Competence in a relevant programming language such as R or Python
• Highly motivated and committed to achieving the project goals
• 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.
• Creatively solve problems, working both independently and with other team members
• 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.

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 of two years. The annual salary is £37,000-£44,000 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 £36,235 per annum.

The Alan Turing Institute is based at the British Library, in the heart of London’s Knowledge Quarter. From 01 March 2022 we will trial a Hybrid Working Model for an initial six-month trial period. During this period, staff will be expected to work at our British Library office for a number of days per month, dependent on the requirements of the role. As a guide, we anticipate this will be between 2-4 days per month, 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].

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS: Sunday 17 July 2022 at 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.

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.

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].