Responsible Tech roles in Academia

Universities are increasingly offering degree programs and academic specialties that address technology’s impact on society. These roles are housed within various Schools and Colleges — Humanities and Social Sciences, Computer Science, Anthropology, Social Work, Communication Studies, Citizenship & Public Affairs, Information, Design, Data & Society, and Data Science — and in some cases are collaborative interdisciplinary efforts across multiple Schools within a university.

With this in mind, we have compiled a resource highlighting various open Professorship roles in Academia. This is non-exhaustive, so please check out these opportunities that we’ve identified and let us know what else is out there, especially in universities not based in the United States!

Do you know of an open role in academia globally that belongs on our Responsible Tech job board? Contact us through this form.

Responsible Tech Job Openings in Academia:

Carnegie Mellon University: Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences: Philosophy - Senior Tenure Track Faculty in Philosophy and Computer Science: Ethics & Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning

“The Philosophy Department and the School of Computer Science at Carnegie Mellon University seek applications for a full-time, joint appointment at the rank of Full or (tenured or tenure-track) Associate Professor beginning Fall 2022.”

The successful candidate will “play a leadership role in consolidating and extending Carnegie Mellon’s active and growing efforts in Ethics and AI.”

“The area of specialization is interdisciplinary research in Ethics & Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning. The successful applicant will have deep knowledge of, and experience and publications in, the application of normative theory to AI/machine learning (e.g. privacy, algorithmic fairness, transparency, etc.) and a strong background in either the disciplines of machine learning/AI or philosophy, with substantial knowledge of the other discipline.”

Applications are open until December 15th.

Colby College, Department of Anthropology - Assistant Professor (Tenure Track), (Specializations could include Artificial Intelligence, Public Humanities, Environmental Humanities)

Anthropology Department at Colby College is seeking candidates “for a tenure track position at the assistant professor level for a cultural anthropologist in the fields of technology, design, and/or artificial intelligence (AI) beginning on September 1, 2022.”

“We welcome a range of research specialties that could include but are not limited to the social, racial and ethical dimensions of AI technologies and algorithms; surveillance; DNA tests, genomes and related health technologies; social media; cryptocurrency; gaming and virtual worlds; indigenous data sovereignty; inclusive design; climate justice; hacker cultures and politics; and/or participatory research in the labs of and with AI scientists, engineers, and designers.”

“Applications received by November 5, 2021 will be reviewed in full.”

Columbia University, Columbia School of Social Work (CSSW) - Tenure-track Assistant Professor of Social Work or Associate Professor of Social Work (anti-Black and/or anti-Latinx racism)

“The Columbia School of Social Work (CSSW) invites applications for tenure-track faculty positions at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor (pre-tenure).”

“CSSW is now seeking scholars of race and racism, with a particular focus on anti-Black and/or anti-Latinx racism. We are adopting a “systems thinking” approach to analyzing the complex forces that drive disparities, and how those forces interrelate. A systems science mindset affords us the opportunity to explore how economic, education, criminal justice, child welfare, technology, implementation, and health systems are interwoven and have a deep impact on the well-being of Black and Latinx individuals, families, and communities.”

Apply by November 18th.

Northwestern University, Department of Communication Studies - Assistant Professor Communication Studies (Tenure-Eligible), Human-Centered Design

“The Department of Communication Studies at Northwestern University is searching for a tenure-eligible faculty member at the rank of Assistant Professor in the area of human-centered design. We seek to recruit an individual engaged in impactful and visionary lines of research in human-centered design as it relates to technology and communication. We welcome applicants with expertise in areas including, but not limited to, the following: human-computer interaction, online communication platforms, human-AI communication and interaction, and virtual collaboration.”

“The ideal candidate applies human-centered design to investigate and intervene in society, advancing objectives in social and design justice. Candidates should pursue research on human-centered design as it relates broadly to technology and communication, and should strive to achieve significant broader impacts on societal issues such as, but not limited to: social or economic inequality, health disparities, racial justice, LGBTQ+ issues, accessibility, climate change, and labor.”

The position closes on December 1st, and “applicants should have a PhD in a relevant field by September, 2022.”

Princeton University, Interdisciplinary Data Science - Full, Associate, or Assistant Professor

“As part of a major new initiative in interdisciplinary data science, Princeton University is undertaking a search for faculty members at all academic ranks across all areas of science, engineering, social science, and humanities. This initiative will involve multiple faculty hires over the next several years. We are particularly interested in applicants who advance discovery in their fields of scholarship using techniques from machine learning and statistics. Applicants may also make research advances in the machine learning and statistical methods themselves, as necessary for their application domains.”

“For associate and full professor candidates, we are looking for research leaders who cross boundaries in applying data-science methods. For assistant professor candidates, we are looking for rising stars who are conducting exciting research that applies data-science methods in their chosen field(s).”

“Review of applications will begin by December 1, 2021.” 

Syracuse University Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, The Department of Geography and the Environment - Assistant /Associate Prof, Cartographies of Racial Justice (Tenure Track)

“The Department of Geography and the Environment, in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, at Syracuse University seeks to hire a scholar whose research focuses on Cartographies of Racial Justice, with expertise to teach courses in Map Design. This will be a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor. Ph.D. is required at the time of appointment.”

“We seek a scholar whose research and teaching employ digital cartography, geospatial analysis and/or geo-visualization to analyze and advocate for racial justice. We are particularly interested in hiring a geographer who is both trained in and able to teach traditional, technology-driven cartography and map design, web mapping and other courses in geospatial analysis and whose research and teaching interests engage areas of critical cartographic scholarship, including (but not limited to): Racial justice; Black geographies; Indigenous/Native American geographies; and/or Latinx geographies.”

“Applications will be reviewed as they arrive, with priority consideration given to those received by October 1, 2021; however, the department will continue to consider applications until this position is filled.”

University of Michigan, School of Information - Anti-Racist Data Justice Faculty Position

“The University of Michigan School of Information seeks qualified tenure-track faculty candidates (open rank) to broaden existing scholarship within the school and the U-M community in the area of data justice in computing, technology, and policy, with a specific focus on commitments to racial justice and anti-racism advocacy. Areas of research and teaching may include, but are not limited to: critical data studies, critical algorithm studies, algorithmic inequality, science and technology studies, intersectional analysis of digital labor and precarity, racial capitalism and platform studies, social implications of data-driven systems, technology policy, ethics and politics of computing. We especially welcome scholars who engage with the intersections of digital technology and critical race/ethnic studies, Black studies, intersectional feminisms, decolonization and postcolonial studies, transregional and global studies, disability studies, Indigenous studies, and trans studies.”

Minimum qualifications include a “Ph.D. in an area such as information, race and/or ethnic studies, science and technology studies, or a related discipline” and applications submitted by October 15th will receive full consideration.

University of Minnesota, College of Design - Cluster Hire Design Justice

“Design Justice is a new initiative within the College of Design, seeking to create space, policy, and practices that support the inclusion and retention of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) as well as other communities who have been historically underinvested. Design Justice is supported by a group of individuals across design disciplines, known as the Collective, who are committed to anti-racism, decolonized pedagogy, and the liberation of communities who have been underinvested historically, in both design academia and the design industry. Areas of scholarship, teaching, and/or service will involve: anti-racism, racial justice, racial disparities, and/or racial discrimination; equity, power/privilege, and/or bias; benefits to the BIPOC, immigrant, and refugee populations; environmental and social justice; and/or other forms of studying and countering systemic oppression.”

For the Product Design specialty: “We seek a highly-qualified individual who can contribute to field-shaping research, teaching, and community-engaged scholarship in product design. This interdisciplinary major is the fastest-growing program in the College of Design.”

“Problems are becoming larger, more serious, and more complex. It is not simply that designers will need to rely on new technology for innovative solutions, it is that designers will need to think both creatively and analytically to understand, identify, and solve planetary-scale problems like the ones we face today. The product design program at the University of Minnesota is unique in that it is based on a foundation of industrial design but incorporates elements of science, technology and engineering to produce whole-minded, polymath designers.”

“Priority application deadline is November 15; however, applications will be reviewed until each position is filled. Anticipated start date is August 2022.”

University of Notre Dame, Lucy Family Institute for Data and Society - Cluster Search in Data Science and Society

“The University of Notre Dame established the Lucy Family Institute for Data and Society in 2020 with a distinctive mission to enable positive impact on society and individual lives through innovative domain-informed and data-driven methods and applications.”

“The goal of this search is to hire faculty members who are driven by interdisciplinary and convergent scholarship motivated by societal challenges; novel data science and artificial intelligence methods; and implementation science that translates innovation to societal outcomes. This requires a collection of expertise, a willingness to collaborate across disciplines, and an aspiration to make a translational societal impact.”

“We will begin reviewing applications on November 1st, 2021, but will continue to review applications until all positions are filled.”

University of Virginia, School of Data Science - Open Rank Professor of Data Science, Tenured / Tenure-Track

“The School of Data Science at the University of Virginia seeks applicants for multiple Open Rank Tenured or Tenure Track Professors of Data Science” with “methodologic expertise or applied experience in one or more domains of data science. Examples include, but are not limited to, Analytics (e.g., prediction modeling, machine learning, imaging, computer vision, algorithm development, statistical methods), Data Structures & Informatics (e.g., data architecture and pipelines, database theory, bioinformatics), Data Systems (e.g., high performance computing, distributed systems, software development, tool deployment, cloud architectures), Data Communication (e.g., visualization, human-computer interaction, interpretation) and Data Policy & Ethics (e.g., representativeness, privacy, ethics of algorithmic construction and deployment).”

“Candidates must have earned, or be on track to earn, a PhD in Data Science or a related field (e.g., STEM, social science or humanities degree with a Data Science focus) by August 2022,” and “Review of applicants will begin December 6th, 2021 and the positions will remain open until filled.”

University of Virginia, School of Data Science - Open Rank Professor of Data Science, General Faculty

“The School of Data Science at the University of Virginia seeks applicants for multiple Open Rank Professors of Data Science to join as Academic General Faculty (teaching faculty)” with “methodologic expertise or applied experience in one or more domains of data science. Examples include, but are not limited to, Analytics (e.g., prediction modeling, machine learning, imaging, computer vision, algorithm development, statistical methods), Data Structures & Informatics (e.g., data architecture and pipelines, database theory, bioinformatics), Data Systems (e.g., high performance computing, distributed systems, software development, tool deployment, cloud architectures), Data Communication (e.g., visualization, human-computer interaction, interpretation) and Data Policy & Ethics (e.g., representativeness, privacy, ethics of algorithmic construction and deployment).” 

“Candidates must have earned, or be on track to earn, a PhD in Data Science or a related field (e.g., STEM, social science or humanities degree with a Data Science focus) by August 2022,” and “Appointments available on 9- and 12-month contracts.”

“Review of applicants will begin December 6th, 2021 and the positions will remain open until filled.”