Post Title: Research assistant - Tech workers research project
Location: AI Accountability Lab, School of Computer Science & Statistics, Trinity College Dublin - Under the supervision of Dr Abeba Birhane
Duration: 12 months. Full-time
Salary: Appointment will be made on the TCD salary scale for Research Assistants at a point in line with Government Pay Policy (€34,129 to €44,311 per annum). The specific salary will be determined by the qualifications and experience, and in accordance with TCD guidelines.
Start date: 1 January 2027
Closing date for applications: 18 November 2026, 23:59 (GMT)
About AIAL
The AI Accountability Lab (AIAL) is a research lab housed in the School of Computer Science and Statistics in Trinity College Dublin. We are driven by the urgent need to demystify, critically assess, and publicly communicate the operations and functionality of AI systems by looking under the hood as well as their downstream impact on the public with the aim of shaping public knowledge, shifting power, and reserving fundamental rights, freedoms, and autonomy. The AIAL is an innovative lab at the cutting-edge of AI dedicated to greater transparency on the use of AI systems in the public domain and concrete accountability for the downstream societal impact of these technologies.
The AIAL operates under the core principle that academic research, particularly research in AI, should be of a high-relevance and utility to the public. Thus, we actively engage and partner with local communities, civil society, and rights groups to ensure our work is grounded in real challenges and remains relevant and useful to these stakeholders. We are deeply committed to ensuring our work contributes to fostering transparency and driving a culture of AI accountability. Academic freedom and autonomy are of utmost importance to us and we take great care to ensure our lab is free from direct conflict of interest or implicit influence or pressure from the industry that we are studying. We are funded by philanthropic organisations such as the MacArthur foundation and European grants.
About the position
This position offers an exciting opportunity to join the AI Accountability Lab at the School of Computer Science and Statistics at Trinity College Dublin. In partnership with the Communications Workers’ Union (CWU), the project seeks to examine the labour conditions and broader rights-related risks and harms associated with work in the tech industry. Particularly, the project investigates the working conditions, rights, and experiences of tech workers, including data annotators and content moderators, mainly in the context of Ireland. This is a hands-on role that involves engaging directly with tech workers and data labourers across Ireland. It is particularly suited to candidates with a background in human rights and a strong interest in European labour laws and workers’ rights. Experience working in or with the tech industry is an advantage. The successful candidate will work closely with Dr Birhane and contribute to the other ongoing projects and activities at the AIAL as required.
Key Responsibilities:
- Designing and conducting empirical research on the working conditions, experiences, and rights of data and tech workers
- Liaising with CWU throughout the project to coordinate research activities
- Planning, coordinating, and conducting direct engagement with tech workers across Ireland
The successful candidate is expected to:
- Develop a strong understanding of existing literature, legal frameworks, and policy and public debates relating to data and tech workers
- Conduct rigorous and independent empirical research while working collaboratively with other lab members and CWU partners
- Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with CWU and data/tech workers
- Demonstrate initiative and capacity for independent research including planning, coordinating, engaging with participants, and addressing challenges that arise during the project
- Communicate research progress, emerging findings, and relevant insights through out the project with the PI and CWU
- Produce high-quality research outputs in the form of academic publications and other non-academic forms of writing and communication
- Contribute to the dissemination and engagement of outputs such as through blog posts and social media
- Participate in AIAL-wide activities and meetings
Requirements
- A Master’s degree in human rights, law, social sciences or a related field
- Demonstrable experience –such as through high-quality publications or civil society engagement – in human rights research, investigations or policy development
- Experience conducting qualitative and quantitative research including interviews and data analysis in line with university or organisational ethics and data protection policies
- A good understanding of the tech industry, including the human labour behind digital platforms and AI systems
- Experience of engagement and collaboration with stakeholders such as civil society organisations, human rights groups or affected communities
- Excellent communication and writing skills, with the ability to produce work for both academic and non-academic audiences.
- Experience working in the tech industry is an advantage
Application process:
Interested candidates can submit their application to the email aial@tcd.ie with the subject line “AIAL RA application - Tech workers” with CV and cover letter to be included.
Late applications will not be accepted.
Informal enquiries about the role can also be sent to the email aial@tcd.ie with the subject line “AIAL RA enquiry - Tech workers”.
Please ensure the subject line matches EXACTLY as above. Emails without this subject line may not be considered.
Closing date for applications: 18 November 2026, 23:59 (GMT)