Post Specification
| Post Title: | Research Assistant |
|---|---|
| Post Status: | Fixed-term Contract - Full-time or Part-time |
| Research Group / Department / School: | AIAL, School of Computer Science and Statistics, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin |
| Location: | AIAL, School of Computer Science and Statistics, Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin College Green, Dublin 2, Ireland |
| Reports to: | Dr Abeba Birhane |
| Salary: | Appointment will be made on the TCD Salary Scale for Research Assistants at a point in line with Government Pay Policy [€32,962 to €42,943 per annum]. The specific salary point will be determined by qualifications and experience, and in accordance with TCD guidelines. |
| Hours of Work: | TBD |
| Closing Date: | 12 Noon (GMT), April 17th 2025 |
Post Summary
This position offers an exciting opportunity to join the AI Accountability Lab at the ADAPT Centre in the School of Computer Science and Statistics at Trinity College Dublin. The successful candidate will work on a project dedicated to algorithmic auditing. The role involves conceptual work particularly, developing (alongside other AIAL lab members) justice-oriented audit farmwork and audit execution of agentic systems, such as AI companions. This hands-on role is particularly suited to applicants with a background and strong interest in algorithmic audits.
Standard Duties and Responsibilities of the Post
- Developing audit methodologies for specific stages in the AI lifecycle focused on ensuring justice, accountability, and transparency beyond merely satisfying legal requirements.
- Development of verifiable, replicable, and reproducible design methodologies and frameworks and using these in the execution of audits.
- Actively work with numerous audit practitioners, researchers, and civil society and rights groups to develop, refine, and disseminate the developed work.
- Adherence to data protection and ethical guidelines in handling video content.
- Participation in project meetings, presenting updates on audits and audit framework development progress and any observations from the scoping and literature review.
- Contributing to reports, presentations, and academic publications arising from the research.
Funding Information
This project is funded by the AI Accountability Lab under which the successful candidate’s position will be supported.
Person Specification
Qualifications
The successful candidate must hold at least a Bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field (e.g., Computer Science, Law, Science and Technology Studies, Critical data/communication/media studies, or a cognate area).
Knowledge & Experience (Essential & Desirable)
Essential
- Demonstrable interest in accountability research, particularly algorithmic audits.
- Demonstrable interest in approaches and theories of justice, fundamental rights and systems of oppression.
- Familiarity with European regulations, particularly pertaining to mandatory audits and conformity assessments.
Desirable
- Knowledge of the broader algorithmic audit landscape.
- Prior experience executing algorithmic audits.
- Knowledge of (or willingness to learn) theories of Black/Afro feminism, race and decolonial approaches
Skills & Competencies
- Excellent communication skills for reporting progress and findings to the research team.
- Strong organisational skills.
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment.
Application Procedure
Applicants should submit a full Curriculum Vitae to include the names and contact details of 2 referees (including email addresses), to aial@tcd.ie with the subject line “AIAL RA”