Duncanson Chair in Ethics and Technology
Nov 09, 2023
Duncanson Chair in Ethics and Technology The Departments of Philosophy and Computer Science at Western University invite applications for the Duncanson Chair in Ethics and Technology. The successful applicant will be appointed at the rank of Assistant Professor (Probationary Tenure-track), Associate Professor (Probationary Tenure-track or Tenured), or Professor with Tenure depending on qualifications and experience. We welcome applications from early career researchers as well as from more established ones. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.
Suitable applicants will have a solid grounding in ethical and philosophical perspectives on the social implications of artificial intelligence and the advancement of technology. They will have a strong research track record in the form of publications in high-quality peer-reviewed journals and other scholarly achievements as appropriate for their career stage. Applicants should be well-positioned to apply successfully for external research funding, as evidenced by the projects outlined in their research plan and/or by their previous success with funding applications.
The successful applicant will be capable of contributing to the teaching missions of both Philosophy and Computer Science. They will have a reduced teaching load in alignment with the expectations for a research-intensive position.
With annual research funding exceeding $220 million, and an international reputation for success, Western ranks as one of Canada’s top research-intensive universities. Our research excellence expands knowledge and drives discovery with real-world application. Western also provides an exceptional employment experience, offering competitive salaries, a wide range of employment opportunities and one of Canada’s most beautiful campuses.
The university campus is in London, Ontario, one of the fastest-growing cities in Canada with a population of 422,000, located midway between Toronto and Detroit. With parks, river valleys, tree-lined streets, and bicycle paths, London is known as the “Forest City.” The city boasts an international airport, galleries, theatre, music, and sporting events (https://www.ledc.com/why-london).
Western’s Department of Philosophy (https://www.uwo.ca/philosophy/) is one of the leading philosophy departments in Canada, with a strong reputation in a range of areas including ethics, feminist philosophy, philosophy of mind and cognitive science, and general philosophy of science. The department is home to the Centre for Digital Philosophy (http://cdp.uwo.ca/index.html), which develops and maintains PhilPapers, PhilJobs, and other services. In 2008, the department founded the Rotman Institute of Philosophy (https://www.rotman.uwo.ca/about/) where philosophers work with scientists to tackle complex social problems, including those posed by AI. The successful applicant to this position may elect to be considered for appointment to the Rotman Institute as a core or associate faculty member. The Department of Computer Science (https://www.csd.uwo.ca/) has research strengths in multiple areas including AI, machine learning, and computational neuroscience. The Department has strong ties to industry and supports participation in interdisciplinary research. As well, the Department is a contributor to a collaborative MA program in AI, an undergraduate data science program, and a professional MA program in data analytics. Research is supported by the SHARCNET high-performance computing facilities. Western is affiliated with the Vector Institute for Artificial Intelligence (https://vectorinstitute.ai/), a hub of over 700 researchers with diverse expertise in AI. The successful applicant for this position may choose to be reviewed by the Vector Institute for consideration of appointment as a Vector Faculty Affiliate or Faculty Member.
The review of applications will begin on December 4, 2023, and they will continue until the position is filled. Candidates must have a PhD in Philosophy, Computer Science, or a cognate field by July 1, 2024, which is the anticipated start date for the position.
Application materials must include:
A letter of interest
A detailed CV
Brief descriptions of the following:
a. The candidate’s current research program and future research plans
b. Their teaching experience and philosophy of teaching and graduate supervision
c. The approach they would take to meeting principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion in this position
A writing sample in ethics and technology of no more than 10,000 words
The names of three referees and their contact information
A completed “Application for Full-Time Faculty Position Form” (https://www.uwo.ca/facultyrelations/pdf/Application-FullTime-Faculty-Position-Form.pdf)
Western recognizes the impact that career interruptions can have on a candidate’s record of research achievement, and candidates are encouraged to explain any such impact within an extended or full career CV.
All application materials should be submitted as one PDF file to aiethics@uwo.ca and directed to the Search Committee.
Questions about the position can be sent to aiethics@uwo.ca and addressed to Carolyn McLeod, Chair of Philosophy, and/or Mike Domaratzki, Chair of Computer Science.
Positions are subject to budget approval. Applicants should have fluent written and oral communication skills in English. The University invites applications from all qualified individuals.
Applicants who are long-listed for the position will need to arrange to have three letters of reference sent directly by their referees to this email address. Please be prepared to provide these letters upon request. Western is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression. In accordance with Canadian immigration requirements, priority will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodations for interviews or other meetings, please email aiethics@uwo.ca.